Press Releases
Manchin Protects and Strengthens Postal Service
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) co-sponsored today the Postal Service Protection Act, which will address the United States Postal Service's financial problems, prevent rural post office closures, protect Saturday delivery services and save American jobs. The bill would directly protect the Clarksburg mail processing plant from closing. "In West Virginia, especially in our rural areas, post offices are more than just places to send and receive mail - they are truly the … Continue Reading
April 05, 2013
Manchin Statement on Third Anniversary of Upper Big Branch Tragedy
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement about the third anniversary of the Upper Big Branch disaster: "Three years ago, during the hours and days after the unspeakable mining tragedy at Upper Big Branch, I grieved with the miners' families and all West Virginians," Senator Manchin said. "Not a day goes by that I don't think about the courage, sacrifice and extraordinary strength of our miners and their families, but on this sad anniversary, my … Continue Reading
April 04, 2013
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce Federal Funding For Two WV Fire Departments
WASHINGTON D.C.- Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin, along with Congressman Nick Rahall, today announced more than $176,800 in federal funding for two fire departments in West Virginia to purchase safety equipment, and strengthen professional training and wellness programs. "Volunteer firefighters put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe, and help us sleep soundly at night," said Rockefeller. "This funding will help these fire departments safely respond during … Continue Reading
April 03, 2013
Manchin Statement on Fatal Shooting of Mingo County Sheriff
Charleston, W.Va. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement about the tragic shooting of Mingo County Sheriff Eugene Crum: "Gayle and I join all West Virginians in praying for Sheriff Crum's wife, Rosie, and his family. Mingo County lost a longtime public servant today and our hearts are broken from this horrific tragedy. My friend Sheriff Crum dedicated his life to serving the people of Mingo County and making southern West Virginia a safer place. He will be … Continue Reading
March 22, 2013
Manchin Introduces Six Amendments to Include in 2014 Budget
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) introduced six amendments today to include in the FY2014 Budget Resolution that underscore some of the issues that matter most to the people of West Virginia. The amendments promote energy security, deficit reduction, fiscal responsibility, prescription drug abuse and mine safety research. "After almost two and a half years as a United States Senator, it is encouraging that Congress is finally voting to pass a budget that funds our … Continue Reading
March 22, 2013
Manchin and Kirk Seek to Close Iranian Sanctions Loophole
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) introduced a bipartisan amendment to the FY2014 Budget Resolution to strengthen sanctions against Iran by preventing the expansion of their natural gas exports that helps fund the development of their nuclear weapons program. The amendment encourages additional sanctions to be enacted during the 113th Congress. "Now is the time for Congress to act and close a sanctions loophole that Iran has exploited in an attempt to … Continue Reading
March 22, 2013
Manchin Introduces Amendment to Protect Coal Plants From Overreaching EPA Regulations
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) introduced an amendment to the FY2014 Budget Resolution to prevent Congress from funding the EPA's proposed New Source Performance Standard (NSPS) regulations. The amendment would block funding for these overreaching regulations that set unattainable carbon dioxide emissions standards from new coal-fired power plants. "EPA's choice to hold coal and gas to the same emissions standards is unprecedented under the Clean Air Act, and is yet … Continue Reading
March 20, 2013
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
