Press Releases
Senators Manchin and Corker Introduce Bill to Fix Consequence of Renewable Fuels Mandate
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) today introduced the "Foreign Fuels Reduction Act," legislation that would help ensure only domestically-sourced fuels are used to meet the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). "It is time for America to create an all-of-the-above energy policy that will help lead us to energy independence," Manchin said. "It's simply common sense to use all of our resources, and that includes non-food based biofuels. I am proud to cosponsor … Continue Reading
May 16, 2013
Manchin, Rockefeller Announce Federal Assistance For Hurricane Sandy Response and Relief in WV
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller today announced $1,045,590 in federal funding to help alleviate the cost of West Virginia's emergency response and relief during Hurricane Sandy. "Hurricane Sandy called on our response teams requiring a lot of financial support upfront, and continues to require resources as our communities work to recover," said Rockefeller. "West Virginia's National Guard, first responders, and Emergency Operations Center are top-notch, and they … Continue Reading
May 15, 2013
Manchin, Rockefeller Announce Federal Funding for Lewisburg Volunteer Fire Department
WASHINGTON D.C.- Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller today announced $97,584 in federal funding for the Lewisburg Volunteer Fire Department to purchase new equipment to keep their firefighters safe on the job. "The Lewisburg Volunteer Fire Department keeps families and homes in Lewisburg and across Greenbrier County safe. And we must do all we can to protect those volunteer firefighters while they're on the job," said Rockefeller. "Providing our firefighters with safety equipment is … Continue Reading
May 15, 2013
Manchin Welcomes West Virginia Veterans to Washington
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) proudly welcomed 31 veterans from West Virginia to the nation's capital for the state's third "Always Free Honor Flight" in less than a year. The veterans visited the capital free of cost to see the memorials built in their honor. Eleven served in World War II, one in World War II and Korea, 10 in Korea, one in Korea and Vietnam, four in Vietnam, and two in all three wars. Two other veterans served as escorts for the group, along with … Continue Reading
May 13, 2013
Manchin: ‘Actions of the IRS are Unacceptable and Un-American"
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement in response to allegations that agents at the Internal Revenue Service targeted specific groups based on their political ideologies. "The actions of the IRS are unacceptable and un-American. Government agencies using their bureaucratic muscle to target Americans for their political beliefs cannot be tolerated. The President must immediately condemn this attack on our values, find those individuals in his … Continue Reading
May 10, 2013
Manchin, Rockefeller, Bipartisan Senators Continue the Fight to Curb Prescription Drug Abuse
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin, Jay Rockefeller (both D-W.Va.) and Members of Congress sent a bipartisan letter to the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today to urge immediate action on rescheduling drugs containing hydrocodone to help combat the prescription drug abuse epidemic, as recommended by the FDA's own advisory board. The letter emphasizes that the FDA has exceeded the "reasonable time" requirement of the Controlled Substances Act. The bipartisan, … Continue Reading
May 09, 2013
Manchin, Rockefeller Announce Funding For Assistance to Prevent Homelessness
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin today announced more than $181,780 in federal funding for local housing agencies to help homeless individuals and families access permanent and transitional housing, and other essential services. "Homelessness is tragic, and it affects far too many people who fall on difficult circumstances unexpectedly," said Rockefeller. "This funding not only helps give homeless West Virginians a path to permanent housing, it also provides … Continue Reading
May 08, 2013
Manchin Praises Wetzel County Students For Leading Anti-bullying Campaign
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) talked to Magnolia High School students today through Skype, a popular videoconferencing website. The students informed Senator Manchin about a new organization they created called "The Impact Group," which focuses on ways to prevent bullying in schools. Senator Manchin also answered several questions on how schools can develop programs to increase awareness of bullying and what role government can play in improving school safety. "It is … Continue Reading
May 08, 2013
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
