WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee and a leader on the Environment and Public Works Committee, today spoke on the Senate floor, urging Republicans and Democrats to come together in support of two critical measures the Senate is considering this week: the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (NDAA) and legislation to provide resources for the humanitarian and security crisis at the southern border.
On the National Defense Authorization Act:
“I am pleased that the bill meets the needs of our all-volunteer force by providing the brave men and women with one of the largest raises in a decade of 3.1 percent. With the rising threat of countries such as China, Russia, and Iran, this NDAA authorizes funding for crucial defense efforts, to make certain that the military is well prepared and equipped to defend this nation from the threats and challenges that we face.”
On the humanitarian and security crisis at the southern border:
“We may not agree on how we got here or how best to move forward, but we agree there’s a crisis—a major crisis—and that resources are needed now. The metrics, the images, the stories we all see and hear point to the urgency of this dire situation. And, so our committee worked in a serious and bipartisan way, under the leadership of Chairman Shelby and Vice Chairman Leahy, to address the pressing issues as they are right now. We can and must work towards a long-term solution to address the immigration system, but right now, today, we all agree that a problem exists and our committee has provided a bipartisan solution. Let us move forward in that spirit on behalf of the families and the men and women in law enforcement who need our support.”
BACKGROUND:
The NDAA—bipartisan legislation to support our troops, strengthen the military, and enhance national security—includes language Senator Capito authored and secured in the bill to address the risks and challenges associated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and the Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies (USE IT) Act, which Senator Capito introduced to incentivize carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) and encourage innovation in the use of energy resources.
As chair of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Capito helped negotiate the second measure she spoke in support of on the floor today, an emergency supplemental funding agreement to deliver a total of $4.6 billion for the humanitarian and security crisis at the southern border. The full Senate Appropriations Committee approved that agreement last week with a strong bipartisan vote of 30 to 1.
For a video of Senator Capito’s remarks, click here.
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