Anne Barth Press Release

“SHELLEY COME LATELY”:
ELECTION NEARS, CAPITO COMPLAINING OF INACTION
-Capito Points Finger in Her Own Face-

Charleston, W.Va. – The Anne Barth for Congress campaign released the following statement regarding Shelley Moore Capito’s comments on MetroNews Talk Line radio show today proclaiming that she’s “frustrated by inaction in Congress” with regard to energy issues.

“If Shelley Moore Capito understood the needs of her constituents, then she would know that they are frustrated by her inability to get things done in Congress, especially on energy,” said Talley Sergent, a spokesperson for the Barth campaign.  “Capito has voted against drilling on American soil for American oil, continuing her pattern of saying one thing in West Virginia and doing another in Washington.”

This summer, Capito opposed the “Use it or Lose It” bill, which was supported by West Virginia’s Democratic congressional delegation, that would produce an addition 4.8 million barrels of oil by forcing oil companies to either produce domestic oil or return their leases. [HR 6251, Vote # 469, 6/26/2008]  In addition, Capito opposed increasing American energy production by voting against the Drill Responsibly in Leased Lands Act (DRILL Act) that would produce 10.6 billion barrels of oil, require drilling in the Alaskan reserve, and keep American oil in America instead of exporting it to foreign countries. [HR 6515, Vote # 511, 7/7/08]

“Anne Barth has a strong record of getting things done in Washington for the people of West Virginia,” Sergent said.  “She will be ready from day one to work to solve the nation’s energy crisis, by pursuing a national policy that makes West Virginia coal the centerpiece, increases drilling on leased lands and opening the Outer Continental Shelf, as well as releases oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.”

“Six years came and went and West Virginians saw gas prices go up, heating costs increase, and no action from Shelley Moore Capito.”

“Now, she’s feeling the pressure and blaming everyone else for inaction – the fact remains that Shelley Moore Capito cannot get the job done.”

Capito is ranked as the least effective member of West Virginia’s congressional delegation, listed in the most ineffective half of Congress by Congress.org [accessed 8/22/08].  According to the Library of Congress, Shelley Moore Capito has never been the primary sponsor of legislation that was signed into law by the president [Thomas.loc.gov].

For more information, go to www.annebarthforcongress.com.