Press Releases
Manchin: Washington May Be Broken, But It Will Not Break Me
Manchin makes clear he will not vote for current Reid or Boehner debt ceiling proposals, saying each fails to provide a commonsense, long-term debt fix Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor urging the President, his fellow Senators and Members of the House of Representatives to come together around a bipartisan, long-term debt fix that will prevent this nation from defaulting and being handed a devastating downgrade in its AAA … Continue Reading
July 27, 2011
Manchin, Colleagues Warn Obama: Arms Treaty Must Not Infringe on Gun Rights
Washington, D.C.-U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) has called on President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to guarantee the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans while negotiating the United Nations' Arms Trade Treaty, which must be ratified by the Senate. Senator Manchin joined his Senate colleagues, led by Senator John Tester (D-Mont.) in a letter stating that that the arms trade treaty must not "in any way regulate the domestic manufacture, possession, or … Continue Reading
July 26, 2011
Manchin Statement About USPS Plans to Potentially Close 150 Post Offices in West Va.
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today issued the following statement about the U.S. Postal Service's plans to study 150 post offices in West Virginia for potential closure as part of an effort to close a $20 billion budget gap. "While I understand that families and businesses are facing tough financial choices in a difficult economic climate, I urge the Post Office to make every effort to maintain services to the people who need them most," Senator Manchin said. "I … Continue Reading
July 26, 2011
Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce $612,931 to Provide Food and Shelter for West Virginians in Need
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller and Rep. Nick Rahall (all D-W.Va.) today announced that counties across West Virginia will receive a total of $612,931 to support social service agencies that help feed and shelter West Virginians in need. The funds will be used to supplement existing food, shelter, rent, mortgage and utility assistance programs for people going through non-disaster related emergencies. "The health and safety of all West Virginia residents … Continue Reading
July 22, 2011
Rahall, Rockefeller, Manchin Call for White House Support of National Guard on the Joint Chiefs
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), along with Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin (both D-W.Va.), Friday urged the President to support the bipartisan Guardians of Freedom Act they have sponsored to provide a position on the Joint Chiefs of Staff for the National Guard. "Our Guard members need a strong voice at the table when military strategies are developed," said Rahall. "I am pleased and proud to have introduced the bill in the House to help raise the … Continue Reading
July 22, 2011
Manchin: 'We Should Not Waste This Moment'
***Video, audio of speech included below*** Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor urging his Democratic and Republican colleagues to "seize the moment before us and confront our grave fiscal nightmare" and help pass a responsible Balanced Budget Amendment. While Senator Manchin is strongly supportive of balancing the nation's budget - like he did as Governor of West Virginia, ultimately producing annual surpluses - the House … Continue Reading
July 21, 2011
Manchin's Statement on EPA's Guidance on Water Quality
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement regarding the announcement that the Environmental Protection Agency has finalized its guidance on water quality. "I am so frustrated to see that the Environmental Protection Agency is ignoring federal law and issuing its final guidance on water quality without giving the public a real chance to talk about how their burdensome approach is impacting our jobs and our economy. Since the EPA hasn't listened to … Continue Reading
July 21, 2011
Manchin Statement on New York City Mayor Anti-Coal Agenda
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today made the following statement about New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's $50 million donation to support the Sierra Club's anti-coal agenda. "I am very disappointed that at a time when we should be looking for a balance in this country's energy policy - a balance that considers both the economy and the environment, and that takes into account all of this nation's vast domestic resources - the approach that Mayor Bloomberg has chosen … Continue Reading
July 21, 2011
Manchin: 'Gang of Six' Proposal Will Help Keep Our Promises to Seniors
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement regarding how the Gang of Six proposal will protect Social Security for the next 75 years. "With our nation facing a death spiral of debt, it will take bipartisan compromise to ensure we keep our promises to our seniors and protect vital programs, like Social Security and Medicare. Like all West Virginians, I believe in those programs and want to keep them strong now and into the future. The current Gang of … Continue Reading
July 20, 2011
Manchin Statement on Report that U.S. Funds are Going to Afghan Extremists
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement about an audit from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction detailing major abuses of U.S taxpayer dollars in Afghanistan. "The idea that U.S. taxpayers' hard-earned dollars could be siphoned off to fund the very extremists who are killing our troops just makes me sick to my stomach. It is unbelievable to imagine that as much as $10 million a day - that's more than $3.6 billion a year … Continue Reading
July 20, 2011
Building Your Business, Building Our Future: Manchin Staff to Host Small Business Outreach Sessions
***Special video message and audio actuality from Senator Manchin included below*** Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin's (D-W.Va.) staff will host three "Building Your Business, Building Our Future" workshops next week to focus on helping small businesses and entrepreneurs hoping to get their start. Senator Manchin's office will welcome officials from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the West Virginia Small Business Development Center to meetings in Charleston, Fairmont, … Continue Reading
July 20, 2011
Manchin Statement on Passage of Mil-Con Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today made the following statement after voting for the Fiscal Year 2012 Military-Construction-Veterans-Affairs Appropriations Act, which provides critical funding for our troops, supports thousands of well-paying jobs and ensures that our veterans receive the care and benefits they have earned. The bill passed the Senate 97-2. "Our troops have made the ultimate sacrifice for this country, and we should honor their dedication with the … Continue Reading
July 19, 2011
Manchin, Rockefeller Push for Full Funding of Appalachian Development Highway System
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin (both D-WV) today announced that they have introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS), which helps focus investments in rural parts of West Virginia and other states. The bill creates jobs and economic development opportunities for underserved areas of Appalachia and includes the support of Republican Senator Richard Shelby of Alabama. "The people of Appalachia deserve to … Continue Reading
July 19, 2011
Manchin Joins Colleagues to Urge Defense Department to Address Failing Infrastructure at Military Schools
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today joined 11 of his Senate colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter urging Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta to address the state of disrepair of many Department of Defense (DOD) schools for children of military families. More than 86,000 children attend DOD schools across the United States, Europe, and the Pacific region. "Our servicemembers and their families sacrifice so much for this country, so the last thing that our country … Continue Reading
July 19, 2011
Manchin Statement on Gang of Six Budget Meeting
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today released the following statement about a bipartisan budget meeting hosted by the Gang of Six this morning. More than 50 Senators from both political parties attended. "In the eight plus months I have been in Congress, I have never seen a more encouraging meeting, one in which members of both parties demonstrated their willingness to put aside partisanship and the next election for the future of our country," Senator Manchin said. … Continue Reading
July 15, 2011
Manchin to Geithner: We Must Put Social Security First
***Pathfire, Audio Available*** Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today wrote a letter to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner stressing the critical importance of keeping our promise to America's seniors and making Social Security a top priority if Washington should fail to come to an agreement on the debt ceiling by August 2. "If the worst happens, and Washington fails to do what is right and come to an agreement on the debt ceiling, families should not pay the … Continue Reading
July 14, 2011
Manchin Statement on AEP's Decision To End CCS Project At Mountaineer Plant
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today made the following statement regarding the announcement that American Electric Power will not move forward with plans to continue developing carbon capture and sequestration technology at the Mountaineer plant in West Virginia.? "I understand that in tough economic times, we cannot raise utility rates on our constituents in order to fund the development of new technologies," Senator Manchin said. "Still, I strongly believe in … Continue Reading
July 12, 2011
Manchin, Rockefeller Announce $2,785,000 in Funding for Rural Development Projects in Harrison and Randolph Counties
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller (both D-W.Va.) today announced funding for two rural development projects funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that will improve infrastructure in Harrison County and extend public water services to residents in Randolph County. The Dovetail Estates Property Owners Association, Inc., located in Bridgeport, will receive a $125,000 loan to repair resurface subdivision streets and install underground utilities. The … Continue Reading
July 11, 2011
Rockefeller, Manchin, Rahall Announce Over $1.7 Million for Upgraded County Buses, Bus Maintenance Throughout West Virginia
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin, along with Congressman Nick Rahall, announced $1,209,694 in new federal funding plus $438,842 in reallocated funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation for new public transit buses and vans to serve 19 counties in West Virginia. They also announced $97,600 for the Ohio Valley Regional Transportation Authority to purchase a lift that will enable maintenance work to be completed on its 31 vehicles including 26 public transit … Continue Reading
July 11, 2011
Rockefeller, Manchin, Rahall Announce $36,741 in Federal Funding for the Raleigh County Airport Authority to Purchase Safety Equipment
Washington, D.C. - Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin (both D-W.Va.), along with Congressman Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), today announced that the Raleigh County Airport Authority has been awarded a $36,741 grant through the Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The grant, awarded through the FAA's Airport Improvement Program (AIP), will enable the airport to purchase aircraft rescue and firefighting safety equipment. It will also provide for the purchase of … Continue Reading
