CHARLESTON — U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump Tuesday requesting that the federal government continue to cover 100 percent of the cost share for the West Virginia National Guard’s (WVNG) response to the coronavirus pandemic under Title 32 orders.
“Since being activated under Title 32 orders, the WVNG has played a pivotal role in the state’s response to the pandemic. In addition to distributing personal protective equipment, operating COVID-19 testing sites, helping WorkForce WV file unemployment claims, assisting food banks with distributing food to those hardest impacted by this national health emergency, the WVNG is also one of 15 National Guards working with its State Health Department to map the outbreak in the state. While I appreciate your decision to extend Title 32 orders at seventy-five percent until at least December 31, I am imploring you to continue to cover the WVNG one hundred percent as the hard working men and women of the Guard continue to assist West Virginians as they face these unprecedented times,” Senator Capito wrote.
In May, Senator Capito and her colleagues wrote a letter, urging President Trump, U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary Mark Esper, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Peter Gaynor to help provide improved status, leave, healthcare, and reimbursement benefits to National Guard service members that are providing invaluable support services in response to COVID-19. Following this letter, President Trump announced that he would be extending National Guard Title 32 orders through mid-August. Today’s letter requests a further extension.