Press Releases
Manchin Statement on Repairing, Not Repealing the Affordable Care Act
"I have never supported repealing the Affordable Care Act because I came to Washington to find solutions to our country's problems. We cannot go back to the days when millions of Americans were uninsured and nearly twenty percent of our GDP was spent on healthcare, while only being ranked 43rd in the world in health and wellness outcomes. The Affordable Care Act does some things well, like expanding access to preventative care, providing access to those with pre-existing conditions, and … Continue Reading
February 18, 2014
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Mark Opening of Mercer County Veterans Mobile Health Clinic
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. - At the ribbon cutting for the new VA mobile clinic he helped to bring to Bluefield, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller, along with U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) lauded the service and sacrifice of West Virginia veterans and praised the arrival of the clinic as a promise kept in expanding access to medical care for area veterans. "The arrival of the long awaited mobile health clinic is an exciting and significant victory for our veterans in southern West … Continue Reading
February 07, 2014
Senators Manchin, Blunt Introduce Bill To Encourage Domestic Production Of Rare Earth Minerals, Boost U.S. Jobs & Innovation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (W. Va.) and U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) introduced the "National Rare Earth Cooperative Act of 2014" this week, bipartisan legislation that relieves America's dependence on China's rare earth minerals, encourages private sector jobs and innovation, and preserves our the United States' military technological edge. To read the bill, click here. "I always say that we need a level playing field. China's near-monopoly over the Global rare earth market … Continue Reading
February 07, 2014
Senator Manchin Supports Bipartisan Senate Sportsmen's Package
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), along with Senators Kay Hagan (D-NC), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and nine additional cosponsors, today cosponsored the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2014, the first bipartisan, comprehensive sportsmen's bill in the Senate. The legislation includes policies to enhance opportunities for hunters, anglers, and outdoor recreation enthusiasts, reauthorize key conservation programs, improve access to Federal Lands, and help boost the outdoor … Continue Reading
February 06, 2014
Manchin, Merkley, Lee, Paul Introduce Resolution Requiring Congressional Approval for any Military Mission in Afghanistan after 2014
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mike Lee (R-UT) and Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced a resolution that would require congressional approval for any military mission in Afghanistan after 2014. According to news reports, the Administration is currently in negotiations with the Government of Afghanistan to maintain a presence in Afghanistan for another 10 years past 2014, with as many as 10,000 troops or more stationed in the country. "After 13 … Continue Reading
February 05, 2014
Manchin Introduces 'Streamlining Services for Older Veterans Act'
Washington, D.C. - To honor the 12.5 million veterans over the age of 60 in the United States, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today introduced the Streamlining Services for Old Veterans Act to ensure our aging veterans have access to the best services possible by helping them navigate the complex network of available services and support programs. This legislation requires the Department of Veterans Affairs, state units and local agencies to coordinate with veterans and engage in targeted … Continue Reading
February 04, 2014
Manchin Announces Bipartisan Passage of Farm Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today supported the bipartisan passage of the Agricultural Act of 2014, which reforms the country's agriculture policy while also reducing the deficit by $23 billion and supporting 16 million jobs. In addition, the bill contains an amendment Senator Manchin sponsored to help young children and pregnant women develop healthy eating habits. The bill passed by a vote of 68-32. Senator Manchin supported the bill after ensuring programs … Continue Reading
February 04, 2014
Manchin Testifies at Environment and Public Works Subcommittee Hearing on WV Chemical Spill
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) testified at the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Water and Wildlife hearing. Senator Manchin discussed the importance of passing legislation he crafted with EPW Chairwoman Barbara Boxer to improve oversight of chemical facilities and help strengthen states' abilities to prevent chemical spills like the January 9th spill that contaminated the water supply in nine West Virginia counties and impacted more than … Continue Reading
January 31, 2014
Manchin Applauds State Department Study to Move Forward with Keystone XL Pipeline
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today applauded the State Department's environmental study's final findings on the Keystone XL Pipeline. The Environmental Impact Study (EIS) found no evidence of serious environmental risks posed by constructing the Keystone XL Pipeline, which would help move this country toward energy independence, create hundreds of thousands of jobs and boost economic growth. "I have been incredibly frustrated for more than five years by the repeated … Continue Reading
January 31, 2014
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce $3.8 Million to Assist Households with Energy Costs
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller, along with Congressman Nick Rahall (all D-W.Va.), announced West Virginia will receive $3,857,811 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help West Virginians meet their energy costs. These funds offer additional support for West Virginia's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), administered by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, and will assist hundreds of … Continue Reading
January 30, 2014
Manchin Announces Passage of "Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act"
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced the passage of the "Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act" in the Senate by a vote of 67-32. This bipartisan legislation, cosponsored by Senator Manchin, will provide homeowners relief from increasing flood insurance costs unintentionally caused by the Biggert-Waters Act. This bill will delay premium insurance increases for up to four years and will allow homeowners to pass on their subsidized insurance policies to … Continue Reading
January 29, 2014
Manchin Thanks West Virginia National Guard for Their Service During SOTU Address
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement to thank the West Virginia National Guard for keeping the United States Capitol safe during last night's State of the Union address. The West Virginia National Guard was chosen to assist Capitol Hill security and would have been one of the first to respond to any emergencies. "I thank each and every West Virginia Guard member who stood ready to respond to any security threats during last night's State of the … Continue Reading
January 29, 2014
West Virginia Delegation Requests Further Help From FEMA After Chemical Spill
Washington, D.C. - Today, Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller, along with Representatives Nick Rahall, Shelley Moore Capito and David McKinley, sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to request further financial assistance for those businesses and organizations affected by the Elk River chemical spill. The West Virginia Delegation wrote the letter in support of Governor Tomblin's initiatives to seek assistance for eligible state and local governments and … Continue Reading
January 28, 2014
Manchin, Boxer, Rockefeller Introduce Bill to Prevent Chemical Spills
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, and Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) today introduced the Chemical Safety and Drinking Water Protection Act, which gathers into one place the tools to provide oversight of chemical facilities. The Chemical Safety and Drinking Water Protection Act includes common sense measures designed to ensure industrial facilities are properly inspected by state officials and both … Continue Reading
January 23, 2014
Manchin Calls For Hazardous Freedom Industry Site To Be Torn Down and Cleaned Up
Washington, D.C. - Today, after spending the week listening to the concerns of West Virginians affected by the ongoing impacts from the chemical spill that contaminated the largest water source in the state, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) released the following statement: "After speaking to people directly affected by the spill, it is clear West Virginians are still very concerned about the quality of their water and the potential long-term effects of the water contamination. The first … Continue Reading
January 20, 2014
Manchin Statement on Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement today on celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: "In the 30 years since the creation of a national holiday honoring the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the celebration of his inspiring life and lasting spirit has evolved into a day of national service - 'a day on, not a day off,' as some like to say. Dr. King was taught at an early age that 'life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing … Continue Reading
January 17, 2014
Manchin, Boxer, Rockefeller to Introduce Bill to Prevent Chemical Spills
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, and Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) today reached agreement on legislative language that will help protect Americans from chemical spills that threaten drinking water. This bill, the Chemical Safety and Drinking Water Protection Act, brings together in one place the tools to provide oversight of chemical facilities. It strengthens states' ability to prevent chemical … Continue Reading
January 16, 2014
Manchin, Inhofe Introduce Bill to Protect Pilots, Air Traffic Controllers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) and Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) today introduced bipartisan legislation that would ensure the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conducts an open rulemaking process before enacting potential changes to the medical certification requirements for pilots and air traffic controllers in relation to sleep disorders. "As a pilot myself, I recognize that there is nothing more important than making sure our skies are safe and I appreciate the FAA's … Continue Reading
January 16, 2014
Manchin to CDC: West Virginia Deserves Answers
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and U.S. Representative Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) have asked the U.S. Centers for Disease Control to explain whether pregnant women should drink the water in the Kanawha Valley. "It is particularly concerning that as many as 150,000 people who had been under a Do Not Use water order were told that their water supply was safe for use before the CDC's recommendation that pregnant women should consider an alternate drinking water source. We … Continue Reading
January 15, 2014
Manchin, Wicker Statement on Regulators Volcker Rule Fix
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) today issued the following statement on financial regulators' decision to carve out certain securities owned by small banks from the Volcker Rule, a move that will protect community banks from losing millions of dollars. Senators Manchin and Wicker introduced similar legislation last week and sent a letter to financial regulators last month demanding they take action to protect community banks. "This oversight … Continue Reading
