WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito had an optimistic look back on 2015 Thursday, and gave a look ahead to what she’d like to see accomplished in Washington in the coming year.
“I think 2015 has been a good year for the Senate,” Capito said in an interview with WMOV Radio of Ravenswood. “Prior to 2015, there was a lot of obstruction and there was no debate on the Senate floor.”
Capito was optimistic that the federal highway bill passed would help roads throughout the Mountain State that are in need of work.
“This year we were able to pass a multi-year highway bill. It was the first time we passed a lengthy bill since 2005,” she said. “That’s great for transportation in West Virginia, whether its Route 35, Coalfield Expressway and all the projects that we need to develop in West Virginia.”
Capito was particularly pleased with legislation that ended President Bush’s controversial No Child Left Behind Act.
“No Child Left Behind is gone; Common Core is gone. Every Child Succeeds (President Obama’s bill replacing No Child Left Behind) is here. And that means it’s all about putting the power of education decisions back in the hands of West Virginia’s families (and) educators.”
In 2016, Capito wanted to see immigration reform, and said national security and the terror threat of ISIS remains a top concern.
“I think homeland security and national security is at the top of everybody’s list,” said Capito. “We’ve got to have a clear strategy to isolate, contain and destroy ISIS. We’ve got to have a better strategy on how we vet people who come into this country."
Overall, Capito expected another busy year in Washington.
“I’ve got a lot on my agenda; I look forward to 2016. I think it’s going to be a good year,” she said.