Press Releases
Manchin Recognized for Supporting Music Education in West Virginia
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) proudly received the Support Music Award today for his support of music education in West Virginia. The award was presented in a Capitol Hill ceremony attended by the Shepherdstown Middle School jazz ensemble, musical artists and other advocates for music education. The West Virginia leaders were each honored by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), VH1 Save The Music Foundation and the National Association for Music … Continue Reading
March 20, 2013
Sens. Manchin and Kirk Join Reps. Buchanan and Markey to Introduction “Safe Prescribing Act”
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Mark Kirk (R-IL), along with Representatives Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and Edward Markey (D-MA) introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation today to combat prescription drug abuse by tightening restrictions on some of the most powerful, addictive narcotics on the market. The "Safe Prescribing Act of 2013" will reclassify hydrocodone painkillers, such as Vicodin and Lortab, from a Schedule III to a Schedule II controlled substance. The … Continue Reading
March 19, 2013
Manchin Reflects on Troops’ Service on 10th Anniversary of Iraq War
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement on the 10th Anniversary of the Iraq War. "In honor of all those who have fought or died in the Iraq War, I urge us all to take a moment today to thank our service members for bravely stepping up when this country called for their service. I know that many of our Iraq veterans will reflect on their missions overseas today. Regardless of the politics concerning this war, we can all agree that our nation is … Continue Reading
March 18, 2013
Manchin Urges White House to Protect Coal Plants From Overreaching EPA Regulations
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) sent a letter to the White House last Thursday urging that the Administration amend the proposed EPA new source performance standard (NSPS) regulations. As drafted, EPA's regulations for new fossil fuel-based power plants would effectively ban any new coal-fired plants from being built in the US. The proposed regulation would require new coal-fueled power plants to meet the same emissions standards as new gas-fired plants. "EPA's choice to … Continue Reading
March 18, 2013
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Call on DOL to Maintain Focus on Mine Safety Cases
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin, as well as Congressman Nick Rahall today announced that they are pushing the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to maintain a strong focus on mine safety as the agency considers spending cuts. In a letter to DOL's Acting Secretary, the Members pushed back on DOL's sequestration plans that would disproportionately cut the Solicitor of Labor's efforts to reduce the backlog of appeals at the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review … Continue Reading
March 14, 2013
Senator Manchin Condemns State GOP Party for Lying About his Vote When he was Attending a Family Funeral and Visiting Ill Mother
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today issued the following statement condemning the political hacks at the West Virginia Republican Party for lying and claiming the Senator voted "present" on a bill to defund the Affordable Care Act, a vote the Senator has already taken twice, when in fact the Senator was attending his cousin's funeral and visiting his ill mother. "Today's lie by the West Virginia Republican Party about my missed vote to attend my cousin's funeral and … Continue Reading
March 14, 2013
Manchin, Hoeven, Baucus, Bipartisan Group of Senators to Approve the Keystone XL Pipeline
WASHINGTON - Following nearly five years of study and a fourth favorable State Department environmental review indicating "no significant impact to the environment," U.S. Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Max Baucus (D-Mont.) today introduced bipartisan legislation to approve the long-delayed Keystone XL pipeline. The senators' bill would approve the 1,700-mile, high-tech project under Congress's authority enumerated in the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution, Article 1, Section 8. … Continue Reading
March 13, 2013
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Applaud Significant Federal Funding to Boost Student Achievement in WV
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin, along with U.S. Representative Nick Rahall, today applauded $3.3 million in federal funding to raise student achievement in West Virginia's schools. "West Virginia's schools are absolutely critical to preparing our students for their futures and creating a strong workforce for our state. Schools everywhere can almost always benefit from targeted improvements," said Rockefeller. "This funding provides important resources so schools … Continue Reading
March 12, 2013
Manchin Applauds Secretary Hagel’s Decision to Review Drone Medal
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement applauding Secretary Hagel's decision to review the proposed precedence of the new Distinguished Warfare Medal over combat medals, including the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. "Secretary Hagel's decision to reevaluate the Distinguished Warfare Medal's precedence above the Purple Heart and Bronze Star is a welcomed one, especially to our veterans who raised their objections to the Defense Department's medal … Continue Reading
March 11, 2013
Manchin: Karzai’s Despicable Comments Confirm It’s Time to Bring Our Troops Home
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement today in response to President Hamid Karzai's assertions that the United States military conspired with the Taliban. "It is beyond disgusting that President Karzai would make such an outrageous and dishonest claim while our military is serving and dying in his country to give the people of Afghanistan a better future. He should spend more time addressing the widespread corruption in his regime rather than … Continue Reading
March 08, 2013
Manchin, Rockefeller Bipartisan Group Protect Rank of Purple Heart, Bronze Star
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller (both D-W.Va.) and a bipartisan group of twenty other Senators sent a letter to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel today urging him to preserve the precedence of combat decorations over a new medal honoring drone pilots and cyber warriors. The letter asked Secretary Hagel to reconsider the Defense Department's recent decision to give the newly created Distinguished Warfare Medal precedence above such combat awards as the Bronze Star … Continue Reading
March 07, 2013
ICYMI: Senator Manchin on CNN Discussing Biparitsan Criminal & Mental Bachground Check Bill he is Working on with Senator Coburn
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) talked to CNN's Wolf Blitzer about his bipartisan bill that protects Americans' Second Amendment rights while making sure firearms do not end up in the hands of convicted criminals and people who are deemed mentally unstable by a court ruling. Watch CNN's video clip here: … Continue Reading
March 07, 2013
Manchin, Tester, Heller, Boozman introduce bill to protect value of Purple Heart, Bronze Star
(U.S. SENATE) - After hearing from the nation's leading veterans organizations, Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Dean Heller (R-Nev.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.) are introducing a bill to ensure that combat medals like the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart rank ahead of a new medal honoring service away from the front lines. The U.S. Defense Department recently announced that the Distinguished Warfare Medal will recognize extraordinary achievement by unmanned aerial … Continue Reading
March 06, 2013
Manchin, Kirk Continue Bipartisan Negotiations on Criminal Background Checks
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Mark Kirk (R-Ill) issued a joint statement regarding Senator Chuck Schumer's current background check proposal: "We are committed to continuing to work in a bipartisan effort with Senators Schumer, Coburn and others in order to find a commonsense solution for enhanced background checks, however, Senator Schumer's current proposal is one we cannot support as it stands today. Our goal is to pass a bill that will close loopholes in the … Continue Reading
March 06, 2013
Manchin, Rockefeller, Warren, Brown Introduce Bill to Preserve Retired Coal Miners’ Benefits
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today introduced legislation that would protect the promised lifetime pension and health care benefits for thousands of retired miners and their families whose livelihoods are in jeopardy. The Coalfield Accountability and Retired Employee Act seeks to provide certainty and peace of mind to retirees and their families while holding employers accountable for the commitments … Continue Reading
March 05, 2013
Senator Manchin Urges West Virginians to Prepare for March Storm
LATEST UPDATES on March 2013 Storm Please contact your county office of emergency services for immediate assistance. County Emergency Services should be your first point of contact: http://www.dhsem.wv.gov/countycontacts/Pages/default.aspx The large winter storm continues to track toward West Virginia, with some models now showing over 20 inches of snow with 50+mph wind gusts in some areas. Travel will remain an issue with low visibility and snow covered roads, and power outages are … Continue Reading
March 05, 2013
Manchin Encourages West Virginians to Participate in Library of Congress Surplus Book Program
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today encouraged eligible West Virginia schools, libraries and local organizations to receive free books through the Library of Congress Surplus Books Program. "Just last week I had the opportunity to read to West Virginian students on Read Across America Day and talk to them about the importance of books. The power of reading is so special and so valuable; it is something that never leaves us. I strongly encourage all schools, libraries … Continue Reading
March 05, 2013
Manchin, Rockefeller Announce Federal Funding for Two Organizations in WV to Provide Affordable Housing
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller today announced $173,125 in federal funding for two nonprofit organizations in West Virginia to support their efforts to provide affordable housing and home ownership advice for West Virginians. "Home ownership is a true achievement for families," said Rockefeller. "These organizations help make sure West Virginians can get the help they need to purchase a home if it makes financial sense for them, and also help families learn about … Continue Reading
March 01, 2013
Manchin, Heller Announce Veterans Small Business Protection Act
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Dean Heller (R-NV) issued the following statements following introduction of the Veterans Small Business Protection Act: "Veterans put their lives on the line for our country, and should be confident that their families will be taken care of in a time of need. I am proud to co-sponsor this bill with Senator Heller of Nevada that helps the spouses and dependents of veteran-owned small businesses after the service members pass … Continue Reading
March 01, 2013
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce Federal Funding For Hurricane Sandy Relief in WV
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin, along with U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, today announced more than $2,433,800 in federal funding, including more than $1,355,000 for Tucker County, to help West Virginia continue to recover from Hurricane Sandy by clearing remaining debris from roads. "Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc up and down the east coast and in West Virginia," said Rockefeller. "Heavy rains and snow closed schools and small businesses. And strong winds knocked down … Continue Reading
