Joe Manchin, United States Senator, West Virginia

STAFF: Commonsense Connections

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

Representatives from Senator Manchin’s office will meet with constituents and hear their commonsense priorities, and concerns, and gather their feedback.

Scheduled events are listed below:

Doddridge
Date: Friday, May 24
Time: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Location: Doddridge County Courthouse, 118 East Court Street, West Union.

Date: Friday, May 24
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Doddridge County Senior Center, 403 West Main Street, West Union.

Hampshire
Date: Friday, May 24
Time: 8 a.m. – 9 a.m.
Location: Greg’s Restaurant, 2975 North Western Pike, Capon Bridge.

Date: Friday, May 24
Time: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Location: Hampshire County Infrastructure Council Meeting, 91 South High Street, Romney.

Date: Friday, May 24
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Location: Romney Senior Center, 87 1/2 N Grafton Street, Romney.

Harrison
Date: Friday, May 24
Time: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Harrison County Courthouse, 301 West Main Street, Clarksburg.

Date: Friday, May 24
Time: 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Harrison County Library, 404 West Pike Street, Clarksburg.

Mason
Date: Friday, May 24
Time: 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Mason County Commission Meeting Room (2nd Floor), 200 6th Street, Point Pleasant.

Summers
Date: Friday, May 24
Time: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Location: Hinton City Hall, 322 Summers Street, Hinton.

Wetzel
Date: Friday, May 24
Time: 11:30 a.m. –1 p.m.
Location: Quinet’s Court Restaurant, 217 Main Street, New Martinsville.

Date: Friday, May 24
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Paden City Town Hall, 208 West Main Street, Paden City.

Wirt
Date: Friday, May 24
Time: 11 a.m. – Noon
Location: Wirt County Committee on Aging, Inc., 74 Senior Circle, Elizabeth.

STAFF: Commonsense Connections

Thu, 23 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

Representatives from Senator Manchin’s office will meet with constituents and hear their commonsense priorities, and concerns, and gather their feedback.

Scheduled events are listed below:

Barbour
Date: Thursday, May 23
Time: 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Location: Barbour County Courthouse, 8 North Main Street, Philippi.

Date: Thursday, May 23
Time: 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Location: Philippi Public Library, 102 South Main Street, Philippi.

Date: Thursday, May 23
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Location: Barbour County Senior Center, 101 Church Street, Philippi.

Berkeley
Date: Thursday, May 23
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Location: Sissy’s Restaurant, 55 Meadow Lane Plaza, Suite 4, Martinsburg.

Date: Thursday, May 23
Time: 11 a.m. – Noon
Location: Berkeley Senior Center, 217 North High Street, Martinsburg.

Date: Thursday, May 23
Time: 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Martinsburg-Berkley County Public Library, 101 West King Street, Martinsburg.

Fayette
Date: Thursday, May 23
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: Oak Hill Public Library, 611 Main Street, Oak Hill.

Greenbrier
Date: Thursday, May 23
Time: 3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Dairy Queen, 203 Kanawha Avenue, Rainelle.

Hardy
Date: Thursday, May 23
Time: 8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Location: Kacapon Restaurant, 395 North Main Street, Wardensville.

Date: Thursday, May 23
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Lost River Grill, 8079 West Virginia 259, Lost River.

Date: Thursday, May 23
Time: 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Location: Colt’s Restaurant, 4255 South Main Street, Moorefield.

Jackson
Date: Thursday, May 23
Time: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Ripley Town Council Chambers, 203 South Church Street, Ripley.

Date: Thursday, May 23
Time: 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: Gino’s, 201 Washington Street, Ravenswood.

Marshall
Date: Thursday, May 23
Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Bridge Street Restaurant, 4 Bridge Street, Cameron.

Date: Thursday, May 23
Time: 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Benwood City Hall, 430 Main Street, Benwood.

Preston
Date: Thursday, May 23
Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: North Preston Senior Center, RR26 North Preston Highway, Bruceton Mills.

Date: Thursday, May 23
Time: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Kingwood Public Library, 205 West Main Street, Kingwood.

Roane
Date: Thursday, May 23
Time: 11 a.m. – Noon
Location: Roane County Library, 110 Parking Plaza, Spencer.

Upshur
Date: Thursday, May 23
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Location: Upshur County Courthouse – Room 302, 38 West Main Street, Buckhannon.

Date: Thursday, May 23
Time: 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Upshur County Library, RR 6 Box 480 Tennerton Road, Buckhannon.

Date: Thursday, May 23
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: CJ Maggie’s Restaurant, 16 East Main Street, Buckhannon.

STAFF: Commonsense Connections

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

Representatives from Senator Manchin’s office will meet with constituents and hear their commonsense priorities, and concerns, and gather their feedback.

Scheduled events are listed below:

Cabell
Date: Wednesday, May 22
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Location: Milton Public Library, 1140 Smith Street, Milton.

Calhoun
Date: Wednesday, May 22
Time: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Calhoun County Public Library, 250 Mill Street North, Grantsville.

Grant
Date: Wednesday, May 22
Time: 11 a.m. – Noon
Location: Allegheny Mountain Top Public Library, A455 Union Highway, Mt. Storm.

Date: Wednesday, May 22
Time: 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Location: Grant County Public Library, 18 Mt. View Street, Petersburg.

Jefferson
Date: Wednesday, May 22
Time: 8 a.m. – 9 a.m.
Location: Chick-Fil-A, 156 Joshua M. Freeman Blvd., Ranson

Date: Wednesday, May 22
Time: Noon – 1 p.m.
Location: Skipper’s Downtown Dips & Deli, 114 West Washington St., Charles Town.

Lincoln
Date: Wednesday, May 22
Time: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Location: Harts Area Community Center, 1 Freedom Lane, Harts.

Logan
Date: Wednesday, May 22
Time: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Logan County Chamber of Commerce, 214 Stratton Street, Logan.

Marion
Date: Wednesday, May 22
Time: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Location: Marion County Courthouse, J. Harper Meredith Building – Room 403, 200 Jackson Street, Fairmont.

Date: Wednesday, May 22
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Location: Marion County Senior Center, 105 Maple Wood Drive, Fairmont.

Mingo
Date: Wednesday, May 22
Time: 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Williamson Public Library, 101 Logan Street, Williamson.

Monongalia
Date: Wednesday, May 22
Time: 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Monongalia County Courthouse, 243 High Street, Morgantown.

Date: Wednesday, May 22
Time: 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Location: Monongalia County Library, 373 Spruce Street, Morgantown.

Ohio
Date: Wednesday, May 22
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Location: McDonalds, 101 Kruger Street, Wheeling.

Date: Wednesday, May 22
Time: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Ohio County Public Library, 52 16th Street, Wheeling.

Pocahontas
Date: Wednesday, May 22
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Location: Pocahontas County Senior Center, US Route 219 North, Marlinton.

Putnam
Date: Tuesday, May 22
Time: 2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Eleanor Public Library, 401 Roosevelt Blvd., Eleanor.

Ritchie
Date: Wednesday, May 22
Time: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Location: Pennsboro Branch Library, 411 Main Street, Pennsboro.

Date: Wednesday, May 22
Time: 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Harrisville Town Hall, East Main Street, Harrisville.

Webster
Date: Wednesday, May 22
Time: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Webster Springs Town Hall, 146 McGraw Avenue, Webster Springs.

Manchin Praises WVU Athletes For Assisting Oklahomans

Tue, 21 May 2013 04:00:00 EST

Senator Manchin issued a statement praising the WVU baseball team for their efforts in collecting clothes and supplies to assist the communities in Moore.

STAFF: Commonsense Connections

Tue, 21 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

Representatives from Senator Manchin’s office will meet with constituents and hear their commonsense priorities, and concerns, and gather their feedback.

Scheduled events are listed below:

Braxton
Date: Tuesday, May 21
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: Braxton County Senior Citizens Center, 33 Senior Center Drive, Sutton.

Brooke
Date: Tuesday, May 21
Time: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: City Council Chambers, Follansbee City Building, Penn and Main Streets, Follansbee.

Date: Tuesday, May 21
Time: 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Location: Brooke County Public Library, 945 Main Street, Wellsburg.

Cabell
Date: Tuesday, May 21
Time: 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Guyandotte Public Library, 203 Richmond Street, Huntington.

Clay
Date: Tuesday, May 21
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Location: Clay Town Hall, 956 Main Street, Clay.

Jefferson
Date: Tuesday, May 21
Time: 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Charles Town Library, 200 East Washington Street, Charles Town

Kanawha
Date: Tuesday, May 21
Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Kanawha Valley Senior Services Annual Picnic, Shawnee Park, Route 25, Institute.

McDowell
Date: Tuesday, May 21
Time: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Keystone City Hall, 144 West Main Street, Keystone.

Mercer
Date: Tuesday, May 21
Time: 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Princeton-Mercer County Chamber of Commerce, 1522 North Walker Street, Princeton.

Mineral
Date: Tuesday, May 21
Time: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Location: Keyser-Mineral County Public Library, 105 North Main Street, Keyser.

Date: Tuesday, May 21
Time: 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Location: Keyser Senior Center, 1 South Main Street, Keyser.

Date: Tuesday, May 21
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Location: Fort Ashby Public Library, 74 Lincoln Street, Fort Ashby.

Nicholas
Date: Tuesday, May 21
Time: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Location: Nicholas County Courthouse, 700 Main Street, Summersville.

Pendleton
Date: Tuesday, May 21
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Location: H&J Superette, 11754 Blue Gray Trail, Brandywine.

Date: Tuesday, May 21
Time: 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Location: Pendleton County Senior Center, 231 Mill Road, Franklin.

Date: Tuesday, May 21
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Location: Front Porch Restaurant, Harper’s Country Store, Intersection of Routes 28 &33, Seneca Rocks.

Randolph
Date: Tuesday, May 21
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Randolph County Senior Center, 5th Street & Railroad Avenue, Elkins.

Date: Tuesday, May 21
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Henry G’s Restaurant, 110 3rd Street, Elkins.

Date: Tuesday, May 21
Time: 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Randolph County Library, 416 Davis Avenue, Elkins.

Taylor
Date: Tuesday, May 21
Time: 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Location: Flemington Town Hall, 47 East Veterans Memorial Highway, Flemington.

Date: Tuesday, May 21
Time: 11 a.m. – 1p.m.
Location: Taylor County Senior Center, Rt. 2 US 199, Grafton.

Date: Tuesday, May 21
Time: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Taylor County Library, 200 Beech Street, Grafton.

Tucker
Date: Tuesday, May 21
Time: 8 a.m. – 9 a.m.
Location: Tip Top Coffee, 216 East Avenue, Thomas.

Date: Tuesday, May 21
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Location: Tucker County Foundation “Run for it” Headquarters, 737 William Avenue, Suite 3 Davis.

Wayne
Date: Tuesday, May 21
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Ceredo-Kenova Library, 1200 Oak Street, Kenova.

Wood
Date: Tuesday, May 21
Time: 11 a.m. – Noon
Location: Williamstown Town Council Chambers, 100 West Fifth Street, Williamstown.

Date: Tuesday, May 21
Time: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Wood County Commission Room, 1 Court Square, Parkersburg.

Date: Tuesday, May 21
Time: 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: Vienna Public Library, 2300 River Road, Vienna.

Wyoming
Date: Tuesday, May 21
Time: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Location: Mullens City Hall, 316 Moran Avenue, Mullens.

Manchin Pleased Overreaching Federal Education Rules Renounced

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:00:00 EST

Senator Manchin announced that he was pleased West Virginia’s request to withdraw from No Child Left Behind (NCLB) was granted by the U.S. Department of Education.

Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce Funding for Health Center

Mon, 20 May 2013 04:30:00 EST

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller, along with U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (all D-W.Va.), Monday announced more than $515,000 in federal funding for the Northern Greenbrier Health Clinic in Williamsburg to continue operations and improve preventive care.

“With Federal investments in community health centers, we expand access to quality and affordable care for West Virginian families, and certainly those are funds that I will continue to do all I can to secure for our State,” said Rahall, a senior Member of the House Rural Health Caucus. “At issue is addressing the basic human need for quality health care and marshalling our resources as a nation to meet that need.”

“The Northern Greenbrier Health Clinic improves the health and lives of so many in Williamsburg and across Greenbrier County, and this grant makes sure the clinic has the resources it needs to continue providing critical primary and preventive health care services,” said Rockefeller, Chairman of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care. “This funding provides access to oral health care, mental health care, and substance abuse services that are often hard to come by in our rural communities.”

“It is critical that we make health care services available to all West Virginians, particularly those living in rural and underserved areas,” Manchin said. “This grant funding will greatly benefit communities that have a need for health care resources, and it will help ensure all individuals, especially our children and seniors, have access to preventive care, quality treatment when they are sick and much-needed medicine.”

The Health Center Cluster grant is a competitive grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to provide financial assistance to health centers that offer comprehensive primary and preventive health care services to underserved or rural areas.

-30-

STAFF: Commonsense Connections

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

Representatives from Senator Manchin’s office will meet with constituents and hear their commonsense priorities, and concerns, and gather their feedback.

Scheduled events are listed below:

Boone
Date: Monday, May 20
Time: 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Location: Racine Senior Center, 446 John Slack Circle, Racine

Gilmer
Date: Monday, May 20
Time: 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Gilmer County Courthouse, 10 Howard Street, Glenville.

Date: Monday, May 20
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Location: Gilmer County Library, 214 Walnut Street, Glenville.

Hancock
Date: Monday, May 20
Time: Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Location: Greater Weirton Senior Center, 3425 Main Street, Weirton.

Date: Monday, May 20
Time: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Chester City Building, 600 Indiana Avenue, Chester.

Lewis
Date: Monday, May 20
Time: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Location: Lewis County Commission Office, 18 Garton Plaza, Weston.

Date: Monday, May 20
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Lewis County Senior Center, 171 W 2nd Street, Weston.

Morgan
Date: Monday, May 20
Time: 8:15 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
Location: McDonalds, 28 Morgan Square, Berkeley Springs.

Date: Monday, May 20
Time: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Location: Morgan County Courthouse, 77 Fairfax Street, Berkeley Springs.

Date: Monday, May 20
Time: 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Morgan County Public Library, 105 Congress Street, Berkeley Springs.

Pleasants
Date: Monday, May 20
Time: 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: Pleasants County Public Library, 101 Lafayette Street, St. Mary's.

Raleigh
Date: Monday, May 20
Time: 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Marsh Fork Public Library, 9802 Coal River Road, Naoma.

Tyler
Date: Monday, May 20
Time: 11 a.m. – Noon
Location: Council of Senior Tyler Countians, Inc., 504 Cherry Street, Middlebourne.

Buckhannon: Manchin to Participate in the Annual West Virginia's Strawberry Festival Grand Feature Parade

Sat, 18 May 2013 01:00:00 EST

1 p.m.: Senator Manchin will participate in the Strawberry Festival Grand Feature Parade. Strawberry Lane, Buckhannon.

Manchin Remembers Servicemembers on Armed Forces Day

Fri, 17 May 2013 05:30:00 EST

Washington, D.C. – On Armed Forces Day, Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) urges all West Virginians to thank a veteran or current serving member of the National Guard, Reserve or active military. The national theme for this year’s Armed Forces Day is “Strong and Resilient: Prepared to Meet any Challenge,” and is a keen reminder that our nation is at war and our men and women remain in harm’s way.

“This week, I was honored to welcome veterans from all generations to Washington, DC for the ‘Always Free Honor Flight,’ an especially meaningful time for veterans to visit the nation’s capital as we commemorate Armed Forces Day,” Senator Manchin said. “As I reflect on their selfless service to our nation, I pay tribute to the men and women in all our military who make the United States of America the greatest nation on earth.

“Today, you can find these extraordinary men and women on land, at sea and in the air in every corner of the globe, facing danger and enduring hardship for the sake of America’s freedom. Time and time again, we have placed the future of our country in the hands of the brave men and women of our armed forces, and they have always – always – triumphed. The American military is the greatest in the world, not just because of superior technology, training and tactics, but because of the unsurpassed physical and moral courage of our soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen. We are a fortunate nation to have such men and women keeping us safe. And today, I join a grateful nation in celebrating this day in their honor.”

Background:

• The nation’s first Armed Forces Day was observed in 1950, after President Harry S. Truman established Armed Forces Day to thank members of the military for their service, and to establish a single holiday to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force holidays.

• President John F. Kennedy established Armed Forces Day as an official holiday in 1962. At the time, he said, “Word to the Nation: Guard zealously your right to serve in the Armed Forces, for without them, there will be no other rights to guard.”

###

Manchin Celebrates Opening of Canaan Shooting Range

Fri, 17 May 2013 01:00:00 EST

Senator Manchin celebrated the opening of the Sporting Clay and Shooting Facility at the Canaan Valley State Park.

Canaan: Manchin to Celebrate the Opening of the Sporting Clay and Shooting Facility at Canaan Valley State Park

Fri, 17 May 2013 11:00:00 EST

11 a.m.: Senator Manchin will celebrate the opening of Canaan Valley's new shooting facility and tubing slide. Canaan Valley State Park, 230 Main Lodge Road David, Canaan.

Senators Manchin and Corker Introduce Bill to Fix Consequence of Renewable Fuels Mandate

Fri, 17 May 2013 09:30:00 EST

U.S. Senators Manchin and Corker introduced the “Foreign Fuels Reduction Act.”

Manchin's Message from the Hill to the Mountains: Saluting Our Veterans and the Honor Flight Network

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

I am filled with so much pride every time I meet our military veterans. They remind us just how patriotic West Virginia is. We are a state of people with courage, nobility and valor.

This week, I met with 31 veterans from West Virginia, representing three generations of warriors, who came to the nation’s capital to see the memorials that commemorate their sacrifice and courage.

I am so deeply grateful to these special Americans who helped keep this nation free and made the world safer for liberty-loving people across our country and beyond our borders.

I also am grateful to the Honor Flight Network, which arranges for World War II, Korea and Vietnam veterans from all over America to visit the memorials in Washington – free of any cost to the veterans.

In West Virginia, the driving forces behind the Honor Flight Network are the Denver Foundation and Little Buddy Radio in Princeton. They have arranged three Honor Flights for West Virginia veterans so far, and I look forward to many more.

The veterans I met this week ranged in age from 63 to 94. And while their step has slowed, their spirit is keen, their pride is undiminished, and their patriotism is unbridled.

These brave West Virginians served this great country in a wide variety of ways – as a B-24 pilot over Italy in World War II; in a heavy mortar company at “Heartbreak Ridge” in Korea; as a helicopter door gunner in Vietnam.

They stitched up wounds in hospitals; they assembled bombs; they inspected combat aircraft; they operated radios and radars; they cooked; and they built roads through jungles and bridges over rivers.

They won the Bronze Star, the Soldier’s Medal, the Purple Heart and Presidential Citations. Some were lieutenants, some sergeants, some corporals. Some served abroad, some stateside. But every one of them answered this country’s call in its time of need.

These heroic West Virginians came to Washington to tour our beautiful Capitol, the World War II Memorial, the Korean War Memorial and the Vietnam War Memorial. But this tour included a special “Flags of Our Heroes” ceremony to honor World War II veterans who passed away before they could visit the memorial commemorating their service. Sadly, we are losing World War II veterans at the rate of approximately 800 per day – members of what we have come to recognize, and rightly so, as the “Greatest Generation.”

This generation of Americans was united by a common purpose and by common values – duty, honor, courage, service, integrity, love of family and country. And their triumph over tyranny will be remembered forever.

This Memorial Day, when we honor all of America’s fallen warriors, let us offer a special salute to the “Greatest Generation” of warriors who inspire us still with the physical and moral courage that made them heroes.

May it ever be so, and may God always bless the United States of America and all the men and women who keep Her free.

Manchin, Rockefeller Announce Federal Assistance For Hurricane Sandy Response and Relief in WV

Thu, 16 May 2013 10:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller today announced $1,045,590 in federal funding to help alleviate the cost of West Virginia’s emergency response and relief during Hurricane Sandy.

“Hurricane Sandy called on our response teams requiring a lot of financial support upfront, and continues to require resources as our communities work to recover,” said Rockefeller. “West Virginia’s National Guard, first responders, and Emergency Operations Center are top-notch, and they did all they could to keep our communities safe and functioning during the storm. This funding helps alleviate the costs associated with that response, reimbursing the state for all they did to protect West Virginians.”

“This is tremendous news for the communities in West Virginia that are still working to recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy,” said Manchin. “When I toured the areas that were severely damaged, I was so inspired by the willingness of West Virginians to come together. However, the toll this storm took on our state was incredible, and there are still families and businesses who are struggling. I am pleased that FEMA granted our urgent request for additional assistance and I know the people of West Virginia will put this aid to good use rebuilding their communities and their lives.”

Rockefeller and Manchin fought to include West Virginia in the final Hurricane Sandy disaster relief package passed in January. In November, Rockefeller and Manchin joined 11 other Senators from states impacted by Hurricane Sandy to urge President Obama to provide additional emergency aid for federal disaster assistance programs. On December 5, Rockefeller submitted an official statement for the record to the Senate Appropriations Committee urging colleagues to include federal assistance to help communities and families in West Virginia as the chamber considered disaster relief legislation.

The funding has been awarded to the Office of the Adjutant General for the State of West Virginia to offset the cost of implementing the State’s Emergency Operations Plan, and activating the State’s Emergency Operations Center and the West Virginia National Guard in order to address electrical outages and damaged utility lines that interrupted essential food, fuel, and communications services during Hurricane Sandy. This funding reimburses the state for the federal government’s share of the cost of Hurricane Sandy response and recovery including: emergency medical support teams, search and rescue teams, and emergency patrol and security. The funding also helps pay for the clearing of debris from roads. The funding comes from the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

###

Manchin, Rockefeller Announce Federal Funding for Lewisburg Volunteer Fire Department

Wed, 15 May 2013 04:30:00 EST

WASHINGTON D.C.— Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller today announced $97,584 in federal funding for the Lewisburg Volunteer Fire Department to purchase new equipment to keep their firefighters safe on the job.

“The Lewisburg Volunteer Fire Department keeps families and homes in Lewisburg and across Greenbrier County safe. And we must do all we can to protect those volunteer firefighters while they’re on the job,” said Rockefeller. “Providing our firefighters with safety equipment is critical to their safety and ours as they fearlessly approach dangerous situations, often risking their own lives to save their friends and neighbors. Our firefighters are so dedicated to our communities and in return, we need to support them as well.”

“I believe in our firefighters, who are dedicated to our communities and who protect the health and safety of the people of West Virginia day in and day out,” said Manchin. “My experience working with the volunteer rescue squad in Marion County has allowed me to appreciate their hard work firsthand. This funding will give Lewisburg Volunteer Fire Department the resources and equipment they need to operate safely and efficiently.”

The funding will help the Lewisburg Volunteer Fire Department purchase 23 new self-contained breathing apparatuses, which each firefighter must wear whenever entering a hazardous situation like a fire. The apparatuses will replace out-of-date equipment, and will help Lewisburg’s firefighters breathe clean oxygen on the job.

Funding from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program, a competitive grant program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), helps fire departments purchase personal protection equipment and rescue equipment.

###

Manchin Welcomes West Virginia Veterans to Washington

Manchin hosts a welcome reception for veterans to honor their service — Wed, 15 May 2013 01:30:00 EST

Senator Manchin proudly welcomed 31 veterans from West Virginia to the nation’s capital for the state’s third “Always Free Honor Flight” in less than a year.

Manchin: ‘Actions of the IRS are Unacceptable and Un-American"

Mon, 13 May 2013 11:00:00 EST

Senator Manchin issued a statement in response to allegations that agents at the IRS targeted specific groups based on their political ideologies.

Manchin, Rockefeller, Bipartisan Senators Continue the Fight to Curb Prescription Drug Abuse

Fri, 10 May 2013 11:30:00 EST

Senators Manchin and Rockefeller and Members of Congress sent a bipartisan letter to the Commissioner of the FDA to urge immediate action on rescheduling drugs containing hydrocodone.

Manchin's Message from the Hill to the Mountains: Time for the FDA to Stop Stalling on Pain Killers

Fri, 10 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

Fourteen years is a long time to wait for anything. When you need help, 14 years is a really long time to wait. And yet 14 years is how long it’s been since drug experts first asked the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for help in stopping an epidemic of prescription drug abuse in America.

And still we wait.

Well, I’ve waited long enough. So have other Members of Congress, Democrats and Republicans alike. This week, nine of us sent a letter to the FDA urging immediate action to combat an epidemic that is devastating families and communities all across the country, including West Virginia.

Specifically, we urged the FDA to tighten restrictions on some of the most powerful, addictive narcotics on the market, which have fueled the epidemic we see today – hydrocodone painkillers, such as Vicodin and Lortab.

It’s not like we came up with this idea overnight. And it’s not like we came up with it on our own.

The petition for greater restrictions on hydrocodone was originally filed with the FDA in 1999. The petition suggested that hydrocodone be reclassified from a Schedule III drug, the category for less addictive drugs like barbiturates and amphetamines, to Schedule II, the category for opium and morphine.

For over 14 years, the FDA has refused to make this commonsense change, even as hydrocodone abuse has taken its toll on our country, reaching the point where police officers in our home state speak today of a “lost generation” of Americans – lost to the lure and easy access to these prescription drugs.

But last January, things started changing dramatically.

After listening to days of testimony from witnesses, including mine, and after reviewing all the evidence, the FDA’s own panel of experts recommended – for the first time – that hydrocodone be reclassified a Schedule II drug.

Under federal drug laws, the FDA is granted “a reasonable time” to respond to recommendations from its own advisory panel. But winter has turned to spring and summer is just around the corner. It seems to me, and to the Members of Congress who joined me in writing the FDA this week, that the federal agency charged with the safety of our food and drugs has exceeded the “reasonable time” requirement.

The fact that we’ve already waited 14 years for the FDA to do the right thing makes this latest delay that much more intolerable.

Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control underscores the urgency of action by the FDA. The CDC reports that drug overdose deaths increased for 11 straight years since 1999. Sixty percent of those deaths (22,134) involved pharmaceutical drug products. And prescription drug products containing oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone and others represented three-quarters of those deaths (16,651).

Our great state is not immune from this epidemic. In 2010 alone, 512 West Virginians died from drug overdose – a 353 percent increase since 2000. And painkillers now result in more deaths than heroin and cocaine combined.

Ignoring this drug abuse epidemic is unacceptable. A lot of families, doctors, law enforcement officers and public officials have been on the front lines battling this crisis for years.

The time has come for the FDA to stop stalling and step up to give us a hand. This is one of those fights that is going to take everybody’s help to win.