Press Releases
Manchin, Rockefeller Announce Funding for Braxton County Head Start Program
WASHINGTON D.C.- Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller today announced more than $531,000 in federal funding for the Braxton County Board of Education to improve and support their Head Start Program "When we talk about what we value as West Virginians and as Americans, we need to choose our priorities based on our values," said Senator Manchin."That means keeping our promises to those who matter the most to us, and our children should be at the top of that list. I am pleased that this … Continue Reading
November 11, 2013
Senator Manchin Encourages Us All to Honor Our Veterans Today and Everyday
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today released the following statement on Veterans Day: "The sacrifices and patriotism of the men and women who have served this country know no bounds. They have served with unparalleled honor and distinction. It doesn't seem right that our nation pays our brave veterans tribute only once a year. We should thank our veterans every day for their unwavering devotion and passion to the greatest country in the world. Fortunately, America has … Continue Reading
November 07, 2013
Manchin Announces Bill to Improve Job Opportunities for Veterans
Washington, D.C. - As Veterans Day approaches, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), along with his Congressional Veterans Jobs Caucus co-chairs, Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Representative Jeff Denham (R-Calif.) and Representative Tim Walz (D-Minn.), introduced the United We Stand to Hire Veterans Act, a bipartisan, bicameral bill that would streamline and consolidate duplicative government job portals to better connect current and former members of the Armed Services with employment … Continue Reading
November 07, 2013
Manchin Says Heritage Area Bill Will Strengthen Tourism, Economic Opportunities in WV
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Joe Manchin today said legislation he introduced will strengthen tourism in West Virginia and Maryland by securing federal funding for existing National Heritage Areas in Wheeling and in southern West Virginia, while creating a new one in the state's eastern mountains, as well as the Mountain Counties of Maryland. The West Virginia National Heritage Area Act of 2013, co-sponsored by Senators Jay Rockefeller, Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin, supports continued … Continue Reading
November 07, 2013
Senators Manchin and Kirk Introduce Legislation to Delay Individual Mandate Penalty
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today introduced legislation to delay the implementation of the individual mandate under the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" from January 1, 2014 to January 1, 2015. The bill would eliminate the $95 penalty that will go into effect in 2014 under current law. "Since the Affordable Care Act passed in 2010, there have been many identifiable problems exposed in the law that need to be addressed," Senator … Continue Reading
November 06, 2013
Manchin Statement After Meeting With Federal Reserve Vice-Chair Janet Yellen
Washington, D.C. - Following his meeting with Federal Reserve Vice-Chair Janet Yellen, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement. "I had a very productive and honest meeting today with Federal Reserve Vice-Chair Janet Yellen on how best to grow our economy as well as the lessons we learned from when we last balanced our budget. I conveyed to her my concerns that community banks be treated fairly as we finalize Dodd-Frank regulations, but also the need to implement … Continue Reading
November 06, 2013
Manchin Seeks to Redefine Full-Time Employee to Expand Access to Health Coverage
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today sent a bipartisan letter to Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray and Ranking Member Jeff Sessions asking them to address legislation he cosponsored, the Forty Hours is Full Time Act (S.1188), in their budget conference. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Joe Donnelly (D-IN) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) also signed the letter. The senators cited the need for a sensible definition of "full-time employee" under the Patient Protection and … Continue Reading
November 06, 2013
Manchin Cosponsors Bill to Guarantee Individuals Can Keep Existing Health Plan
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) has cosponsored a bill with Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) to ensure individuals can keep their existing health insurance plans and prevent insurers from cancelling coverage. The "Keeping the Affordable Care Act Promise Act" will require insurers to provide a detailed notice and explanation to policyholders before cancelling coverage. This legislation will also provide individuals with information from their insurance provider on parts of the … Continue Reading
November 06, 2013
Manchin Supports Legislation to Lower Taxes on Hard Cider Products and Increase Farmers' Sales
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today announced that he cosponsored the CIDER Act (Cider Investment and Development through Excise Tax Reduction Act) to modernize the definition of cider in the Internal Revenue Code to increase the allowed alcohol by volume in cider beverages from 7 percent to 8.5 percent and to allow the use of pears as well as apples. The alcohol content of hard cider fluctuates greatly due to sugar content, and current law often forces these products … Continue Reading
November 06, 2013
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce Mobile Health Clinic for Veterans in Mercer County to Open in 2014
Washington, D.C. - Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller, along with Congressman Nick Rahall (all D-W.Va.), today thanked the Beckley Veterans Affairs Medical Center, which officially announced that Mercer County's new mobile health clinic will begin to serve patients in early 2014. The mobile outpatient clinic will help the growing number of veterans in the area access needed primary medical services. "Our veterans deserve access to the best treatment and care that is available," Senator … Continue Reading
November 04, 2013
Senator Manchin Announces State Director Departure
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today announced that his long-time State Director Kelley Goes will be leaving her position to become a member of the prestigious law firm, Jackson Kelly. "It is difficult to imagine my Senate office without Kelley Goes, who is truly a one-of-a-kind public servant. Since my first days in the Senate, Kelley has served as my State Director, a job that made her my eyes and ears back home and my go-to person on every issue affecting the … Continue Reading
October 29, 2013
Manchin Statement on Consol Energy Announcement to Sell Five Coal Mines to Murray Energy
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement on CONSOL Energy's announcement to sell five West Virginia coal mines to Murray Energy Corporation. The five mines affected are Blacksville No. 2., Loveridge, McElroy, Robinson Run and Shoemaker. "Throughout the many years that I've worked with CONSOL Energy, they have always been an industry leader in mine safety as well as a community-minded company that has continued to reach out to our hardworking miners … Continue Reading
October 29, 2013
Manchin Proud to Stand in Support of Miners at Capitol Coal Rally
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) rallied with West Virginia coal miners and workers from the mining, manufacturing, labor and construction industries at the American Energy Jobs Rally in Washington to fight for America's energy sector and our nation's hardworking coal miners. "Coal miners are some the bravest and most patriotic men and women I have ever met in my life and it is always an honor to stand side by side with our hardworking miners, especially during … Continue Reading
October 28, 2013
Manchin, Rockefeller Announce Funding for Efforts to Combat Substance Abuse
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller today announced $733,068 in federal funding for community organizations across the state to prevent and reduce substance abuse among youth in West Virginia. The funding comes from the Office of National Drug Control Policy's (ONDCP) Drug-Free Communities (DFC) grant program with support from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). "In West Virginia and across this country, substance abuse has become … Continue Reading
October 28, 2013
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce Funding for Pipeline Safety in West Virginia
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Joe Manchin, along with Senator Jay Rockefeller, Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and Congressman Nick Rahall, today announced more than $697,000 in federal funding for pipeline safety efforts in West Virginia. "In West Virginia, investing in natural gas is important for job creation and economic growth, but the bottom line is that we need to make sure drilling is done safely," Manchin said. "We are fortunate that no one … Continue Reading
October 25, 2013
Manchin Urges West Virginians To Participate in National Drug Take Back Day
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) encouraged West Virginians to participate in the seventh National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 26, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. During the event, local law enforcement officials will anonymously collect expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications at more than 130 locations around the state with no questions asked. "Prescription drug abuse in our state and our nation has reached a crisis … Continue Reading
October 24, 2013
Manchin Applauds FDA for Rescheduling Hydrocodone to Curb Prescription Drug Abuse
Washington, D.C. - After years of fighting in the United States Senate to help curb the nation's prescription drug abuse epidemic, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) expressed his appreciation today after Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sebelius informed Senator Manchin that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will recommend rescheduling hydrocodone combination drugs from a Schedule III to a Schedule II controlled substance. Hydrocodone is a highly addictive … Continue Reading
October 24, 2013
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce Funding to Boost Economy and Create Good-Paying Jobs Across West Virginia
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller, along with Congressman Nick Rahall (all D-W.Va.), today announced that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) will provide $420,000 to regional development councils to help spur economic growth and create good-paying jobs across West Virginia. These EDA projects aim to strengthen West Virginia's economy by bringing together the public and private sectors to establish strategies that will boost local and regional economies … Continue Reading
October 23, 2013
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce Funding for West Virginia Airports
WASHINGTON D.C.- Senator Joe Manchin, along with Senator Jay Rockefeller, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and Congressman Nick Rahall (all D-WV), today announced more than $8.9 million in federal funding awards for airport improvements in Kanawha, Randolph and Wayne Counties. "Having reliable, safe and innovative infrastructure and equipment at our airports helps us attract business opportunities that drive economic development while keeping … Continue Reading
October 23, 2013
Manchin Honored to Receive Annual Achievement Award from Washington Coal Club
Washington, D.C. - The Washington Coal Club today will present its 2013 Annual Achievement Award to U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.). This prestigious award is dedicated to an individual or individuals who have recently made a meaningful contribution to the health and sustainability of the larger coal community. Senator Michael Enzi (R-WY) and Richard A. Bajura, Director of the National Research Center for Coal and Energy at West Virginia University, will also receive awards. "I humbly … Continue Reading
