In a recent appearance on "The Hill Sunday with Chris Stirewalt," Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) weighed in on the current government shutdown, the status of ACA premium subsidies, President Trump's trade agreements, and the ongoing battle against drug trafficking. During the NewsNation broadcast, Capito linked the end of the shutdown to the cooperation of just a few Democrats, highlighting the immediate needs facing the country, "We only need five Democrats to come to their senses and say yes, reopen the government and then we can begin to negotiate." Capito's comments, according to a statement on her Senate Office website, emphasize the impact on families dependent on SNAP benefits and the disruption at airports, stressing that this is beyond politics and is actively harming citizens.
On the topic of healthcare subsidies, the West Virginia Senator acknowledged the personal stakes involved and indicated a willingness to discuss reforms and a path forward, "Healthcare is very personal, as you know, to every single family, so this is important" Capito said acknowledging the 74,000 West Virginians affected and the reliance on the enhanced subsidies which were meant to expire Senator Capito pointed out that an open government is a crucial first step for any substantial progress in this matter, her commitment to dialogue and compromise was evident despite the roadblocks in negotiations, as reported by the Senate Office.
Turning to foreign trade, Capito expressed support for President Trump's recent efforts in Asia, including his conversations and deals with China. Capito aligned with the President's stance on improving conditions for American workers and businesses, noting that "The president is nailing these [trade deals] down daily," which she believes will benefit American agricultural products and ease supply chain issues, as per the Senate Office press release.
When it comes to battling the opioid crisis, specifically the flow of fentanyl into the U.S., Senator Capito detailed the Administration's proactive approach to combat narco terrorism. As a representative of West Virginia, a state severely impacted by drug trafficking, Capito supports targeting traffickers in international waters as a means to protect Americans, "I support the president taking narco terrorists in international waters, which he’s doing with the intelligence that he has and that they're gathering as we speak…I believe the president is protecting this country," she emphasized her state's struggle with fentanyl-related deaths and her backing of President Trump's aggressive policies aimed at traffickers, as stated by the Senate Office.
