Op-eds

From coal and natural gas production to the automotive, aerospace, biotech industries and beyond, when you think of West Virginia, you can’t help but think about the resources that power our country. However, one thing that might not necessarily be top of mind is one of our greatest, largely untapped resources — girls and their incredible potential. According to the 2017 annual report of the West Virginia Women’s Commission, among all 50 states and the District of... Read More

As West Virginians know far too well, our state has struggled with the opioid crisis longer and harder than most. That's not something we're proud of, but it's a reality that has shaped our ongoing response to this crisis. It's also one that helped inform groundbreaking legislation the Senate passed last week, the Opioid Crisis Response Act.In West Virginia, we better understand some of the causes of the crisis and how we can deal with them. We've discovered what is working; we've learned that... Read More

Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it followed through on President Donald Trump’s executive order to review and repeal the Clean Power Plan (CPP).From its inception, the CPP was a total overreach of the federal bureaucracy. That’s why West Virginia led 24 states in fighting the rule in court, arguing that the Obama EPA overstepped its legal authorities under the Clean Air Act in proposing it. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed, and imposed a stay on... Read More

When we voted in support of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act last December, we did so to help millions of families across West Virginia and the nation. Four million Americans have received bonuses or wage and benefit increases since tax reform’s passage, and more than a million jobs have been created nationwide. The child tax credit and standard deduction were doubled, simplifying the tax process for many and putting more money back in the pockets of hardworking moms and dads. In fact, a... Read More

The U.S. Commerce Department recently announced the economy grew 4.1 percent during the second quarter of this year. More recently, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that worker pay rates hit their highest level since 2008. And since President Trump took office, nearly 4 million people found jobs.These are only a few highlights, but they are proof that our economy is thriving under Republican leadership.It’s clear that the combination of tax reform and cutting burdensome regulations,... Read More

Whether you’re a student trying to do your homework, a small business owner looking to expand or a rural resident who would benefit from telehealth services, broadband access has the ability to open doors to new opportunities for West Virginians.But, as too many West Virginians know, our state is falling behind when it comes to connectivity.Affordable and reliable broadband should be easily accessible regardless of where you live. It’s that simple. And for several years, I have been... Read More

Since my first day in the U.S. Senate, improving broadband access for West Virginians has been one of my top priorities.Whether you’re a small business owner looking to grow your operations, a teacher wanting to help your students learn in new and innovative ways, or someone who could benefit from telehealth services, broadband is critical in today’s world.Broadband keeps us connected, helps improve our lives and communities, and can lead to so many new opportunities.That’s why... Read More

The past year and a half was a time of important accomplishments that will help improve the lives of West Virginians.When Congress passed tax reform legislation at the end of last year, we promised it would help workers and families keep more of their hard-earned money.We promised it would help our businesses compete, reinvest in our economy, and pass benefits down to their employees.We promised it would create new opportunities for growth in our communities.Now, those promises are being... Read More

The past year-and-a-half was a time of important accomplishments that will help improve the lives of West Virginians.When Congress passed tax reform legislation at the end of last year, we promised it would help workers and families keep more of their hard-earned money. We promised it would help our businesses compete, reinvest in our economy and pass benefits down to their employees. We promised it would create new opportunities for growth in our communities. Now, those promises are being... Read More

The past year and a half was a time of important accomplishments that will help improve the lives of West Virginians. When Congress passed tax reform legislation at the end of last year, we promised it would help workers and families keep more of their hard-earned money. We promised it would help our businesses compete, reinvest in our economy, and pass benefits down to their employees. We promised it would create new opportunities for growth in our communities.Now, those promises are being... Read More

The past year-and-a-half was a time of important accomplishments that will help improve the lives of West Virginians.When Congress passed tax reform legislation at the end of last year, we promised it would help workers and families keep more of their hard-earned money.We promised it would help our businesses compete, reinvest in our economy, and pass benefits down to their employees.We promised it would create new opportunities for growth in our communities.Now, those promises are being... Read More

The past year and a half was a time of important accomplishments that will help improve the lives of West Virginians. When Congress passed tax reform legislation at the end of last year, we promised it would help workers and families keep more of their hard-earned money.We promised it would help our businesses compete, reinvest in our economy, and pass benefits down to their employees. We promised it would create new opportunities for growth in our communities. Now, those promises are being... Read More

Every day in New Hampshire and West Virginia, Americans are dying, losing loved ones, and reeling from the far-reaching impacts of the devastating opioid epidemic.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, West Virginia had the highest drug overdose death rate in 2016, and New Hampshire had the third highest. This is the most pressing public health and safety challenge of our time, and it is not a partisan issue.We need a comprehensive approach focused on treatment, prevention,... Read More

Tax reform is working, and Americans across the country - including right here in West Virginia-are already seeing the benefits. We're not talking about hypothetical situations or anticipated outcomes. We're talking about real, concrete examples of how the new tax law is helping workers, families, and small businesses. Already, more than 4.4 million Americans have learned they will directly benefit because of tax reform, and at least 400 companies have announced they are passing down the... Read More

Every day, 115 people die from an opioid overdose. It now surpasses motor vehicle accidents as the number one accidental cause of death in the nation. It is an epidemic that has impacted people of all ages and backgrounds, in communities in our states and across the nation.Take, for example, the 16-year-old high school cheerleader from Springfield, Miss., who was prescribed pain medication for injuries stemming from a car accident. Four years later, despite repeated efforts to fight her... Read More

Something big happened in Washington last week. After years of hearings and discussions and months of working through an open and transparent process, Congress passed comprehensive pro-growth tax reform legislation—delivering on a promise that will have enormous benefits for our country.Getting tax reform across the finish line has been one of my top priorities, and it’s a historic and substantial victory for West Virginians and for Americans across the nation.The agreement passed... Read More

Now more than ever, broadband is a powerful tool that is necessary for West Virginia students and businesses to be able to compete in a global digital economy.Not only does it allow us to browse the internet, and connect with friends and family, but it has the ability to create opportunities that lead to new jobs and higher wages, providing the momentum West Virginia’s economy needs.Whether you’re a small business owner looking to develop your online presence and reach a broader... Read More

This Tuesday and Wednesday, the Environmental Protection Agency is holding a listening session in Charleston on its proposal to withdraw from the Obama administration’s so-called Clean Power Plan.The Trump administration’s decision to withdraw from this plan, and the decision to hear directly from West Virginians, demonstrate a positive change from the job-killing policies of the previous administration.West Virginians expect federal agencies to follow the law. We want... Read More

As West Virginia families travel home to gather together for Thanksgiving – whether just down the street or from across the country – I can’t help but think about all of the gifts and opportunities we have to be thankful for.Our state has had a rough go of it during the past eight years, and we’ve all felt the effects of a struggling economy, overregulation and fewer opportunities to get ahead. But things are turning around in West Virginia.This year, we’ve enjoyed... Read More

Without question, small businesses are a major economic driver and source of jobs in our economy.They are the entrepreneurs and the risk-takers. And their success makes a big difference in our communities and in our lives. These local businesses create opportunity for so many.In fact, more than 95 percent of West Virginia businesses are small businesses, and they employ half of West Virginia’s private-sector workforce.Today, I am bringing together a roundtable to hear directly from... Read More