In the News
For each citizen, a story | Charleston Daily Mail
by Zack Harold
Margie Cooper used to urge her New Zealand-born husband, Grant, conductor of the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, to become a U.S. citizen. And for years he refused. "I think he didn't want to hurt his mother's feelings," Margie said. But on Monday, Grant Cooper and 55 others took an oath, said the Pledge of Allegiance, sang the national anthem and became the United States' newest citizens. He said he planned to register to vote immediately after the ceremony. "That's one of the things … Continue Reading
February 07, 2012
Manchin helps form veterans jobs caucus | The Charleston Gazette
by Paul J. Nyden
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and a Republican colleague from Illinois announced Tuesday that they formed a bipartisan caucus to help find jobs for 857,000 veterans looking for work. Sens. Jon Tester, D-Mont., and Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., also joined the new Senate Veterans Jobs Caucus. Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., who is recovering from a recent stroke, joined Manchin in forming the caucus. In a letter to his Senate colleagues, Manchin wrote, "As you know, one of the few issues that unifies … Continue Reading
February 05, 2012
Reducing our national debt starts in my office | Times West Virginian
by Senator Joe Manchin
Since I arrived in Washington, I have always said there are quite a few things folks around here could learn from the way we did things back in West Virginia. As governor, I was proud that by setting our priorities based on our values, we produced a budget surplus, increased our credit rating three times, and proved to all the naysayers that it's truly possible to live within your means. I came to Washington to bring that philosophy to our dysfunctional federal government, especially when it … Continue Reading
February 01, 2012
Debt ceiling | The Martinsburg Journal
by Editorial
Last week U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., voted to block an increase in the official national debt ceiling. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, also D-W.Va., voted to allow the increase. Rockefeller insists the jump, allowing a national debt of $16.4 trillion by the end of this year, is essential to avoid a catastrophe for the economy. But Manchin understands the real disaster is the national debt - which was just $10.6 trillion three years ago. In voting to block the increase, Manchin noted the debt now … Continue Reading
February 01, 2012
Manchin Defending W.Va., Not Obama | The Wheeling Intelligencer
by Editorial
The decision over whether to allow construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline ought to be based on energy needs, environmental concerns and the thousands of jobs the project would provide for Americans. But it is not. As U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., put it, the Keystone plan has become "a political football." President Barack Obama rejects the proposal because he believes he will gain votes by doing so. All but a handful of Democrats in Congress oppose it simply because they are doing the … Continue Reading
January 31, 2012
Manchin Speaks Out About 'Political Football' Pipeline Treatment | WVNS News
by David Williams
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senator Joe Manchin spoke out in a hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee Tuesday, calling the treatment of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline a "political football." The proposed pipeline would connect to oil sources in central Canada to several refineries across the United States, eventually leading all the way to the Gulf Coat. "It makes so much common sense that you want to buy (oil) off your friends and not your enemies," Senator Manchin said regarding … Continue Reading
January 25, 2012
Kirk's best friend in Senate will pay him a visit | Chicago Tribune
by Katherine Skiba
WASHINGTON - Sen. Mark Kirk's best friend in the Senate, Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, plans to fly to Chicago on Friday night, and whether he's allowed to visit his hospitalized friend, he will be there for support. During the State of the Union speech Tuesday, Manchin, a Democrat, kept open an empty seat next to him in honor of his absent friend, a Republican. "I'm sitting by Mark Kirk tonight," he announced. On Wednesday, Manchin spoke at length about the 52-year-old Kirk, … Continue Reading
January 19, 2012
Senator Manchin Speaks to Senior Mons; Shuffles for Activity Day | WBOY
by Kelly Rippin
MORGANTOWN - Senator Joe Manchin has been traveling the state for two weeks on his 'Standing Up for Common Sense' tour. As it winds down, he made a visit to the Senior Monongalians in Morgantown. "Basically, we're just talking about the concerns that West Virginians have. I tell them about the problems were facing in Washington. We're trying to bring people together to make common sense decisions rather than just patching things right now," explained Senator Manchin. He discussed the … Continue Reading
January 19, 2012
Senator visits nursing home | The Lincoln Journal
by Sean O'Donoghue
HAMLIN - The residents of Hamlin's Lincoln Nursing and Rehabilitation Center welcomed the state's junior senator to their facility last week. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) dropped by the facility following his earlier visit to Lincoln County High School, Monday afternoon, January 9, 2012. Manchin met with residents at the center and was shown the kitchen and other areas of the 60-bed facility. The center is celebrating 25 years in operation this year. During his remarks, Manchin said that he … Continue Reading
January 19, 2012
Manchin visit marks opening of LCHS pantry | The Lincoln Journal
by Sean O'Donoghue
HAMLIN - A school-based food pantry, the first in the state sponsored by Feeding America, opened at Lincoln County High School last week. U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) was the keynote speaker at the ceremony marking the opening, which included a brief tour of the high school and a visit to the pantry itself. The purpose of the pantry is to provide a resource to high school students at risk of hunger. According to a study conducted by Feeding America, 85,000 Children in West Virginia were … Continue Reading
January 18, 2012
Delivering a message | The Beckley Register-Herald
by Wendy Holdren
Sen. Joe Manchin's brought his "Standing Up for Common Sense" tour to Raleigh County on Tuesday speaking at Woodrow Wilson High School and New River Community and Technical Center's Ghent training facility. Manchin spoke to students of all ages, from freshmen to seniors, as they sat in the WWHS auditorium. He posed a challenge - "You've got to figure out who you are as a person because your opportunities will be defined by your character." He stressed that everyone needs to be aware of how … Continue Reading
January 12, 2012
Sen. Manchin holds town hall meeting | The Steubenville Herald-Star
by Angelina Dickson
WEIRTON - U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin talked with area residents during a town hall meeting on Wednesday. Manchin, D-W.Va., met with residents in the Weirton Room of the Millsop Community Center where he addressed several topics ranging from unemployment, energy independence, Environmental Protection Agency regulations, Social Security, Marcellus and Utica shale, the health reform bill and even how he intends to vote on several pieces of legislation regarding those topics. Manchin has launched a … Continue Reading
January 11, 2012
Sen. Manchin stresses bipartisanship on Common Sense tour | West Virginia Public Broadcasting
by Ben Adducchio
Sen. Joe Manchin spoke to reporters Tuesday as part of his latest tour across the state calling for more common sense in Washington D.C. Manchin is proposing ideas to dissolve partisan gridlock in the nation's capital. Manchin is touring the state the next two weeks on a "Standing Up for Common Sense" tour. He's talking about the problems he's seeing in Washington and discussing his ideas on solving those problems. Manchin says everywhere he goes he's seeing a great deal of dissatisfaction … Continue Reading
January 11, 2012
Manchin calls for end of partisan gridlock | Parkersburg News and Sentinel
by Jess Mancini
PARKERSBURG - A West Virginia senator has asked the president and congressional leaders to start the new year in a bipartisan spirit, starting with Democrats and Republicans again sitting together during the State of the Union speech. Manchin, in a telephone press conference with West Virginia reporters on Tuesday morning, said leaders must forego personal and party interests and look beyond the election and do what's right in the long-term for America rather than make short-term temporary … Continue Reading
January 11, 2012
Manchin Wants Bipartisan Seating | West Virginia MetroNews
U.S. Senator Joe Manchin wants to shake things up in Congress. He sent out a letter to the President and Congressional leadership asking them to consider a more non-partisan seating arraignment in committee meetings and monthly bi-partisan caucuses. Manchin, in Charleston on Tuesday, says he's tired of the man-made walls that have been created in Washington that keep Republicans and Democrats divided both figuratively and literally. For example, he says all committee meetings should be open … Continue Reading
January 11, 2012
Manchin speaks in favor of bipartisan solutions | The Beckley Register-Herald
by Sarah Plummer
In his West Virginia "Standing Up for Common Sense" tour, Sen. Joe Manchin spoke out in favor of bipartisan solutions to national problems. Manchin has sent a letter to President Obama and Congress outlining three steps that will refocus Democrats and Republicans alike on solving American's problems. He encourages all Americans to stand up with him and send letters to elected officials supporting the bipartisan initiatives. Manchin first requests that the president, Senate and House leaders … Continue Reading
January 10, 2012
Manchin talks D.C. with Milton community | The Huntington Herald-Dispatch
by Bill Rosenberger
MILTON - Sen. Joe Manchin told a group of more than 100 people at the Milton Senior Citizen Center that the bickering in Congress is out of hand, with more lawmakers worried about their political party instead of what it means to be an American. The Democrat, who said he's an American first, spent Monday in Lincoln and Cabell counties as part of a two-week Standing Up for Common Sense tour in his home state. He said he is as frustrated as the people in the crowd with what is happening … Continue Reading
December 19, 2011
Congress Still Working On Payroll Tax Cut Extensions | West Virginia MetroNews
U.S. Senator Joe Manchin says the Senate plan to extend the payroll tax cuts for two months is not the answer. "This is a 60 day fix," a frustrated Senator Manchin said on Monday's MetroNews Talkline. "That kicks the can down for two months and we'll be debating it continuously . For one of those two months, we're on vacation. We're off for Christmas break right now. I would have gladly stayed there and worked through this." Before the start of the holiday break on Saturday, the … Continue Reading
December 15, 2011
"No budget, no pay" | The Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Millions of Americans are growing increasingly disillusioned with Congress, and its apparent inability to compromise or agree upon anything. Now you can add U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin to the list of those disgusted with the partisan gridlock in Washington. Manchin, D-W.Va., has joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers in introducing legislation that would prevent fellow lawmakers from getting a paycheck if they can't agree on a budget. The measure aims to restore civility and common sense to … Continue Reading
December 15, 2011
Manchin applauds elevation of National Guard to Joint Chiefs | WOWK News
by April Kaull
U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, voted Thursday for final passage of a bipartisan bill to elevate the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and fund the Department of Defense for the coming year. The 2012 National Defense Authorization Act will now go to the President's desk for his signature. "We don't see much bipartisan cooperation around here, but members of Congress from both parties recognized that our National … Continue Reading
