Press Releases
Manchin and Capito Announce New WVU Competitive Grant Award to Improve Rural Communities
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) announced that West Virginia University (WVU) was awarded $402,416 in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through a competitive grant program known as the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI). The program awarded a total of $15.6 million in grants to various colleges throughout the country to encourage their education and research efforts to strengthen rural … Continue Reading
April 29, 2016
Manchin, Members of Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs Committee Introduce Veterans First Act
Bipartisan bill will change the culture of the VA by holding bad actors at the VA accountable, prohibiting bonuses for poor performers, and protecting whistleblowers Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) joined his colleagues on the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs to introduce the Veterans First Act to begin to change the culture at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The bill will give the VA the tools to fire bad actors, prohibit bonuses for employees accused of … Continue Reading
April 29, 2016
Manchin Provisions to Improve Broadband Coverage Included in FCC Reauthorization Act
Senator Manchin's provisions address broadband coverage gaps in West Virginia and across rural America Washington, D.C. - As a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) included three amendments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Reauthorization Act that will improve broadband coverage in West Virginia. "As a Senator representing a rural state, I know how important access to communication services is to public safety, … Continue Reading
April 27, 2016
Manchin and Capito Introduce "Jessie's Law" to Save and Protect Recovering Addicts
Jessie's Law will help ensure physicians and other medical professionals have full knowledge of a patient's previous opioid addiction when determining appropriate medical care Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today introduced Jessie's Law, legislation to help ensure that medical professionals have full knowledge of their patient's previous opioid addiction when consent is given. This will help prevent tragic events like the death of Jessie … Continue Reading
April 22, 2016
Manchin Urges House Leaders to Take Quick Action on Comprehensive Opioid Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) sent a letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan and the Democratic Leader of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, urging them to take up the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2015 (CARA), which the Senate passed in March, as soon as possible. He also encouraged the House to consider additional legislation, including several bills that he has introduced, to address the opioid crisis on all fronts and save … Continue Reading
April 20, 2016
Manchin Commends Senate Passage of Broad Energy Bill
Washington, D.C. - As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today applauded the Senate's passage of the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015, a comprehensive, bipartisan bill that addresses our nation's energy opportunities and challenges. Included in the bill are four of Senator Manchin's amendments that comprise the entirety of the bill's coal title and focus on promoting an all-of-the-above energy policy, keeping coal competitive … Continue Reading
April 19, 2016
Manchin Applauds Passage of FAA Reauthorization
Washington, D.C. - As a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today applauded the Senate passage of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Bill, which extends the FAA authority through September 2017. Included in the bill are provisions important to West Virginia such as funding for Yeager Airport, increased security at transportation hubs and protections to ensure small, rural communities maintain essential … Continue Reading
April 15, 2016
Manchin Statement on the Passing of West Virginian Frederick Mayer
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today issued a statement on the passing of Frederick Mayer, a Charles Town resident and World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Army and helped organize the resistance in Austria. "Gayle and I were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Fredrick Mayer, a true American hero and an emblem of courage. When the Nazis came to power, Mr. Mayer and his family fled to the United States. After the attack on Pearl Harbor he enlisted in the … Continue Reading
April 15, 2016
Manchin and Capito Announce Nearly $300K for WVU STEM Programs
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today announced nearly $300,000 will be awarded to West Virginia University (WVU) from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support research and education programs in the environmental engineering and health chemistry fields. These grants will allow WVU to continue making advancements in science and engineering and developing the knowledge and cutting edge technologies necessary to grow the state's economy … Continue Reading
April 14, 2016
Manchin and Capito Announce Funding for West Virginia University Cancer Biology Research
Washington D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) announced that Federal funding has been awarded by the National Cancer Institute to West Virginia University to fund cutting edge research to fight cancer. "This is wonderful news for WVU and our entire state," Senator Manchin said. "For our economy to continue to grow we must attract the best and brightest students to West Virginia, and investing in academic research is a way to do so. This grant will … Continue Reading
April 12, 2016
Manchin, Capito, Jenkins, McKinley Welcome Canadian Pacific's Decision to End Norfolk Southern Takeover
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Representatives Evan Jenkins (R-WV) and David McKinley (R-WV) today applauded Canadian Pacific Railway's announcement that it will end efforts to takeover Norfolk Southern. The announcement comes after they expressed their concerns about the merger due to the potentially devastating impact it would have on West Virginia's economy. Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Army expressed their … Continue Reading
April 08, 2016
Mancin, Senators Introduce Bipartisan PROP Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), joined by his colleagues Senators Ron Johnson (R-WI), John Barrasso (R-WY) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), introduced legislation Thursday to reduce the pressure doctors currently face that may lead to the overprescribing of opioid painkillers. Currently, patient survey results are factored into Medicare incentive payments to hospitals. But experts point out that questions specifically related to pain management could have the unintended … Continue Reading
April 07, 2016
Manchin Urges Quick Action on Comprehensive Mine Safety Bill
Washington, D.C. - In the wake of the sentencing of Don Blankenship, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) sent a letter to the Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and the Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions to urge action on the Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act of 2015. This legislation would increase penalties for repeat offenders, reform a system that allows millions in safety fines to go unpaid and end a backlog of safety … Continue Reading
April 06, 2016
Manchin Statement on Sentencing of Don Blankenship
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today issued the following statement on the sentencing of former Massey Energy chief executive Don Blankenship to one year in prison, one year on supervised release and $250,000 fine on criminal charges of conspiracy to break safety regulations at the Upper Big Branch mine. "This awful tragedy and this case have caused us to set precedence in West Virginia. In our state, we will not allow the prioritization of production and profits over the … Continue Reading
April 05, 2016
Manchin Statement on Sixth Anniversary of Upper Big Branch Mine Tragedy
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) issued the following statement reflecting on the six-year anniversary of the tragedy at Upper Big Branch Mine that killed 29 miners. "Six years ago I grieved with the miners' families, West Virginians and the entire nation during the hours and days after the unspeakable mining tragedy at Upper Big Branch. Today on this sad anniversary, our hearts weigh heavy as we remember the tragic Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster. Not a day goes by … Continue Reading
March 29, 2016
Manchin and Capito Announce Nearly $1.4 Million for Head Start Projects in Wyoming County
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today announced that MountainHeart Community Services, Inc. in Matheny will receive $1,381,731 for Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The funding, awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF), will allow MountainHeart Community Services, Inc. to continue providing critical health, nutrition, education and social services to West … Continue Reading
March 29, 2016
Manchin Applauds Administration's New Actions to Address the Opioid Abuse Epidemic
Washington, D.C. - After attending the National Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) welcomed the Administration's new efforts to combat the prescription opioid and heroin abuse. During a panel discussion with West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Senator Manchin applauded the Administration's engagement on the issue and expressed optimism that more meaningful progress could continue to be made to curb opioid … Continue Reading
March 23, 2016
Manchin, Bipartisan Group of Senators Urge Full Funding of the Court Appointed Special Advocated (CASA) Program
Senators support $12 million in funding for dedicated advocates on behalf of abused and neglected children WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and a bipartisan group of 25 Senators are urging the full funding of the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program in fiscal year (FY) 2017. This program is critical to the 251,000 abused or neglected children who have highly trained and deeply dedicated CASA advocates appointed on their behalf, and to the 451,000 child victims who are … Continue Reading
March 23, 2016
Manchin Applauds FDA Opioid Labeling Requirement
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) applauded the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for toughening its labeling requirements for immediate-release opioid medications. "This warning label requirement is a good first step in preventing the misuse and abuse of prescription drugs, but more needs to be done," Senator Manchin said. "Prescribers are on the frontlines of this epidemic and I have been pushing for prescriber and consumer education on opioids as part of a comprehensive … Continue Reading
March 22, 2016
Manchin, Warner, Kane Push to Equip Mine Rescuers With State-of-the-Art Communications Technology
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) have called for $6 million in funding to fully equip all U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) mine rescue teams with state-of-the-art, next-generation mine rescue communications equipment that allows rescuers to respond quickly in the event of an underground emergency. "Traditional communications systems used during mine rescue are tedious, slow and ineffective, and require running … Continue Reading
