September 27, 2016

Manchin Votes for Funding for West Virginia Flood Recovery

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today issued the following statement after voting in support of the continuing resolution that failed to pass the Senate.

“I’m disappointed in my colleagues for failing to pass this critical legislation that addresses two of the most dire issues facing West Virginians – helping communities rebuild from natural disasters and providing additional funding to combat the opioid epidemic. The funding bill that the Senate failed to pass today includes up to $500 million to support disaster recovery efforts nationwide, including many West Virginia communities impacted by the June floods. Although the flood waters have receded, West Virginians still have a great deal of work to do rebuilding homes, businesses, schools and communities. This funding would go a long way towards supporting those efforts. In addition to supporting flood recovery efforts, this bill includes $7 million to fight the opioid epidemic that is taking lives in communities all across our state. I will continue to look for ways to work with my colleagues to ensure this funding bill passes and West Virginians receive the support they deserve.”

“This bill’s failure is the sad result of a broken system in Washington – one where we wait until a crisis to do our work and then can’t find common sense compromises to deliver the solutions Americans need. As a Governor and Senator, I know what it takes to keep our state and country working. I hope my colleagues can find that spirit in the next 3 days, so that we can do our jobs and deliver the help West Virginians have been waiting for far too long.”  

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