Press Releases
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Lead Efforts to Protect Miners and Families in Black Lung Claims Process
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A group of seven Members of Congress, led by Senator Jay Rockefeller, is seeking improvements to a proposed Department of Labor (DOL) rule that could limit the ability of miners suffering from Black Lung disease to access medical records needed to prove their eligibility for federal benefits. In a letter to Labor Secretary Thomas Perez, Rockefeller, along with Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA), Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Bob Casey (D-PA), and Representatives Nick Rahall (D-WV), George … Continue Reading
March 06, 2014
Manchin, Rockefeller Congratulate WV Students Selected for the U.S. Senate Youth Program
WASHINGTON D.C. - Senators Manchin and Jay Rockefeller today congratulated two West Virginia students who were selected as delegates to the 52st Annual United States Senate Youth Program. Adrienne Arnold of Charleston, and Dominic Raymond of Morgantown, will join 104 student delegates from across the United States in Washington, D.C. on March 8-15, 2014. "I know I speak for all West Virginians in congratulating Adrienne and Dominic on being selected to represent West Virginia in the U.S. … Continue Reading
March 05, 2014
Manchin, Shaheen, Johnson, Ayotte Introduce Legislation to Protect Rights of Motorcycle Riders
(Washington, DC) - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ron Johnson (R-WI), and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) today introduced bipartisan legislation that would prohibit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) from issuing grants to states for motorcycle-only checkpoints. The NHTSA initiated the Motorcycle Law Enforcement Demonstration Program in 2009, which provides states with funds to conduct discriminatory, motorcycle-only checkpoints where riders are … Continue Reading
March 05, 2014
Manchin, Heitkamp, Donnelly, Warner Keynotes Coal Technology Symposium
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) joined Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), and Mark Warner (D-VA) at the Coal Technology Symposium hosted by West Virginia University and the University of North Dakota. The event focused on finding commonsense, viable paths forward for coal, which is projected to remain America's most abundant, reliable and affordable domestic energy source for the next few decades. In addition to presentations from the Senators, … Continue Reading
February 27, 2014
West Virginia Congressional Delegation Requests Further Studies from CDC 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 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to urge health officials to conduct further studies on the effects of the January 9 chemical spill in the Elk River. The West Virginia Congressional Delegation wrote the letter in support of Governor Tomblin's request for additional studies, population surveillance, and … Continue Reading
February 26, 2014
Manchin, Vitter Question Pay-to-Play Involvement in FDA Approval of Highly Addictive Painkillers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and David Vitter (R-LA) today sent a letter to the Dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Rochester, Dr. Mark Taubman, regarding reports that the university hosted pay-to-play meetings between pharmaceutical manufacturers and officials at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) who oversee safety regulations of painkiller medicine. Industry reportedly paid upwards of $25,000-$35,000 per conference to have a seat … Continue Reading
February 26, 2014
Manchin Demands Federal Regulators Ban Bitcoin
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) sent a letter to federal regulators seeking a ban on Bitcoin, the virtual currency that is unregulated and unstable, and has been used in illicit activity, including drug trafficking and money laundering. Senator Manchin expressed concerns about the negative effect Bitcoin could have on America's economy if this crypto-currency remains unregulated. The letter was sent to Secretary Lew, Chairwoman Yellen, Commissioner Curry, Acting … Continue Reading
February 25, 2014
Manchin Applauds Obama Decision to Prepare Troop Withdrawal in Afghanistan
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today issued the following statement after President Obama ordered the Pentagon to begin preparing U.S. troop withdrawal in Afghanistan by the end of 2014. "I applaud President Obama's decision to prepare for a complete withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by the end of this year, and I hope he will choose this course regardless of who succeeds President Karzai in Afghanistan's April elections. Through the bravery and sacrifice … Continue Reading
February 21, 2014
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
