WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) tonight released the below statement after voting to pass the Fiscal Responsibility Act. The legislation, which passed the Senate on a bipartisan vote, will prevent the U.S. government from defaulting on its debt, cut unnecessary government spending, complete the Mountain Valley Pipeline, and implement permitting reforms.
“I am very glad we did the responsible thing and took action to prevent our nation from facing default. In doing so, we were also able to advance policies, including SNAP work requirements, clawing back unspent COVID funds, and the cut to the IRS budget, which are all responsible and necessary actions good for West Virginia and the entire country. This package also includes a provision to expedite the completion of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, something I personally fought to include, as well as language to help streamline projects and make it easier to build in America— another area I have advocated for and worked on for years. This effort was truly a bipartisan one and demonstrates that Congress, as a whole, can work together to avoid default, which was the ultimate goal.”
BACKGROUND:
As Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, Senator Capito has consistently led efforts in Congress to expedite permitting of the critically important Mountain Valley Pipeline, including with an amendment to the Democrats’ Inflation Act in August 2022, comprehensive permitting reform legislation in September 2022, and introduction of the RESTART Act in May 2023.