Press Releases
Manchin, Rockefeller Announce Federal Funding for Three WV Fire Departments
WASHINGTON D.C.- Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin today announced more than $909,000 in federal funding for three fire departments in West Virginia to purchase safety equipment, strengthen professional training and wellness programs, and update emergency vehicles. "Making sure West Virginia's firefighters are ready and able to respond to emergencies is so important for our communities," said Rockefeller. "Whether it's providing safety equipment to protect volunteer firefighters, or … Continue Reading
April 11, 2013
READ BILL HERE: Manchin Announces ‘Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act’
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced today that the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act he introduced with Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) is available to the public. "I encourage all West Virginians, gun owners, NRA members and all Americans interested in fixing our culture of mass violence to read this bill," Senator Manchin said. "This bill simply prevents criminals and the dangerously mentally ill from purchasing guns while protecting our … Continue Reading
April 10, 2013
Senators Manchin and Toomey Introduce Criminal and Mental Background Checks Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Pat Toomey (R-PA) today introduced the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act to prevent convicted criminals and the dangerously mentally ill from purchasing guns, while not infringing on law-abiding gun owners' Second Amendment rights. These commonsense measures expand existing background checks to gun shows and online sales - a loophole easily exploited by criminals and the mentally insane who have inflicted … Continue Reading
April 10, 2013
Manchin Encourages Senate Budget Committee to Confirm WV Native Burwell as New OMB Director
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) introduced today Sylvia Mathews Burwell, who has been nominated to become the next Director of the Office of Management and Budget, at her nomination hearing before the Senate Budget Committee. Senator Manchin supports the Hinton native's nomination and believes that her experience as a problem solver and a bold leader in both the public and private sectors proves she can help tackle our country's financial challenges. Shortly after Senator … Continue Reading
April 10, 2013
FACT SHEET: The Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act
The Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act Our bill does three major things: 1) expands the existing background check system to cover commercial sales, including sales at gun shows and internet sales; 2) strengthens the existing instant check system by encouraging states to put all their available records into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS); 3) establishes a National Commission on Mass Violence to study in-depth all the causes of mass violence … Continue Reading
April 08, 2013
Manchin Statement on Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s Death
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) released the following statement on the passing of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher: "Margaret Thatcher was such an important political figure of the 20th century, and her passing is an opportunity to reflect on how profoundly she changed the world," Senator Manchin said. "As Prime Minister, she helped restore Great Britain's economy by promoting capitalist principles and the value of the free market. Her remarkable strength and steadfast … Continue Reading
April 05, 2013
Manchin Protects and Strengthens Postal Service
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) co-sponsored today the Postal Service Protection Act, which will address the United States Postal Service's financial problems, prevent rural post office closures, protect Saturday delivery services and save American jobs. The bill would directly protect the Clarksburg mail processing plant from closing. "In West Virginia, especially in our rural areas, post offices are more than just places to send and receive mail - they are truly the … Continue Reading
April 05, 2013
Manchin Statement on Third Anniversary of Upper Big Branch Tragedy
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement about the third anniversary of the Upper Big Branch disaster: "Three years ago, during the hours and days after the unspeakable mining tragedy at Upper Big Branch, I grieved with the miners' families and all West Virginians," Senator Manchin said. "Not a day goes by that I don't think about the courage, sacrifice and extraordinary strength of our miners and their families, but on this sad anniversary, my … Continue Reading
April 04, 2013
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce Federal Funding For Two WV Fire Departments
WASHINGTON D.C.- Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin, along with Congressman Nick Rahall, today announced more than $176,800 in federal funding for two fire departments in West Virginia to purchase safety equipment, and strengthen professional training and wellness programs. "Volunteer firefighters put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe, and help us sleep soundly at night," said Rockefeller. "This funding will help these fire departments safely respond during … Continue Reading
April 03, 2013
Manchin Statement on Fatal Shooting of Mingo County Sheriff
Charleston, W.Va. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement about the tragic shooting of Mingo County Sheriff Eugene Crum: "Gayle and I join all West Virginians in praying for Sheriff Crum's wife, Rosie, and his family. Mingo County lost a longtime public servant today and our hearts are broken from this horrific tragedy. My friend Sheriff Crum dedicated his life to serving the people of Mingo County and making southern West Virginia a safer place. He will be … Continue Reading
March 22, 2013
Manchin Introduces Six Amendments to Include in 2014 Budget
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) introduced six amendments today to include in the FY2014 Budget Resolution that underscore some of the issues that matter most to the people of West Virginia. The amendments promote energy security, deficit reduction, fiscal responsibility, prescription drug abuse and mine safety research. "After almost two and a half years as a United States Senator, it is encouraging that Congress is finally voting to pass a budget that funds our … Continue Reading
March 22, 2013
Manchin and Kirk Seek to Close Iranian Sanctions Loophole
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) introduced a bipartisan amendment to the FY2014 Budget Resolution to strengthen sanctions against Iran by preventing the expansion of their natural gas exports that helps fund the development of their nuclear weapons program. The amendment encourages additional sanctions to be enacted during the 113th Congress. "Now is the time for Congress to act and close a sanctions loophole that Iran has exploited in an attempt to … Continue Reading
March 22, 2013
Manchin Introduces Amendment to Protect Coal Plants From Overreaching EPA Regulations
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) introduced an amendment to the FY2014 Budget Resolution to prevent Congress from funding the EPA's proposed New Source Performance Standard (NSPS) regulations. The amendment would block funding for these overreaching regulations that set unattainable carbon dioxide emissions standards from new coal-fired power plants. "EPA's choice to hold coal and gas to the same emissions standards is unprecedented under the Clean Air Act, and is yet … Continue Reading
March 20, 2013
Manchin Recognized for Supporting Music Education in West Virginia
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) proudly received the Support Music Award today for his support of music education in West Virginia. The award was presented in a Capitol Hill ceremony attended by the Shepherdstown Middle School jazz ensemble, musical artists and other advocates for music education. The West Virginia leaders were each honored by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), VH1 Save The Music Foundation and the National Association for Music … Continue Reading
March 20, 2013
Sens. Manchin and Kirk Join Reps. Buchanan and Markey to Introduction “Safe Prescribing Act”
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Mark Kirk (R-IL), along with Representatives Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and Edward Markey (D-MA) introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation today to combat prescription drug abuse by tightening restrictions on some of the most powerful, addictive narcotics on the market. The "Safe Prescribing Act of 2013" will reclassify hydrocodone painkillers, such as Vicodin and Lortab, from a Schedule III to a Schedule II controlled substance. The … Continue Reading
March 19, 2013
Manchin Reflects on Troops’ Service on 10th Anniversary of Iraq War
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement on the 10th Anniversary of the Iraq War. "In honor of all those who have fought or died in the Iraq War, I urge us all to take a moment today to thank our service members for bravely stepping up when this country called for their service. I know that many of our Iraq veterans will reflect on their missions overseas today. Regardless of the politics concerning this war, we can all agree that our nation is … Continue Reading
March 18, 2013
Manchin Urges White House to Protect Coal Plants From Overreaching EPA Regulations
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) sent a letter to the White House last Thursday urging that the Administration amend the proposed EPA new source performance standard (NSPS) regulations. As drafted, EPA's regulations for new fossil fuel-based power plants would effectively ban any new coal-fired plants from being built in the US. The proposed regulation would require new coal-fueled power plants to meet the same emissions standards as new gas-fired plants. "EPA's choice to … Continue Reading
March 18, 2013
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Call on DOL to Maintain Focus on Mine Safety Cases
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin, as well as Congressman Nick Rahall today announced that they are pushing the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to maintain a strong focus on mine safety as the agency considers spending cuts. In a letter to DOL's Acting Secretary, the Members pushed back on DOL's sequestration plans that would disproportionately cut the Solicitor of Labor's efforts to reduce the backlog of appeals at the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review … Continue Reading
March 14, 2013
Senator Manchin Condemns State GOP Party for Lying About his Vote When he was Attending a Family Funeral and Visiting Ill Mother
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today issued the following statement condemning the political hacks at the West Virginia Republican Party for lying and claiming the Senator voted "present" on a bill to defund the Affordable Care Act, a vote the Senator has already taken twice, when in fact the Senator was attending his cousin's funeral and visiting his ill mother. "Today's lie by the West Virginia Republican Party about my missed vote to attend my cousin's funeral and … Continue Reading
March 14, 2013
Manchin, Hoeven, Baucus, Bipartisan Group of Senators to Approve the Keystone XL Pipeline
WASHINGTON - Following nearly five years of study and a fourth favorable State Department environmental review indicating "no significant impact to the environment," U.S. Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Max Baucus (D-Mont.) today introduced bipartisan legislation to approve the long-delayed Keystone XL pipeline. The senators' bill would approve the 1,700-mile, high-tech project under Congress's authority enumerated in the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution, Article 1, Section 8. … Continue Reading
