Press Releases
Manchin Statement On Williamson Memorial Hospital Closure Announcement
Charleston, WV - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today released the following statement on the announced closure of Williamson Memorial Hospital in Mingo County. "It is impossible to overstate how essential our rural hospitals are in West Virginia. Williamson Memorial Hospital is the only hospital in Mingo County. As the COVID-19 pandemic increases the need for medical facilities we must do everything possible to keep our rural hospitals running. It is unconscionable that during a pandemic … Continue Reading
March 30, 2020
Manchin Applauds USDA Approval Of Waivers To Feed More West Virginia Students During Coronavirus Pandemic
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) decision to approve and issue waivers to expand access to meals for 200,000 students in West Virginia during the COVID-19 pandemic. "The coronavirus pandemic is already affecting our students and their education through the closure of schools throughout our state and we must do everything possible to make sure these students don't go hungry because they're not in school. I applaud the … Continue Reading
March 29, 2020
Manchin Statement On First Coronavirus Related Death In West Virginia
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today released the following statement after West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) confirmed the first coronavirus related death in West Virginia. "Today is a sad day for every West Virginian as we lost one of our own to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gayle and I send our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and loved ones. This virus is unlike anything we have seen in our lifetime and today it hit home for every West … Continue Reading
March 27, 2020
Manchin, Capito Announce $5 Million For Coronavirus Response In West Virginia
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $5,000,803 as part of the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, signed by President Trump on March 6th. This funding is distributed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) to assist in the COVID-19 pandemic response. "West Virginia … Continue Reading
March 27, 2020
Manchin Statement On President Trump Signing Third Coronavirus Emergency Funding Package
Charleston, WV - Senator Manchin released the following statement after President Trump signed the COVID-19 emergency funding package, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, into law. The Protecting Jessica Grubb's Legacy Act was also signed into law as part of the larger emergency funding package. "I am relieved the House of Representatives passed this bill today and President Trump quickly signed it into law. After days of tough negotiations, this emergency funding package … Continue Reading
March 27, 2020
Manchin Encourages West Virginians To Utilize United Way 2-1-1 Program
Charleston, WV - Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) is encouraging West Virginians to utilize the 2-1-1 program operated by United Way of West Virginia. 2-1-1 connects callers with health and human services resources through trained certified specialists. Anyone can call 2-1-1 to learn about specific programs, intake requirements, eligibility, operation hours and more. "United Way of West Virginia provides an important service to West Virginians by helping users navigate the vast number … Continue Reading
March 26, 2020
ICYMI: Senate Passes Manchin's Protecting Jessica Grubb's Legacy Act
Washington, D.C. - Last night, the Senate unanimously passed Protecting Jessica Grubb's Legacy Act (Legacy Act), legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), as part of the third COVID-19 emergency funding package. The Legacy Act will change existing privacy regulations, known as 42 CFR Part 2, surrounding medical records for those suffering with substance use disorder. The goal of the Legacy Act is to save lives by ensuring that medical providers do not accidentally give opioids … Continue Reading
March 26, 2020
Manchin, Capito Announce $1.7 Million For Coronavirus Response At West Virginia Health Centers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $1,739,288 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the coronavirus response across West Virginia through the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2020 which President Trump signed into law on March 6th. "In a rural state like West Virginia, health centers play a vital role in our … Continue Reading
March 25, 2020
Manchin Secures Funding For Hospitals, Healthcare Workers, Unemployed, Small Businesses In Third Coronavirus Emergency Funding Package
Washington, D.C. - Today, after securing funding for healthcare workers, unemployed, small businesses, and state and local governments, and voting yes on the third COVID-19 emergency funding package, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released the following statement. "On Sunday morning, Mitch McConnell shared his Republican legislative proposal with the Senate Democrats and it did not have adequate funding to address the unprecedented … Continue Reading
March 25, 2020
Manchin Hears From West Virginia Counties, Municipal Leagues, County Commissioners, Sheriffs, And Economic Development Council Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) participated in separate calls with West Virginia Counties, County Commissioners, Municipal Leagues, Sheriffs, and the Economic Development Council to hear their concerns about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. "Today I heard from our county and local officials who are doing everything they can to support their communities during this time of uncertainty. They are working around the clock to support those on the front lines like the … Continue Reading
March 25, 2020
Manchin, Capito Announce West Virginia's Eligibility For Millions In Opioid Relief
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced West Virginia is eligible to receive an estimated $43 million through the State Opioid Response (SOR) grant program. The funding would come through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). "West Virginia has the highest overdose death rate per capita in the nation and every West Virginian knows someone who has been … Continue Reading
March 24, 2020
Manchin Collaborates With United Way And Others To Encourage West Virginians To Sew Medical Masks
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) is announcing an enduring collaboration with United Way of West Virginia, West Virginia Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster, Philanthropy WV, Senior Corps, WVU Extension Service, the Robert C. Byrd Institute, the Council of Churches and many others to encourage West Virginians to pitch in and help our doctors, nurses, health care workers and first responders on the front lines of this pandemic. This first collaboration will unite … Continue Reading
March 24, 2020
Manchin, Capito Announce More Than $1.5 Million To Provide Meals For Older West Virginians
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $1,551,372 as part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Community Living (ACL) to help communities provide meals for older West Virginians. "Over half of West Virginians are vulnerable to the COVID-19 outbreak, and are at high risk of complications, especially the … Continue Reading
March 24, 2020
Manchin Hears From West Virginia Manufacturers Association Amid Coronavirus Outbreak
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) participated in a call with the West Virginia Manufacturers Association to hear their concerns about the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. "Our West Virginia manufacturers are vital to the state's economy and employ a lot of qualified, talented West Virginians. Their work is essential, especially during the coronavirus outbreak which is why I have introduced two bills to require the President to use his full authority to quickly produce … Continue Reading
March 23, 2020
Manchin Calls On Administration To Utilize Defense Production Act
Washington, D.C. - After hearing from medical professionals across West Virginia about the desperate need for medical supplies and testing, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today introduced two bills to require the full use of the Defense Production Act (DPA) to produce these supplies. Both bills would require the President to use his full authority to quickly produce and ensure access to supplies, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), for healthcare professionals and those on the … Continue Reading
March 23, 2020
Manchin Fights For West Virginia Healthcare Workers On Senate Floor
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today spoke on the Senate Floor about the lack of adequate funding to protect healthcare professionals as they fight on the front lines of the COVID-19 outbreak. The Republican proposal protects Wall Street instead of helping those on the front lines, our healthcare providers, and small businesses. To watch Senator Manchin's speech please click here. "This comes down to, can we give people the confidence that we can rise to the occasion to … Continue Reading
March 23, 2020
Manchin Statement On Stay-At-Home Order For West Virginia
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released the following statement after Governor Justice declared the stay-at-home order for West Virginia. "This afternoon Governor Justice made the decision to place West Virginia under a stay-at-home order beginning at 8pm on Tuesday, March 24th. I urge every West Virginian to abide by this order. We must come together to do the difficult things required to slow the spread of COVID-19. This outbreak is serious and the only option is to … Continue Reading
March 22, 2020
Manchin: Funding Package Does Not Support Hospitals, Healthcare Professionals Or Workers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today voted against moving forward with the latest Republican proposal for the third coronavirus funding package. He urges Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to come to the table and craft a bipartisan bill that improves our ability to treat COVID-19, protects those on the front lines, helps hard working Americans, and supports small businesses. "Mitch McConnell's proposal fails miserably at protecting the people most impacted by COVID-19. It … Continue Reading
March 22, 2020
Manchin Calls On West Virginians To Adhere To Federal Recommendations
Washington, D.C. - Today, after speaking with Dr. Anthony Fauci, the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, to discuss the situation in West Virginia, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) is sharing clear and specific social distancing and safety recommendations every West Virginian should be implementing to slow the spread of COVID-19. "This morning I spoke with Dr. Fauci, a trusted medical expert on COVID-19, about the specifics challenges we are facing here in … Continue Reading
March 21, 2020
Manchin Requests Update On Medical Supplies From Coronavirus Task Force
Washington, D.C. - In light of the outcry from West Virginia healthcare professionals across the state, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today requested an update from the coronavirus taskforce on the stockpiles of medical supplies available across the United States. Senator Manchin's letter says in part, "Given the scale of the threat that COVID-19 poses to public health, responding to the outbreak is placing substantial strain on state, local, territorial, and tribal public health agencies' … Continue Reading