Press Releases
Manchin: Drug Abuse Hearing Bringing Attention to Misuse and Addiction Problems
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) praised his colleague Senator Jay Rockefeller (also D-W.Va.) for bringing stakeholders together for a Congressional hearing today in Washington, D.C. on the role of Medicare and Medicaid in preventing and treating the overprescribing, misuse of, and addiction to prescription drugs. "I've always said the drug problem has reached epidemic proportions. I don't know of a family that hasn't been affected - either directly or indirectly. This … Continue Reading
March 21, 2012
Manchin Statement on Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Day
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement today to recognize national Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Awareness Day, which is being observed today. TBI is a dangerously under-recognized disease that affects many of our military men and women who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since 2001, 320,000 soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan have sustained a brain injury during deployment, and it is the … Continue Reading
March 21, 2012
Manchin Honors Mikulski for Becoming Longest-Serving Woman in Congress
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) delivered a floor speech this afternoon to honor Senator Barbara Mikulski for becoming the longest-serving female member of Congress. In joining his colleagues in paying tribute to the Maryland Senator, Senator Manchin also said that there aren't enough women in the Senate and that he strongly believes Congress needs more women like Senator Mikulski. Senator Manchin's remarks as prepared for delivery are below. M. President, I too … Continue Reading
March 21, 2012
Manchin Meets with Lincoln Co. Emergency Medical Services
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) met today with emergency responders from Lincoln County to discuss ways that the public and private sector can work better together to respond to emergencies. Senator Manchin discussed emergency response with Trish Watson, director of Lincoln County Emergency Medical Services and Carol Webb, who is a supervisor and handles public relations with Lincoln County Emergency Medical Services. Lincoln County is one of several areas in the … Continue Reading
March 21, 2012
Manchin and Rockefeller Push to Keep Postal Service Facilities Open
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin today encouraged the Postal Service to save billions of dollars and raise new revenue before pushing ahead with drastic cuts to post offices and other facilities in West Virginia. In a strongly worded letter to U.S. Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe, Rockefeller and Manchin asked Donohoe for details on how the Postal Service is spending its money. "The Postal Service plan would hurt West Virginia communities and jobs," … Continue Reading
March 20, 2012
Manchin Statement on Ryan Budget
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement after Congressman Paul Ryan outlined a broad budget proposal. "The most critical fiscal challenge this country faces is finding a budget solution that will bring people together, not drive them apart. While I appreciate that Congressman Ryan put forth a budget, this proposal hurts our core values and priorities - and it won't win the support of members of both parties," Senator Manchin said. "As I have … Continue Reading
March 20, 2012
Manchin Opposes Spending American Money to Train Afghan Air Force While U.S. Air Force Faces Cuts
Washington, D.C. - In a Senate Armed Services Committee today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) questioned Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley and Chief of Staff General Norton A. Schwartz about why the United States is continuing to build up and train the Afghan Air Force while making cuts to our own Air Force. "I think you would have to understand why some of us are so upset when we're cutting our own Air Force by over 200 aircraft by 2013 while we're building up the Afghan Air … Continue Reading
March 19, 2012
Manchin Urges Quick Review and Approval of a Major Disaster Declaration for Lincoln, Logan, Mingo Counties
Washington, D.C. - In a letter today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) urged the Administration to quickly review and approve Governor Earl Ray Tomblin's request for the declaration of a major disaster for the state of West Virginia after more severe weather hit the state March 15. "The severe storm of March 15 comes on the heels of a destructive weather system that plagued much of the same area less than one month ago," Senator Manchin wrote in the letter. "As a result of relentless … Continue Reading
March 17, 2012
Manchin Statement on Federal Disaster Assistance for 11 West Virginia Counties
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today made the following statement about the federal storm damage relief that is on its way to West Virginia for Doddridge, Harrison, Lincoln, Marion, Mingo, Monongalia, Preston, Ritchie, Roane, Taylor and Wayne counties. The federal funds will assist communities across the state that were affected by severe storms, tornadoes, flooding, mudslides and landslides between February 29 and March 5. In addition to touring the damage in … Continue Reading
March 16, 2012
Manchin Statement on West Virginia Legislature’s Action on Century Aluminum
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today made the following statement about the action taken by the West Virginia legislature on a tax-incentive package intended to help reopen the Century Aluminum plant in Ravenswood. "The quick action by Governor Tomblin and the state legislature truly reaffirms that West Virginia is open for business. We are one step closer to getting the Century Aluminum plant in Ravenswood reopened, and putting hundreds of people back to work," … Continue Reading
March 15, 2012
Manchin Applauds Latest Step for Century Retirees, Return of Hundreds of Jobs
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) made the following statement tonight after Century Aluminum retirees voted to accept an agreement that would restore some of their health care benefits, paving the way for the Ravenswood plant to reopen and potentially bring back hundreds of jobs to the community. "As I said on the Senate floor yesterday, I am so proud to represent a state with so much resilience - where the people work together, stick together and we truly fight for … Continue Reading
March 15, 2012
Manchin Statement on Cracker Announcement
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement today about Shell's announcement that it could build a cracker plant 10 miles across the West Virginia border in Pennsylvania: "While we're disappointed that Shell chose to narrow its focus to a Pennsylvania location, we need to work together as a region to develop the Marcellus shale and attract more than one cracker facility," Senator Manchin said. "We know that no matter where any cracker facility is … Continue Reading
March 15, 2012
Manchin Applauds Confirmation of WV Judge Gina Groh to Federal Bench
Washington, D.C. - In a floor speech this afternoon, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) applauded the confirmation of West Virginia's Judge Gina Groh to the federal bench. Judge Groh was confirmed 95-2. Senator Manchin's remarks as prepared for delivery: M. President, I rise today to applaud the confirmation of Judge Gina Marie Groh to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia. As then-Governor of West Virginia, I was honored to have the first female from … Continue Reading
March 14, 2012
Manchin Asks Napolitano for Federal Disaster Aid
Washington, D.C.-U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) spoke with and wrote to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano today to describe West Virginia's critical need for federal assistance after devastating storms that caused severe damage in 10 counties. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Last week, Governor Earl Ray Tomblin requested a Presidential Disaster Declaration for the state of West Virginia, with thousands of residents … Continue Reading
March 14, 2012
Manchin, Rockefeller Speak on Senate Floor on Importance of Century Aluminum Deal for Retirees
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller today spoke on the Senate floor in their first-ever colloquy about what a deal means for Century Aluminum retirees and Karen Gorrell's tremendous efforts to reach a deal with the company. Click HERE to view video of Manchin and Rockefeller … Continue Reading
March 14, 2012
Manchin Votes for Bipartisan Transportation Bill to Create Jobs and Build America’s Future
Senator Manchin also votes for 'Buy American' amendment to close loopholes that allow some infrastructure projects to be outsourced Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today joined a bipartisan group of Senators in passing the surface transportation bill, which will create good jobs, preserve our nation's highway system and fund highway, transit, and safety programs for the next two years. The bill passed by a vote of 74-22. "Investing in infrastructure is not a … Continue Reading
March 12, 2012
Manchin, Rockefeller Congratulate James McCormick, Recipient of ‘Citizen Service Before Self’ Honor
Washington, D.C. - United States Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller (both D-W.Va.) today congratulated James McCormick of New Haven, West Virginia for receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation's Citizen Service Before Self award for 2012. He has been recognized for selflessly helping hundreds of homeless veterans find jobs and housing through his non-profit, Raising Cane Farms. "James McCormick is someone we should all be proud of, for the way he has served this nation in … Continue Reading
March 12, 2012
Manchin Introduces Concealed Carry Reciprocity Law to Support Second Amendment Rights
Washington, D.C. -- In an effort to remove burdensome red tape that limits the ability of legal concealed carry permit holders to carry concealed firearms into other states that allow them, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is sponsoring the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2012, which has the backing of the National Rifle Association. Under the legislation, an individual with a valid ID and concealed carry permit would be allowed to carry a concealed handgun into any state that … Continue Reading
March 11, 2012
Manchin, Rockefeller Announce Funding for Public Housing Across West Virginia
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin (both D-W.Va.) today announced that counties throughout West Virginia will receive $7.9 million to develop decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. These funds are administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). "Funding for public housing is an investment in the future of West Virginia," said Rockefeller. "Communities across the state … Continue Reading
March 10, 2012
Manchin Urges Quick Review and Approval of Major Disaster Declaration for W.Va.
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) sent a letter to President Barack Obama today and urged the Administration to quickly review and approve Governor Earl Ray Tomblin's request for the declaration of a major disaster for the state of West Virginia. Senator Manchin spent this week and weekend receiving briefings and touring storm damage in Marion, Lincoln and Wayne counties. Additional counties in West Virginia that experienced severe damage include Doddridge, Harrison, … Continue Reading
