Press Releases
WV Delegation Calls on President to Grant Additional Federal Assistance for Storm Damage
Washington, D.C. - Today, Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito, along with Representatives David McKinley, Alex Mooney and Evan Jenkins, sent a letter to President Obama to express their full support of Governor Tomblin's request for additional federal assistance due to multiple severe storms that caused considerable damage to infrastructure, homes, personal property and businesses across West Virginia from April 3 through April 5, 2015. Please read the full text of the letter below, … Continue Reading
May 07, 2015
Manchin Applauds Senate Passage of Bipartisan Iran Sanctions Legislation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today issued the following statement on the Senate passage of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act by a vote of 98-1. The legislation will allow Congress a 30-day review of any final nuclear deal reached during negotiations between Iran and the P5+1, which includes China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, plus Germany. "The American people are committed to ensuring Iran is never able to acquire a nuclear weapon. … Continue Reading
May 07, 2015
Manchin and Capito Announce More Than $700,000 for Community Art Programs Across West Virginia
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) announced a total of $703,600 from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to West Virginia nonprofit and art organizations. The funding will be used to preserve the Mountain State's cultural heritage and expand opportunities for residents and to experience and participate in the arts. "Our rich, cultural heritage is an important part of who we are as West Virginians, and the resources provided by NEA … Continue Reading
May 06, 2015
Manchin and Capito Announce More Than $1 Million for Hardy County Health Center
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) announced $1,096,606 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the E.A. Hawse Health Center in Hardy County. The funding will be used to continue expanding operations to better serve underinsured and uninsured West Virginians living in the rural Potomac Highlands region. A portion of the funding will also be used for outreach efforts and federal healthcare … Continue Reading
May 06, 2015
Manchin Reports on VA Backlog Progress, Introduces Bill to Address Claims Delay
Washington, D.C. - As a member of the VA Backlog Working Group and the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) joined Senators Dean Heller (R-NV), Bob Casey (D-PA), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Pat Toomey (R-PA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), David Vitter (R-LA), Jon Tester (D-MT), and Susan Collins (R-ME) to release the 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery Act, comprehensive legislation designed to create a system that can withstand surges in disability claims without … Continue Reading
May 05, 2015
Manchin Votes No on Budget Resolution
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today issued the following statement on his vote against the budget resolution. "Since I have been in the Senate, I have insisted that we pass a sensible budget - one that takes a balanced approach to reducing our national debt and protecting the programs many West Virginians depend on every day. I voted against this budget because it fails to strike that balance. Instead, this unrealistic budget would cut vital health care and education … Continue Reading
May 05, 2015
Manchin, Capito Introduce Legislation to Preserve Access to Community Pharmacies
Washington, D.C. - Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) introduced legislation today to help preserve senior citizens' access to the prescription drugs and important healthcare services provided by community pharmacies. The bill, Ensuring Seniors Access to Local Pharmacies Act, S. 1190 is also cosponsored by Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH). "The Ensuring Seniors Access to Local Pharmacies Act is an important step in allowing seniors to go to … Continue Reading
May 04, 2015
Manchin and Capito Announce USDA Rural Development Funding for Paden City
PADEN CITY, W.VA. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today announced U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development funding for a water and waste disposal project in Paden City. The city will receive a $2.9 million loan and $471,000 grant for needed improvements to its wastewater system. "Investing in infrastructure projects improves the quality of life for our residents, preserves good-paying jobs and boosts economic development in our communities," … Continue Reading
May 04, 2015
Manchin and Capito Announce Nearly $6.8 Million for Housing Programs Across West Virginia
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today announced $6,787,508 in funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to public housing authorities across West Virginia. The funding will be used for operations and management efforts to help ensure safe and decent public housing across the state. "In West Virginia, we understand the importance of supporting one another in times of need," Senator Manchin said. "We should do … Continue Reading
May 01, 2015
Manchin and Capito Urge Review of Oil Volatility Transportation by Rail
Washington, D.C. - As U.S. railroads have increased crude oil shipments by more than 3,300 percent in just the past few years, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) remain concerned that additional safety measures to transport volatile energy products must be implemented in a timely manner. Following today's release of a new Department of Transportation rule on tank car standards, the Senators sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx and … Continue Reading
April 30, 2015
Manchin, Capito Introduce Legislation to Rein in EPA Jurisdiction on Water Sources
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today joined a bipartisan group of senators to introduce the Water Quality Protection Act, which addresses long-standing concerns regarding a rule proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to redefine the "waters of the U.S." definition under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The proposed rule stems from a draft guidance document on "waters of the … Continue Reading
April 30, 2015
Manchin Encourages West Virginians to Submit Comments on Black Lung Benefits Rules
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin today encouraged West Virginians to formally submit their comments to the Federal Register regarding the proposed rule to the Black Lung Benefits Act (BLBA) regulations. The rule, published by the Department of Labor's (DOL) Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP), would improve the black lung benefits program by addressing obstacles that prevent miners with black lung from seeking benefits. This proposed rule includes reforms offered in the … Continue Reading
April 28, 2015
Manchin and Fischer Introduce the GONE Act
Washington, D.C. - This afternoon, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to close out thousands of expired grant accounts, which cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. The bill, known as S. 1115 - The Grants Oversight and New Efficiency (GONE) Act was first introduced by Senators Fischer and Manchin in 2013. This legislation would require agencies to close out expired, empty grant accounts. It would also require … Continue Reading
April 28, 2015
Manchin Applauds Committee Passage of Bill to Protect Families and Communities from Toxic Chemicals
Washington, D.C. - As a lead cosponsor and a staunch advocate of chemical safety reforms, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin applauded the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee for the passage of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act. The committee voted 15-5 to move forward the bipartisan legislation, which would ensure the safety of the chemicals Americans use every day by updating the United States' outdated chemical regulatory program. The Frank R. … Continue Reading
April 23, 2015
Manchin Statement on Confirmation of Loretta Lynch as Next U.S. Attorney General
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today issued the following statement on the Senate's bipartisan confirmation of Loretta Lynch as the next U.S. Attorney General. "After more than five months since Loretta Lynch's nomination, I am thankful that the Senate finally confirmed her with bipartisan support as the first African American woman to be the next U.S. Attorney General. Today marks a historic day in our nation, and there is no doubt that her experience and impressive … Continue Reading
April 23, 2015
Manchin and Casey Introduce Comprehensive Mine Safety Bill
Legislation Would Hold Operators Accountable for Repeated Safety Violations Safety Officials Can Fine Mines for Violations But Some Don't Pay- Currently $73 Million in Unpaid Fines Flooded System Has Caused Safety Claims Backlog Making Miners Wait for Justice Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced The Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act of 2015, which would help fix a broken system in which safety violators can avoid … Continue Reading
April 23, 2015
Manchin Statement on Beckley VA Reports of Misconduct
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today issued the following statement on the misconduct reported at the Beckley VA. "I was deeply troubled to read about the reports of mistreatment and misconduct at the Beckley VA," Senator Manchin said. "Our veterans have given so much to this country, and we owe them the best available care when they return home. As my staff investigates the matter further, I have personally spoken to Beckley VA Director Karin L McGraw, and I plan to … Continue Reading
April 22, 2015
Manchin Votes in Support of Bipartisan Human-Trafficking Legislation
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Manchin voted in favor of the bipartisan Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015, which passed the Senate by a 99-0 vote. "The number of trafficking victims in West Virginia and across the United States who are being exploited and forced into modern-day slavery continues to grow day after day," Senator Manchin said. "It is past time to take action to stop this travesty that is plaguing our society, and that's why I am incredibly pleased that my … Continue Reading
April 22, 2015
Manchin and Heller Ride Together to Prevent Overburdening Regulations
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Dean Heller (R-NV) introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at preventing unnecessary and burdensome regulations on recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs) put forth by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). There are concerns that the proposed mandatory standards could have unintended safety consequences and limit the vehicles' ability to access difficult terrain. The legislation, the ROV in-Depth Examination Act, is … Continue Reading
April 21, 2015
Manchin and Capito Announce $5 Million to Restore West Virginia's Highways and Roads
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today announced $5 million in federal funding to repair West Virginia's highways and roads that were damaged by Winter Storm Thor, which moved through the state between March 3 and March 6, 2015 and caused severe weather conditions and damages. The financial aid will be used to make crucial emergency repairs, as well as permanent repairs, necessary to restore the highways and roads to their pre-disaster … Continue Reading
