Press Releases
Rebuild America, Not Afghanistan
In the past 10 years, our nation has spent nearly $443 billion and lost more than 1,500 brave men and women in Afghanistan. Over the next decade, we're projected to spend nearly $500 billion more - all as we borrow historic amounts from China and ask Americans to face higher taxes or cuts to critical programs I believe in, such as Head Start, Social Security and Medicare. At the same time, we have now hit our debt ceiling of $14.3 trillion, and the President is asking Congress to raise the … Continue Reading
June 21, 2011
Manchin: It’s Time to Rebuild America, Not Afghanistan
***Pathfire, Audio Available*** Washington, D.C.- In a conference call with West Virginia reporters today, United States Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) called on President Obama to begin a substantial and responsible reduction in the United States' military presence in Afghanistan. With the country facing a death spiral of debt, Senator Manchin urged the President to focus this nation's resources on rebuilding America, not rebuilding Afghanistan. Audio of Senator Manchin's comments is … Continue Reading
June 20, 2011
Manchin Applauds New Federal Aid to Help Mercer, Putnam Counties Fight Rampant Drug Abuse
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today applauded the Office of National Drug Control Policy for taking a move to help Mercer and Putnam counties in the fight against drug abuse that is plaguing West Virginia. Putnam and Mercer counties have been designated as High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTAs), which will enhance coordination and development of drug-control efforts among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. "This is a positive step … Continue Reading
June 20, 2011
Manchin Statement on West Virginia Day
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today released the following statement on West Virginia Day: "This June 20, as on every June 20, the people of the great state of West Virginia will once again celebrate the day that our state became the 35th state admitted into the Union. And, as we face generational challenges today, our strong past will once prove that this state - and this country - can overcome any hardship. "Throughout my 20-plus3 years of public … Continue Reading
June 17, 2011
Manchin Seeks Justice for WV National Guard Troops Exposed to Chemicals in Iraq
***Pathfire, Web Video, Audio Available*** Washington, D.C. - West Virginia National Guard members exposed to a lethal carcinogen in Iraq are one step closer to getting the answers they deserve after U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, included a provision in the Defense Authorization bill to finalize a report into the hazardous situation immediately. In August 2003, after the invasion of Iraq, 122 West Virginia National Guard troops - along … Continue Reading
June 16, 2011
Manchin Applauds Historic Vote to End Ethanol Subsidies, Reduce Food Costs and Lower the Deficit
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement about the Senate's historic vote today to end massive ethanol subsidies, reducing food costs and redirecting the subsidies to reduce the deficit. The measure passed, 73-27. "As I made clear earlier this week, these subsidies just don't make sense, and today's vote is a victory for common sense. Families in West Virginia and across this nation are watching every penny, so I am encouraged that the … Continue Reading
June 16, 2011
Manchin Encourages West Virginians to Vote for Ripley's Alpine Theater
**Video, Audio Available** Washington, D.C. - In a YouTube video today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is encouraging all West Virginians to go online and vote for the Alpine Theater in downtown Ripley in the National Trust for Historic Preservation's second "This Place Matters Challenge." This innovative competition allows communities across the country to compete through photos and stories for money to save a place that matters to them. "I just voted for Main Street in … Continue Reading
June 15, 2011
Manchin Reacts to 'Appalling' Report on Government Waste
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today released the following statement after learning that wasteful spending in federal agencies jumped $15 billion from 2009 to 2010, to $125 billion. "With the nation facing a death spiral of debt, West Virginians expect their government to do everything it can to ferret out waste and fraud. Instead, government waste actually increased in 2010 in dozens of federal programs," Senator Manchin said. "The fact that we wasted $125 … Continue Reading
June 14, 2011
Manchin Statement on Vote to Reduce Food Costs, Curtail Ethanol Subsidies and Lower the Deficit
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement about his vote supporting an amendment to reduce food costs, curtail ethanol subsidies and redirect the subsidies to reduce the deficit. "Families in West Virginia and across this nation are watching every penny, and we need to stop providing costly ethanol subsidies that do not even reduce gas prices and actually jack up food costs and grocery bills - it just doesn't make commonsense in this tough … Continue Reading
June 13, 2011
Manchin, Rockefeller Announce $2,415,000 in Funding for Rural Development Projects in Bridgeport and Morgantown
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller (both D-W.Va.) today announced funding for two rural development projects funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that will improve public facilities and services in north-central West Virginia. The Shepherd's Corner, Inc. in Bridgeport will receive a $102,000 loan and an $18,000 grant to build a distribution center. The facility will provide food, clothing and household goods to individuals and families in need. … Continue Reading
June 09, 2011
Manchin Statement on Planned Closure of 3 American Electric Power Plants in West Va.
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today released the following statement upon learning that American Electric Power plans to shut down three plants in West Virginia, resulting in 242 lost jobs. "My heart truly goes out to the hardworking men and women who have spent years working at American Electric Power and are now facing an uncertain future," Senator Manchin said. "My office is ready and prepared to help these hardworking West Virginians and their families … Continue Reading
June 09, 2011
Manchin Supports Commonsense Law Reining In EPA and Federal Bureaucrats
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced today that he is cosponsoring the Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2011 - also known as the REINS Act - which would require Congressional approval of any interim or final regulation from the Executive Branch bureaucracy that costs more than $100 million. Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky) introduced the bill. "The announcement by American Electric Power that it will shut down three plants in West … Continue Reading
June 08, 2011
Manchin meets with WV native Jennifer Garner about Save the Children program
**Photo, Video and Audio Available** VIDEO is available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-dfOKhX3Fg AUDIO is available here: http://demradio.senate.gov/actualities/manchin/060811_MANCHIN.mp3 Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today met with West Virginia native Jennifer Garner, artist ambassador for Save the Children; Mark Shriver, Vice President and Managing Director of U.S. Programs for Save the Children; and additional representatives from the organization … Continue Reading
June 08, 2011
Manchin Statement on Vote Supporting Tester Amendment to Swipe Fee Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today issued the following statement after he voted in favor of a bipartisan measure to study the debit interchange market to ensure that new rules don't hurt job creation, consumers or community banks and credit unions. "I believe that these swipe fees are far too expensive and must be reduced as soon as possible, but it just didn't make sense to enact regulations that could threaten the survival of community banks and credit … Continue Reading
June 07, 2011
In Senate Energy Hearing, Manchin Stresses the Role Coal Plays in Achieving Energy Independence
**Audio and Video Available** AUDIO of Senator Manchin's questions is available here: manchinqa2 060711.mp3 VIDEO of Senator Manchin's questions is available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNgiwodp5fg Washington, D.C.-- In an Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing this morning, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) pressed Steven G. Chalk, an official with the U.S. Department of Energy on how to achieve energy independence within this generation, defended the … Continue Reading
June 07, 2011
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce $25K to Fight Drug Abuse in Communities Across West Virginia
Federal funds awarded through the Appalachian Regional Commission Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller and U.S. Representative Nick Rahall (all D-W.Va.) today announced that five local groups committed to fighting drug abuse in West Virginia have been selected as winners of the 2011 Competition for Community-Based Substance Abuse Initiatives, which is an effort of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to combat local substance abuse problems. The … Continue Reading
June 06, 2011
Manchin Urges Federal Law Enforcement to Shut Down Online Black Market for Illegal Drugs
**Images Available** Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) has urged the U.S. Attorney General and Drug Enforcement Agency to immediately shut down an anonymous online black market for drugs, including prescription drugs, cocaine, LSD and heroin. The illicit network, called Silk Road, allows users anywhere in the country to purchase illicit drugs using untraceable currency and have them shipped to their homes via the United States Postal Service. "West … Continue Reading
June 02, 2011
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce $461,173 Federal Grant for Tri-State Airport in Huntington
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin, as well as Congressman Nick Rahall announced $461,173 in federal funding for the Tri-State Airport in Huntington. The Tri-State Airport will use the funding to upgrade the runway and taxiway. These improvements will help ensure the safety of the passengers, provide businesses better access to Huntington so they can grow and expand in the area, and give tourists easy and safer access to the state. The grant was awarded … Continue Reading
May 30, 2011
Manchin, Rockefeller Hold Firm on Halting Free Trade Agreements Until Trade Adjustment Assistance is Extended
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin sent a letter to President Barack Obama reinforcing his decision not to submit any free trade agreements to Congress-including pending agreements for Colombia, Panama, and South Korea-until Congress agrees to extend a long-term extension of Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), including the 2009 bipartisan reforms. Rockefeller and Manchin, along with 39 other Senators, asked the President to work with them to secure bipartisan support … Continue Reading
May 27, 2011
Manchin Statement on Memorial Day
Audio of Senator Manchin's Memorial Day Message: http://demradio.senate.gov/actualities/manchin/052411_MANCHIN.mp3 Video of Senator Manchin's Memorial Day Message: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3fdVeh8q0s Washington, D.C.-U.S. Senator Joe Manchin today released the following statement in honor of Memorial Day: "Earlier this year, I was fortunate enough to meet and talk with the brave men and women who are serving our country in Afghanistan. It was an honor to thank … Continue Reading
