Press Releases
Manchin Urges All West Virginians to Prepare for Hurricane Sandy
Washington, D.C. - With Hurricane Sandy threatening serious damage in the coming days, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is encouraging West Virginians who could be affected to prepare for the storm. As with previous storms, Senator Manchin will provide updated information about who to contact for assistance on his website, www.manchin.senate.gov. "We've been through so many storms in our state, and the best way to handle a storm is to be as prepared as possible," Senator Manchin said. "That … Continue Reading
October 22, 2012
Manchin, Rockefeller & Rahall Applaud FEMA for Granting 16 Additional West Virginia Counties Individual Assistance
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin, along with Congressman Nick Rahall, today applauded the Federal Emergency Management Agency for granting 16 additional West Virginia counties individual assistance for property owners affected by a severe "derecho" storm earlier this summer. After FEMA's September decision providing Individual Assistance to four West Virginia counties, Governor Earl Ray Tomblin requested FEMA expand assistance to additional counties. FEMA … Continue Reading
October 18, 2012
Manchin Applauds Growing Support to End Military Contractors’ Exorbitant Salaries and Stand Up for a Strong Defense
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today welcomed the growing support from public interest organizations for his effort to put an end to exorbitant, taxpayer-funded salaries to military contractors - which come at the cost of hardworking uniformed servicemembers and a strong military. "I appreciate the fact that our effort is getting so much attention - and particularly from people who understand how critical it is that we get a handle on our government's spending," … Continue Reading
October 18, 2012
Manchin Proud to Honor an American Hero
Charleston, W.V. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) proudly honored the highly decorated Marine and recipient of the Medal of Honor, Hershel "Woody" Williams, today at the brand new Fairmont Armed Forces Reserve Center. "When you have people like Woody Williams in this country, you know we have and always will have a great country," Senator Manchin said at ceremonies dedicating the Fairmont Armed Forces Reserve Center in honor of Williams. "There are 3,459 Medal of Honor recipients - and … Continue Reading
October 17, 2012
Manchin, Rahall, Rockefeller Urge FEMA to Grant State’s Request for Additional Disaster Assistance
BECKLEY, W.Va. - The West Virginia Congressional Delegation today released the following statements in response to Governor Tomblin's request that 20 additional counties be added to the Federal Disaster Declaration that was issued following the June 29 derecho storm and extended power outage: "The derecho and subsequent storms that struck on June 29th took a terrible toll on West Virginia residents and businesses. Having toured several communities following the storm, I witnessed firsthand … Continue Reading
October 15, 2012
Manchin Celebrates Hundreds of Potential New Jobs at Gestamp Ribbon-Cutting
South Charleston, W.Va. - At a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Gestamp today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) told the crowd that he was so proud to be part of the partnership that re-opened the stamping plant for potentially hundreds of good-paying jobs. "Government can do two things with your money - spend it or invest it. When I was governor, we chose to invest it," Senator Manchin said. "And one of the investments we made that really paid off was in Ray Park and his vision for this … Continue Reading
October 14, 2012
Manchin, Rockefeller Announce Grant for Mental Health Training Program at West Virginia University
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Jay Rockefeller, Chairman of the Finance Subcommittee on Health Care, and Joe Manchin today announced $476,263 in federal funding from the health care reform law for a mental and behavioral health training program at West Virginia University. "I've heard from West Virginians around the state about the need for better access to quality mental health care for our children, servicemembers, veterans and their families," Senator Rockefeller said. "West Virginia has a … Continue Reading
October 11, 2012
Manchin Applauds Decision to Fight Unfair Trade From China, Protect Good West Virginia Jobs
Manchin's letter cited devastating effect on West Virginia manufacturing businesses, especially Felman Productions of Letart Charleston, W.Va. - After U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) urged the International Trade Commission to continue to enforce an anti-dumping order against China and other countries, the organization announced today that it would keep these important policies in place. In a Sept. 5 letter, Senator Manchin described the devastating effect in West Virginia - especially … Continue Reading
October 11, 2012
Manchin Keeps Up the Fight on Prescription Drug Abuse
Charleston, W.Va. - When lobbyists killed Senator Manchin's measure to make it harder to abuse drugs containing hydrocodone in May, he vowed to West Virginians that he would keep up the fight to end the prescription drug epidemic. Later this month, Senator Manchin will make good on that promise. The Food and Drug Administration is holding a public meeting on the dangers of hydrocodone at its headquarters in Silver Spring, Md. Senator Manchin will speak before the FDA's Drug Safety and Risk … Continue Reading
October 04, 2012
Manchin Congratulates Parkersburg Businesswoman on Prestigious Small Business Award
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) congratulated Judy K. Sheppard, President and CEO of Professional Services of America, on receiving the 2012 West Virginia and Region 3 Minority Small Business Person of the Year award presented by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The award recognizes personal entrepreneurial achievements and business development. "I've worked with Judy for years and can attest firsthand that she deserves this extremely prestigious award," Senator … Continue Reading
October 04, 2012
Manchin, Rockefeller Meet With NSA and Navy as Part of Continued Efforts to Maintain Sugar Grove Facility
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin announced that last week they coordinated a meeting with officials from the National Security Agency (NSA) and Navy to discuss the importance of maintaining the National Information Operations Command at Sugar Grove and keeping jobs at the facility in Pendleton Country. In July, NSA announced its intent to downsize the mission of the 330-person Sugar Grove operation as a result of a NSA-wide realignment of personnel and resources. … Continue Reading
October 04, 2012
Manchin, Rahall, Rockefeller Announce Funding for Boone Memorial Hospital
BECKLEY, W.Va. - U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), along with Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin (both D-W.Va.), Wednesday announced Federal funding to support the construction of a new hospital facility and clinic at Boone Memorial Hospital. "For almost five decades, Boone Memorial has helped serve the health needs of generations of families and I have been proud to work with them," said Rahall. "This major financing is a needed shot in the arm for Boone Memorial, its dedicated … Continue Reading
October 02, 2012
Senators Manchin, Rockefeller & Rep. Rahall Continue Efforts to Maintain Facility’s Future Operations
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) and Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va) today spoke with the head of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to stress just how crucial the Green Bank Observatory is to research and innovation around the world while underscoring its importance to West Virginia and the local economy. Rockefeller, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, has used his leadership position to weigh in on Green Bank as a state and … Continue Reading
October 02, 2012
Manchin, Rockefeller & Rahall Announce Grant for Marshall University’s Diabetes Outreach
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Jay Rockefeller, Chairman of the Finance Subcommittee on Health Care, and Senator Joe Manchin, along with Congressman Nick Rahall, today announced $257,000 in funding for Marshall University's Appalachian Diabetes Control and Translation Project (ADCTP), which provides diabetes education, prevention, and monitoring. "Diabetes is a national epidemic and particularly serious problem in West Virginia, affecting more than 1 in 10 adults in the state," said … Continue Reading
September 28, 2012
Manchin Welcomes Veterans to Charleston for USS West Virginia Reunion
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today proudly welcomed 11 World War II veterans who served on the USS West Virginia for their annual reunion. They plan to gather in West Virginia this year to share stories of their time in the armed services, visit the Culture Center to view artifacts from the USS West Virginia and attend a banquet in Beckley where a 20-foot scale model of the ship has been built. "It is such an honor for our great state to host the USS West Virginia … Continue Reading
September 28, 2012
Manchin, Inhofe Announce Senate Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Caucus
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a senior member on Senate Armed Services Committee, announced today the formation of the Senate Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Caucus. The mission of the bipartisan caucus will be to educate Senators and staff on the capabilities and concerns of UAS and to work closely together to best shape the UAS policymaking process. "The caucus will serve to provide … Continue Reading
September 27, 2012
Manchin, Rahall, Rockefeller Announce Federal Contract Award for Bluestone Dam Safety and Stabilization Project
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), along with Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin (both D-W.Va.), Thursday announced a nearly $55 million Federal contract for a local West Virginia business to continue stabilization and safety improvements at Bluestone Dam in Hinton. "By any measure, Bluestone Dam is a gigantic dynamo for our economy," said Rahall, top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee which has jurisdiction over U.S. Army Corps of … Continue Reading
September 27, 2012
Manchin Helps to Raise Awareness of Veterans’ Mental Health Services
Washington, D.C. - With military suicide rates at record highs, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today added his voice to major suicide prevention efforts from the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. Today, the Army held a global, service-wide "stand-down" to combat the alarmingly high suicide rate among our nation's servicemembers and veterans. September is Suicide Prevention Month, and throughout the month, the departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense have been focusing on … Continue Reading
September 27, 2012
Manchin Encourages West Virginians to Participate In 5th National Drug Take Back Day
Washington, D.C. - With a prescription drug epidemic raging in the country, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) encouraged West Virginians to participate on Saturday in the fifth National Drug Take Back Day, an opportunity to dispose of any expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs. The Drug Enforcement Administration has scheduled the fifth National Drug Take Back Day on September 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cleaning out medicine cabinets can reduce the risk of prescription drug abuse, … Continue Reading
September 26, 2012
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall & Tomblin Announce Significant Grant for Mine Safety Research at Marshall University
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin, along with Congressman Nick Rahall, today announced $96,306 in federal funding for Marshall University to develop a computer program to aid ventilation planning and simulate mine ventilation systems. This grant is part of the Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants that were established by the MINER Act, which Rockefeller co-authored and Congress passed in 2006. "We need to do everything in our power to make mining safer, and the … Continue Reading