WASHINGTON — A congressman who won’t be returning to office in January was praised Tuesday by a West Virginia senator.

U.S. Rep. David McKinley was instrumental in advancing bills impacting West Virginians, U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said in a speech from the Senate floor.

“David has played an essential role in advancing legislation critical to infrastructure, life-altering hearing aid devices and securing the pensions and retirement benefits that our West Virginia coal miners rely on,” Capito said.

McKinley, a licensed engineer, was defeated in the primary election in May for the Republican nomination for the new 2nd Congressional District by Rep. Alex Mooney. The state lost a congressional district due to population decreases effective for the 2022 election.

McKinley, a Wheeling native, was appreciative of Capito’s comments.

It’s been an honor to serve West Virginia in Congress and serve alongside his friend, Capito, McKinley said.

“We’ve known each other for decades, and we share a passion and commitment to service to our great state,” he said. “I appreciate her friendship and her kind words on the Senate floor.”

McKinley has been a representative since 2011. He is a former West Virginia Republican Party chairman and served in the West Virginia Legislature.

Capito called McKinley “my very good friend.”

“He and Mary, his wife, have extended steadfast love and friendship to my entire family, but in particular, my parents in some good times and bad,” Capito said. “Those friendships extended for many, many years and never wavered.”

McKinley and Capito also were colleagues in the House of Representatives.

“You know, David got a slot on the Energy and Commerce Committee during his very first year in Washington. Now, I had already been there 10 years and still hadn’t made it to the Energy and Commerce Committee,” she said. “So, I was a little bit jealous of David then, but wow, he really did tremendous work on that committee.”

McKinley’s passion for West Virginia, the West Virginia University football team and his hometown of Wheeling is complemented by his wife, according to Capito.

“But, you know what, Mary has a national presence as well. Mary was the national president of the American Association of Critical Care-Nurses,” Capito said. “She epitomizes West Virginia’s warmth and friendliness and we thank her for her service to our state as well.”

The McKinleys will be able to enjoy time with their four children and six grandchildren in retirement, she said.

While McKinley’s service will be missed, “his contributions and the example he set will continue to stay with us always,” Capito said.