We’ve made it clear that we believe U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., has brought a knowledgeable and pragmatic voice to the halls of Congress, first as a representative and now as a senator.

On Thursday, she managed to sum up how we believe most West Virginians, and hopefully Americans, are feeling these days about Congress.

“It’s time to get to work — well past time to get to work,” she said in regards to the House finally settling on a speaker, Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La.

While much is not known of Johnson and his ability to bring fellow lawmakers to the negotiating table to get things accomplished, the hope is that at least the wheels can begin turning in the process.

With so much left unsettled over spending bills, funding for wars in Israel and Ukraine, as well as President Biden’s botched energy policy, our lawmakers in Washington have much to address as the year winds toward a close.

All of the above issues are matters that can’t continue to be pushed aside while politicians — not true leaders — choose to pontificate on political platforms instead of finding middle ground to move the nation and world forward.

One of the first issues that needs to be sorted out is the continued funding of our federal government, which faces a Nov. 15 deadline for lawmakers to come to an agreement, either on a stopgap continuing resolution or a more long-term funding decision.

Likewise, lawmakers must address President Biden’s funding proposal that calls for more aid for Israel and Ukraine and more money for border security right here in the United States.

All three of these issues impact our national security, as well as world peace. As the leader of the free world, the United States must continue to show support for allies who are being attacked, whether they be in the Ukraine, Israel or elsewhere.

We must also make sure that our military men and women — who have been deployed to provide stabilization in regional hot spots, especially the Middle East — have the tools and direction to properly defend themselves.

And there is no question that U.S. leaders must do more to secure our borders, especially along the southern part of the country, where illegal immigrants have flooded the region.

Part of the Biden plan appears to strengthen border security, but there are other elements that appear to encourage more immigrants to come to this country.

We know the storied history of immigration and the strength it brought to this country over the years. But we also see the danger of a poorly structured system that is overrun and threatens the security of this great nation.

We’re encouraged to see leaders from both parties identify immigration and funding for allies as key parts of national security. We’re also encouraged to see more leaders beginning to realize the flaws of a rushed Biden administration energy policy that leaves too much in doubt.

This nation must remain strong in energy production, improve manufacturing and production on our soil and provide our allies with the aid and comfort needed to fight off dictators and zealots.

Hopefully, the U.S. House, Senate and Biden administration will work together to fix the issues and strengthen the great promise this nation and the free world have.

If not, we should demand better.