Press Releases
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce more than $1.2 Million for Background Checks on Health Care Providers
Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller, along with Representative Nick Rahall, (all D-W.Va.) today announced that the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources will receive more than $1.2 million from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Program to conduct background checks on health care workers who are directly involved with patients. The funding will identify efficient, effective and economical practices for long term care facilities and … Continue Reading
September 26, 2011
Manchin Proposes Amendment to Pay For Disaster Relief with $1.6 Billion in Afghanistan Funding
Washington, D.C. - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today said that the petty, partisan squabbles that define Congress must end, and he offered an amendment to pay for the Federal Emergency Management Agency by eliminating $1.6 billion from programs that will fund nation building in Afghanistan. Senator Manchin expressed his enormous frustration - and that of the American people - at watching our nation's leaders engaged in yet another political exercise - … Continue Reading
September 26, 2011
Manchin Announces Third ‘Commonsense Connections’ Week: 'Your Government, Your Voice'
Washington, D.C. - In keeping with his philosophy of retail government, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today announced that his office will launch its third "Commonsense Connections" Week - "Your Government, Your Voice" - beginning Tuesday, October 11. Representatives from Senator Manchin's office will travel to every county in West Virginia to meet with constituents and hear their commonsense priorities and concerns, as well as their ideas for how to cut spending, reform government, and … Continue Reading
September 26, 2011
Manchin-Sponsored Legislation to Roll Back EPA’s Cement MACT Rule Would Save Construction Jobs
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is sponsoring bipartisan legislation to protect cement and construction industry jobs across America. The Cement Sector Regulatory Relief Act (S. 1610) directs the Environmental Protection Agency to re-propose and finalize a more reasonable Cement MACT rule that gives the industry enough time to comply with the new emission standards. "With tens of thousands of good American jobs on the line, now is not the time to inflict … Continue Reading
September 26, 2011
Rahall, Rockefeller and Manchin Announce Federal Grant to Expand Substance Abuse Services
BECKELEY, W.Va. - U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), along with Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin III (both D-W.Va.), announced today federal funding has been awarded to expand substance abuse and mental health treatment services to women, children and families in southern West Virginia. "Innocent lives are at stake every time an expectant mother abuses her body with drugs. This funding helps turn tragic living into triumphal family life for parents and children alike. Every family … Continue Reading
September 26, 2011
Senate Passes Manchin-Sponsored Legislation to Reduce Fraud in Small Business Contracting, Improve Disabled Veterans’ Access to Contracts
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today applauded Senate passage of the Small Business Contracting Fraud Prevention Act of 2011, which was first introduced by his Republican colleague Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine). The bipartisan, commonsense bill is designed make sure only qualified small businesses win contracts with the federal government, and the legislation places special emphasis rooting out fraud from businesses claiming they are controlled by disabled veterans. … Continue Reading
September 26, 2011
Manchin, Rockefeller Announce Nearly $5 Million for Housing Projects Across West Virginia
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller (both D-W.Va.) today announced that five projects across West Virginia will receive nearly $5 million to help low-income families find good-paying jobs, as well as to redevelop part of downtown Ranson to create 150 jobs and improve infrastructure. These funds are administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. "Creating jobs and getting Americans back to work are key to rebuilding America and boosting our … Continue Reading
September 23, 2011
On Senate Floor, Manchin Says President Obama’s Deficit Plan Falls Short of Bipartisan Approach
***PATHFIRE, FTP, Audio, Web Video Included*** Manchin pushes super committee to make reforms for tax fairness and deficit reductions of at least $4 trillion Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today called for a bipartisan approach to deficit reduction and said that the President's recommendations unveiled this week fall short of what the country needs to put its fiscal house in order. Senator Manchin also called on all members of Congress to keep their summer agreement … Continue Reading
September 23, 2011
Rahall, Rockefeller, Manchin Announce Funding to Build Civic Infrastructure
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), along with Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin (both D-W.Va.), Friday announced federal funding for the West Virginia Development Office to increase leadership development and civic entrepreneurship in ten West Virginia counties. "There are a lot of creative ideas in some of our most challenged economies in West Virginia, and I daily hear good suggestions from individuals and organizations throughout the counties this … Continue Reading
September 23, 2011
Manchin Votes to Support Workers Whose Jobs Have Been Lost to Foreign Trade
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today voted to renew and extend Trade Adjustment Assistance, which provides needed training, assistance and job opportunities for West Virginians and any American worker who has lost their jobs because of foreign trade. While workers look for new jobs, Trade Adjustment Assistance offers several benefits and services, including job training, job search and relocation allowances, income support, and assistance with health care premium costs. … Continue Reading
September 23, 2011
Manchin Congratulates West Virginia Principals of the Year
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today congratulated two West Virginia educators who are being honored in the nation's capital for their dedication and commitment to students. Gary Higginbotham, from Ravenswood Middle School in Jackson County, and Bill Hughes, from Winfield High School in Putnam County, were named Middle and High School Principal of the year, respectively. Mr. Higginbotham and Mr. Hughes are being honored at the National Principals Institute for their … Continue Reading
September 22, 2011
Manchin to Defense Secretary Panetta: Time to Rebuild America
**Audio and Video Available** Washington, D.C. - In Defense Secretary Leon Panetta's first appearance before the Senate Armed Services Committee to discuss Afghanistan, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) made clear that the United States needs to shift its mission to counter-terrorism and focus on rebuilding America, not Afghanistan or Iraq. Senator Manchin, who enjoys a strong relationship with Secretary Panetta, explained how he arrived at his position by citing a number of statistics … Continue Reading
September 22, 2011
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce $187,000 to Ensure the Safety And Health of West Virginia Workers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller, along with Rep. Nick Rahall (all D-W.Va.) today announced that the West Virginia University Research Corporation will receive $187,000 from the U.S. Department of Labor's Susan Hardwood Training Grant Program to ensure the safety and health of West Virginia workers through hands-on training and educational programs. The West Virginia University Research Corporation will provide safety and health training to high-risk workers … Continue Reading
September 19, 2011
Rockefeller, Manchin Announce Federal Funds to Build New Airplane Parking and Loading Area at Fairmont Airport
WASHINGTON, D.C - Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin today announced that the Fairmont Municipal Airport will receive $2,451,000 in federal funding for the construction of an apron to park and load aircraft. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Rockefeller has jurisdiction over the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and has worked to make sure West Virginia's airports have the resources they need to attract economic development and serve their … Continue Reading
September 19, 2011
Bipartisan Coalition Urges President to Launch a “Diplomatic Offensive” to Stop Turkey’s Movement Towards Confrontation with Israel
Erdogan Actions Reverse 50 Years of Good Turkish-Israeli Relations WASHINGTON - A bipartisan group of Senators joined in writing President Obama, before his scheduled meeting Tuesday with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan, to send a clear signal of opposition to recent Turkish policy. The letter, cosigned by seven senators including Mark Kirk (R-IL), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Mark Warner (D-VA), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) and Scott Brown (R-MA), … Continue Reading
September 15, 2011
Manchin Joins 35 Bipartisan Senators to Push More Deficit Reduction
***Audio, Web Video Available*** Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) joined nearly three dozen other Senators from both political parties today to encourage the "super committee" charged with finding at least $1.2 trillion in deficit reductions to "think big." "I'm so proud to be part of such a large, bipartisan group of like-minded Senators who are committed to restoring fiscal accountability in this great nation," Senator Manchin said. "We are showing the American … Continue Reading
September 15, 2011
Manchin: We Can’t Stack the Deck And Squander Hundreds of Millions of Taxpayer Dollars
***Audio, Pathfire Available*** Senator Manchin also emphasizes important work at West Virginia's own NETL facility Washington, D.C.- U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) pressed several nominees to the U.S. Department of Energy in an Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing today about serious problems with a federal green energy loan program, the need for energy independence and the federal government's failures in picking winners and losers in the energy sector. He also promoted the … Continue Reading
September 13, 2011
Manchin Cosponsors Legislation to Reduce Fraud in Small Business Contracting, Improve Disabled Veterans’ Access to Contracts
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today announced he has cosponsored the Small Business Contracting Fraud Prevention Act of 2011, which was first introduced by his Republican colleague Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine). The bipartisan, commonsense bill is designed make sure only qualified small businesses win contracts with the federal government, and the legislation places special emphasis rooting out fraud from businesses claiming they are controlled by disabled veterans. … Continue Reading
September 13, 2011
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce More Than $3.3 Million for Crime Prevention Projects Across West Virginia
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller, along with Congressman Nick Rahall (all D-W.Va.), today announced that seven projects across West Virginia will receive more than $3.3 million from the U.S. Department of Justice to improve the quality of forensic science and criminal evidence, advance surveillance technology, support juvenile delinquency reduction and prevention, reduce gang and gun crime, and fight violent crimes against women. "Crime takes a devastating … Continue Reading
September 12, 2011
Rockefeller, Manchin and Rahall Announce Federal Funding to Improve Safety at Eight Airports Across West Virginia
Washington, D.C - Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin, along with Congressman Nick Rahall (all D-WV), today announced that eight airports across West Virginia have been awarded more than $15 million in federal funding. The grants, which were awarded through the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP), are being used to improve airport safety by developing existing facilities and upgrading or replacing runways and other structures. "This money for … Continue Reading
