Press Releases
Manchin Immigration Amendment Passes in Senate to Cap Contractor Pay for Border Security
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today announced his amendment to the "Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act" easily passed in the Senate by a vote of 72-26. The amendment would cap compensation for private contractor executives employed for border security at $230,700, which is the most government civilian employees can make in a given year. Private companies could pay their contractors higher salaries; however, they would be responsible … Continue Reading
June 18, 2013
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce USDA Project Funding for Water and Wastewater Infrastructure
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller, along with U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (all D-W.Va.), Tuesday announced the award of nearly $2.5 million in federal grant and loan monies for water infrastructure in Mingo County. "Making sure that West Virginians have access to clean, safe water is critical to the health and wellbeing of our children, our families and our communities," Manchin said. "It is important to invest in projects like these to make sure people across our … Continue Reading
June 18, 2013
Manchin Includes 17 Amendments, Chairs Airland Subcommittee in Mark-Up of Annual Defense Bill
Washington, D.C. - In a major legislative victory, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) successfully added 17 amendments to the annual Senate defense authorization bill, including an important measure that withholds $63.8 million in funding that had been allocated to build the mining industry in Afghanistan. Additional provisions address veterans' unemployment, ensure the Department of Defense responsibly spends its allocated funds, reduce the inflated salaries of executive contractors, support … Continue Reading
June 18, 2013
Manchin Congratulates Clarksburg VA on Hiring 10 New Mental Health Professionals
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today congratulated the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg for hiring ten new mental health professionals to help expand access to health care for veterans, service members and their families. "I have talked to so many of our Veterans, who tell me that we need to do more to expand mental health care," Senator Manchin said. "I congratulate the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center for taking a step in the right direction and … Continue Reading
June 18, 2013
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce HUD Funding for Housing Counseling
U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, along with Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin (all D-W.Va.), Tuesday announced that federal funding has been awarded to support housing counseling services to expand homeownership opportunities and improve access to affordable housing in West Virginia. "Every family deserves access to quality, affordable housing that is safe and secure. It not only promotes self-sufficiency, but also strengthens our neighborhoods, communities and local economy. These kinds of … Continue Reading
June 14, 2013
Manchin Pays Tribute to American Flag
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today celebrated Flag Day by honoring veterans and meeting with seniors, community leaders and area residents in Greenbrier County. He spent the morning at Fairlea Senior Center and then paid tribute to the American flag with a community flag presentation at Greenbrier County Community Based Outpatient Clinic. Senator Manchin also submitted into the official record a congressional record statement to commemorate Flag Day. Representatives … Continue Reading
June 14, 2013
Manchin Congratulates Pepperoni Roll On Being Voted America's Favorite State Food In "Taste Of America" Contest
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today proudly congratulated West Virginia on being nationally acknowledged for its popular state food, the pepperoni roll, which took the overall top prize in this year's CQ Roll Call "Taste of America" contest. The pepperoni roll beat out 64 other foods from all fifty states in a bracket-style online voting competition that brought in over a half a million votes. On behalf of West Virginia, a trophy will be presented to Senator Manchin and … Continue Reading
June 13, 2013
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce FEMA Funding Awarded for Logan County Firefighters
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller (all D-W.Va.), along with U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, Thursday announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded funding to the Cora Volunteer Fire Department for operations and firefighter safety. "Volunteer firefighters like Cora's deserve our best efforts in providing them with the resources they need to save lives and protect our communities," said Rahall, top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure … Continue Reading
June 06, 2013
Manchin Wishes Jim's Steak and Spaghetti House a Happy 75th Anniversary
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) personally called the Tweel family to congratulate them on 75 years of delicious food and business success at Jim's Steak and Spaghetti House in Huntington. The family-owned and operated restaurant opened its doors in 1938. "For years and years, I have had the pleasure of eating Jim's pies or homemade spaghetti and filling up on the famous slaw and Haddock fish sandwiches," Senator Manchin said. "It is truly remarkable that the Tweel … Continue Reading
June 06, 2013
Manchin, Barrasso Bipartisan Bill Embraces Alternative Fuels
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and John Barrasso (R-WY) introduced the "The North American Alternative Fuels Act" (S. 1100). The bill would repeal section 526 of the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 which prohibits the Federal government, including the U.S. military, from purchasing fuel produced from coal, oil shale and oil sands. "It makes no sense for the United States to give preference to Middle Eastern oil over fuel from American coal, oil … Continue Reading
June 06, 2013
Manchin, King Seek Long-Term Solution to Student Loan Program
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Angus King (I-ME) voted today against the motion to proceed on both the Democrat and Republican student loan interest rate proposals. Senators Manchin and King urge their colleagues to work in a bipartisan manner to pass a comprehensive student loan reform package that makes it easier and more affordable for all Americans to access higher education. Without congressional action, the interest rate on federally-subsidized Stafford … Continue Reading
June 06, 2013
Senators Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Reduce Overlapping Benefit Payments
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK), Jeff Flake (R-AZ) and Angus King (I-ME) introduced the Reducing Overlapping Payments Act, which aims to protect the Social Security Disability Insurance and Unemployment Insurance programs by reducing overlapping benefits. The bill requires the Social Security Administration (SSA) to suspend Disability Insurance (DI) benefits during any month in which a recipient also collects Unemployment Insurance (UI) … Continue Reading
June 06, 2013
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce Federal Funding For Volunteer Fire Departments
WASHINGTON D.C.- Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller, along with Congressman Nick Rahall (all D-WV), today announced $222,481 in federal funding for the Fairlea, Newburg, and Triune-Halleck Volunteer Fire Departments to purchase new safety equipment and prevent fire-related injuries and deaths. "Volunteer firefighters in West Virginia are our selfless heroes who constantly put themselves on the front lines by protecting our communities, homes, and families from harm. The very least we … Continue Reading
June 06, 2013
Manchin Cosponsors Bill to Help Veterans and Servicemembers
Washington, D.C. - Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) cosponsored bipartisan legislation that addresses the issue of prescription drug abuse among our nation's servicemembers and veterans. The Servicemembers and Veterans Prescription Drug Safety Act would direct the Attorney General to establish drug take-back programs in coordination with the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). "Prescription drug abuse is devastating to communities across West Virginia and … Continue Reading
June 04, 2013
Manchin to Military Leadership on Sexual Assault: It's Intolerable to Continue on This Path
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) asked questions to military leadership today during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on how officials plan to prevent sexual crimes and better protect victims of sexual assault in the military. The nation's top military leaders unanimously voiced their opposition to changing current rules that allow commanders to decide whether or not to prosecute accused assailants. However, military leaders admitted the Armed Forces had lost … Continue Reading
June 04, 2013
Senators Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Create Presctiption Drug Take-Back System for Servicemembers and Veterans
WASHINGTON, DC-- Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today introduced a bipartisan bill, co-sponsored by Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and John Boozman (R-AR), that seeks to address the issue of prescription drug abuse among our nation's servicemembers and veterans. The Servicemembers and Veterans Prescription Drug Safety Act would direct the Attorney General to establish drug take-back programs in coordination with the … Continue Reading
June 03, 2013
Manchin Statement on the Passing of Senator Frank Lautenberg
"Gayle and I are deeply saddened to hear that our dear friend Frank Lautenberg has passed away," Senator Manchin said. "During my time in the Senate, Frank and I worked well together, and I truly admire his dedication and commitment to serving the people of New Jersey and this great nation. Not only did Frank serve the people of New Jersey as a remarkable public servant for more than thirty years, but he courageously fought for his country in World War II. He is the last of that 'greatest … Continue Reading
May 31, 2013
Manchin Tours Sugar Grove
Washington, D.C. - After several delays due to inclement weather, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and senior leadership from the Navy, Army, Air Force and West Virginia National Guard toured the Sugar Grove facility today to discuss efforts at finding a new tenant for the base. Senator Manchin and Senator Rockefeller have been working with Navy and Department of Defense leadership to find a new military mission for the high-tech communications site. "There is no question that Sugar Grove … Continue Reading
May 29, 2013
Manchin Responds To Patriot Coal Ruling: ‘This Ruling Is A Travesty’
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement in response to a St. Louis-based federal bankruptcy judge's ruling that allows Patriot Coal to ignore its collective bargaining agreement with the United Mine Workers of America and change retiree health care benefits. "This ruling is a travesty. It is wrong that Peabody can set up a company such as Patriot, fill that company with its liabilities and then spin that company off for the sole purpose of avoiding … Continue Reading
May 24, 2013
Manchin to Offer Legislation in Honor of Memorial Day
Washington, D.C. -In honor of Memorial Day, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) will introduce legislation to expand benefits and services to our veterans and active service members. This legislation specifically aims to expand burial rights for certain members of the Reserves and National Guard, remove GI Bill transferability barriers for those with service-related injuries, and provide our military with the tools to succeed to use their GI Bill benefit. "Showing our appreciation to our … Continue Reading
