Press Releases
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
May 24, 2013
Manchin Increases Accessibility For Constituents
Washington, D.C. - Building upon his constituent outreach, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced today, two office improvements that will continue to increase accessibility for constituents - a mobile office and a new Charleston office location. "It is truly an honor to serve fellow West Virginians as U.S. Senator, and I always want to be easily accessible to all constituents," Senator Manchin said. "My staff and I are constantly looking for ways to meet and hear from residents and … Continue Reading
May 24, 2013
Manchin Joins Bipartisan Effort to Reduce Red Tape For Job Creators
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) joined Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Mark Pryor (D-AR) to renew their bipartisan push to significantly reform the federal regulatory process and reduce unnecessary burdens on job creators. The "Regulatory Accountability Act of 2013" reforms the current rulemaking process to lower costs and improve the quality of new regulations. This bipartisan, bicameral effort is the first of its kind in more than a decade to reform and minimize … Continue Reading
May 23, 2013
Manchin and Hoeven Introduce Bipartisan All-of-the-Above Energy Policy
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), along with Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), introduced the "All-Of-The-Above Federal Building Energy Conservation Act of 2013" to improve the energy efficiency of federal buildings. The legislation ensures that alterations and additions to federal buildings meet minimum energy efficiency requirements, encourages the use of energy management systems and maintains those systems' proper operation. "I am proud to work with my good friend John … Continue Reading
May 22, 2013
Manchin Encourages Military Families to Participate in Free Museums Program
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today urged West Virginia's active military personnel and their families to participate in the fourth Blue Star Museums Initiative, a summer program offered by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense and a record-breaking 2,000 museums across America. The program will begin on Memorial Day, May 27, 2013, and extend through Labor Day, September 2, 2013. "One of the most important things we … Continue Reading
May 22, 2013
Bipartisan Group of Senators Reach Agreement to Reform Nation's Chemical Laws
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va), along with Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and David Vitter (R-LA), announced a groundbreaking, bipartisan agreement to modernize the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and ensure the safety of everyday consumer products to better protect American families. Their legislation would significantly update and improve TSCA, which has proven ineffective and is criticized by both the public health community and industry. The legislation … Continue Reading
May 21, 2013
Manchin Praises WVU Athletes For Assisting Oklahomans
Washington, D.C. - In the aftermath of the fatal tornadoes that devastated communities in Moore, Oklahoma, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement praising the West Virginia University baseball team for their charitable efforts in collecting clothes and supplies to assist the communities and families in Moore. The team was in Oklahoma City for a Big 12 tournament. "West Virginians have always answered the call to help one another in times of tragedy, and as … Continue Reading
May 20, 2013
Manchin Pleased Overreaching Federal Education Rules Renounced
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced today that he was pleased West Virginia's request to withdraw from No Child Left Behind (NCLB) was granted by the U.S. Department of Education. The waiver allows the state to implement education reforms best fit for West Virginia children, teachers, schools and communities. "While one of our top priorities must be to continue raising our standards and making sure that we have the best-educated children in the world, it is … Continue Reading
May 20, 2013
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce Funding for Health Center
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller, along with U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (all D-W.Va.), Monday announced more than $515,000 in federal funding for the Northern Greenbrier Health Clinic in Williamsburg to continue operations and improve preventive care. "With Federal investments in community health centers, we expand access to quality and affordable care for West Virginian families, and certainly those are funds that I will continue to do all I can to secure for our … Continue Reading
May 17, 2013
Manchin Remembers Servicemembers on Armed Forces Day
Washington, D.C. - On Armed Forces Day, Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) urges all West Virginians to thank a veteran or current serving member of the National Guard, Reserve or active military. The national theme for this year's Armed Forces Day is "Strong and Resilient: Prepared to Meet any Challenge," and is a keen reminder that our nation is at war and our men and women remain in harm's way. "This week, I was honored to welcome veterans from all generations to Washington, DC for the … Continue Reading
