Press Releases
Manchin, Capito Urge VA to Upgrade Veterans Choice Card Program
Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) joined 40 of their colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of Veterans' Affairs Robert McDonald to raise serious concerns about the implementation of the Veterans Choice Card program, which allows veterans who live 40 miles from the closest VA facility or who face a significant delay in scheduling an appointment to access non-VA care. However, many veterans in West Virginia and across the nation who face barriers … Continue Reading
February 26, 2015
Manchin Introduces "Pilot's Bill of Rights 2"
Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) introduced the Pilot's Bill of Rights 2 (PBOR 2), legislation to expand the 3rd class medical exemption for recreational pilots and broaden the protections provided in the original Pilot's Bill of Rights signed into law in 2012. "As a pilot myself and as Co-Chairman of the General Aviation Caucus, it has always been a top priority of mine to address the unique challenges faced by the general aviation sector and to reduce the … Continue Reading
February 25, 2015
Manchin, Kirk Emphasize Importance of Reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today joined suppliers from 41 states to discuss the importance of reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank, which is set to expire on June 30, 2015. They plan to introduce legislation soon to allow the Bank to continue supporting American exports and jobs through September 30, 2019. Key provisions of the Senators' bipartisan Export-Import Bank reauthorization bill include: focusing on small businesses by increasing the … Continue Reading
February 24, 2015
Manchin, Boozman Aim to Bring Transparency Fairness to EPA Science Review Process
Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and John Boozman (R-AR) today introduced legislation to improve confidence in the fairness and transparency of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations and rulemaking by reforming the science advisory process. The EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act makes changes to the Science Advisory Board (SAB) by increasing transparency, enabling SAB reviews of EPA "risk or hazard assessments" that are used to justify regulations, ensuring that the dissenting views … Continue Reading
February 23, 2015
Manchin Applauds Reopening of Greenbrier County Community Based Outpatient Clinic
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin issued the following statement on the announcement that the Veterans Affairs Greenbrier County Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Maxwelton will reopen on Friday, February 27 at 8 a.m. According to the Beckley VA Medical Center, veterans will be contacted to confirm their appointments at the clinic. They can also contact the clinic at 304-497-3900 beginning Thursday, February 26 with questions or to schedule an appointment. "I am so … Continue Reading
February 17, 2015
Manchin Statement After Touring Train Derailment Site
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin today issued the following statement after touring the CSX train derailment site in Fayette County. "First and foremost, after touring the derailment site, I am thankful that all West Virginians are safe. We must work together to find ways to ensure this type of accident does not happen again and transport this material as safe as humanly possible. I will be working with federal, state and industry officials in the coming weeks to make the necessary … Continue Reading
February 16, 2015
EMERGENCY INFORMATION CENTER
To view more photos, please click here. Our office has been in close touch with federal, State and local officials, CSX representatives, residents and emergency responders in Fayette and Kanawha Counties, where today's devastating train derailment has forced many local residents to evacuate the area. I know that there are many West Virginians in need, and we are doing everything we possibly can to help get the necessary resources and assistance as quickly as we can. Please remember to lend a … Continue Reading
February 12, 2015
Manchin, Toomey Introduce Bill to Help Protect Children in Schools
Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Pat Toomey (R-PA) today called on the Senate to take long-overdue action on their bipartisan bill to keep sexual and violent predators out of our kids' classrooms. The Protecting Students from Sexual and Violent Predators Act requires schools to perform background checks on all new and existing employees and forbids schools from hiring persons who have been convicted of certain crimes-including any violent or sexual crime against a child. It also bans schools … Continue Reading
February 11, 2015
Manchin Announces Permanent Health Clinic for Veterans in Mercer County
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin today announced that Mercer County's mobile health clinic, which served as an extension of the Beckley VA Medical Center, will become a permanent VA clinic in Princeton to help the growing number of veterans in the area access primary care and telehealth services. The Princeton VA Clinic is expected to open by this summer and will have the capacity to serve a total of 1,200 eligible veterans. "As the number of veterans continues to grow in southern … Continue Reading
February 10, 2015
Manchin Statement on Procter & Gamble Announcement of Facility That Will Create Hundreds of Permanent Jobs in WV
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin today released the following statement after learning Procter & Gamble will invest $500 million in a new manufacturing facility that is projected to create 700 permanent jobs and 1,000 temporary construction positions. "It is great news for the residents of Berkeley County, the Eastern Panhandle and the entire state of West Virginia that Procter & Gamble plans to move forward with Project Independence, a vast manufacturing project that … Continue Reading
February 05, 2015
Manchin and Capito Announce $1.4 million for Early Head Start Programs in Raleigh County
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito announced $1,403,889 in federal funding to Raleigh County Community Action Association for Early Head Start programs. This funding will allow Raleigh County's Early Head Start programs to partner with local child care providers that serve infants and toddlers in order to expand early learning and development opportunities and prepare children for the transition into preschool. "In our state, we prioritize based on … Continue Reading
February 04, 2015
Manchin, Flake Introduce Bill to Stop Double-Dipping in Benefits
Washington, D.C. - On Tuesday, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) introduced the Reducing Overlapping Payments Act, legislation to prevent individuals who are actively collecting unemployment benefits - and who, by definition, must be "able and available for work" - from simultaneously collecting disability benefits intended for those who cannot work. The legislation would require the Social Security Administration (SSA) to temporarily suspend Disability Insurance (DI) … Continue Reading
February 04, 2015
Manchin Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Hold Pentagon Accountable for Financial Audit
Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Ron Wyden (D-OR), along with Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Rand Paul (R-KY), introduced the Audit the Pentagon Act of 2015, which would establish strict penalties should the Department of Defense (DoD) not meet its legal obligation to be audit-ready by 2017. The Defense Department is the only federal agency that has never fully complied with financial management laws and currently remains on the Government Accountability's Office (GAO) … Continue Reading
February 04, 2015
Manchin Statement on President's FY 2016 Budget
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today issued the following statement on President Obama's FY 2016 Budget. "Since I joined the Senate more than four years ago, I have continually expressed my grave concerns about our growing national debt and our need to get our financial house in order. In the past five years alone, the country's debt has increased by $5 trillion, which brings our debt to over $18 trillion. That has to stop now, which is why I've repeatedly called for a … Continue Reading
February 04, 2015
Manchin and Capito Announce More than 390,000 for Pendleton Community Care
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito announced $390,016 in federal funding for Pendleton Community Care in Franklin, West Virginia. The funding will be used to help the local health center improve access and care to residents. "Pendleton Community Care is such an important facility that helps West Virginia families who are living in our rural areas access to reliable, quality health care," Senator Manchin said. "This funding will support the local … Continue Reading
February 03, 2015
Manchin Statement Opposing Politically Motivated Homeland Security Funding Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today issued the following statement on his opposition to the House Homeland Security bill. "At this time when our country faces many threats, both at home and abroad, I am not willing to hold our Department of Homeland Security funding hostage over any piece of legislation. Doing so could put the lives of West Virginians and Americans at risk. That is why I will vote against the politically motivated Department of Homeland Security … Continue Reading
February 03, 2015
Manchin Applauds Passage of Clay Hunt Bill to Improve Mental Health Care for Veterans
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), an original co-sponsor of The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act, applauded the Senate's passage of this legislation by a vote of 99-0. The bill will improve mental health care and suicide prevention resources for veterans and service members. The legislation has already passed in the House of Representatives and will therefore head to the President's desk to be signed into law. The Clay Hunt Suicide … Continue Reading
January 29, 2015
Manchin Statement on the Senate Passage of Keystone XL Pipeline
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today issued the following statement after the Senate passed legislation to approve the Keystone XL pipeline project. "I am so pleased that bipartisan legislation to approve the Keystone XL pipeline has finally passed in the Senate, especially after we had the opportunity to extensively debate this issue and add dozens of amendments. As I've said again and again, we must address the critical issues of moving America toward energy … Continue Reading
January 29, 2015
Manchin to WV Legislature: Act Now to Curb Statewide Meth Production
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) recently sent individual letters to members of the West Virginia Legislature encouraging the body to pass legislation implementing the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy's recommendations to curb the tide of methamphetamine production in the state. The Board's recommendations include rescheduling pseudoephedrine products as a controlled substance that requires a prescription to obtain, lowering the monthly pseudoephedrine sales limit to 3.6g … Continue Reading
January 29, 2015
Manchin, Heller to Introduce Veterans Small Business Opportunity and Protection Act
Washington, D.C. - On Wednesday, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Dean Heller (R-NV) introduced the Veterans Small Business Opportunity and Protection Act, legislation to protect spouses and dependents of veteran-owned small businesses after servicemembers pass away from a disability or in the line of duty. "Veterans put their lives on the line for our country, and should be confident that their families will be taken care of in times of need," Senator Manchin said. "I am proud to … Continue Reading
