Press Releases
Manchin Outlines a Bipartisan Path Forward to Solve Country’s Problems
Washington, D.C. - On the second day of his "Standing Up for Common Sense" tour, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said the problems facing the country are so challenging that it's time for all Americans to stand up with him, and the Senator sent a letter to the President and Congressional leaders outlining three steps that will help our elected officials do the right thing and ultimately refocus Democrats and Republicans alike on what the American people elected them to do. "For the sake … Continue Reading
January 05, 2012
'Standing Up For Common Sense': Manchin Launches 2-Week Tour of West Virginia
Washington, D.C. - Beginning Monday, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) will launch a 2-week statewide tour focused on "Standing Up For Common Sense." During the tour, Manchin will discuss the immense policy challenges ahead in 2012 and the need to stand up for commonsense ideas that will create jobs, boost the economy, achieve energy independence, protect seniors and rebuild America. "For the sake of our state's future and our country's future, we in West Virginia must stand up for … Continue Reading
December 23, 2011
Rockefeller, Manchin Announce Grant for Bancroft Volunteer Fire Department
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin (both D-W.Va.), today announced that Bancroft Volunteer Fire Department in Putnam County will receive $97,901 as part of the latest round of funding under the Fiscal Year 2011 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. This money will assist with operations and safety. "First responders are the backbone for our public safety. With this much-needed grant they will be better equipped to protect the people of this community," said … Continue Reading
December 23, 2011
Manchin Statement on Payroll Tax Agreement
Charleston, W.Va. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today released the following statement on the payroll tax cut extension. "Today's agreement and the dysfunction of the past few weeks prove once again that now is the time for our leaders and all members of Congress to put politics aside and come together in the New Year to find the long-term compromise that proved elusive these past few weeks. "While so many West Virginians and I would have preferred a long-term deal that would … Continue Reading
December 22, 2011
Manchin Statement on Death of Mike Lakin
Charleston, W.Va. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement today after learning that Mike Lakin, a member of the National Guard and pilot for the State of West Virginia, died in a plane crash in Ohio. "Gayle and I were so saddened to hear today about Mike's tragic death. Mike was so proud to serve his country and the state of West Virginia, and I am so grateful for his service," Senator Manchin said. "While no words can give comfort, our thoughts and prayers are … Continue Reading
December 22, 2011
Rahall, Rockefeller, Manchin Announce $8 Million to Help West Virginians Stay Warm This Winter
BECKLEY, W.Va. - U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), along with Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin (both D-W.Va.), Thursday announced the release of $8.2 million in federal funds for LIHEAP, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, to assist West Virginia's most vulnerable households in keeping the heat on this winter. "In too many cases, seniors on fixed incomes or working families who have fallen on tough economic times are forced to choose between keeping the heat on and putting … Continue Reading
December 21, 2011
Manchin Statement on New, Onerous EPA Rules
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) released the following statement today about new regulations issued by the Environmental Protection Agency that - by the agency's own estimates - will cost billions to implement, causing significant job losses at a time when West Virginians and Americans can least afford them. The EPA issued its final Utility MACT rule today. "Today's announcement of yet another onerous rule by the EPA completely ignores the devastating impact these … Continue Reading
December 21, 2011
Protecting our Hunting and Fishing Rights
As an avid hunter and fisherman, I will always protect our rights. I would never encourage, support, or vote for anything that would take away even one acre of land we are currently using for hunting and fishing in West Virginia. As Governor and now as your United States Senator, I have truly sought not only to preserve - but also to enhance - the resources we hold dear along with the tradition of hunting that is so important to our state and its people. Earlier this year, at the request … Continue Reading
December 19, 2011
Manchin-Coats ‘Fair Compliance Act’ Gains Support from Senators Thune, Moran
Washington, D.C. - The bipartisan Senate effort to create reasonable timelines for utilities to comply with two major Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules gained momentum today as Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Dan Coats (R-Ind.) announced additional cosponsors, Chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) and Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.). Thune and Moran join a growing list of supporters, including Senators Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) and Bob Corker … Continue Reading
December 19, 2011
Manchin Announces Service Academy Nominations
Charleston, W.Va. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced today that he will nominate 28 West Virginia students to the U.S. service academies, which include the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The students are from the following counties: Berkeley, Morgan, Hardy, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Kanawha, Marion, Ohio, Pocahontas, Raleigh, Randolph, Ritchie, Summers and Wood. "West Virginians have … Continue Reading
December 19, 2011
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Encourage West Virginians to Check for Unclaimed Tax Refunds
Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller, along with Representative Nick Rahall (all D-W.Va.) today encouraged West Virginians to check whether they are among the nearly 100,000 Americans who have not claimed $153.3 million in tax refunds. "Especially when so many families are struggling to make ends meet, I strongly encourage all West Virginians to take a look at their records to see if they can collect any tax refunds from the IRS," Senator Manchin said. "Please … Continue Reading
December 17, 2011
Manchin Statement on Senate Passage of Annual Funding Measure
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement today after the Senate passed an appropriations package that will fund the government through the end of September 2012. "Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate have started down the difficult road of cutting back on government spending while making sure that government can perform its vital functions, from paying our troops to building our roads to protecting our homeland to being prepared to … Continue Reading
December 17, 2011
Manchin: Americans Deserve Better Than 2-Month Stopgap Measures and Partisan Games
Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Joe Manchin issued the following statement after voting against a 2-month proposal to extend the payroll tax cut. "No matter where anyone stands on the payroll tax debate, this 2-month proposal is a failure for the American people. I am furious and disgusted that anyone could imagine this stopgap measure is the best that Congress could offer hard-working Americans, seniors and the unemployed. Delaying a decision for another two months makes no sense - … Continue Reading
December 16, 2011
'Manchin’s Mailbox:' Episode 2
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today released his second episode of "Manchin's Mailbox" to answer questions from West Virginians about his positions on how to fix the nation's fiscal crisis, his bipartisan "Fair Compliance Act" and the extension of unemployment benefits. The 6-minute question-and-answer session can be found here. "Whether I am traveling around West Virginia or working in Washington to represent the values of our great state, this feature is an … Continue Reading
December 15, 2011
Manchin Applauds Elevation of National Guard to Joint Chiefs
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, voted today for final passage of a bipartisan bill to elevate the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and fund the Department of Defense for the coming year. The 2012 National Defense Authorization Act will now go to the President's desk for his signature. Senator Manchin, who was part of the group negotiating a compromise on the differences between a Senate … Continue Reading
December 14, 2011
Rahall, Rockefeller, Manchin Announce $12 Million Awarded for Prichard Intermodal
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Continuing efforts to improve the transportation system and economy of southern West Virginia, U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), along with Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin (both D-W.Va.), Wednesday announced the West Virginia Ports Authority has been awarded $12 million by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to construct a long-planned intermodal terminal along Norfolk Southern's Heartland Corridor near Prichard. "This is the king of jumpstarts for the … Continue Reading
December 14, 2011
Manchin Votes for Balanced Budget Amendment to Rein in Federal Spending and Set Country on Strong Financial Path
Washington, D.C.- U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), the cosponsor of a commonsense Balanced Budget Amendment, voted today to force the federal government to live within its means, just like families, businesses and states in every corner of this country. "I truly believe that most Americans not only support a balanced budget - they also live their lives with a balanced budget. It's time for the federal government to do the same," Senator Manchin said. "I was so proud to cosponsor the … Continue Reading
December 13, 2011
Manchin Cosponsors ‘No Budget, No Pay’ Legislation, Urges Support for No Labels’ ‘Make Congress Work’ Agenda
Washington, D.C.- As part of an effort to make Congress work better, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) signed on to bipartisan legislation today to prevent lawmakers from getting their paychecks if they don't produce a budget. The "No Budget, No Pay," legislation is just one of the initiatives that Senator Manchin supports in the "Make Congress Work" agenda, a 12-point proposal to help change the way Congress does business. Senator Manchin joined fellow lawmakers and No Labels - a group of … Continue Reading
December 12, 2011
Tuesday: Manchin to Support No Labels’ ‘Make Congress Work’ Agenda
Washington, D.C.- U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) will encourage his colleagues tomorrow to join him in supporting the "Make Congress Work" agenda, a 12-point proposal to help change the way Congress does business. The plan is being offered by No Labels, a group of Democrats, Republicans and Independents who are dedicated to taking partisan politics out of government and getting this country moving again. Senator Manchin will participate in a press conference at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow in … Continue Reading
December 08, 2011
Manchin Votes Against Two Measures That Would Jeopardize Social Security
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today voted against a second round of payroll tax cut extensions that would take hundreds of billions of dollars out of the funding stream for Social Security. "I truly believe that we need to do everything we can to put money back in the pockets of hardworking families, and I'm open to plenty of options for doing just that - but I won't jeopardize Social Security," Manchin said. "Supporters of these proposals call them a temporary tax … Continue Reading
