Press Releases
West Virginia, Virginia Congressional Delegations Chide Postmaster General on Consolidations and Closures
BECKLEY, WV - Members of the West Virginia and Virginia Congressional Delegations today joined together to express their concern about the proposed consolidation and closure of postal facilities in southwest Virginia and southern West Virginia. The Postal Service has proposed thirty-one discontinuance studies in the USPS Appalachian District, which is the first step in the process for closing a post office. It is also conducting an Area Mail Processing study at the Bluefield Processing and … Continue Reading
April 19, 2011
Manchin, Rockefeller Announce Funding to Construct New Sewer System for Putnam County
Washington, D.C. - United States Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller (both D-W.Va.) today announced that the Putnam Public Service District, which serves Putnam County, will receive a $564,800 loan from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to construct a new sanitary sewer collection system for several areas in the county. The funding will help replace aging and deteriorated sewer collection lines, and allow the system to serve an additional 448 customers in the areas of … Continue Reading
April 18, 2011
Manchin, Rockefeller Announce $5M to Repair Storm-Damaged Highways
Washington, D.C.- U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller (both D-W.Va.) today announced that the West Virginia Department of Transportation will receive $5 million in funding from the United States Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration Emergency Relief (ER) Program to repair several storm-damaged highways. The funding will be used to repair highways damaged in major storms in March and June of 2010. Repair work can include emergency fixes needed to restore … Continue Reading
April 15, 2011
Manchin Cosponsors "Serve" Act to Strengthen Privacy and Dignity for Families at Military Funerals
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Joe Manchin is cosponsoring a bipartisan bill that would increase privacy and dignity for families at military funerals. "The brave men and women who give their lives for our freedoms should receive all our honor and respect, and their families who must bear the terrible pain of their loss deserve no less," Senator Manchin said. "I truly believe that the actions of those who protest at military funerals must be condemned in the strongest terms, and that is why … Continue Reading
April 15, 2011
At Macy's Groundbreaking, Manchin Celebrates Creation of Nearly 2,000 Good Jobs in Martinsburg
**Photo Available** Martinsburg, W.VA.-- After months of laying the groundwork to recruit Macy's to West Virginia, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin proudly helped the company break ground for its new facility in Martinsburg, where it will create nearly 2,000 good-paying permanent and seasonal jobs. "With nearly 2,000 new jobs coming, today is a bright day for West Virginia and all our families," Senator Manchin said. "Macy's could have created these jobs anywhere in the country, but the reason … Continue Reading
April 14, 2011
Manchin Statements On Spending Cuts, Health Care and Title X
Washington, D.C.-- U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statements today after several votes on the Senate floor. SPENDING CUTS "I am glad that Democrats and Republicans could come together to make critical spending cuts. However, the road back to fiscal health will be long and hard, and today's vote is just a first step," Senator Manchin said. "We must immediately begin to address our critical long-term debt and deficit problems - hopefully in bipartisan fashion. As I … Continue Reading
April 14, 2011
Manchin Applauds Full Repeal of Jobs-Destroying 1099 Provision
Washington, D.C. - As the lead Democrat on the successful effort to eliminate part of the health care law, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today applauded the final repeal of the onerous, jobs-destroying 1099 provision. If implemented the infamous 1099 provision would have paralyzed small businesses with paperwork and hurt job creation by requiring businesses, charities and churches to file an IRS form for any transaction greater than $600. As the final step in a long process, the … Continue Reading
April 14, 2011
Manchin Works with U.S. Postmaster to Preserve Mail Service in West Virginia
In letter, Manchin asks that no further action be taken on postal closures until after postmaster hears from West Virginians Washington, D.C. - On the heels of several studies to potentially shutter West Virginia post offices, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) has reached an agreement with the U.S. Postmaster General to hold public meetings about the impact of potential post office closures all over the state. The Senator underscored the agreement today in a letter and also urged the … Continue Reading
April 14, 2011
Manchin Introduces Title X Transparency and Verification Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin today introduced the "Title X Transparency and Verification Act," legislation that would verify safeguards that prevent federal funds from being used for abortions by increasing public scrutiny for family planning funding and bringing needed transparency to agencies' use of the funds. Under the legislation, the Department of Health and Human Services would post independent audits online for any agencies that receive money under Title X. … Continue Reading
April 14, 2011
Manchin, Rockefeller Announce $102,381 For City of Parkersburg Fire Department
Washington, D.C. - United States Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller (both D-W.Va.), today announced that the City of Parkersburg Fire Department will receive $102,381 in funding through the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The funds will go toward operations and safety, and can be used to purchase training and personal protective equipment, for wellness and fitness, and to make health and safety modifications to stations and facilities. "I … Continue Reading
April 13, 2011
Manchin's Statement on President Obama's Speech on Reducing the Deficit
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement today after President Obama delivered a speech on reducing the nation's debt: "While I am encouraged to see the President acknowledge the dire condition of our fiscal problems, no partisan proposal - from either Democrats or Republicans - will solve our nation's problems or put our fiscal house in order. "Although the President raised many important fiscal issues, I will continue to strongly oppose … Continue Reading
April 13, 2011
Manchin, Rockefeller Announce $139,502 to Better Prepare Low-Income Families for the Workforce
Washington, D.C. - United States Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller (both D-W.Va.), today announced that local housing programs across West Virginia will receive $139,502 to support the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Family Self-Sufficiency Program, which assists very low-income families find employment and achieve economic independence. Local public housing agencies are responsible for administering this assistance. "These funds will help us care for our most … Continue Reading
April 09, 2011
Manchin Statement on Tonight's Budget Agreement
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement regarding the budget agreement that was reached tonight: "Today's agreement is a victory for fiscal responsibility, West Virginians and the American people. I am especially pleased that with this bipartisan compromise, the brave men and women serving in our military will continue to receive their paychecks on time, and seniors and veterans will experience no interruption in the vital services they rely on. … Continue Reading
April 08, 2011
Manchin: Focus on Budget Crisis, Come Together to Put Fiscal House in Order
Washington, D.C. -With the clock ticking toward a possible federal government shutdown, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) delivered a speech tonight on the floor of the U.S. Senate urging his colleagues to focus on budget issues instead of social issues and come to consensus. If no compromise can be reached, the government will shut down at midnight. Below are Senator Manchin's remarks, as prepared for delivery: "When I was governor of West Virginia, we grappled with putting a budget … Continue Reading
April 08, 2011
Manchin Supports Legislation to Ensure Members of the Military Receive Pay During Government Shutdown
Washington, D.C. - After pledging to return his pay to the U.S. Treasury for as long as the government shuts down, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today announced that he will also cosponsor legislation to ensure that military personnel - including all active, reserve, and Coast Guard - will continue to receive their pay without interruption in the event of a government shutdown. Without this legislation, members of the military will experience a delay in their pay for serving this nation. … Continue Reading
April 07, 2011
Manchin's 'No Budget, No Pay' Pledge Gains Bipartisan Support
Washington, D.C. - Republicans and Democrats alike are joining U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) in his "No Budget, No Pay" pledge to forego their federal salaries if the government shuts down. Just a few hours ago, Senator Manchin began circulating a letter urging all his colleagues - from the President and Vice President to all Members of the House and Senate - to do the same, and either give their salaries to the U.S. Treasury Department or donate them to charities. "I'm so encouraged … Continue Reading
April 07, 2011
Manchin: I Will Forgo My Federal Salary if the Government Shuts Down
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) will return his federal salary to the U.S. Treasury Department if the government shuts down, and is urging all his colleagues - from the President and Vice President to all Members of the House and Senate - to do the same. In a letter he is circulating to his colleagues today asking them to make the same pledge, Senator Manchin says it does not make any sense for elected officials to get paid during a government shutdown. "The bottom … Continue Reading
April 06, 2011
Manchin Votes to Rein in EPA, Prevent Agency from Overstepping Its Authority
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today voted in favor of two critical measures to stop the Environmental Protection Agency from overreaching its authority to regulate what has not been legislated. He issued the following statement about the measures, sponsored by Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) and Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky): "I believe it is fundamentally wrong for any bureaucratic agency to go around the will of the people and try to regulate what we … Continue Reading
April 06, 2011
Rockefeller, Manchin Announce $915,867 For Health Centers Across West Virginia
Washington, D.C. -Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin (both D-W.Va.) today announced that the Belington Community Medical Services Association (BCMSA), Shenandoah Valley Medical System, Inc. in Martinsburg and Community Health Systems, Inc. HHS (CHS) in Beckley will receive a total of $915,867 from the United States Department of Health and Human Services' Health Center Cluster Program. These funds will help these health centers continue and improve their operations. The Belington … Continue Reading
April 05, 2011
West Virginia Delegation Honors Fallen Miners
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Jay Rockefeller today joined members of the House and Senate Congressional delegation and introduced a resolution in honor of the 29 miners who perished at the Upper Big Branch mine in April of last year. "I am honored to join my West Virginia colleagues in calling upon the United States Congress to pay tribute to the lost lives at the Upper Big Branch mine. Today's anniversary is an important time to reflect on the 29 men who went into work that day and never … Continue Reading
