Press Releases
Manchin, Rockefeller Announce More Than $653K to Hire Veterans for Law Enforcement Jobs in WV
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller (both D-W.Va.) announced today that five cities in West Virginia will receive more than $653,000 to hire veterans as law enforcement officers through the U.S. Department of Justice's Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office. All new officers hired under the grant must be military veterans who have served for at least 180 days of active military service. "Even though many of us are forced to tighten our belts during … Continue Reading
June 21, 2012
Manchin: ‘I Don’t Know How We Can Ignore Prescription Drug Abuse Much Longer’
**Audio, Video Available** Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) vowed today to continue his fight against prescription drug abuse and find a way forward for his hydrocodone rescheduling amendment. Two weeks ago, the Senate unanimously adopted a Manchin-sponsored measure to make it harder to get hydrocodone pills for illegitimate reasons. Senator Manchin's amendment to the FDA bill moved hydrocodone to the list of Schedule II substances from the list of Schedule III … Continue Reading
June 21, 2012
Manchin-Sponsored Amendment in Farm Bill Will Help Prevent Childhood Obesity
Washington, D.C. - In a strong bipartisan vote, the U.S. Senate passed a significant measure today to reform the country's agriculture policy to reduce the deficit by $23 billion while also supporting 16 million jobs. In addition, the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act contains a Manchin-sponsored amendment that would help young children develop healthy eating habits. The bill passed the Senate by a bipartisan vote of 64-35. The Manchin amendment, co-sponsored by Senator Kelly Ayotte … Continue Reading
June 20, 2012
Manchin Celebrates State’s History on West Virginia Day
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) released the following statement in celebration of West Virginia Day. "The history of our state is so special. We are one of two states to be born out of the Civil War, and President Lincoln's handprints are all over our state, as he was responsible for our creation. The history of our state is so important to me, and West Virginia Day is a day to remember how we came to be and how proud we are to be West Virginians. It's also a day to … Continue Reading
June 20, 2012
Senate Passes Manchin Measure to Prevent Childhood Obesity
Washington, D.C. - A bipartisan amendment offered by U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) to help children develop healthy eating habits passed the Senate moments ago with unanimous support from his colleagues. The amendment, co-sponsored by Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), would require the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture to develop, implement and promote national dietary guidelines for pregnant women and children between the ages zero and 2. No such standards exist … Continue Reading
June 20, 2012
Manchin: ‘Enough Is Enough’ From The EPA
Washington, D.C. - Pointing to the thousands West Virginians whose good jobs depend directly and indirectly on the coal industry and reasonable utility rates, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said today that he will continue to fight against any overreach by the Environmental Protection Agency. Senator Manchin voted in favor of a Congressional resolution that would stop the EPA from implementing the Utility MACT rule, which is one of the most expensive rules in agency history. … Continue Reading
June 19, 2012
NYT Reports Manchin Fighting Lobbying Efforts to Sink New Controls on Painkillers
Washington, D.C. - In case you missed it, the New York Times is highlighting efforts by U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) to fight prescription drug abuse by putting stricter controls on the highly-addictive painkiller hydrocodone. The provision was unanimously added to the Senate version of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act on May 23, but was not included in the House bill. "I am determined to see this thing through. I'm not giving up on this. This measure will pass, whether it … Continue Reading
June 14, 2012
Manchin Fights for Measure to Help Prevent Prescription Drug Abuse in House-Senate Compromise Bill
Manchin's measure was adopted unanimously in Senate vote on FDA bill, is now being negotiated with House of Representatives Washington, D.C. - As Senate and House negotiators iron out a compromise on a bill to fund the FDA, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is fighting to keep his amendment to make it more difficult to get hydrocodone illegitimately. In a floor speech this afternoon, Senator Manchin urged negotiators of a House-Senate compromise of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act to … Continue Reading
June 14, 2012
In Unprecedented Energy Tour, Manchin Hosting Senate Committee Leaders in West Virginia
Senators Wyden and Murkowski to visit important energy production sites throughout the state to learn more about West Virginia's contributions to energy Governor Tomblin will join delegation at briefing and press conference Saturday Charleston, W.Va. - In an unprecedented effort to bring lawmakers together around a commonsense energy policy, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is inviting the incoming Chairperson and Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to … Continue Reading
June 14, 2012
Manchin Recognizes Army’s 237th Birthday
Washington, D.C. - United States Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today released the following statement commemorating the 237th birthday of the United States Army. "For 237 years, the United States Army has defended this country with bravery and with honor, and we could not be more grateful. Particularly in West Virginia, we are so proud of the contributions of the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice to serve in the Army and build this nation into what we are today - the … Continue Reading
June 13, 2012
Manchin Measure Would Help Prevent Childhood Obesity
West Va. ranks 10th in the nation for childhood obesity, at 18.9 percent Washington, D.C. - With childhood obesity rates at record highs, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) introduced an amendment today to help children develop healthy eating habits. His bipartisan amendment, co-sponsored by Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), would require the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture to develop, implement and promote national dietary guidelines for pregnant women and … Continue Reading
June 12, 2012
Manchin, Rockefeller & Rahall Announce Federal Funds for Mine Safety Training
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin, as well as Congressman Nick Rahall, today announced that West Virginia has been awarded $563,256 in federal funding to help improve mine safety training to protect miners and the communities where mining is taking place. The funding from the U.S. Department of Labor's grant to the state will be used to fund health and safety training, and education programs for miners, mine operators and contractors working on mine properties. … Continue Reading
June 12, 2012
Manchin Supports Effort to Rein in EPA on New Power Plant Rule
Republican Senator Inhofe thanks Senator Manchin on the Senate floor for his support Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement about an upcoming vote on a Congressional Joint Resolution of Disapproval that would stop the Environmental Protection Agency from moving forward with a new rule that hurts jobs in West Virginia and around the country. The EPA's stringent new rule, known as Utility MACT, was finalized in December and would require power … Continue Reading
June 08, 2012
Manchin, Rockefeller, Brown, Mikulski, Cardin Work to Protect Benefits for RG Steel Employees & Retirees
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), and Ben Cardin (D-MD) today announced that they sent letters to U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Douglas H. Shulman asking them to make sure that eligible RG Steel employees and retirees receive benefits to help them seek new employment and access affordable health coverage. RG Steel filed for bankruptcy on May … Continue Reading
June 07, 2012
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Reflect on Meetings with the Families of UBB Victims
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin, Jay Rockefeller and Congressman Nick Rahall (all D-W.Va.) issued the following statements today about their meetings with the families of the victims of the Upper Big Branch mine disaster. Senator Manchin met with the families today, and Senator Rockefeller and Rep. Rahall met with the families on Wednesday. "It was my honor and privilege to meet today with the families who lost loved ones in the Upper Big Branch mining tragedy, and to discuss … Continue Reading
June 06, 2012
Manchin, Rockefeller & Rahall Meet With Families Who Lost Loved Ones At Upper Big Branch Mine
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin, along with Congressman Nick Rahall, today issued the following statements on meetings with the families who lost loved ones at the Upper Big Branch mine disaster. The group of families met with Rockefeller and Rahall today and will meet with Manchin tomorrow. "Congress needs to recognize the urgency of passing mine safety legislation, and I've been very frustrated that it has yet to happen. I greatly appreciated meeting … Continue Reading
June 06, 2012
Manchin Welcomes West Virginia Veterans to Washington
**Video, Audio Available** Manchin accompanies veterans to memorials honoring their service Washington, D.C. - On the 68th anniversary of D-Day, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) proudly welcomed 31 veterans from West Virginia to the nation's capital for the state's inaugural "Always Free Honor Flight." The veterans visited the capital free of cost to see the memorials built in their honor. Twelve of them served in World War II, three served in the Korean War and 16 served in Vietnam. … Continue Reading
June 05, 2012
Manchin: Nothing Fair About Paycheck Gap
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement announcing that he strongly supports the Paycheck Fairness Act. The Senate is expected to vote on the measure this afternoon. "People should earn the same pay for the same work. Period," Senator Manchin said. "It shouldn't matter whether you're a woman or a man - you should be treated fairly no matter what. The fact that working women in West Virginia are earning 70 cents to every dollar a man makes just … Continue Reading
June 01, 2012
Manchin, Rockefeller Announce Grants for Three West Virginia Regional Airports
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin today announced that three regional airports serving Barbour, Marshall, and Upshur counties will receive a total of $795,727 in funding from the Federal Aviation Administration to help them construct new hangar buildings. "West Virginia's airports are critical lifelines for our businesses, tourism, and our state's economy. And making sure they receive the upgrades they need will enable our communities to continue to see the … Continue Reading
June 01, 2012
Manchin Fights to Protect Jobs in Rural West Va. Counties
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is fighting for legislation that will help protect the jobs of teachers, road crews, police officers and other county employees in rural areas of West Virginia and the nation. He has joined a bipartisan group of 25 Senators who are urging negotiators working on the Surface Transportation bill to keep one-year extensions of two commonsense programs, Secure Rural Schools and Payments in Lieu of Taxes. "Without this funding, counties' … Continue Reading
