Press Releases
Senators Move to Block Iran’s Access to Foreign Exchange Reserves
WASHINGTON - United States Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Susan Collins (R-Me.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and John Cornyn (R-Tex.) today introduced bipartisan legislation to block Iran's access to billions of dollars worth of foreign exchange reserves and limit the ability of designated Iranian entities like the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) and the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) to conduct transactions in foreign currencies, including euros. The Iran Sanctions Loophole … Continue Reading
May 08, 2013
Bipartisan Bill Provides Servicemembers Choices Transitioning to Civilian Life
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), John Boozman (R-AR), Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Jon Tester (D-MT) introduced legislation allowing servicemembers to use their GI Bill benefits to provide them with the tools for a successful transition into civilian life. The Servicemembers Choice in Transition Act of 2013 requires men and women leaving military life be given the choice of education tracks as part of mandatory Transitional Assistance Program (TAP) classes. "This bipartisan … Continue Reading
May 07, 2013
Manchin Congratulates West Virginia's Top Youth Volunteers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today congratulated Jay Haapala, 15, of Elkview and Julian Harrington, 12, of West Union, who have been selected as West Virginia's state honorees and the top two youth volunteers in the 18th annual Prudential Spirit of Community Award. The nationwide program honors middle school and high school students for their exceptional service to others at the local, state and national levels. "I have always said that West Virginians are … Continue Reading
May 01, 2013
Manchin Congratulates Toyota on Production of Ten Millionth Unit at Buffalo Plant
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement congratulating Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia, Inc. on the production of the Buffalo plant's ten millionth unit. "As this automotive leader learned more than 15 years ago, there is not a more loyal, well-trained and quality-driven workforce anywhere else in the world," Senator Manchin said. "Since the Buffalo Toyota plant opened, millions of engines and transmissions have been produced that simply … Continue Reading
April 30, 2013
Information about The Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act
To read the full bill, please click here. To view a section-by-section breakdown of the bill, please click here. Information about 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 … Continue Reading
April 28, 2013
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce Federal Funding For Employment Assistance
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin, along with Congressman Nick Rahall (all D-WV), today announced more than $248,300 in federal funding for local housing agencies to help families in need obtain employment and become economically independent. "Today, too many people struggle just to make ends meet and fall short out of no fault of their own," said Rockefeller. "This funding helps local agencies give those facing some of the hardest times with the tools and important … Continue Reading
April 26, 2013
Manchin Encourages West Virginians to Participate in 6th National Drug Take Back Day
Washington, D.C. - With a prescription drug epidemic raging across the country, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) encouraged West Virginians to participate tomorrow in the sixth National Drug Take Back Day, an opportunity to dispose of any expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs. The Drug Enforcement Administration has scheduled the sixth National Drug Take Back Day on April 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cleaning out medicine cabinets can reduce the risk of prescription drug abuse, and … Continue Reading
April 25, 2013
Manchin and Rockefeller Reintroduce ‘EPA Fair Play Act’
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller (both D-W.Va.) today joined Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), John Hoeven (R-ND), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Rob Portman (R-OH), and David Vitter (R-LA) to reintroduce the EPA Fair Play Act in the 113th Congress. The legislation would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from retroactively vetoing permits to protect energy production, economic growth and job creation. "For too long the EPA has overreached with its power at the … Continue Reading
April 25, 2013
Manchin Continues to Work with Navy to Find New Mission at Sugar Grove
Washington, D.C. - In a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) secured a commitment from the Navy to work together to find a new mission for Sugar Grove. The Navy's top leadership agreed to visit the base with Senator Manchin and Senator Rockefeller in the near future to help find a new tenant. "Sugar Grove is a world-class facility that has played a crucial role in our national security over the past 50 years, especially in our fight against … Continue Reading
April 24, 2013
Manchin Applauds Senate Confirmation of Sylvia Mathews Burwell As OMB Director
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement on the Senate's confirmation of Hinton native, Sylvia Burwell, to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget by a vote of 96-0: "Sylvia's impressive record has proven that she will be an excellent Director of the Office of Management and Budget. The fact that Sylvia worked so closely with Erskine Bowles - one of the architects of the best template to get our finances in order - and helped produce … Continue Reading
April 24, 2013
Manchin, Rockefeller Reintroduce Comprehensive Mine Safety Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller today reintroduced their landmark mine safety legislation aimed at fixing the glaring safety issues revealed in the wake of the Upper Big Branch mine disaster on April 5, 2010, which claimed the lives of 29 miners in Montcoal, West Virginia. The Robert C. Byrd Mine and Workplace Safety and Health Act was first introduced in 2010, and again in 2011 and 2012. "Since the terrible tragedy at Upper Big Branch more than three years ago, … Continue Reading
April 23, 2013
Manchin Disappointed in Court Decision That Revokes Spruce Mine Permits
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin issued the following statement in regards to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that the EPA had legal authority to retroactively revoke the Spruce No. 1 Mine permit. "For too long now, the EPA has been waging a destructive war against Appalachia coal mining and it is costing countless American jobs and investment," Senator Manchin said. "If we are ever going to recover from our fragile economy, American businesses … Continue Reading
April 22, 2013
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce USDA Project Funding for Water and Wastewater Infrastructure
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), along with Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin (both D-W.Va.), Monday announced the award of more than $1 million in federal grant and loan monies for water infrastructure in Lincoln County. "Clean running water is important to the health and safety of our families, businesses, and communities, as well as our State's future economic growth," said Rahall, top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. "This … Continue Reading
April 17, 2013
Manchin Statement on The ‘Public Safety & Second Amendment Rights Protection Act’
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement after the Senate voted down the Manchin-Toomey amendment that would have kept guns out of the hands of criminals and those who are mentally adjudicated through the court system while protecting Americans' Second Amendment rights. Because Majority Leader Harry Reid changed his vote for procedural reasons, the final vote count was 54-46. Senator Reid's vote change will allow the amendment to be reconsidered in … Continue Reading
April 15, 2013
Manchin Statement on Boston Marathon Explosions
Washington, D.C. - U. S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement in response to the horrific explosions at the Boston Marathon. "Gayle and I join all West Virginians and Americans in praying for the victims of the horrific explosions in Boston. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Boston community, Massachusetts and our nation as we cope with the terrifying incidents at the Boston Marathon. Once again, in the midst of chaos in an American city, we saw heroism … Continue Reading
April 13, 2013
Section-by-Section Breakdown: The Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act
To view a section-by-section breakdown of The Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act, click … Continue Reading
April 12, 2013
FACT SHEET: Manchin-Toomey Amendment Protects Second Amendment Rights of Those Who Have Served Our Country
This bipartisan bill, the "Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act" does NOT take guns away from Veterans Expands gun ownership rights for active duty service members; and helps reduce the stigma of seeking help for PTSD, and impact on 2nd Amendment rights, by fixing an unfair VA system FACT - This amendment fixes an outdated law and allows active duty service members and their spouses to purchase guns in their home state, as well as their duty station. Current law … Continue Reading
April 12, 2013
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
