Press Releases
Manchin, Capito Announce Nearly $6 Million in Funding for Housing Programs Across State
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today announced that housing facilities across West Virginia will receive a total of $5,938,355 under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Continuum of Care (CoC) Program for projects with the goal of ending homelessness. "In West Virginia, we have a strong tradition of neighbors helping neighbors and we know the importance of helping those who have fallen on hard times," Senator … Continue Reading
March 03, 2016
Manchin Applauds Senate Passage of His Consumer Education Amendment
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) applauded the Senate passage of his consumer education amendment to the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2015 (CARA). His amendment will strengthen the bill by helping those on the frontlines of this terrible epidemic provide their communities with the information they need to help stop the spread of opioid addiction and help people seek treatment. "There is simply too little understanding about the dangers of these drugs. Too many … Continue Reading
March 03, 2016
Manchin Stands Up for West Virginia at Energy and Natural Resources Committee Hearing
Washington, D.C. - Today U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) questioned Department of Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz on the Administration's insensitivity to the damage it has done to West Virginia's economy and to West Virginians' livelihoods. He pointed out that between July 2014 and July 2015, West Virginia lost 19,000 jobs. "Based on the projections, the United States still needs West Virginia to do the heavy lifting and to produce the energy the country needs and has always counted on from … Continue Reading
March 02, 2016
Manchin Delivers Opening Remarks on Coal Ash Recycling Legislation at the Environment and Public Works Committee
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) delivered opening remarks at the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing today on the Improving Coal Combustion Residuals Regulation Act. Senators Manchin and John Hoeven (R-ND) introduced this legislation in January to continue their efforts to find a common sense approach to ensuring safe disposal of coal ash while also preserving the economic opportunities and benefits associated with re-use of coal ash. This measure will … Continue Reading
March 01, 2016
Manchin Introduces Five Amendments to Improve Comprehensive Opioid Legislation
Washington D.C. - Today U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) introduced five amendments to the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2015 (CARA), bipartisan legislation to address the opioid epidemic nationwide. His amendments improve this legislation by raising funding for substance abuse treatment, changing the culture at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), requiring the FDA to seek advice of its advisory committee before approving any new opioid medication, making prescriber education … Continue Reading
March 01, 2016
Manchin Introduces UMWA President to Testify Before Senate Finance Committee
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) introduced Mr. Cecil Roberts, the President of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), to the Senate Finance Committee today. He testified to the importance of the Miners Protection Act, legislation to ensure the federal government and coal operators honor their obligation of lifetime pensions and health benefits to retired miners and their families who are facing uncertainty as a result of the financial crisis and corporate … Continue Reading
March 01, 2016
Manchin Speaks at FDA Public Meeting on Opioid Epidemic
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) spoke at a public meeting held by the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Science Board today. He discussed the FDA's past actions, which have not considered the public health impact or assessed the realities of the deadly opioid epidemic when approving dangerous opioid medications. "The FDA serves a critical role as the agency that oversees the approval of these addictive drugs, but time and time again has failed to consider public health … Continue Reading
February 24, 2016
Manchin and Capito Announce $800K for WVU Scientific Research and Education Programs
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today announced a total of $800,000 to West Virginia University from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support research and education programs in the environmental engineering and health chemistry fields. These grants will allow the University to continue making advancements in science and engineering and developing the knowledge and cutting edge technologies necessary to grow the state's economy and … Continue Reading
February 24, 2016
Manchin Disappointed in Senate Confirmation of Dr. Califf as FDA Commissioner
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today expressed his disappointment in the Senate's confirmation of Dr. Robert Califf to be the next Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner. "The fight I led against Dr. Califf was not personal. It was a fight to change the culture of the FDA starting from the top," Senator Manchin said. "I still believe that we must act now to change the culture at the FDA if we have any hope of stopping the prescription drug abuse epidemic that is … Continue Reading
February 23, 2016
Manchin Statement on President's Plan to Close Guantanamo Bay
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today released the following statement on President Obama's plan to close the Guantanamo Bay facility. "After leading a bipartisan fact-finding mission to Guantanamo Bay in 2014, I came to the belief that the detention facility there should be shut down because it does nothing to make our country safer and costs us millions in tax dollars. In 2015, American taxpayers spent $445 million to operate the facility, which now houses 91 detainees. … Continue Reading
February 23, 2016
Manchin, Capito Urge Circuit Court to Block EPA Attempt to Transform the Nation’s Electricity Sector
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) filed an amicus brief today in the case of State of West Virginia, et al. v. Environmental Protection Agency, et al. The effort led by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate EPW Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe (R-OK), House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and House Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield (R-KY) garnered support from 34 Senators and 171 … Continue Reading
February 22, 2016
Manchin, Markey Discuss Opposition to FDA Nominee Dr. Robert Califf
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) held a press conference today to discuss their opposition to Dr. Robert Califf to become the next Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Senators were joined by leading law enforcement officers and medical and public health leaders in calling for reforms at the FDA to respond to the prescription drug and heroin crisis, including West Virginians Rodney Miller, Executive Director West Virginia … Continue Reading
February 18, 2016
Manchin Announces Job and Resource Fairs Throughout West Virginia
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today announced that he will cohost job and resource fairs throughout the state. Senator Manchin is partnering with Volunteer West Virginia, Wheeling Jesuit University, High Technology Foundation, WorkForce West Virginia, Logan, Marion, Morgantown and Harrison Chambers of Commerce, American Public University, Pierpont Community and Technical College, Fairmont State University, and West Virginia University, the Upper Big Branch Miners Memorial … Continue Reading
February 15, 2016
Manchin Statement on Senate's Constitutional Obligation to Vote on Supreme Court Nominee
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today issued a statement on the Senate's constitutional obligation to vote on a Supreme Court nominee. "I believe that the President should nominate and the Senate should follow its constitutional obligation and advise and consent on the nomination. We have a responsibility to the American people to fulfill our duties. I will evaluate any nominee before the Senate based on their qualifications and judicial philosophy. I would hope that … Continue Reading
February 11, 2016
Manchin Bill Demands FDA Address Opioid Epidemic
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today introduced the Changing the Culture of the FDA Act, a bill to expand the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) mission statement to require that the agency address the nation's opioid epidemic. Senator Manchin believes that the FDA plays a critical role in the growing opioid epidemic since the agency oversees the approval of dangerously addictive drugs. However, to date, the agency has failed to consider the devastating public health … Continue Reading
February 10, 2016
Manchin, Capito Congratulate West Virginia's Top Youth Volunteers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today congratulated Sofia Salon, 16, of Daniels and Arin Dorsey, 13, of Fayetteville, on being selected as West Virginia's state honorees and the top two youth volunteers in the 21st annual Prudential Spirit of Community Award. The nationwide program honors middle school and high school students for their exceptional service at the local, state and national levels. "I have always said that West Virginians are … Continue Reading
February 09, 2016
Manchin Statement on Supreme Court Decision to Block EPA Clean Power Plan
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today issued a statement after the Supreme Court ruled it would block the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) carbon rules for power plants while the courts consider a legal challenge from states and industry groups. "Today's Supreme Court ruling sends a strong signal to the EPA that it must stop ignoring the damage its regulations are causing to our energy sector, our economy and our way of life in West Virginia. I have made it clear that … Continue Reading
February 04, 2016
Manchin Appreciates but Not Impressed by the FDA Decision to Slightly Improve Response to Opioid Epidemic
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today was encouraged by the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) decision to slightly improve the agency's response to the opioid epidemic; however, he continues to believe that sweeping changes are necessary. The FDA changes include convening an advisory committee for opioids without abuse-deterrent properties and for pediatric indications, considering the public health impact when approving highly addictive and dangerous opioid medications … Continue Reading
February 02, 2016
Manchin, Capito Announce More Than $1.8 Million for West Virginia Head Start Programs
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today announced a total of $1,838,642 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) for Head Start programs in West Virginia. This funding will allow the Eastern Allegheny Council for Human Services Head Start in Hardy County and the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (WVDHHR) to continue providing critical health, nutrition, … Continue Reading
January 29, 2016
Manchin Statement on Right-to-Work Legislation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today released the following statement on the Right-to-Work legislation currently under deliberation in the West Virginia State Legislature. "During my time as Governor of West Virginia, and now your Senator, I never had a single company tell me that it would relocate to our great state if only we would pass 'right-to-work' legislation. Simply put, this is a partisan bill that will do nothing to create jobs in West Virginia. During these … Continue Reading