Shelley Moore Capito

Shelley Moore Capito, a Republican, has represented the Second Congressional District of West Virginia in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2001.

Iraq War
Capito voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Oil
Shelley Moore Capito has voted in favor of big oil companies on 82% of important oil-related bills from 2005-2007, according to Oil Change International. These bills include Iraq war funding, climate change studies, clean energy, and emissions. See below for oil money in politics.

ARMPAC money
Capito was the largest recipient of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's ARMPAC campaign contributions. DeLay is being prosecuted on charges of felony money laundering of campaign finances and conspiracy to launder money. As of December 2005, Capito had not offered to return any of the $48,500 she received.

Immigration
On July 12, 2007, Rep. Capito sponsored an amendment to the housing bill, which House Republicans successfully added in a procedural tactic, that would make it more difficult for illegal immigrants to receive housing assistance. The measure was attached to the bill through a "motion to recommit," which passed 233-186. The procedure "essentially amended the bill by sending it back to committee, changing it, and instantaneously bringing it back to the floor. The underlying bill passed 383-83." The added provision would "require recipients of public housing assistance to provide proof of legal residency, such as a Social Security card or passport."

Congressional page board resignation
Capito, along with Rep. Ginny Brown Waite (R-Fla.), resigned from the board governing the House page program on December 6, 2007, alleging the House clerk did not inform her properly about page infractions. Two pages were dismissed after being caught shoplifting, while two others were dismissed for sexual activity. Capito said there had been "numerous occurrences" in 2007 in which board members had not received timely information about incidents involving pages. She noted the "failed leadership of the clerk of the House and the continued lack of oversight" as prompting her resignation. Capito said she had no other alternative to show her serious concerns about the page program’s management problems.

Bio
Capito was born November 26, 1953. A resident of Charleston, Capito is the daughter of Arch A. Moore, Jr., who twice served as that state's Governor (1969-1977; 1985-1989). She was educated at Duke University and at the University of Virginia and served two terms in the West Virginia House of Delegates.

When 2nd District Congressman Bob Wise decided to make what turned out to be a successful run for governor in 2000, Capito won the Republican nomination and subsequent general election. She was the first Republican to represent West Virginia in Congress since 1983, as well as the first woman elected to Congress from West Virginia in her own right. She was reelected in 2002 against Humphreys and in 2004 against former newscaster Erik Wells by surprisingly large margins, becoming the first West Virginia Republican to win reelection to Congress since her father, who represented the First District in the state's northern region from 1957 to 1969.

Her voting record has been moderate by Southern Republican standards. She is the only pro-choice member of West Virginia's House delegation, despite the fact that the West Virginia Republican Party is strongly pro-life. She also has strong ties to organized labor, a rarity among congressional Republicans.

2006 election
In 2006, the Democrats nominated Mike Callaghan to challenge Capito in her bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Capito retained her seat.

Money in politics
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Oil Money in Politics
Shelley Moore Capito has received $71,350 in oil contributions during the 110th congress. $22,250 of those dollars were from industry PACS. In total, Capito has accepted $280,595 from oil companies between 2000 and 2008, which makes her one of the top recipients of oil money.

Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)
Committee assignments are not yet available for the 110th Congress.

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Rules
 * Subcommittee on Rules and Organization of the House

Coalitions and Caucuses

 * Member, Republican Main Street Partnership
 * Member, The Wish List a group of pro-choice Republican women.
 * Chairwoman of the Congressional Woman's Caucus.

2008 Campaign Contact Information
Official Capito for Congress campaign website

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 11519 Charleston, WV 25339

Physical Address: 164 Court Street Charleston, WV 25301

Phone: 304-342-1094 Fax: 304-342-5020

[mailto:capito@capitoforcongress.com capito@capitoforcongress.com]

External resources

 * Official website
 * Follow the Oil Money
 * Vote Tracker
 * Follow the Coal Money
 * Appalachian Voices

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Appalachian Voices
 * West Virginia Political Sweatbox
 * The Goat Rope
 * Change West Virginia