January 23, 2018
 

Fisher House Volunteers to Cover Expenses for Families of Fallen Soldiers During the Shutdown

During the shutdown, I worked with the CEO of the Fisher House Foundation, Ken Fisher, who generously volunteered to help our military families and ensure there would be no funding gap during a time of unfathomable loss. This is the second time I’ve worked with the Fisher House on this – the last time was during the government shutdown in 2013, when we learned that the Department of Defense would not be able to pay death gratuities to families of service members killed in combat. 

Again during this shutdown, the Fisher House generously agreed to offer the families an advance grant until the government can make reimbursements at an appropriate time. The Fisher House also offered to cover flights, hotels and other incidentals for family members. 

I applaud Ken and the Fisher House for their dedication to serving our Soldiers and their families during their time of need.  It’s shameful that our military families could bear the consequences of a shutdown like this one, and that’s part of why I will never vote to shut down the government. I’m grateful for Ken’s leadership and generous spirit.

Fisher House Foundation is best known for the network of comfort homes built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers nationwide and in Europe. Fisher House Foundation also operates the Hero Miles Program, using donated frequent flyer miles to bring family members to the bedside of injured service members as well as the Hotels for Heroes program using donated hotel points to allow family members to stay at hotels near medical centers without charge. The Foundation also manages a grant program that supports other military charities and scholarship funds for military children, spouses and children of Fallen and disabled Veterans.

Soon, West Virginia will have its first Fisher House. The home will be located at the Huntington VA Medical Center, and will provide comfort to West Virginia Veterans and their families. I look forward to joining Ken Fisher in Huntington for the ground breaking.  

 

 

Why I Voted Against the Government Shutdown & Worked for a Bipartisan Compromise

It was wrong to shut down the government, and that's why I voted to keep it open. I worked all weekend and brought together more than 20 Republicans and Democrats to help both sides come to an agreement to end this government shutdown. While others were focused on placing political blame, I was focused on solving the problem, and I'm glad to say we got it done. I’m proud we were able to come together yesterday and pass our bipartisan compromise to reopen the government, pass long-term funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and give us three weeks to come up with a FY2018 budget that everyone can support. 

Now that the government is reopen, we have the next three weeks to ensure our military is equipped to protect our country, fight the opioid epidemic, keep our promise to coal miners so they don’t lose their hard-earned pensions, expand broadband access and pass a comprehensive infrastructure package. 

I never voted for or supported this shutdown. This was a result of the toxic dysfunction that this Congress is operating under. It was wrong to shut down the government and it was a waste of time that prevented us from working on issues that the American people and West Virginians care about. Now, we can get back to work.
 

Bill To Withhold Congressional Pay During a Government Shutdown

On Friday, I introduced legislation to withhold the pay of members of Congress during a government shutdown. 

In West Virginia, we know that when you don’t do your job, you don’t get paid. If Congress can’t come together to fulfil one of our most basic constitutional obligations, then we don’t deserve to get paid either. 

In accordance with the 27th Amendment forbidding Congress from raising or lowering its pay, the No Government No Pay Act of 2018 would take effect during the 116th Congress and would be applied to each new Congress going forward. 

Information On Utility Bills

My office has received multiple requests recently for help with increased electric bills. I want to provide some helpful resources to all West Virginians seeking assistance in this matter. My office contacted West Virginia's electric utilities and was given the following information to help customers. Please let my office know if we can be of any further assistance, or if we can provide information from other utility companies.

For Appalachian Power customers:

  • Check to see if you are eligible for Appalachian Power’s Average Monthly Payment plan (AMP). It’s a program that levels out your bills throughout the year with no settle-up month.
  • Ask Appalachian Power customer service about alternative payment arrangements if you are worried about falling behind on your bill. 
  • Ask about energy efficiency programs. Appalachian Power has a free home energy assessment available, plus other programs to help customers energy costs. Click here for more information.
  • More information is available by calling Appalachian Power customer service at 1-800-982-4237, 24/7. Or go to AppalachianPower.com. 

For FirstEnergy/Mon Power customers: 

  • To find information on low-income programs, click here. 
  • For energy conservation and efficiency, as well as other ways to save on energy costs, click here. 
  • Call Mon Power’s customer service line at 1-800-686-0022.

For FirstEnergy/Potomac Edison customers: 

  • You can find information on low-income programs here. 
  • Additional details on energy conservation, efficiency and savings can be found here. 
  • Call Potomac Edison’s customer service line at 1-800-686-0011.

For all customers: 

  • For help with weatherizing your home, locate your local Community Action Agency by visiting www.goeo.wv.gov or by calling 1-304-247-2277. 
  • To find out about the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), click here.
  • For information on the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), call (304) 558-0628 or click here.

 

 

To learn more, call my office Toll Free at (855) 275-5737, email me,or find me on social media:

             

Please do not respond to this email. The mailbox is unattended. To UNSUBSCRIBE at any time, please click here.