Press Releases
Manchin: Americans Deserve Better Than 2-Month Stopgap Measures and Partisan Games
Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Joe Manchin issued the following statement after voting against a 2-month proposal to extend the payroll tax cut. "No matter where anyone stands on the payroll tax debate, this 2-month proposal is a failure for the American people. I am furious and disgusted that anyone could imagine this stopgap measure is the best that Congress could offer hard-working Americans, seniors and the unemployed. Delaying a decision for another two months makes no sense - … Continue Reading
December 16, 2011
'Manchin’s Mailbox:' Episode 2
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today released his second episode of "Manchin's Mailbox" to answer questions from West Virginians about his positions on how to fix the nation's fiscal crisis, his bipartisan "Fair Compliance Act" and the extension of unemployment benefits. The 6-minute question-and-answer session can be found here. "Whether I am traveling around West Virginia or working in Washington to represent the values of our great state, this feature is an … Continue Reading
December 15, 2011
Manchin Applauds Elevation of National Guard to Joint Chiefs
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, voted today for final passage of a bipartisan bill to elevate the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and fund the Department of Defense for the coming year. The 2012 National Defense Authorization Act will now go to the President's desk for his signature. Senator Manchin, who was part of the group negotiating a compromise on the differences between a Senate … Continue Reading
December 14, 2011
Rahall, Rockefeller, Manchin Announce $12 Million Awarded for Prichard Intermodal
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Continuing efforts to improve the transportation system and economy of southern West Virginia, U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), along with Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin (both D-W.Va.), Wednesday announced the West Virginia Ports Authority has been awarded $12 million by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to construct a long-planned intermodal terminal along Norfolk Southern's Heartland Corridor near Prichard. "This is the king of jumpstarts for the … Continue Reading
December 14, 2011
Manchin Votes for Balanced Budget Amendment to Rein in Federal Spending and Set Country on Strong Financial Path
Washington, D.C.- U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), the cosponsor of a commonsense Balanced Budget Amendment, voted today to force the federal government to live within its means, just like families, businesses and states in every corner of this country. "I truly believe that most Americans not only support a balanced budget - they also live their lives with a balanced budget. It's time for the federal government to do the same," Senator Manchin said. "I was so proud to cosponsor the … Continue Reading
December 13, 2011
Manchin Cosponsors ‘No Budget, No Pay’ Legislation, Urges Support for No Labels’ ‘Make Congress Work’ Agenda
Washington, D.C.- As part of an effort to make Congress work better, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) signed on to bipartisan legislation today to prevent lawmakers from getting their paychecks if they don't produce a budget. The "No Budget, No Pay," legislation is just one of the initiatives that Senator Manchin supports in the "Make Congress Work" agenda, a 12-point proposal to help change the way Congress does business. Senator Manchin joined fellow lawmakers and No Labels - a group of … Continue Reading
December 12, 2011
Tuesday: Manchin to Support No Labels’ ‘Make Congress Work’ Agenda
Washington, D.C.- U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) will encourage his colleagues tomorrow to join him in supporting the "Make Congress Work" agenda, a 12-point proposal to help change the way Congress does business. The plan is being offered by No Labels, a group of Democrats, Republicans and Independents who are dedicated to taking partisan politics out of government and getting this country moving again. Senator Manchin will participate in a press conference at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow in … Continue Reading
December 08, 2011
Manchin Votes Against Two Measures That Would Jeopardize Social Security
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today voted against a second round of payroll tax cut extensions that would take hundreds of billions of dollars out of the funding stream for Social Security. "I truly believe that we need to do everything we can to put money back in the pockets of hardworking families, and I'm open to plenty of options for doing just that - but I won't jeopardize Social Security," Manchin said. "Supporters of these proposals call them a temporary tax … Continue Reading
December 08, 2011
Facts About the Payroll Tax Cut Proposals to Jeopardize Social Security
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) released the following disturbing facts about the future of Social Security if Congress extends the payroll tax cut. Senator Manchin said: "I truly agree with the words of our great President Franklin Delano Roosevelt - who created Social Security - when he said: 'We put those payroll contributions there so as to give the contributors a legal, moral, and political right to collect their pensions and their unemployment benefits. With those … Continue Reading
December 07, 2011
Manchin Statement on 70th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today issued the following statement on the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor: "Today marks the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor - a devastating attack that stunned our nation and took the lives of thousands of Americans. This horrific attack united our country and inspired millions of Americans to join the fight by serving in our military, going to work in our factories or buying war bonds and making sacrifices to support … Continue Reading
December 06, 2011
Senator Manchin Statement on MSHA’s UBB Report
***Pathfire, FTP, Audio Available*** Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin today issued the following statement about the investigation of the Mine Safety and Health Administration into the Upper Big Branch mine disaster. "Words can't describe how disturbing it is that this tragedy could have been prevented - and all of the official reports that have been issued in this investigation agree on that point. What is clear from these findings is that these mistakes are totally … Continue Reading
December 06, 2011
Manchin Statement on $209 Million Upper Big Branch Settlement
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) released the following statement today about the historic $209 million Corporate Criminal Resolution between the U.S. Department of Justice and Alpha Natural Resources in connection with the Upper Big Branch mining tragedy. "This comprehensive and forward-looking settlement takes the right steps to truly protect our miners. By investing more than $120 million in mine safety - including improvements to existing mines, a new West … Continue Reading
December 06, 2011
Manchin Statement on Payroll Tax Cut Compromise, Protecting Social Security
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) made the following statement about the compromise offer to extend the payroll tax cuts that fund Social Security. "I applaud any serious effort at compromise, but let me be clear: we should not and cannot jeopardize the way we fund Social Security and the promises we've made to our seniors. As I have said before, if we are serious about saving and protecting Social Security, we should not use Social Security contributions to pay for … Continue Reading
December 01, 2011
Manchin Votes to Support America’s Troops and West Virginia’s Priorities
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) voted tonight for the National Defense Authorization Act, a bill that advances many of West Virginians' highest priorities, including elevating the National Guard to a position on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, accelerating the end of the war in Afghanistan and providing a pay raise to our troops. The bill passed the Senate 93-7. "In West Virginia, we set our priorities based on our values, and one of the values I hold most dear is taking … Continue Reading
December 01, 2011
Manchin: This is our Moment to Stand Up for Social Security
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said on the Senate floor today that he will not vote to take hundreds of billions of dollars out of Social Security's funding stream to pay for an extension of a payroll tax cut that has failed to create jobs. "Americans pay for one thing with our payroll tax. One. Social Security," Senator Manchin said. "Yet at a time when our nation faces a death spiral of debt - when we should be talking about how we can come together to fix a fiscal … Continue Reading
November 29, 2011
Manchin Applauds Senate Passage of Plan to Elevate National Guard to Joint Chiefs of Staff
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today praised the United States Senate for approving an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would elevate the National Guard to a position on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "Our National Guard and Reserve forces have taken on a major role in our combat missions abroad, while continuing to take the lead on the front lines during disasters here at home," Senator Manchin said. "This nation's increased reliance on the … Continue Reading
November 23, 2011
Manchin Wishes West Virginians a Happy Thanksgiving
***Audio, Video Available*** Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today released the following statement wishing West Virginians a happy Thanksgiving: "This week, we will come together with our families, our friends and our communities to give thanks for all of our many blessings. I know that for many West Virginians, like Americans all over the country, this year has brought many new challenges and hardships - especially as so many families are struggling to make ends … Continue Reading
November 21, 2011
Manchin Reacts to Super Committe Failure, Recommends Vote on Bipartisan Plan
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement today after the so-called super committee announced that its 12 members failed to meet the deadline for finding $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction. Earlier today, Senator Manchin sent a letter (attached) to the President and all Congressional leaders urging them to allow a vote on the deficit-cutting recommendations of the bipartisan Bowles-Simpson commission. "I am truly disappointed that the super … Continue Reading
November 21, 2011
Manchin: Let Us Vote On Bowles-Simpson Recommendations
To date, Bowles-Simpson is the only bipartisan plan that achieves $4 trillion in deficit reduction and provides pro-growth tax reform, long-term entitlement reform Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) sent a letter today to President Obama and Congressional leaders urging them to schedule a vote on the recommendations of the Bowles-Simpson Fiscal Commission if the so-called super committee fails to meet its deadline for finding $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction. "I don't … Continue Reading
November 20, 2011
On CBS’s Face The Nation Manchin Says Super Committee Failure ‘Is Not An Option’
Washington, D.C. - On his first Sunday morning national talk show appearance today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said on CBS's Face the Nation that failure cannot be an option for the deficit reduction super committee, which has a Wednesday deadline for finding $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction. Senator Manchin said that if the super committee cannot agree to a plan, the bipartisan group of about 140 House Members and Senators who have urged the super committee to "Go Big" and find $4 … Continue Reading
