Latest news with #Capito
The Hill
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Trump administration to release funds for after-school, summer programming
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito ( announced Friday the Trump administration had agreed to release at least some of the $6 billion in funding meant for after-school and summer programming that it had held. The freeze of the funds, which also go toward English and adult learner classes and teacher preparation courses, had resulted in rare bipartisan pushback to a Trump policy on education. In a victory lap after Capito led a Thursday letter with nine other Senate Republicans urging for the funds to be released, the West Virginia senator posted on X that the director for the Office of Budget and Management (OMB) told her the Department of Education is 'releasing crucial funds to states that support after school and summer education programs.' A senior administration official confirmed to The Hill that the funds 'will be released to the states.' 'Guardrails have been put in place to ensure these funds are not used in violation of Executive Orders,' the official said. It was not immediately clear, however, how much of the $6 billion in question will be in play. The Hill has reached out to OMB for further comment. The Republican letter signed by Capito, along with Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Susan Collins (Maine), Mitch McConnell (Ky.), Mike Rounds (S.D.), John Boozman (Ark.), Katie Britt (Ala.), Deb Fischer (Neb.), John Hoeven (N.D.) and Jim Justice ( said the pause in funding would 'harm students, families and local economies.' 'This funding goes directly to state and local districts, where local leaders decide how the funding is spent, because as we know, local communities know how to best serve students and families,' the letter reads. Twenty-four Democratic states had sued over the funding pause, arguing the money should have been distributed on the normal July 1 schedule. 'Congress allocated these funds and the law requires they be delivered. We will not allow this administration to rewrite the rules to punish the communities it doesn't like,' New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement. Earlier this month, Kim Evans, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta in Georgia, told The Hill without the funds her clubs would have to reduce their offerings to students. 'We have summer camps rolling right now. I'm depending on a reimbursement in July. … If we don't get that, we have kids who won't be served,' Evans said. OMB had previously said it held the funds to make sure the money aligned with the administration's agenda. 'This is an ongoing programmatic review of education funding. Initial findings have shown that many of these grant programs have been grossly misused to subsidize a radical leftwing agenda. In one case, NY public schools used English Language Acquisition funds to promote illegal immigrant advocacy organizations. In another, Washington state used funds to direct illegal immigrants towards scholarships intended for American students,' an OMB spokesperson said. 'In yet another, School Improvement funds were used to conduct a seminar on 'queer resistance in the arts.' As stated before, this is an ongoing programmatic review and no decisions have been made yet,' the spokesperson added.
Dominion Post
04-07-2025
- Business
- Dominion Post
NASA IV&V in Fairmont faces drastic funding cut
dbeard@ MORGANTOWN – NASA's Katherine Johnson Independent Verification & Validation Facility in Fairmont could see a drastic budget cut under President Trump's Fiscal Year 2026 Discretionary Budget Request. But members of West Virginia's Congressional delegation are working to prevent it As part of an overall proposed NASA budget cut, Johnson IV&V would see its funding fall from its current $43.3 million (from FY 2024) to $13.8 million in FY 2026 – just one third of the current budget. NASA is working on answers to questions from The Dominion Post about the ramifications of the cut and will provide those next week. In its 2026 Budget Technical Supplement, the agency says, 'In FY 2026, NASA plans to significantly reduce and restructure both the NASA Engineering and Safety Center and Independent Verification and Validation program as part of the effort to consolidate the overall Agency Technical Authority program. In FY 2026, NASA will allocate $9.9 million for IV&V to ensure the program can provide software assurance support to the future Moon to Mars programs.' The Dominion Post reached out to Sens. Shelley Moore Capito and Jim Justice, and Rep. Riley Moore for comments on the proposal. Capito spokeswoman Kelley Moore (no relation) said Capito 'is aware of the proposed cuts to NASA that would impact the mission and the facility at Katherine Johnson IV&V.' She has been in contact with leadership at the facility, Goddard Space Flight Center, which oversees the work at IV&V, and NASA Headquarters. 'It has also been conveyed to NASA and to the Senate Appropriations Committee that Sen. Capito will oppose any cuts to this facility that would impact workforce or its mission,' Moore said. Moore noted that since NASA does not have an administrator or a nominee at this time, there has not been a budget hearing where this topic could be raised. 'Regardless, Sen. Capito is working hard to protect this facility that she so proudly helped name around this time in 2019.' Justice did not respond to several requests for comment. Moore said, 'I am closely tracking the proposed cuts to NASA's Fairmont facility. I have been in constant communication with the appropriations subcommittee chairman who oversees its funding, and will use my position on the Appropriations Committee to fight for the important work being done there.' Here's a breakdown of the numbers that factor into IV&V's budget – with several layers of authority above IV&V. IV&V overall falls under NASA's Safety, Security and Mission Services. That budget was cut from $3.131 billion in FY 2024 to $3.092 billion in FY 2025 and will fall to $2.118 billion in FY 2026 the federal fiscal year begins Oct. 1). Under SS&MS, is Engineering Safety & Operations. Its budget will fall from $1.088 billion in FY 2024 to $620.3million in FY 2026 and $446.5 million in FY 2027. And under ES&O, the Agency Technical Authority funding will fall from $196.1 million in FY 2024 to $69.6 million in FY 2026. 'The Agency Technical Authority program protects the health and safety of NASA's workforce by evaluating programs, projects, and operations to ensure safe and successful completion. ATA capabilities provide expert technical excellence, mission assurance, and technical authority agency wide.' IV&V falls directly under the Agency Technical Authority, with funding from several accounts. Funding from the Safety, Security and Mission Services account will be cut from $39.2 million to $9.9 million – for software assurance support for Moon and Mars programs, as mentioned above. Funding from the Exploration account will go from $3.3 million to $2 million. Funding from the Space Operations account will go from $800,000 to $700,000. One account source will see an increase: Science account funding will go from $0 in FY 2024 to $1.2 million for FY 2026. A footnote hints at some flexibility: 'The IV&V program will work with Mission Directorate to adjust FY 2026 allocations as the FY 2026 operating plan is developed.' Some information provided to The Dominion Post noted that cuts to IV&V have been proposed in the past, but not to this extent.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Six arrested while protesting cuts to Medicaid, SNAP outside Capito's Charleston office
People hold signs protesting cuts to Medicaid and SNAP at a demonstration outside West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito's office in Charleston, on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (Lori Kersey | West Virginia Watch) Six people were arrested Wednesday afternoon at West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito's office in Charleston, West Virginia, as they attempted to protest proposed federal cuts to food assistance and health care programs. Seven people came to Capito's office in the United Bank building in downtown Charleston to urge Capito to vote no on the 'One Big, Beautiful Bill Act,' — legislation being debated by the Senate that analysts say would make historic cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that provide health care and food assistance to thousands of West Virginia residents. The group found that the office was closed to the public, they said in a news release. When they called the office, they were denied a chance to arrange a meeting, they said. One person apparently left before the other six were arrested. According to a news release, the Charleston Police Department charged the six with trespassing. They included Charleston City Council members Beth Kerns and Joe Solomon along with activist and a long-time episcopal priest Jim Lewis. Community members Lyn May, Paul Dalzell and Morgan Fowler were also arrested. The news release said police responded to a trespassing complaint and that the people were asked to leave but refused. 'My little girl depends on Medicaid,' Fowler said in a statement Wednesday. 'My aunt survived a stroke, but if these Medicaid cuts go through, she won't have a pathway to survive at all. Senator Capito claims to care about West Virginia, but this bill would cut health care for our babies so billionaires can buy bigger boats.' Outside the building, about a dozen more people gathered holding signs with messages against the proposed cuts to Medicaid and SNAP. John Doyle, a retired Charleston resident, held a sign that warned said 'SNAP saves Lives. Hands Off.' Doyle said the bill would do tremendous harm to West Virginia in particular. 'I'm particularly concerned about Medicaid, SNAP and other human services that are going to be slashed,' Doyle said. 'This is a state where that whole economy — health care, is the major employer in West Virginia. If they don't think this is going to affect the whole state, they're wrong.' Charleston Councilwoman Chelsea Steelhammer was also among the people protesting outside the building. Steelhammer said she's motivated to protest by her work as a teacher. 'My students — a lot of them depend on Medicaid and SNAP,' Steelhammer said. 'If they don't have health care, they're sick and they don't learn. If they don't have food, they're hungry and they don't learn. And if you don't learn, you don't succeed.' Steelhammer said if she could talk to Capito, she would tell her to listen to her constituents. 'Just think about what's going to happen to these kids,' she said. Capito and Sen. Jim Justice, both Republicans, have expressed support for adding work requirements to Medicaid. In a statement Wednesday afternoon, Capito said that everyone should have the right to make their voices heard in a respectful and peaceful way. She defended the proposals to cut SNAP and Medicaid. 'The Medicaid and SNAP provisions included in the reconciliation bill that the Senate is currently considering focus on managing and maintaining the programs for those who are eligible and intended to be in them,' she said. 'Our goal in the bill is to root the waste, fraud and abuse out of the programs, to ensure that it is sustainable for the long term.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump talk of joining Iran-Israel conflict unnerves lawmakers in both parties
Senators in both parties are growing increasingly nervous about the possibility that President Trump could insert the United States directly in the Israel-Iran war with a decision to bomb Iran to prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon. It's not clear whether Trump has made a decision himself on an issue that divides his own party and the MAGA movement. On Wednesday, he said, 'I may do it, I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do.' The Wall Street Journal later in the day reported that Trump had told senior aides he approved of an attack plan for Iran but was holding off on giving a final order to see if the country abandons its nuclear program. On Capitol Hill, there is broad support in both parties for Israel, but there is also fear about getting drawn into a larger war in the Middle East. 'I'm uncomfortable,' said Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), who noted that Trump campaigned on keeping the U.S. out of foreign conflicts. Since taking office, Trump has so far unsuccessfully sought to get peace deals in the Russia-Ukraine war and in the Middle East. 'These decisions are always a function of assessing risk accurately and your reward,' Hickenlooper said. 'What do we get out of it? And I'm not sure what's in it for the American people. That's the argument the president ran on.' 'We run the risk of getting dragged into a much more serious conflict,' he continued, while noting he's '100 percent' on the Israeli side. 'But I'm not sure this is necessary to their survival for us to do something like this.' Lawmakers are also worried about what their constituents back home are thinking. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito ( said U.S. officials 'need to be contemplative and look at all the ramifications.' 'I'd imagine every American's like, 'Hoo, this situation's spiraling,'' she said. While Capito expressed concern, she also said she believes Trump will only strike Tehran if he feels fully compelled to do so beyond a reasonable doubt. 'I don't really worry with this president because he doesn't pay as much attention to the rhetoric, when the Ayatollah says, 'Ohhh we'll ruin you,'' Capito said, referring to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 'I just think … slow it down if you can, make sure you're making the right decision. I trust the president to make the right decision, but it's tough.' According to one Senate GOP aide, the GOP conference has a 'healthy mix' on the question of getting more involved. At one end is Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a close ally of Trump but also a hawkish member who is pushing for regime change. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) represents another end of the spectrum and has called for the U.S. to stay out of the situation entirely. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) told reporters Wednesday that he was wary of the U.S. getting increasingly ingrained in yet another conflict in the Middle East. 'I don't want us fighting a war. I don't want another Mideast war,' he told CNN. 'I'm a little concerned about our sudden military buildup in the region.' Hawley said he spoke to Trump on Tuesday night. 'I think Trump's message to them is if you don't [give up nukes], you're on your own with Israel,' Hawley said of the Iranians. 'I think all that's fine. It's a very different thing though for us to then say, but we are going to offensively … go strike Iran or insert ourselves into the conflict,' he continued, adding that a U.S. offensive is something he'd 'be real concerned about.' 'I don't think there's a need for the United States to affirmatively insert ourselves,' he said. Democrats are pressing for more information. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told reporters Wednesday that he requested an all-senators classified briefing that is set for early next week. Sen. Mark Warner (Va.), the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, separately expressed frustration about being kept in the dark. 'I'm a member, as you said, of the gang of eight, and we're supposed to know. I have no foggy idea what this administration's plans are or what the foreign policy is vis-a-vis Iran,' he said Wednesday afternoon on CNN. The surprise for some Republicans is that it is clear Trump is seriously considering joining the assault on Iran. This is a shift given Trump's aversion to foreign wars. The president has been a harsh critic of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) posted a meme on social platform X exemplifying the MAGA coalition's lack of enthusiasm for a more intense role in Iran. Democrats, meanwhile, are divided on the possibility of asserting Congress's authority over war powers amid talk of a U.S. strike on Tehran. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) started a push to curb the president's ability to launch a unilateral strike earlier in the week by rolling out his measure to require congressional authorization or a formal declaration of war before action can be taken. However, only a few of his colleagues have backed his effort publicly, with leadership keeping options open. 'Senate Democrats, if necessary, will not hesitate to assert our prerogatives and our ability on this bill,' Schumer said. Republicans broadly believe that Trump has the authority to order a strike on Iran if he so chooses. The line they do not want to see crossed is putting troops on the ground in the region, and some of them do not see Trump taking that kind of step. 'We're not talking about American boots on the ground,' Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said. 'That would be something different.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
18-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Trump talk of joining Iran-Israel conflict unnerves lawmakers in both parties
Senators in both parties are growing increasingly nervous about the possibility that President Trump could insert the United States directly in the Israel-Iran war with a decision to bomb Iran to prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon. It's not clear whether Trump has made a decision himself on an issue that divides his own party and the MAGA movement. On Wednesday, he said, 'I may do it, I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do.' The Wall Street Journal later in the day reported that Trump had told senior aides he had approved of an attack plan for Iran but was holding off on giving a final order to see if that country abandons its nuclear program. On Capitol Hill, there is broad support in both parties for Israel, but there is also fear about getting drawn into a larger war in the Middle East. 'I'm uncomfortable,' said Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), who noted that Trump campaign on keeping the U.S. out of foreign conflicts. Since taking office, Trump has so far unsuccessfully sought to get peace deals in the Russia-Ukraine war and in the Middle East. 'These decisions are always a function of assessing risk accurately and your reward,' said Hickenlooper. 'What do we get out of it? And I'm not sure what's in it for the American people. That's the argument the president ran on.' 'We run the risk of getting dragged into a much more serious conflict,' he continued, while noting he's '100 percent' on the Israeli side. 'But I'm not sure this is necessary to their survival for us to do something like this.' Lawmakers are also worried about what their constituents back home are thinking. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito ( said U.S. officials 'need to be contemplative and look at all the ramifications.' 'I'd imagine every American's like, 'hoo, this situation's spiraling,'' she said. While Capito expressed concern, she also said she believes Trump will only strike Tehran if he feels fully compelled to do so beyond a reasonable doubt. 'I don't really worry with this president because he doesn't pay as much attention to the rhetoric, when the Ayatollah says, 'ohhh we'll ruin you,'' Capito said. 'I just think … slow it down if you can, make sure you're making the right decision. I trust the president to make the right decision, but it's tough.' According to one Senate GOP aide, the GOP conference has a 'healthy mix' on the question of getting more involved. At one end is Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a close ally of Trump but also a hawkish member who is pushing for regime change. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) represents another end of the spectrum, and has called for the U.S. to stay out of the situation entirely. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) told reporters Wednesday that he was wary of the U.S. getting increasingly ingrained in yet another conflict in the Middle East. 'I don't want us fighting a war. I don't want another Mideast war,' he told CNN. 'I'm a little concerned about our sudden military buildup in the region.' Hawley said he had spoke to Trump on Tuesday night. 'I think Trump's message to them is if you don't [give up nukes], you're on your own with Israel,' Hawley said of the Iranians. 'I think all that's fine. It's a very different thing though for us to then say, but we are going to offensively … go strike Iran or insert ourselves into the conflict,' he continued, adding that a U.S. offensive is something 'I'd be real concerned about.' 'I don't think there's a need for the United States to affirmatively insert ourselves,' he said. Democrats are pressing for more information. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday told reporters that he requested an all-senators classified briefing that is set for early next week. Sen. Mark Warner (Va.), the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, separately expressed frustration about being kept in the dark. 'I'm a member, as you said, of the gang of eight and we're supposed to know. I have no foggy idea what this administration's plans are or what the foreign policy is vis-a-vis Iran,' he said on CNN on Wednesday afternoon. The surprise for some Republicans is that it is clear Trump is seriously considering joining the assault on Iran. This is a shift given Trump's aversion to foreign wars. The president has been a harsh critic of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) posted a meme on X exemplifying the MAGA coalition's lack of enthusiasm for a more intense role in Iran. Democrats, meanwhile, are divided on the possibility of asserting Congress's authority over war powers amid talk of a U.S. strike on Tehran. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) launched a push to curb the president's ability to launch a unilateral strike earlier in the week by rolling out his measure to require congressional authorization or a formal declaration of war before action can be taken. However, only a few of his colleagues have backed his effort publicly, with leadership keeping their options open. 'Senate Democrats, if necessary, will not hesitate to assert our prerogatives and our ability on this bill,' Schumer said. Republicans broadly believe that Trump has the authority to order a strike on Iran if he so chooses. The line they do not want to see crossed is the putting of troops on the ground in the region, and some of them do not see Trump taking that kind of step. 'We're not talking about American boots on the ground,' said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). 'That would be something different.'
