PHOTOS: Capito Hears from Local Restaurants on Benefits of Working Families Tax Cuts Act

FAIRMONT, W.Va. - Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) joined the National Restaurant Association, the West Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association (WVHTA), and local restaurants from across the state for a roundtable discussion at Muriale's Italian Kitchen in Fairmont, W.Va. The roundtable discussion focused on how the Working Families Tax Cuts legislation, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, will impact the restaurant industry.

The Working Families Tax Cuts Act, which Senator Capito helped pass in July 2025, includes extensive tax reforms that make pro-business tax policy permanent. These changes will be essential to supporting the growth of the restaurant industry and other small businesses for years to come.

"Today's conversation underscored just how essential our local restaurants are to West Virginia's communities and economy. Hearing directly from restaurants about how the Working Families Tax Cuts legislation is giving them the certainty to invest, hire, and grow reaffirmed why these pro-business and worker-focused tax policies matter. I'm grateful to the National Restaurant Association, the WVHTA, and to all of our restaurateurs for their partnership and for the vital role they play in keeping our state strong," Senator Capito said.

"The hospitality and tourism industry is growing in West Virginia, and legislation championed by Senator Capito has certainly made a significant positive impact for restaurants and tourism businesses," Jordan Nuzum from the West Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association said. "We are thankful for Senator Capito's leadership on the tax cuts and for always champion West Virginia's hospitality and tourism industry."

"The restaurant industry is a powerful economic engine - generating more than $1.4 trillion in annual economic activity and employing more than 15 million people nationwide," Sean Kennedy, executive vice president for Public Affairs at the National Restaurant Association, said. "The pro-growth tax policies in the Working Families Tax Cut will make it easier to start a restaurant and will put a little extra money in the pockets of many of our workers. We appreciate Sen. Capito's support of restaurants and hospitality businesses and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to share the impact her decisions in Washington have on businesses back home."

BACKGROUND:

The major permanent tax provisions included in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act will allow restaurant owners to make long-term plans for investment and growth. Examples of permanent provisions include:

• Full expensing for capital equipment purchases

• Qualified business income deduction

• Business interest expense deduction

The legislation also includes provisions that provide temporary tax relief that recognize the extra effort restaurant employees make every day. Examples of temporary provisions include:

• No tax on overtime

• No tax on tips

For more information on how the Working Families Tax Cuts Act benefits the restaurant industry, click HERE and HERE.

Photos from today's event are included below:

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) participates in a discussion with restaurants from across the state to discuss the benefits to restaurants from the Working Families Tax Cuts Act at Muriale's Italian Kitchen in Fairmont, W.Va. on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) tours Muriale's Italian Kitchen in Fairmont, W.Va. on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) visits with local restaurant owners during an event at Muriale's Italian Kitchen in Fairmont, W.Va. on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) visits with local restaurant owners during an event at Muriale's Italian Kitchen in Fairmont, W.Va. on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

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