June 19, 2017

W.Va. Sen. Joe Manchin signs bipartisan pledge | WSAZ

WASHINGTON (WSAZ) -- U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin signed a pledge Monday urging a return to bipartisanship.

Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat, says he is urging his colleagues to join him in signing a pledge to not campaign against a sitting colleague.

“Several years ago I took a personal pledge to not campaign against a sitting colleague,” Manchin said. “I think the time has come for all Senators to make this pledge and commit ourselves to being Americans first – not Republicans or Democrats,"

The pledge is the first step to show the American people they are here to work towards a better United States, according to Manchin's office.

Text of the pledge can be seen below:

Pledge to Return to Era of Bipartisan Cooperation and Agreement

In order to restore civility to the United States Senate and our political discourse we must pledge to return to an era of bipartisan cooperation and agreement. I, _______________, pledge to the people of _______________ and to the American people that I will:

1) Not campaign against a sitting colleague; 

2) Not directly fundraise against them; 

3) Not distribute any direct mail against them; 

4) Not appear or endorse any advertisements directed at them;

5) Not use or endorse social media campaigns that attack them.