U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V), ranking member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, visited the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) training facilities in West Virginia Monday.
Capito visited the training facilities in Summit Point, W.V, and the Advanced Training Center (ATC) in Harpers Ferry, W.V. The Congresswoman toured the training facilities and met with officers, received briefings from the base leaders, and participated in training exercises.
“Summit Point and Harpers Ferry are home to critical training grounds for the men and women dedicated to keeping our country safe,” Capito said. “In my leadership role on the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I made it a priority to support the good work of the ATC and expand its operations capacity because I recognized the potential and opportunity there. Today’s visits provided a clear reminder of why these facilities are so important, and I sincerely appreciate the work being done on the ground here that is second to none.”
CBP moved into the facilities at Summit Point after the U.S. Department of State vacated the site. The 19-acre training area comprises classrooms, physical/conditioning facilities, firing ranges, breeching/entry/tactical movement skills facilities, and other training facilities. Capito authored a provision in the Homeland Security Appropriations bill to fund the training facility in 2020.
The Summit Point facility is close to the Advanced Training Center managed by CBP’s Office of Training and Development. The ATC is designed to train and educate CBP personnel on emerging challenges to homeland security at America’s borders. Capito authored language in the FY 2020 Appropriations bill that included $9 million for expansion at ATC.