Press Releases
Manchin, Boxer, Rockefeller to Introduce Bill to Prevent Chemical Spills
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, and Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) today reached agreement on legislative language that will help protect Americans from chemical spills that threaten drinking water. This bill, the Chemical Safety and Drinking Water Protection Act, brings together in one place the tools to provide oversight of chemical facilities. It strengthens states' ability to prevent chemical … Continue Reading
January 16, 2014
Manchin, Inhofe Introduce Bill to Protect Pilots, Air Traffic Controllers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) and Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) today introduced bipartisan legislation that would ensure the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conducts an open rulemaking process before enacting potential changes to the medical certification requirements for pilots and air traffic controllers in relation to sleep disorders. "As a pilot myself, I recognize that there is nothing more important than making sure our skies are safe and I appreciate the FAA's … Continue Reading
January 16, 2014
Manchin to CDC: West Virginia Deserves Answers
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and U.S. Representative Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) have asked the U.S. Centers for Disease Control to explain whether pregnant women should drink the water in the Kanawha Valley. "It is particularly concerning that as many as 150,000 people who had been under a Do Not Use water order were told that their water supply was safe for use before the CDC's recommendation that pregnant women should consider an alternate drinking water source. We … Continue Reading
January 15, 2014
Manchin, Wicker Statement on Regulators Volcker Rule Fix
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) today issued the following statement on financial regulators' decision to carve out certain securities owned by small banks from the Volcker Rule, a move that will protect community banks from losing millions of dollars. Senators Manchin and Wicker introduced similar legislation last week and sent a letter to financial regulators last month demanding they take action to protect community banks. "This oversight … Continue Reading
January 14, 2014
Manchin Introduces Bill to Boost Small Business Growth
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today introduced the Small Business Mergers, Acquisitions, Sales, and Brokerage Simplification Act of 2013 to exempt brokers involved in mergers and acquisitions of privately-owned small businesses from expensive registration requirements before the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Costs for these brokers can be very expensive, as a percentage of the transaction, and those costs are often passed down to the small business owners … Continue Reading
January 13, 2014
Manchin and Wicker Introduce Legislation to Protect Community Banks with Carve Out to Volcker Rule
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) today introduced legislation to protect community banks from losing millions of dollars due to an oversight in the Volcker Rule. The Volcker Rule, which went into effect on December 10, 2013, and was intended to protect the U.S. economy from risky bets by large banks, currently requires community banks to sell at depressed values securities that helped them raise capital; the investments were never intended for … Continue Reading
January 10, 2014
Manchin Applauds Treasury Decision to Exempt Volunteer Firefighters from Unintended Healthcare Mandate
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today issued the following statement applauding the Treasury's decision to fully exempt volunteer firefighters and volunteer medical emergency personnel from being counted as full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) under the employer shared responsibility provisions of the "Affordable Care Act." The new rule clarifies that volunteer fire departments will not be subject to the employer healthcare mandate. This requirement would have imposed … Continue Reading
January 10, 2014
Manchin Statement on Federal Response to Water Contamination
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today released the following statement after Governor Tomblin and President Obama issued a federal disaster declaration for West Virginia as a result of a chemical spill that may have contaminated the tap water for nine counties: Kanawha, Boone, Logan, Lincoln, Putnam, Jackson, Roane, Clay and Cabell. "Today I have spoken with the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, the regional administrator of the Federal Emergency … Continue Reading
January 10, 2014
EMERGENCY INFORMATION CENTER
Flushing will commence by zones. Click here to review the procedure for flushing out the system and check for your zone: http://bit.ly/1eDz00P If you have specific questions about the flushing procedure, please call WV American Water at their toll-free hotline 1-855-390-4569 or read through these detailed instrictions. http://bit.ly/1a2DSxk Please do not begin the flushing process until the "Do Not Use" order is lifted for your zone. To read my statement on federal response to water … Continue Reading
January 09, 2014
Manchin, Inhofe Urge Full Funding of FAA Contract Towers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today sent a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies (THUD) urging that members fully fund the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Contract Tower Program. "It is critical that we invest in our country's infrastructure and air safety," Senator Manchin said. "Reliable transportation is … Continue Reading
January 08, 2014
Manchin Statement on Need to Protect Homeowners from Drastic Flood Insurance Increases
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today announced he supports the "Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act" to protect homeowners from paying drastically higher flood insurance costs under the revised version of the National Flood Insurance Program. This legislation, cosponsored by 28 additional Senators, would delay changes to the insurance program overseen by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) until the agency can finish an affordability study required by … Continue Reading
January 08, 2014
Manchin Encourages West Virginians to Nominate Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs for Achievement Awards
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today encouraged West Virginians to nominate Mountain State small businesses and entrepreneurs for the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) 2014 Small Business Week awards and for West Virginia's District Office awards. Winners of the national award categories will compete for national titles and attend National Small Business Week events in Washington, D.C., May 12-16, 2014. All nominations are due by Friday, January 17, 2014. "Small … Continue Reading
January 08, 2014
Manchin, Portman, Barrasso, Lee Call on Interior Nominee to Denounce Politically Motivated Jobs Statistics
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Rob Portman (R-OH), John Barrasso (R-WY) and Mike Lee (R-UT) today sent a letter to Ms. Janice Schneider, the nominee to be the next Assistant Secretary for Land and Management at the Department of the Interior, urging her to promptly address a report that poses serious questions about the integrity of Office of Surface and Mining (OSM). If confirmed, Ms. Schneider would have direct oversight for OSM. On December 20, 2013, the Inspector … Continue Reading
January 07, 2014
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce Funding to Help Families in Need Find Employment
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller, along with Congressman Nick Rahall (all D-WV), today announced more than $227,300 in federal funding to help families who are receiving vouchers find employment that pays a living wage and leads to economic independence. "As West Virginians, we understand the importance of supporting those in our community who have fallen on hard times," Manchin said. "We should do all we can to make sure that our neighbors have the resources … Continue Reading
January 07, 2014
Manchin Announces Service Academy Nominations
Charleston, W.Va. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced today that he will nominate 45 West Virginia students to the U.S. service academies, which include the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, and the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point. "West Virginia has built a reputation of service and sacrifice, and I am extremely proud of these students for their commitment to carrying on our state's … Continue Reading
January 07, 2014
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce Funding for Wyoming County Head Start Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller, along with U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, (all D-W.Va.), Tuesday announced Head Start funding for MountainHeart Community Services in Oceana. "Investing in educational opportunities is critical to creating a successful future for our state," Manchin said. "Our children are our top priority, and we are responsible for making sure that the next generation of West Virginians can someday compete in the global marketplace. I am pleased … Continue Reading
January 06, 2014
Manchin Statement on Yellen Confirmation Vote
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today issued the following statement on his vote to confirm Janet Yellen as the next Federal Reserve Chair: "When I first met privately with Vice-chair Yellen and during my questioning of her in the Senate Banking Committee, I came away believing that she was clearly qualified to be Federal Reserve Chair. I struggled until the last moment with my vote in the Senate Banking Committee, but I remained troubled by the unchecked quantitative … Continue Reading
January 02, 2014
Manchin Statement on the 8th Anniversary of the Sago Mine Disaster
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement on the 8th anniversary of the Sago mine disaster: "Eight years ago, the precious lives of twelve miners were taken tragically at Sago," said Senator Manchin. "On that day, I grieved with the miners' families and with all West Virginians. Their strength and sacrifice remain in my heart each and every day, and my thoughts and prayers go out to them and their loved ones on this sad anniversary. Since Sago, we … Continue Reading
January 02, 2014
Manchin Statement on the Passing of Buck Harless
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement on the passing of Buck Harless: "Buck Harless was a dear friend not only to me, but to all of West Virginia," said Senator Manchin. "Gayle and I are deeply saddened to learn of his passing, and we extend our condolences to his wife Hallie, his entire family and to all of those who were touched by his exceptional life. I will always remember and admire Buck's passion to make West Virginia a better place to … Continue Reading
December 23, 2013
Manchin Family Wishes All West Virginians a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today issued the following statement wishing all West Virginians a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. "Gayle and I, along with the entire Manchin family, wish all West Virginians, Americans and our brave service men and women a very merry Christmas and peaceful and prosperous New Year. "As a country, we are blessed to have such a devoted and patriotic military. Our brave service men and women are far from the beautiful holiday … Continue Reading
