Op-Eds
Senator Urges Protection Of Benefits | The Fayette Tribune
by Senator Joe Manchin
The miners of West Virginia and their families are the heart and soul of the Mountain State. Generations of our patriotic coal miners have spent their lives underground in order to provide our country with energy. They have endured countless years of backbreaking work and they are proud of the role they have played in building our nation into the greatest in the world, but they are at risk of being left behind and I refuse to let that happen. Right now, retired coal miners' pensions, … Continue Reading
April 26, 2019
Passage Of Legacy Act Could Help Save Lives | The Fayette Tribune
by Senator Joe Manchin
In West Virginia, we know firsthand the devastation that opioids and substance use disorder has had on our families and communities. Too many of our children, siblings, parents and friends have lost their battle as a result of these terrible drugs that have invaded our state. These highly addictive opioids have resulted in life-long battles with substance use disorder. One of those West Virginians who lost her battle, despite her and her family's best efforts, was Jessica Grubb. Jessie was a … Continue Reading
March 25, 2019
Toyota News Shows WV A Good Place To Do Business | The Charleston Gazette
by Senator Joe Manchin
As I have said many times before, West Virginia is the perfect place to do business. West Virginians are the hardest-working people in America and, when companies and organizations come to our state, they tend to stay and grow here. Our state's relationship with Toyota is a perfect example. Toyota just announced an additional $111 million investment in West Virginia, which will add 123 more jobs to the Buffalo plant in the next year. This announcement is a testament to the West Virginians who … Continue Reading
March 11, 2019
It's Time To Act On Climate Change-Responsibly | The Washington Post
by Senator Joe Manchin and Senator Lisa Murkowski
The two of us have more in common than might meet the eye. We come from different parties, but we are both avid outdoorsmen and represent states that take great pride in the resources we provide to the nation and to friends and allies around the world. Alaska and West Virginia know that resource development and environmental stewardship must move in tandem, which is why we are committed to putting forward bipartisan solutions to help address climate change. There is no question that climate … Continue Reading
March 08, 2019
It’s time to act on climate change — responsibly | The Washington Post
by Senator Joe Manchin and Senator Lisa Murkowski
Lisa Murkowski, a Republican, represents Alaska in the U.S. Senate. Joe Manchin, a Democrat, represents West Virginia in the U.S. Senate.The two of us have more in common than might meet the eye. We come from different parties, but we are both avid outdoorsmen and represent states that take great pride in the resources we provide to the nation and to friends and allies around the world. Alaska and West Virginia know that resource development and environmental stewardship must move in tandem, … Continue Reading
March 08, 2019
West Virginia Can Lead In Energy Solutions | The Charleston Gazette
by Senator Joe Manchin
When I was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2010, I knew I wanted to serve on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. My recent assignment to this committee ensures West Virginia has a seat at the table during important national energy policy discussions. That's why becoming ranking member in January is so exciting. In my first few months as ranking member, we have examined the state of energy markets in West Virginia, nationally, and globally, as well as important issues like … Continue Reading
October 17, 2018
Defense, military readiness transcend partisan politics | Dominion Post
by Senator Joe Manchin and Senator Dan Sullivan
As our politics become increasingly polarized it is easy to get discourages about bipartisanship. But as Senators from West Virginia and Alaska we prove there is plenty of common ground where we can work together. Although separated by more than 3,000 miles we share a common concern for the defense and protection of Americans everywhere. With this in mind we have found numerous ways to reach across the aisle and work in the best interests of Alaskans and West Virginians. In October 2016, … Continue Reading
October 16, 2018
Affordable Care Act can be fixed
by Senator Joe Manchin and Senator Susan Collins
Washington, D.C., has become too partisan and there is no better example of that than the topic of health care - a deeply personal, complex issue that affects every single one of us and one-sixth of the American economy. No one believes that the Affordable Care Act is perfect, including us, but both its passage, and the attempts to repeal it, reveal just how broken Washington is. As our Constitution was being written, legend tells us of a conversation between George Washington and Thomas … Continue Reading
October 15, 2018
Bipartsan efforts fight against opioid epidemic | Huntington Herald Dispatch
by Senator Joe Manchin and Senator Marco Rubio
West Virginia is ground zero for the opioid crisis, yet people often drive hundreds of miles to pill mills in other states, including Florida, which was recently the opioid capital of the world. At its height, pill mills in Florida were selling millions of pills a month. Doctors, pharmacies, distributors, drug companies, drug dealers - everyone - was getting rich. But most of the pills weren't only being bought by Floridians. College kids, addicts and drug dealers took the "Oxy Express," … Continue Reading
October 14, 2018
Serving those who serve us | Clarksburg Exponent Telegram
by Senator Joe Manchin and Senator Johnny Isakson
As a Republican from Georgia and a Democrat from West Virginia, we have our differences. We don't always fall on the same side of every debate, and on Saturdays this fall, one of us will be decked out in red and black while the other is sporting blue and gold. But we both believe the United States of America is the greatest country in the world. As chairman and as a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs (VA), we are both well aware that America's greatness is due in large … Continue Reading
October 14, 2018
Working Together is Possible, Even in Washington | Wheeling Intelligencer
by Senator Joe Manchin and Senator Lisa Murkowski
In today's polarizing political climate, it may seem like there are few issues Republicans and Democrats can work together on. But on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, we are proving that is not the case. As the Republican chairman and an active Democratic member of this committee, we have found many ways we can work in a bipartisan manner to improve our nation's energy policy. It doesn't hurt that our home states are longtime leaders on energy production - in fact, Alaska … Continue Reading
October 01, 2018
Working Across the Aisle to Protect the Unborn
Many Americans look at Washington as completely broken and we can understand why. However, we found common ground working on pro-life and religious liberty issues extremely important to our constituents - like the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. There are only seven countries that allow wholesale abortions at the 20-week period, including China and North Korea. Unfortunately, the United States is also a member of that infamous "Club of Seven." The Pain-Capable bill, which the … Continue Reading
August 22, 2018
Insurance vital for those with pre-existing conditions | Martinsburg Journal
by Senator Joe Manchin
Do you know someone who has one of these pre-existing health conditions? Is it you? Did you know 20 U.S. Attorneys General, including in West Virginia, are suing to allow insurance companies to deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions? In West Virginia, that's nearly 800,000 of our friends, neighbors and family members. This impacts every family in West Virginia, including 90,600 children who have a pre-existing condition. But despite the importance of protecting these people, … Continue Reading
July 25, 2018
Manchin says he's giving Kavanaugh's record a fair and thorough examination | Beckley Register Herald
by Senator Joe Manchin
To my fellow West Virginians, As your Senator, I hold few responsibilities or obligations more sacred than my constitutional duty to advise and consent on every Presidential nominee to serve on the Supreme Court. I have never and will never immediately oppose or support a Supreme Court nominee to score cheap political points or advance my own career. I have and will continue to give every nominee - whether Democrat or Republican - a fair and thorough examination. That's why I meet with them, … Continue Reading
June 17, 2018
Political games would cost West Virginians with pre-existing conditions | Charleston Gazette-Mail
by Sen. Joe Manchin
When people ask why I voted against repealing the health care law, I always say it's because we need to make sure those with pre-existing conditions don't go bankrupt paying for basic health care. I believe that every West Virginian deserves access to quality, affordable health care. I have always said that our nation's current health care system is in need of repair, but I am very concerned our country is at risk of moving backward instead of forward. Right now 20 U.S. Attorneys … Continue Reading
June 16, 2018
Losing access to healthcare | Elkins Inter-Mountain
by Senator Joe Manchin
On Monday, Bobbi from Buckhannon wrote to me to share her family's reality. Last year, Bobbi's life was changed forever when her teenage daughter was diagnosed with a rare condition called dystonia. With proper healthcare this young woman still has a bright future ahead of her. She'll go to college, land a great job and become an active member of our West Virginia community. But that healthcare includes injections every three months to help her walk properly and costly prescriptions to help … Continue Reading
May 28, 2018
Veterans are why U.S. remains safe, strong and secure nation | Beckley Register Herald
by Senator Joe Manchin
On Memorial Day, we pay tribute to the courageous service of the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. It's because of their commitment, bravery and valor that we remain a safe, strong and secure nation. Our strength is unmatched around the world - and will remain so - because of the brave men and women who volunteer to put their lives on the line for our freedoms. As Americans and as West Virginians, today we show our deepest gratitude and come together to show our … Continue Reading
May 13, 2018
Bipartisan solution needed for saving miners' pensions | Huntington Herald Dispatch
by Senator Joe Manchin
Last week marked the one year anniversary of passage of a permanent fix for miners' healthcare that prevented 22,600 coal miners in West Virginia from losing their healthcare. Now, as a member of the Joint Select Committee on the Solvency of Multi-employer Pension Plans, I am determined to find a permanent solution for their pensions. Over 70 years ago, President Harry Truman recognized the importance of the coal that our miners produced for this country and promised that the government would … Continue Reading
March 31, 2018
Spending bill aids WV in fight against opioids | Huntington Herald Dispatch
Bipartisanship isn't always easy, but I'm pleased that the fiscal year 2018 appropriations bill provides West Virginia with important funding to fight the opioid epidemic, invest in high-speed internet and broadband access throughout our state, improve infrastructure and move West Virginia forward. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have fought for these investments in our West Virginia communities. I met with community leaders, local elected officials and other experts … Continue Reading
March 27, 2018
Sen. Joe Manchin: Jessie's Law will prevent deaths in the future | Charleston Gazette-Mail
When you go to the hospital or your primary care doctor, your allergies are known to everyone. Your doctor knows not to prescribe or give you medication because it could kill you - but allergic reactions are not the only thing that could kill you. In Jessie Grubb's case, it was a prescription for 50 oxycodone pills given to her by her discharging physician. That's why Jessie's parents and I wrote Jessie's Law, which will establish new standards for healthcare providers to ensure that when a … Continue Reading
