WASHINGTON (WV News) — Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., is celebrating the completion of the bipartisan infrastructure package, while continuing to raise concerns about President Joe Biden’s social spending plan.
Capito, one of the principal architects of the framework the infrastructure bill was built on, called the $1.2 trillion package signed into law earlier this week a “major win for our country.”
“Unfortunately it’s gotten too politicized,” she said. “I think this is going to result in some really nice improvements for the state of West Virginia. It will mean a lot more money for what we’re traditionally used to, and that’s a good thing.”
The 13 Republican lawmakers in the House who supported the infrastructure bill, including Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., have faced criticism from some GOP colleagues and leaders and threats to have their committee assignments stripped.
McKinley was supporting a bill that benefits his constituents, Capito said.
“He knows that this is good for our state,” she said. “I’m sure that’s what he based his vote on.”
Former President Trump, who failed to pass a comprehensive infrastructure package during his administration, has been a vocal critic of the legislation, Capito said.
“I don’t really appreciate his comments, because I feel that he recognized in his administration and through hard work of Secretary (Elaine) Chao and others in transportation how important this is,” she said. “But I don’t think it’s a good idea to create divisiveness within our own party. President Trump is a Republican.”
The public seems to be confused about the difference between the infrastructure bill and the Build Back Better Act, which contains the bulk of Biden’s social agenda, Capito said.
“There are two separate bills,” she said. “The over-$3 trillion package that the president has talked about on social infrastructure, is in my view a reckless spending and tax bill. It is sort of a wish list of things that (Vermont Independent Sen.) Bernie Sanders and others have wanted.”
Lawmakers are awaiting a report from the Congressional Budget Office that will include a full cost estimate for the Build Back Better Bill, Capito said.
“Now we’re waiting on the score to come in,” she said. “That means how much does it really cost, how much do the raised taxes really cost and who gets hit.”
Capito pointed to recent reporting from outlets like the Washington Post, which have raised questions about who will benefit from some of the package’s provisions.
“What their plan does is gives a tax break to the rich,” she said. “They’ve put a provision into their tax bill over on the House side that basically would eliminate the cap on state and local deductions that pretty much only people who make a lot of money can take. There’s a cap at $10,000, and they’re taking that off and raising it to $80,000.”
She is “certainly opposed” to the Build Back Better bill, Capito said.
“I’ve been vocal in being in opposition to that,” she said.