Press Releases
Manchin Statement On MSHA’s Mine Safety Ruling
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement today on the Mine Safety and Health Administration's new rule that focuses on improving mine safety. "A strong mining industry begins with a strong commitment to our miners," Senator Manchin said. "Our coal miners are some of the hardest working people in America, and they are proud to do the heavy lifting that keeps this country strong. In our state, we're absolutely and totally committed to the safety of … Continue Reading
January 16, 2013
Manchin Statement on White House Mass Violence Proposals
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement today in response to the White House proposals on mass violence: "I appreciate the work that went into the President's recommendations. I have not had a chance to review them yet, because I have been meeting with West Virginians today to discuss school safety and the culture of mass violence that has permeated our society today. I will weigh each recommendation carefully. "However, I am disappointed that … Continue Reading
January 14, 2013
Manchin Statement on the Inauguration of Governor Earl Ray Tomblin
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement about today's state inauguration ceremony for Governor Earl Ray Tomblin and other statewide executive branch officers. Manchin is in New York for a morning meeting of No Labels, a citizens-led organization he co-chairs that is promoting bipartisan commonsense solutions to our nation's challenges. He and Mrs. Manchin are expected to attend the inaugural celebration in Charleston this evening. "On this historic … Continue Reading
January 11, 2013
Manchin Sends Letter to President Urging American Combat Troops to Withdraw from Afghanistan
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) sent a letter today to President Obama urging him to minimize the number of combat troops in Afghanistan so that we can focus our resources on rebuilding America, not Afghanistan "Today, I sent a letter to President Obama respectfully urging him to adopt a plan that narrows our mission in Afghanistan and brings our troops home. This war is the longest in American history and it has cost us dearly. The only troops remaining should be there … Continue Reading
January 11, 2013
Manchin Thanks Rockefeller for Decades of Service to West Virginia
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) thanked U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) today for his decades of service to the people of West Virginia. "Gayle and I join all West Virginians in thanking Jay for representing our state for more than 40 years - whether it was as a state legislator, Secretary of State, our Governor or as a member of the United States Senate. We wish him, his wife Sharon and their family only the best in their future endeavors, and I know that Jay … Continue Reading
January 10, 2013
Manchin to Lead National Organization Promoting Country Over Party Politics
Washington, D.C. - In an effort to bring more Americans together around commonsense solutions, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) has agreed to lead No Labels, a national citizen-led effort to change Washington attitudes and make Congress work. Senator Manchin and former Governor Jon Huntsman, a Utah Republican, are serving as honorary co-chairs of the organization. "We need to fix our politics from the inside, but we need help from the outside," Senator Manchin said. "No Labels is the only … Continue Reading
January 09, 2013
Manchin and Rockefeller Announce Federal Funding for WVU to Research Impact of Laws That Ban Cell Phone Use While Driving
WASHINGTON D.C. - Senator Jay Rockefeller, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Senator Joe Manchin today announced more than $182,000 for West Virginia University to research the impact of laws banning cell phone use while driving. "Studying the effectiveness of state laws that limit or ban cell phone use while driving is an investment in the safety of our nation's roads," said Rockefeller. "Distracted driving hurts the driver, passengers, and … Continue Reading
January 09, 2013
Manchin Announces Communications Director’s Departure
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced that Communications Director Emily Bittner is departing to join the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee as national press secretary and senior communications advisor. "With Emily leaving our office, I'm sad and proud at the same time. Any time a key member of our staff has an opportunity, you're proud that others see their value - but sad that they're leaving the nest," Senator Manchin said. "Emily has done great work … Continue Reading
January 07, 2013
Manchin Statement on Hagel, Brennan Nominations
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement about the President's nominations of former Senator Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) to serve as Secretary of Defense and Deputy National Security Advisor John Brennan to serve as CIA Director. "The President - like any elected executive - should have the utmost consideration in putting a staff together, and I intend to do that. I haven't met or spoken with either Senator Hagel or Mr. Brennan, but both of these men … Continue Reading
January 07, 2013
Manchin, Rockefeller Announce Federal Funding to Help Maintain Immunization Program in West Virginia
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin today announced $920,849 in federal funding for the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources to maintain its immunization program, which gives West Virginians, including many children, critical vaccines. "Providing access to immunizations is one important form of preventive care for West Virginians," said Rockefeller. "To provide that care, we must maintain a top-notch vaccination program that works closely with … Continue Reading
January 04, 2013
Inauguration Ceremony Information
Senator Manchin invites all West Virginians who are attending the inauguration ceremonies to join him and Gayle for coffee in his Washington office on Monday morning in between 7 - 9 a.m. Please stop by! The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) launched a website for the 2013 Presidential Inauguration as well as the ceremonies' first-ever page on Facebook. Both sites are designed to be informative of Inaugural history and provide up-to-date information on the January … Continue Reading
January 03, 2013
Manchin Statement on Senator Kirk’s Return to the Senate
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement about his friend Mark Kirk's remarkable return to the Senate today after walking with him up the steps of the Capitol. "My dear friend Mark Kirk has always shown grit and determination - and today he demonstrated those qualities for everyone to see. I am so honored to call him my friend, and I thank the Good Lord for his recovery and for his return to Washington. We need more people here who are willing to … Continue Reading
January 03, 2013
Manchin Statement on Swearing in to 113th Congress
***Official swearing-in photo will be made available upon request*** Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), who was sworn in today for a full term in the Senate, issued the following statement outlining his priorities and agenda for the 113th Congress. "As we begin the work of the 113th Congress, I start with a fresh optimism and determination to put our country's fiscal house in order. I truly believe that we can - because the simple fact is we must. I have spent the … Continue Reading
January 02, 2013
Manchin Statement on 7th Anniversary of Sago Mine Disaster
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement on the seventh anniversary of the Sago mining disaster. "Not a day goes by when I don't think of the miners we have lost, and today is a sad anniversary for the families of those who died at Sago. Gayle and I hold those families close to our hearts, and I know that all West Virginians join us in offering their prayers. While nothing can ever bring those men back to their families, we made positive changes … Continue Reading
January 02, 2013
Manchin Outlining His Priorities for 113th Congress
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) will discuss his priorities for the 113th Congress on January 3rd as he celebrates his swearing-in ceremony with West Virginians. THURSDAY, January 3, 2013 Senator Joe Manchin III is officially sworn-in to the 113th Congress When: NoonWhere: United States Senate ChamberWhat: Senator Manchin will be sworn in to the 113thCongress. Senator and Mrs. Manchin host an open-house reception to welcome guests When: Noon - 3 p.m.Where: Senator … Continue Reading
January 01, 2013
Manchin Statement about Deal to Avert Fiscal Cliff
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement after his vote in favor of an agreement to avert the fiscal cliff. "This is not the 'big fix' I want, but it's the best we can do at this late hour. First thing tomorrow, though, I will start working again on making this a better deal for the people of West Virginia and this great country. The fact is, this deal is the flawed product of a broken process that puts politics ahead of people. And it sets us … Continue Reading
December 31, 2012
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Say FEMA Should Grant Individual Assistance for West Virginians
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin, along with Congressman Nick Rahall, today urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency to reconsider its decision to deny individual assistance to West Virginia property owners affected by a winter storm worsened by Hurricane Sandy in October. Rockefeller, Manchin and Rahall supported Governor Earl Ray Tomblin's Monday appeal to FEMA, following its decision to deny individual assistance to Fayette, Nicholas, Preston, Randolph, … Continue Reading
December 30, 2012
Manchin Introduces 'CALM' Act to Ease Fiscal Cliff
See Handout Attachment Below Washington, D.C. - With the country barreling toward the fiscal cliff and no deal in sight, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) offered legislation to alleviate the worst immediate effects of the cliff, while also providing a path forward to a long-term solution. Senator Manchin introduced the "Cliff Alleviation at the Last Minute," or CALM Act, with less than 36 hours to go before the massive tax hikes and deep spending cuts from the cliff start to take … Continue Reading
December 28, 2012
Senator Manchin and Colleagues Call for National Commission on Violence
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Joe Lieberman (ID-CT), John McCain (R-AZ), and Susan Collins (R-ME) sent a letter to Vice President Joseph Biden urging that when he submits the conclusions of his task force on gun violence to the President and Congress in January, he recommend the establishment of a National Commission Violence. The senators also transmitted a draft bill describing their proposal for such a commission. The text of the letter follows: December 27, 2012 The … Continue Reading
December 27, 2012
Manchin Statement on Lisa Jackson
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement today about the departure of EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. "There is no question that Lisa Jackson and I definitely have our differences, but we were always able to have a respectful dialogue. I wish her well in her next endeavor. I will continue to fight for a balanced energy policy for the United States - which is exactly what we have in West Virginia - and I look forward to working with anyone willing to … Continue Reading