Press Releases
Manchin to Continue Serving West Virginians in the Senate
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today issued the following statement on his decision to remain in the United States Senate. "When Robert C. Byrd died in 2010, I had to make one of the toughest political decisions of my life. I have always said that being Governor of West Virginia was my life's most fulfilling work, and it was a true honor and privilege to be able to serve the great people of West Virginia. By removing politics and putting people first, we greatly improved … Continue Reading
April 17, 2015
Manchin Requests a Mobile Vet Clinic to Serve Greenbrier County Veterans
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today sent a letter to Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald to request a mobile clinic or temporary space until the air quality issues at the Greenbrier County Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Maxwelton are fully remediated. The clinic has been closed three times in less than a year due to air quality issues, affecting nearly 2,400 veterans who receive treatment at this facility. Senator Manchin writes, in part, "I ask for … Continue Reading
April 16, 2015
Manchin Invites Students, Parents and Educators to "Academy Days"
Charleston, W.Va. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin and his staff will host "Academy Day" events in Morgantown, Hedgesville and Huntington to promote the U.S. Service Academies. In addition to Senator Manchin's staff members, there will be representatives from the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy on hand to answer questions and assist with the application process. Representatives from the West Virginia … Continue Reading
April 15, 2015
Manchin Votes for Permanent Fix to Medicare Physician Payment System
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today issued the following statement on the passage of the bipartisan legislation to reform the Sustainable Growth Rate and extend the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). "The 12-year trend of Congress kicking the can down the road and voting on short-term extensions, which have cost hardworking taxpayers nearly $170 billion, has finally come to an end. I am pleased that Congress passed legislation to fix a flawed system by … Continue Reading
April 15, 2015
Manchin Introduces Bill to Hold FDA Accountable for Approving Dangerous, Addictive Drugs
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and David Vitter (R-LA) today introduced the FDA Accountability for Public Safety Act, which would hold the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accountable for opioid drugs approved by the agency. The legislation would ensure that experts' voices are heard when the FDA is considering new, dangerous opioid medications. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) is also an original cosponsor. "With 46 people dying every day from an overdose of … Continue Reading
April 14, 2015
Manchin Joins Group of Senators to Offer Recommendations to Strengthen Education Bill
Washington, D.C. - Today, as the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee prepares to mark up a bill reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) joined U.S. Senators Mark Warner (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) to offer recommendations to strengthen the proposed bill, the Every Child Achieves Act of 2015. In a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the HELP … Continue Reading
April 10, 2015
Manchin and Capito Announce Nearly $615,000 for Safety Improvements at Grant County Airport
Washington D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) announced $614,582 in federal funding for improvements at Grant County Airport in Petersburg. The funding will be used to upgrade the runway lighting system to ensure the safety of operations during low visibility conditions. "As a pilot myself and as Co-Chairman of the General Aviation Caucus in the Senate, I understand the importance of investing in our airport infrastructure," Senator Manchin said. … Continue Reading
April 10, 2015
Manchin and Capito Announce $525,000 for Critical Construction at Mercer County Airport
Washington D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) announced $525,000 in federal funding for a construction project at Mercer County Airport in Bluefield. The funding will be used for a necessary taxiway that will enhance the safety of airfield operations and ensure that the airport meets specific design standards. "As a pilot myself and as Co-Chairman of the General Aviation Caucus in the Senate, I understand the importance of investing in our airport … Continue Reading
April 08, 2015
Manchin and Capito Announce Nearly $11 Million for Head Start Programs in Southern West Virginia
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) announced a total of $10,868,104 in funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for Head Start Programs across Southern West Virginia. The Coalfield Community Action Partnership, which serves children and families in McDowell and Mingo Counties, will receive a total of $4,217,518. Southwestern Community Action Council, which serves children and families in Cabell, Lincoln, … Continue Reading
April 08, 2015
Manchin Delivers Remarks at National Prescription Drug Abuse Summit in Atlanta
Charleston, W.V. - Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) delivered remarks at the National Prescription Drug Abuse Summit in Atlanta, Georgia to discuss the importance of combatting the prescription drug abuse epidemic and to announce two new pieces of legislation to help curb substance abuse, which will be introduced in the coming weeks. The summit, which hosted nearly 1,400 professionals, is the largest national collaboration of federal, state and local professionals seeking to address … Continue Reading
April 05, 2015
Manchin Reflects on the Fifth Anniversary of the Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin issued the following statement reflecting on the five-year anniversary of the tragedy at Upper Big Branch Mine that killed 29 miners. "Today, on this Easter morning, while many of us are waking up to celebrate the dawning of new life, our hearts weigh heavy with the sad memory of the tragic Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster. Five years ago, 29 brave West Virginia miners went to work and never returned home to their loved ones. It was a day that … Continue Reading
April 01, 2015
Manchin and Capito Announce More Than $1 Million to Support Family Health Care Services
Washington D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) announced $1,009,786 in federal funding to the West Virginia Office of Maternal and Child Health Services (OMCHS). The funding will help support the various programs offered under OMCHS with the goal of building better health care infrastructure in the state. The organization specializes in serving the needs of women, infants, children, families, and children with special health care needs. "In West … Continue Reading
April 01, 2015
Manchin, Bipartisan Group of Senators Oppose Funding Cut to Community Health Centers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, along with 59 other Senators, urged support for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Health Center Program, which could have its funding cut by nearly 70 percent in September. In a letter to U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Chairman Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA), the bipartisan group requested continued funding from the … Continue Reading
March 27, 2015
Manchin Votes No on Reckless Senate Budget That Will Harm West Virginian Families
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today issued the following statement on his vote against the Senate's budget. "It is a real disappointment that even though the Senate spent nearly 15 hours voting on the budget, we were not able to put together a comprehensive plan that defines our priorities based on commonsense American values. Instead, we continue to cast mere messaging votes and talk past each other, rather than work together toward a long-term budgetary fix. This … Continue Reading
March 27, 2015
Manchin Statement in Support of Senator Chuck Schumer for Democratic Leader
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today issued the following statement in support of Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) for Democratic leader: "Chuck Schumer has been a dear friend since my first days in the United States Senate. He is a leader who values loyalty and builds friendships with all of his colleagues. He has proven that he can work with moderate and progressive Members of the Democratic Caucus, and importantly, with Republican Members from across the aisle. He also … Continue Reading
March 26, 2015
WV Delegation Calls on Preisdent to Grant Major Disaster Declaration
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 to declare a major disaster for the state of West Virginia as a result of Winter Storm Thor. The storm moved through West Virginia on Wednesday, March 4 and Thursday, March 5, and caused severe weather conditions in all 55 counties, including heavy rain and … Continue Reading
March 26, 2015
Senators Manchin and McConnell Raise the Stakes on NCAA Sweet 16 Matchup
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY) today made a friendly wager on tonight's NCAA Men's Basketball Sweet 16 matchup between the West Virginia University Mountaineers and the University of Kentucky Wildcats. The stakes from the friendly wager are a Derby-Pie® exclusively baked by Kern's Kitchen in Louisville, Kentucky against Chico's Bakery pepperoni rolls, the official pepperoni rolls sold at Mountaineer Field for WVU games. The game is … Continue Reading
March 26, 2015
Manchin Introduces Two Amendments to Help Curb Meth Abuse and Support Cleaner Fossil Energy
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today introduced two amendments to the Senate budget that would directly affect the future of West Virginia families, communities and jobs by addressing meth abuse and developing advanced clean fossil research and technology. Senator Manchin's first amendment would create a reserve fund, at no additional cost to the taxpayer, to address methamphetamine abuse. The Senate Budget Committee already passed an amendment to increase investments … Continue Reading
March 24, 2015
Manchin and Capito Announce more than $967,000 Toward Christians Helping Arrange New Growth Enterprises in Northern Panhandle
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) announced $967,139 in federal funding to Christians Helping Arrange New Growth Enterprises (CHANGE) in the Northern Panhandle. The funding has been awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and will be used to provide support for various programs to improve health and community action. "West Virginians pride ourselves on our unique culture of neighbors helping neighbors and have … Continue Reading
March 24, 2015
Manchin Applauds VA for Expanding Veteran Choice Program
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin applauded the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) decision to expand eligibility for the Veterans Choice Program, which allows veterans who live 40 miles from the closest VA facility or who face a significant delay in scheduling an appointment to receive health care in their communities at a non-VA facility. The VA will change the calculation used to determine the distance between a veteran's home and the nearest VA medical facility from a … Continue Reading