Press Releases
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce Funding for Southern West Virginia Head Start Program
BECKLEY, W.Va. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller, along with Rep. Nick Rahall (all D-W.Va.), Friday announced Head Start funding for Community Action of South Eastern West Virginia (CASE WV) in Bluefield. "In West Virginia, taking care of our children - and ensuring that we do everything in our power to help them achieve a brighter future - is a top priority," Manchin said. "That's why it is critical to invest in educational opportunities like Head Start. With grants like these, … Continue Reading
May 01, 2014
Manchin and Rockefeller Announce Job-Creating Investments Across State
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller (both D-W.Va.) today announced that the Economic Development Administration will provide a total of $210,000 to regional councils around the state to invest in economic development strategies that support job creation. The funding will bring together the public and private sectors to establish a plan to diversify and strengthen regional economies. "Bringing together our public and private sectors is important to helping boost … Continue Reading
April 30, 2014
Manchin Statement on Minimum Wage Vote
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today issued the following statement after the Senate failed to pass legislation that would increase the national minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $10.10 an hour. "I am disappointed that the Senate failed to pass an increase in the minimum wage," Senator Manchin said. "This bill would cut the number of Americans enrolled in SNAP by more than 3 million and save taxpayers almost $4.6 billion. We can all agree that Americans who work hard … Continue Reading
April 30, 2014
Senators Manchin and Burr Introduce 'No Bonuses for Tax Cheats Act'
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Richard Burr (R-NC) introduced the No Bonuses for Tax Cheats Act. This legislation is in response to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) report, which brought to light the $2.8 million in bonuses that the IRS gave to employees who were delinquent on their taxes or who had committed serious misconduct, including fraud and drug use. The No Bonuses for Tax Cheats Act would bar the IRS from paying out bonuses … Continue Reading
April 29, 2014
Manchin Urges West Virginians to Apply for Program to Train Laid-Off Workers
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D- W.Va.) today encouraged West Virginians to apply for the Job-Driven (JD) National Emergency Grants (NEGs) program, a new initiative under the U.S. Department of Labor that will allocate $150 million in funding to states to train laid-off workers for available jobs. Funding will also be used to provide services, such as coaching, counseling and direct job placement that help connect laid-off workers, including the long-term unemployed, with jobs. The … Continue Reading
April 29, 2014
Manchin Submits Formal Recommendation to Reschedule Hydrocodone During DEA Comment Period
Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) submitted a public comment to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) encouraging the agency to reschedule hydrocodone-combination drugs, which are found in highly addictive painkillers like Vicodin and Lortab, from a Schedule III to a Schedule II controlled substance. The DEA is the lead federal agency in enforcing narcotics and controlled substances laws and regulations, however, before any proposed rule such as rescheduling … Continue Reading
April 24, 2014
Manchin Statement on Patriot Coal Layoffs in Boone County
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) released the following statement after Patriot Coal issued WARN Act notices to mining complexes in Boone County and announced potential layoffs: "Patriot Coal's announcement to lay off at least 100 miners is terribly disappointing for not only the hardworking miners in Boone County, but also for the entire southern region of our great state, where thousands of individuals will be directly and indirectly impacted. By mining the coal … Continue Reading
April 24, 2014
Manchin Applauds Launch of Online One-Stop-Shop Jobs Portal to Help Employ Veterans
Washington, D.C. - After working with the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense and Labor for more than two years, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today applauded the launch of the Veterans Employment Center, an idea Senator Manchin initiated in 2012. This new online database system provides veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses with the tools they need to connect to employers. This one-stop-shop Internet portal is the first interagency tool to provide public and … Continue Reading
April 23, 2014
Manchin to IRS Commissioner: No Taxes, No Bonuses
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today sent a letter to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner John Koskinen demanding immediate action to rescind bonuses given to IRS employees who have serious federal tax issues. According to a recent Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration's report, between October 2010 and December 2012, more than 1,100 IRS tax-delinquent employees received an excess of $1 million in cash bonuses and 10,000 hours in time-off … Continue Reading
April 23, 2014
Manchin Urges West Virginians to Participate in 8th National Drug Take Back Day
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today encouraged West Virginians to participate in the eighth National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 26, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. During the event, local law enforcement officials will anonymously collect expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications at locations around the state with no questions asked. "By participating in opportunities like Drug Take Back Day, which have had tremendous … Continue Reading
April 23, 2014
Manchin Statement on New Elk River Spill Study
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today issued the following statement after health effect results from the Elk River chemical spill were released from a collaborative investigation between the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health (WVBPH) and the Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry (ATSDR). "After nearly four months, West Virginians still have palpable concerns and feel unsettled frustration about the safety of their water. West Virginians deserve all their … Continue Reading
April 23, 2014
Manchin Statement on MSHA Black Lung Rule
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) released a rule to lower miners' exposure to respirable coal mine dust in all underground and surface coal mines. "I have always said that when it comes to the coal industry, the health and safety of our miners must be our top priority. Our coal miners have mined the coal that keeps our lights on, heats our homes and … Continue Reading
April 23, 2014
Manchin Applauds $615M Energy Production Investment in Northern Panhandle
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today issued the following statement on Moundsville Power LLC investing in $615 million in energy production and economic development in Marshall County. "I am so pleased that Moundsville Power LLC decided to locate in Marshall County. This $615 million energy and economic development investment is great news not only for Moundsville, but also for the Northern Panhandle and our entire state. Yesterday, I spoke with Andy Dorn, managing … Continue Reading
April 21, 2014
Manchin, Rockefeller Announce Nearly $68,000 For Romney Fire Department
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller (both D-W.Va.) announced today that Romney Fire Company will receive $67,925 in funding through the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The funds will go toward operations and safety, and can be used to purchase training and personal protective equipment for wellness and fitness, as well as to make health and safety modifications to stations and facilities. "Our committed firefighters, who … Continue Reading
April 11, 2014
Manchin Praises Mercer County Teacher on Nationally-Recognized Outstanding Performance
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today congratulated Princeton resident and Mercer Elementary School teacher Aleta Jo Crotty for being honored as the Midwest District Elementary School Physical Education Teacher of the Year by the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD). The award is given each year in recognition of outstanding teaching performance at the elementary school level and the ability to motivate today's youth to … Continue Reading
April 11, 2014
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce Nearly $1.4M in Funding for Housing Programs Across State
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller, along with Representative Nick Rahall (all D-W.Va.), today announced that housing facilities across West Virginia will receive a total of $1,391,551 under the Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance (CoC) program. This program is designed to promote communitywide commitment with the goal of ending homelessness. "These funds will help us care for our neighbors in need, ensuring that some of West Virginia's most vulnerable … Continue Reading
April 10, 2014
Manchin Statement on Sylvia Mathews Burwell Nomination to be Next HHS Secretary
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today issued the following statement on the nomination of Sylvia Mathews Burwell to be the next U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary. "I am so pleased that Sylvia Mathews Burwell, a native West Virginian and current Director of the Office of Management and Budget, has been nominated as the next Secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services. Sylvia's experience in both the public and private sector, … Continue Reading
April 10, 2014
Manchin Questions Key Officials On The Reliability Of U.S. Electricity Grid
**Videos Available of Senator Manchin's opening statement and Q&A segment**Senator Manchin requested Chair of Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to hold hearingWashington, D.C. - As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today questioned a panelist of experts from the energy and utilities industries about America's electric grid stability and reliability. After this winter's Polar Vortex, much of the country experienced … Continue Reading
April 09, 2014
Manchin Meets with Local Officials to Discuss King Coal Highway Funding
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today met with representatives from the King Coal Highway Authority to discuss funding for the King Coal Highway, a project he has supported and worked hard to progress since he was Governor. "I have always said the King Coal Highway is a win-win for southern West Virginia. Not only would construction projects create good-paying jobs for the region, but it would also bring invaluable infrastructure improvements to our local communities … Continue Reading
April 09, 2014
Manchin Fights to Close Wage Gap
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today issued the following statement after the Senate failed to secure enough votes to move forward to debate and pass the Paycheck Fairness Act. "The fact that working women in West Virginia earn around 70 cents to every dollar a man makes just defies common sense," Senator Manchin said. "My very first vote in the Senate was for paycheck fairness, and I will continue to fight to close the wage gap because people should earn the same … Continue Reading
