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Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., speaks to media after a Senate Republican policy luncheon, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

PARKERSBURG Congress can move forward now that the Republican-controlled House of Representatives has chosen a new speaker, U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito said Thursday.

Thats welcome news from my perspective, Capito, R-W.Va., said.

Republicans in the House Wednesday voted for Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., who led the efforts to overturn the election results in four key states where President Joe Biden won.

The House has been without a speaker since Rep. Kevin McCarthy was ousted on Oct. 3.

Peppered by the infighting amongst Republicans in the House, Johnson was the fourth nominee for speaker following Reps. Jim Jordan, Steve Scalise and Republican Whip Tom Emmer.

The House and Senate can now address the business of the nation including aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and to address illegal entry at the southern border with Mexico.

Lets get back to work, Capito said.

Any funding bills have to include efforts to seal the southern border, which doesnt necessarily mean throwing money at the problem, Capito said. Capito spoke to reporters from West Virginia in a press briefing on Thursday from Washington.

The most migrants ever tried to cross into the United States from Mexico in the last fiscal year, according to Capito. About 270,000 migrants attempted to cross, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said.

Terrorists may be coming to America through the southern border, Capito said. The flow has to be stopped at the point of entry, she said.

While barriers appear to impede illegal entry, the illegal immigration issue isnt just money, Capito said. The United States could require those seeking asylum to remain in Mexico while their cases are pending, a remain-in-Mexico policy, which worked under Donald Trump and which President Joe Biden can impose, but chooses not to, she said.

We need immigration reform, Capito said.

Other topics included the hydrogen storage hub in West Virginia, which is proposed in Washington, W.Va., and the military blockade against promotions caused by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala. The hub will be part of the nations efforts toward cleaner energy, she said.

Tuberville is blocking the promotions over Pentagon abortion policies.

Capito has opposed Tubervilles methods, but deferred comment on a resolution working its way through the Senate to move on the promotions. The senator also said she was reluctant to make rule changes.

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