Op-Eds
Bipartsan efforts fight against opioid epidemic | Huntington Herald Dispatch
by Senator Joe Manchin and Senator Marco Rubio
West Virginia is ground zero for the opioid crisis, yet people often drive hundreds of miles to pill mills in other states, including Florida, which was recently the opioid capital of the world. At its height, pill mills in Florida were selling millions of pills a month. Doctors, pharmacies, distributors, drug companies, drug dealers - everyone - was getting rich. But most of the pills weren't only being bought by Floridians. College kids, addicts and drug dealers took the "Oxy Express," … Continue Reading
October 14, 2018
Serving those who serve us | Clarksburg Exponent Telegram
by Senator Joe Manchin and Senator Johnny Isakson
As a Republican from Georgia and a Democrat from West Virginia, we have our differences. We don't always fall on the same side of every debate, and on Saturdays this fall, one of us will be decked out in red and black while the other is sporting blue and gold. But we both believe the United States of America is the greatest country in the world. As chairman and as a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs (VA), we are both well aware that America's greatness is due in large … Continue Reading
October 14, 2018
Working Together is Possible, Even in Washington | Wheeling Intelligencer
by Senator Joe Manchin and Senator Lisa Murkowski
In today's polarizing political climate, it may seem like there are few issues Republicans and Democrats can work together on. But on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, we are proving that is not the case. As the Republican chairman and an active Democratic member of this committee, we have found many ways we can work in a bipartisan manner to improve our nation's energy policy. It doesn't hurt that our home states are longtime leaders on energy production - in fact, Alaska … Continue Reading
October 01, 2018
Working Across the Aisle to Protect the Unborn
Many Americans look at Washington as completely broken and we can understand why. However, we found common ground working on pro-life and religious liberty issues extremely important to our constituents - like the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. There are only seven countries that allow wholesale abortions at the 20-week period, including China and North Korea. Unfortunately, the United States is also a member of that infamous "Club of Seven." The Pain-Capable bill, which the … Continue Reading
August 22, 2018
Insurance vital for those with pre-existing conditions | Martinsburg Journal
by Senator Joe Manchin
Do you know someone who has one of these pre-existing health conditions? Is it you? Did you know 20 U.S. Attorneys General, including in West Virginia, are suing to allow insurance companies to deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions? In West Virginia, that's nearly 800,000 of our friends, neighbors and family members. This impacts every family in West Virginia, including 90,600 children who have a pre-existing condition. But despite the importance of protecting these people, … Continue Reading
July 25, 2018
Manchin says he's giving Kavanaugh's record a fair and thorough examination | Beckley Register Herald
by Senator Joe Manchin
To my fellow West Virginians, As your Senator, I hold few responsibilities or obligations more sacred than my constitutional duty to advise and consent on every Presidential nominee to serve on the Supreme Court. I have never and will never immediately oppose or support a Supreme Court nominee to score cheap political points or advance my own career. I have and will continue to give every nominee - whether Democrat or Republican - a fair and thorough examination. That's why I meet with them, … Continue Reading
June 17, 2018
Political games would cost West Virginians with pre-existing conditions | Charleston Gazette-Mail
by Sen. Joe Manchin
When people ask why I voted against repealing the health care law, I always say it's because we need to make sure those with pre-existing conditions don't go bankrupt paying for basic health care. I believe that every West Virginian deserves access to quality, affordable health care. I have always said that our nation's current health care system is in need of repair, but I am very concerned our country is at risk of moving backward instead of forward. Right now 20 U.S. Attorneys … Continue Reading
June 16, 2018
Losing access to healthcare | Elkins Inter-Mountain
by Senator Joe Manchin
On Monday, Bobbi from Buckhannon wrote to me to share her family's reality. Last year, Bobbi's life was changed forever when her teenage daughter was diagnosed with a rare condition called dystonia. With proper healthcare this young woman still has a bright future ahead of her. She'll go to college, land a great job and become an active member of our West Virginia community. But that healthcare includes injections every three months to help her walk properly and costly prescriptions to help … Continue Reading
May 28, 2018
Veterans are why U.S. remains safe, strong and secure nation | Beckley Register Herald
by Senator Joe Manchin
On Memorial Day, we pay tribute to the courageous service of the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. It's because of their commitment, bravery and valor that we remain a safe, strong and secure nation. Our strength is unmatched around the world - and will remain so - because of the brave men and women who volunteer to put their lives on the line for our freedoms. As Americans and as West Virginians, today we show our deepest gratitude and come together to show our … Continue Reading
May 13, 2018
Bipartisan solution needed for saving miners' pensions | Huntington Herald Dispatch
by Senator Joe Manchin
Last week marked the one year anniversary of passage of a permanent fix for miners' healthcare that prevented 22,600 coal miners in West Virginia from losing their healthcare. Now, as a member of the Joint Select Committee on the Solvency of Multi-employer Pension Plans, I am determined to find a permanent solution for their pensions. Over 70 years ago, President Harry Truman recognized the importance of the coal that our miners produced for this country and promised that the government would … Continue Reading
March 31, 2018
Spending bill aids WV in fight against opioids | Huntington Herald Dispatch
Bipartisanship isn't always easy, but I'm pleased that the fiscal year 2018 appropriations bill provides West Virginia with important funding to fight the opioid epidemic, invest in high-speed internet and broadband access throughout our state, improve infrastructure and move West Virginia forward. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have fought for these investments in our West Virginia communities. I met with community leaders, local elected officials and other experts … Continue Reading
March 27, 2018
Sen. Joe Manchin: Jessie's Law will prevent deaths in the future | Charleston Gazette-Mail
When you go to the hospital or your primary care doctor, your allergies are known to everyone. Your doctor knows not to prescribe or give you medication because it could kill you - but allergic reactions are not the only thing that could kill you. In Jessie Grubb's case, it was a prescription for 50 oxycodone pills given to her by her discharging physician. That's why Jessie's parents and I wrote Jessie's Law, which will establish new standards for healthcare providers to ensure that when a … Continue Reading
October 16, 2017
Proposal to roll back Clean Power Plan is long overdue | The State Journal
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt announced a proposed rule to roll back the Clean Power Plan. This announcement is long overdue and welcomes good news for West Virginia. This reversal demonstrates the Trump Administration's willingness to work with West Virginia, instead of against us, to prevent EPA overreach and utilize state-driven policies. I am very proud of the critical role West Virginians play in powering our nation. West Virginia is the second … Continue Reading
May 26, 2017
We must craft a true bipartisan budget that puts Americans, West Virginians first | Register Herald
Here in the Mountain State, we don't expect any handouts. We work hard for what we have, and we're proud to do so. I've always said that the federal government should be a strong partner in that work - not our sole provider, but our partner. I have the honor of serving on the Senate Appropriations Committee, where I have the unique opportunity to fight for investments in West Virginia every day. So when the president was drafting his new budget earlier this year, I reached out to him to … Continue Reading
May 02, 2017
Hard work secures vote on Miners Protection Act | Charleston Gazette Mail
Since the continuing resolution passed in December with only a four-month "fix" for miners health care, I have continued the fight to get a permanent solution. That is why the first bill I re-introduced this year was the Miners Protection Act, to prevent the 22,600 retired miners from losing the health care and pensions they have earned and deserve. And this week, I am proud to say that Congress will vote on a permanent solution to ensure retired miners keep their health care. Seventy years … Continue Reading
April 29, 2017
Week brought jobs, innovation, hope for city, all of West Virginia | Huntington Herald Dispatch
In just a few short days, there was so much to celebrate last week in Huntington. We connected hundreds of local job seekers with promising employment opportunities, we announced millions of dollars in federal funding for projects aimed at moving our local and state economies ahead, and we celebrated as the city of Huntington was named America's Best Community. At a job and resource fair I was proud to co-host April 21 with Workforce West Virginia, Marshall University, the city of Huntington, … Continue Reading
March 26, 2017
More treatment centers a must to save lives | Huntington Herald Dispatch
It was Aug. 15, 2016, and 28 people overdosed within a five hour span in Huntington. The first person to overdose was a young lady named Taylor Leigh Wilson. It was her third overdose and Taylor and her family decided it was time to try treatment. Leigh Ann and John Wilson, Taylor's mother and father, knew they had no choice but to sign a mental hygiene order, which committed Taylor to Highland Medical Center. But even that had its limits. The order used was to hold someone up to 28 days, but … Continue Reading
March 09, 2017
Pass Jessie’s Law, and let her legacy live on | Charleston Daily Mail
Before Jessie Grubb's life was taken over by addiction in 2009, Jessie's future was bright. She was a beloved daughter to David and Kate Grubb, a beloved sibling to her four sisters, and a beloved friend to many. She was an excellent student, scoring in the 99th percentile on all of her tests. Jessie was a cheerleader at Roosevelt Junior High School and was an avid runner. The only trouble she had ever gotten in at school was when she protested the Iraq war. Needless to say, she was a … Continue Reading
March 02, 2017
Nation must continue to support core values | The Herald-Dispatch
As a proud new member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I sent a letter to President Trump last week describing West Virginia's priorities that I believe will benefit our state and nation. While I firmly believe that the national debt is one of the greatest threats facing this nation, I also believe that we must continue to invest in the values and principles that make this nation the greatest country on Earth. We must continue to take care of our children and help those in need; … Continue Reading
February 28, 2017
Senator pens letter to President Trump | Lincoln Journal
As a proud new member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I sent a letter to President Trump this week describing West Virginia's priorities that I believe will benefit our state and nation. While I firmly believe that the national debt is one of the greatest threats facing this nation, I also believe that we must continue to invest in the values and principles that make this nation the greatest country on Earth. We must continue to take care of our children and help those in need; … Continue Reading
