Op-Eds

May 20, 2023

Permitting Reform Necessary for America’s Future

by Senator Joe Manchin

America’s permitting process is broken, consumed by bureaucratic delays and endless litigation at every turn. Our inability to permit projects in West Virginia and across the country on a timely basis is not only harming our energy security and ability to provide for ourselves, it’s also hurting our national security and ability to reduce our reliance on foreign adversaries who do not share our values. We only have to look at Putin’s ability to cripple much of Europe by … Continue Reading


March 29, 2023

The Inflation Reduction Act Betrayal

by Senator Joe Manchin

America is fast approaching another needless emergency—the raising of the national debt ceiling. This impending crisis isn’t an accident but a result of the inaction of various actors who refuse to confront fiscal reality, sit down, negotiate and make hard decisions for the sake of our nation’s future. While all parties have a responsibility to negotiate in good faith, recent actions make clear to me that the Biden administration is determined to pursue an ideological agenda rather than … Continue Reading


March 10, 2023

The Biden Admin panders to climate activists. I won't support their nominees.

by Senator Joe Manchin

European conflict, global crises, persistent inflation, rising energy prices and the fear of a coming recession have placed America and the world at a critical crossroads, with much of these challenges centered on one defining issue: energy security. Now, as energy leaders from across the world are gathered in Houston for the annual CERAWeek conference, the issue of America’s energy security and the role of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to address this challenge will no doubt be top of … Continue Reading


March 06, 2023

Maximizing Americans' investments, not promoting ESG agenda should be Biden's focus

by Senator Joe Manchin

For most Americans, a secure retirement is the ultimate goal. It is something we work towards, diligently save and plan for in the hopes that when that day comes, we can live healthy, comfortable lives. That’s why the recent actions by the Biden administration to prioritize their liberal policy agenda over protecting and growing the retirement accounts of 150 million Americans are especially infuriating. In 1974, Congress passed the Employment Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) that … Continue Reading


March 03, 2023

If FDA won't combat opioid crisis, this Republican and this Democrat will

by Senators Joe Manchin and Mike Braun

Jessica Grubb of Charleston, West Virginia was 30 when she died unexpectedly. Lauren Cole of Morgantown, West Virginia was only 26 when she died unexpectedly. These tragic deaths and thousands more across West Virginia, Indiana and the United States have one thing in common - they died from opioid related overdoses, leaving their families, friends, and communities reeling. Unfortunately, their circumstances are not unique. Approximately 200 Americans die every day from an opioid related … Continue Reading


February 27, 2023

Senator Pleased to be Serving Our Seniors

by Senator Joe Manchin

Throughout my career in public service, I have learned firsthand that the wisdom of our senior West Virginians makes our communities stronger. I have always believed that, after a lifetime of hard work, seniors deserve to retire with dignity and peace of mind.From my time as Governor when I made it a priority to secure a hot and cold truck for every West Virginia county to receive Meals on Wheels deliveries, to my time as Senator when I secured pensions and healthcare for nearly 100,000 coal … Continue Reading


February 07, 2023

Stop the political blame game and start cutting the debt

by Senator Joe Manchin

From a once-in-a-century pandemic and inflation not seen in decades to a global energy crisis, it is fair to say the American people are “crisis-ed out.” Given all that anxiety, one would presume that leaders of both parties would seek out compromise to avert an unnecessary, entirely avoidable financial crisis and act soon to raise the debt ceiling. Instead, we are again witnessing a dangerous game of unnecessary brinkmanship that puts our global credit rating at risk and could cost … Continue Reading


December 30, 2022

Bipartisanship Can and Does Work

by Senator Joe Manchin

When the new Congress is sworn in on January 3, 2023, it will mark the end of the longest 50-50 Senate in the history of our country. The narrow makeup forced compromise and ultimately the 117th Congress was the most productive Congress in decades. As Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the most moderate member of the Senate, I fought hard to leverage my role to deliver significant wins for West Virginia and our country. From passing the Bipartisan Infrastructure … Continue Reading


September 25, 2022

Both Parties Should Support My Permitting Reform Bill

by Senator Joe Manchin

Congress votes this week on the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2022. It’s a defining moment. Will we promote energy security and independence, or will we allow extreme ideologies and politics to embolden our nation’s enemies? Will we allow toxic tribal politics and the Vladimir Putins of the world to dictate our future, or will we protect our nation’s energy security?We are in the midst of a global energy war, and the American people—Republican, Democrat and independent—are paying the … Continue Reading


February 22, 2022

Funding For W.Va To Address Abandoned Mine Lands

by Senator Joe Manchin

On the morning of Nov. 20, 1968, the Farmington Consol No. 9 mine exploded and 78 brave coal miners lost their lives in the hours that followed. It was a tragic day that my family, and so many other families, will never forget. Like many other West Virginians, that disaster was personal to me. I lost my uncle John and several of my classmates and friends. I’ll never forget the look on my mother’s face when she found out her younger brother had died in the explosion. You can’t tell the history … Continue Reading


February 11, 2022

President Biden Should Withdraw Nominee To Lead The Food And Drug Administration

by Senators Joe Manchin and Mike Braun

Since OxyContin was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1995, more than 500,000 Americans have died from overdoses related to opioids and synthetic opioids.Nearly three decades later, more than 101,000 Americans - over 1,500 West Virginians and nearly 2,500 Hoosiers - died between June 2020 and June 2021. It’s clear that not much has changed in the way the FDA approves and manages these highly addictive, destructive drugs killing Americans at an astonishing rate.In fact, it has … Continue Reading


November 14, 2021

Infrastructure bill delivers for West Virginia

by Senator Joe Manchin and Senator Shelley Moore Capito

Across the Mountain State, we are in desperate need of infrastructure investments. More than 3,200 miles of highway and 1,545 bridges are in poor condition. At least 258,000 West Virginians have no broadband access. Thirty-two percent of trains and transit vehicles are beyond their useful lives.The lack of reliable and affordable broadband access makes it difficult for our students to complete their homework, our fellow West Virginians to start new businesses and our seniors to attend … Continue Reading


September 02, 2021

Why I Won’t Support Spending Another $3.5 Trillion

by Senator Joe Manchin

The nation faces an unprecedented array of challenges and will inevitably encounter additional crises in the future. Yet some in Congress have a strange belief there is an infinite supply of money to deal with any current or future crisis, and that spending trillions upon trillions will have no negative consequence for the future. I disagree.An overheating economy has imposed a costly “inflation tax” on every middle- and working-class American. At $28.7 trillion and growing, the … Continue Reading


August 10, 2021

Manchin: 'The Senate is not broken'

by Senator Joe Manchin

West Virginia is home to rolling hills, roaring rivers, and vast forests that make our state Almost Heaven. Those same treasures make for rough terrain and communities that lack access to broadband and upgraded infrastructure.Across the Mountain State, 1,545 bridges and more than 3,200 miles of highway are in poor condition. Thirty-two percent of trains and transit vehicles are beyond their useful lives. More than 258,000 West Virginians have no broadband access.West Virginia’s infrastructure … Continue Reading


June 08, 2021

Why I'm voting against the For the People Act

by Senator Joe Manchin

The right to vote is fundamental to our American democracy and protecting that right should not be about party or politics. Least of all, protecting this right, which is a value I share, should never be done in a partisan manner.During my time as West Virginia’s secretary of state, I was determined to protect this right and ensure our elections are fair, accessible and secure. Not to benefit my party but all the people of West Virginia. For example, as secretary of state I took specific … Continue Reading


April 07, 2021

I will not vote to eliminate or weaken the filibuster | The Washington Post

by Senator Joe Manchin

When Americans vote to send their two senators to Washington, they trust that they will work to represent the interests of their state on equal footing with 98 other senators. I have always said, “If I can’t go home and explain it, I can’t vote for it.” And I respect that each of my colleagues has the same responsibility to their constituents.It’s no accident that a state as small as West Virginia has the same number of senators as California or Texas. It goes to the heart of what … Continue Reading


March 14, 2021

Biden's Plan Will Help Keep Us West Virginia Strong | Charleston Gazette-Mail

by Senator Joe Manchin

Almost one year ago, the first West Virginian was diagnosed with COVID-19. In the time since then we have seen our schools close and reopen, small businesses shut their doors and watched in awe as our hospital workers, grocery store clerks, first responders and front line workers became superheroes. We got used to wearing masks and frequently using hand sanitizer, social distancing when we are around loved ones and doing everything possible to contain the virus. Despite our best efforts we … Continue Reading


February 13, 2021

Cutting state income tax a bad move for WV | Charleston Gazette-Mail

by Senator Joe Manchin

I write today with serious concerns about federal funds the state is anticipating and the harm that will come if financial decisions are made based on a reliance on these federal funds. I urge you to consider the long term ramifications of the proposal.The total West Virginia budget is slightly more than $4.6 billion. Of that amount, $2.2 billion — nearly half — is dependent on the state income tax.The income tax supports early literacy programs and schools, our health departments that are … Continue Reading


January 05, 2021

Congress, it's time to do our job | CNN Opinion

by Senator Joe Manchin

I was first sworn in as a United States senator on November 15, 2010, and took an oath to defend the United States Constitution. Standing alongside me that day was my mother, my wife, our children and grandchildren. I raised my right hand and placed my left hand on our family Bible. Then, I swore to "support and defend" and to "bear true faith and allegiance to" the Constitution of the United States of America.I have since had the honor of taking that oath two more times upon being reelected … Continue Reading


December 23, 2020

Sharing wild and wonderful with the world | The Register-Herald

by Senator Joe Manchin and Senator Shelley Moore Capito

First designated as a National River in 1978, the New River Gorge is composed of approximately 72,000 acres of land along 53 miles of one of the world’s oldest rivers - the New River - stretching from Bluestone Dam to Hawk’s Nest Lake. More importantly, it is home to hiking trails, globally-renowned rock climbing formations, world-class whitewater rafting, and remarkable hunting and fishing opportunities. Not to mention, the third tallest bridge in the United States - an iconic West Virginia … Continue Reading

Showing page   of 7