Op-Eds
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
