Press Releases
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
April 10, 2013
Manchin Encourages Senate Budget Committee to Confirm WV Native Burwell as New OMB Director
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) introduced today Sylvia Mathews Burwell, who has been nominated to become the next Director of the Office of Management and Budget, at her nomination hearing before the Senate Budget Committee. Senator Manchin supports the Hinton native's nomination and believes that her experience as a problem solver and a bold leader in both the public and private sectors proves she can help tackle our country's financial challenges. Shortly after Senator … Continue Reading
April 10, 2013
FACT SHEET: The Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act
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 Criminal Background Check System (NICS); 3) establishes a National Commission on Mass Violence to study in-depth all the causes of mass violence … Continue Reading
April 08, 2013
Manchin Statement on Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s Death
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) released the following statement on the passing of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher: "Margaret Thatcher was such an important political figure of the 20th century, and her passing is an opportunity to reflect on how profoundly she changed the world," Senator Manchin said. "As Prime Minister, she helped restore Great Britain's economy by promoting capitalist principles and the value of the free market. Her remarkable strength and steadfast … Continue Reading
April 05, 2013
Manchin Protects and Strengthens Postal Service
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) co-sponsored today the Postal Service Protection Act, which will address the United States Postal Service's financial problems, prevent rural post office closures, protect Saturday delivery services and save American jobs. The bill would directly protect the Clarksburg mail processing plant from closing. "In West Virginia, especially in our rural areas, post offices are more than just places to send and receive mail - they are truly the … Continue Reading
April 05, 2013
Manchin Statement on Third Anniversary of Upper Big Branch Tragedy
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement about the third anniversary of the Upper Big Branch disaster: "Three years ago, during the hours and days after the unspeakable mining tragedy at Upper Big Branch, I grieved with the miners' families and all West Virginians," Senator Manchin said. "Not a day goes by that I don't think about the courage, sacrifice and extraordinary strength of our miners and their families, but on this sad anniversary, my … Continue Reading
April 04, 2013
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce Federal Funding For Two WV Fire Departments
WASHINGTON D.C.- Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin, along with Congressman Nick Rahall, today announced more than $176,800 in federal funding for two fire departments in West Virginia to purchase safety equipment, and strengthen professional training and wellness programs. "Volunteer firefighters put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe, and help us sleep soundly at night," said Rockefeller. "This funding will help these fire departments safely respond during … Continue Reading
April 03, 2013
Manchin Statement on Fatal Shooting of Mingo County Sheriff
Charleston, W.Va. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement about the tragic shooting of Mingo County Sheriff Eugene Crum: "Gayle and I join all West Virginians in praying for Sheriff Crum's wife, Rosie, and his family. Mingo County lost a longtime public servant today and our hearts are broken from this horrific tragedy. My friend Sheriff Crum dedicated his life to serving the people of Mingo County and making southern West Virginia a safer place. He will be … Continue Reading
March 22, 2013
Manchin Introduces Six Amendments to Include in 2014 Budget
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) introduced six amendments today to include in the FY2014 Budget Resolution that underscore some of the issues that matter most to the people of West Virginia. The amendments promote energy security, deficit reduction, fiscal responsibility, prescription drug abuse and mine safety research. "After almost two and a half years as a United States Senator, it is encouraging that Congress is finally voting to pass a budget that funds our … Continue Reading
March 22, 2013
Manchin and Kirk Seek to Close Iranian Sanctions Loophole
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) introduced a bipartisan amendment to the FY2014 Budget Resolution to strengthen sanctions against Iran by preventing the expansion of their natural gas exports that helps fund the development of their nuclear weapons program. The amendment encourages additional sanctions to be enacted during the 113th Congress. "Now is the time for Congress to act and close a sanctions loophole that Iran has exploited in an attempt to … Continue Reading
March 22, 2013
Manchin Introduces Amendment to Protect Coal Plants From Overreaching EPA Regulations
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) introduced an amendment to the FY2014 Budget Resolution to prevent Congress from funding the EPA's proposed New Source Performance Standard (NSPS) regulations. The amendment would block funding for these overreaching regulations that set unattainable carbon dioxide emissions standards from new coal-fired power plants. "EPA's choice to hold coal and gas to the same emissions standards is unprecedented under the Clean Air Act, and is yet … Continue Reading
