Press Releases
Manchin Advocates for Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment for our Returning Service Members
Washington, D.C. - United States Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is urging the Department of Defense to ensure that service members with traumatic brain injuries receive the best possible treatment when they return home. In a letter to Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, Manchin and a bipartisan group of 73 members of the House and Senate shared their concern that service members returning from the battlefield today are unable to receive therapies that treat traumatic brain injury unless they … Continue Reading
February 08, 2011
Manchin Congratulates West Virginia's Top Youth Volunteers
Washington, D.C. - United States Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.VA) today congratulated Lauren Lanier, 17, of Point Pleasant and Kambria Price, 10, of Harpers Ferry, who have been named West Virginia's top two youth volunteers, earning the 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 level. "The dedication and commitment to serving others that Lauren and Kambria … Continue Reading
February 08, 2011
Manchin Announces Support for Bipartisan, Commonsense Reduce Unnecessary Spending Act
Washington, D.C. - United States Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today announced that he will cosponsor the Reduce Unnecessary Spending Act, a bipartisan, commonsense measure to help rein in spending and close our budget deficits. The bill gives the President the authority to single out and remove wasteful spending and other non-entitlement spending in legislation, providing another tool to rein in out-of-control spending. This authority would not affect critical programs like Medicare and … Continue Reading
February 04, 2011
Manchin Addresses West Virginia Coal Association Symposium
Charleston, W.Va. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin today addressed the annual West Virginia Coal Association Symposium, drawing applause from the crowd as he discussed his first piece of legislation, the "EPA Fair Play Act of 2011." "I believe it is absolutely wrong - the unbridled power that these agencies have. Or, the power they are exercising because they think they have it," Senator Manchin said. "It's wrong not just for West Virginia, it's wrong for America." Senator Manchin yesterday … Continue Reading
February 03, 2011
Manchin Delivers Maiden Speech, A 4-Point Commonsense Agenda
Washington, D.C. - In his introductory speech as U.S. Senator, Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today took the floor for the first time and outlined his 4-point commonsense agenda to create jobs, restore fiscal responsibility, develop a balanced energy policy that establishes energy independence within this generation and keep our promises to seniors and veterans. Senator Manchin also introduced his first piece of legislation, the bipartisan "EPA Fair Play Act," which would prevent the agency … Continue Reading
February 03, 2011
Manchin Fights to Save Essential Air Service Program That Provides Lifeline, Jobs for Rural Communities
Washington, D.C.-U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today joined with his Senate colleagues to reject a proposal that would eliminate key investments in five of West Virginia's rural airports, jeopardizing jobs all over the state and country. An amendment being offered by Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) would eliminate the Essential Air Service (EAS) Program, which makes significant investments to support commercial air service to rural communities in West Virginia and across the country. The … Continue Reading
February 02, 2011
Manchin, Rockefeller Announce $188,257 for Washington Bottom, Belington Volunteer Fire Departments
Washington, D.C. - United States Senator Joe Manchin III (D-W. VA.) today announced that West Virginia's First Congressional District will receive a total of $188,257 under the Operations and Safety Division of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. The following fire departments will receive funding: Washington Bottom Volunteer Fire Department ($52,773) Belington Volunteer Fire Department Inc. ($135,484) This funding may be used to purchase … Continue Reading
February 02, 2011
Manchin Statement on Health Care Votes
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement today after he voted in favor of measures repealing the onerous1099 provision that would hurt small businesses. "I don't think that throwing out the good parts of this bill, like helping seniors afford prescription drugs or ending discrimination against people with preexisting conditions, makes good common sense," Manchin said. "That's why I have repeatedly said that we should make every effort to work … Continue Reading
February 02, 2011
Manchin, Rockefeller Announce $3,999,995 in Funding for Housing Programs Across West Va.
Washington, D.C. - United States Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller (both D-W.Va.) today announced that housing programs across West Virginia will receive a total of $3,999,995 under the Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance (CoC) program. The following housing facilities were awarded grants: First Congressional District: Caritas House, Inc. ($131,157.00) Clarksburg Housing Authority ($151,452.00) Greater Wheeling Coalition for the Homeless ($423,804) Parkersburg Housing … Continue Reading
February 01, 2011
Manchin Encourages West Virginians To Vote For Lewisburg As America's Coolest Small Town
Washington, D.C. - In a YouTube video today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is encouraging all West Virginians to go online and vote for Lewisburg as America's Coolest Small Town as part of an annual contest sponsored by Budget Travel magazine. "Lewisburg is definitely one of America's best towns, and I am encouraging all West Virginians to show their support for this great community and our state by voting for Lewisburg as America's Coolest Small Town," Senator Manchin said. "From its … Continue Reading
February 01, 2011
Manchin Cosponsors Bill That Would Give National Guard a Seat With The Joint Chiefs of Staff
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) will cosponsor the Guardians of Freedom Act of 2011, a bill introduced by Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) to elevate the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to a position on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "Our National Guard and Reserve forces have bravely assumed a major role in our combat missions, and they deserve a seat at the table along with our active duty forces," Manchin said. "I am proud to work with Senator Rockefeller on this … Continue Reading
February 01, 2011
Manchin Makes Senate Energy Committee Debut
Washington, D.C. -United States Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today made his first appearance before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee since being officially named a member of that panel. "It's a pleasure and an honor to represent West Virginia on this essential committee, and I look forward to working with all my colleagues," Sen. Manchin said. "From coal to natural gas to wind power, West Virginia has a vital and unique role in supplying energy to our country and the entire … Continue Reading
January 31, 2011
Rockefeller, Manchin Lead Colleagues in Fight to Protect Coal And Manufacturing State Economies
Washington, D.C.-Senator Jay Rockefeller today was joined by Senators Jim Webb (D-VA), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Tim Johnson (D-SD), Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.), Ben Nelson (D-NE) and Kent Conrad (D-ND) in introducing legislation to suspend Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation of greenhouse gases from stationary sources for two years. "I'm proud that today we took important action to safeguard jobs, the coal industry, and the entire economy as we move toward clean coal … Continue Reading
January 31, 2011
Manchin Comments on Alpha Natural Resources' Merger with Massey Energy
Washington, D.C.-U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today released the following statement regarding news that Alpha Natural Resources Inc. will acquire Massey Energy Co. "Alpha Natural Resources is an American company with a long and storied history in our region, and I am proud that they will supply West Virginia's coal to the nation and the world," Manchin said. "I am hopeful that Alpha will keep high-paying jobs for the hardworking West Virginians who work in the mines now as well as … Continue Reading
January 29, 2011
Manchin Holds First 'Coffee and Common Sense' Event in Follansbee
Washington, D.C. - On the heels of his "Call for Common Sense" tour, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today held his first "Coffee and Common Sense" event in Follansbee. Dozens of members of the community came out for the inaugural event at Ariana's Restaurant to share their concerns, priorities and commonsense ideas. Sen. Manchin will hold numerous "Coffee and Common Sense" events in towns all over the state over the course of his first term. "Meeting with my fellow West Virginians is … Continue Reading
January 27, 2011
Rockefeller, Manchin Announce $209,000 Grant for Folsom Volunteer Fire Department
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin ( both D-W.Va.), today announced that Folsom Volunteer Fire Department in Wetzel County will receive $209,000 in needed funds as part of the eighth round of funding under the Fiscal Year 2010 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. This money will assist with vehicle acquisition. "The people of West Virginia count on first responders to be there for our communities - they put their lives on the line every day andwe thank … Continue Reading
January 27, 2011
Manchin Earns Spots on 3 Key Committees for the 112th Congress
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.) today announced that he will represent West Virginia on three critical Senate committees that will tackle the important work of addressing our nation's energy needs, standing up for the members of the military and keeping our promises to seniors. Senator Manchin has been named to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the Senate Armed Services Committee, and the Senate Special Committee on Aging. "I am proud to … Continue Reading
January 27, 2011
Saturday: Manchin Launches Coffee and Common Sense
Washington, D.C. - Following his successful "Call for Common Sense" tour, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.) will join constituents Saturday in Follansbee for his first "Coffee and Common Sense with Senator Joe" event, an ongoing series of open conversations with constituents during which he hopes to hear more ideas, concerns and priorities from West Virginians. In keeping with Senator Manchin's philosophy of retail government, the Senator will hold numerous "Coffee and Common Sense with … Continue Reading
January 27, 2011
Manchin: West Virginians Deserve A Government That Works For Them
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.) today backed several measures that would change the way the Senate does business, voting for new rules that would allow more open debate and increase transparency for the American people. "West Virginians deserve a government that works for them, and they are understandably frustrated with the way things get done - or don't - in Washington," Manchin said. "The new rules we adopted today will ensure that we're operating with greater … Continue Reading
January 26, 2011
Manchin Reacts to President's State of the Union Address
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement tonight following the President's State of the Union address: "I was encouraged to hear the President call for more bipartisanship and civility and the critical need for Democrats and Republicans to share the responsibility for governing. We worked across party lines in West Virginia, and I know that Washington can learn from our example. "I was heartened to hear the President's renewed focus on … Continue Reading
