WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced funding from the U.S. Departments of Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Health and Human Services (HHS), Homeland Security (DHS), Agriculture (USDA), and Labor (DOL), as well as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support economic development, education, health, and safe drinking water programs throughout West Virginia.
HHS and HRSA FUNDING: Senator Capito, Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, secured funding from HHS and HRSA to support substance abuse and mental health treatments, underage drinking prevention, and rural residency planning and development projects in West Virginia.
“I’m pleased to see resources from HHS heading to West Virginia to help support efforts that continue our fight against the addiction crisis, specifically fentanyl, and strengthening mental health programs. Additionally, this funding will strengthen programs that help attract new doctors to our rural areas, an important aspect in the health services fabric of our state,” Ranking Member Capito said.
DHS FUNDING: Senator Capito also secured funding from DHS to reimburse the state of West Virginia for costs the state accrued during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When COVID-19 hit, West Virginians stepped up to make sure those on the front lines had the resources they needed to treat those impacted in our state. I’m glad to see our state being reimbursed by DHS for their urgent action,” Senator Capito said.
USDA FUNDING: Senator Capito also secured funding from the USDA farm-to-school programs in the Eastern Panhandle to help connect schools to local farms and food producers.
“Having quality foods in our schools and supporting local agriculture in West Virginia are important fundamentals to helping students succeed and farmers thrive. I am happy to see USDA partnering with organizations in the Eastern Panhandle to help meet our needs,” Senator Capito said.
NSF FUNDING: Senator Capito also secured funding from the NSF to support a research project at West Virginia University (WVU) centered on process safety mechanisms in the event of hazardous events in new energy projects.
“Safety is incredibly important, especially when we are dealing with chemicals that can become unstable during energy production. I am happy to see WVU researching safety measures that will help our state power America cleanly, efficiently, and safely,” Senator Capito said.
DOL FUNDING: Senator Capito also secured funding for the West Virginia Department of Economic Development (WVDEP) to expand access to in-demand apprenticeships in the state.
“Trades have a long, proud history in West Virginia and I am happy to see the Department of Labor partnering with our state to invest in the future of these jobs, especially as the demand for their skills grow in our economy and they produce family-sustaining wages,” Senator Capito said.
EPA FUNDING: Senator Capito, Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, announced funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) over the next two years to help test, monitor, and remove lead from drinking water in West Virginia schools.
“Every West Virginia student should have access to water that is safe to drink at their school,” Ranking Member Capito said. “Because of the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act that was included in the infrastructure law, we are able to make the necessary investments to improve our water systems and better protect kids from lead contamination in water. I’m proud the work of the EPW Committee is making real-life impacts at the local level that will improve the health and safety of our children.”
Individual awards listed below:
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