{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"House\", state = \"WV\" and year = 2015 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-capito-wishes-west-virginians-a-merry-christmas-and-happy-new-year", "Video: Capito Wishes West Virginians a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year", "2015-12-23", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Shelley Capito", "C001047", "www.capito.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.23.15\n\t\t\t Video: Capito Wishes West Virginians a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t I ask that you join me in thanking those who are serving far away from home and loved ones this holiday season. Their sacrifices enable us to enjoy the freedoms we cherish, and we must keep these brave men and women in our thoughts and prayers. - Senator Capito\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t \nClick here or the image above to watch the video \r\n**Download the video here**\r\n CHARLESTON, W.Va.  U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today issued a video statement wishing West Virginians a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.\r\nFull video transcript included below:\r\nHello and Merry Christmas!\nDuring this time of year, it is customary for family and friends to gather together and reflect on the year that has passed.\nAs I reflect on my first year in the United States Senate, I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve West Virginia and proud of the work we have accomplished.\nFrom education reform, to a highway bill, to funding our nations military - the Republican-led Senate is off to a strong start.\nI look forward to building on this years accomplishments as we create new opportunities for our state in 2016.\nI ask that you join me in thanking those who are serving far away from home and loved ones this holiday season.\nTheir sacrifices enable us to enjoy the freedoms we cherish, and we must keep these brave men and women in our thoughts and prayers.\nI wish all West Virginians a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=351a6144-eb1c-4c8e-b2ab-0832633d2767", "Manchin Condemns Delay of New CDC Draft Guidelines for Opioid Prescribing", "2015-12-23", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 23, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Condemns Delay of New CDC Draft Guidelines for Opioid Prescribing  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t In letter to Secretary Burwell, Senator Manchin urges Department of Health and Human Services to support release of new CDC guidelines\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell urging the agency to support the release of the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) Draft Guidelines for Opioid Prescribing, which have been delayed in response to pressure from outside groups, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).\r\nSenator Manchin wrote in part: The CDC very recently released alarming new statistics that show that there was a 16% increase in the number of prescription-opioid related deaths between 2013 and 2014. 18,893 people died in 2014 due to prescription drugs; thats 51 people dying every day.Given these numbers and the human toll they represent in West Virginia and around the country, I am frustrated that the CDC has decided to delay the release of these guidelines. I am particularly disturbed by the role that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) played in this decision to delay. At a recent meeting, the FDAs Director of the Division of Anesthesia, Analgesia and Addiction Products, Sharon Hertz, was one of the strongest voices against the guidelines. While the President of the United States, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and every other agency of the federal government has been actively working to save lives and stop this epidemic, the FDA is working against these efforts and further endangering the public.\r\nPlease read the full text of the Senator letter below or here.\r\nDear Secretary Burwell,\r\nAs the senior Senator from West Virginia, I have seen firsthand the devastating effects of prescription drug abuse on individuals, families, and communities in my state, and I believe strongly that we need to do everything we can to stop this epidemic. One critical step that we must immediately take is to encourage the responsible prescribing of opioids. This is why I and many of my Senate colleagues have expressed strong support for the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) Draft Guidelines for Opioid Prescribing, and why I am very disappointed that these guidelines are being delayed.\r\nThe CDC very recently released alarming new statistics that show that there was a 16% increase in the number of prescription-opioid related deaths between 2013 and 2014. 18,893 people died in 2014 due to prescription drugs; thats 51 people dying every day. Since 1999, weve lost almost 200,000 Americans to prescription opioid abuse. This is an epidemic that requires all Americans to unite in order to stem the tide.\r\nGiven these numbers and the human toll they represent in West Virginia and around the country, I am frustrated that the CDC has decided to delay the release of these guidelines. I am particularly disturbed by the role that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) played in this decision to delay. At a recent meeting, the FDAs Director of the Division of Anesthesia, Analgesia and Addiction Products, Sharon Hertz, was one of the strongest voices against the guidelines. While the President of the United States, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and every other agency of the federal government has been actively working to save lives and stop this epidemic, the FDA is working against these efforts and further endangering the public.\r\nIn 2013, health care providers wrote 207 million prescriptions for prescription opioid painkillers, almost quadruple the number written in 1999. This is enough for almost every American to have a bottle of pills. According to the CDC, this increase has come without a corresponding increase in reported pain, but it does correspond with a 400% increase in overdose deaths. Still, the FDA continues to approve ever stronger and more dangerous opioid medications, including Zohydro. It is appalling to see an FDA official actively work against an effort intended to clarify that these are dangerous drugs that must be prescribed carefully.\r\nThe CDCs draft guidelines represent a reasonable, commonsense approach to help doctors take into account the very real and prevalent danger of addiction and overdose death when prescribing opioids. They will help us reduce opioid addiction and diversion and save lives without compromising access to needed treatment.\r\nAs the CDC moves forward with the prescribing guidelines, I hope that you and all of HHS will stand behind the CDC in pushing for the strongest possible set of recommendations to help end prescription opioid abuse and overdose deaths. Too many people in our communities are losing their lives, families, and futures to prescription opioids. We must not delay or weaken our efforts to help them.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=61a488d5-f81f-4343-ac23-4319531d363b", "Manchin Family Wishes All West Virginians a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year", "2015-12-23", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 23, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Family Wishes All West Virginians a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today issued the following statement wishing all West Virginians a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.\r\nOn behalf of my wife Gayle and the entire Manchin family, I would like to wish all West Virginians and Americans a very merry Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.\r\nThere is no time like the holidays to celebrate the love of families and friends and reflect on our countless blessings. I have always said that if you can count your blessings, you can share your blessings. During this most spiritual time, each and every one of us should share our blessings by helping those in need.\r\nAs you come together with your families, remember that we would not be able to enjoy our blessings without the brave men and women who have served and who continue to serve our country. Many of our dedicated service members will not be celebrating Christmas with their loved ones this year because they are serving our great nation, both at home and abroad. Not just during the holidays, but every day of the year, let us keep them and their families in our prayers and our hearts.\r\nAgain, Gayle and I wish you all a merry Christmas and we pray that each of you enjoy the holidays filled with hope, peace and joy. With the start of a New Year, let us all recommit to building a future of freedom and prosperity for ourselves, our families, our communities and our country. May God watch over and bless us all and may God continue to bless America, and the great state of West Virginia.\r\nTo view a YouTube video of Senator Manchins Christmas greeting, please click here.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mckinley.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=2957", "WBOY: Congressman McKinley Meets With Clarksburg Water Board", "2015-12-22", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "David McKinley", "M001180", "mckinley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman David McKinley met with officials from the Clarksburg Water Board on Wednesday.  McKinley spent the day in Harrison County asking many organizations how he could best bring their concerns to Washington when the session returns next week.  Officials with the Water Board say they want to look into consolidation of water systems around the state to help make federal funding more worthwhile.  To read the rest of the article, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mckinley.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=2960", "WDTV: Delegation sends letter to President requesting more flood assistance in WV", "2015-12-22", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "David McKinley", "M001180", "mckinley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito, as well as Representatives David McKinley, Evan Jenkins, and Alex Mooney sent a letter to President Trump asking for more assistance to be granted for those affected by storms on July 28 and 29 in North Central West Virginia.  In the letter, the delegation showed support for Governor Jim Justices request to include West Virginia in any request submitted to Congress for supplemental appropriations.  A major disaster declaration was made for Harrison, Marion, Marshall, and Wetzel counties after the storms. Federal funding was made available Doddridge, Harrison, Marion, Marshall, Monongalia, Ohio, Preston, Randolph, Taylor, Tucker, Tyler, and Wetzel counties. The deadline to apply for assistance from FEMA or the Small Business Administration was October 17.  To read the full article, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=11446fdc-8bc9-472f-af80-8964f748ed0e", "End Irrational Special Breaks | The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register", "2015-12-22", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 22, 2015\n\t\t\t End Irrational Special Breaks | The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tChristmas came early for many special interests. Congress Claus loaded his sleigh with billions of dollars in tax breaks and delivered them last week.\r\nSen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., put it this way in a speech on the Senate floor: \"I have never seen so many gifts and presents given out in one bill. ... We are giving out $680 billion in irresponsible tax break Christmas gifts to every special interest and corporation that asked for one.\"\r\nManchin went on to list some of the beneficiaries: \"We gave Christmas presents to millionaire race car drivers and motorcycle riders, television and theater producers and even race horse owners.\"\r\nThe Mountain State senator did not have time to list all the special-interest tax breaks included in the bill. There were hundreds of them in the 2,000 or so pages of the measure.\r\nBut for the most part, this was no partisan giveaway rammed through Congress by either Democrats or Republicans. Powerful lawmakers of both parties got to play Santa Claus.\r\nAnd it was no aberration; this sort of thing happens regularly in Washington and has for many years.\r\nNo wonder Americans suffer under the weight of an $18.6 trillion national debt.\r\nNothing but voters demanding and enforcing accountability will end the madness.\r\nBut Manchin pointed out two enabling features of life on Capitol Hill. First, he noted, \"we have stopped following regular order.\"\r\nTo most Americans, that may sound like political jargon, but it actually is quite simple. As Manchin explained, it amounts to dealing with spending through 12 separate appropriations bills rather than the single omnibus measure used last week.\r\nRegular order provides more structure, balance, oversight and yes, time for lawmakers to consider spending bills responsibly. It has not been used for years.\r\nIn addition, \"Instead of working throughout the year in a bipartisan way, we continue to govern by crisis,\" Manchin reminded his fellow senators. Spending bills tend to be cobbled together in the face of \"government shutdown\" threats that give no one involved any incentive to examine and debate the action.\r\nManchin is right - but as he knows well, the dysfunctional process has become nearly a tradition in Washington.\r\nPerhaps Santa will come even earlier next year - in November.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\t    By:\n\t\t\t\t    Editorial \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-and-manchin-congratulate-wheeling-jesuit-on-volleyball-national-championship", "Capito and Manchin Congratulate Wheeling Jesuit on Volleyball National Championship", "2015-12-21", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Shelley Capito", "C001047", "www.capito.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.21.15\n\t\t\t Capito and Manchin Congratulate Wheeling Jesuit on Volleyball National Championship \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  A resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) congratulating the Wheeling Jesuit University Womens Volleyball team on their victory in the Division II National Championship passed late Friday.\r\nThe Senate resolution recognizes the Wheeling Jesuit Cardinals players and coaches on their victory over Palm Beach Atlantic University. To read the resolution in its entirety, click here.\r\nI am beyond thrilled for the young women and coaches of the Wheeling Jesuit volleyball team for winning the Division II National Championship and making West Virginia proud, said Senator Capito. As the mother of a former college volleyball player, I have seen the hard work and dedication that is required of student athletes. Balancing education and athletics is no easy task, and these young women have shown that they can do just that and thrive at the top level. It is my pleasure to congratulate the Cardinals on their first-ever National Championship!\nI am so proud of the Wheeling Jesuit volleyball team for winning the Division II National Championship, Senator Manchin said. Being a student athlete can be challenging, and these young women and coaches have proven you can have both academic and athletic success. The Cardinals have worked hard toward their first-ever National Championship, and I commend them on their dedication and sportsmanship. Congratulations!\nIndividual player accolades are listed below:\nAndrea Thobe, Most Outstanding Player Award  Jessica Thobe, All-Tournament Team  Haley Kindall, All-Tournament Team  Kayce Krucki, All-Tournament Team\nThe 2015 Wheeling Jesuit Cardinals National Championship Team:\nAndrea Thobe  Abby Moffit  Kayce Krucki  Haley Kindall  Alexa Brown  Sydney Obringer  Maddy Smyth  Jessica Thobe  Allegra Shippy  Julie Henderson  Samantha Obringer  Maddy Kassen  Emily Blank  Katie Campbell  Emma Schleucher  Lauren Graves\nHead Coach Christy Benner  Assistant Coach Matt Benner  Graduate Assistant Coach Allissa Ware  \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=1a3a4b68-fb84-458d-9618-b905f53e1ac4", "Manchin Applauds Senate Passage of GONE Act to Cut Government Waste", "2015-12-21", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 21, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Applauds Senate Passage of GONE Act to Cut Government Waste \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Manchin-Fischer bill would save taxpayer dollars by closing expired grant accounts\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  On Friday, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed The Grants Oversight and New Efficiency (GONE) Act, bipartisan legislation to save taxpayer dollars by providing additional oversight over the financial accountability of federal grant programs. The bill, which was reintroduced by Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) in April, would require agencies to close out expired grant accounts with zero dollar balances and undisbursed funding remaining. These expired accounts cost taxpayers millions of dollars each year. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, is also a cosponsor of the bill. One of my top priorities has always been getting our financial house in order and fixing Americas finances, especially when we can cut waste, fraud and abuse, Senator Manchin said. Our taxpayer dollars should be spent on programs and grant opportunities that actually support those who need it most -- like our children, veterans and seniors -- instead of administering empty grant accounts that help nobody. Its remarkable how much this country can save when the federal government cuts wasteful spending that no longer serves the American people efficiently. I am pleased to have worked with Senator Fischer to get this bipartisan legislation passed to address head-on our governments wasteful spending.  While tales of government waste are all too familiar, government spending on literally nothing appears to be a new low. The GONE Act takes significant steps to close out these long expired grants and identify why they were never closed in the first place. The American people deserve more accountability from the federal government, and I hope we can soon send this bill to be signed into law, Senator Fischer said.  One of our goals for the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee this year has been to pass legislation that identifies and eliminates duplication, waste, fraud and abuse in the federal government. The GONE Act directs federal agencies to close thousands of empty and expired accounts, previously used to distribute grants, that now are only collecting account fees. This is an opportunity to save American taxpayers millions of dollars per year. I was happy to work with Senators Fischer and Manchin on this legislation, and I hope the House moves quickly to pass this bipartisan, common-sense measure in the new year, Senator Johnson said.  With more than $500 billion expended annually on federal grants, the GONE Act would provide greater enforcement of existing grant closeout guidance (2 CFR Chapter 2 200.454). This guidance reminds agencies to close out grants within 90 calendar days after the end date of the period of performance. Tardy grant closeouts delay the determination of proper taxpayer dollars expenditure. In 2012, a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report evaluated grant closeout delays for two major grant management systems. For example, the GAO found that users of the Payment Management System were charged a total of roughly $173,000 per month to maintain the more than 28,000 expired grant accounts with zero dollar balances listed on the yearend closeout report.  The GONE Act would require the Office of Management and Budget to direct federal agencies to coordinate with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to submit a report to Congress that identifies remaining expired grants. HHS was charged with leading a previous effort that closed out thousands of expired grants. Following the submission of this report to Congress, agencies would then have one year to confirm that they closed out all expired grants. Additionally, the inspector general of any agency receiving over $500 million in annual grant funding would be required to conduct a risk assessment to determine if an audit or review of the agencys grant closeout process is necessary. In June, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved the GONE Act. The House of Representatives passed a version of the bill in September. Following Senate passage, the bill faces final approval by the House before it can head to the President to be signed into law. The Washington Post reported on these grant accounts in April of 2013:  It is one of the oddest spending habits in Washington: This year, the government will spend at least $890,000 on service fees for bank accounts that are empty. At last count, Uncle Sam has 13,712 such accounts with a balance of zero. They are supposed to be closed. But nobody has done the paperwork yet. The following organizations have endorsed the GONE Act: Citizens Against Government Waste, National Taxpayers Union, Americans for Tax Reform, Taxpayers for Common Sense, Taxpayers Protection Alliance.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=23df0e84-3166-4a58-8cbd-9f276f9ea204", "Manchin and Capito Congratulate Wheeling Jesuit on Volleyball National Championship", "2015-12-21", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 21, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin and Capito Congratulate Wheeling Jesuit on Volleyball National Championship \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  A resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) andShelley Moore Capito (R-WV) congratulating the Wheeling Jesuit University Womens Volleyball team on their victory in the Division II National Championship passed late Friday.\r\nThe Senate resolution recognizes the Wheeling Jesuit Cardinals players and coaches on their victory over Palm Beach Atlantic University. To read the resolution in its entirety, click here.\r\nI am so proud of the Wheeling Jesuit volleyball team for winning the Division II National Championship, Senator Manchin said. Being a student athlete can be challenging, and these young women and coaches have proven you can have both academic and athletic success. The Cardinals have worked hard toward their first-ever National Championship, and I commend them on their dedication and sportsmanship. Congratulations!\r\nI am beyond thrilled for the young women and coaches of the Wheeling Jesuit volleyball team for winning the Division II National Championship and making West Virginia proud, said Senator Capito. As the mother of a former college volleyball player, I have seen the hard work and dedication that is required of student athletes. Balancing education and athletics is no easy task, and these young women have shown that they can do just that and thrive at the top level. It is my pleasure to congratulate the Cardinals on their first-ever National Championship!\r\nIndividual player accolades are listed below:\r\nAndrea Thobe, Most Outstanding Player Award  Jessica Thobe, All-Tournament Team  Haley Kindall, All-Tournament Team  Kayce Krucki, All-Tournament Team\r\nThe 2015 Wheeling Jesuit Cardinals National Championship Team:\r\nAndrea Thobe  Abby Moffit  Kayce Krucki  Haley Kindall  Alexa Brown  Sydney Obringer  Maddy Smyth  Jessica Thobe  Allegra Shippy  Julie Henderson  Samantha Obringer  Maddy Kassen  Emily Blank  Katie Campbell  Emma Schleucher  Lauren Graves\r\nHead Coach Christy Benner  Assistant Coach Matt Benner  Graduate Assistant Coach Allissa Ware\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mckinley.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=477", "McKinley: A Missed Opportunity to Help Coal", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "David McKinley", "M001180", "mckinley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. David B. McKinley, P.E.  (R-WV) issued the following statement regarding his vote against the government funding bill that passed the House today:\"Every weekend when I go home, I see people struggling because of the downturn in coal all around me. With the highest unemployment in the nation, mines closing, and communities struggling, the urgency of doing something to stop the incessant attacks on our energy industry is real and demands immediate action.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Rep. David B. McKinley, P.E. (R-WV) issued the following statement regarding his vote against the government funding bill that passed the House today: Every weekend when I go home, I see people struggling because of the downturn in coal all around me. With the highest unemployment in the nation, mines closing, and communities struggling, the urgency of doing something to stop the incessant attacks on our energy industry is real and demands immediate action. That's why we must take every opportunity to fight for these families. For the entire year we have been working to use the power of the purse to thwart the War on Coal. We fought to include provisions to stop regulations that will shut down underground coal mines and power plants in this must pass' spending bill but they were not included. More specifically, the bill did not adequately address our three top priorities on energy  defending the ability to recycle coal ash, protecting pensions and health care for retired miners, and stopping the Stream Buffer Rule, which has been called the most destructive regulation yet for coal mining. Unfortunately in the end the bill included nothing of substance to provide peace of mind and confidence to the families struggling because of Obama's attacks on coal. Congress missed an opportunity today to take meaningful action to help West Virginia and other areas reliant on coal. While there may be good aspects of the bill  more money for fossil energy research at the National Energy Technology Lab (NETL), removing the ban on oil exports, and additional funding for medical research at the National Institute of Health -- there is not nearly enough to make a real difference in the immediate lives of thousands of coal miners, their families and their communities. I voted no to send a message that we can't ignore this dire situation any longer.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mooney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-alex-x-mooney-wv-2-and-congressman-sam-graves-mo-6-place", "Congressman Alex X. Mooney (WV-2) and Congressman Sam Graves (MO-6) Place Friendly Wager on Saturdays Division II Championship Game", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Alex Mooney", "M001195", "mooney.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON D.C.  Congressman Alex X. Mooney and Congressman Sam Graves have placed a friendly wager on the outcome of the Division II Championship football game. Congressman Mooneys Shepherd University Rams are taking on Congressman Graves Northwest Missouri State Bearcats.\nI look forward to seeing Congressman Graves proudly wear a Shepherd University football jersey on January 5th. In the highly unlikely event that Shepherd loses, I have agreed to wear Northwest Missouri State University gear the first day that Congress is back in session, said Rep. Alex Mooney.\nDespite retirements, adversity, and constant turnover, Northwest has been the mark of consistency in college football over the past few decades, Rep. Sam Graves said. Im looking forward to watching them continue their Division 2 dominance in Kansas City tomorrow, and especially to seeing Congressman Mooney wearing Northwest football gear in the Capitol next year.\nAlex X. Mooney represents West Virginias Second Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is a member of the Budget and Natural Resources Committees.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/-capito-commends-passage-of-bipartisan-chemical-safety-legislation", "Capito Commends Passage of Bipartisan Chemical Safety Legislation", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Shelley Capito", "C001047", "www.capito.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.18.15\n\t\t\t  Capito Commends Passage of Bipartisan Chemical Safety Legislation \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t The strong bipartisan support behind this critical legislation serves as another example of the Senate getting back to work for the American people. -Senator Capito\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t \nWASHINGTON, D.C.  Adding yet another bipartisan achievement to the list of Senate accomplishments in 2015, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today commended the Senates passage of the bipartisan Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act  chemical safety legislation that updates the 40-year-old Toxic Substances Control Act.\nAs a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, Senator Capito co-sponsored this legislation and voted to pass it out of the committee earlier this year.\nThe Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act provides needed reforms to our nations outdated chemical safety law. This bipartisan legislation will protect our families while providing a consistent regulatory framework, said Senator Capito. I am glad the final bill contains language I supported in the EPW Committee to make sure that storage near significant sources of drinking water is a criteria for EPA to account for in deciding which chemicals to review. The strong bipartisan support behind this critical legislation serves as another example of the Senate getting back to work for the American people.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-government-funding-bill-includes-several-important-west-virginia-priorities", "Capito: Government Funding Bill Includes Several Important West Virginia Priorities", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Shelley Capito", "C001047", "www.capito.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.18.15\n\t\t\t Capito: Government Funding Bill Includes Several Important West Virginia Priorities \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Includes funding to fight the drug epidemic, help West Virginia miners and support domestic energy production, provides permanent tax relief to families and small businesses\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t \nWASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today voted for a bipartisan bill with several provisions that benefit West Virginia, including significant funding to enhance our national security, combat the drug epidemic and expand access to affordable broadband.\r\nAs a member of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Capito was well-positioned to ensure that several West Virginia priorities were included in the final bill. The bill also provides tax relief and certainty to American families. It passed on a 65-33 vote.\r\nSenator Capito issued the following statement after the vote:\nThis bill includes many priorities that will benefit West Virginia and grow the economy. Those who took issue with specific parts of the legislation and voted against it failed to consider the overall positive impact this bill will have on American families, workers and businesses.\nThe bill includes significant funding to combat the drug epidemic that is taking the lives of many West Virginians. It will help expand rural broadband to the more than half of our state that lacks access to high-speed internet, and it boosts funding for the Appalachian Regional Commission.\nFor those who have been devastated by this administrations relentless regulatory campaign, the bill includes resources to help our displaced West Virginia miners and improve mine safety. It supports research at West Virginia institutions to make coal, oil and natural gas energy production cleaner and more efficient.\nThe bill increases resources for our military to modernize operations and better equip our troops. It strengthens our cybersecurity and tightens security requirements in the Visa Waiver program, and prohibits funding to transfer detainees from Guantanamo Bay to the U.S. It supports veterans health care and job training. As we confront threats at home and abroad, this bill will help to enhance our national security, and ensure that we properly care for those who have bravely served our country.\nThis bill provides an increase in funding to treat, cure and hopefully end Alzheimers. This will help the 36,000 West Virginians living with Alzheimers and others who have been touched by the disease, including my own family. It also promotes the work of researchers and higher institutions in West Virginia to develop medical breakthroughs and new technologies.\nLastly, the bill puts onerous Obamacare tax hikes on hold and provides tax benefits for members of the military and small businesses. It permanently extends the enhanced Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, which according to the WV Center for Budget and Policy, helps a combined 131,000 children in 81,000 families in West Virginia. This will provide significant tax relief and certainty to middle-class families and businesses, and lay the path for comprehensive tax reform in the future.\nCongress should take its role in determining our nations spending priorities very seriously. For the first time in six years, all 12 appropriations bills were reported out of the Appropriations Committee this year, most with bipartisan support.\nUnfortunately Democrats put forth a strategy designed to keep Congress from working, including those who are now decrying the current process, and voted to block consideration of individual funding bills on the Senate floor. Because of this Democratic obstruction, we were left with few options: consider the funding bills as a single package or risk shutting down the government. In the future, I urge my Democratic colleagues to allow Congress to pass individual funding bills in a timely manner.\nWhile this bill is far from perfect, it will move us forward in significant ways. I remain disappointed that the Miners Protection Act was not included but am committed to protecting our coal mining community from EPAs devastating regulations and safeguarding our miners hard-earned benefits.  \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=92598f17-5ae8-4a2a-b72a-07b69020a6fe", "Manchin unhappy with tax cut measure | Charleston Gazette-Mail", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 18, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin unhappy with tax cut measure | Charleston Gazette-Mail \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tAs Congress prepares to vote on a $1.1 trillion spending bill, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., on Thursday stressed his opposition to a tax cut measure valued at more than $600 billion.\r\nDuring a speech on the Senate floor, Manchin said, Mr. President, I rise today to applaud my colleagues for being in the Christmas spirit. I have never seen so many gifts and presents given out in one bill.\r\nManchin, along with Sens. Mark Warner, D-Va., and Angus King, I-Maine  all former governors  expressed opposition to the tax-extenders package, citing concerns about adding to the nations debt.\r\nManchin stressed that the Senate was not simply voting on the trillion-dollar omnibus spending bill, which includes providing funding for veterans and the military, middle-class families and other federal programs, and would fund the government through September 2016.\r\nFollowing his floor speech, Manchin reiterated that he supports the omnibus bill. The problem, he said, is that Senate leadership might combine voting for the omnibus bill with a $680 billion tax-extender package.\r\nThe tax-extender bill, which includes providing permanent extensions of the Earned Income Tax Credit and temporary two-year incentives to rum production and entertainment producers, involved negotiations between Democrats and Republicans.\r\nWe gave Christmas presents to millionaire race car drivers and motorcycle riders, film, television and theater producers and even race horse owners, Manchin said.\r\nHe said that, although he supports the omnibus bill, he will be forced to vote against it if the tax cut bill is included in the final vote.\r\nWith legislation like the proposed tax-extender bill, Manchin said lawmakers are going to make it difficult for future generations. By 2040 or 2050, he estimated, there will be enough money in the government to pay for social programs and the military.\r\nThere wont be anything in terms of research, expansion and infrastructure, he stressed in a conference call with reporters.\r\nSomebody, sooner or later, has to say enough is enough, he added, noting the tax-extender bill would add more than $2 trillion to the nations debt over the next 20 years. This throws caution to the wind.\r\nBeyond his general opposition to the overall tax-extender bill, Manchin said there are specific elements he does support, including the Earned Income Tax Credit, which is a refundable tax credit for those who make low to moderate income, and the Child Tax Credit, which provides families credits to help cover the cost of raising children.\r\nWe have a lot of those things that everyone could agree on, Manchin said of the tax-extender bill. Ultimately, though, the inclusion of the special-interest tax credits is what he said has forced him to maintain his opposition to the bill.\r\nOne aspect that Manchin championed while the lawmakers created the extender bill was what has been called the Miners Protection Act.\r\nManchin, along with Sens. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Bob Casey, D-Pa., and Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio., introduced the act in July, with hopes of providing security to miners by ensuring the federal government and coal operators honor their obligations to pay lifetime pensions and health benefits to retired miners and their families.\r\nThe act, which did not make it past the Committee on Finance, would have transferred funds from the Abandoned Mine Land fund to the United Mine Workers of America Pension Plan.\r\nWhile Manchin fought for the inclusion of the Miners Protection Act in the tax-extender bill, it ultimately was not included.\r\nWe could have chosen to keep the promise that President Truman made to our patriotic coal miners back in 1946 and protected their pension and health care guarantees, or we could choose to give $680 billion in tax breaks to special-interest groups, millionaires and billionaires, Manchin said during his floor speech. Mr. President, we chose poorly.\r\nOn Wednesday, Cecil Roberts, president of the UMWA International, expressed his disappointment with the decision to not address the pension plan.\r\nWe are extremely disappointed that, as it was agreeing to a $1.1 trillion spending bill and another $650 billion in tax breaks for a variety of corporate interests, Congress could not find a way to live up to our nations promise to preserve retirement security for tens of thousands of retired coal miners, their dependents and widows, Roberts said.\r\nWe can only ask why? What is it about these senior citizens Congress doesnt like? Roberts said. They spent decades putting their lives and health on the line every day, providing the raw material our nation used to become the strongest, most powerful nation on earth. Many paid the ultimate sacrifice, either being killed in our nations mines or contracting black lung disease and dying a slow, choking, painful death.\r\nRoberts thanked Manchin, Capito and Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., for their efforts in advancing the pension legislation and promised to continue to fight to advance similar legislation in the future.\r\nWith a 318-109 vote, the House of Representatives on Thursday passed the $622 billion tax-extender package and was expected to vote on the omnibus spending bill later in the day or possibly today.\r\nThe Senate is expected to hold votes on both bills today.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\t    By:\n\t\t\t\t    Joel Ebert", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=e3fb8d07-6994-4e30-ad32-5361f2aafa2c", "Giving away cash to special interests | Charleston Gazette", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 18, 2015\n\t\t\t Giving away cash to special interests | Charleston Gazette  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tMost Americans never heard of the tax-extender bill, but its a coveted gold mine for special interests, who employ at least 1,350 Washington lobbyists just to obtain more goodies from it.\r\nStarting in the 1980s, Congress gave valuable temporary tax breaks to certain industries. Ever since, the temporary reductions have been extended, time after time, and new ones added. Now Congress again faces the giveaway  which means that other U.S. taxpayers must make up the lost revenue.\r\nDuring a floor speech Thursday, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., exploded:\r\nWe are giving out $680 billion in irresponsible tax breaks, Christmas gifts to every special interest and corporation that asked for one. We gave Christmas presents to millionaire race car drivers and motorcycle riders, film, television and theater producers, and even race horse owners . . . . We gave away billions of dollars in tax gifts to millionaires and billionaires at [taxpayer] expense.\r\nOthers are protesting. Writing in USA Today, Tim Phillips called the tax-extender bill a boondoggle that enriches the few at the expense of the many. He added:\r\nEvery tax break adds to the federal deficit, but by passing them in one- and two-year increments, Congress makes it seem as if the costs will quickly disappear. But lawmakers have no intention of letting the bill expire. Theyre constantly adding to the taxpayers tab, while making it seem as if they arent.\r\nFor example, Kentucky politicians connived to give racehorse owners a $167 million break over the next two years. And owners of motorsport entertainment complexes get nearly $100 million. And breaks for certain film and television productions and live theatrical productions get $428 million.\r\nWhy do some businesses enjoy lucrative boons from the treasury, while others dont? Should the left-out businesses hire more big-money lobbyists to win the same largesse? Its a greedy game.\r\nA Rasmussen poll found that 70 percent of Americans think government and big business often work together in ways that hurt the rest of the nation. Endless lobbying for more tax breaks for a few insiders seems to support that worry.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\t    By:\n\t\t\t\t    Editorial Board \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=eda3eec3-21a6-45ce-96c5-02a94a854138", "Manchin working to improve long-term care access for state's veterans | Clarksburg Exponent Telegram", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 18, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin working to improve long-term care access for state's veterans | Clarksburg Exponent Telegram  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWeve said many times  and we know many residents of North Central West Virginia agree  that more needs to be done to provide better health care options for our veterans.\r\nThats why were encouraged that the U.S. Senate Veteran Affairs Committee has included several provisions touted by Sens. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, and John Hoeven, R-North Dakota, for consideration in upcoming legislation.\r\nWhile Congress wont take up the legislation until the new year, the committees decision to include the provisions is a positive step toward improving care for those who have fought for our freedom.\r\nThe legislation is designed to encourage VA medical facilities to contract with local long-term care providers, in order to increase the opportunities of keeping veterans closer to their homes, families and friends.\r\nExtended care providers are facilities such as nursing centers, geriatric evaluation, domiciliary services, adult day health care, respite care, palliative care, hospice care and home health care, according to the legislation.\r\nWhile currently allowed, the practice is discouraged because of the amount of paperwork and the reimbursement practices. The legislation will streamline and facilitate the agreements.\r\nOur veterans in West Virginia and across the U.S. have sacrificed so much for this country, and they deserve the highest quality long-term care available, Manchin said. I am pleased that my legislation with Senator Hoeven is moving forward that will get rid of the red tape in order to make sure our veterans can access the services they need close to home.\r\nThese common-sense reforms will impact a large number of our veterans and their families who are currently in need of better long-term care.  Hoeven said allowing veterans to remain in their communities is better for them, their families and the communities they call home.\r\nFamily, friends and community serve as a vital support network throughout our lives, and our veterans should not be forced to choose between being near their loved ones and accessing the care they need, Hoeven said.\r\nOur legislation will make more options available to our former service members who need long-term care services. That means better access to the benefits they have earned and a higher quality of life in their later years.\r\nWe agree and applaud Manchin and Hoeven for coming up with a bipartisan solution to the issue.\r\nHopefully, their fellow congressmen will follow their lead, practice true statesmanship and improve the quality of service provided to our military men and women.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\t    By:\n\t\t\t\t    Editorial\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=fd6edabb-3abf-4cb7-9fe0-8687e62d647e", "Manchin rips spending measure, vows a \"no\" vote against bill | Register-Herald", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 18, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin rips spending measure, vows a \"no\" vote against bill | Register-Herald \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tSen. Joe Manchin vowed Thursday to vote against a spending bill that he says defeats the progress made over the last three years in decreasing the federal deficit.\r\nThe bill, now in two measures in the House of Representatives, authorizes $1.1 billion to fund government operations and makes permanent certain tax credits and extends others for up to five years, costing the government another $680 billion.\r\nManchin, D-W. Va., said he supports the omnibus bill that will fund the government, but is upset that the \"tax extender\" bill will take away any flexibility to put an \"all inclusive tax revision together.\"\r\nThe House of Representatives voted to approve the tax extender measure Thursday on 318-109 vote. All three of W. Va.'s representativesRepublicans David McKinley, Evan Jenkins and Alex Mooneyvoted for the bill.\r\nIf the House passes the $1.1 billion omnibus bill, the two will be combined for a Senate vote. Manchin also takes exception to that, preferring to vote on the bills separately. However, he said if the bills are combined, he will vote against the entire spending package.\r\n\"All these large tax deferments, all these tax gifts, if you will,\" he said. \"I guess the millionaires and the billionaires will continue to do quite well. Somebody, sooner or later, has to say enough is enough. This is not the way you do business. I think it's totally irresponsible.\"\r\nManchin said the tax extender bill includes some good things that will help middle class Americans. Those include the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit, which become permanent, he said.\r\nHe also blamed the Senate's leadership on both sides of the aisle for omitting the Miners Protection Act, crafted to protect coal miners' retirement and health care plans.\r\nHe said Senate leadership, principally Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. and Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., was responsible for what was included in the bill. Manchin said the extender bill threw in the \"kitchen sink\" for programs that deal with race car drivers and theater operations, while omitting the MPA.\r\nManchin said numerous coal companies have gone through bankruptcies, putting miners' safeguards at risk.\r\n\"I think we owe them this, the promise that was made in 1946 to our miners by Harry Truman, that they would have their pensions and their health care,\" he said.\"(The leadership) talk(s) about the working middle class; tell me who's worked harder, tell me who's contributed more to the country over the last hundred years (than coal miners)?\" \r\nBeyond responsibility to those who mine coal, Manchin said the MPA was a \"paid for,\" using excess funds from Abandoned Mine Lands, most of it coming from fees paid on tonnage from western mines.\r\nSen. Shelley Moore Capito's aid Ashley Berrang said Capito is \"reviewing both bills\" and will decide how she plans to vote. Capito introduced the MPA with Manchin.\r\nBerrang said that the MPA was decided at the leadership level, not in the Senate Committee on Appropriat00ions of which Capito is a member.\r\nIf the legislation passes both chambers, President Barack Obama is expected to sign the measures into law.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\t    By:\n\t\t\t\t    Pamela Pritt \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=4815a21c-eef9-4f32-966b-e5a95fdc6f99", "Manchin Applauds Passage of Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act to Fix Broken Chemical Regulatory System", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 18, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Applauds Passage of Chemical Safety Reform Legislation \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t The Senate voted to pass legislation to protect families and communities from toxic chemicals\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  As a lead cosponsor and a staunch advocate of chemical safety reforms, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) applauded the Senate passage of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act. The Senate passed the bill by voice vote on Thursday evening to send the bipartisan legislation to the Presidents desk. This bill would ensure the safety of the chemicals Americans use every day by updating the United States outdated chemical regulatory program. I am pleased that the Senate has passed this groundbreaking legislation that will modernize our severely outdated chemical regulatory system, Senator Manchin said. After the 2014 Elk River chemical spill, I vowed to do everything in my power to ensure a similar accident would never occur again. Updating chemical safety laws is necessary to ensure we can properly manage toxic chemicals and prepare for the unlikely event of another accident. This bill is a tremendous step forward and a testament to bipartisan compromise when people are committed to coming together to find commonsense solutions.\r\nI also want to thank and remember my friend, the late Senator Frank Lautenberg, who dedicated his life to protecting public health and fixing Americas chemical safety laws. This bills passage would not have been possible without his commitment. I am glad we came together from across the aisle to get this important legislation passed to protect the safety and wellbeing of the American people. The Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act is the result of a bipartisan agreement that Senator Manchin helped mediate after nearly two years of deliberations and negotiations. Lawmakers, stakeholders, and affected community leaders helped craft this groundbreaking legislation that would ensure the Environmental Protection Agency safely oversees consumer products to better protect American families. The legislation would create a predictable and transparent federal system to regulate the safety of chemicals based on the latest science, provide greater regulatory certainty to the chemical manufacturing industry and strike a balance between state and federal roles in chemical safety management.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=4935adc5-b1e9-4cd6-92b2-2cf0c8108ee5", "Manchin Votes Against Irresponsible $680 Billion Tax Extenders Package", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 18, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Votes Against Irresponsible $680 Billion Tax Extenders Package  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Manchin opposes bill that adds to our mounting debt, extends tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans and ignores the fiscally responsible Miners Protection Act\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today issued the following statement after voting against $680 billion in tax expenditures to millionaires and billionaires included in the $1.1 trillion spending package, especially since the bill omits the fiscally responsible Miners Protection Act.\r\nInstead of voting on just a $1.1 trillion spending bill that helps veterans, middle class families, our defense department, our border security and a host of other valuable federal programs, we were forced to vote on a tax extender package that piles on an additional, unpaid-for $680 billion full of gifts for special interest groups. By needlessly spending more than half a trillion dollars, this tax-extenders bill further harms our financial problems. It is irresponsible, reckless and unethical to further jeopardize our childrens and grandchildrens future by adding to our nations mounting debt. Tom Brokaw famously wrote about the Greatest Generation and their contributions to our country and world. With this vote, and the burden we have left for our children and grandchildren, we are quickly becoming the Worst Generation.\r\nWhat is most disappointing, this legislation ignores the needs of hard-working West Virginia families, who already bear too much of the tax burden, and elevates the interests of large corporations and the wealthy. Rather than extending tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires, we could be investing this $680 billion to give $5,600 refunds to each household in West Virginia, investing an additional $140 billion to double our U.S. border security, reversing defense cuts by $405 billion, making college debt-free for our West Virginia students or increasing funding for our infrastructure.\r\nI am especially disappointed that the Miners Protection Act, which I reintroduced earlier this year, was not included in this legislation. My language would have protected our miners hard-earned pensions and health benefits. Sadly, this important provision was left out of the bill by Republican leadership. As a result, 125,000 miners may face shortfalls in their pension payments and healthcare coverage, which will only increase the final cost on the federal government.\r\nI used every procedural rule I could to prevent a vote on this irresponsible and reckless spending package. We simply cannot afford to continue down this path and keep piling up more debt on the backs of our middle class. We must work together and find a path toward fixing our long-term spending and debt problems. To start, we can work together to pass long-term, comprehensive tax reform that will restore fairness and confidence in our economy.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/-capito-statement-on-the-passing-of-friend-charles-lanham", "Capito Statement on the Passing of Friend Charles Lanham", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Shelley Capito", "C001047", "www.capito.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.17.15\n\t\t\t  Capito Statement on the Passing of Friend Charles Lanham \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Charles was a true gentleman, a friend, and a leader who had a vision for his community - Senator Capito\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t \nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today issued the following statement regarding the passing of community leader and long-time U.S. Route 35 advocate Charles Lanham of Point Pleasant.\nWest Virginia lost a great man this week with the passing of Charles Lanham. Charles was a true gentleman, a friend, and a leader who had a vision for his community. He worked tirelessly to build the case for expanding U.S. Route 35, and thanks to his efforts the project is nearly complete. I had the privilege of attending the groundbreaking for the final stretch of U.S. Route 35 with Charles in October, said Senator Capito. I also touted his efforts in my maiden speech on the Senate floor in March. Charles will be greatly missed, and I offer my deepest sympathy and prayers to his wife Lilly Faye and his family during this difficult time.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=8a5f8bdf-33c9-48f4-85f0-f870f656ed38", "Manchin Condemns Irresponsible $680 Billion Tax Extenders Package in Senate Floor Speech", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 17, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Condemns Irresponsible $680 Billion Tax Extenders Package in Senate Floor Speech \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator opposes deal that adds to our mounting debt, extends tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans and ignores the fiscally responsible Miners Protection Act\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today delivered remarks on the Senate floor explaining his opposition to the $680 billion in tax expenditures included in the $1.1 trillion omnibus spending package. Senator Manchin encouraged his colleagues to vote against the deal that adds to our mounting national debt, extends tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans and ignores the fiscally responsible Miners Protection Act.\r\nTo watch Senator Manchins floor remarks, click here.\r\nSenator Manchins remarks as prepared for delivery are below:\r\nM. President, I rise today to applaud my colleagues for being in the Christmas spirit.\r\nI have never seen so many gifts and presents given out in one bill.\r\nLets be clear: we arent voting on just a $1.1 trillion spending bill, called the Omnibus. That bill, by itself, could have been acceptable because it helps veterans, middle class families, our defense department, our border security and a host of other valuable federal programs. But we arent voting on just the Omnibus; we are forced to vote on both the Omnibus and a tax extender package that adds on an additional, unpaid-for $680 billion dollars full of gifts for special interest groups.\r\nWe are giving out $680 billion in irresponsible tax breaks Christmas gifts to every special interest and corporation that asked for one.\r\nWe gave Christmas presents to millionaire race car drivers and motorcycle riders, film, television and theater producers and even race horse owners.\r\nNow dont get me wrong M. President, I like going to the movies, riding my motorcycle and going horseback riding.\r\nBut I dont think many middle class Americans would be happy to know we gave away billions of dollars in tax gifts to millionaires and billionaires at their expense.\r\nAnd they should be especially upset that we did it by mortgaging the futures of their children and grandchildren.\r\nI think a lot of Americans would want to know how we got here.\r\nHow did we get to the point that we force ourselves to vote on a trillion dollar spending bill that is two thousand pages long at the end of the year, just so we can all rush home for the holidays?\r\nHow did we add a $700 billion tax extender package that gives the wealthiest among us the gifts they want?\r\nThe truth is that we stopped following regular order.\r\nA lot of us have only heard about regular order. We have never actually governed by it.\r\nI only know about regular order because Senator Robert Byrd told me how this place worked before I joined the Senate.\r\nHe would be disappointed in us all on both sides of the aisle, and most of all, disappointed in how we have run the body he loved so much.\r\nHeres what regular order is supposed to look like:\r\nAfter receiving the Presidents budget, Congress is supposed to respond with our view of what the budget should look like.\r\nThen we work through the 12 appropriations committees and their subcommittees to develop 12 separate appropriations bills.\r\nThe entire body should then consider each individual bill and make the sure they meet the demands of our constituents while staying within the means of our set budget.\r\nWe need to do that 12 separate times so we can honestly tell the American public that we were responsible with their money.\r\nInstead, we are jammed at the last minute with a $1.1 trillion spending bill that is over 2,000 pages long and considers the priorities of those 12 committees all at once.\r\nNot only that, this year, we have the special treat of adding on a $700 billion tax gift Christmas tree  instead of actually doing the tax reform that all of us talk about but never actually get around to.\r\nAt some point we are going to have to start setting our priorities based on our values, budgeting based on our priorities and being responsible stewards of the taxpayers money.\r\nInstead of working throughout the year in a bipartisan way, we continue to govern by crisis.\r\nWe kick the can down the road all year, and then add in more than half a trillion dollars in gifts to our special interest friends.\r\nAnd both parties are to blame.\r\nThis Christmas gift will add over $2 trillion to our debt over the next two decades.\r\nMy grandfather always taught me to base our priorities on our values and then budget based on our priorities.\r\nWell we sure are showing the American people what our values are with this bill.\r\nWe pay a lot of lip service on this floor, on cable news and on the campaign trail about our priorities.\r\nBut when it comes time to govern based on those priorities  all we get is lip service.\r\nWe had choices to make in this bill.\r\nWe could have helped middle class families, or could have given tax breaks to multinational companies, notably the major banks, parking their money abroad.\r\nWe could choose to make college debt free, or we could choose to help film, television and theater producers deduct the costs of their movies, shows, and plays.\r\nWe could choose to double our border security, or we could allow race horses to be depreciable.\r\nWe could choose to give every American family $5,600 in tax relief, or we could choose to give favorable tax treatment to racing complexes.\r\nWe could have chosen to keep the promise that President Truman made to our patriotic coal miners back in 1946, and protected their pension and health care guarantees, or we could chose to give $680 billion in tax breaks to special interest groups, millionaires and billionaires.\r\nM. President, we chose poorly.\r\nDemocrats and Republicans both say that we need to help our hardworking American families.\r\nBut we have completely ignored the most hardworking people out there  our coal miners.\r\nAnd we should be ashamed of ourselves.\r\nNow I know that some of my colleagues dont like coal. They think we dont need it and want to get rid of it.\r\nBut this isnt about coal.\r\nThis is about the brave men and woman who have gone into those mines every day for over a century to power our economy, produce the weapons to fight our wars, and provide the energy that we all depend on every day.\r\nThese men and woman were guaranteed affordable health care and dignity in retirement in return for the blood, sweat and tears they shed for this country.\r\nToday we went back on this promise. We decided to help race car owners, film producers, horse racing professionals, foreign entities, and a host of other special interest groups, but we didnt help our own miners.\r\nToday we said that despite finding a fiscally responsible way to meet these obligations, our priorities were not in valuing their service.\r\nM. President, I cannot stand here and vote for a bill that tells middle class Americans, students and veterans, doctors and nurses, mothers and fathers and our seniors that these are our values.\r\nBecause they are not.\r\nThey are not the values that the good people of West Virginia hold true.\r\nAnd they are not the values that the Greatest Generation, and our miners fought for.\r\nI encourage all my colleagues to vote no and show the American people what our values and priorities really are.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mooney.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/mooney-introduces-act-better-technical-education", "Mooney introduces act to better technical education", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Alex Mooney", "M001195", "mooney.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Technical Education and Career Help Act, also known as the TEACH Act, was introduced by Congressman Alex Mooney (R-WV) on Tuesday.\n\tUnder the TEACH Act, allocated grant funding issued for Higher Education will be able to be put towards training of teachers in a vocational and technical setting.\n\t\"Currently, Higher Ed funding doesn't allow for teacher training. This corrects that, and I believe that this is important to West Virginia for vocational education,\" Mooney said.\n\tTitle II of the Higher Education Act provides grant funding to help improve the quality of prospective teachers at post-secondary institutions and local schools. To date, none of these grants have been focused on career and technical education.\n\tThe TEACH Act would allow the Title II Teacher Quality funds, about $40 million a year, to be used to give aspiring CTE teachers the preparation necessary to better lead in the CTE classroom.\n\t\"Students would benefit from this as well. They deserve to be taught by well-trained instructors to get the best education,\" Mooney said.\n\t\"Training needs vary, especially in technical fields; take cyber security, for instance. There is a constant need to train in this dynamic economy. This is an acknowledgement of this reality,\" Mooney added.\n\tThe TEACH Act is designed to help recruit mid-career professionals in relevant technical fields, recent college graduates, veterans and currently licensed teachers who are interested in transitioning to CTE-focused education.\n\tMooney also said this bill will be an incentive to keep teachers at the community college level.\n\t\"They are an integral part to education, especially in West Virginia where so many of our students choose to receive training and get careers in the technical fields. We want to keep them in these schools,\" Mooney said.\n\tThe TEACH Act amends the Higher Education Act by:\n\tEstablishing a grant that will facilitate CTE-specific partnerships with high-needs schools and post-secondary institutions to train CTE teachers\n\tRequiring that CTE teacher-training initiatives consist of at least a one-year residency initiative with a high-needs school and include teacher mentorship for a minimum of two years\n\tEnsuring exposure to workforce opportunities for students by requiring that prospective teachers have work experience in the field in which they will teach or, in the case of recent college graduates, have demonstrated proficiency through relevant coursework\n\tRequiring grantees to complete an evaluation that includes measurable performance objectives to determine the partnership's impact\n\tMooney said he is dedicated to keeping the bill bi-partisan.\n\t\"I am hoping it will pass and I want to keep this strictly bipartisan. Currently, there are four Republicans and fourDemocrats supporting it and right now is it pretty balanced geographically. I plan to keep bringing on support two at a time to keep it level,\" Mooney said.\n\t\"Every congressional district has students who want to enter into these types of careers. Certainly, I would think they have seen a similar need in their area,\" Mooney added.\n\tMooney said he hopes to have this reviewed and passed sometime next year.\n\tStaff writer Katiann Marshall can be reached at 304-263-8931, ext. 182, or at Twitter.com/KmarshallJN.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mooney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-alex-x-mooney-wv-2-and-congresswoman-katherine-m-clark-ma-5", "Congressman Alex X. Mooney (WV-2) and Congresswoman Katherine M. Clark (MA-5) Introduce Bipartisan TEACH Act", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Alex Mooney", "M001195", "mooney.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC Today, Congressman Alex X. Mooney and Congresswoman Katherine M. Clark introduced H.R. 4263, the Technical Education and Career Help Act, also known as the TEACH Act. This bill invests in career and technical education (CTE) around the country.\nI am proud to introduce H.R. 4263, the Technical Education and Career Help Act. As I travel across my district in West Virginia and visit schools and community colleges, I hear time and again that quality career and technical education opens up options for high-paying jobs. Having high quality educators in our schools training the workforce of tomorrow is imperative, said Rep. Alex X. Mooney. My bipartisan bill will ensure that students interested in careers such as welding or emergency service receive the training necessary to prepare them for a competitive professional environment.\nThe TEACH Act will ensure that our 21st century workforce has theskill set for success in todays economy, said Rep. Katherine M.Clark. \"This bill will allow students to develop highly marketable skills and support Career and Technology Education teachers. The TEACH Act will broaden participation in technical careers and strengthen our economy.\nACTE is proud to endorse the TEACH Act, which will bridge the gap between future CTE educators and the classroom, said Association for Career and Technical Education Executive Director LeAnn Wilson. It is critical that we encourage new professionals to enter the CTE teaching field and provide them with the support they need to succeed in their role, especially in the face of challenges currently posed by teacher shortages nationwide.\nThe TEACH Act invests in CTE teachers by expanding, without authorizing new spending, the Higher Education Act's teacher residency grant program to help schools recruit and train high-quality CTE teachers. This will increase the quality of training that students receive and ensure that they are truly prepared with the skills they need to succeed in todays workplace.\nOther cosponsors includeRep. Rod Blum (R-IA), Rep. Bruce Poliquin (R-ME), Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-NJ), Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI), Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA), and Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA). The Alliance for Excellent Education, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), the National Association of State Directors of Career and Technical Consortium (NASDCTEc), Public Advocacy for Kids, and Future Farmers of America also support the bill.\nThe bipartisan legislation has alsobeen introduced in the Senate (S.2174) by Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Rob Portman (R-OH), Tammy Baldwin (R-WI), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV).\nFor more information on the bill click here.\nAlex X. Mooney represents West Virginias Second Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is a member of the Budget and Natural Resources Committees.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=92f5a62c-c381-4048-bcb6-3086c87b76b8", "Manchin Applauds Senate Passage of PBOR 2", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 16, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Applauds Senate Passage of PBOR 2  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) andJim Inhofe (R-OK)today hailed the Senates unanimous passage of the Pilots Bill of Rights 2 (S. 571).\r\nGeneral Aviation is losing 6,000 pilots per year because of antiquated regulations and unnecessary bureaucratic barriers, said Manchin. This industry contributes $219 billion to the U.S. economy each year and supports 1.1 million jobs. I am proud to have helped lead this effort with Senator Inhofe to finish what we started in 2012.\r\nThis is a big victory for general aviation pilots all across the country, said Inhofe. The Pilots Bill of Rights 2 addresses many of the concerns these pilots have brought to my attention first hand at events like Airventure each year held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin since the first Pilots Bill of Rights was signed into law in 2012. Currently, the FAAs medical certification process is bureaucratic, burdensome and discourages pilots from disclosing and treating medical conditions that could impact their ability to fly. This legislation reforms the medical certification process for general aviation pilots in a way that will increase pilots knowledge of risk while demanding treatment of identified conditions. This bill also increases due process protections for pilots, ensuring the FAA treats them in a fair and equitable manner. I appreciate Senator Manchin, Chairman Thune and Ranking Member Nelson for working with me on this legislation, and I am pleased the Senate has passed this important bill.\r\nThis is very important legislation for all Americans who fly recreationally and pursue the freedom of flight, said Jack J. Pelton, chairman and CEO of the Experimental Aircraft Association. Our thanks to Sen. Inhofe, Sen. Manchin and the co-sponsors who understood the importance of this measure and worked hard for its passage, so we can reduce the unnecessary cost and regulatory burdens within the current aviation medical certification system.\r\nNATA commends the tireless efforts of Sens. Inhofe and Manchin to move the Pilots Bill of Right 2 through the Senate, said Tom Hendricks, president and CEO of the National Air Transportation Association. We appreciate their ongoing work to preserve and enhance general aviation in this nation. NATA looks forward to working with other general aviation stakeholders towards the legislations swift approval in the House.\r\nThe pilots of Southwest Airlines welcome the passage of S. 571 and truly appreciate Sens. Inhofe and Manchins dedication to pilots and the piloting profession, said Captain Mike Panebianco, vice president of the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association. The Pilots Bill of Rights 2 provides long overdue protections and ensures fair treatment of pilots facing administrative proceedings.Additionally, the changes to the third class medical encourages growth of the U.S. general aviation community and allows the FAA to focus its resources on maintaining its world-class oversight of the commercial aviation industry. This bill is just one more example of Sen. Inhofes thoughtful pragmatism and highlights the importance of having members that truly understand aviation.\r\nBy spearheading S. 571, the Pilots Bill of Rights 2, Sens. James Inhofe and Joe Manchin have reaffirmed a tireless commitment to defending and enhancing the interests of professional and general aviation pilots, said Capt. Coley George, Industry Affairs committee chair of NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots. On behalf of the NJASAP Membership, it is my privilege to recognize and to express our gratitude for their enduring commitment to addressing the concerns of all pilots from hobbyist to professional cockpit crewmember.\r\nNASAO commends Sens. Inhofe and Manchin, and their staffs, for their tireless work to gain Senate passage of this vital reform, said Greg Principato, president and CEO of the National Association of State Aviation Officials. This common sense medical reform will help stem the decline of the general aviation pilot population by keeping pilots in the airwithout degrading safety. This legislation will not only benefit the pilots, but also the vast network of smaller general aviation airports that they support.\r\nDETAILS ABOUT THE PILOTS BILL OF RIGHTS 2:\r\n Reforms the FAAs overly burdensome medical certification process by expanding an existing FAA medical standard to include more qualified, trained, general aviation pilots.\r\n Outlines specific requirements that pilots need to meet to qualify for the expanded medical standard, including completion of a medical education course every two years, self-certification by the pilot that they are being treated by their physician for any medical diagnosis that could impact their ability to fly, and the use of a checklist to guide the discussion between pilots and their physicians during a health examination, which must occur once every four years.\r\n Enhances the due process rights established in the first Pilots Bill of Rights by ensuring airman have the right to appeal an FAA decision through a new, merit-based trial in Federal Court.\r\n Increases transparency for airman subject to an investigation or enforcement action by requiring the FAA to articulate the specific activity under investigation to parties involved in the investigation and provides specific documentation relevant to its investigation.\r\n Expedites updates to the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) Improvement Program required in the first Pilots Bill of Rights and directs the FAA to include the effective duration of temporary flight restrictions in NOTAMs. This ensures the most relevant and important information reaches the pilot prior to a flight taking place. The legislation also mandates that the FAA certify the accuracy of posted NOTAMs.\r\n Ensures the accessibility of flight data, such as air traffic communication tapes and radar information produced by contract towers, and flight service stations and controller training programs, which gives certificate holders the ability to use this information to defend themselves during an enforcement action proceeding.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=976dee6a-8f9d-498c-a73a-e62bbc99f864", "Manchin, Kirk Call for Additional Background Screening of All Visa Applicants", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 16, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin, Kirk Call for Additional Background Screening of All Visa Applicants  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senators urge Administration to require social media screening on individuals seeking to enter U.S.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) yesterday sent a letter to President Obama urging the Administration to immediately require social media screening as a part of the visa background check process for all those seeking to enter the United States on a visa. The letter comes after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed one of the San Bernardino attackers, Tashfeen Malik, had posted social media messages professing her radicalization before immigrating to the United States on a spousal visa.\r\nThe Senators wrote in part: We urge you to immediately adopt regulations to allow screening officials to check the social media postings of applicants. Knowledge is power, and denying your employees the ability to gain knowledge through basic research strips them of the full potential of their power to screen these applicants. If you are still clinging to an outdated policy prohibiting such review, then we would ask you to brief Congress on why your agency refuses to consider communications like the kind Tashfeen Malik made before she killed 14 people and injured 22 others.\r\nThe full text of the Senators letter can be found below or here.\r\nDear Mr. President;\r\nAs the nation continues to mourn in the aftermath of the horrific events that occurred in San Bernardino, California, we urge you to immediately direct screening officials to include social media screening in all background checks. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed Tashfeen Malik, one of the attackers who immigrated to the United States from Pakistan on a spousal visa, had posted social media messages professing her radicalization, information which could have prevented the deaths of 14 Americans. Even more troubling, recent reports allege that screening officials, by policy, generally do not check social media postings of applicants.\r\nWhile we encourage DHS in the wake of this attack to implement reforms for stricter screening procedures to ensure national security, we are perplexed at federal agency policy regarding social media. In an era where a growing number of communications takes place on Internet platforms, it would be foolish to ignore this goldmine of information. We understand that social media entries cannot be dispositive, but to ignore the information out of hand is unreasonable.\r\nEven more troubling is DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson's decision in early 2014 to not end the secret U.S. policy that prohibited immigration officials from reviewing the social media messages of all foreign citizens applying for U.S. visas, according to a former senior department official. An outright prohibition is foolhardy, as evidenced by the California attacks, and must be reversed immediately.\r\nWe urge you to immediately adopt regulations to allow screening officials to check the social media postings of applicants. Knowledge is power, and denying your employees the ability to gain knowledge through basic research strips them of the full potential of their power to screen these applicants. If you are still clinging to an outdated policy prohibiting such review, then we would ask you to brief Congress on why your agency refuses to consider communications like the kind Tashfeen Malik made before she killed 14 people and injured 22 others.\r\nWe thank you kindly for your time and look forward to your response.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mckinley.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=480", "McKinley: Climate Deal Is Just Window Dressing", "2015-12-14", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "David McKinley", "M001180", "mckinley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. David B. McKinley, P.E. (R-WV) issued the following statement on the climate change agreement reached in Paris on Saturday: \"As the public reads through the Paris climate agreement they will understand that it is simply window dressing. While the aftermath of the agreement has been full of self-congratulatory applause and high-minded rhetoric about saving the planet, the real impact of the agreement is questionable. It appears to be more about President Obama's desire to embellish his legacy than making a tangible difference in global temperatures. \r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Rep. David B. McKinley, P.E. (R-WV) issued the following statement on the climate change agreement reached in Paris on Saturday: As the public reads through the Paris climate agreement they will understand that it is simply window dressing. While the aftermath of the agreement has been full of self-congratulatory applause and high-minded rhetoric about saving the planet, the real impact of the agreement is questionable. It appears to be more about President Obama's desire to embellish his legacy than making a tangible difference in global temperatures. As Secretary of State John Kerry admitted yesterday, the deal doesn't have mandatory targets for reduction and it doesn't have an enforcement, compliance mechanism.' It is a feel-good exercise that will have little impact in the real world. The ink on the agreement is barely dry, and India has already indicated it will continue with plans to double coal production by 2020. Developing countries like China and India will continue to need affordable energy as they grow, and no agreement can change that. The Obama Administration deliberately shaped the agreement to circumvent Congress because it knows this plan wouldn't stand a chance of approval. The agreement could not be ratified as a treaty, because Congress will not go along with a policy to move away from coal and natural gas and hurt our economy, increase energy prices, and destroy jobs in the process.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=388bef65-d5e2-4b72-8ad7-8d180a273269", "Manchin Statement Three Years After Sandy Hook Tragedy", "2015-12-14", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 14, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Statement Three Years After Sandy Hook Tragedy \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today issued the following statement three years after 26 people were killed during the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut:\r\nToday, Gayle and I join all West Virginians and Americans across the country in remembrance and in sending our thoughts and our prayers to the families who lost their loved ones in the horrific tragedy in Newtown. As we keep these families in our thoughts, let us recognize their endless bravery and kindness. Three years later, the grieving process for these families does not get any easier. Today, we pray for these incredibly courageous families to get through this indescribably difficult time.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://evanjenkins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-jenkins-new-va-clinic-ronceverte", "REP. JENKINS: NEW VA CLINIC IN RONCEVERTE", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Evan Jenkins", "J000297", "evanjenkins.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) thanked the Department of Veterans Affairs today for announcing its further commitment to West Virginias veterans by signing a lease for a new, permanent clinic in Greenbrier County.\nVeterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald promised Rep. Jenkins and other members of the congressional delegation in July that the VA would reopen a permanent community-based outpatient clinic in Greenbrier County. The previous clinic was closed after problems with the building, and a temporary clinic will open soon at 3584 Davis Stuart Road in Lewisburg. The new clinic will be located at 228 Shamrock Lane in Ronceverte, and construction will take at least six to eight months.\nWest Virginias veterans depend on the VA for the care they have been promised, and I thank Secretary McDonald for standing by his word. More than 1,700 veterans from Fayette, Greenbrier, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas and Summers counties rely on this facility and deserve access to quality care close to home. I will continue to monitor progress on this new facility and look forward to seeing it open as soon as possible, Rep. Jenkins said.\nRep. Jenkins wrote a letter to Secretary McDonald in June urging him to reopen a clinic in Greenbrier County. Please click here to read the letter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mooney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-alex-x-mooney-wv-2-introduces-end-government-shutdowns-act", "Congressman Alex X. Mooney (WV-2) Introduces the End Government Shutdowns Act", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Alex Mooney", "M001195", "mooney.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON D.C. - Congressman Alex X. Mooney introduced H.R. 3776, the End Government Shutdowns Act. The End Government Shutdowns Act will bring certainty and security to the federal spending process by eliminating the threat of government shutdowns.\nFor the last 18 budget cycles, since 1997, Congress has failed to pass spending bills on time through the regular appropriations process. This has resulted in several federal government shutdowns, hasty budget agreements, economic uncertainty, and disruptions in services for many hardworking taxpayers; our country cannot continue to operate like this, said Rep. Mooney.\nThe End Government Shutdowns Act will put an end to this government funding chaos by providing an automatic Continuing Resolution, also known as a CR, for any of the twelve regular appropriations bills not completed by October 1. Once 120 days have elapsed, the federal budget will be trimmed by 1 percentage point. Each 90 day period thereafter, congressional spending will receive an additional 1 percent cut. These cuts will place pressure on the federal funding process without shutting down the government.\nThis proposal does not play favorites among liberal or conservative spending priorities. This will serve as a critical incentive for both sides to come together and solve Americas spending challenges in an equitable manner.\nAlex X. Mooney represents West Virginias Second Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is a member of the Budget and Natural Resources Committees.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/-capito-and-manchin-statement-on-greenbrier-county-va-announcement", "Capito and Manchin Statement on Greenbrier County VA Announcement", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Shelley Capito", "C001047", "www.capito.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.11.15\n\t\t\t  Capito and Manchin Statement on Greenbrier County VA Announcement \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today welcomed the announcement of a new permanent location for the Greenbrier County VA Clinic. The announcement follows VA Secretary Robert McDonalds visit to West Virginia in September and previous commitments to reopen the Greenbrier Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC).\nAccording to the Beckley Department of Veterans Affairs, the new clinic will be located at 228 Shamrock Lane in Ronceverte, West Virginia. Renovations of the new site are expected to take a minimum of six to eight months. A temporary VA clinic located at 3584 Davis Stuart Road in Lewisburg, West Virginia is expected to open in 2016 and will be operational until the permanent location is completed.\nFor several months, I have been working diligently to reopen the Greenbrier facility and ensure our veterans have access to the best possible medical care. Todays announcement is welcome news for the many West Virginia veterans who have had to travel long distances in the absence of a nearby clinic. I am grateful to Secretary McDonald for keeping his commitment to our veterans and look forward to the official opening of this important facility, said Senator Capito.\nToday, we have made an important step to fulfilling our promise of quality care and services to our Veterans in southern West Virginia with the announcement of the reopening of the Greenbrier Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), Senator Manchin said. When Secretary McDonald and I traveled through southern West Virginia in September, we met with more than 200 Veterans who were concerned about their access to permanent care and services. Now with the reopening of the Greenbrier health clinic, they will have access to the permanent quality care they have earned and deserve. The West Virginia Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) and our local Veterans have worked together to achieve this great accomplishment, and I thank them for all of their hard work and dedication. I am pleased the new Greenbrier health clinic will once again open its doors to our Veterans and provide them with the care they are owed.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=0361a912-dc14-4d33-a86a-da3a492b82ef", "Manchin, Hoyer, Scott, Brown Statement on Every Student Succeeds Act Being Signed into Law", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 11, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin, Hoyer, Scott, Brown Statement on Every Student Succeeds Act Being Signed into Law  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Committee on Education and the Workforce Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA) released the following statements after President Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) into law at a White House signing ceremony today. The bipartisan bill includes the Community Support for School Success program which establishes annual grant funding for the Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) program. The Full-Service Community Schools model co-locates education and critical services, such as health and dental care, mental health services, and adult education and job training, in one place. By integrating and coordinating education and the delivery of social services, students are better prepared to succeed at school, and parents are able to support their childrens learning. Senators Manchin and Brown sponsored the FSCS amendment in the Senate, while Whip Hoyer has introduced the Full-Service Community Schools Act every Congress since 2004.\r\nFar too many communities and families in West Virginia and in this country are facing complex challenges that impact the ability of our children to focus, learn and succeed in the classroom, Senator Joe Manchin said. Community schools, like Reconnecting McDowell, give our students a chance to succeed by providing the necessary comprehensive and coordinated services that help our students and families overcome multifaceted challenges. I am pleased that funding to support Full-Service Community Schools has been included in the final education bill being signed into law today.\r\nThe signing into law of the Every Student Succeeds Act today represents a significant victory for students and their families, stated Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer. I am proud that this legislation includes the full-service community schools model that I have supported for years. This model helps close the achievement gap by ensuring that our students have access to the resources they need so they can succeed in school, and Im hopeful that this new law will help expand this model across the country. I want to thank Chairman John Kline and Ranking Member Bobby Scott, along with Senator Sherrod Brown and Senator Joe Manchin, for their leadership in ensuring full-service community schools were included in this bipartisan legislation.\r\nWe know that when the community is engaged in a school's success, students reap the benefits, said Education and the Workforce Ranking Member Bobby Scott. The community school model is one that works and one that should be replicated to serve low-income students across the country. The ESSA will assist more schools in more communities to harness shared resources to support student achievement and school success.\r\nChallenges at home can undermine classroom performance and leave students struggling to keep up, Senator Sherrod Brown said. Community schools have a proven track record of connecting student and their families to critical services. By expanding this model, more students will be able to access essential resources like medical care and after-school care. This will ensure that students can focus their attention on succeeding in school.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=ecaceaef-6200-4f39-9da7-fbba4c77478b", "Manchin and Capito Statement on Greenbrier County VA Announcement", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 11, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin and Capito Statement on Greenbrier County VA Announcement \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today welcomed the announcement of a new permanent location for the Greenbrier County VA Clinic. The announcement follows VA Secretary Robert McDonalds visit to West Virginia in September and previous commitments to reopen the Greenbrier Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC).\r\nAccording to the Beckley Department of Veterans Affairs, the new clinic will be located at 228 Shamrock Lane in Ronceverte, West Virginia. Renovations of the new site are expected to take a minimum of six to eight months. A temporary VA clinic located at 3584 Davis Stuart Road in Lewisburg, West Virginia is expected to open in 2016 and will be operational until the permanent location is completed.\r\nToday, we have made an important step to fulfilling our promise of quality care and services to our Veterans in southern West Virginia with the announcement of the reopening of the Greenbrier Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), Senator Manchin said. When Secretary McDonald and I traveled through southern West Virginia in September, we met with more than 200 Veterans who were concerned about their access to permanent care and services. Now with the reopening of the Greenbrier health clinic, they will have access to the permanent quality care they have earned and deserve. The West Virginia Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) and our local Veterans have worked together to achieve this great accomplishment, and I thank them for all of their hard work and dedication. I am pleased the new Greenbrier health clinic will once again open its doors to our Veterans and provide them with the care they are owed. For several months, I have been working diligently to reopen the Greenbrier facility and ensure our veterans have access to the best possible medical care. Todays announcement is welcome news for the many West Virginia veterans who have had to travel long distances in the absence of a nearby clinic. I am grateful to Secretary McDonald for keeping his commitment to our veterans and look forward to the official opening of this important facility, said Senator Capito.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://evanjenkins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-jenkins-frontier-settlement-will-improve-wv-internet-access", "REP. JENKINS: FRONTIER SETTLEMENT WILL IMPROVE WV INTERNET ACCESS", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Evan Jenkins", "J000297", "evanjenkins.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) issued the following statement on West Virginias landmark settlement with Frontier Communications announced today:\nOnce again, Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and his office are defending consumers in West Virginia. This settlement means faster Internet speeds for consumers, and Frontier will improve our states Internet infrastructure. I thank the attorney general for his hard work on behalf of our states residents and know this improved Internet access will help attract new jobs and improve our quality of life, Rep. Jenkins said.\nThe estimated $160 million settlement resolves complaints about consumers Internet speeds and is the largest consumer protection settlement in the states history.\nFrontier will invest at least $150 million over three years to establish and maintain high-speed Internet access across the state. Some consumers will see a reduction in their rates, and Frontier will pay $500,000 to the states Consumer Protection Fund.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-and-manchin-announce-more-than-7-million-for-infrastructure-repair-in-west-virginia-", "Capito and Manchin Announce More Than $7 Million for Infrastructure Repair in West Virginia", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Shelley Capito", "C001047", "www.capito.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.10.15\n\t\t\t Capito and Manchin Announce More Than $7 Million for Infrastructure Repair in West Virginia  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today announced that West Virginia will receive $7,397,643 from the U.S. Department of Transportations Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to help finance federal road and bridge repairs in 19 counties following severe weather incidents in the spring and summer of 2015.\r\nThis funding is important to West Virginia communities that were struck by severe weather earlier this year. Roads, bridges and highways play a vital role in a mountainous state like ours, and this financial assistance from the Federal Highway Administration will help put these 19 counties on the road to recovery, said Senator Capito.\r\nThe severe weather earlier this year took a toll on communities throughout West Virginia, impacting our businesses, highways, roads and our homes, Senator Manchin said. Over the past couple of months, I have heard from numerous West Virginians about the dire road conditions caused by the severe weather. I am glad this funding will help repair the damage while also creating an environment for economic growth.\nMore than $6.5 million is being awarded through FHWAs Emergency Relief (ER) program and more than $800,000 is from the Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) program.\nIndividual awards are listed below:\r\n \r\n$813,181  Funds are awarded through the ERFO program to support repairs in Pocahontas, Webster, Nicholas and Greenbrier Counties\r\n \r\n \r\n$1,316,892  Funds are awarded through the ER program for the following West Virginia counties affected by the July 2015 flooding: Boone, Braxton, Clay, Cabell, Lincoln, Logan, Jackson, Nicholas, Roane, Webster and Wood.\r\n \r\n \r\n$5,267,570  Funds are awarded through the ER program for the following West Virginia counties affected by the April 2015 flooding: Boone, Brooke, Cabell, Lincoln, Logan, Marshall, Mingo, Pleasants, Wayne and Wetzel.\n\r\n \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=c67f653e-2569-426b-a06a-e608e0c7d041", "Manchin speaks to Fairmont Senior students via Skype | Times West Virginian", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 10, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin speaks to Fairmont Senior students via Skype | Times West Virginian \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tFAIRMONT  As part of the first global Skype-a-Thon, U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., is discussing current political issues with students throughout West Virginia.\r\nThe goal of the Skype-a-Thon by Microsoft is to travel 1 million virtual miles.\r\nOn Wednesday, Manchin met with Fairmont Senior High School students in AP U.S. History and AP Government classes to discuss current political issues via Skype, a popular videoconferencing website.\r\nStudents asked questions on issues such as immigration, fracking, college expenses and prescription drug abuse.\r\nFSHS principal Tyson Furgason thought it meant a lot for his students to get the opportunity.\r\nIt means a lot because Sen. Manchin is from our area, and Sen. Manchin has had several of his own kids go through Fairmont Senior and his granddaughter goes to school here now, Furgason said.\r\nAccording to a press release from Manchins office in Washington, he is enjoying being able to speak to students in West Virginia.\r\nI truly enjoyed (Wednesdays) discussion with the bright students of Fairmont Senior High, Manchin said. My weekly Skype sessions serve as an invaluable tool for me to hear directly the thoughts and concerns of West Virginias next generation and tomorrows leaders. Thank you to the students and staff in Fairmont for your participation, and I look forward to continuing our discussion in the future.\r\nFurgason believes the time Manchin took to speak to the students was important.\r\nI think a lot of times people feel that their members in Senate or their representatives are not connected to them. He does a really good job at being connected to his constituents, Furgason said.\r\nIt shows our students that in a time when it seems like Congress is just stalemated against each other and not willing to work, he is showing that they matter because he is reaching out to them and he is sending that message about Congress working for the people.\r\nI think it was extremely important for a lot of different reasons  reaching out to the young people, he is reaching out to his constituents and he is putting the message out there. With the issues that we are facing today, we have to work together. It was really nice to have him.\r\nManchin wanted the students to remember three things: they are the product, to know their value and to be serviceable.\r\nNever shortchange yourself, but never be afraid to jump in and start and work your way up to the true value that you are as the product, Manchin said.\r\nHe closed the session by telling students if they put their mind to it and work hard, they can be anything they want to be no matter where they are from.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\t    By:\n\t\t\t\t    Kelsie VanderWijst\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=08d0ac36-0f63-43cc-88b3-d159310e1689", "Manchin-Hoeven Veterans Access Long-Term Care Legislation Passed by VA Committee, Included in VA Bill", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 10, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin-Hoeven Veterans Access Long-Term Care Legislation Passed by VA Committee, Included in VA Bill  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senators Bill Empowers Veterans to Use Local Long-Term Care Providers Close to Their Homes, Families\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and John Hoeven (R-ND) today announced that the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee has included provisions from two Manchin-Hoeven bills that will allow Veterans greater access to long term care (LTC) services near loved ones and friends in their home communities: the Veterans Access to Extended Care Act and the Veterans Access to Long Term Care and Health Services Act. Extended care providers include such facilities as nursing centers, geriatric evaluation, domiciliary services, adult day health care, respite care, palliative care, hospice care and home health care. Congress is expected to take the bill up at the beginning of the new year.\r\nOur Veterans in West Virginia and across the U.S. have sacrificed so much for this country, and they deserve the highest quality, long-term care available, Senator Manchin said. I am pleased that my legislation with Senator Hoeven is moving forward that will get rid of the red tape in order to make sure our Veterans can access the services they need close to home. These commonsense reforms will impact a large number of our Veterans and their families who are currently in need of better long-term care.\r\nFamily, friends and community serve as a vital support network throughout our lives, and our veterans should not be forced to choose between being near their loved ones and accessing the care they need, said Hoeven. Our legislation will make more options available to our former service members who need long-term care services. That means better access to the benefits they have earned and a higher quality of life in their later years.\r\nSpecifically, the legislation means the VA can enter into provider agreements with long-term-care facilities subject to the same rules and regulations as Medicare and Medicaid providers. This will enable Veterans to stay in local nursing homes by allowing those facilities to receive Veterans Administration reimbursement on the same basis as Medicare and Medicaid providers.\r\nCurrently, duplicative reporting requirements and regulations administered by the Office of Federal Contracting Compliance Programs (OFCCP) have discouraged long-term-care facilities from admitting VA patients, thus depriving Veterans of an opportunity to secure long term care at non-VA facilities.\r\nBy contrast, the same LTC facilities contracting with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) are not subject to OFCCP regulations. The legislation would make the VA requirements for providers the same as they are for CMS, giving our former servicemen and women more options to access long-term-care services closer to their homes, families and friends.\r\nSenators Manchin and Hoeven originally introduced the Veterans Access to Extended Care Act as a stand-alone bill in March and the Veterans Access to Long Term Care and Health Services Act in September.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=2d0bbf4a-ea90-45e6-bcdc-3b840a9f71da", "Manchin and Capito Announce More Than $7 Million for Infrastructure Repair in West Virginia", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 10, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin and Capito Announce More Than $7 Million for Infrastructure Repair in West Virginia  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today announced that West Virginia will receive $7,397,643 from the U.S. Department of Transportations Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to help finance federal road and bridge repairs in 19 counties following severe weather incidents in the spring and summer of 2015.\r\nThe severe weather earlier this year took a toll on communities throughout West Virginia, impacting our businesses, highways, roads and our homes, Senator Manchin said. Over the past couple of months, I have heard from numerous West Virginians about the dire road conditions caused by the severe weather. I am glad this funding will help repair the damage while also creating an environment for economic growth.\r\nThis funding is important to West Virginia communities that were struck by severe weather earlier this year. Roads, bridges and highways play a vital role in a mountainous state like ours, and this financial assistance from the Federal Highway Administration will help put these 19 counties on the road to recovery, said Senator Capito.\r\nMore than $6.5 million is being awarded through FHWAs Emergency Relief (ER) program and more than $800,000 is from the Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) program.\r\nIndividual awards are listed below:\r\n $813,181  Funds are awarded through the ERFO program to support repairs in Pocahontas, Webster, Nicholas and Greenbrier Counties\r\n $1,316,892  Funds are awarded through the ER program for the following West Virginia counties affected by the July 2015 flooding: Boone, Braxton, Clay, Cabell, Lincoln, Logan, Jackson, Nicholas, Roane, Webster and Wood.\r\n $5,267,570  Funds are awarded through the ER program for the following West Virginia counties affected by the April 2015 flooding: Boone, Brooke, Cabell, Lincoln, Logan, Marshall, Mingo, Pleasants, Wayne and Wetzel.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://evanjenkins.house.gov/media-center/columns/rep-jenkins-highway-bill-victory-west-virginia", "Rep. Jenkins: Highway bill is a victory for West Virginia", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Evan Jenkins", "J000297", "evanjenkins.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "West Virginia has many road projects that have been long promised but never completed. Some are actually seeing progress, like Route 35 in Mason and Putnam counties, which is on schedule to be fully upgraded. Others, like the King Coal Highway, Coalfields Expressway and Tolsia Highway remain in various stages of completion  or lack thereof.\nNearly every day, West Virginians ask me to help find a solution to this critical issue. I hear about a road thats unsafe, a highway thats incomplete, or a bridge that fails to meet safety standards. I agree  funding our transportation infrastructure must be a priority. I want my family and every West Virginia family to drive on safe, well-maintained roads and bridges.\nHelp is on the way. Just days ago, the House and Senate passed a fully funded, five-year highway bill  the FAST Act  that will bring billions of dollars to West Virginia to fix our roads and invest in our future. The president has signed this into law, which means that Congress has achieved something that hasnt been done in a decade  passing a multi-year highway bill. We also ensured that the FAST Act is fully paid for without increasing the gas tax, a tax increase many West Virginians oppose in these tough economic times.\nThe need for the FAST Act and the money it will bring is great. Theres no debating the fact that our roads and bridges are in poor shape. According to a May 2015 national transportation study, West Virginia ranks the fifth worst in the nation for rural pavement conditions. That means 29 percent of our rural roads are considered unfit for travel. Our bridges arent any better. The Federal Highway Administration reports that 35 percent of our states bridges  more than 2,500 bridges  are either structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.\nThe FAST Act will bring nearly $2.5 billion in transportation funding to West Virginia over the next five years, which will go a long way to building new roads, repairing existing roads, and fixing our dilapidated bridges. This fiscal year alone West Virginia will receive more than $420 million, and that amount will grow every year for the duration of this law.\nThe lack of a long-term highway bill has tied the hands of our state highway department. Without knowing that funds will be there for years to come, highway officials have held off on many major projects. Roads are not built overnight  they require years of planning and consistent, reliable funding. This bill provides just that.\nIt also allows states to use federal funds for local bridges, many of which are in rural areas. Previously, it was difficult for states to get approval to use Highway Trust Fund dollars to pay for bridges that are not part of the federal highway system, meaning that most of the bridges in our district could not be fixed with these federal funds. Because of the FAST Act, West Virginia will be able to use these funds to fix many of the bridges we have that fail to meet safety standards.\nThe FAST Act also includes several provisions that will make railways safer, something thats in all of our minds after the Mount Carbon derailment at the beginning of the year. It improves safety standards for both new and existing railroad tank cars, making them better protected in the event of a derailment or accident. The law also increases funding for highway-railroad grade crossings, which will make West Virginians safer as they drive across the at-grade train crossings across our district.\nInstead of making spending decisions in Washington, the FAST Act gives money to the states to decide which projects will be built and prioritized. I know the people of southern West Virginia want to see highway dollars invested in their backyards, and I will be fighting for these projects and for the Third District to receive its fair share. It will be up to all of us to let those in Charleston know about the roads, bridges and projects in the Third District that we want to be completed with this money.\nAs a member of Congress, Im dedicated to being part of solutions that work for West Virginia. This highway bill makes meaningful investments in our roads and bridges while allowing us to plan for our states long-term needs. Smart investments in our highways and bridges will help keep and bring good-paying jobs to our towns and communities. If West Virginia is to get its economy back on track, we must make sure the way there is safe.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-commends-passage-of-every-student-succeeds-act", "Capito Commends Passage of Every Student Succeeds Act", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Shelley Capito", "C001047", "www.capito.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.09.15\n\t\t\t Capito Commends Passage of Every Student Succeeds Act \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Bipartisan education reform bill includes Capito amendments to improve student access to the internet at home, fund health and social services at community schools, and provide parents with information about schools\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t \nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today voted for a bipartisan education reform bill that overhauls the No Child Left Behind Act and ends the Common Core mandate. The Every Student Succeeds Act  a combination of the Senate-passed Every Child Achieves Act and the House-passed Student Success Act  passed the Senate on an overwhelming 85-12 vote.\r\nTodays passage of the bipartisan Every Student Succeeds Act is a significant step forward for an education system that is outdated and out of step with the needs of our students. This legislation ends the Common Core mandate and eliminates Washingtons one size fits all approach to education. It puts decisions about education back in the hands of those who know best: states, parents and teachers, said Senator Capito. Our students deserve the highest academic standards, the best available teaching and the resources needed to excel in school. The Every Student Succeeds Act will help achieve those goals.\r\nMany provisions in the bill will directly benefit West Virginias nearly 300,000 students, including funding for STEM programs and drug prevention education. The bill also includes three provisions I introduced to empower students and their families. These amendments seek to improve student access to the internet at home, fund health and social services at community schools, and provide parents with important information about their childrens schools.\nSenator Capitos amendments in the Every Student Succeeds Act include:\nDevelops Metrics for SuccessRequires state and local educational agencies to include college enrollment information on state and local report cards. By including this simple, easy to understand outcome measure, parents and students will have the information they need to make informed choices about their education. Additionally, the data will help states and school districts target limited resources to the schools that need them.\nPromotes Digital LearningAuthorizes a report on closing the homework gap for students without internet access at home as proposed in the Digital Learning Equity Act and allows funding in the bill to be used to close this technology gap. Building on her Capito Connect plan, Senator Capito introduced legislation similar to these provisions with Senator Angus King (I-Maine) in June.\nHelps Community SchoolsEnsures that any West Virginia community school program receiving Title I funds can use these funds for their program and for a site resource coordinator at their school or local education agency. The bill also creates a new grant program to expand the community school model. Title I of theElementary and Secondary Education Actprovides financial assistance to local schools with high numbers of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards. Site resource coordinators work with the local community and nonprofits to identify additional resources that benefit students.\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=0412813c-a66f-4ca1-bf7a-8a55a5973a14", "Manchin Votes to Overhaul Education Law", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 09, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Votes to Overhaul Education Law  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Every Student Succeeds Act scales back federal interference in school system and ensures all children receive high-quality education\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today voted for the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), legislation to reauthorize through 2020 the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), which is also known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB). The legislation includes measures that will scale back federal interference in the public school system and ensure all children in America and West Virginia have access to a well-rounded, high-quality education that enables them to compete and succeed in a growing global economy. The final bill passed the Senate by a 85-12 vote. On December 3rd, the House voted 359-64 to pass the bill. It now heads to the Presidents desk, where it is expected to be signed into law.\r\nSenator Manchin secured several provisions to the bill that will benefit students and families in West Virginia. The provisions focus specifically on addressing substance abuse in the home, promoting volunteerism and community service, protecting children from predators, making sure governors have input in state education plans and enabling schools serving high concentrations of low-income students to work with community partners to provide health, nutrition, and other social services in a cost-effective manner.\r\n\"The future of our countrys economic success largely depends on the quality of education our children are receiving today, Senator Manchin said. This bipartisan legislation reduces federal interference in local schools to ensure teachers, school leaders, parents, local districts and states play a greater role in preparing our children to compete and succeed in a 21st century, global economy. This bill works to provide every child across this country with a quality education and takes steps to ensure we meet the Five Promises we must keep to our children: that they will grow up with the help and guidance of caring adults, safe surroundings, healthy childhoods, effective education and opportunities to serve others.\r\nTo review a one-pager on the Every Student Succeeds Act, please click here.\r\nDetails on the provisions that Senator Manchin included in the bill are below:\r\nEducating Students Facing Substance Abuse: This provision allows schools to use funds to support Safe and Healthy Students for addressing the education needs of students facing substance abuse in the home.\r\nPromoting Student Volunteerism and Service: This provision promotes student volunteerism and community service as part of a well-rounded education. Specifically, it adds programs that promote volunteerism and community involvement to the list programs and activities that a local education agency is authorized to provide for the purpose of providing students with a well-rounded education.\r\nBanning Passing the Trash: This amendment bans \"passing the trash,\" which is the practice of a school helping a known child molester obtain a job at another school to prey upon other children.\r\nConsulting Governors While Developing State Plans: This provision requires governors of states to be consulted during the development of a state education plan to improve education and workforce readiness. It also includes a 30-day \"shot clock\" for a state's governor to approve the plan before it is submitted to the Secretary of Education.\r\nPromoting Full Community Schools: This provision sets aside at least ten grants per year to full community schools to establish public-private partnerships to ensure that low-income students have access to the resources that they need to learn and thrive, including physical and mental health services, nutrition services, and academic support services. Full Community schools, like Reconnecting McDowell in West Virginia, help ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed.\r\nProviding Support Services to Students: This provision allows local education agencies to hire a site resource coordinator to help schools provide physical and mental health services, nutrition services and academic support services to students.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=6ace90e0-8e04-4b87-b604-a49d81231079", "Senators Manchin, Kirk, and Representatives Ellison, Fitzpatrick introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Expand Access to Credit", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 09, 2015\n\t\t\t Senators Manchin, Kirk, and Representatives Ellison, Fitzpatrick introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Expand Access to Credit   \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Nearly 50 Million Americans are Credit Invisible Due to Limited Credit History\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  U.S. SenatorsJoe Manchin (D-WV) andMark Kirk (R-IL) today announced the introduction of The Credit Access and Inclusion Act (S. 2355), which helps consumers without traditional credit histories access credit by allowing non-financial service providers, like gas, electric and telecommunication companies, to report their customers on-time payments to credit reporting agencies. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, nearly 50 Americans are credit invisible  which means their credit history is limited or nonexistent, often because they have never had a credit card or made a mortgage payment. Those without credit reports face barriers when buying a home, securing loans or attempting to establish a secure financial history.\r\n\"All West Virginians and Americans deserve a chance to gain access to credit if they pay their bills on time every month,\" Senator Manchin said. \"Its just common sense to give everyone a fair shot and earn access to credit if they have proven their ability to be responsible. Its a real shame that the current system keeps some of the most vulnerable citizens in the shadows, and I am proud to work with my friend, Senator Mark Kirk, to fix this issue.\"\r\n1.4 million men and women in Illinois are unable to build a credit score, making it very difficult to get a loan, mortgage or credit cards, Senator Kirk said. My bipartisan bill with Senator Manchin levels the playing field for those who want to build a credit score.\r\nS. 2355 amends the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act to allow providers like gas, electric and telecommunication companies to report payment history to bureaus like Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. As a result, low and moderate income individuals would be able to access affordable and responsible financial products and services to build wealth.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=c514035b-afe0-40ef-ad03-74f3aaca064d", "Manchin Applauds Committee Passage of Bill to Improve Care for Veterans", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 09, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Applauds Committee Passage of Bill to Improve Care for Veterans \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Legislation will increase accountability at the VA and improve Veterans benefits and health care\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  As a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today applauded the Committees markup and passage of the Veterans Homeless Programs, Caregiver Services, and Other Improvements Act of 2015, legislation to increase accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and improve Veterans benefits and health care. The bill unanimously passed the Committee by voice vote and now heads to the full Senate for consideration.\r\nThe bill includes three provisions that were cosponsored by Senator Manchin. They aim to improve services for homeless Veterans, address overprescribing practices in the VA and provide safer and more effective pain management services to Veterans and allow more Veterans to have access to extended long-term care.\r\nVeterans and their families sacrifice so much in defense of our country, and they should expect to have the best services and opportunities available when they return home, Senator Manchin said. In order to make sure our Veterans receive the reliable care that they need and deserve, we need to continue to pass commonsense reforms that allow the VA to run more efficiently and better provide for our Veterans. That is why I am proud that these three measures that focus on improving the VA were included in this bill. In addition, while I am glad the bill strengths accountability standards at the VA, there is no doubt that more needs to be done in order to ensure the VA is doing its job of providing our Veterans with the finest care possible. I encourage all my colleagues to work together and put our brave veterans first and pass these important reforms.\r\nBelow is a list of Senator Manchins provisions that were included in the bill:\r\nJason Simcakoski Memorial Opioid Safety Provision: This provision addresses opioid abuse by providing safer and more effective pain management services to our nations Veterans. It requires stronger opioid prescribing guidelines and education for VA providers, including stricter standards against prescribing dangerous combinations of opioids with other drugs and for prescribing opioids to patients struggling with mental health issues. It also increases coordination and communication throughout the VA with medical facilities, providers, patients and their families surrounding pain management, alternative treatments for chronic pain, and appropriate opioid therapy.\r\nHomeless Veterans Prevention Provision: This provision that Senator Manchin originally introduced with Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) improves housing retention for homeless Veterans who transition to permanent housing and provides more legal services for homeless Veterans.\r\nVeteran Access to Care Provision: This provision combines two bills Senator Manchin cosponsored with Senator John Hoeven (R-SD), the Veterans Access to Extended Care Act and the Veterans Access to Long Term Care and Health Services Act. The provision allows Veterans greater access to long term care (LTC) services near loved ones and friends in their home communities. Extended care providers include such facilities as nursing centers, geriatric evaluation, domiciliary services, adult day health care, respite care, palliative care, hospice care and home health care.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://evanjenkins.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/bluefield-daily-telegraph-editorial-fast-act-federal-highway-bill-now-law", "Bluefield Daily Telegraph editorial: FAST Act: Federal highway bill now law", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Evan Jenkins", "J000297", "evanjenkins.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Legislation that will fast track federal funding for critical highway infrastructure projects in West Virginia and Virginia, including the King Coal Highway and the Coalfields Expressway, has been signed into law by President Barack Obama.\n\tThe U.S. House of Representatives approved The Fixing Americas Surface Transportation Act last week by a vote of 350 to 65. The U.S. Senate then voted 83 to 16 to approve the FAST Act. The measure was signed into law by Obama late Friday evening.\n\tThe long-awaited federal highway bill will provide more than $2.6 billion in federal transportation dollars to West Virginia over a five-year period. In neighboring Virginia, another $6.2 billion in federal transportation funding will be allocated to the Commonwealth over the next five years.\n\tThe measure is the first long-term highway funding bill to be approved by Congress in more than a decade. It is long overdue and desperately needed, and should help in jump-starting both the King Coal Highway and the Coalfields Expressway, while also allocating additional dollars to urgently needed road and bridge repairs in both West Virginia and Virginia.\n\tLawmakers across the region voted in support of the bill, including U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins, R-W.Va., U.S. Sen. Shelly Moore Capito, R-W.Va., U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., and U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va.\n\tJenkins, a member of the House Appropriations Committee who serves on the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Subcommittee, said the new long-term highway bill will allow West Virginia to rebuild roads, complete highway projects, repair bridges, and improve rural transit programs  all without raising the gas tax.\n\tWest Virginia will have the funding, certainty and tools needed to move forward on long-term highway projects like King Coal Highway, Tolsia Highway, Coalfields Expressway and Route 10 just to name a few, Jenkins said. Instead of making spending decisions in Washington, this bill gives money to the states to decide which projects will be built and prioritized. I know the people of southern West Virginia want to see highway dollars invested in their backyards, and I will be fighting for these projects and for the Third District to receive its fair share.\n\tUnder the FAST Act, West Virginia will receive over $2.3 billion dollars to maintain existing infrastructure and continue construction on critical high priority corridors such as the King Coal Highway, the Coalfields Expressway, and Corridor H, Manchin added. The bill also includes a new national freight program that will bring $70 million to West Virginia over the next five years to support the efficient movement of goods throughout our national highway system.\n\tTwo road projects that are expected to see a resumption of construction as a result of the new federal highway bill are the King Coal Highway and the Coalfields Expressway. In Mercer County, the federal highway bill should help to ensure that funding will be in place for the resumption of construction on a long-stalled section of the King Coal Highway near Bluefield, which was recently included in West Virginias six-year highway improvement plan by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin.\n\tThe future Intestate 73/74 corridor currently comes to an abrupt end at the Christine West Bridge near Stoney Ridge and the Mercer Mall. Current plans call for the creation of a usable segment of the highway that will extend toward Route 123, and the Mercer County Airport. Getting this road moving again is critical to the future of southern West Virginia.\n\tIts a great day, and its been quite a few years since weve had a transportation bill, King Coal Highway Authority Executive Director Mike Mitchem told the Daily Telegraph last week. We are hoping it will jump-start the Mercer County section there that is in the six-year plan, the airport, the railcar place the city of Bluefield is working on and will help bring some other economic development to the area.\n\tIn terms of the Coalfields Expressway, officials are hoping the federal funding will allow them to get the four-lane corridor to the Pineville area of Wyoming County. A section of the road is already open to traffic in Raleigh County. Richard Browning, executive director of the Coalfields Expressway Authority, says the authority is continuing to look at contracts in McDowell County, and possible public-private agreements. Thats of critical importance considering that McDowell County still doesnt have a usable section of four-lane highway.\n\tWe welcome and applaud the passage of the FAST Act. With a new long-term federal highway bill in the books, it is now imperative for state officials to get back to work on building the King Coal Highway and the Coalfields Expressway, and fixing our dilapidated roads and bridges.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://evanjenkins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-jenkins-house-strengthens-visa-waiver-program", "REP. JENKINS: HOUSE STRENGTHENS VISA WAIVER PROGRAM", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Evan Jenkins", "J000297", "evanjenkins.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) voted yes today on legislation to help identify and stop terrorists from entering the United States via the Visa Waiver Program.\nRep. Jenkins is also a cosponsor of H.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives 407-19.\nAs the president has failed to lead to make our nation secure from the threat of terrorism, Congress must take every action possible to protect our nation and safeguard against those who wish to do us harm. The Visa Waiver Program, as it stands now, has clear loopholes that would allow someone who recently traveled to ISIS territories to come to the United States as a visitor with minimal scrutiny. Americans deserve to know that visitors from other countries have been thoroughly screened, and we must use every resource possible to prevent terrorists from entering our country, Rep. Jenkins said.\nThirty-eight countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program, which expedites entry into the United States. However, thousands of holders of passports from Visa Waiver Program countries have traveled to Iraq, Syria and other troubled areas to meet up with ISIS and other terrorist groups. Through the Visa Waiver Program, these individuals could travel to the United States with little scrutiny.\nThe Visa Waiver Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act would strengthen our national security by requiring every participating country to have e-passports, lost or stolen passports be reported to Interpol, and people who have traveled to Iraq, Syria or other areas of concern go through the regular, thorough visa screening process.\nH.R. 158 is sponsored by Rep. Candice Miller (R-Mich.). For more about the bill, please click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mckinley.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=429", "McKinley Votes to Keep Americans Safe, Fix Loopholes in Visa Waiver Program", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "David McKinley", "M001180", "mckinley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today the House overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan plan to strengthen oversight of the Visa Waiver Program and close security gaps in the program, which allows passport holders from 38 countries around the world to travel to the United States for 90 days without a visa. \r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Today the House overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan plan to strengthen oversight of the Visa Waiver Program and close security gaps in the program, which allows passport holders from 38 countries around the world to travel to the United States for 90 days without a visa. Terrorists from ISIS have already made it abundantly clear they will use our freedom and openness to hurt us, said Rep. David B. McKinley, P.E. (R-WV). Giving more scrutiny to travelers with connections to Syria, Iraq, and other terrorist hotspots is just common sense. We know that thousands of Europeans who would qualify for the Visa Waiver Program have traveled to Syria and Iraq to fight for ISIS, said McKinley. It's imperative we stop these terrorists from boarding a flight in Brussels, Paris, or London and traveling to America to cause harm. The Visa Waiver Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act (H.R. 158) requires individuals who have traveled to countries that are State Sponsors of Terrorism or troubled areas like Syria or Iraq to apply for a visa before coming to the U.S., just like most travelers. It would also allow the U.S. to suspend countries from the program if they don't cooperate and share information on terrorist threats.  We need to give Americans the peace of mind that our government is taking all steps necessary to stop potential terrorist attacks before they happen, said McKinley. This plan is a step to reduce these threats and will help keep Americans safe.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=4697a9f3-d010-4e01-a37d-c34f61d44827", "Manchin Encourages West Virginians to Nominate Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs for Achievement Awards", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 08, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Encourages West Virginians to Nominate Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs for Achievement Awards \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Deadline for nominations is January 11th\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C. ? U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today encouraged West Virginians to nominate West Virginia small businesses and entrepreneurs for the U.S. Small Business Administrations (SBA) 2016 Small Business Week awards and for the West Virginias District Office awards. Winners of the West Virginia District Office awards will compete for national titles. Winner of national titles will attend National Small Business Week activities in Washington, D.C. in May 2016. All nominations are due by Monday, January 11th.\r\nWith over 120,000 small businesses in West Virginia, I encourage all of our residents to help recognize the great achievements of our small businesses and entrepreneurs by nominating them for one of these outstanding awards, Senator Manchin said. West Virginias small businesses make up 96 percent of our states economy, provide thousands of good-paying jobs and goods and services we rely on daily. These awards are an opportunity to thank our local businesses for making our state an ideal place to live and do business.\r\nSBA is seeking national nominations for the following awards: Small Business Person of the Year Awards, Small Business Exporter of the Year, Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery, Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery, Federal Procurement Award- Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year Award, Federal Procurement Award- Small Business Subcontractor of the Year Award, Federal Procurement Award- Dwight D. Eisenhower Award for Excellence, Graduate of the Year Award, Small Business, Development Center Excellence and Innovation Award, Veterans Business Outreach Center Excellence in Service Award and Womens Business Center of Excellence Award.\r\nTo nationally nominate a small business or entrepreneur, please use the Small Business Week Nomination Portal, or send to the SBAs West Virginia District Office at 320 West Pike Street, Suite 330, Clarksburg, WV 26301.\r\nIn addition to national awards, theWest Virginia District Officeis seeking nominations for the following district awards: Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year, Encore Entrepreneur of the Year, Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year, Family-Owned Small Business of the Year, Small Business Champion of the Year and Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year.\r\nDistrict nominations must be submitted directly to the West Virginia District Office. Guidelines and nomination forms can be found on the SBAs West Virginia District Office web page athttp://1.usa.gov/1SfCqJ0 or by contacting Nikki Bowmar at (304) 623-7445 ornikki.bowmar@sba.gov(link sends e-mail).\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-manchin-announce-more-than-350k-for-employment-assistance-in-west-virginia", "Capito, Manchin Announce More Than $350K for Employment Assistance in West Virginia", "2015-12-07", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Shelley Capito", "C001047", "www.capito.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.07.15\n\t\t\t Capito, Manchin Announce More Than $350K for Employment Assistance in West Virginia \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today announced $350,159 in federal funding for local housing agencies in West Virginia to help families in need find employment and become economically independent.\r\nA state filled with small towns and tightknit communities, West Virginians often come together to help neighbors in need. These funds will help West Virginia entities better assist families looking to achieve economic independence. By helping these individuals secure employment, this program has the ability to transform lives and help many West Virginians get back on a solid footing, said Senator Capito.\r\nOne of our core values as West Virginians is helping our neighbors who are struggling and in need our support, Senator Manchin said. We should help those in need to make sure they have the resources they need to get back on their feet, provide for their families and contribute to their communities. This funding will help West Virginians who have fallen on hard times acquire the skills and training they need to find jobs that provide a living wage and become financially independent.\r\nThe funding was awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Family Self-sufficiency (FSS) program. This program helps put those currently receiving vouchers on the path to economic independence by helping them obtain employment. The money is distributed to public housing agencies that work with schools, businesses, and other local entities to support programs that give participants skills and experience to help them find employment. In addition to employment assistance, funding can also support child care, transportation, education and job training, and counseling.\r\nBelow are the individual award amounts:\n$18,104  Benwood McMechen Housing Authority  $81,960  Charleston-Kanawha Housing Authority  $34,028  Clarksburg-Harrison Regional Housing Authority  $34,500  Housing Authority of Mingo County  $22,736  Randolph County Housing Authority  $30,186  The Fairmont-Morgantown Housing Authority  $36,960  The Huntington West Virginia Housing Authority  $43,275  Parkersburg Housing Authority  $48,410  Wheeling Housing Authority\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=ac1997b9-d895-4331-ba16-550310895fd4", "Manchin Welcomes Attendees to 8th Annual WV Identification Intelligence Expo", "2015-12-07", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 07, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Welcomes Attendees to 8th Annual WV Identification Intelligence Expo \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Manchin delivered remarks at the eighth West Virginia Identification Intelligence EXPO VIII on Sunday\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  As Honorary Chair of the Discover the Real West Virginia Foundation, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) welcomed representatives from identification intelligence companies and federal agencies to West Virginia for the eighth annual Identification Intelligence Expo on Sunday. This was first time this identification intelligence industry event was held in West Virginia. It was also the first time the event, held over the course of two days, incorporated a trade mission for out-of-state executives which included a tour of the I-79 technology corridor and presentations by federal, state and local agencies. The annual identification intelligence industry event provided opportunities for executives in cyber security, forensics, biometrics and big data to explore business partnerships, research synergies and investment opportunities in West Virginia. The Expo was hosted by Discover the Real West Virginia Foundation, West Virginia Development Office, I-79 Development Council, Identification Intelligence Ridge, along with significant supporting roles from both Marshall University and West Virginia University. The event was sponsored by the Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing, Azimuth, Marshall University, West Virginia University, TMC Technologies, Northrop Grumman, CSRA, Global Science & Technology, MorphoTrust USA and the High Technology Foundation.  West Virginia companies that participated in the exhibition included: Allegheny Science & Technology (AST), Azimuth, CACI International, Inc., CSRA, FBI-Biometric Center of Excellence, FBI-Next Generational Intelligence, Frontier Communications, Marshall University, MorphoTrak LLC, MorphoTrust USA, Northrop Grumman, TMC Technologies, Tygart Technology, West Virginia Robotics Alliance, and West Virginia University.\r\nTo see photos from the event, please click here.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=e83980cb-930c-4c54-84fd-e9d6b0eb1544", "Manchin, Capito Announce More Than $350K for Employment Assistance in West Virginia", "2015-12-07", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 07, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin, Capito Announce More Than $350K for Employment Assistance in West Virginia \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today announced $350,159 in federal funding for local housing agencies in West Virginia to help families in need find employment and become economically independent.\r\nOne of our core values as West Virginians is helping our neighbors who are struggling and in need our support, Senator Manchin said. We should help those in need to make sure they have the resources they need to get back on their feet, provide for their families and contribute to their communities. This funding will help West Virginians who have fallen on hard times acquire the skills and training they need to find jobs that provide a living wage and become financially independent.\r\nA state filled with small towns and tightknit communities, West Virginians often come together to help neighbors in need. These funds will help West Virginia entities better assist families looking to achieve economic independence. By helping these individuals secure employment, this program has the ability to transform lives and help many West Virginians get back on a solid footing, said Senator Capito.\r\nThe funding was awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Family Self-sufficiency (FSS) program. This program helps put those currently receiving vouchers on the path to economic independence by helping them obtain employment. The money is distributed to public housing agencies that work with schools, businesses, and other local entities to support programs that give participants skills and experience to help them find employment. In addition to employment assistance, funding can also support child care, transportation, education and job training, and counseling.\r\nBelow are the individual award amounts:\r\n$18,104  Benwood McMechen Housing Authority  $81,960  Charleston-Kanawha Housing Authority  $34,028  Clarksburg-Harrison Regional Housing Authority  $34,500  Housing Authority of Mingo County  $22,736  Randolph County Housing Authority  $30,186  The Fairmont-Morgantown Housing Authority  $36,960  The Huntington West Virginia Housing Authority  $43,275  Parkersburg Housing Authority  $48,410  Wheeling Housing Authority\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://evanjenkins.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/beckley-register-herald-congressman-jenkins-meets-local-health-officials", "Beckley Register-Herald: Congressman Jenkins meets with local health officials to discuss NAS babies", "2015-12-05", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Evan Jenkins", "J000297", "evanjenkins.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "RONCEVERTE  About 500 babies are delivered at Greenbrier Valley Medical Center (GVMC) each year. Three years ago, 19 percent of babies born suffered from Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome or NAS.\nThats about 100 babies each year who suffer the effects of withdrawal from being exposed to drugs in the womb, officials said Friday.\nAfter having several interventions and getting drug-addicted mothers the help they need, the number has dropped to about 5 percent. Thats still too high, according to West Virginia Congressman Evan Jenkins.\nJenkins visited GVMC Friday to talk to staff about how NAS affects lives, big and small.\nVivian Davies, director of Womens Services at GVMC, said segments of umbilical cords are tested for drug exposure.\nNormally, if the cord tests negative for drugs, we get that result back quickly, Vivian Davies said. If its positive for drugs, it takes a few days to get results.\nThose few days of waiting can be a major problem if insurance providers dont want to pay for five days' worth of care for an infant.\nNormally they pay for three days, Davies said. Oftentimes the symptoms dont appear for five days and thats a problem. Weve had babies that needed to stay for 30 days. The hospital ends up eating the cost of caring for those children.\nJenkins said it costs about $4,500 to deliver a healthy baby. An NAS baby costs the state about $70,000.\nNot only is it costly to take care of an NAS baby, its taxing as well, Davies said.\nIts extremely hard on the nurses, she said. The nurses are often taking care of babies while the mom is out there doing drugs. Thats just frustrating.\nAn NAS baby must be weaned off of drugs slowly so they can live a happy, full life.\nIt may seem like nothing can be done to ease the baby's pain, but we know enough about the babies to treat them in the best way possible, according to an addictions therapist from the GVMC.\nWe have these little swings called MamaRoos, Tameran Asbury said. They sway and rock in a way that is soothing to NAS babies. You cant hold an NAS baby. Touch makes them panic because they are hyper-sensitive.\nLow-lighting and quiet environments are soothing for the babies, too. While the baby is soothed, the drug-weaning process starts. For some babies, this can take days or weeks.\nFor others, like a baby we had recently, it can take months, Asbury said.\nJenkins said he once held an NAS baby and it changed his life.\nFive years ago, two nurses invited me to see and understand the ravages of a newborn who was drug-exposed, he said. They are born and they have to essentially detox.\nNAS babies are rigid. They cry incessantly. Theyre inconsolable. They have the potential for seizures and serious intestinal issues. They sweat constantly. They pretty much have all the symptoms of an adult who is going through withdrawal.\nWithdrawal is tough on adults, so it can only be pure suffering for someone who is 2 days old, Jenkins said.\nThese are the most victimized victims in all of the drug crisis, he said. Their suffering is simply unacceptable to me.\nJenkins co-sponsored a bill to help NAS babies that was signed into law Wednesday by President Barack Obama.\nThe bill, called the Protecting Our Infants Act, will build a system to better treat babies that are affected by NAS.\nCongressman Jenkins also introduced a bill Wednesday that would offer clinical care to NAS babies while giving counseling to mothers and families. The bill also expands Medicaid coverage to victims of NAS.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://evanjenkins.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/bluefield-daily-telegraph-editorial-nas-babies-necessary-measure-now-law", "Bluefield Daily Telegraph editorial: NAS babies: Necessary measure is now law", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Evan Jenkins", "J000297", "evanjenkins.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Protecting Our Infants Act, a necessary measure that will improve care for babies who are exposed to drugs during pregnancy, has been signed into law by President Barack Obama.\n\tThe bill, which was championed by U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins, R-.W.Va., will build on best practices from doctors and nurses in West Virginia and across the country in treating babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome. Jenkins was a cosponsor of the House version of the bill, which was introduced in response to the growing tragedy of newborns who are suffering from withdrawal from the drugs their mothers consumed during pregnancy.\n\tSeveral years ago when he was still a state lawmaker, Jenkins was involved in the three-year process to build Lillys Place in Huntington, one of the first stand-alone residential pediatric recovery centers in the country.\n\tSince coming to Congress, I have made it my mission to fight for babies impacted by the drug epidemic, Jenkins said. Going through withdrawal from heroin and other opioids is a horrific way to start ones life, but thats the reality for far too many newborns in West Virginia. The Protecting Our Infants Act becoming law means we will improve treatment for NAS babies and increase our understanding of opioid exposure during pregnancy.\n\tThe new law will improve care for mothers and babies alike, as correctly noted by Rebecca Crowder, executive director of Lilys Place.\n\tThe number of babies born with prenatal exposure to drugs is growing at a rapid rate across the nation, Crowder said. The Protecting Our Infants Act will create positive outcomes for the mother and child, focusing on prevention as well as the treatment of babies already born affected. West Virginia is making great strides in treatment, care for babies born prenatally exposed to drugs, and much-needed services for families. Congressman Jenkins has led the charge in making all of this possible in West Virginia, and now we have the opportunity to become a model for other states.\n\tWe, too, applaud Jenkins for championing this all- important measure. And it is our hope that the new law can make a meaningful difference in West Virginia where an alarming number of infants are being born drug addicted.\n\tThe passage of this measure is a rare example of Congress and President Barack Obama putting politics aside and working together for the greater cause. This is a positive move, as there is no room for politics  and political bickering  when it comes to fighting the deadly scourge of drug abuse.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://evanjenkins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-jenkins-visa-waiver-program-loopholes-threaten-our-security", "REP. JENKINS: VISA WAIVER PROGRAM LOOPHOLES THREATEN OUR SECURITY", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Evan Jenkins", "J000297", "evanjenkins.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) has signed on as a cosponsor of legislation to help identify and stop terrorists from entering the United States via the Visa Waiver Program. This bill is expected to pass the U.S. House of Representatives next week under suspension, meaning it has broad bipartisan support for passage.\nThirty-eight countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program, which expedites entry into the United States. However, thousands of holders of passports from Visa Waiver Program countries have traveled to Iraq, Syria and other troubled areas to meet up with ISIS and other terrorist groups. Through the Visa Waiver Program, these individuals could travel to the United States with little scrutiny.\nH.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act, would strengthen our national security by requiring every participating country to have e-passports, lost or stolen passports be reported to Interpol, and people who have traveled to Iraq, Syria or other areas of concern go through the regular, thorough visa screening process.\nThe presidents failed policies in Syria have led to the threat that ISIS poses to America and across the world. The Visa Waiver Program, as it stands now, has clear loopholes that would allow someone who recently traveled to ISIS territories to come to the United States as a visitor with minimal scrutiny. As the president has failed to lead to make our nation secure from the threat of terrorism, Congress must act quickly to strengthen our borders and improve the screening of visitors arriving on American soil.\nNext week the House will take up the Visa Waiver Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act, which I am proud to cosponsor. This legislation ensures that travelers are thoroughly screened and that other countries are held to the highest passport standards. We must take every action possible to protect our nation and safeguard against those who wish to do us harm, Rep. Jenkins said.\nH.R. 158 is sponsored by Rep. Candice Miller (R-Mich.). For more about the bill, please click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mckinley.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=449", "McKinley Votes to Replace No Child Left Behind, Return Power to Teachers and Parents", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "David McKinley", "M001180", "mckinley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman David B. McKinley, P.E. (WV-1) voted today to replace the flawed No Child Left Behind policy, and enact reforms that will return power back to local teachers, principals, and parents and prevent the government from forcing Common Core on the states.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Congressman David B. McKinley, P.E. (WV-1) voted today to replace the flawed No Child Left Behind policy, and enact reforms that will return power back to local teachers, principals, and parents and prevent the government from forcing Common Core on the states. We have talked to parents, teachers, and education officials throughout West Virginia and heard a constant refrain that the current system is broken, said McKinley. They are fed up with one-size-fits-all mandates from Washington, too much reliance on testing, and Common Core being forced on them. While the bill is not perfect, it is a step in the right direction, said McKinley. It reduces the federal role in education and empowers parents to make choices for their kids. Voting against this would have meant endorsing the status quo, which is clearly not working, said McKinley. Our kids and grandkids are falling behind and the system is failing them. Today the House took a step in the right direction to say no to Common Core and yes to more local control. Rep. McKinley had two amendments incorporated into the final version of the bill: a provision to require multiple measures to grade school performance, not just tests; and one that ensures paraprofessional educators are qualified. -###-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mckinley.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=486", "McKinley: Highway Bill Will Help West Virginia", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "David McKinley", "M001180", "mckinley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today the House overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan, long-term transportation bill that will help improve West Virginia's roads and bridges. \"We can't rebuild and grow our economy unless we have good roads,\" said Rep. David B. McKinley, P.E. (R-WV). \"Our infrastructure is failing and needs immediate attention. This five-year plan will give West Virginia and our local communities the certainty they need to make planning decisions.\"\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Today the House overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan, long-term transportation bill that will help improve West Virginia's roads and bridges. We can't rebuild and grow our economy unless we have good roads, said Rep. David B. McKinley, P.E. (R-WV). Our infrastructure is failing and needs immediate attention. This five-year plan will give West Virginia and our local communities the certainty they need to make planning decisions. The Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act was negotiated between the House and Senate and is the first long-term transportation bill since the Bush Administration. The $300 billion plan makes important reforms to streamline permitting, gives states and communities more flexibility, and will provide West Virginia with more funding than it has received in the past. This bill pays special attention to rural infrastructure, said McKinley. It will give us the resources West Virginia desperately needs for important projects like Corridor H. Congress has been talking about a long-term highway bill for years, and now we're finally doing it, said McKinley. We've eliminated a hurdle and now our leaders in Charleston will be able to build off our work and develop a transportation system for the future. -###-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=93237519-abba-4d90-aa83-cfa0daf322a2", "Sen. Manchin After Blankenship Verdict: Safety Was Not Coal Boss' Priority | WV Metro News", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 04, 2015\n\t\t\t Sen. Manchin After Blankenship Verdict: Safety Was Not Coal Boss' Priority | WV Metro News \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. The split verdict that convicted former Massey Energy boss Don Blankenship of conspiracy garnered national attention.\r\nOn Capitol Hill, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin was notified of the jurys decision Thursday while he was on the congressional floor.\r\nMy first reaction is Im hoping some families get some closure. I know they were looking for closure. They need closure. Im hoping some were able to receive that, Manchin said on MetroNews Talkline with Hoppy Kercheval.\r\nThe misdemeanor charge is tied to operations at Upper Big Branch Mine prior to the 2010 explosion that killed 29 coal miners.\r\nWe cannot have a pervasive mentality from leadership down from any mining, manufacturing, any type of job we have in West Virginia or in America where safety is not first, added the senator.\r\nThe jury found Blankenship not guilty on 2 fraud charges. The conspiracy charge carries a possible jail sentence of up to a year.\r\nManchin hinted that he thinks there was more criminal behavior in the case than the verdict reflected.\r\nI just believe there was pervasiveness where profit and production was before safety, Manchin maintained. I truly believe that.\r\nFamily members of some of the miners who died had mixed feelings following the verdict that came more than 8 days after deliberations began.\r\nWhile some feel they can try to move forward with some justice served, others stated Blankenship should have been convicted of the counts accusing him  of making false statements about Massey safety to federal authorities and investors.\r\nBlankenships attorneys said they will appeal the decision. U.S. District Judge Irene Berger set a tentative sentencing date for March.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=11b8d680-1d29-46ff-9d0c-fd1e38680c34", "Manchin Skypes with Ritchie County High School Students as Part of Global Skype Event", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 04, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Skypes with Ritchie County High School Students as Part of Global Skype Event \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  As part of Microsofts first-ever global Skype-a-Thon, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) answered questions from Ritchie County High School students through Skype, a popular videoconferencing website. The students asked Senator Manchin questions on a variety of current policy issues. Senator Manchin has used Skype to talk with students or virtually attend events throughout West Virginia about 70 times since taking office. The videoconferencing website has served as an important tool in Senator Manchins ability to connect with students and West Virginians while in Washington, D.C.\r\nOur students are West Virginias future leaders, and I truly enjoyed speaking with Ritchie County High School students to answer their questions, Senator Manchin said. My weekly Skype sessions with students allow me to hear the thoughts and concerns of our states youngest generation while Im in Washington and are something I always look forward to. Today, I urge all West Virginia classrooms to participate in the global Skype-a-Thon to get students virtually out of the classroom to meet new people and learn about different cultures from around the world. Thank you to the students and staff of Ritchie County High School for talking with me. I look forward to our next virtual visit and continuing my weekly sessions with students from across the Mountain State. \r\nSenator Manchin participates in weekly Skype sessions with West Virginia schools and answers students questions. Yesterday and today, students, teachers and leaders from around the world are participating in the first-ever global Skype-a-Thon with the goal of traveling one million virtual miles. To learn more about the global event, click here.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://evanjenkins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-jenkins-highway-bill-victory-west-virginia", "REP. JENKINS: HIGHWAY BILL IS A VICTORY FOR WEST VIRGINIA", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Evan Jenkins", "J000297", "evanjenkins.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) voted yes today on a landmark, five-year highway bill that will bring billions of dollars to West Virginia to rebuild our roads, complete highway projects, repair bridges, and improve rural transit programs  all without raising the gas tax.\nThe U.S. House of Representatives voted 359-65 today to pass the FAST Act, the conference report for the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act. The FAST Act, which works out the differences between the House and Senates highway bills, now goes to the Senate for passage and to the president to be signed into law.\nEverywhere I go in the Third District, I hear about a road thats unsafe, a highway thats incomplete, or a bridge that fails to meet safety standards. We need roads that will bring jobs to southern West Virginia, safe bridges for drivers, and highways that connect rural communities and open up new corridors of commerce.\nThe FAST Act is a crucial piece of legislation that will invest billions in West Virginias infrastructure across the state without increasing the gas tax. Congress has not passed a multi-year highway bill in a decade, which has tied the hands of our state highway departments. Roads are not built overnight  they require years of planning and consistent, reliable funding. This bill provides just that.\nWest Virginia will have the funding, certainty and tools needed to move forward on long-term highway projects like King Coal Highway, Tolsia Highway, Coalfields Expressway and Route 10 just to name a few. Instead of making spending decisions in Washington, this bill gives money to the states to decide which projects will be built and prioritized. I know the people of southern West Virginia want to see highway dollars invested in their backyards, and I will be fighting for these projects and for the Third District to receive its fair share, Rep. Jenkins said.\nRep. Jenkins is a member of the House Appropriations Committee and serves on the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Subcommittee.\nRep. Jenkins is proud to support the FAST Act and its investments in our transportation future:\n Provides nearly $2.5 billion in transportation funding for West Virginia over five years.\n\tStrengthens and secures the future of the Highway Trust Fund without raising the gas tax.\n\tAllows states to use federal funds for local bridges, many of which are in rural areas.\n\tBoosts dedicated bus funding by 89 percent over five years, helping our rural transit programs.\n\tIncreases funding for highway-railway grade crossings.\n\tImproves safety standards for both new and existing railroad tank cars.\n For more about the FAST Act, please click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-applauds-passage-of-multi-year-transportation-funding", "Capito Applauds Passage of Multi-Year Transportation Funding", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Shelley Capito", "C001047", "www.capito.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.03.15\n\t\t\t Capito Applauds Passage of Multi-Year Transportation Funding \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Bill includes funding for transit, highway programs and rural broadband expansion\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t \nWASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) issued the following statement regardingthe Senates passage of a bipartisan, five-year transportation funding bill, known as theFixing Americas Surface Transportation Act or FAST Act. The bill passed on a 83-16 vote.\r\nTodays passage of the FAST Act is welcome news for West Virginia. For the first time in more than a decade, Congress has passed a multi-year funding bill to move our transportation system forward, bringing the cycle of short-term extensions that result in fewer yet more costly fixes to an end, said Senator Capito.\r\nWest Virginias highway and transit programs will receive more than two billion dollars over the next five years to advance critical projects and improve the poor condition of our roads and bridges. The certainty and stability that comes from a long-term bill will help relieve traffic congestion, improve access to rural communities and fuel economic development. The bill also includes an important initiative to increase high speed Internet access in rural communities throughout West Virginia.\nHow the FAST Act Benefits West Virginia:\nMulti-year funding: The FAST Act will provide long-term certainty and multi-year funding to West Virginia. West Virginia will receive $2.5 billion over the five year period for highway and transit programs.\nImproving Broadband Access: The FAST Act also includes the Appalachian High-speed Broadband Deployment Initiative introduced by Senator Capito earlier this year. This initiative, administered through the Appalachian Regional Commission, will increase affordable access to high speed Internet, support distance learning opportunities and the use of telehealth technologies, and promote business development.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-votes-to-repeal-and-replace-obamacare", "Capito Votes to Repeal and Replace Obamacare", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Shelley Capito", "C001047", "www.capito.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.03.15\n\t\t\t Capito Votes to Repeal and Replace Obamacare \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t The failures of this law have been absolutely devastating. It is time to begin healing the wounds of Obamacare and pursuing a health care system that works. - Senator Capito\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t \nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today voted for the Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act, a bill that repeals Obamacare and begins the process of creating an improved health care system for hardworking American families. This is the first Obamacare repeal bill that will reach the presidents desk.\r\nAmericans deserve a health care system that works for them and Obamacare is not it. I have consistently voted to repeal and replace this disastrous health care law, and I am glad that a repeal bill will finally reach the presidents desk. This legislation will enable us to revisit the problems caused by Obamacare and replace them with reforms that provide quality, affordable care for all Americans.\r\n  In addition to lifting the heavy burden of Obamacare, this bill also repeals more than $1 trillion in onerous taxes and includes significant resources for mental health and substance abuse services  funding that is vital to West Virginia. I also fought to include a two year transition period for Medicaid expansion in the bill, which will allow us time to enact alternative reforms without disrupting coverage.\r\nThe failures of this law have been absolutely devastating. It is time to begin healing the wounds of Obamacare and pursuing a health care system that works.\r\n  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=4b7288a8-f693-45cb-b1b2-e72309c399d0", "Manchin Applauds Passage of Long-Term Highway Bill and Export-Import Bank Reauthorization", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 03, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Applauds Passage of Long-Term Highway Bill and Export-Import Bank Reauthorization \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today applauded the passage of the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, legislation that provides $305 billion over the next five years to improve the nations transportation infrastructure. The legislation reforms and strengthens transportation programs, provides certainty and more flexibility for states, streamlines project approval processes and enhances transportation safety. Under the FAST Act, West Virginia will receive over $2.3 billion dollars to maintain existing infrastructure and continue construction on critical high priority corridors such as the King Coal Highway, the Coalfields Expressway, and Corridor H. The bill also includes a new national freight program that will bring $70 million to West Virginia over the next five years to support the efficient movement of goods throughout our national highway system. \r\nSenator Manchin fought to include $50 million for high-speed broadband deployment in the Appalachian region and helped secure essential rail safety provisions that can prevent pile-ups like the one that occurred in Fayette County earlier this year. \r\nIn addition, the FAST Act reauthorizes the U.S. Export-Import Bank, a federal agency that helps American small businesses sell their products overseas. Senator Manchin has been an outspoken supporter of the agency and has called for its reauthorization since its expiration on June 30, 2015. \r\nFor the first time in the five years that I have been in the Senate, Congress has finally come together in a bipartisan, bicameral way to craft a much-needed, long-term fix that addresses our nations vast transportation infrastructure challenges, Senator Manchin said. Twenty-eight percent of West Virginias 38,000 miles of public roads are in need of repair, and we cannot afford another short-term patch that just kicks the can down the road. While this legislation is not perfect, I am pleased that it increases investments in our roads and highways to create jobs, boost economic development and improve conditions in our local communities to make West Virginia a safer place to live, work, and play. \r\nIt is also very critical for West Virginia small businesses that this bill includes the reauthorization of the U.S. Export-Import Bank, which expired this summer as a result of political gamesmanship. Without the Export-Import Bank, small businesses have been left without the certainty to expand and provide services to new customers. I have always been a staunch supporter of the ExportImport Bank because it creates jobs, keeps businesses strong and boosts markets for American-made goods. With the reauthorization of this important federal agency, small businesses will again be able to benefit from the Banks services and expand their customer base. \r\nLast month, Senator Manchin urged the highway bill conference committee to include provisions in the final bill that are important for West Virginia. To read the letter, please click here. \r\nSenator Manchins priorities that were included in the final bill are below:  \r\nHigher Funding Levels\r\nThe final bill authorizes the higher funding levels we need to build critical West Virginia corridors like King Coal, Coalfields Expressway and Corridor H that Senator Manchin requested in his letter to conferees, but our work is not done. We have to budget for these projects every year to ensure we can cash this check and deliver on these promises to the people of West Virginia.\r\nBroadband Deployment  \r\nThe final bill provides $50 million to the Appalachian Regional Commission for a high-speed broadband deployment initiative through 2020. Senator Manchin highlighted the importance of this provision in his letter to the House and Senate conferees, and the Senate language he supported was included in the final bill. \r\nRailroad Safety  Electronically-Controlled Pneumatic (ECP) Brakes \r\nIn May of this year, nine years after the Federal Railroad Administration first recommended Electronically-Controlled Pneumatic (ECP) brakes, the agency finalized a rule to require them on all tank cars in an effort to prevent pile-ups like the one that occurred in the Mount Carbon, West Virginia train derailment earlier this year. When the highway bill came before the Commerce Committee last summer, it repealed the new ECP brake requirement. Senator Manchin fought to protect these tough new braking standards in Committee, and they are now part of the final bill. \r\nRailroad Safety  Emergency Responders \r\nThe final bill includes language that Senator Manchin supported that ensures State Emergency Response Commissions (SERCs) have the information they need to respond to incidents. This provision requires Class I railroads to generate accurate, real-time information for first responders, and it requires the Department of Transportation to establish security and confidentiality protections for the release of this information. \r\nRailroad Safety  Enhanced Reporting Requirements \r\nThe final bill required the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to implement a reporting requirement to monitor industry-wide progress toward modifying tank cars used in high-hazard flammable train service. This provision will help Congress and federal regulators track progress during the transition to the safer tank cars and better understand and address bottlenecks and other systemic challenges that may impede this process. During the Commerce Committee mark-up of the rail bill, Senator Manchin offered this language as an amendment. \r\nRailroad Safety  Streamline Federal Permitting (TRAIN Act) \r\nThe final bill reforms the environmental permitting process for rail projects to make it more efficient to complete major infrastructure investments that increase safety and system capacity. Similar reforms were already enacted for highways and bridges in 2012 and extended to waterway projects in 2014. Senator Manchin was an original cosponsor on the stand-alone bill.\r\nRailroad Safety  Volatility Report \r\nThe U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Department of Transportation (DOT) are currently working on a study of crude oil volatility. The final bill requires those agencies, upon completion of their study, to submit a report to Congress on the findings of that study and requires the agencies to include, with that report, recommendations for either regulatory or congressional action based on the study results. Senator Manchin cosponsored this provision as an amendment during the Commerce Committee markup. \r\nHighway Safety  Drug Free Commercial Driver Act \r\nCurrently, responsible motor carriers that are voluntarily investing in hair testing face the additional, duplicative burden of paying for urinalysis testing to comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. The final bill remedies that situation by allowing hair testing to be an acceptable alternative to urinalysis after the Department of Health and Human Services issues scientific and technical guidelines within one year from the date of enactment of this bill. Senator Manchin cosponsored the stand-alone bill. \r\nAmtrak Boarding Procedures \r\nThe final bill includes a provision, supported by West Virginia Connecting Communities and the League of American Bicyclists, which requires the Amtrak Inspector General to submit a report to Congress evaluating Amtraks boarding procedures, including those for passengers transporting bicycles, at its 15 busiest stations, and to make recommendations for improvements. Senator Manchin introduced this language as an amendment during the Commerce Committee markup. \r\nStop Motorcycle Checkpoint Funding Act \r\nThe final bill prohibits the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) from providing any grants for programs designed to check motorcycle helmet usage or to create motorcycle checkpoints with the specific goal of targeting motorcyclists and motorcycle passengers. Senator Manchin was a cosponsor of this stand-alone bill. \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=5f36ea28-541d-4357-b809-6f2eedfe777f", "Manchin Opposes Legislation that would Strip Health Care from More Than 200,000 West Virginians", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 03, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Opposes Legislation that would Strip Health Care from More Than 200,000 West Virginians \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today voted against the reconciliation legislation that would repeal significant provisions of the Affordable Care Act.\r\nI have always said that this law is not perfect but we need to repair, not repeal it. Its reckless to repeal a law when, before it, we spent more than any other country on health care but still ranked only 43rd in the world in health and wellness. In 2015 alone, more than 29,000 West Virginians enrolled in health insurance on the Affordable Care Act exchange. Nationally, 11.7 million people signed up. According to one study, West Virginia has benefited more than any other state in the country except New York under the Affordable Care Act.\r\nThe law has been effective in some ways, including expanding access to preventative care, protecting those with pre-existing conditions, and closing the Medicare Part D prescription drug donut hole, but the law also has many faults. That is why I have supported legislation to define a full-time work-week at forty hours instead of thirty, that grandfathers in existing plans that Americans are happy with, repeals the burdensome 1099 requirements on small businesses and fixes a technical error that unduly harmed volunteer firefighters. This repeal bill is irresponsible and will bring us back to the days when millions of Americans, including more than 200,000 West Virginians, lived without health insurance.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=b0d2bce0-537f-4380-b3df-ccfbf94cc8bf", "Manchin Statement on Conviction of Don Blankenship", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 03, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Statement on Conviction of Don Blankenship \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today issued the following statement after a jury convicted former Massey Energy chief executive Don Blankenship on criminal charges of conspiracy to break safety regulations, but not guilty of the two securities charges at the Upper Big Branch mine:\r\nAfter a long and exhaustive trial, I am pleased the jurys decision today has brought some measure of justice to one of the most tragic mining disasters in recent history. With this verdict, the state of West Virginia has set precedents and signaled that we will not allow the prioritization of production and profits over the safety of our workers. While nothing can ever bring back the 29 beloved souls who we lost on that tragic day, I hope that today brings some closure and peace to the families of the miners.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=c0dc8880-f53c-4949-8015-5d5e1fa2dcd9", "Senator Manchin Re-Introduces Commonsense Background Checks Amendment", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 03, 2015\n\t\t\t Senator Manchin Re-Introduces Commonsense Background Checks Amendment \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Legislation protects Americans Second Amendment rights\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Pat Toomey (R-PA) today re-introduced the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act to prevent convicted criminals and the dangerously mentally ill from purchasing guns, while not infringing on law-abiding gun owners Second Amendment rights. This commonsense legislation expands existing background checks to gun shows and online sales  a loophole easily exploited by criminals and the mentally insane who have inflicted unimaginable violence on our society.     While the recent mass shootings throughout our country have elevated the gun safety conversation, we cannot sacrifice our constitutional rights out of fear. It is our obligation to keep our communities safe and to protect our Second Amendment rights  and I truly believe we can and must do both, Senator Manchin said.     We need to keep guns out of the hands of convicted criminals and the mentally ill while also bringing together a group of experts to look at all aspects of our culture of mass violence. Violence destroys the dignity, hopes and lives of millions of Americans. We have a unique opportunity to stop this epidemic here and now  but only if we can put politics aside and take a look at all aspects of our culture of mass violence. Our words will offer little comfort to the victims of mass violence everywhere. It is only through our actions that these families and communities across America may find solace. I am disappointed this vote failed, but I will continue to fight for commonsense reforms that protect law-abiding gun owners and keep guns out of the hands of criminals and those adjudicated mentally ill.    The bill explicitly bans the federal government from creating a registry and creates a new penalty for misusing records to create a registry  a felony punishable by 15 years in prison. The bill also protects veterans rights by offering an appeals process so that veterans do not lose their right to bear arms. Finally, the bill creates a commission of non-elected experts in their fields who will study the causes of mass violence in the United States, looking at all aspects of the problem, including mental health, guns, school safety and portrayals of violence in the media. This broad approach is absolutely necessary to truly address our culture of mass violence.     The Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act will not:     The bill will not, in any way, shape, or form infringe upon anyones Second Amendment rights to keep and bear arms.   The bill will not take away anyones guns.   The bill will not ban any type of firearm.   The bill will not ban or restrict the use of any kind of bullet or any size clip or magazine.   The bill will not create a national registry; in fact, it explicitly prohibits it.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mckinley.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=452", "McKinley Votes to Stop Obama's Anti-Coal Regulations", "2015-12-02", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "David McKinley", "M001180", "mckinley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Earlier this year President Obama issued regulations on new and existing coal-fired power plants that would effectively prevent any new power plant from being built and lead to the closure of many current plants. Today the House voted to reject these two overreaching rules issued by President Obama.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Earlier this year President Obama issued regulations on new and existing coal-fired power plants that would effectively prevent any new power plant from being built and lead to the closure of many current plants. Today the House voted to reject these two overreaching rules issued by President Obama. The Senate already passed both measures, so they will now go to the President's desk for his expected veto. President Obama's executive actions will make electricity more expensive, kill jobs, and increase the likelihood of power outages, said McKinley. His plan will severely damage America's economy while having little impact on the climate. Bipartisan majorities in both houses of Congress oppose his regulatory overreach and 26 states are suing the EPA to stop it, said McKinley. This significant opposition makes it clear that many Americans are worried about how these regulations will impact their power bills and their livelihoods. The latest action by the House utilized a seldom-used procedure which allows Congress to repeal major regulations. It's vital that we use every tactic we have to stop these dangerous policies  in Congress, in the courts, and in the states, said McKinley. I will continue to fight to protect our coal miners and keep utility bills affordable.   -###-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://evanjenkins.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/huntington-herald-dispatch-obama-signs-bill-sponsored-us-rep-evan-jenkins", "Huntington Herald-Dispatch: Obama signs bill sponsored by US Rep. Evan Jenkins", "2015-12-01", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Evan Jenkins", "J000297", "evanjenkins.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON - A bill championed by U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins, R-W.Va., that will improve care for neonatal abstinence syndrome babies has been signed into law.\nThe Protecting Our Infants Act will build on best practices from doctors and nurses in West Virginia and across the country in treating babies with NAS, exposure to drugs while in the womb.\n\"Since coming to Congress, I have made it my mission to fight for babies impacted by the drug epidemic,\" Jenkins said in a press release Monday. \"Going through withdrawal from heroin and other opioids is a horrific way to start one's life, but that's the reality for far too many newborns in West Virginia. The Protecting Our Infants Act becoming law means we will improve treatment for NAS babies and increase our understanding of opioid exposure during pregnancy.\"\nRep. Jenkins was a cosponsor of the House version of the bill, which will help advance the research needed to develop the absolute best care available for babies with NAS.\n\"Securing passage of the Protecting Our Infants Act was just the first step. As this bill is implemented and new treatment models are used, my legislation, the Cradle Act, will be even more important to pass. Congress and the states must continue to work together to solve our nation's most dire problems, including the drug epidemic. I will continue to fight for West Virginia's most vulnerable, our babies, and making sure legislation like the Protecting Our Infants Act becomes law,\" Rep. Jenkins said.\nRebecca Crowder, executive director of Lily's Place, said this law will improve care for mothers and babies alike.\n\"The number of babies born with prenatal exposure to drugs is growing at a rapid rate across the nation,\" Crowder said in the release. \"The Protecting Our Infants Act will create positive outcomes for the mother and child, focusing on prevention as well as the treatment of babies already born affected. West Virginia is making great strides in treatment, care for babies born prenatally exposed to drugs, and much-needed services for families. Congressman Jenkins has led the charge in making all of this possible in West Virginia, and now we have the opportunity to become a model for other states.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://evanjenkins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-jenkins-epa-s-actions-cost-wv-jobs-raise-energy-prices-families", "REP. JENKINS: EPAS ACTIONS COST WV JOBS, RAISE ENERGY PRICES FOR FAMILIES", "2015-12-01", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Evan Jenkins", "J000297", "evanjenkins.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) took to the House floor Monday night to urge his colleagues to vote yes this week on two resolutions disapproving of the EPAs new regulations on new and existing coal-fired power plants.\nThis week we will join together with the House to send President Obama and the EPA a strong message  no more attacks on coal. No more attacks on domestic energy. No more attacks on the people who produce energy, he said.\nRep. Jenkins said the EPAs regulations will not only cost thousands of coal miners their jobs but raise electricity prices on those who can least afford it.\nNot only will the EPAs plan destroy jobs, but it will increase utility costs for consumers and lead to higher household electricity bills for all American families. Our seniors, the middle class, and Americans on fixed incomes should not have to bear the burden of increased costs. Our economy is still struggling to recover. People are struggling to survive, Rep. Jenkins said.\nPlease click here to watch the congressman's speech. The full transcript is below.\nThank you to the gentleman from Ohio, thank you, Mr. Speaker.\nOur natural resources power this nation and our economy. We have abundant, affordable resources that provide low-cost energy and give thousands of people good-paying jobs. In my district, in southern West Virginia, coal is struggling because of this administrations anti-coal regulations. The people who mine coal and the families who depend on coals paychecks are suffering.\nWe are at a critical point in the war on coal. I know times are tough. I see it every time I talk to a coal miner or their family. Our nation is at a turning point. We will fight for coal each and every day. But the question is, will we support jobs and domestic energy? Or will we favor an environmental agenda at the expense of our economy and our communities?\nCoal must play a critical role in an all-of-the-above domestic energy strategy. We can use our resources to create jobs here at home, provide safe and affordable energy for businesses and families alike, and reduce our dependence on energy from unfriendly nations.\nUnfortunately, it appears that the EPA and the Office of Surface Mining are dead set on bankrupting coal. They have issued rule after rule that will decimate our industry and the livelihoods of our coal miners.\nThe proposed stream buffer zone rule would lead to losses of tens of thousands of direct mining jobs and hundreds of thousands of jobs linked to mining. Likewise, the EPAs finalized regulations on coal-fired power plants will hurt our economy and drive up electricity rates for our families, seniors and small businesses. It sets unachievable emissions limits for our coal-fired power plants and forces states to adopt different energy policies or else become subject to additional federal regulations and a cap-and-trade program.\nNot only will the EPAs plan destroy jobs, but it will increase utility costs for consumers and lead to higher household electricity bills for all American families. Our seniors, the middle class, and Americans on fixed incomes should not have to bear the burden of increased costs. Our economy is still struggling to recover. People are struggling to survive.\nEach of us here tonight has led the fight against the EPAs overregulation and overreach. On the House Appropriations Committee, I helped to secure a provision in the Interior/EPA funding bill that would prohibit funding for the rulemaking on power plants to proceed. I was an early cosponsor of Chairman Whitfields resolutions to block implementation of the EPAs coal-fired power plant rules.\nAnd this week we will join together with the House to send President Obama and the EPA a strong message  no more attacks on coal. No more attacks on domestic energy. No more attacks on the people who produce energy.\nWe will take up resolutions to disapprove of the EPAs new regulations on new and existing coal-fired power plants. We will also vote on a broad energy bill that will update our policies to allow America to take advantage of all of our domestic energy while strengthening our energy security and independence. Congress is standing up to this administrations regulatory overreach.\nWe must send a message to President Obama and his runaway EPA and end the war on coal. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and, again, thank you to the gentleman from Ohio for his leadership. I yield back.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-announces-beckley-office-hours", "Capito Announces Beckley Office Hours", "2015-12-01", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Shelley Capito", "C001047", "www.capito.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.01.15\n\t\t\t Capito Announces Beckley Office Hours \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tBECKLEY, W.Va.  Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) announced Beckley office hours for the month of December. Staff members will be on site to meet with constituents one-on-one and offer assistance with federal issues.\r\nOffice hours are open to the public, however, appointments are encouraged. Call the Charleston office at (304) 347-5372 to make an appointment. It is also recommended that residents bring documents relevant to the issue of concern.\r\nInformation for the upcoming office hours is included below:\nThursday, December 109:30 a.m.  1:00 p.m.  220 North Kanawha St.  Suite 1  Beckley, WV 25801\nThursday, December 1711:30 a.m.  3:00 p.m.  220 North Kanawha St.  Suite 1  Beckley, WV 25801  \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-repeal-bill-offers-chance-to-replace-obamacare-with-reforms-that-work", "Capito: Repeal Bill Offers Chance to Replace Obamacare with Reforms that Work", "2015-12-01", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Shelley Capito", "C001047", "www.capito.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.01.15\n\t\t\t Capito: Repeal Bill Offers Chance to Replace Obamacare with Reforms that Work \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t This bill will repeal significant portions of the health care law that are not working, like the enforcement for the individual and employer mandates, and will relieve onerous taxes. It will also provide a bridge to replace this law with an improved health care system that strengthens Medicare and will dedicate resources to fight the growing drug epidemic. - Senator Capito\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t \nWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today issued the following statement regarding the Obamacare repeal bill being considered in the Senate this week.\r\nLater this week the Senate will consider a bill to repeal Obamacare, an expensive disaster that has cost countless Americans access to their doctor and access to the health care plan of their choice.\nThis bill will repeal significant portions of the health care law that are not working, like the enforcement for the individual and employer mandates, and will relieve onerous taxes. It will also provide a bridge to replace this law with an improved health care system that strengthens Medicare and will dedicate resources to fight the growing drug epidemic.\nSenator Capito also spoke on the Senate floor today urging support for the Obamacare repeal bill. Click here or the image below to watch Senator Capitos speech.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-resolution-blocking-harmful-epa-regulations-heads-to-presidents-desk", "Capito Resolution Blocking Harmful EPA Regulations Heads to Presidents Desk", "2015-12-01", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Shelley Capito", "C001047", "www.capito.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.01.15\n\t\t\t Capito Resolution Blocking Harmful EPA Regulations Heads to Presidents Desk \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t U.S. House Passes Resolutions to Stop Destructive Clean Power Plan Regulations\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t \nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today applauded the U.S. House of Representatives passage of two bipartisan resolutions to void the Environmental Protection Agencys harmful Clean Power Plan regulations for new and existing power plants.\nThe two resolutions  sponsored by Senators Capito and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.)  now head to President Obamas desk, sending a strong signal in the midst of the international climate negotiations in Paris that the presidents climate policies do not have the backing of Congress.\nHardworking families cannot afford these crushing regulations that threaten jobs and affordable energy while doing little to actually improve the environment, said Senator Capito. Sending these resolutions to the presidents desk is an important step in the fight against the harmful Clean Power Plan, and shows that any international climate deal reached in Paris will be met with skepticism here at home. World leaders should be cautious about entering into a deal with an administration whose misguided policies lack the backing of a bipartisan majority in Congress.\nBefore moving to the House, the resolutions of disapproval passed the U.S. Senate with a bipartisan majority.\nA resolution of disapproval filed under the Congressional Review Act is a legally binding resolution that provides Congress the ability to eliminate onerous regulations imposed by the executive branch through an expedited procedure for consideration in the Senate.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=aa44381a-29c4-453a-99c6-a79ac87f1a33", "Temporary VA Clinic to Open in Lewisburg | Charleston Gazette-Mail", "2015-12-01", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 01, 2015\n\t\t\t Temporary VA Clinic to Open in Lewisburg | Charleston Gazette-Mail \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tGreenbrier County will once again have a Veterans Administration health clinic after environmental problems closed the countys lone clinic for most of the last 18 months.\r\nThe new, temporary clinic will be in Lewisburg and will be up and running by the end of December, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., announced Tuesday.\r\nThe clinic will be located at the Rhema Christian Center, at 3584 Davis Stuart Road in Lewisburg, and will remain open until a permanent clinic is established, Manchins office said.\r\nSoutheastern West Virginia has largely been without a clinic since June 2014, when the clinic in Maxwelton was closed for air quality problems. Employees had complained of dizziness, headaches and feeling ill and tests later found elevated levels of formaldehyde in the air. The clinic opened and closed at least three times over the course of the last 18 months as it struggled with air quality and temperature problems.\r\nWhile it was closed, patients of the Maxwelton outpatient clinic were relocated to the Beckley VA Medical Center.\r\nWest Virginia has four main VA hospitals  in Beckley, Clarksburg, Huntington and Martinsburg. Clinics, like the one in Maxwelton and the new temporary one in Lewisburg, operate under the supervision of one of the four hospitals.\r\nThe Maxwelton clinic served about 2,400 veterans in Greenbrier, Monroe, Pocahontas and Summers counties in West Virginia and Alleghany County, Virginia.\r\nIn September, Manchin and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., held a town hall in Maxwelton with VA Secretary Robert McDonald to discuss the shuttered clinic.\r\nI am so pleased to finally announce that our veterans will once again have access to the medical care and services they need at this mobile clinic while we finalize plans for a permanent clinic, Manchin said Tuesday, in a prepared statement.\r\n- See more at: http://www.wvgazettemail.com/article/20151201/GZ01/151209956/1101#sthash.D3xM91Uo.dpuf\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\t    By:\n\t\t\t\t    David Gutman\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=285caa57-20a2-472d-97db-35edaab1b0db", "Manchin Secures Temporary VA Clinic in Greenbrier County", "2015-12-01", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 01, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Secures Temporary VA Clinic in Greenbrier County  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Following VA Secretary McDonalds visit to West Virginia, Senator Manchin ensured a commitment from VA to reopen the Greenbrier clinic\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today announced that a temporary VA health clinic will open in Greenbrier County by the end of this month, according to an email notification from the Beckley VA Medical Center. The clinic will be located at the Rhema Christian Center in Lewisburg and will serve thousands of southern West Virginia Veterans until a permanent replacement clinic is established.\r\nIn September, Secretary McDonald and I traveled to southern West Virginia to meet with more than 200 concerned Veterans about the future of the Greenbrier health clinic, Senator Manchin said. Today, I am so pleased to finally announce that our Veterans will once again have access to the medical care and services they need at this mobile clinic while we finalize the plans for a permanent clinic. I am thankful for the VA, the West Virginia Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) and our local Veterans for working together to ensure this facility is reopened. The reopening of the Greenbrier Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) is an important step to fulfilling the promise of care that was guaranteed to our Veterans.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=8ff12977-639f-4b56-889a-a57c2c1b5339", "Manchin, Kirk and Rubio Lead Bipartisan Resolution to Reinforce Iran Sanctions by State and Local Governments", "2015-12-01", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 01, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin, Kirk and Rubio Lead Bipartisan Resolution to Reinforce Iran Sanctions by State and Local Governments \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  As international inspectors prepare to release whats likely to be a controversial final assessment of Irans nuclear weapons efforts, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) today introduced a bipartisan measure,S.Con.Res. 26, to reaffirm congressional support for continued sanctions by state and local governments in the United States against Irans sponsorship of terrorism, human rights violations, and other illicit behavior.\r\nKnown as a concurrent resolution, this Senate measure reiterates that U.S. law authorizes state and local governments to enact sanctions against Irans illicit activities and entities that do business with Iran. The measure also reaffirms that the nuclear deal with Iran, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action,does not affect the legal authority of states and local governments to enact sanctions against Irans sponsorship of terrorism and human rights violations.\r\nIran is the worlds largest sponsor of terror, and we must do everything in our power to ensure that this regime is not able to use the money that it will receive through the Iran nuclear deal to continue its deplorable terrorist actions,Senator Manchin said. This commonsense, bipartisan resolution reaffirms Congresss full support for individual states and local governments to continue imposing strict sanctions on Iran.\r\nWith this bipartisan measure, Congress stands with the 30 states and the District of Columbia that have imposed sanctions against Irans threatening behavior,Senator Kirk said.As the Iran nuclear deal hands over more than $100 billion to the worlds biggest state sponsor of terrorism, its critical for the United States to do all it can to prevent Iran from escalating its support for terrorism, militancy, and human rights abuses in the Middle East and beyond.\r\nAs Speaker of the Florida House, I led our state's push to stand with Israel by requiring the Florida pension program to divest from companies linked to the terrorist regime in Iran. As the first state to enact such legislation, Florida pioneered what became a national effort to divest from entities with any link to the brutal Iranian regime, denying it access to more money that would be used to develop nuclear weapons, sponsor terrorism and commit human rights abuses.\r\nPresident Obamas fundamentally flawed nuclear deal potentially jeopardizes the strong stances states have taken to divest from Iran. This resolution makes clear that Congress wants to give states the opportunity to take a stand and send the message that this is not Floridas, or any other states deal with Iran; its just the president's flawed deal. With this resolution, states will be able to stop their pension funds from filling Tehrans coffers,said Senator Rubio.\r\nIn addition to the District of Columbia, 30 states have imposed Iran-related divestment sanctions: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Washington.\r\n11 of these states have also enacted laws or policies to prohibit state or local governments from awarding contracts to firms that do business with Iran: California, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and South Carolina.\r\nThe text of the Senate measure is availableonline.\r\nA companion measure in the U.S. House of Representatives was also introduced today by Congressmen Peter Roskam (R-Ill.), Ted Deutch (D-Fla.), Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.), Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), and Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.).\r\nBACKGROUND\r\n(1) Iran-sponsored terrorists and militants are responsible for the death of more than 700 Americans.\r\n \r\nDuring the 1980s, Iran-backed attacks killed over 290 Americansin Lebanon, including 13 from Illinois: GySgt Alvin Belmer, USMC; LCpl David D. Gay, USMC; CAPT Paul A.Hein, USMC; PFC Melvin D. Holmes, USMC; Cpl Joseph R. Livingston, USMC; Sgt John A. Phillips, Jr., USMC; PFC Eric A. Pulliam, USMC; Cpl Gary R. Scott, USMC; 1st LtWilliam S. Sommerhof, USMC; LCpl Eric D. Sturghill, USMC; Cpl Eric R. Walker, USMC; James F. Lewis; and William R. Sheil.\r\n \r\n \r\nDuring the 2000s, Iran-backed attacks killed hundreds of Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan. As General Joseph Dunford, incoming Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,toldSenators on July 9, 2015: I know the total number of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines killed by Iranian activities [in Iraq and Afghanistan], and the number has beenrecently quoted as about 500.\r\n \r\n(2) In response to a request from Senator Kirk, the Congressional Research Service (CRS)recently produced a research memolaying out public estimates of how much Iran annually spends to support terrorism and militancy. (SeeCRS memoandrelated chart.) CRS found that Iran funds Hezbollah with $100-$200 million, Hamas with tens of millions, and Syrias Assad regime with $6-$15 billion annually.\r\n(3) Iran also haswrongfully imprisonedAmerican citizens Pastor Saeed Abedini, Amir Hekmati, Robert Levinson, Jason Rezaian and Siamak Zamazi.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://evanjenkins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-jenkins-president-signs-nas-bill-law", "REP. JENKINS: PRESIDENT SIGNS NAS BILL INTO LAW", "2015-11-30", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Evan Jenkins", "J000297", "evanjenkins.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  A bill championed by U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) that will improve care for neonatal abstinence syndrome babies has been signed into law.\nThe Protecting Our Infants Act will build on best practices from doctors and nurses in West Virginia and across the country in treating babies with NAS, exposure to drugs during pregnancy. Rep. Jenkins was a cosponsor of the House version of the bill, which will help advance the research needed to develop the absolute best care available for babies with NAS, exposure to drugs during pregnancy.\nSince coming to Congress, I have made it my mission to fight for babies impacted by the drug epidemic. Going through withdrawal from heroin and other opioids is a horrific way to start ones life, but thats the reality for far too many newborns in West Virginia. The Protecting Our Infants Act becoming law means we will improve treatment for NAS babies and increase our understanding of opioid exposure during pregnancy.\nSecuring passage of the Protecting Our Infants Act was just the first step. As this bill is implemented and new treatment models are used, my legislation, the Cradle Act, will be even more important to pass. Congress and the states must continue to work together to solve our nations most dire problems, including the drug epidemic. I will continue to fight for West Virginias most vulnerable, our babies, and making sure legislation like the Protecting Our Infants Act becomes law, Rep. Jenkins said.\nRebecca Crowder, executive director of Lilys Place, said this law will improve care for mothers and babies alike.\nThe number of babies born with prenatal exposure to drugs is growing at a rapid rate across the nation. The Protecting Our Infants Act will create positive outcomes for the mother and child, focusing on prevention as well as the treatment of babies already born affected. West Virginia is making great strides in treatment, care for babies born prenatally exposed to drugs, and much-needed services for families. Congressman Jenkins has led the charge in making all of this possible in West Virginia, and now we have the opportunity to become a model for other states, Crowder said.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-capito-wishes-west-virginians-a-happy-and-blessed-thanksgiving", "Senator Capito Wishes West Virginians a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving", "2015-11-25", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Shelley Capito", "C001047", "www.capito.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.25.15\n\t\t\t Senator Capito Wishes West Virginians a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tCHARLESTON, W.Va.  U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today issued the following statement regarding the Thanksgiving holiday:\r\nThis Thanksgiving, as we give thanks for the many blessings we are fortunate to enjoy as Americans, I encourage all West Virginians to join me in remembering the men and women who are overseas defending our nation and keeping us safe. America is uniquely blessed with the greatest freedoms in the world, and the brave men and women who risk their lives to defend these freedoms deserve our deepest gratitude.\r\nAs West Virginians, we are blessed to live in a state full of tightknit communities, where our strong and resilient people come together to help friends and neighbors in need. Charlie and I look forward to being with our children and grandchildren in Charleston on Thanksgiving Day and celebrating the community we are proud to call home. We would like to wish all West Virginians a happy Thanksgiving and blessed day with family and friends.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=ad405526-c3c2-4698-a6c9-20ecaaf92ccf", "Manchin Wishes West Virginians a Happy Thanksgiving", "2015-11-25", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 25, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Wishes West Virginians a Happy Thanksgiving \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today released the following statement wishing West Virginians a happy Thanksgiving:\r\nI have always said that if you can count your blessings, you can share your blessings. This is a lesson that I learned from my parents at a young age, and it has stuck with me throughout my life. It is a message I have proudly passed along to my own children and grandchildren. Starting at Thanksgiving and throughout this holiday season, I encourage all West Virginians to pause and truly give thanks for the many blessings we enjoy each day by sharing those blessings with those in need.\r\nThanksgiving is an important time to reflect on how blessed we are as Americans. We are so fortunate to live in the land of the free, and every year, we come together no matter what is happening in the life of our country to give thanks. Although we should thank our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, Guard Members and Reservists every day for their dedication to this country, I ask all West Virginians to take a moment today to thank those who risk their own lives each day to keep us safe.\r\nDespite daily struggles we may encounter, we are all blessed to live in this wonderful country. I am thankful each day for the opportunity to represent the great state of West Virginia. On behalf of Gayle and our whole family, we wish you and your family a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. God bless America, and God bless the great state of West Virginia.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-announces-us-service-academy-nominations", "Capito Announces U.S. Service Academy Nominations", "2015-11-24", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Shelley Capito", "C001047", "www.capito.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.24.15\n\t\t\t Capito Announces U.S. Service Academy Nominations \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today announced academy nominations for outstanding high school seniors from 20 West Virginia counties. In addition to hosting several Academy Days throughout the state, Senator Capito appointed a board to review each application, interview students and recommend the nominees.\r\nOne of my most important responsibilities is nominating young men and women for admission to our countrys service academies, said Senator Capito. I am thrilled to support these outstanding students for admission to our nations most prestigious academic institutions. All of the nominees have worked hard to reach this point in their lives, and I am confident that, if selected, these students will represent West Virginia and our nation with honor and integrity.\r\nFor more information on how to apply to a service academy, click here.\r\nService Academy Nominees are listed below:\r\nUnited States Air Force\nBronson V. Ballard  Jefferson County\nJoshua Ian Baroni  Marion County\nSara Burton  Berkeley County\nSamantha Nicole Dent  Wood County\nNickolas John Elekes  Berkeley County\nBryce Nathaniel Graley  Putnam County\nErin Elizabeth Leslie  Greenbrier County\nSarah Dawn Leslie  Greenbrier County\nCrimson Lace Shoemake  Mineral County\nIsaac Brian Turner  Ohio County\nUnited States Merchant Marine Academy\nColin Mark Harvath  Marion County\nDrew Michael Polczynski  Jefferson County\nNicholas Bryant Johnson (also nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy)Wood County\nUnited States Military Academy\nJonathan William Benson  Ohio County\nJeremy Drake Hammes  Kanawha County\nSeth Tyler Kerby  Wirt County\nZane Jerrat Kessler  Putnam County\nJacob Elam Morgan  Taylor County\nTyler Ford Owens  Pocahontas County\nSophie Stewart Parker  Monongalia County\nBraden Joseph Welsh (also nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy)Marshall County\nErik Coleman Willis  Mineral County\nCharles Jacob Willis  Kanawha County\nCharles R. Withers IV  Mason County\nUnited States Naval Academy\nMary Catherine Bolton  Wood County\nBridget Marie Carson  Nicholas County\nNatelie Grayce Chappell  Hancock County\nStephen Chase DeMoss  Raleigh County\nBrette Elizabeth Geary  Brooke County\nNigel A. Goldsborough  Lewis County\nAdrien Michael Inman  Berkeley County\nAndrew Charles Johnson  Berkeley County\nNicholas Bryant Johnson  Wood County\nNoah Allen Kessler  Putnam County\nJacob Reiner Laing  Ohio County\nJuliana Maria O'Reilly  Berkeley County\nTroy Landon Palmer Jr.  Kanawha County\nMichael Scott Reed  Ohio County\nBraden Joseph Welsh  Marshall County\nHunter Christian White  Mason County\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=83ec57fc-f639-4899-9b77-709b6e06890b", "Manchin Encourages West Virginians to Shop Small this Saturday", "2015-11-24", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 24, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Encourages West Virginians to Shop Small this Saturday \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Small Business Saturday is November 28\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C. ? U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today encouraged West Virginians to shop at West Virginia small businesses this Saturday, November 28th in celebration of the sixth annual Small Business Saturday.\r\nWe all know that small businesses are the engine of our economy, providing the goods and services we depend on every day, Senator Manchin said. From our family-owned restaurants and coffee shops, to the local convenience stores, West Virginias more than 120,000 small businesses make up an estimated 96 percent of the states economy. Their success is critical to staying competitive, creating jobs and moving West Virginia forward. As a small businessman myself, I understand the important contributions our small businesses make to our state and the challenges they face.\r\nIt is important to remember that when youre shopping at small businesses, you are investing back into the community this holiday season. Small Business Saturday is a great opportunity for all West Virginians and Americans to show support for our small businesses and our small business owners to help them prosper. Today and every day, I encourage all West Virginians to shop at our small businesses.\r\nSmall Business Saturday was launched in 2010. It is celebrated every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, to promote shopping at small businesses throughout the country.\r\nTo find small businesses in your community to support this Saturday, please click here.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=d18a1ad7-2d87-4515-ab22-3070f6dd824e", "Manchin Announces Service Academy Nominations", "2015-11-24", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 24, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Announces Service Academy Nominations  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Recommends 40 students from 20 counties\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced today that he will nominate 40 West Virginia students from 20 counties to the U.S. service academies, which include the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point.\r\nIt is such an honor to recommend 40 of West Virginias brightest young men and women to the U.S. service academies, Senator Manchin said. All of our students worked hard to earn these nominations and are determined to serve our country. Many are also striving to carry on their families proud military heritage. Today, I join all West Virginians in congratulating these hardworking and committed students, because a nomination to one of our elite service academies will develop these young men and women to become our next generation of military leaders.\r\nThe students are from the following counties: Berkeley, Brooke, Greenbrier, Harrison, Jefferson, Kanawha, Marion, Marshall, Mason, Mercer, Mineral, Monongalia, Nicholas, Ohio, Pocahontas, Putnam, Raleigh, Taylor, Wirt and Wood.\r\nSenator Manchin is recommending the following students to the service academies. Final admission is determined by the respective academy.\r\nAir Force Academy\r\nSara Burton, Hedgesville High School\r\nJack Funk, Bridgeport High School\r\nLace Shoemake, Frankfort High School\r\nIsaac Turner, Wheeling Park High School\r\nSarah Leslie, Greenbrier East High School\r\nBryce Graley, Putnam County\r\nNick Elekes, Spring Mills High School\r\nKen Wu, John Marshall High School\r\nErin Leslie, Greenbrier East High School\r\nDavid Park, Air Force Academy Prep (Ohio County)\r\nMilitary Academy at West Point\r\nJeremy Hammes, Herbert Hoover High School\r\nJonathan Benson, Wheeling Park High School\r\nSophie Parker, Wiesbaden High School (Monongalia County)\r\nSeth Kerby, Wirt County High School\r\nChase DeMoss, Shady Spring High School\r\nTyler Owens, Pocahontas County High School\r\nJacob Morgan, Military Academy Prep (Taylor County)\r\nErik Willis, Keyser High School\r\nCharles Willis, Carlisle Barracks, (Kanawha County)\r\nBrandon Ralston, East Fairmont High School\r\nNaval Academy\r\nMary Catherine Bolton, Parkersburg High School\r\nJacob Laing, Wheeling Park High School\r\nBrette Geary, Brooke County High School\r\nMike Reed, Linsly School\r\nDrew Johnson, Berkeley County\r\nRhiannon Turner, Musselman High School\r\nAdrien Inman, Spring Mills High School\r\nJuliana OReilly, Martinsburg High School\r\nJames Dishner, Pikeview High School\r\nJoseph Minor, Central Catholic High School\r\nMerchant Marine Academy\r\nDrew Polczynski, Jefferson High School\r\nNick Johnson, Parkersburg High School\r\nJake Cooper, Washington High School\r\nNoah Kessler, Teays Valley Christian\r\nHunter White, Point Pleasant High School\r\nColin Harvath, East Fairmont High School\r\nTyler Evans, Shady Spring High School\r\nBraden Welsh, Bishop Catholic High School (Marshall County)\r\nSamantha Dent, Parkersburg High School\r\nBridgett Carson, Nicholas County\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mooney.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/congressmen-push-slash-epa-15", "Congressmen push to slash the EPA by 15%", "2015-11-20", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Alex Mooney", "M001195", "mooney.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Coal country congressmen, fed up with the Environmental Protection Agency, have introduced legislation to cut that agency's staff by 15 percent. Noting that during the government shutdown of 2013, 95 percent of EPA personnel were deemed \"non-essential,\" Reps. Morgan Griffith, R-Va., and Alex Mooney, R-W.Va, have introduced the \"Maximum Achievable Contraction of Technocrats Act of 2015.\"\n\"Clearly, the EPA has a role,\" Griffith told the Washington Examiner. \"I'm not one of those folks who think the EPA doesn't have a role ... But frankly, the EPA seems to be full of people who seem to have nothing better to do than to think of new regulations.\n\"This is a bill from frustration,\" he added. \"Here's the bottom line: Folks in D.C. in the ivory towers say we can transition into a 'new economy.' I'll tell you, all we've got is mountains.\"\nThe goal of the legislation is to reduce the size of the organization by 15 percent by 2018, but Griffith said he would be satisified with any meaningful reduction, willing to accept a reduction as small as 12 percent, for instance. The EPA employs 15,200, so a 15 percent cut would eliminate about 2,300 jobs.\nGriffith noted that his concern with the size of the EPA's staff stems from philosophical concerns in addition to more narrow coal concerns for his district, and that other industries have been affected by the EPA.\nGriffith said the situation in his district is bleak, having lost \"at least 1,000 jobs\" in 2015, but noted that the situation in regions like eastern Kentucky and West Virginia is arguably worse.\nMooney won election to Congress in 2014 in a tough primary and general election with a honed message against, among other things, \"Obama's War on Coal,\" as he terms it.\n\"This country has never seen anything like the out-of-control EPA under President Obama,\" Mooney told the Examiner. \"Frankly, it's an affront to the heritage of our state.\"\n\"It's like going into Kentucky and trying to ban horse racing,\" he added.\nMooney pointed the Examiner to a 2008 YouTube clip of then-Sen. Barack Obama pledging to \"bankrupt\" the coal industry, and indicated that Obama is using the EPA to make good on that pledge, \"ignoring science\" and \"having already made his conclusion.\"\n\"So if somebody wants to build a coal-powered plant, they can. It's just that it will bankrupt them because they're going to be charged a huge sum for all that greenhouse gas that's being emitted. That will also generate billions of dollars that we can invest in solar, wind, biodiesel and other alternative energy approaches,\" Obama said in an interview with The San Francisco Chronicle editoral board in January 2008.\nWhen asked about potential parallel legislation in the Senate, lead sponsor Griffith was optimistic, but not from his state. \"Warner and Kaine, I mean, come on,\" Griffith said, referring to Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., and Tim Kaine, D-Va. Though Griffith noted, \"in fairness,\" that Warner had been helpful on a few of his initiatives in the past.\nGriffith represents a substantial, highly rural district that begins just west of the city of Roanoke, encompassing most of what is just called \"Southwest\" in Virginia. The area has long been a geographical and political oddity. The far western town of Ewing, Va., is farther west than Detroit and all of West Virginia, and is closer to nine state capitals than it is to Virginia's capital, Richmond.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://evanjenkins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-jenkins-president-wrong-threaten-veto-national-security-bill", "REP. JENKINS: PRESIDENT WRONG TO THREATEN VETO OF NATIONAL SECURITY BILL", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Evan Jenkins", "J000297", "evanjenkins.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) joined 288 House Republicans and Democrats today in voting to protect American citizens and strengthen our national security  legislation President Obama has threatened to veto.\nH.R 4038, the American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act, would prevent admission of any proposed Syrian or Iraqi refugee until the nations top security officials  the Homeland Security secretary and the directors of the FBI and National Intelligence  certify that the refugee does not represent a security threat. Rep. Jenkins is a cosponsor of the bill, which passed 289-137.\nThis legislation will protect our nation and our citizens, but President Obama is putting his ideology ahead of the nations interests by threatening to veto this bill. The Obama administration has failed to craft and execute a clear strategy to defeat ISIS, and now we see that the president is failing to enact provisions to thoroughly screen refugees and certify that they pose no threat to our national security.\nDemocrats and Republicans alike have joined together to send a strong message to this president  the security of our nation must come first. Until we can address the dire security issues surrounding this refugee crisis, we must pause our acceptance of Syrian and Iraqi refugees. President Obama is again ignoring the will of Congress and the American people by issuing yet another veto threat, Rep. Jenkins said.\nRep. Jenkins also joined 109 of his House colleagues in sending a letter to President Obama urging him to put the safety and security of our country first. The members also asked that the administration establish a thorough vetting process for potential refugees and an extensive monitoring process for relocated refugees. Please click here to read the letter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mckinley.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=433", "McKinley Votes to Protect National Security, Fix Refugee Process", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WV", "David McKinley", "M001180", "mckinley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Following the terrorist attacks in Paris last Friday many Americans have expressed concern about the Syrian refugee program and the possibility that ISIS could pose as refugees to enter the country and do harm on American soil. Today the House addressed these concerns by passing a bill to require thorough background and security checks to be completed before any refugee from Syria or Iraq can come to the United States. The American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act (H.R. 4038) passed with a strong bipartisan veto-proof majority.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Following the terrorist attacks in Paris last Friday many Americans have expressed concern about the Syrian refugee program and the possibility that ISIS could pose as refugees to enter the country and do harm on American soil. Today the House addressed these concerns by passing a bill to require thorough background and security checks to be completed before any refugee from Syria or Iraq can come to the United States. The American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act (H.R. 4038) passed with a strong bipartisan veto-proof majority. My single greatest responsibility is to ensure our national security and keep American citizens safe, said David B. McKinley, P.E. (R-WV). Today we took a first step to reduce the risk of terrorists using the refugee program to attack the United States. Given the events of the last month  in Paris, Beirut, Egypt, Africa, and elsewhere around the world  pushing the pause button to do thorough checks before we allow additional refugees is the most responsible course of action, added McKinley. While we should show compassion for the plight of refugees from these war-torn countries, Congress also has a responsibility to ensure the safety of the American people, said McKinley. This is a good first step and Congress should continue working to mitigate the threats posed to us by radical extremists.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=65a22546-9bf5-4552-adc8-b43377fe2f16", "John Marshall High School Students Skype With Sen. Joe Manchin, Address the Future | The Wheeling Intelligencer", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 19, 2015\n\t\t\t John Marshall High School Students Skype With Sen. Joe Manchin, Address the Future | The Wheeling Intelligencer \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tJohn Marshall High School students met with Sen. Joe Manchin via Skype Wednesday regarding issues they will face in coming years.\r\nAP Government students and members of John Marshall's Youth Leadership Association posed questions to Manchin, D-W.Va., with several concerns about education standards and how students can be expected to afford college in an economy where a college degree is becoming seemingly mandatory. Manchin's advice was to shop around for college programs, acquire scholarships and learn to finance education in a way that would not lead to crippling debt.\r\n\"The cost of college has skyrocketed. If you do well, you study hard and pursue opportunities, there shouldn't be one of you sitting there thinking you can't go to college,\" Manchin said. \"You cannot afford to not get an education. That's the best investment you'll ever make in your life. College should be more cost-effective and affordable than it is.\"\r\nManchin said during his time as West Virginia's governor, from 2005-2010, the most critical question business leaders considering locating in the state asked him was about the quality of the state's educated workforce. He also spoke of the importance of education on financial matters, which he believes is lacking among today's youth.\r\n\"How much education have you had on financial literacy? How much education have you had deciding what type of risk to take, how much you should borrow, what type of loan, and I would say that very little has been done in that arena.\r\nStudents also pressed for answers on translating growth in the energy field into a benefit for state residents.\r\n\"We all want manufacturing opportunities, and we need to look at it differently than we have before. If we don't invest in infrastructure, then we'll be exploited - people will come in to do the jobs, they have the experience from out west, and they go back. If you have the permanent jobs here from manufacturing, from ethane cracker plants, then the jobs stay here, and that's what we've got to have. I've told the state they need to invest in this - if the private sector isn't going to step up to the plate, the state needs to build this infrastructure.\"\r\nManchin introduced himself by saying the advances in technology have allowed people in his position to connect with his constituents on a much more active basis, something he did not imagine possible when he took office.\r\n\"It's important to me to be able to reach out to all our youth across the state. Ten years ago, even five years ago, it wasn't possible to reach out to every school, but I'm now Skyping all across the state,\" Manchin said. \"You need to know about your government, so you know what you're going to inherit and where you want the government to go.\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\t    By:\n\t\t\t\t    ALAN OLSON\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=1e7b7daf-2042-4358-8aff-8ea766c7eb84", "Manchin, Kirk Target Government Waste and Inefficiency", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 19, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin, Kirk Target Government Waste and Inefficiency \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senators Manchin and Kirk introduce the Government Transformation Act to save taxpayers millions\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) this week introduced the Government Transformation Act, a bill which creates an independent commission to target government waste and inefficiency. The bill would also provide actionable recommendations to Congress in order to enhance government effectiveness, efficiency and credibility in government programs.\r\nThe first step to getting our financial house in order is reducing government waste and inefficiency, Senator Manchin said. This legislation will create an independent analysis focused on finding inefficiencies in our government and reducing the national debt. I am proud to work across the aisle with my colleague Senator Kirk to save American taxpayers millions of dollars.\r\nBy eliminating outdated and underutilized programs like agencies and offices that print documents already found online, we can save taxpayers millions, Senator Kirk said. This bipartisan bill is a step towards reducing government waste and inefficiency.\r\nThis legislation would:\r\n \r\nCreate an independent, seven member, government transformation commission tasked with finding taxpayer savings and government waste.\r\n \r\n \r\nThe independent analysis will include program evaluation, effectiveness, efficiency, consolidation, reform and best practices. Similar to the Grace Commission that was set up under President Reagan to find inefficiencies in government, and the Simpson-Bowles Commission, which focused on reducing the national debt, this Commission will provide the President and Congress with ways to fix Washington.\r\n \r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=3d28b83f-20ad-4d3f-9970-0cddd93ec4ad", "Manchin Seeks Vote on International Climate Agreement", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 19, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Seeks Vote on International Climate Agreement  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), along with Senators Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Roy Blunt (R-MO), introduced a bipartisan resolution today expressing the Sense of the Senate that any agreement reached at the 21st session of the Conference of Parties pursuant to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held this December be put for a vote before the U.S. Senate. \r\nThe U.S. Senate must be able to exercise its constitutional role to approve any agreement that emerges from the Paris climate talks, Senator Manchin said. The energy-producing states in our country, especially West Virginia, and American consumers will be significantly affected by any deal made by this President. This Administration should not be able to unilaterally put American businesses at a disadvantage in the global economy by enacting unattainable and unproven mandates. The Senate must approve those agreements before they are enforced upon our people.\r\nThe international community needs to be aware that U.S. Congress and the American people do not support President Obamas international climate agenda, Senator Inhofe said. Expert testimony from the most recent Senate EPW oversight hearing has made it clear that nonbinding, political commitments along the lines of what Secretary Kerry recently announced would come from the international climate negotiations, are legally akin to giving a speech, or stating at a news conference, that he will make reductions in emissions. Should the negotiations produce a more substantive outcome as European delegates announced, then there is no way around the Senate. I would urge caution in considering any diplomatic promises that may suggest otherwise as the president is once again attempting to make international promises he cannot deliver. \r\nPresident Obama has shown a total disregard for the limits of his authority and the interests of the American people when it comes to pushing his politically-driven climate agenda, Senator Blunt said. There is no pen and phone clause in the Constitution, but there is an advice and consent provision, and we intend to use it to stop the president from enacting a bad deal that will hurt American workers, families, consumers, and communities. \r\nTo read the full resolution, click here. \r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=e2f4a1ec-14c2-44a1-b736-99e1719cf25f", "Manchin Applauds Bipartisan Passage of Sportsmen's Act of 2015", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 19, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Applauds Bipartisan Passage of Sportsmen's Act of 2015 \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Legislation will increase public lands access for sportsmen and promote West Virginias outdoor recreation economy\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), co-chair of the Congressional Sportsmens Caucus and member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee, today applauded the bipartisan passage of the Sportsmens Act of 2015. The legislation will enhance hunting, fishing and recreational shooting opportunities by increasing access to federal lands. It also includes the permanent authorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The bill passed the ENR Committee by a voice vote.\r\nAs a lifelong, avid sportsman, I know firsthand that our hunting, fishing and outdoor heritage is so important to who we are as West Virginians and as Americans, Senator Manchin said. In West Virginia, its a family affair and an opportunity to pass along, from one generation to another, a deep and lasting appreciation for all the outdoors have to offer. I believe that we should protect these traditions that help define who we are. This bipartisan bill will boost West Virginias economy while expanding hunting and fishing rights and allowing people a greater ability to enjoy the outdoors.\r\nTo review a section-by-section of the Sportsmens Act of 2015, please click here.\r\nSenator Manchin delivered remarks at the ENR Committee hearing on the bill. For a video of his remarks, please click here.\r\nSenator Manchins remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below:\r\nAs an avid sportsman, I believe that hunting and fishing are an integral part of the American culture and a powerful force of good protecting and preserving the natural world around us.\r\nIn West Virginia, its a family affair and an opportunity to pass along  from one generation to another  a deep and lasting appreciation for all the outdoors have to offer.\r\nOne of my top priorities is to make sure that the people I represent can carry on that tradition by ensuring they have access to hunting, fishing and recreational shooting on our nations public lands.\r\nIn my home state, we have more than 1.6 million acres of public land open to hunting with 28 shooting ranges on these lands.\r\nWe have a year-round fishing season, with more than 20,000 miles of streams and more than 100 public fishing lakes.\r\nBut this is about more than heritage and family tradition  hunting and fishing are big business in the Mountain State.\r\nIn 2011 alone, sportsmen and women spent $870 million on hunting and fishing in West Virginia and paid $81 million in state and local taxes.\r\nTitle II of this bill establishes an important precedent that seems pretty common sense to me  Federal land should be open to hunting and fishing, within existing laws, unless there is a reason for it not to be.\r\nNothing in the bill opens any sensitive areas that are already closed to these activities.\r\nIt merely establishes the precedent that our public lands should be open to the public so that people can enjoy them.\r\nI think its a shame that we all too often get caught up in debates between environmentalists and sportsmen  both of whom want to preserve and protect the great outdoors.\r\nGale Norton, Secretary of the Department of the Interior under President George W. Bush, once said:\r\nDating back to Teddy Roosevelt, hunters have been the pillar of conservation in America, doing more than anyone to conserve wildlife and its habitat.\r\nIm a firm believer that introducing someone to the great outdoors through hunting and fishing is one of the easiest and most effective ways to show them why conservation matters.\r\nI was also very pleased to see that the permanent authorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) was included in this bill.\r\nIn West Virginia, LWCF has helped maintain and expand access to some of our States natural treasures for the benefit of all.\r\nAccess projects funded by LWCF, in places like the Monongahela National Forest, Canaan Valley, and the Gauley River, not only keep public lands public for sportsmen, but also promote West Virginias thriving and growing outdoor recreation economy.\r\nA Section 6 habitat grant was the centerpiece of a project up in Cheat Canyon that leveraged state, local, and private funds to protect another incredible river that provides outdoor recreation in the northern part of the state.\r\nA different type of grant protected key battlefield areas around Harpers Ferry last year. \r\nThe permanent reauthorization of the LWCF is another one of my top priorities, and I commend my colleagues for working together, across partisan lines, to include it in this bill.\r\nFor the past two Congresses, we have tried and failed to pass a Sportsmens package through the Senate despite strong bipartisan support.\r\nI commend Senator Murkowski and Senator Heinrich for their leadership on the Bipartisan Sportsmens Act this Congress, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://evanjenkins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-jenkins-us-needs-halt-acceptance-syrian-iraqi-refugees", "REP. JENKINS: U.S NEEDS TO HALT ACCEPTANCE OF SYRIAN, IRAQI REFUGEES", "2015-11-18", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Evan Jenkins", "J000297", "evanjenkins.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) announced today that he has cosponsored legislation to halt bringing Syrian and Iraqi refugees to America.\nH.R 4038, the American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act, would prevent admission of any proposed Syrian or Iraqi refugee until the nations top security officials  the Homeland Security secretary and the directors of the FBI and National Intelligence  unanimously certify that the refugee does not represent a security threat.\nThe sympathies and prayers of all Americans go out to the people of Paris and France, and we will stand by our allies in the fight against terrorism.\nSadly, the Obama administration has failed to craft and execute a clear strategy to contain and defeat ISIS. Without a strong American strategy, ISIS has been allowed to spread terror across the Middle East and Europe and now threatens a strike on American soil. President Obama has consistently and repeatedly failed to acknowledge the magnitude of the threat ISIS poses to civilized society.\nThe Paris attacks must serve as a wake-up call to our nation. We must take every step possible to protect the lives of Americans and keep our nation safe. We cannot be certain that all individuals seeking refuge from the conflicts in Syria and Iraq pose no threat to Americans.\nAfter attending a classified briefing Tuesday night and studying the shortfalls of our refugee screening process, I am joining with many of my colleagues in calling for a halt to bringing Syrian and Iraqi refugees into the United States at this time. Until we can address the dire security issues surrounding this refugee crisis, we must pause our acceptance of Syrian and Iraqi refugees. As Americans, we want to always extend the hand of friendship, but we cannot jeopardize the safety of our people and our nation, Rep. Jenkins said.\nRep. Jenkins also joined 109 of his House colleagues in sending a letter to President Obama urging him to halt the admission of refugees from Syria and Iraq. The members also asked that these admissions be suspended until the administration establishes a thorough vetting process for potential refugees and an extensive monitoring process for relocated refugees. Please click here to read the letter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/-capito-calls-on-fcc-to-increase-transparency-enforcement-for-rural-broadband-funding", "Capito Calls on FCC to Increase Transparency, Enforcement for Rural Broadband Funding", "2015-11-18", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Shelley Capito", "C001047", "www.capito.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.18.15\n\t\t\t  Capito Calls on FCC to Increase Transparency, Enforcement for Rural Broadband Funding \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va) today urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to consider strict enforcement measures and increase transparency for the recently announced Connect America Fund funding. The FCC announced more than $1.5 billion in annual funding as part of the second phase of the Connect America Fund to expand and support broadband service in rural areas. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Angus King (I-Maine) also joined the letter.\nWe believe strict enforcement measures, coupled with transparency around how, where, and when the funds are used are necessary to ensure the integrity of the [Connect America Fund] program and the success of the FCCs efforts to advance rural broadband. We seek to maximize the success of the program and ensure that these limited funds are put to the best, appropriate use, the senators wrote.\nIn the letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, the senators call on the FCC to provide a publically available list of accountability measures for proper use of the funds, and to explain what enforcement mechanisms will be implemented if carriers fail to meet their obligations under the Connect America Fund program. In states like West Virginia and Maine where a single carrier receives the funding, it is critical that these limited funds are effectively and efficiently used.\nToo many West Virginians are denied economic and educational opportunities simply because they lack access to high-speed internet. With the recently announced funding available through FCCs Connect America Fund, we must ensure that those dollars are used efficiently and effectively, deliver on the stated goals of the program, and close the broadband gap in our states rural areas, Senator Capito added. Through her Capito Connect plan, Senator Capito is working to bring affordable, high-speed internet to homes, businesses and classrooms in West Virginia.\nRead the full text of the letter below or download it here:\nDear Chairman Wheeler:\nThe Federal Communications Commission (FCC) plays an imperative and unique role in supporting rural connectivity. In the 21st century economy, robust telecommunications networks are increasingly important for todays users, and serve as the foundation of future innovation and economic progress. As the Commission continues to reform its universal service funding mechanisms to adapt to a changing technological environment, we commend the Commissions ongoing attention and support of underserved rural areas.\nUnfortunately, deployment of these networks in rural communities continues to lag behind those in urban areas. Recently, the Commission announced over $1.5 billion in annual funding as part of the second phase of the Connect America Fund (CAF). The primary purpose of these funds is supporting investments in the most underserved communities. The Commission has announced that ten telecommunications carriers have accepted this support, which will direct over $9 billion to rural broadband development over the next six years. The high cost to deploy networks in rural areas creates a heavy reliance on the federal funding provided by the FCC, and it is important that these funds are used efficiently.\nWe agree with your recent remarks at the NTCA Fall Conference on the importance of ensuring accountability within the Commissions universal service program. While your statement was directed at reports of fraud and abuse by a handful of carriers, we believe the same commitment to responsible and efficient use of federal funds should be applied to all carriers who benefit from universal service program funding, including those supported by CAF. We also applaud your recent Public Notice reminding carriers to not use their funding in wasteful or fraudulent ways. Should we need stronger enforcement mechanisms to ensure that the Fund is used appropriately to advance rural broadband deployment, we would look forward to working with you on identifying the right solutions.\nCAF is designed to advance critical broadband deployment in our rural communities and improve rural access. In order to ensure the success of the CAF program, we respectfully request a list of accountability mechanisms currently in place to ensure that recipients are using the funds for their intended purpose, that build-out requirements are being met, and that locations reported as newly served are actually receiving service that meets CAF II standards. As you may be aware, the general public has an increasing interest in the outcomes of CAF investments, and we believe making these measures of accountability publicly available would be well received. We would also like to know what enforcement mechanisms will be implemented in cases where carriers fail to meet their obligations.\nWe believe strict enforcement measures, coupled with transparency around how, where, and when the funds are used, are necessary to ensure the integrity of the CAF program and the success of the FCCs efforts to advance rural broadband. We seek to maximize the success of the program and ensure that these limited funds are put to the best, appropriate use. We look forward to working with you to promote the continued adoption and expansion of broadband services, and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Connect America Fund.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-and-manchin-announce-usda-funding-to-support-west-virginia-state-university", "Capito and Manchin Announce USDA Funding to Support West Virginia State University", "2015-11-18", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Shelley Capito", "C001047", "www.capito.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.18.15\n\t\t\t Capito and Manchin Announce USDA Funding to Support West Virginia State University \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today announced $1,798,667 in funding from the U.S. Department of Agricultures (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Funding will support research, teaching and extension activities at West Virginia State University, which is an 1890 historically black land-grant university.\r\nWest Virginia State University has made significant contributions in research, innovation and development for agriculture and extension programs, said Senator Capito. I am pleased to see one of our own leading colleges here in West Virginia receive this funding. This funding will play a vital role to advance agricultural research and education that will encourage new break-through discoveries.\r\nWest Virginia State University continues to lead West Virginia and our nation by providing opportunities through innovative STEM research and world-class academics, Senator Manchin said. WVSU plays an important role in our state, and I am glad that the school will receive this important funding to enhance research, teaching and extension activities that will allow our students to thrive and help them succeed.\nThe fiscal year 2015 grants for West Virginia State University are listed below:\nTeaching\n$299,940  West Virginia State University: Funding will help high school teachers improve science education by recreating lab experiences in a way that reflects the same open-ended explorations of scientists. The program will establish a workshop that will promote a U.S. food safety focus at WVSU.  $599,688  West Virginia State University: Funding will support the Healthy Grandfamilies Project by providing these families with workshops coupled with social work case management services. Their grant proposal states that West Virginia ranks fourth in the nation among states with grandparents serving as the primary caregiver for one or more grandchild. The majority of these grandfamilies are low income, have very little access to health care, have high rates of obesity and lack strong social support systems.\nResearch\n$299,042  West Virginia State University: Funding will support a project that allows college students the opportunity to involve themselves in various experiments dealing with horticulture, genetics, genomics, metabolomics and entomology, which will ultimately increase their chances of employment at various levels.\nExtension\n$599,997  West Virginia State University: Funding will go towards creating an agriculture training facility, develop and agricultural training incubator program and strengthen technical assistance to increase farmers success. This award will also help address the needs of farmers in the areas of production methods, market needs, safety, and economic development. They requested this funding, stating that is important for southern West Virginia communities where employment opportunities in the coalfields have steadily decreased. This particular grant can help grow the agriculture industry, providing alternative job opportunities for displaced workers.\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=138554e2-3705-49a8-b3ea-f2d30a794d5a", "Manchin Urges Conferees to Shorten Multi-Year Highway Bill and Maximize Investments on Crumbling Infrastructure", "2015-11-18", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 18, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Urges Conferees to Shorten Multi-Year Highway Bill and Maximize Investments on Crumbling Infrastructure  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today sent a letter to House-Senate conferees negotiating a final Highway and Transportation Bill compromise, urging them to focus on our nations crumbling infrastructure by shortening the authorization period for the bill and using the savings to maximize annual investment levels for all surface transportation programs. \r\nThe Senators wrote in part: Over the past 20 years, total federal, state, and local investment in transportation has fallen as a share of GDP, while population, congestion, and maintenance backlogs have increased. In fact, Americas investment in transportation as a share of GDP is at its lowest point in decades, falling more than 50 percent since 1962. Sixty-five percent of Americas major roads are rated in less than good condition, one in four bridges require significant repair or cannot handle todays traffic, and forty five percent of Americans lack access to transit.\r\nSenator Manchin joined U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tom Carper (D-DE), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Robert Casey (D-PA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Al Franken (D-MN), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ed Markey (D-MA), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI) Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Tom Udall (D-NM), Mark Warner (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-WI) in sending the letter. \r\nFull text of the letter follows: \r\nDear Conferees:\r\nAs you begin conference negotiations to reconcile House and Senate proposals for a multi-year surface transportation reauthorization bill, we urge you to consider the urgent need for an increase in infrastructure investment around the country, and report a final proposal that can best address these needs by maximizing annual investment levels for all surface transportation programs over a shorter authorization period.\r\nBoth the House and Senate versions of the legislation contain numerous policy reforms that will help to address Americas infrastructure challenges. However, no set of policy reforms can substitute for what is truly needed to make significant progress toward rebuilding and modernizing our nations infrastructure: funding.\r\nOver the past 20 years, total federal, state, and local investment in transportation has fallen as a share of GDP, while population, congestion, and maintenance backlogs have increased. In fact, Americas investment in transportation as a share of GDP is at its lowest point in decades, falling more than 50 percent since 1962. Sixty-five percent of Americas major roads are rated in less than good condition, one in four bridges require significant repair or cannot handle todays traffic, and forty five percent of Americans lack access to transit.\r\nThe impact of underinvestment on American businesses and families is real. The average driver spends 42 hours in traffic each year  the equivalent of an entire workweek, while burning through 2.9 billion gallons of gasoline. The poor conditions of our roadways increases auto repair and maintenance costs by over $500 per vehicle. American businesses pay $27 billion a year in extra freight transportation costs, increasing shipping delays and raising prices on everyday products. Despite record ridership levels, on-time performance of many passenger rail routes continues to decline due to lack of federal investment, causing frequent delays for millions of passengers. Our crumbling infrastructure is also a serious safety concern. Poor roadway conditions were a significant factor in approximately one-third of the more than 33,000 traffic fatalities last year.\r\nAs others have pointed out, prior to MAP-21, each successive transportation package contained significant increases in annual funding levels. While the proposed Senate investment levels exceed baseline funding, they would still only be sufficient to cover expected increases in construction materials costs. These funding levels are certainly insufficient to rebuild and modernize our nations transportation infrastructure.\r\nWith all this in mind, we strongly urge you to finalize a surface transportation conference report that can provide the maximum amount of benefits to American families and businesses by prioritizing increased investment for all surface transportation programs over the length of the authorization. \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=65e9c49d-2869-419b-bb81-45e2537c9691", "Manchin Urges Funding for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Services", "2015-11-18", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 18, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Urges Funding for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Services  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) recently sent a bipartisan letter to Senate appropriators to request that any final appropriations package include necessary resources for critical substance abuse prevention and treatment services. The Senator is seeking funding at the highest possible level for the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant and the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) - programs located within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).\r\n\"With the passage of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, we urge the Committee to revisit initial proposed funding reductions for the SAPT Block Grant and CSAT as the appropriations process moves forward. In particular, we urge you to take action that would maintain the highest possible level of funding for these key programs,\" the Senators wrote. \"We recognize the continued fiscal challenges facing our country, however, with our nation currently facing an opioid abuse epidemic, we believe it is critical to make sensible investments in effective programs that are crucial to helping save lives, reunite families, and strengthen communities.\"\r\nSenator Manchin was joined on the letter by Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Mark Warner (D-VA), Michael F. Bennet (D-CO), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Al Franken (D-MN), Christopher A. Coons (D-DE), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Angus King (I-ME), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), and Dan Sullivan (R-AK).\r\nThe following organizations endorsed the letter: Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, Harm Reduction Coalition, Hazelden Betty Ford Institute, International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium, Legal Action Center, NAADAC-The Association of Addiction Professionals, National Association for Children of Alcoholics, National Association of Drug Court Professionals, National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors, National Council for Behavioral Health, National Criminal Justice Association, National Family Partnership, National Treatment Accountability for Safer Communities, Partnership for Drug Free Kids, Treatment Communities of America, Trust for America's Health, and Young People in Recovery.\r\nThe full text of the letter is below and here:\r\nDear Chairmen Cochran and Blunt and Ranking Members Mikulski and Murray:\r\nThank you for your leadership in addressing the nation's prescription drug abuse and heroin epidemic. With the passage of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, we are writing to request that any final appropriations package include adequate resources for critical substance abuse prevention and treatment services. In particular, we are seeking funding at the highest possible level for the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant and the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) - programs located within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).\r\nAs you know, the nation is in the midst of an opioid abuse crisis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heroin use has more than doubled among young adults ages 18 to 25 over the past 10 years. SAMHSA has found that the number of individuals in the U.S. aged 12 or older who are using opioids non-medically has reached approximately 4.5 million. These disturbing trends have resulted in tragic results for far too many Americans. According to the CDC, 17,000 people lost their lives to a prescription drug overdose and more than 8,000 lives were lost to a heroin overdose.\r\nThe opioid epidemic has also placed incredible pressure on our nation's treatment system. According to the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD), 37 States reported increases in treatment admissions for heroin during the past two years. Further, admissions for opioid pain reliever abuse treatment increased by a staggering 500 percent from 2000 to 2012 according to SAMHSA. It is clear that more must be done to support effective treatment services and prevention programs.\r\nThe SAPT Block Grant, a formula grant distributed to all States and Territories, provided treatment services for over 1.6 million Americans in fiscal year (FY) 2014. During the same year, of clients discharged from treatment, over 72 percent were abstinent from illicit drugs and nearly 82 percent were abstinent from alcohol. The prevention funds included in the SAPT Block grant represent 70 percent of the primary prevention funding managed by State substance abuse agencies. Unfortunately, over the past 10 years, SAPT Block Grant funding has not kept up with inflation, resulting in a 25 percent decrease in actual funding.\r\nThe Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) provides critical leadership across the federal government to promote evidence based practices. A cornerstone initiative within CSAT is the Targeted Capacity Expansion (TCE) program which helps States and communities target urgent, unmet needs. In FY 2014, Congress approved $11 million through the TCE program to help expand access to medications for the treatment of opioid use disorders. Over the past 5 years, however, funding for the CSAT has been reduced by approximately $44 million.\r\nWith the passage of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, we urge the Committee to revisit initial proposed funding reductions for the SAPT Block Grant and CSAT as the appropriations process moves forward. In particular, we urge you to take action that would maintain the highest possible level of funding for these key programs. We recognize the continued fiscal challenges facing our country, however, with our nation currently facing an opioid abuse epidemic, we believe it is critical to make sensible investments in effective programs that are crucial to helping save lives, reunite families, and strengthen communities. Thank you for your consideration of our request. We look forward to working with you as the FY 16 appropriations process moves forward.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=8c26ec41-3ef8-4571-a294-b385d12da7c3", "Manchin Sends West Virginia Priorities to Highway Bill Negotiators", "2015-11-18", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 18, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Sends West Virginia Priorities to Highway Bill Negotiators \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  As House and Senate negotiators go to conference to work out a long-term transportation bill, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) is urging the committee to include provisions in the final bill that are important for West Virginia.\r\nWest Virginia has 38,000 miles of public roads, many of which are in poor condition and in need of repair, Senator Manchin said. We are in serious need of a federal, long-term funding bill that goes beyond the status quo to address our states and nations infrastructure needs. Projects like the King Coal Highway, Coalfields Expressway and Corridor H have been put on hold for too long. The time is now to truly invest in these projects and others that will improve our infrastructure, create jobs, boost economic development and improve conditions in our local communities. My hope is that the conference committee will take these requests into serious consideration as they hash out a final bill.\r\nIn a letter to the House and Senate conferees, Senator Manchin is requesting that the following be included in the final highway bill:\r\nHigher funding for critical West Virginia highway projects, such as King Coal Highway, Coalfields Expressway and Corridor H  Senator Manchin says that as currently written, the proposed House investment levels would fail to keep pace with projected inflation and would fail to get these roads built.\r\n$60 million to the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) over the next six years to support regional projects and activities  Senator Manchin says that we must close the digital divide to give our businesses and families an opportunity to compete in the global marketplace.\r\nRail safety provisions that require Electronically-Controlled Pneumatic (ECP) brakes on all train tank cars  Senator Manchin says this will prevent pile-ups like the one that occurred in the Mount Carbon train derailment earlier this year in Fayette Count, West Virginia. He would also like to see a provision included that gives first-responders the tools they need to protect the communities they serve.\r\nIn a separate letter, Senator Manchin is urging negotiators to shorten the authorization period for the bill in order to maximize annual investment levels for all surface transportation programs. To read that letter, please click here.\r\nTo read the letter, please see below or click here.\r\nDear Conferees:\r\nAs you work together to craft a bipartisan compromise between the two highway bills that have passed the House and the Senate, I urge you to carefully consider the impacts the policy decisions you make today will have on West Virginia and the greater Appalachian Region for years to come. Please consider these priorities in crafting your final package.\r\nRural Broadband It is no secret that the energy and environmental policies being promoting by this administration have hit coal country particularly hard. The Senate bill includes an innovative high-speed broadband deployment initiative that would allocate $60 million to the Appalachian Regional Commission over the next six years to support regional projects and activities that will help make us more competitive in a global marketplace. The digital divide places rural Americans at a major disadvantage in an increasingly interconnected world, and we need targeted investments like the broadband deployment initiative to give our businesses and families a fighting chance.\r\nRailroad Safety As a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, I fought hard for critical rail safety provisions that were included in the Senate-passed bill. In May of this year, nine years after the Federal Railroad Administration first recommended Electronically-Controlled Pneumatic (ECP) brakes, the agency finalized a rule to require them on all tank cars in an effort to prevent pile-ups like the one we saw in Fayette County, West Virginia earlier this year. I encourage you to include a rail safety title in this bill to give our first responders the tools they need to protect the communities they serve.\r\nHigh Priority Corridors While I am pleased that both bills recognize the importance of our nations high priority corridors, such as the King Coal Highway and the Coalfields Expressway in West Virginia, recognition alone will not get these roads built. It costs money to build and maintain our nations interstate highway system, and I believe it is imperative that the projects and promises included in this bill are fully funded. We should not write a check that we cannot cash.\r\nThank you for this opportunity to highlight my top priorities in this bill. I appreciate your commitment to reconciling these two bills and producing a bipartisan package that will put people to work building and maintaining our nations infrastructure.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=9c3f9719-db2b-41d0-af45-6907bd48ae4c", "Manchin and Capito Announce USDA Funding to Support West Virginia State University", "2015-11-18", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 18, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin and Capito Announce USDA Funding to Support West Virginia State University \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. SenatorsJoe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today announced $1,798,667 in funding from the U.S. Department of Agricultures (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Funding will support research, teaching and extension activities at West Virginia State University, which is an 1890 historically black land-grant university.\r\nWest Virginia State University continues to lead West Virginia and our nation by providing opportunities through innovative STEM research and world-class academics, Senator Manchin said. WVSU plays an important role in our state, and I am glad that the school will receive this important funding to enhance research, teaching and extension activities that will allow our students to thrive and help them succeed.\r\nWest Virginia State University has made significant contributions in research, innovation and development for agriculture and extension programs, said Senator Capito. I am pleased to see one of our own leading colleges here in West Virginia receive this funding. This funding will play a vital role to advance agricultural research and education that will encourage new break-through discoveries.\r\nThe fiscal year 2015 grants for West Virginia State University are listed below:\r\nTeaching\r\n \r\n$299,940  West Virginia State University: Funding will help high school teachers improve science education by recreating lab experiences in a way that reflects the same open-ended explorations of scientists. The program will establish a workshop that will promote a U.S. food safety focus at WVSU.\r\n$599,688  West Virginia State University: Funding will support the Healthy Grandfamilies Project by providing these families with workshops coupled with social work case management services. Their grant proposal states that West Virginia ranks fourth in the nation among states with grandparents serving as the primary caregiver for one or more grandchild. The majority of these grandfamilies are low income, have very little access to health care, have high rates of obesity and lack strong social support systems.\r\n \r\nResearch\r\n \r\n$299,042  West Virginia State University: Funding will support a project that allows college students the opportunity to involve themselves in various experiments dealing with horticulture, genetics, genomics, metabolomics and entomology, which will ultimately increase their chances of employment at various levels.\r\n \r\nExtension\r\n \r\n$599,997  West Virginia State University: Funding will go towards creating an agriculture training facility, develop and agricultural training incubator program and strengthen technical assistance to increase farmers success. This award will also help address the needs of farmers in the areas of production methods, market needs, safety, and economic development. They requested this funding, stating that is important for southern West Virginia communities where employment opportunities in the coalfields have steadily decreased. This particular grant can help grow the agriculture industry, providing alternative job opportunities for displaced workers.\r\n \r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://evanjenkins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-jenkins-nas-bill-soon-will-be-signed-law", "REP. JENKINS: NAS BILL SOON WILL BE SIGNED INTO LAW", "2015-11-17", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Evan Jenkins", "J000297", "evanjenkins.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  A bill championed by U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) that will improve care for neonatal abstinence syndrome babies is on its way to President Obamas desk to be signed into law.\nRep. Jenkins said this bill will build on best practices from doctors and nurses in West Virginia and across the country in treating babies with NAS, exposure to drugs during pregnancy.\nToday, in a facility in my hometown that I helped start, Lilys Place is caring for 10 babies suffering the ravages of withdrawal. It took years of working through the regulatory burdens and certification limitations just to do what is right for our most innocent.\nThe gaps in care are real, and so are the obstacles in treating NAS babies. This legislation will pave the way to consider new models of care like Lilys Place for our NAS babies, Rep. Jenkins said in a speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.\nThe Protecting Our Infants Act cleared the House on Monday after being passed by the U.S. Senate. Rep. Jenkins was a cosponsor of the House version of the bill, which will help advance the research needed to develop the absolute best care available for babies with NAS, exposure to drugs during pregnancy.\nPlease click here to watch the congressmans speech.\n\n\t The full transcript of the congressmans remarks is below.\nEvery day in hospitals across my district and the country, tragically, babies begin their lives suffering through drug withdrawal because they were exposed during pregnancy. Sadly, the rates of babies with NAS have skyrocketed. NAS is a nationwide crisis.\nThe Protecting Our Infants Act addresses the many gaps in the care and treatment of NAS babies. How do I know there are gaps?\nToday, in a facility in my hometown that I helped start, Lilys Place is caring for 10 babies suffering the ravages of withdrawal. It took years of working through the regulatory burdens and certification limitations just to do what is right for our most innocent.\nThe gaps in care are real, and so are the obstacles in treating NAS babies. This legislation will pave the way to consider new models of care like Lilys Place for our NAS babies.\nI commend my colleagues, Leader Mitch McConnell and Representatives Katherine Clark and Steve Stivers, for helping to give every child a chance at a healthy start in life.\nWith that, I yield back my time.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mooney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-alex-x-mooney-wv-2-floor-speech-need-jefferson-county-be", "Congressman Alex X. Mooney (WV-2) Floor Speech on the Need for Jefferson County to be HIDTA Designated", "2015-11-17", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Alex Mooney", "M001195", "mooney.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON D.C.  Today, Congressman Alex X. Mooney spoke on the House floor about the ongoing drug problem in West Virginia and the importance of designating Jefferson County as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).\nAlex X. Mooney represents West Virginias Second Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is a member of the Budget and Natural Resources Committees.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-local-officials-discuss-substance-abuse-leadership-with-jefferson-county-students", "Capito, Local Officials Discuss Substance Abuse, Leadership with Jefferson County Students", "2015-11-17", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Shelley Capito", "C001047", "www.capito.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.17.15\n\t\t\t Capito, Local Officials Discuss Substance Abuse, Leadership with Jefferson County Students \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tHARPERS FERRY, W.Va.  U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and U.S. Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II visited C. W. Shipley Elementary School in Harpers Ferry yesterday to speak with the schools fifth grade class about current trends impacting young people in the Mountain State.\r\nSenator Capito shared tips for avoiding drug encounters and reporting suspected drug abuse while also discussing the importance of leadership and community engagement. Ihlenfeld spoke with students about substance abuse and addiction, highlighting the power that young people have to control the trajectory of their futures by choosing to be drug free.\r\nI enjoyed the opportunity to talk with our youth  the future of West Virginia  about the devastating effects of drug abuse. This program is an example of the comprehensive outreach our state is undertaking to address this growing epidemic, said Senator Capito. Communities throughout West Virginia need to be prepared to educate our youth about the dangers of drug abuse, while we also work to address our treatment and enforcement needs.\r\nAddiction has established a fierce grip in our region, noted Ihlenfeld. We are always looking for creative ways to reduce the demand for illegal drugs in our communities. That begins with prevention efforts targeted at young people. It is important to have honest and informed conversation with our children about the science of addiction while highlighting how quickly and powerfully drugs can change their lives. We look forward to future opportunities to engage with local youth.\r\nStudents also had the opportunity to interact with local law enforcement officials. Jefferson County Sherriff Peter Dougherty joined Ihlenfeld and Capito at C.W. Shipley Elementary School to discuss his role as Sheriff with the students.\nIndividuals interested in scheduling presentations or interactive forums on substance abuse trends or other topics for students and community groups in the Northern District of West Virginia are encouraged to contact the United States Attorneys Office by calling (304) 234-0100 or emailing tara.tighe@usdoj.gov.\nPhotos from the event:\r\n\r\n\r\nSenator Capito met students during her visit to C. W. Shipley Elementary School on Monday.\r\n\r\nSenator Capito and U.S. Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld spoke to fifth grade students about substance abuse and leading by example.\r\n\r\nC.W. Shipley Elementary fifth graders spoke with Senator Capito and U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld about drug prevention.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/us-senate-passes-bipartisan-capito-heitkamp-resolution-to-block-epa-regulations-", "U.S. Senate Passes Bipartisan Capito, Heitkamp Resolution to Block EPA Regulations", "2015-11-17", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Shelley Capito", "C001047", "www.capito.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.17.15\n\t\t\t U.S. Senate Passes Bipartisan Capito, Heitkamp Resolution to Block EPA Regulations  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Capito Also Supported McConnell, Manchin Resolution to Stop EPA Rule for New Power Plants\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t \n**Click here for video of Senator Capito discussing her resolution today on the U.S. Senate floor**\r\n\r\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  In a major step forward to stop the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) unworkable and overreaching regulations, a bipartisan resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) to void EPAs regulations for existing power plants passed the Senate today. Todays vote signaled that a majority of the U.S. Senate disapproves of the presidents economically catastrophic energy regulations.\r\nAmerican jobs and economic growth are being held hostage as the administration proposes regulations that harm energy-producing states, said Senator Capito. Todays passage of a bipartisan resolution of disapproval makes clear that enough is enough  the president cannot move forward with policies at expense of our families, communities and economy. The administration needs to understand coals role in our energy landscape, and I will continue my efforts to ensure that our state has access to affordable, reliable energy.\r\nNorth Dakota power plants need workable rules if theyre going to continue generating affordable and reliable electricity for families and small businesses, said Senator Heitkamp. EPAs rules on existing power plants are not realistic for my state and many others, and this resolution makes it clear that a bipartisan majority of the Senate agrees. To make sure overly burdensome EPA regulations dont hurt my state, Ill keep pushing for a viable solution through legislation, negotiation, and legal challenges.\nSenator Capito also voted with a bipartisan majority of the Senate to pass a resolution disapproving of the Clean Power Plan regulations for new power plants introduced by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.). Both resolutions will now move to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-capito-urges-support-for-cra-resolution-blocking-harmful-clean-power-plan-regulations-", "VIDEO: Capito Urges Support for CRA Resolution Blocking Harmful Clean Power Plan Regulations", "2015-11-17", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Shelley Capito", "C001047", "www.capito.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.17.15\n\t\t\t VIDEO: Capito Urges Support for CRA Resolution Blocking Harmful Clean Power Plan Regulations  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Congress should pass this resolution and place this critical issue squarely on President Obamas desk. Americas economic future is at stake. It is time to send a clear signal that enough is enough. - Senator Capito\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t \nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) spoke on the Senate floor this morning in support of the bipartisan resolution she introduced with Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) under the Congressional Review Act to block harmful Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations for existing power plants. The Senate will vote today on this resolution along with a bipartisan resolution introduced by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) to stop regulations that attack new coal-fired energy plants and their workers.\r\nVideo of Senator Capitos speech and the remarks as prepared for delivery are included below.\r\nRemarks as prepared for delivery:\r\nThank you, Mister President.\r\nToday, I rise to speak in support of my resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act against EPAs greenhouse gas regulation targeting existing power sources.\r\nI am proud to have the support of Senator Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and 47 cosponsors in this bipartisan effort to stop the existing coal plant rule.\r\nWe have had a lot of discussion about this. It affects all of our states differently. But I think its important to talk not just about what this does to our individual states, but what its going to do to the country as a whole.\r\nIf the administrations proposed Clean Power Plan moves forward, hardship will be felt across the country.\r\nFewer job opportunities, higher power bills and less reliable electricity will result.\r\nWest Virginia, and other coal producing states like Kentucky and Wyoming, are feeling the pain caused by prior EPA regulations.\r\nNearly 7,000 WARN notices, or notifications to employees under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act that they could be laid off within 60 days, have been issued at West Virginia mining facilities in 2015. More than 2,600 of those were issued last month alone.\r\nOur neighboring state of Kentucky lost more than 10 percent of its coal jobs during the first quarter of this year. Kentuckys coal employment now stands at its lowest level since the 1920s.\r\n\r\nThe Energy Information Administrations most recent annual coal report for 2013 showed that the average number of coal mine employees dropped by roughly 10 percent in other coal producing states like Alabama, Utah and Virginia.\r\n\r\nAccording to the Mine Safety and Health Administration, coal mining employment nationally has dropped by a massive 31 percent in just the last four years.\r\n\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\nThe impact of the war on coal extends far beyond the coal industry.\r\n\r\nThese regulations are affecting all aspects of Americans lives.\r\n\r\nLast month, West Virginias governor announced that most state agencies would have to endure four percent cuts, largely because of shrinking energy tax revenues.\r\n\r\nFor the first time in many years, the governor cut our education budget in the state of West Virginia because of this war on coal.\r\n\r\nThat means less money for roads, for schools and for health care services.\r\n\r\nBut the terrible impact that prior regulations have had on West Virginia and the nation would get far worse if EPAs Clean Power Plan goes into effect.\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\nThe Clean Power Plan is the most expensive environmental regulation that EPA has ever proposed on our nations power sector.\r\n\r\nCompliance spending is estimated to total $29 billion to $39 billion per year.\r\n\r\nHousehold spending power  the money that American families have in their pockets - will be reduced by $64 billion to $79 billion by this rule.\r\n\r\nA new study by the National Economic Research Associates (NERA), a respected economic analysis firm, of the final rule found that electricity prices in West Virginia would increase between 13 and 22 percent.\r\n\r\nBut West Virginia will certainly not be alone in enduring higher energy prices and job loss.\r\n\r\nNERA projects that all of the lower 48 states will see their electricity prices go up under the Clean Power Plan.\r\n\r\nAs many as 41 states could see electricity prices increase by at least 10 percent.\r\n\r\nTwenty-eight states could see electricity prices increase by at least 20 percent.\r\n\r\nWhat does that mean for our nations economy?\r\n\r\nThe National Rural Electric Cooperative Association found that a 10 percent increase in electricity prices could mean 1.2 million jobs lost across the country.\r\n\r\nHalf a million of those lost jobs would be in rural communities.\r\n\r\nThe National Black Chamber of Commerce found that the Clean Power Plan would increase poverty among blacks by 23 percent and poverty among Hispanics by 26 percent.\r\n\r\nAffordable energy matters, especially to those living on fixed incomes. Households earning less than $30,000 per year spend an average of 23 percent of their income on energy costs.\r\n\r\nThese families will suffer most under the administrations policies.\r\n\r\nEnergy reliability also matters.\r\n\r\nCoal is a source of base load generation, and the administration wants to replace coal with intermittent sources.\r\n\r\nWhat does that mean?\r\n\r\nOn a hot day, when air conditioners are running and factories are operating, we can be confident that a coal-fired power plant will be supplying the electricity needed to cool our homes and keep our businesses running.\r\n\r\nIn the cold winter of 2014, when demand for electric heat surged, coal was the energy source that utilities relied on to keep families warm.\r\n\r\nRenewable sources can play an important role in our countrys energy mix, but there will always be times when the wind doesnt blow or the sun doesnt shine.\r\n\r\nIt is critical that we preserve more reliable energy sources to meet the demand of powering our economy.\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\nInnovation, not across the board regulation, should be our focus.\r\n\r\nBut these regulations will not spur innovation.\r\n\r\nThe Clean Power Plan sets a standard for new plants that cannot be met by the best commercially available technology. That not only flies in the face of the Clean Air Act, but also makes gradual improvements in technology that would improve our environment impossible to implement.\r\n\r\nThe effect will be to instead choke off our most reliable and affordable source of energy and devastate the livelihoods of many folks around this country.\r\n\r\nPrior to this administration, our country did a laudable job in protecting and improving our environment while promoting economic growth.\r\n\r\nLast week marked the 25th anniversary of the 1990 Clean Air Act amendments, which were signed into law by President George H.W. Bush and supported by senators across the political spectrum.\r\n\r\nOur air is now the cleanest it has been in decades. We continue to reduce harmful pollutants like sulfur dioxide, as our energy consumption increases and our population grows.\r\n\r\nSince 2005, U.S. carbon dioxide emissions have fallen by 13 percent. According to EIA, West Virginia emitted 19 percent less carbon dioxide from energy production in 2013 than it did in 2000.\r\n\r\nWe should continue to protect our environment, but not at the expense of our families, our communities and our economy. \r\n\r\n ----\r\n\r\nWith this rulemaking, the EPA is attempting to impose the same type of cap-and-trade system that Congress rejected just five years ago.\r\n\r\nHaving failed at its attempt to pass cap-and-trade legislation, the administration is taking a second bite at the apple by claiming authority under the Clean Air Act to impose a regulatory cap-and-trade program.\r\n\r\nThis raises an obvious question  if EPA had cap-and-trade authority all along, why did the administration go to such great lengths to attempt to pass cap-and-trade legislation?\r\n\r\nThe answer is clear: the Clean Air Act does not authorize a mandatory carbon cap-and-trade program.\r\n\r\nWith its Clean Power Plan, EPA ignores forty-years of history and prior regulations that, consistent with the law, always based standards on controls installed at an existing plant.\r\n\r\nLet me be clear: in the 40-year history of the Clean Air Act, EPA has never issued an existing plant program like this one. As one EPA official summed it up to the New York Times: The legal interpretation is challenging. This effectively hasnt been done.\r\n\r\nRather than regulate existing plants using the best available technology, EPA is instead attempting to regulate the entire energy grid.\r\n\r\nThis has not been done before because the Clean Air Act does not authorize EPA to do it.\r\n\r\nBoth states and the private sector are doing what they can to fight back against this regulatory overreach.\r\n\r\nWest Virginia is one of 27 states that have filed lawsuits seeking to block this rule.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, 24 national trade associations, 37 rural electric cooperatives, 10 major companies and three labor union representing 878,000 members are challenging the EPAs final Clean Power Plan in court.\r\n\r\n--\r\n\r\nIn less than two weeks, international climate negotiations will begin.\r\n\r\nThe world is watching to see whether the United States will foolishly move forward with costly regulations that will do virtually nothing to protect our environment.\r\n\r\nUnder the Congressional Review Act, the Senate now has the chance to take a real up or down vote on whether EPAs Clean Power Plan can and should move forward. This is a legally binding resolution that, if successful, will prevent the Clean Power Plan or a similar rule from taking effect.\r\n\r\nPassing this resolution will send a clear message to the world that a majority of the U.S. Congress does not stand behind the presidents efforts to address climate change with economically catastrophic regulations.\r\n\r\nPassing this resolution will also demonstrate to the American people that the Senate understands the need for affordable and reliable energy.\r\n\r\nCongress should pass this resolution and place this critical issue squarely on President Obamas desk.\r\n\r\nAmericas economic future is at stake.\r\n\r\nIt is time to send a clear signal that enough is enough.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  Clickhereor the image above for video of Senator Capitos speech.\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=85384b3d-91af-45c6-83f8-0e74fb522c23", "Manchin Applauds Passage of Resolutions to Eliminate Unreasonable EPA Regulations for Coal-Fired Plants", "2015-11-17", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 17, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Applauds Passage of Resolutions to Eliminate Unreasonable EPA Regulations for Coal-Fired Plants  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today applauded the Senates passage of two resolutions to roll back the onerous Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations for new and existing coal-fired power plants.\r\nThe Senate voted to pass a resolution introduced by Senator Manchin and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to stop the Administration from imposing its anti-coal regulations for new coal-fired power plants. The Senate also voted to pass a separate resolution introduced by Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND)  and cosponsored by Senator Manchin  to prevent the Administration from moving forward with its proposed anti-coal regulations for existing coal-fired power plants.\r\nThe Presidents energy agenda has had a crushing impact on West Virginia and other energy states, Senator Manchin said. With the passage of these resolutions, Congress is saying enough is enough. We are showing the rest of the country and the rest of the world that we will continue to fight against these unobtainable and unreasonable regulations with everything that we have. I have vowed to do everything I can to fight to protect the people and the communities of West Virginia, which have been absolutely devastated by this Administrations overreaching rules on the coal industry, and I am pleased that these measures have been passed to disapprove and stop these rules.\r\nSenator Manchin spoke today on the Senate floor ahead of the votes. To watch the Senators remarks, please click here.\r\nLast week, Senator Manchin wrote a letter to the EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy criticizing the agency for drafting the Clean Power Plan standards for new coal-fired power plants based on a presently failing Canadian carbon, capture and sequestration (CCS) project. Senator Manchin argues that recent reports prove CCS is still technologically unproven and should not be required for coal-fired plants. To read Senator Manchins full letter, please click here.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=c5d1d80d-e1d0-49e0-8b5e-1e2e2148d75a", "Manchin Applauds CAMC for Receiving Nation's Highest Health Care Award", "2015-11-17", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 17, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Applauds CAMC for Receiving Nation's Highest Health Care Award \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Charleston Area Medical Center Health System receives 2015 Baldrige National Quality Award for health care\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today applauded Charleston Area Medical Center Health System (CAMC) on being named as one of four recipients of the 2015 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nations highest Presidential honor for performance excellence. CAMC is being recognized for its outstanding commitment to sustainable excellence through innovation, improvement and visionary leadership in the health care category. The 2015 Baldrige Award will be presented at an April 2016 ceremony during the Quest for Excellence conference in Baltimore, Maryland.\r\nCAMC is leading the nation in quality care by providing second-to-none health services at its facilities around West Virginia, Senator Manchin said. Just last month, I had the opportunity to tour CAMCs new Cancer Center in Charleston, meet with the dedicated doctors and staff and see firsthand the great work they are doing to provide the highest level of comprehensive care to patients. This award is a testament to the superior care being offered at CAMC hospitals and facilities and the health systems deep commitment to quality care and to the communities it serves.\r\nFor the past two years, the CAMC has ranked in the top 5 percent for quality inpatient service by Healthgrades, a national service that rates the performance of physicians, hospitals and health care providers, and received the groups Distinguished Hospital Award. To read more about CAMCs Award, please click here.\r\nIn addition to Charleston Area Medical Center Health System, recipients of 2015 Baldrige Award include: MidwayUSA, Columbia, Mo. (small business; won in the same category in 2009); Charter School of San Diego, San Diego, Calif. (education); and Mid-America Transplant Services, St. Louis, Mo. (nonprofit).\r\nFor more information, visit the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program website.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-bipartisan-group-of-senators-offer-support-for-draft-cdc-opioid-prescribing-guidelines-and-urge-continued-evidence-based-input", "Capito, Bipartisan Group of Senators Offer Support for Draft CDC Opioid Prescribing Guidelines and Urge Continued Evidence-Based Input", "2015-11-16", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Shelley Capito", "C001047", "www.capito.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.16.15\n\t\t\t Capito, Bipartisan Group of Senators Offer Support for Draft CDC Opioid Prescribing Guidelines and Urge Continued Evidence-Based Input \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.In an ongoing effort to combat Americas growing opioid epidemic, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) recently joined with a bipartisan group of Senators on a letter to Thomas Frieden, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in support of CDCs recently released draft opioid prescribing guidelines for chronic pain patients.\r\n\r\nThe letter notes the potential these guidelines have to serve as a significant tool for prescribers and acknowledges the role they are already playing in encouraging a nationwide conversation on the subject of opioid prescribing practices.It also callsonthe CDC to take into account feedback from prescribers, patients and othermedical professionals with experience treating both addiction and chronic pain in order to ensure that thefinalguidelines represent the best evidence-based practices available.\r\n\r\nTreating patients with pain, particularly chronic pain, is understandably a challenging endeavor for the medical community as well as their patients. We regularly hear from constituents, including many prescribers, who would like to see more educational opportunities and tools made available to assist with this aspect of medical practice. In our experience, the vast majority of prescribers want to be engaged partners in the effort to prevent opioid abuse and seek to find the right balance between safeguarding their patients against addiction and overdose risk, and ensuring their patients for whom opioids are the best pain management treatment option are able to safely receive those medications. Tools like the CDC guidelines can play a helpful role in that effort,thesenators wrote in the letter.\r\n\r\nAs the process of developing these guidelines continues, we ask that the CDC recognize the importance of ensuring that the guidelines represent the best evidenced-based practices available at this time while also ensuring that the guidelines take into account the practical experiences of prescribers, as well as their professional feedback.\r\n\r\nThe bipartisan letter was also signed by Senators Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.).\r\n\r\nThe full text of the letter is available below orhere.\r\n\r\nDearDr.Frieden:\r\n\r\nThank you for your ongoing efforts to address our nations epidemic of prescription drug abuse and drug overdose. We are writing in regards to the efforts being undertaken at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop best prescribing practices for opioids.\r\n\r\nAs you are aware, drug overdose deaths have now surpassed car accidents as the leading cause of injury death in the United States. This increase has been attributed in significant part to overdoses involving prescription opioids and other prescription medications. According to data from the CDC, more than 16,000 lives have been lost annually in recent years due to prescription opioid overdose death. In addition to the lives lost, millions of Americans have abused or are addicted to opioid pain medications. Consequently, we are now seeing a resurgence in heroin use and overdose death as individuals struggling with opioid use disorders transition from prescription opioids to heroin.\r\n\r\nWhile addressing this epidemic will require a long-term commitment, there are steps that we can take in the short-term that will have a meaningful impact, including increasing access to naloxone, expanding prevention efforts, supporting state efforts to better utilize their Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs, and ensuring that prescribers have the training and tools they need to properly prescribe opioids.\r\n\r\nWe appreciate the ultimate goals of the task undertaken by the CDC to develop guidelines for prescribing opioid medications to treat chronic pain in primary care settings. These guidelines, along with other educational resources, have the potential to serve as a significant tool for prescribers. In fact, it is our belief that the draft guidelines have already elevated and further spurred an important dialogue among health care professionals concerning opioid prescribing practices and trends in this country.\r\n\r\nTreating patients with pain, particularly chronic pain, is understandably a challenging endeavor for the medical community as well as their patients. Weregularly hear from constituents, including many prescribers, who would like to see more educational opportunities and tools made available to assist with this aspect of medical practice. In our experience, the vast majority of prescribers want to be engaged partners in the effort to prevent opioid abuse and seek to find the right balance between safeguarding their patients against addiction and overdose risk, and ensuring their patients for whom opioids are the best pain management treatment option are able to safely receive those medications. Tools like the CDC guidelines can play a helpful role in that effort.\r\n\r\nAs the process of developing these guidelines continues, we ask that the CDC recognize the importance of ensuring that the guidelines represent the best evidenced-based practices available at this time while also ensuring that the guidelines take into account the practical experiences of prescribers, as well as their professional feedback. We also believe it is important that stakeholders and the public understand the framework that the CDC has used to develop the guidelines as well as the scientific standards that underlie that process. As the CDC continues its efforts, we request that the CDC ensure it engages medical professionals, patients, and other key stakeholders and that the final guidelines take into account feedback from these groups, including those of patients and medical experts who have experience treating addiction and chronic pain.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your attention to this ongoing public health crisis in our country and for your consideration of our letter.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 1043, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"chamber\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "House", "p1": "WV", "p2": "2015"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=WV&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 656, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=WV&year=2015&party=Republican", "selected": false}, {"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 387, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=WV&year=2015&party=Democrat", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=WV&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 1043, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=WV&year=2015", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=WV&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "WV", "label": "WV", "count": 1043, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2015", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=WV&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "2015", "label": "2015", "count": 1043, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=WV", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2015-11-16,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Ecapito~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fpress-releases~2Fcapito-bipartisan-group-of-senators-offer-support-for-draft-cdc-opioid-prescribing-guidelines-and-urge-continued-evidence-based-input", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=WV&year=2015&_next=2015-11-16%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Ecapito~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fpress-releases~2Fcapito-bipartisan-group-of-senators-offer-support-for-draft-cdc-opioid-prescribing-guidelines-and-urge-continued-evidence-based-input&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 132.07902410067618, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}