April 14, 2011

Manchin Statements On Spending Cuts, Health Care and Title X

Washington, D.C.-- U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statements today after several votes on the Senate floor.

SPENDING CUTS

“I am glad that Democrats and Republicans could come together to make critical spending cuts. However, the road back to fiscal health will be long and hard, and today’s vote is just a first step,” Senator Manchin said. “We must immediately begin to address our critical long-term debt and deficit problems – hopefully in bipartisan fashion. As I have said before, I will work with anyone and do everything in my power to put our fiscal house back in order and create good jobs in America once again.”

HEALTH CARE

Senator Manchin also voted against a measure that would have defunded the good parts of the health care bill, such as ending discrimination against Americans with pre-existing conditions like cancer, requiring insurance companies to cover children up to age 26 and eliminating the prescription drug donut hole for seniors. Senator Manchin is one of the leading proponents of repairing, not repealing, health care reform.

He issued the following statement:

“Democrats and Republicans must work together to keep the good parts and eliminate the bad parts of the health care bill. It’s why I was so proud to be the lead Democratic cosponsor for the bill that eliminated the 1099 provision – a bill that passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and was signed into law today. When we don’t make this about party or politics, we can successfully eliminate bad provisions from health care,” Senator Manchin said. “Looking ahead, I plan to address other portions of the law that need to be repaired, especially the individual mandate.”

TITLE X

Senator Manchin also voted against measures that would have defunded women’s health care.  Senator Manchin voted to maintain Title X funding, which provides vital health care services to women and offered legislation that would establish new verification and transparency measures to ensure no federal money ever goes to fund abortions.

He issued the following statement:

“I am pro-life, and always have been. I have also always been committed to helping women get vital health services, like cancer screenings and preventive care. I believe these two principles are not mutually exclusive,” Senator Manchin said. “I strongly believe that no federal dollars should ever go to abortion, except in the case of rape, incest and life of the mother. That is why I was proud to introduce the ‘Title X Transparency and Verification Act,’ which would put audits online for all recipients of Title X funding, so any American can verify for themselves that no federal funds are being used illegally for abortion.”

Background:

Senator Manchin voted in favor of H.R.1473, the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2011. The bill passed, 81-19.

Senator Manchin voted against H.Con.Res.35, a resolution calling for the prohibition of the use of federal funds for health care reform. The bill failed, 47-53.

Senator Manchin voted against H.Con.Res.36, a resolution calling for the prohibition of federal funds for Planned Parenthood. The bill failed, 42-58.

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