Press Releases
Manchin Asks Napolitano for Federal Disaster Aid
Washington, D.C.-U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) spoke with and wrote to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano today to describe West Virginia's critical need for federal assistance after devastating storms that caused severe damage in 10 counties. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Last week, Governor Earl Ray Tomblin requested a Presidential Disaster Declaration for the state of West Virginia, with thousands of residents … Continue Reading
March 14, 2012
Manchin, Rockefeller Speak on Senate Floor on Importance of Century Aluminum Deal for Retirees
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller today spoke on the Senate floor in their first-ever colloquy about what a deal means for Century Aluminum retirees and Karen Gorrell's tremendous efforts to reach a deal with the company. Click HERE to view video of Manchin and Rockefeller … Continue Reading
March 14, 2012
Manchin Votes for Bipartisan Transportation Bill to Create Jobs and Build America’s Future
Senator Manchin also votes for 'Buy American' amendment to close loopholes that allow some infrastructure projects to be outsourced Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today joined a bipartisan group of Senators in passing the surface transportation bill, which will create good jobs, preserve our nation's highway system and fund highway, transit, and safety programs for the next two years. The bill passed by a vote of 74-22. "Investing in infrastructure is not a … Continue Reading
March 12, 2012
Manchin, Rockefeller Congratulate James McCormick, Recipient of ‘Citizen Service Before Self’ Honor
Washington, D.C. - United States Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller (both D-W.Va.) today congratulated James McCormick of New Haven, West Virginia for receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation's Citizen Service Before Self award for 2012. He has been recognized for selflessly helping hundreds of homeless veterans find jobs and housing through his non-profit, Raising Cane Farms. "James McCormick is someone we should all be proud of, for the way he has served this nation in … Continue Reading
March 12, 2012
Manchin Introduces Concealed Carry Reciprocity Law to Support Second Amendment Rights
Washington, D.C. -- In an effort to remove burdensome red tape that limits the ability of legal concealed carry permit holders to carry concealed firearms into other states that allow them, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is sponsoring the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2012, which has the backing of the National Rifle Association. Under the legislation, an individual with a valid ID and concealed carry permit would be allowed to carry a concealed handgun into any state that … Continue Reading
March 11, 2012
Manchin, Rockefeller Announce Funding for Public Housing Across West Virginia
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin (both D-W.Va.) today announced that counties throughout West Virginia will receive $7.9 million to develop decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. These funds are administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). "Funding for public housing is an investment in the future of West Virginia," said Rockefeller. "Communities across the state … Continue Reading
March 10, 2012
Manchin Urges Quick Review and Approval of Major Disaster Declaration for W.Va.
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) sent a letter to President Barack Obama today and urged the Administration to quickly review and approve Governor Earl Ray Tomblin's request for the declaration of a major disaster for the state of West Virginia. Senator Manchin spent this week and weekend receiving briefings and touring storm damage in Marion, Lincoln and Wayne counties. Additional counties in West Virginia that experienced severe damage include Doddridge, Harrison, … Continue Reading
March 09, 2012
Manchin Statement on Changes to Essential Air Service in W.Va.
Washington, D.C.-U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today released the following statement regarding news from Colgan Air that they will cease Essential Air Services (EAS) operations at Raleigh County Memorial Airport, Morgantown Municipal Airport and North Central West Virginia Airport in Bridgeport. "Safe, reliable transportation is critical to attracting residents, businesses and economic activity to our communities, and I know that the Essential Air Service provided by Colgan Air is so … Continue Reading
March 09, 2012
Manchin to Tour Marion Co. Flood Damage
Washington, D.C. - United States Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) will today receive a briefing from the West Virginia National Guard on recovery efforts in Marion County following last week's devastating floods. At 1 p.m., Senator Manchin will be briefed at the Marion County 9/11 Center. Members of the media are invited to attend. Senator Manchin will also tour storm damage in Lincoln and Wayne counties this weekend. Details on these visits will be released shortly. FRIDAY, March 9, 2012 Senator … Continue Reading
March 08, 2012
Manchin Votes to Approve Keystone XL Pipeline, Create American Jobs
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) voted today for several amendments to the Surface Transportation Bill that would boost the economy, create jobs and help the country better use all of our vast energy resources. Senator Manchin cosponsored S.A.1537, an amendment to authorize construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada, creating thousands of American construction jobs that both business and labor groups have supported. The amendment, offered by Senator John … Continue Reading
March 08, 2012
Manchin Continues Commonsense Push to Reduce Expensive Overseas Military Contractors and Strengthen Uniformed Service Members
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) questioned Army Secretary John McHugh and General Ray Odierno about the Army's reliance on security and service contractors in the face of possible budget cuts and troop reductions. Senator Manchin pointed out to Secretary McHugh and General Odierno that the United States has 90,000 service members deployed in Afghanistan, but they are outnumbered by more than 113,000 contractors the government employs. Many of the overseas contractors … Continue Reading
March 07, 2012
Manchin, Bipartisan Group of Senators Call on President to Bring Troops Home From Afghanistan
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) called on President Obama to bring American combat forces home from Afghanistan, joining 23 of his colleagues from both political parties in a letter to the White House. Senator Manchin has visited Afghanistan twice: once in 2006, when he was Governor and again in February 2011. Since his return, he has strongly advocated for a swift end to the nation-building mission in Afghanistan and a renewed focus on counterterrorism operations around … Continue Reading
March 07, 2012
Manchin, Moran Introduce Legislation to Improve Lending to Small Businesses
Washington, D.C - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) introduced the Financial Institutions Examination Fairness and Reform Act to fix regulatory problems that are making it difficult for small businesses to get needed loans to expand and create more jobs. The bill would establish a more transparent approach to bank examinations and create a faster appeals process for financial institutions in times when there is a legitimate disagreement between a regulator and the … Continue Reading
March 06, 2012
Manchin, Rockefeller Make Renewed Push for Appalachian Highway System
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin (both D-WV) today announced that they are working again to get full funding to complete the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS), which would focus investments in rural parts of West Virginia and other states. "After 47 years, I had hoped that the Appalachian Development Highway System would be complete by now, but there are still portions that need to be built. I believe that Congress should stand by that commitment," said … Continue Reading
March 06, 2012
Manchin Stresses Importance of Child Nutrition in West Virginia Schools
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) met with members of the West Virginia School Nutrition Association today to discuss ways to improve nutrition programs in schools across West Virginia. They discussed ways to increase participation in breakfast programs, plans to implement innovative meal programs, and how to cook more nutritious food so children can eat well-balanced meals in West Virginia schools. "Lifelong health starts when you're very young, so I've always made … Continue Reading
March 06, 2012
Manchin Statement on MSHA's Internal Report Into Upper Big Branch Tragedy
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement about the results of an internal investigation conducted by the Mine Safety and Health Administration into its own work leading up to the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster that claimed 29 lives. "We all know that mistakes were made leading up to the disaster at Upper Big Branch, and four separate reports have already confirmed that this tragedy could have been prevented and 29 miners could still be going home … Continue Reading
March 06, 2012
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Work to Reduce Cost of Gas for Struggling Families
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin, as well as Congressman Nick Rahall, today urged a federal watchdog to do more to make sure that a few Wall Street insiders are not impacting the price of gas for struggling families. Rockefeller, Manchin, and Rahall sent a letter to the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) urging the agency to implement new policies to better regulate oil speculation as required by the Wall Street reform law passed in 2010. "It's … Continue Reading
March 05, 2012
Manchin Committed to Federal Disaster Aid for Areas Hit in Weekend Storms
Charleston, W.Va. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) received a briefing this morning from the West Virginia National Guard and Division of Homeland Security on how the state is coping with major weather damage from weekend storms. At the briefing, Senator Manchin underscored his commitment to making sure that West Virginia receives the federal disaster aid needed to help rebuild damaged areas. "Our hearts go out to the families and communities that have been deeply affected by the storms … Continue Reading
March 01, 2012
Manchin Statement on Job-Creating Expansion at Buffalo Toyota Plant
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today made the following statement about Toyota's planned expansion at West Virginia's Buffalo plant, which will amount to a total investment of $45 million and is expected to create 80 new jobs. "Toyota is one of West Virginia's best partners, and I am thrilled that the company is planning another investment and expansion that will create 80 new jobs at our very own Buffalo plant," Senator Manchin said. "This announcement speaks to the … Continue Reading
February 29, 2012
Manchin: ‘We’re Going to Fight for Every Job’
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement about the agreement in principle reached between Century Aluminum and its retirees to provide health care and potentially return hundreds of good-paying jobs at the Ravenswood plant. "This is a great day for West Virginia's hard-working families because we've taken a major step to show the world that we can come together to do what is right - and that we're going to fight for every job. As West Virginia … Continue Reading
