{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Democrat\", state = \"WV\" and year = 2015 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["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"], ["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.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://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.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://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://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://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://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://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://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.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://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://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://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://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.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://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://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://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.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=976673a9-3158-46f1-ab23-1f33626f7284", "President Obama's EPA 'overreaching' water rules will jeopardize state economy | Preston County News and Journal", "2015-11-13", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 13, 2015\n\t\t\t President Obama's EPA 'overreaching' water rules will jeopardize state economy | Preston County News and Journal \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tIts no secret here in West Virginia that regulations being imposed by the Obama Administration are slamming our states coal industry and our coal mining jobs. But now, it is not just the mining jobs that the EPA is attacking. The agency is overreaching with a new water rule that will jeopardize virtually every sector and the local economies across the Mountain State. Thankfully, the Senate voted to roll back these dangerous regulations.\r\nEach and every West Virginian wants to drink clean water and breathe clean air, but we can achieve this without regulating our hard-working people out of business. If the Waters of the United States rule, known commonly as WOTUS, is enforced as it is currently written, heavy financial penalties would be imposed on all of us, including our local governments, small business owners, farmers, manufacturers and property owners. New permitting and regulatory requirements could also lead to regulation of a huge number of economic activities that are important to the people of West Virginia and the people of Preston County, including highway and road construction, pipeline projects, transmission line projects, farming, flood control, housing construction and public works projects. This rule will place a significant burden on West Virginias economy, hindering businesses, manufacturing, housing and energy production. Too many folks in our state are already struggling to make ends meet. This new financial and regulatory burden will set them up for failure in an already unstable economic climate, which in large part is caused by other harmful regulations the EPA and the Obama administration have established.\r\nThe bottom line is that it is completely ridiculous that West Virginias ditches, puddles and other un-navigable waters will be subjected to the same regulations as our greatest lakes and rivers. The EPA says it will exempt ditches, but only if a local government can prove that no part of the ditch is located in an area where there ever used to be a stream. The EPA also says it will exempt storm water management systems, but only if they were built on dry land. And the EPA says it can rely on historical maps and historic aerial photographs to determine where streams used to be, not where they are now.\r\nThese provisions of the WOTUS rule should especially strike terror into the heart of every mayor, county commissioner and manager of a city that was founded before the last century. With a sweep of the pen, the EPA is trying to take us back to the days of Lewis and Clark. According to a memo written in April, not even the Army Corps of Engineers knows how it will determine which ditches are exempt and which are former streams. Morgantown, West Virginia was founded in 1785. Wheeling, West Virginia, was established in 1795. To go back in time to determine where streams used to be would be near impossible and is not something West Virginians should be burdened with.\r\nThe EPA alleges that the rule would simply implement Supreme Court instructions to clarify the Clean Water Act jurisdiction over bodies of water in the U.S., but this proposal goes too far. In fact, the Supreme Court has already ruled that not all bodies of water fall under Clean Water Act regulation. So my question is this: Why is the EPA expanding it now?\r\nIt is truly disappointing that the EPA wrote and finalized this rule without consulting the people who care about clean water the most and those who will be most impacted. The EPA has made many claims that turn out to be untrue. The EPA says they were not required to consult with local governments under Federalism Executive Order  arguing that the rule did not impact them. The EPA argues that even though it did not comply with the Executive Order, it still reached out to local governments. The EPA alleges that it addressed the concerns of local governments by providing exemptions for public safety ditches and storm water control systems. None of these claims hold water.\r\nThat is why I am a cosponsor of the Federal Water Quality Protection Act. This bipartisan legislation would send the EPA back to the drawing board to develop a new rule after conducting proper consultation with states, local governments and small businesses that will be directly affected by the rule. Although this bill did not have the votes needed to move ahead, we are committed to getting the EPA water rule scrapped through whatever means necessary. As a result, the Senate quickly turned to a resolution of disapproval to nullify the rule. And I will keep pushing for the rule to be withdrawn and rewritten.\r\nThe EPA and Army Corps of Engineers can and must do better to address the legitimate issues that have been raised in regard to the implementation of this rule.\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/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=2627573c-8065-473f-aeba-ea6e2b0517db", "Sen. Joe Manchin Takes Fight to EPA Clean Air Regulators | The Intelligencer", "2015-11-12", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 12, 2015\n\t\t\t Sen. Joe Manchin Takes Fight to EPA Clean Air Regulators | The Intelligencer \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWHEELING - Sen. Joe Manchin is not waiting for one of the Environmental Protection Agency's public hearings this week to oppose the Clean Power Plan, as he continues voicing objections directly to Administrator Gina McCarthy.\r\n\r\nOthers can direct their comments to the EPA from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at the William S. Moorehead Federal Building, 1000 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh. In the same location, there will be a second hearing from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.\r\nHowever, Manchin, D-W.Va., continues blasting the plan that he believes will result in escalating utility bills for Mountain State residents - and even more coal mining job losses. He mailed a letter expressing his objections to McCarthy this week.\r\n\"Forcing new coal-fired plants to meet standards when experts know that the required technology is not sustainably operational on a commercial scale makes absolutely no sense,\" Manchin said. \"By requiring technology that has never been adequately demonstrated, the EPA is forcing an industry to shut down and consumers to pay higher utility bills.\"\r\nThe Obama administration claims its Clean Power Plan will cut carbon pollution from power plants by 32 percent from 2005 levels, prevent at least 3,600 premature deaths, prevent 1,700 heart attacks annually and create up to $45 billion worth of \"climate and health benefits\" per year.\r\nIn the letter, Manchin points out that the EPA's New Source Performance Standards for new coal-fired plants in the United States are based largely off the perceived success of the Boundary Dam CCS Project, a still-developing carbon capture and storage power plant in Canada. Manchin does not believe this is a proven technology, so he does not want the standard applied to U.S. plants.\r\n\"EPA should recognize that it has erred by once again prescribing a technology that has not been adequately demonstrated, in its ongoing ambition to set a lead example for the world at the expense of the U.S. consumer,\" Manchin states in the letter.\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\tSource:\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tCasey Junkin\n\t\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=4b3c154b-3477-42e5-910c-074dec468195", "Oopsy | Beckley Register-Herald", "2015-11-12", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 12, 2015\n\t\t\t Oopsy | Beckley Register-Herald \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tFor months now, the Obama administration and the Environmental Protection Agency have ignored the cries of two dozen or more states avowing that the Clean Power Plant rules are too damaging on too many levels to be practically enacted.\r\nThe rules force states to develop plans to dramatically reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an average of 32 percent by 2030. EPA says this goal can be accomplished by reducing or eliminating coal-based energy generation.\r\nBecause those cries are falling on deaf ears, we have to acknowledge those who continue to seek other ways to defeat  or at least to temper  the EPA plan.\r\nWe ask Sen. Joe Manchin to step forward.\r\nEarlier this week Manchin sent a three-page letter (that also included another 2- pages of footnotes) to EPA administrator Gina McCarthy that not only blasts the rules, but also points out a very good reason to delay, if not abandon, their implementation.\r\nIt seems, according to Manchin, that the standards are based on a presently failing Canadian carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) project.\r\nWell! That certainly sounds like a serious flaw to us.\r\nIn the letter, Manchin points out the EPA has indicated its final rule for all new coal-fired power plants in the U.S. is based largely off the perceived success of the Boundary Dam CCS Project, a still-developing CCS power plant.\r\nIn the final rule, the agency asserted that The Boundary Dam facility has been operating full CCS successfully at commercial scale since October 2014.\r\nNot so fast, my friend, as sports commentator Lee Corso is fond of saying.\r\nManchin notes that based on recent Canadian news reports that have been acknowledged by the plants management, it is now evident that the Boundary Dam has failed to operate successfully at full CCS for any meaningful period of time.\r\nThe senator says he thinks that this substantially undermines the EPAs final regulation for CO2 emissions, as the full CCS unit on this project served as the fundamental basis for the EPAs reasoning.\r\nGiven the problems that plant is experiencing, it is now not forecast to be fully operational until the end of next year. And it will need at least a year of stable operation to prove its viability. Hence, the operating company cannot know for sure if the project is a success until at least the end of 2017.\r\nWe wonder what the EPAs take on Manchins musings will be. It seems to us that the senator is really on to something.\r\nIf a standard is impossible to meet for a minimum of 12 months of sustained commercial operation, then it is unreasonable to impose that standard on our people, he wrote to McCarthy.\r\nHe recommends that the EPA scrap this impossible-to-meet rule, or at least amend it to require advance technology that has actually been implemented.\r\nSounds like good advice to us, but we doubt that the EPA, McCarthy or the president will be in a mood to listen. They are so all-in on these Clean Power Plan rules that they wont admit to mistakes even if they are staring them in the face.\r\nNevertheless, kudos to Sen. Manchin for thinking on his feet and challenging the big dogs when it counts. West Virginia is lucky to have him in its corner.\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\t\t  \n\t\t\t\tSource:\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\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=2695d75e-a19c-4f49-a532-73d90d6b484c", "Manchin Pays Tribute to Ritchie County Veterans on Appreciation Tour to Washington, D.C.", "2015-11-12", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 12, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Pays Tribute to Ritchie County Veterans on Appreciation Tour to Washington, D.C. \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), in a Congressional Record Statement, proudly recognized 20 Veterans from Ritchie County, West Virginia who traveled to the nations capital today to visit the memorials that were built in their honor. The Veteran Appreciation Tour included wreath-laying ceremonies at the Vietnam Memorial, Korean War Memorial and the World War II Memorial. They also toured the Arlington National Cemetery and had private time for a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Senator Manchin also praised Ritchie County High School senior Kirsten Seese for coordinating the Veteran Appreciation Tour as her senior project.\r\nToday is truly a special day for our Veterans and their families from Ritchie County to visit our nations capital and the monuments built to commemorate their service. It is my distinct honor to pay tribute to them today for defending our nation and protecting the freedoms we enjoy as Americans, Senator Manchin said. I am also so proud of Kirsten Seese for bringing this group of Veterans together. She has truly set an example for her generation by giving back to those who have served and she has made an enormous impact on the lives of our Veterans through this trip.\r\nSenator Manchin wrote the following statement in the Congressional Record:\r\nM. President, I rise with overwhelming pride to recognize a group of courageous Veterans from Ritchie County, West Virginia who are visiting our nations capital this Thursday. On behalf of our state and nation, it is a true honor and privilege to recognize these heroic men and women and their families for their brave service and sacrifice as they tour the memorials built in their honor.\r\nIve always said that West Virginia is one of the most patriotic states in this great nation, and we are so proud of the number of Veterans and active duty members who have served our country with honor and distinction. The 20 Veterans and their family members who are traveling to Washington, D.C. embody our states history and contributions to the freedom of this nation. They may represent different generations of warriors, but no matter the war or the era, no matter the rank, each and every one of them courageously answered the call of duty to defend our nation and protect the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. In our time of need, they stepped forward and said, Ill do it  Ill protect this country.\r\nThis trip will be a truly moving and special experience for these Veterans, many of whom have never been to the memorials that were built for their service. It will include wreath-laying ceremonies at the monuments that commemorate the wars in which many have served, including the Vietnam Memorial, Korean War Memorial and the World War II Memorial. They will also be touring the Arlington Cemetery and have private time for a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns.\r\nM. President, it is also tremendously important to recognize that this visit would not have been possible without the hard-work and determination of an inspirational young Ritchie County native, Kirsten Seese. Kirsten is a Ritchie County High School senior who aspires to be a nurse one day. She was inspired to coordinate this trip, as her pre-nursing senior project after hearing about a group of Veterans that had recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials sponsored by their community.\r\nKirsten wasted no time. She went to businesses in Ritchie County with the goal of organizing a 100 percent free Veterans Appreciation Tour. In just three weeks, Kirsten raised enough money for 20 Veterans, their family members and local volunteers to visit to Washington, D.C. absolutely free. They will not have to pay for any meals or refreshments and will receive a commemorative shirt and a hat. The funding will also go towards the wreaths for the ceremonies that will be held at each memorial and a group photo at the Capitol to commemorate their special day.\r\nI am so proud of Kirsten. She has truly set an extraordinary example for her generation by giving back to those who have served this country and those who have protected our freedoms. It is the devotion and drive of young people like Kirsten that bring our communities together. I wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors, and I commend her for making an enormous impact on the lives of our Veterans through this Veterans Appreciation Tour.\r\nM. President, I am filled with pride every time I meet the patriots who have served our country, and I am so pleased to welcome West Virginias most courageous Veterans, who are all heroes, to Washington, D.C. I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in saluting them. They truly inspire us all as we are reminded of their selfless service. It is because of their bravery that all Americans enjoy the greatest liberties and freedoms in the world. We whole-heartedly thank 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=3291aafb-5e32-4d9e-a50d-88efb18d7c30", "Manchin, Cornyn Introduce Bill Honoring Elite Group of Vietnam Veterans", "2015-11-12", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 12, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin, Cornyn Introduce Bill Honoring Elite Group of Vietnam 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 Bill awards the Congressional Gold Medal to the Dust Off crews of the Vietnam War\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) introduced legislation to award an elite group of Vietnam veterans with the Congressional Gold Medal. The Dust Off crews, as they were known by their radio call sign, flew unarmed air ambulances into hostile areas to rescue the wounded, providing critical medical treatment as they evacuated troops out of harms way to waiting medical facilities during the Vietnam War. Sens. Cornyn and Manchins bill would award members of the Dust Off crews with the Congressional Gold Medal.\r\nThese soldiers earned a national reputation for their service in what was considered to be one of the most dangerous jobs in one of the worlds deadliest conflicts in the modern era, said Sen. Cornyn. The Dust Off crews are just one extraordinary example of bravery exhibited by Texas veterans, and these courageous soldiers deserve to be honored with the Congressional Gold Medal.  The Dust Off crews of the Vietnam War truly embody some of the most talented and heroic service members in American history, Sen. Manchin said. These warriors displayed the utmost courage and resilience while under fire by flying to the treacherous frontlines to get wounded soldiers out of harms way. Because of their outstanding bravery, hundreds of thousands of lives were saved. It is our privilege and duty to publicly thank them for their heroic military service by awarding them with the Congressional Gold Medal.\r\nThis bill is supported by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, AMVETS, the Association of the United States Army, the Army Aviation Association of America, the DUSTOFF Association, and the Vietnam Dustoff Association.\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/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=e21427b9-191e-45f9-b0af-e0a9c6391d57", "On this day, consider sacrifices of our men, women in uniform | Beckley Register-Herald", "2015-11-11", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 11, 2015\n\t\t\t On this day, consider sacrifices of our men, women in uniform | Beckley Register-Herald \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEvery year on Veterans Day, we gather as a nation to express our deepest gratitude to the men and women who have fought to safeguard our beloved nation and secure our freedoms. No matter the war, no matter the rank, no matter the duty, every one of our veterans has answered Americas call. They have served us well and we must do the same for them.\r\n  One of the ways we can show our gratitude to our veterans is by providing them with the best possible care when they return home.\r\n  Earlier this fall, I had the honor of hosting U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Robert McDonald in West Virginia to discuss the issues that our veterans care about the most. This was the first visit by a VA Secretary to Greenbrier County and the area served by the Beckley VA Medical Center in more than two decades. By far, the greatest concern our veterans had on the tour was accessing quality health care.\r\n  Secretary McDonald and I spoke with more than 200 southern West Virginia veterans about the future of the Greenbrier County Community-Based Outpatient Center (CBOC). We were thrilled to help announce that the CBOC would be up and running at a temporary location in Lewisburg by December at the latest while continuing the search for a new permanent location.\r\n  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 CBOC is an important step to fulfilling the promise of care that was guaranteed to our veterans and active duty service members the day they enlisted.\r\n  West Virginia is a state filled with patriots. As of September 2014, The Mountain State was home to 167,000 veterans, approximately 13 percent of the nations total. At the same time, our state had four of the nations 150 VA hospitals, one of its 56 Regional Benefits offices, and just eight of its 831 CBOCs. Veterans access to health care remains limited as the need for such services grows. Nearly half of our states veterans are above the age of 65 and require increased medical attention.\r\n  Not one of the courageous West Virginians should have to come home from war and face another fight  a fight for the benefits, services and care they have earned as veterans. The United States military might is unparallelled throughout the world, yet we still need to improve how prepared we are to meet the needs of the men and women who serve our country once they return home, especially in terms of access to quality health care.\r\n  While I am pleased with the VAs announcement on the Greenbrier CBOC, there is more work to be done to increase veterans access to care.  As a U.S. Senator, I consider it not only my honor but my duty to meet the needs of our veterans. In addition to ensuring a commitment from the VA to reopen the Greenbrier CBOC, I am also proud to have worked with local veterans and leaders to bring a permanent Princeton VA Clinic that will provide access to 1,200 veterans.\r\nIn the Senate, I have proudly introduced myriad legislation that will make sure our veterans receive the reliable care they need and deserve and allow the VA to run more efficiently and better provide for our Veterans. Just yesterday, I voted to pass legislation that provides an additional $2 billion in funding for VA benefits and programs. This funding will help address the shortages at our VA facilities and improve VA services so that all veterans have access to the treatment and care they earned and deserve.\r\n  While we have made progress in helping veterans, serious challenges remain in improving the urgent need of veterans access to quality healthcare in rural areas, especially in West Virginia. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on the Veterans Affairs and Armed Services Committees to make sure that this country keeps its promises to our veterans.\r\n  As we reflect on this Veterans Day, I encourage everyone to take time to consider the many sacrifices that the men and women who serve our country in uniform have made to defend our freedom. They truly deserve the best treatment upon their return home, and improving Veterans access to health care is one of the most significant ways we can demonstrate our gratitude and support. It is because of them that America remains a beacon for all who love liberty and cherish freedom.\r\n  May God continue to bless our veterans and may He bless the United States of America and the great state of West Virginia.\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=3dcc8372-ab73-4dcb-b9ab-17464f2af4b6", "Manchin: Honor Our Veterans Every Day", "2015-11-11", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 11, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin: Honor Our Veterans Every Day \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 As the nation celebrates Veterans Day, Senator Manchin encourages West Virginians to honor our brave Veterans throughout the year\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  In honor of Veterans Day, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today encouraged West Virginians to recognize the sacrifices and contributions and thank our nations Veterans not just on Veterans Day, but every day. \r\nThe sacrifices and patriotism of our Veterans who have served this country know no bounds, Senator Manchin said. No matter the war, no matter the rank, no matter the duty, every one of our heroic Veterans has answered Americas call. It doesnt seem right that we pay tribute to our Veterans once a year on Veterans Day. Showing our appreciation is something we should do each and every day. As a nation, we should show our gratitude to these brave men and women by providing whatever they need when they return home. I am pleased with the progress we are making for our state and nations Veterans, but weve got more work to do. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on the Veterans Affairs and Armed Services Committees to make sure that this country keeps its promises to our Veterans and provides our service members with the care, benefits and services they have earned and deserve. \r\nWe owe those who have served and their families a debt of gratitude for their sacrifices. So today, as West Virginians and Americans across our great nation celebrate Veterans Day, I encourage us all to thank a Veteran and honor our Veterans not just today, but every day. It is because of them that America remains a beacon for all who love liberty and cherish freedom. May God continue to bless our Veterans and may He bless the United States of America and the state of West Virginia. \r\nAs a member of the Senate Committee of Veterans Affairs and the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Manchin has worked tirelessly to address Veterans issues and make improvements to ensure West Virginias Veterans are well-served. His recent actions on behalf of Veterans have included: \r\n \r\nHelped nearly 4,000 West Virginia Veterans with their individual Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or Department of Defense claims.\r\nWorked with the VA, the Beckley VA Medical Center, and West Virginia Veterans to bring a permanent VA clinic to Princeton. The facility opened in June 2015.\r\nRaised $35,000 for the West Virginia National Guard Foundation to honor Gold Star Families by hosting a Ride for Fallen Service Heroes.\r\nHosted the VA Secretary Robert McDonald in West Virginia for a statewide tour concentrated on finding solutions to the challenges Mountain State Veterans are currently facing.\r\nAddressed the importance of reopening of the Greenbrier Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC). Senator Manchin continues to work with VA to reopen the facility and save thousands of West Virginia Veterans from driving several hours to seek treatment.\r\nSuccessfully urged the U.S. Navy to name a Navy ship after Medal of Honor recipient and renowned West Virginian, Hershel Woody Williams.\r\nFormed a Veterans Advisory Group from Veterans across the state to help advise on issues facing our state.\r\nCosponsored the Jason Simcakoski Memorial Opioid Safety Act to address problematic overprescribing practices and provide safer and more effective pain management services to our nations Veterans.\r\nAddressed serious concerns with the implementation of the Veterans Choice Program. The VA subsequently decided to change the calculation used to determine the distance between a Veterans home and the nearest VA medical facility.\r\nIntroduced the Homeless Veterans Prevention Act of 2015 to build on existing homeless Veterans' programs at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).\r\nIntroduced the Veterans Access to Extended Care Act to allow Veterans greater access to long-term care (LTC) services in their home communities.\r\nIntroduced the 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery Act to create a system that can withstand surges in disability claims without generating another Veteran disability claims backlog.\r\nIntroduced the Veterans Small Business Opportunity and Protection Act to protect spouses and dependents of Veteran-owned small businesses after servicemembers pass away from a disability or in the line of duty.\r\nLaunched the Post-9/11 Veterans Caucus to address the challenges that the new generation of post-9/11 Veterans face when entering the job market.\r\nFormed the bipartisan Congressional Veterans Jobs Caucus to urge employers to hire Veterans and to reduce the high rate of unemployment for Veterans.\r\nAddressed the significant inadequacies in the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Fiduciary Program.\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=cc531973-104e-45ad-ad33-bebefab0dc75", "Senators Manchin, Blunt Introduce Bipartisan Hire Vets Act", "2015-11-11", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 11, 2015\n\t\t\t Senators Manchin, Blunt Introduce Bipartisan Hire Vets Act \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, DC  Senators Joe Manchin (WV) and Roy Blunt (MO) today introduced the Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing (HIRE) Veterans Act, legislation creating an annual, tiered recognition program to award employers based on their contributions to veteran employment.\r\nThe HIRE Vets Act would establish a program within the Department of Labor that annually recognizes qualified employers for meeting certain criteria designed to encourage veteran friendly businesses, including: what percentage of new hires, or the overall workforce, is made up of veterans; what types of training and leadership development opportunities are made available; what other benefits and resources are offered, such as tuition assistance; and other factors that demonstrate a commitment to supporting veterans throughout their post-military careers. The recognition would come in the form of a Medallion Certificate, awarded at the gold, silver, or bronze levels, depicting the year of the award and the level at which the employer was awarded based on the size of their business.\r\nOver the past couple of years, many American businesses, both small and large, have joined the effort to hire Veterans and are now doing their part to reduce the unemployment rate among Veterans, Senator Manchin said. This has been tremendous, and I applaud every employer who strives to be veteran-friendly; however, there is no nationally-recognized standard for employers to aspire to, or for future veteran employees to seek out. This bill will change that and is one more step we can take toward making it easier for our servicemen and women to find opportunities not only for good-paying jobs, but for a new start with employers who care. At the same time, well have the honor to recognize those employers who are doing a fantastic job with providing careers to our heroes.\r\nTransitioning to the civilian job market is one of the most daunting challenges our service men and women face. The HIRE Vets Act would help by providing veterans more information on employers who offer benefits and opportunities geared toward veterans hiring, Blunt said. As we pause to honor our nations heroes this Veterans Day, we must ensure they have the resources they need to succeed after their active duty service has ended and acknowledge the local businesses that provide opportunities for them to do so. This common-sense, bipartisan measure would be a step in the right direction.\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=5b92fca5-d0b9-4f6b-8dfe-70f84b873c88", "Manchin Refutes Basis of Clean Power Plan in Letter to EPA Administrator", "2015-11-10", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 10, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Refutes Basis of Clean Power Plan in Letter to EPA Administrator \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 questions why EPA used failing Canadian project as basis for new coal-fired power plants in Clean Power Plan\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy criticizing the EPA for establishing the Clean Power Plan standards for new coal-fired power plants that are based on a presently failing Canadian carbon, capture and sequestration (CCS) project.\r\nIn the letter, Senator Manchin points out that the EPAs New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for new coal-fired plants in the United States are based largely off the perceived success of the Boundary Dam CCS Project, a still-developing CCS power plant in Canada. Canadian press reports have recently disclosed that the Boundary Dam Project has failed to operate successfully at full CCS for any meaningful period of time. Senator Manchin claims that these reports prove CCS is still technologically unproven in a power plant application and, therefore, should not be required for U.S. coal plants. Instead, Senator Manchin argues the EPA should scrap this impossible-to-meet rule or amend it to require advanced technology that has actually been implemented, would offer improved environmental performance and is commercially viable.\r\nForcing new coal-fired plants to meet standards when experts know that the required technology is not sustainably operational on a commercial scale makes absolutely no sense, Senator Manchin said. By requiring technology that has never been adequately demonstrated, the EPA is forcing an industry to shut down and consumers to pay higher utility bills. I have always said that if it is unobtainable, it is unreasonable. If a standard is impossible to meet, for a minimum of 12 months of sustained commercial operation, then it is unreasonable to impose that standard on our people.\r\nTo read Senator Manchins full letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, please click here.\r\nBackground:\r\nThe EPA has indicated that its final rule for all new coal-fired power plants in the United States is based largely off a still-developing power plant unit in Canada, the Boundary Dam CCS Project.\r\nIn the final rule, EPA asserted that The Boundary Dam facility has been operating full CCS successfully at commercial scale since October 2014.\r\nIn fact, the EPA alluded five times in its final rule to the supposedly successful full CCS operation of the project.\r\nHowever, based on recent news reports from Canada, involving leaked documents on the demonstration units operation, which have been since acknowledged by the plant companys management, it is now evident that the Boundary Dam CCS Project has failed to operate successfully at full CCS for any meaningful period of time.\r\nThis result substantially undermines the EPAs final regulation for CO2 emissions on new coal fired power plants (NSPS), as the full CCS unit on this project served as the fundamental basis for the EPAs reasoning.\r\nThe reports also identify the CCS system of the demonstration plant as playing a role in the delays for getting the plant up and running. After one year of operation, the project was forced to replace certain important features at a cost of $60 million.There have also been nearly $23 million in non-performance penalties and lost revenues.\r\nAfter first stating that the plant was operating at full CCS since October 2014, the company, SaskPower, is forecasting the project is now on track to become fully operational by the end of 2016; there are no guarantees that this will prove true either.\r\nSaskPower CEO Mike Marsh now claims the project will need at least a year of stable operation to prove the technical operation and the economics of the project, which would aid in determining commercially viability: Once we can achieve stable operation for a year, well be able to prove the technical operation and the economics of this project. If you cant run it stably for a long period of time, youll never be able to do that.Reports out of Canada indicate that SaskPower now wont know about the projects viability until the end of 2017.\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=a02f4ce4-f32b-4e76-a8b6-e327156844a6", "Manchin, Capito Announce Assistance for Beckley-Area Veterans Struggling With Homelessness", "2015-11-10", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 10, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin, Capito Announce Assistance for Beckley-Area Veterans Struggling With Homelessness \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 Housing Authority of Raleigh County will receive award through the HUD-VASH Program\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today announced $22,593 in funding for the Housing Authority of Raleigh County to provide housing assistance for homeless Veterans.\r\nThe men and women who have courageously defended our country deserve the best care and benefits, and even one Veteran sleeping on the street is one too many, Senator Manchin said. I am pleased that Raleigh County will receive funds to assist those who are struggling with homelessness. This program will help provide our heroes who are facing difficulties as they return home get the help they need. It is our duty to fight for those who have fought for us, and I remain committed to making sure our country keeps its promises to our Veterans.\r\nWith Veterans Day around the corner, I am pleased to announce funding that will assist homeless veterans in need of permanent housing in Raleigh County. We can never do enough to repay our veterans, but we can do everything in our power to ensure West Virginia veterans have access to the resources and care they have earned. These funds will help our heroes in need find a home and get access to the help they deserve, said Senator Capito.\r\nThe funding is being awarded through the HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program, a cooperative grant program established under the Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Veterans Affairs (VA). This program helps homeless Veterans find housing through a combination of HUDs Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance and the VAs case management and clinical services. The money is distributed to public housing agencies so they can provide long-term housing assistance to vulnerable Veterans who have experienced homelessness for extended periods of time.\r\nTo learn more about the HUD-VASH Program, 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=e6f56d75-64b8-4d8e-b603-3af88ee7c38d", "Manchin Votes to Pass Appropriations Bill That Provides Additional Funding for Veterans", "2015-11-10", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 10, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Votes to Pass Appropriations Bill That Provides Additional Funding for Veterans \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today voted to pass the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (MilCon/VA) Appropriations Act, legislation that funds critical Veterans benefits and programs. Senator Manchin voted for this Mil-Con VA appropriations bill only after it was updated to reflect the Bipartisan Budget Agreement of 2015. The updated language provides more than $2 billion in additional funding for the nations Veterans.\r\nWe made a sacred commitment to our Veterans when we sent them to war, and as a nation, we should show our gratitude to these brave men and women by providing whatever they need when they return home, Senator Manchin said. I am pleased that this legislation was updated to provide additional funding that will help address the shortages at our VA facilities and improve VA services so that all Veterans have access to the treatment and care they earned and deserve. I am fully committed to making sure West Virginias 167,000 heroic Veterans are well-served. Not one of the courageous West Virginians who have served should have to come home from war and face another fight, and this bill is a step towards keeping the promise of care that was guaranteed to our Veterans and active duty servicemembers the day they enlisted.\r\nAs a member of the Senate Committee of Veterans Affairs and the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Manchin has worked tirelessly to address Veterans issues and make improvements for West Virginia Veterans. His recent actions on behalf of Veterans have included:\r\n \r\nHelping nearly 4,000 West Virginia Veterans with their individual VA or Department of Defense claims.\r\nWorking with the VA, the Beckley VA Medical Center, and West Virginia Veterans to bring a permanent VA clinic to Princeton. The facility opened in June 2015.\r\nRaising $35,000 for the West Virginia National Guard Foundation to honor Gold Star Families by hosting a Ride for Fallen Service Heroes.\r\nHosting the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert McDonald in West Virginia for a statewide tour focused on finding solutions to the challenges Mountain State Veterans are currently facing.\r\nAddressing the importance of reopening of the Greenbrier Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC). Senator Manchin continues to work with the VA to reopen the facility and save thousands of West Virginia Veterans from driving several hours to seek treatment.\r\nSuccessfully urging the U.S. Navy to name a Navy ship after Medal of Honor recipient and renowned West Virginian, Hershel Woody Williams.\r\nFormed a Veterans Advisory Group from Veterans across the state to help advise on issues facing our state.\r\nCosponsoring the Jason Simcakoski Memorial Opioid Safety Act to address problematic overprescribing practices and provide safer and more effective pain management services to our nations Veterans.\r\nAddressing serious concerns with the implementation of the Veterans Choice Program. The VA subsequently decided to change the calculation used to determine the distance between a Veterans home and the nearest VA medical facility.\r\nIntroducing the Homeless Veterans Prevention Act of 2015 to build on existing homeless Veterans programs at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).\r\nIntroducing the Veterans Access to Extended Care Act to allow Veterans greater access to long-term care (LTC) services in their home communities.\r\nIntroducing the 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery Act to create a system that can withstand surges in disability claims without generating another Veteran disability claims backlog.\r\nIntroducing the Veterans Small Business Opportunity and Protection Act to protect spouses and dependents of Veteran-owned small businesses after servicemembers pass away from a disability or in the line of duty.\r\nLaunching the Post-9/11 Veterans Caucus to address the challenges that the new generation of post-9/11 Veterans face when entering the job market.\r\nForming the bipartisan Congressional Veterans Jobs Caucus to urge employers to hire Veterans and to reduce the high rate of unemployment for Veterans.\r\nAddressing the significant inadequacies in the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Fiduciary Program.\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=e82184bc-d185-4669-89b2-66ccb85c9b69", "Manchin, Group of Senators Applaud CDC for New Prescribing Guidelines", "2015-11-10", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 10, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin, Group of Senators Applaud CDC for New Prescribing Guidelines \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 a letter to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Frieden, the Senators commend the Draft Guidelines for Opioid Prescribing\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  As the prescription drug abuse epidemic continues to have devastating effects on individuals, families and communities across America, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Ed Markey (D-MA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Bill Nelson (D-FL), and Angus King (I-ME) sent a letter to the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) Director Thomas Frieden, applauding the agencys newly released Draft Guidelines for Opioid Prescribing. The Senators believe that the new guidelines will help encourage responsible opioid prescribing practices and curb the growing opioid epidemic. The final Guidelines for Opioid Prescribing will be released early next year.\r\nThe Senators wrote in part: As you know, under the CDCs guidelines, physicians would be encouraged to recommend non-pharmacological therapy as the preferred treatment for chronic, non-cancer pain, prescribe the lowest dose and the fewest number of pills considered effective for the patient, and regularly evaluate the risks to the patient from the prescription opioids they are taking. These and the other guidelines reflect the latest science and represent a commonsense approach that will help us reduce opioid addiction and diversion and save lives without compromising access to needed treatment.\r\nPlease read the full text of the Senators letter below or here.\r\nDear Dr. Frieden,\r\nAs United States Senators, we have seen firsthand the devastating effects of prescription drug abuse on individuals, families, and communities in our states, and we believe that encouraging the responsible prescribing of opioids is critical to stopping this epidemic. That is why we strongly support the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) recently released Draft Guidelines for Opioid Prescribing.\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. It has, however, led to a dramatic rise in the number of overdose deaths due to prescription opioids.\r\nMore than 16,000 people died from a prescription opioid overdose in 2013; thats 44 Americans every day. Nationally, the number of drug overdose deaths has quadrupled since 1999. Too many people in our communities are losing their lives, families, and futures to prescription opioids.\r\nAs you know, under the CDCs guidelines, physicians would be encouraged to recommend non-pharmacological therapy as the preferred treatment for chronic, non-cancer pain, prescribe the lowest dose and the fewest number of pills considered effective for the patient, and regularly evaluate the risks to the patient from the prescription opioids they are taking. These and the other guidelines reflect the latest science and represent a commonsense approach that will help us reduce opioid addiction and diversion and save lives without compromising access to needed treatment.\r\nThe United States makes up only 4.6% of the worlds population, but consumes approximately 80% of its opioids. This simply doesnt make any sense. The CDCs draft guidelines for prescribing opioids are a critical tool that will help us reverse this dangerous trend.\r\nWe are committed to doing everything in our power to bring this epidemic under control because our communities are hurting. The problem will only grow worse if we fail to act. We applaud the CDC for developing prescribing guidelines and for your efforts in the fight to end prescription drug abuse. We strongly urge you to maintain this commonsense approach when you release the final guidelines early next year. We also encourage you to work with providers, stakeholders, and other agencies to implement the final guidelines to ensure that our entire health care community has access to the latest scientific tools needed to deliver high-quality care. We also encourage you to work with providers, stakeholders, and other agencies to implement the final guidelines to ensure that our entire health care community has access to the latest scientific tools needed to deliver high-quality 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://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=802c4afc-5490-4496-9102-9d8489bf309a", "Confirmation of Feinberg a good move | Montgomery Herald", "2015-11-04", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 04, 2015\n\t\t\t Confirmation of Feinberg a good move | Montgomery Herald \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tLast week, the Senate confirmed West Virginia native Sarah Feinberg as Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). As a West Virginian, I truly believe she has the same pragmatic approach to problem-solving that we see in our state every day. I have the utmost confidence in her ability to bring customer service and West Virginia common sense to Washington, in large part, because of her effective and efficient response to the train derailment in Fayette County and other incidents across the country.\r\n  In West Virginia, it doesnt matter if youre a Republican or a Democrat  what matters is if you can get the job done. During my time in the State Legislature, her father, Lee Feinberg, served on the West Virginia Governmental Ethics Commission, and he instilled in her a sense of moral responsibility that led them both into public service. Over the past 10 months, as Acting Administrator of the FRA, she has proven herself to be an effective and engaged leader with the courage to make tough decisions and the character to accept the criticism those decisions often incite.\r\n  She was baptized by fire after being appointed to this position on Jan. 9 of this year, leading the agencys response to five major incidents within her first 60 days at the helm. On Feb. 3, six people were killed when a commuter train hit an SUV at a grade crossing in Valhalla, N.Y. On Feb. 4, 14 tank cars carrying ethanol derailed just north of Dubuque, Iowa. Three of them caught fire. On Feb. 16, 27 tank cars derailed right here in our state in Mount Carbon. They released 378,000 gallons of crude oil and ignited a fire that destroyed a nearby house. On Feb. 24, a commuter train hit a tractor trailer at a grade crossing and jumped the tracks in Oxnard, Calif. On March 6, 21 cars derailed outside of Galena, Ill., near the border with Wisconsin. Five of them caught fire.\r\n  Over the past eight months, I have continually pressed the FRA to improve the safety of Bakken crude oil and other energy products that are being shipped by rail so that we never have to experience an accident like that again. Rail infrastructure is playing an increasingly important role in our domestic energy industry, and we must protect the people of West Virginia and the other communities across the country who live along these corridors.\r\n  Over the past 10 years, the increase in domestic energy production has been an engine of economic growth across our country, and the Energy Information Administration predicts that growth to continue through 2020. But unprecedented new challenges come along with the new economic opportunities presented by the growth in domestic energy production.\r\n  Thats why I fought to protect strong, new braking requirements that could prevent pile-ups like we saw in Fayette County earlier this year. It took the FRA nine years to finalize these rules for Electronically-Controlled Pneumatic (ECP) brakes, and I made sure they were included in the long-term highway bill that passed the Senate on July 30. My Track, Railroad, and Infrastructure Network (TRAIN) Act was also included in that bill to reform the environmental permitting process and make it easier for critical rail infrastructure projects to get off the drawing board and under construction.\r\n  It is not often that we find federal officials willing and able to roll up their sleeves and take on a tough job, but I believe we finally have one in Sarah Feinberg. Just five weeks into the job, Ms. Feinberg executed an efficient and effective federal response to the Mount Carbon derailment that showed me she understood the importance of being on the ground to support our first responders and local officials serving on the front lines. In July, I hosted Administrator Feinberg in West Virginia for a tour of the Center for National Response (CNR) in Gallagher, where we held a roundtable discussion on the sites emergency response efforts. She also visited Mount Carbon a few weeks ago to announce the findings of the FRA investigation into the February derailment.\r\n  The new tank car safety regulations that were finalized in May were dependent on close collaboration between the FRA and the Pipeline and Hazards Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). Ms. Feinbergs experience allowed her to cut through red tape and get the right people in the room to get the job done. While the new rules do not solve every problem, they represent a major step in the right direction. In fact, they satisfied all or part of 10 outstanding National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommendations, including all four recommendations that were made in April of this year.\r\n  Ms. Feinbergs experience makes her uniquely qualified to lead the FRA through this transition, and I look forward to working with her to improve the safety and efficiency our countrys rail infrastructure.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\t    By:\n\t\t\t\t    Senator Joe Manchin\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=80de2fe3-49ef-48c7-9201-9410fb044aa6", "Manchin, Capito Announce Funding to Boost Jobs and Urban Development in Beckley and Vienna", "2015-11-04", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 04, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin, Capito Announce Funding to Boost Jobs and Urban Development in Beckley and Vienna \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 $367,411 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) program. The purpose of the CDBG program is to develop communities by providing the means necessary to establish practical housing and living environments, while also promoting greater job growth and other opportunities.\r\nInvestments that improve our neighborhoods and revitalize our communities are important to cities like Beckley and Vienna, Senator Manchin said. This HUD funding will not only provide housing support for West Virginians in need, but it will also establish strategies that will boost local and regional economies through community development and revitalization projects.\r\nThe Community Development Block Grant program gives cities like Beckley and Vienna the boost they need to make necessary community improvements, said Senator Capito. With this funding, two West Virginia cities will be able to establish better housing options and job opportunities that will attract newcomers to the state and improve the lives of current residents.\r\nIndividual awards are listed below:\r\n \r\n$277,639  City of Beckley\r\n$89,772  City of Vienna\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=3663f0d7-3295-438e-ba67-43711fc514a9", "Manchin and Capito Announce More Than $12 Million in Funding from U.S. Department of Agriculture", "2015-11-03", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 03, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin and Capito Announce More Than $12 Million in Funding from U.S. Department of Agriculture \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 Funding Will Support Water and Waste Infrastructure Improvements in Jackson, Randolph, Logan, McDowell and Mingo Counties\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today announced loans and grants for five projects in West Virginia to develop water and wastewater infrastructure. The funds have been awarded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and will provide rural communities with the resources necessary to improve or repair their water and wastewater systems.\r\nUSDA has awarded $12,246,000 to four West Virginia communities for projects in the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. This program provides crucial funding for projects that promote clean drinking water systems, sanitary sewage and solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses.\r\nAdditionally, a $500,000 grant has been awarded to the Mingo County Public Service District for the Emergency Community Water Assistance Grant (ECWAG) program, which assists in the preparation or recovery process for emergencies threatening the availability of safe and reliable drinking water.\r\nIt is important to invest in infrastructure projects like these that make sure our communities are connected to the basic necessities of life, like water, Senator Manchin said. All West Virginians deserve access to clean and safe water, and this funding will improve our water systems to ensure the health and safety of our residents. This project will also help boost economic development, protect tourism activities in these regions and improve the prosperity of our families, businesses and communities. I will continue to work to make these commonsense infrastructure investments a reality.\r\nIt is essential that every West Virginian have access to clean water. This funding will not only assist rural communities throughout the state in repairing and establishing safer and more reliable water and waste systems, but it will also help solidify local economies, said Senator Capito. I am pleased to join Senator Manchin in announcing this important funding that will help to strengthen our communities and keep our residents healthy.\r\nIndividual awards are listed below:\r\nWater and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program\r\n \r\n$719,000 loan/$936,000 grant  Cottageville Public Service District: Funding will be used to support the Phase II Sewer Project.\r\n$6,073,000 loan  City of Elkins: Funding will be used for water system improvements.\r\n$1,782,000 loan/$750,000 grant  Logan County Public Service District: Funding will be used towards the Big Harts Phase III Water Project.\r\n$1,105,000 loan/$881,000 grant  City of Welch: Funding will contribute to waterline replacement on McDowell Street and riverside.\r\n \r\nEmergency Community Water Assistance Grants Program\r\n \r\n$500,000 grant  Mingo County Public Service District: Funding will support emergency flooding recovery projects in Mingo County.\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=7d4036d0-6560-451e-8d55-c1bf6e01c140", "Manchin Votes to Block Overreaching WOTUS Rule", "2015-11-03", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 03, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Votes to Block Overreaching WOTUS Rule  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today voted to advance a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to reverse the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule.\r\nThe EPA wrote and finalized this rule without consulting some of the people who care about clean water the most: everyday West Virginians and Americans, Senator Manchin said. This overreaching rule would impose a heavy financial burden on all of us and would lead interruptions on myriad of economic activities in West Virginia, including highway and road construction, farming, and a variety of public works projects. It is completely unreasonable that under the EPAs WOTUS rule, our countrys unnavigable waters would be subject to the same regulations as our greatest lakes and rivers, andwe cannot allow this rule to be implemented as it is currently written.\r\nEarlier today, Senator Manchin delivered remarks on the Senate floor calling on the chamber to pass the Federal Water Quality Protection Act, legislation he cosponsored to require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers to rewrite the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule following consultation with states, local governments, and small businesses that would be directly impacted by the rule. The Senate failed to proceed the bipartisan Federal Water Quality Protection Act.\r\nTo watch a YouTube video of Senator Manchins remarks, please click here.\r\nThe full text of Senators remarks as prepared for delivery is included below:\r\nM. President, today I rise as a proud co-sponsor of, the Federal Water Quality Protection Act.\r\nIve spoken on the Senate floor many times before about the burdens that the EPA has continued to impose on the hard-working citizens of my state.\r\nToday, however, I am not speaking on just the mining jobs that the EPA endangers; rather the rule we discuss today puts in jeopardy jobs in virtually every sector and the local economies across this great country.\r\nThe EPA has once again dangerously overreached its boundaries by unnecessarily expanding the definition of water sources it can regulate.\r\nIf imposed, the agencys Waters of the United States Rule, known as WOTUS, would have a harmful impact on my state of West Virginia and in communities across the U.S.\r\nAgain, the WOTUS rule would not just impact the coal mining in West Virginia; today Im here to stand up for many local issues that apply throughout the country.\r\nThe EPA wrote and finalized this rule without consulting with some of the people who care about clean water the most: everyday West Virginians and Americans.\r\nThe WOTUS rule would impose heavy financial penalties on all of us  including our small business owners, farmers, manufacturers and property owners.\r\nThe Federal Water Quality Protection Act will protect our water and our citizens and also prevent federal regulatory overreach by blocking the EPAs illegal WOTUS rule.\r\nThis legislation will send the EPA back to the drawing board to develop a new rule after conducting proper consultation with states, local governments, and small businesses that will be directly affected by the rule.\r\nIf WOTUS is not rewritten, the EPA regulatory expansion could lead to regulation of a huge number of economic activities including highway and road constructions, pipeline projects, transmission line projects, farming, flood control, housing constructions and public works projects.\r\nThe EPA claims that the rule would simply implement Supreme Court instructions to clarify the Clean Water Act jurisdiction over bodies of water in the U.S., this proposal goes too far. In fact, the Supreme Court has ruled that not all bodies of water fall under Clean Water Act regulation.\r\nThe EPA claims they were not required to consult with local governments under Federalism Executive Order  arguing that the rule did not impact them.\r\nThe EPA claims that even though it did not comply with the Executive Order, it still reached out to local governments.\r\nThe EPA claims that it addressed the concerns of local governments by providing exemptions for public safety ditches and storm water control systems.\r\nNone of these claims hold out.\r\nThe bottom line is that it is completely unreasonable that our countrys ditches, puddles and other un-navigable waters be subjected to the same regulations as our greatest lakes and rivers.\r\nThe WOTUS rule exempts ditches only if a local government can prove that no part of the entire length of a ditch is located in an area where there used to be a stream.\r\nThe WOTUS rule exempts storm water management systems only if they were built on dry land.\r\nThe WOTUS rule says EPA can rely on historical maps and historic aerial photographs to determine where streams used to be, not where they are now.\r\nThese provisions of the WOTUS rule should strike terror into the heart of every mayor, county commissioner, and manager of a city that was founded before the last century.\r\nWith a sweep of the pen, the EPA is trying to take us back to the days of Lewis and Clark.\r\nAccording to a memo written in April, not even the Corps of Engineers knows how it will determine which ditches are exempt and which are former streams.\r\nMorgantown, West Virginia was founded in 1785. Wheeling, West Virginia was established in 1795. To go back in time to determine where streams used to be would be near impossible. I dont want West Virginia cities to have to worry about the status of their municipal infrastructure.\r\nThere is no question that with additional permitting and regulatory requirements, implementation of this rule will place a significant burden on West Virginias economy, hindering businesses, manufacturing, housing and energy production.\r\nMany in my home state are already struggling to make ends meet. This new financial and regulatory burden will set them up for failure in an already unstable economic climate, which in large part is caused by harmful regulations the EPA and this Administration have established.\r\nWe all want drink clean water and breathe clean air, but we can achieve this without regulating hard-working Americans out of business, and this rule represents broad overreach has the force of law without Congressional approval.\r\nThe bottom line is that no federal agency should go around Congress to control what has not been legislated, especially when its actions will harm economic growth.\r\nIt is time to provide the clarity that local governments are asking for and send this rule to the dust bin and EPA back to the drawing board.\r\nI urge my colleagues to support the Motion to Proceed to S. 1140.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=f922611c-14c8-4448-ae49-601bb367b5fc", "Energy agenda crushing state | Charleston Daily Mail", "2015-11-02", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 02, 2015\n\t\t\t Energy agenda crushing state | Charleston Daily Mail \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tOn Oct. 23, the Obama administration published its job-killing energy plan that intends to shut down our coal industry.\r\nIt is time for Congress to step up and step in. I have always fought for West Virginia, which is why I introduced a resolution with Sen. Mitch McConnell this week to stop these regulations that are hurting our state. This is another battle I am proud to lead against the administrations demonization of coal.\r\nNever before in our history have we seen something as unreasonable as the Clean Power Plan. These regulations force coal-fired plants to meet emissions standards which simply cant be achieved, at least not now, even with the most advanced technology.\r\nFor new plants, the plan requires carbon capture and storage (CCS), which has not been demonstrated at any commercial scale power plant anywhere in the world. So Ive said this: if it is unobtainable and unaffordable, it is unreasonable.\r\nDont force an industry to shut down because it cannot do something that has never been done. Forcing coal to meet these standards when experts know that the required technology is not sustainably operational on a commercial scale makes absolutely no sense.\r\nThe good Lord gave the state of West Virginia and the United States an abundance of natural resources, and throughout our history, we have used these resources, particularly coal, to build and defend the nation.\r\nBut now, for the first time, we have an administration that denies just how important coal is to keeping America secure.\r\nCoal continues to be our most reliable source of electricity. And thats not changing anytime soon. The U.S. will continue to depend on coal for at least the next three decades. Even our own Energy Department says so.\r\nUnder the Clean Power Plan, our existing coal fleet would be diminished and adding new coalfired plants would be almost impossible. When the coal-fired plants come off the grid, reliable energy could become a thing of the past.\r\nThe nations coal-fired power plants currently have an average age of 45 years. Many will need to be replaced in the near future and regulations that prohibit building new coal-fired power plants can soon become a serious issue for the nations electricity reliability.\r\nAlthough the Energy Information Administration still projects 37 percent of electricity generation will come from coal in 2040, the currently operating plants, without new additions, will average 65 years old.\r\nThe history of coal plant operations already tells us that coal plants at that age will not achieve the levels of hours of reliable operation required to meet the 2040 forecast. The coal industry must be allowed to add the new coalfired power plant additions, but that need is being blocked by the Clean Power Plan.\r\nAnd its simply shameful that while countries across the world are developing energy plans that include the use of coal, here in America, we are imposing coal-killing regulations.\r\nBy 2040, China will get 62 percent of its electricity from coal, India will get 56 percent and developing countries in Southeast Asia will get up to 30 percent. Construction of some 1,200 new coal plants is planned across 59 countries  363 in China and 455 in India alone.\r\nImplementation of the Clean Power Plan is going to put the U.S. at a tremendous economic disadvantage in the global economy. Instead of focusing on killing coal, the administration should focus on leading the way in the development of clean coal technology.\r\nAmerican ingenuity should be harnessed right now  not restrained  to ensure our future at home and to be a leader for the world.\r\nThere is no doubt: this Presidents energy agenda has already had a crushing impact on West Virginia and other energy states. Dozens of power plants have already been forced to shut their doors. Thousands of coal miners have lost their jobs.\r\nJust last week, we received word of 220 more workers being laid off at the Pinnacle Mine in Pineville, W.Va.\r\nEnough is enough. As we develop our future energy policies, we must also focus on the livelihood of hard-working miners and families who are responsible for keeping Americas lights on.\r\nSo we are not going to stand by. We are going to fight against the Clean Power Plan with all that we got. While I am confident that the legal system will find that the administration greatly exceeded its authority with this destructive rule, I introduced this resolution because we need to show the rest of the country and the rest of the world that we will continue to fight for West Virginia coal.\r\nBecause no matter what this current administration tries to say, America needs our coal. The time to act is now.\r\nManchin, a Democrat, is West Virginias senior U.S. Senator.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\tSource:\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tManchin resolution seeks to stop Clean Power Plan wrecking ball", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=c2d65658-ae87-4f71-86d4-4716ac65bf05", "Prescription drug abuse epidemic and its impact | Logan Banner", "2015-10-30", "2015", "2015-10", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 30, 2015\n\t\t\t Prescription drug abuse epidemic and its impact | Logan Banner  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tRecently, I had the opportunity to speak with students and community members at Oceana Middle School about West Virginias prescription drug abuse epidemic and its impact on the lives of our students and their loved ones. As always, I was struck by the devastating impact this crisis has had on so many in our state. I was especially moved by the stories of two Oceana Middle students. Fourteen year-old Kerrys parents are separating because of the effect of opioid abuse on his family, and twelve year-old Halis stepfather is struggling with an addiction to painkillers that he developed after sustaining an injury in the coal mines. Hali also lost a sister to a driver under the influence. Yet, these two young people did not come to the town hall in search of sympathy; they came to offer hope and support to others struggling through similar challenges and advocate for action to reverse this crisis.\r\nUnfortunately, stories like Halis and Kerrys are not uncommon in our state. It is news to no one in West Virginia that our state is in the throes of the nations most devastating prescription drug abuse epidemic, with our southern counties among the areas most deeply affected by this crisis. West Virginia leads the nation in drug overdose deaths, with nearly 34 deaths per 100,000 people. Thats more than twice the national average. Over the past five years alone, nearly 2,900 West Virginians have died after overdosing.\r\nThis epidemic has not only gripped our state, but our entire nation. Each day, 44 people die as a result of prescription drug abuse overdose, and in 2013, nearly two million Americans over the age of twelve abused or were dependent upon opioids. Despite the fact that our country contains a mere 4.6 percent of the global population, we consume 80 percent of its opioids. And the reason opioids are so pervasive is that our nations doctors prescribe so many of them. In 2012, health care providers across America wrote 259 million prescriptions for painkillers, enough for every American to have a bottle of pills.\r\nAs jarring as these numbers are, it is the shattering personal impact that abuse has on individuals and families  like those of Kerry and Hali  throughout the state that cuts the deepest on this issue. Far too often, dedicated parents, hardworking students, loving friends, and our selfless veterans are caught in the cycle of opioid abuse. Good citizens prepared to accomplish great things can have their lives turned upside-down and threatened by an addiction to prescription painkillers. My heart is heavy each time I hear anyone, especially young people, speak of families struggling with a dependence on painkillers and young people recalling friends whose bright futures were thrown off-course after developing an addiction. As I spoke with students at Oceana Middle School, attended a drug court graduation ceremony in Boone County, and joined residents at a roundtable discussion in Madison, I listened to stories that echoed those Ive heard not only throughout my years as Senator and Governor but also among my own family and friends. The crisis has touched nearly everyone in the Mountain State.\r\nMy decision to remain in the Senate rather than to try to return to the Governors office was made in large part because I feel this is where I can unquestionably make the greatest headway in combatting prescription drug abuse. I remain committed to this goal, and my recent encounters with residents and community leaders throughout southern West Virginia energized me even more than ever to continue my initiatives in Washington to curb this appalling epidemic. I continue to encourage lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to put aside partisan differences to implement effective legislation that will better regulate the prescribing of opioids and treat current and recovering addicts. If Washington can unite in a fight against the prescription drug abuse epidemic, we can save thousands of lives and improve the well-being of West Virginians and Americans from across the nation.\r\nWe have made some strides. The reclassification of hydrocodone-containing drugs such as Lortab and Vicodin, which I fought for diligently, has helped prevent drugs from getting into the wrong hands by ensuring proper limits for prescription refills, tighter controls at pharmacies and more visits to a doctor before receiving these dangerous drugs. After the Drug Enforcement Agency announced in May that it would no longer sponsor National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, I successfully urged Attorney General Loretta Lynch to reverse this decision and another successful Drug Take Back Day was held on September 26. Additionally, I have spoken out various times against the FDAs recent approval of OxyContin for children as young as 11 years old and called for a Senate investigation into the decision. Earlier this month, I announced nearly $700,000 in federal funding to be dedicated to enhance drug court services and boost the effectiveness of juvenile drug courts across the state. And in September, I announced nearly $150,000 in federal funds to be allocated to the City of Huntingtons Womens Empowerment and Addiction recovery program.\r\nThese successes are just the first steps in the battle to curb the prescription opioid epidemic in West Virginia and across the country. Prescription drug abuse continues to destroy communities throughout our state. The truth is that family lives are ripped apart because of addiction and overdose deaths. Grandparents, great grandparents and neighbors are raising kids whose parents suffer from addiction. These circumstances are too common and simply unacceptable, and local, state, and federal officials must work diligently to successfully curb this complex issue. As President Obamas visit to Charleston last week indicates, the federal government is aware of the immense drug abuse epidemic facing West Virginia, and I remain committed to turning this awareness into action. For the sake of Kerry and Hali and those in similar situations, our families and the future of our state, we must reverse the prescription drug abuse crisis that has touched our families, our friends and our communities.\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=043ef6b9-91c5-4a22-8ef0-f4e722492143", "Manchin Statement on the Budget Deal", "2015-10-30", "2015", "2015-10", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 30, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Statement on the Budget Deal \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today issued the following statement on the budget deal:\r\nI am pleased that Democrats and Republicans were able to come together, negotiate, and arrive at a budget deal that passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. While this agreement is far from perfect, it is a first step toward getting Congress back on track. At a minimum, this bipartisan compromise gets us out of the cycle of legislating from crisis to crisis and allows us to focus on improving the lives of West Virginians. With the change of leadership in the House, my hope is that the new dynamic brings back regular order and gives us the opportunity to govern more effectively so that we can make positive changes for the country. This two-year agreement does not solve our long-term budgetary problems, and now is the time to take the next step, make hard choices, and get the job done.\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/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=ae047364-f009-4042-aa33-4d4bd27f79bf", "Spring Mills Middle students Skype with Senator Manchin, Katiann Marshall | Martinsburg Journal", "2015-10-29", "2015", "2015-10", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 29, 2015\n\t\t\t Spring Mills Middle students Skype with Senator Manchin, Katiann Marshall | Martinsburg Journal  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tSPRING MILLS-Spring Mills Middle school students skyped with U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., Wednesday morning.\r\nStudents throughout the school submitted a question that they wanted to ask Manchin and then school officials chose seven students to stand in front of the live-streaming camera and each ask their question.\r\nThe students chosen were: sixth-graders Dei'Ja Taylor-Mallory, Zachary Chapman and Nolan Choiniere, seventh-graders Nina Salujah and Julia Chapman, and eighth-graders Gabby Jainniney and Katherine Brady.\r\nSeventh-grader Nina Salujah asked her question to U.S. Senator Joe Manchin during the Skype session at Spring Mills Middle School Wednesday.\r\nApproximately 30 student government representatives sat in on the live Skype session, while the remaining students in the school were able to view the session through streaming technology in the gymnasium and classrooms.\r\n\"Character is developed when you take responsibility for your actions,\" Manchin said when asked about character.\r\n\"We need to bring the country back together,\" Manchin added when speaking about the United State's next president.\r\nManchin said the one thing he has learned while serving in the Senate is patience. \"When I was governor I was able to get things done quickly and now I've learned that things here in D.C. have a longer process,\" he added.\r\nChapman said that he chose the question he did because it is something his school practices daily. \"In school they always talks about AIR so I thought it would be good to include\" Chapman said.\r\nThe student asked Manchin: \"At Spring Mills Middle School we are expected to be accountable, have integrity and be respectful. How important are these character traits for the next president?\"\r\nAIR is the theme for Berkeley County Schools, which stands for accountability, integrity and respect.\r\nWhen reflecting on the experience Chapman said, \"it was an honor.\"\r\nSalujah asked Manchin: \"When you decided to go into politics, what goals or dreams did you have?\" when it was her turn.\r\n\"I wanted to know what his goals and dreams were because I have a very high standard for myself and I want to reach for the stars, so I wanted to know what he thought he could achieve,\" Salujah said.\r\nSalujah said that she gained a lot from the Skype session. \"It was really amazing and I took away a lot from this,\" she said.\r\nManny Arvon, superintendent of Berkeley County Schools, said he was impressed.\r\n\"As I was watching the students, not only the ones who presented the questions, but the audience, you could tell they were all in tune. I just asked a couple students what did they take away and what they took away was to put caring first and work hard.\r\n\"I thought the senator's message was perfect for our children in Berkeley County or any place to hear and I thought it was very simple, don't make excuses. We have the opportunity and the ability to get what we want through education and it's up to us and individuals to put as much into it as we want to get out of it,\" Arvon said.\r\nIn Manchin's closing statement he encouraged the students to strive for success to become better citizens and better students.\r\n\"I hope I've pushed you a little bit more, I hope I am pushing you because I believe in you more than you believe in yourself. I know how you can be, I know how good your families are, I know where you come from. Just do everything you can and push yourself. If you had someone you were mad at when you came to school, make up with them today. If you know you can work a little bit harder, go home and study a little more. Make more of an effort and see if you can improve just a little bit,\" Manchin said.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\t    By:\n\t\t\t\t    Katiann Marshall\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=4ad85b71-8bb4-4b01-896f-4d36c2c6f44e", "Manchin Congratulates Paul Ryan on Becoming Speaker of the House", "2015-10-29", "2015", "2015-10", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 29, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Congratulates Paul Ryan on Becoming Speaker of the House \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 looks forward to working with Speaker Ryan on bipartisan solutions to nations challenges\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today issued the following statement congratulating Congressman Paul Ryan on becoming Speaker of the House of Representatives.\r\nI congratulate Paul Ryan as he becomes the next Speaker of the House of Representatives. Paul is a principled leader, and I believe in his ability to govern reasonably and responsibly. My hope is that, in this new role, he will bring people together from all sides to find commonsense solutions to the challenges we face as a country. My door is always open, and I am fully committed to working with him and all of my colleagues in Congress in a bipartisan way. I wish him the best of luck as he assumes the Speakership.\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=e263e71a-5b96-4ed4-b89c-1af22dcaefea", "Senators Introduce Bill to Withhold Bonuses From Tax Cheats", "2015-10-29", "2015", "2015-10", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 29, 2015\n\t\t\t Senators Introduce Bill to Withhold Bonuses From Tax Cheats  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Richard Burr (R-NC), John Thune (R-SD), Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Mike Enzi (R-WY) yesterday introduced the No Bonuses for Tax Cheats Act which withholds bonuses from federal employees who are delinquent on their taxes or have engaged in documented misconduct.\r\nThe fact that millions of dollars in bonuses have been given to IRS employees who havent been paying their taxes is alarming and completely unacceptable, Senator Manchin said. No federal agency is above the law nor should anyone be able to reward tax-delinquent employees with taxpayer-funded bonuses, least of all the IRS. We cannot expect the American taxpayer, especially those struggling to make ends meet, to have faith in their government when they discover the agency they are paying their taxes to is rewarding employees who havent paid theirs. Im at glad to join this bipartisan effort to help fix this oversight. \r\nToday, were taking the first step to prevent bureaucrats from getting paid bonuses while fleecing the taxpayers at the same time, said Senator Burr. Its unconscionable that federal employees are eligible for bonuses, paid for by Americans, while they have dodged the tax collectors. We know of too many examples of bad behavior from individuals like the IRSs Lois Lerner, who targeted Americans for their political beliefs and received over $129,000 in bonuses even as she was engaged in wrongdoing. The IRS alone has paid over $2.8 million of taxpayer money to employees who havent paid their own taxes. This bill will put a stop to this egregious practice, once and for all.\r\nThis bill is about as common sense as they come, said Senator Thune. At its core, its about accountability. This bill says to hard-working Americans that the federal bureaucrats who collect their taxes have the same responsibility they do in fulfilling tax obligations. No one, especially employees at the IRS, should be rewarded while willfully cheating on their taxes or otherwise engaging in misconduct. \r\nSimply put, IRS employees should live by the rules they enforce and should not receive a bonus while owing back taxes, Senator Roberts said. Our bill makes sense and is one small way to help restore faith in an agency that has lost the trust of the American people.\r\nIts time to stop giving bonuses to IRS employees who behave badly, Senator Enzi said. Why should we reward IRS employees for late taxes or misconduct? This bill will provide a rational solution to ensure the IRS is more accountable to the American people.\r\nIn April of 2014, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) issued a report that found the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) had paid $2.8 million in bonuses, as well as tens of thousands of hours of leave and hundreds of pay-step increases to employees who were tax delinquent or had committed serious misconduct, including fraud and drug use. More recently, in their April 2015 report, TIGTA found 108 of 364 employees with willful tax noncompliance cases closed between October 1, 2008 and September 30, 2013, received one or more awards, promotions, quality step increases or Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments within one year after being disciplined for the tax noncompliance.\r\nSenators Manchin and Burr initially introduced a version of this legislation in April, 2014.\r\nTo read the bill text, please click here.\r\nTo read a one-pager of the bill, 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=2c37d936-1995-4199-ab12-6ede2eb30812", "Manchin Applauds Confirmation of West Virginia Native Sarah Feinberg as Railroad Administrator", "2015-10-28", "2015", "2015-10", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 28, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Applauds Confirmation of West Virginia Native Sarah Feinberg as Railroad Administrator  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today applauded the Senates confirmation of West Virginia native Sarah Feinberg to be the permanent Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Feinberg has been serving as the Acting Administrator of the FRA since January 9, 2015. In that role, Feinberg has led the FRA through a challenging year that has included multiple high profile accidents, including the February 16th train derailment outside Mount Carbon, West Virginia.\r\nI am so pleased that the Senate voted today to confirm Sarah Feinberg as the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, Senator Manchin said. As a native West Virginian, she has the same pragmatic approach to problem solving that you see in West Virginia every day, and I was impressed by her effective and efficient response to the Mount Carbon derailment in February. It gave me faith in her ability not just to lead, but to listen to the people were here to serve. I truly believe that her experience as a leader and problem solver, along with her willingness to tackle difficult issues and engage stakeholders about realistic solutions, will be an asset to the FRA and the entire Department of Transportation.\r\nTo watch a YouTube video of Senator Manchin delivering remarks on the Senate floor in support of Sarah Feinberg, 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=7939d27d-d635-40aa-8afd-e3f7074ea8ac", "West Virginia Congressional Delegation Urges Continued Support for Summit Point Training Facility", "2015-10-27", "2015", "2015-10", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 27, 2015\n\t\t\t West Virginia Congressional Delegation Urges Continued Support for Summit Point Training Facility \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington D.C.  Today, members of West Virginias congressional delegation and their staff met with Assistant Secretary Gregory Starr from the State Departments Bureau of Diplomatic Security to discuss the Summit Point Training Facility in Jefferson County, West Virginia. The Summit Point Training Facility does vital work ensuring the safety of our diplomats, embassy staff and their families.\r\nU.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), a member of the Armed Services Committee, has written several letters to the leadership at the State Department and the GAO. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which has jurisdiction over funding for foreign affairs security training, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) invited Assistant Secretary Starr to meet with the delegation and discuss the proposed construction of the State Foreign Affairs Security Training Center (FASTC) at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The bureaus proposal, which would require the construction of an entirely new facility with a half-billion dollar price tag, was introduced as part of the State Departments efforts to meet their increasing security training needs. As the delegation notes, however, these needs can already be met at the Summit Point Training Facility.\r\nThe delegation issued the following joint statement following todays meeting with Assistant Secretary Starr:\r\nSummit Point has provided the State Department with a state-of-the-art training facility for more than three decades while meeting the departments core mission requirements and safeguarding our diplomats. The State Department should consider expanding the existing facility that already meets the departments needs and is roughly an hours drive from Washington instead of building a costly new facility and disrupting security training. In todays meeting with Assistant Secretary Starr, we made clear that building a new facility would be duplicative and unnecessary. As a delegation, we will continue to lead the fight to keep these vital operations at Summit Point.\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=83c353e6-f502-4583-885f-e8cbc2723a25", "Manchin and Capito Announce More Than $1 Million to Support Family Health Care Services", "2015-10-27", "2015", "2015-10", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 27, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin and Capito Announce More Than $1 Million to Support Family Health Care Services \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington D.C.  Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) announced $1,191,631 in funding to the West Virginia Office of Maternal and Child Health Services (OMCHS) to support various programs with the goal of building better health care infrastructure in West Virginia. OMCHS programs specialize in serving the needs of women, infants, children, families, and children with special health care needs.\r\nIn West Virginia, the health and well-being of our families and our children will always be one of our top priorities, Senator Manchin said. The West Virginia Office of Maternal and Child Health Services is a significant resource for women and children throughout our state. This funding will provide the organization with resources and tools to deliver critical preventive and primary health care services to families and children in need.\r\nThroughout my career in public service, I have always worked to ensure West Virginias children have access to the quality health care and services they deserve, said Senator Capito. This funding for the West Virginia Office of Maternal and Child Health Services will boost the overall health and well-being of our young people, mothers and families, and support West Virginias health care infrastructure.\r\nThe funding is being awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to support state and community efforts to improve the health and well-being of all West Virginians.\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=9a32d072-83cc-480d-8ea0-02b58743f074", "Manchin, McConnell Introduce Measure to Overturn EPA's Regulation on New Coal-Fired Plants", "2015-10-27", "2015", "2015-10", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 27, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin, McConnell Introduce Measure to Overturn EPA's Regulation on New Coal-Fired Plants \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) today introduced a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to stop the Administration from imposing its anti-coal regulation on new coal-fired plants.\r\nI 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, Senator Manchin said. Dozens of power plants have already been forced to shut their doors, thousands of West Virginia coal miners have lost their jobs and are now struggling to make ends meet and our families and businesses are now facing electricity bills that are through the roof. This Congressional Review Act Resolution of Disapproval is just another battle I am proud to lead against the EPA's demonization of coal.\r\nThe Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) power plan regulations were published in the Federal Register on Friday. A CRA provides Congress the ability to eliminate onerous regulations through an expedited procedure for consideration in the Senate.\r\nTo view the resolution, please click here.\r\nSenator Manchin spoke today on the Senate floor in a colloquy about the measure. To watch the Senators remarks, 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=b97de2f9-fdeb-4079-89ac-d76603e9064b", "Manchin, Capito Announce More Than $25 Million to Assist Households with Energy Costs", "2015-10-26", "2015", "2015-10", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 26, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin, Capito Announce More Than $25 Million to Assist Households with Energy Costs \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 West Virginia will receive $25,927,056 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) to help keep West Virginia families safe and healthy by assisting with household energy costs.\r\nAs West Virginians, we take care of those who cannot take care of themselves and those who are the most vulnerable, Senator Manchin said. These are challenging times for our state and many people are struggling to make ends meet. This important funding will ensure that eligible West Virginians can heat and prepare their homes for the winter weather.\r\nWest Virginia is a tight knit community where friends and neighbors look out for one another. During these challenging economic times, this funding will go a long way to help West Virginians who qualify for assistance to heat their homes and stay safe during the winter months, said Senator Capito.\r\nThis funding is through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a program that aims to reduce the risk of health and safety problems that arise from unsafe heating and cooling practices. LIHEAP provides assistance in managing costs associated with home energy bills, energy crises and weatherization and energy-related minor home repairs.\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=796fa25c-44e0-42f4-9bdf-c142efb1b34e", "Manchin Statement on the President's Drug Abuse Forum", "2015-10-21", "2015", "2015-10", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 21, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Statement on the President's Drug Abuse Forum  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today issued a statement on President Obamas visit to Charleston, West Virginia to address the growing drug abuse epidemic. \r\n\"It was an honor to welcome the President to our state today for a powerful discussion with West Virginians who are on the frontlines of opioid abuse. I was especially touched by the heart-wrenching stories from the families who have been personally impacted. If we want to end the growing prescription drug abuse epidemic that claims the lives of more than 600 West Virginians and 16,000 Americans every year, we must come at this problem from every angle and work with every partner. I am pleased that the President came to our state for this important national discussion and that the Administration has outlined a strategy to bring federal, state, local, faith-based and private sector actors together to address this critical issue. This visit has allowed us as a state to show the President and the country first-hand the opioid abuse that is destroying families and communities across our beautiful state, the dedicated work our citizens are doing to save our communities and the critical help we need to stop this epidemic. West Virginians are strong and resilient, and if we continue to work together, I know we can win this war on drug abuse and save lives.\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=3e955886-cc5a-485d-ab7a-4c22e6c9f35b", "Manchin Applauds Navy Decision to Name Ship After West Virginia Veteran and Medal of Honor Recipient Woody Williams", "2015-10-20", "2015", "2015-10", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 20, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Applauds Navy Decision to Name Ship After West Virginia Veteran and Medal of Honor Recipient Woody Williams \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 Decision comes after Senator Manchin sent a letter to U.S. Navy Secretary Mabus recommending that Navy ship be named after Woody Williams for his outstanding sacrifice and dedication to nation\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today applauded the U.S. Navys decision to name a Navy ship after West Virginia World War II veteran and Medal of Honor recipient, Hershel Woody Williams. The decision comes after Senator Manchin sent a letter to U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus recommending that a Navy ship be named after Woody Williams for his outstanding sacrifice and dedication to the nation.\r\nI am thrilled the U.S. Navy will name a Navy ship after World War II Medal of Honor recipient and my dear friend, Woody Williams. Naming a ship after Woody is a lifelong tribute to Woodys brave actions and his dedication to public service. Woody embodies the service and sacrifice our great state has given to our nation and this honors not only his legacy but the legacy of West Virginia veterans and their families. I am glad Secretary Mabus accepted my recommendation and will bestow this great honor on our resident hero, Woody Williams. I also would like to thank Woodys fellow Marines and friends who started this effort so many years ago, and I applaud them for their tireless advocacy.\r\nTo read Senator Manchins letter to U.S. Navy Secretary Mabus, 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=c6f71858-ff53-4634-b8cd-f78044b3adff", "Manchin and Capito Statement on Site Selection for Charleston VA Clinic", "2015-10-08", "2015", "2015-10", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 08, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin and Capito Statement on Site Selection for Charleston VA Clinic \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) welcomed todays announcement about the site selection for the relocation of the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Charleston, West Virginia.\r\nAccording to the VA, the new location for the Charleston clinic will be on Route 119 South at 700 Technology Drive in South Charleston and is expected to open in the summer of 2016. The current clinic will remain operational until the new clinic is open.\r\nOur veterans have sacrificed so much in defense of this country, and they deserve the best quality care when they return home, Senator Manchin said. As the number of veterans continues to grow in West Virginia, it is wonderful that those residing in Kanawha County and around the area will have access to the healthcare services they need and deserve at this new clinic. This is great news for our veterans.\r\nWest Virginians have a long history of service to our nation and deserve the best care possible. The new clinic in South Charleston will provide a number of additional services to the thousands of veterans in Kanawha and surrounding counties, said Senator Capito. We must continue to enhance access to care, meet the specific needs of veterans living in rural communities throughout West Virginia, and ensure that the VA has the resources necessary to fulfill its mission.\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=f5ad8088-3dd0-4933-bd38-d448a5d0c2c2", "Manchin and Capito Announce $3 Million in ARC Grants for West Virginia", "2015-10-07", "2015", "2015-10", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 07, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin and Capito Announce $3 Million in ARC Grants for West Virginia  \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 Appalachian Regional Commission grants will support infrastructure, health and economic development improvements in West Virginia\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today announced that four West Virginia projects will receive a total of $3 million from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for infrastructure, health and economic development improvements.\r\nThe Logan County Public Service Districts Phase III-B1 Wastewater project will receive $1,500,000; the Town of Unions Water System Improvements project will receive $1,000,000; the West Virginia Development Offices West Virginia Enhanced Distressed Counties Flex-E-Grant Program will receive $100,000; and the Robert C. Byrd Center for Rural Health at Marshall University will receive $400,000 for continuation of the Appalachian Diabetes Control and Translation Project.\r\nBy investing in water infrastructure improvements, economic development, and health education and prevention programs, we are enhancing the quality of life for so many West Virginians and helping to revitalize our communities, Senator Manchin said. This funding will provide underserved communities with access to the resources necessary to keep West Virginians safe and healthy and create new economic opportunities.\r\nThis funding gives a needed boost to struggling West Virginia communities, said Senator Capito. By improving local water and sewer programs, investing in economic development initiatives and supporting diabetes education and prevention, these programs will help improve the quality of life in some of our most rural communities and pave the way for economic growth.\r\nProgram Details:\r\n The Logan County Public Service District will receive $1,500,000 from ARC for the Phase III-B1 Wastewater project, which will provide sewer service to 116 households and 15 businesses in Lower Island Creek Road, Cherry Tree, Whites Addition, Yuma Camp and surrounding areas. The businesses and residents of the project area do not currently have access to a public wastewater system. This project will help provide safe and reliable sewer service and attract future investments in the region. In addition to ARC funding, other federal sources will provide $836,000, and local sources will provide $2,230,000, bringing the total project funding to $4,566,000.\r\n The Town of Union will receive $1,000,000 from ARC for the Union Water System Improvements project. This project will significantly contribute to the regions community and economic development goals by increasing the towns water storage, enhancing reliability, providing the foundation for future water line extensions to unserved communities and enabling a local manufacturing company to expand production and create new jobs. In addition to ARC funding, other federal sources will provide $1,023,000 and local sources will provide $507,000, bringing the total project funding to $2,530,000.\r\n The West Virginia Development Office will receive $100,000 from ARC for the West Virginia Enhanced Distressed Counties Flex-E-Grant Program. This program will provide mini-grants for up to $10,000 per project to fund small-scale, non-construction community development projects. The program is targeted to serve the states eight distressed counties, 17 at-risk counties and selected transitional counties. Highest priority will be given to projects associated with WV Blueprint Communities and the Turn This Town Around Initiative. In addition to ARC funding, the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation will provide $75,000 and local sources will provide $17,300, bringing the total project funding to $192,300.\r\n The Robert C. Byrd Center for Rural Health at Marshall University will receive $400,000 from ARC for continuation of the Appalachian Diabetes Control and Translation Project, which helps address diabetes in distressed areas throughout Appalachia. Since 2002, ARC and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have sponsored Marshalls efforts to support local coalitions focused on diabetes education and prevention for thousands of people each year. This funding will provide additional training and technical assistance, and support continued grant assistance for the strongest coalitions. This ARC grant of $400,000 includes $200,000 in transferred CDC funds. ###\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=64d58bbd-74cc-4db3-b39b-b38ff4e5d997", "Manchin and Capito Announce $800,000 for Revitalization Project in Southern West Virginia", "2015-10-06", "2015", "2015-10", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 06, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin and Capito Announce $800,000 for Revitalization Project in Southern West Virginia \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 Coalfield Development Corporation will receive funding for a community revitalization project in Wayne, Mingo and Lincoln Counties\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  Today U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) announced $800,000 in funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families to the Coalfield Development Corporation in southern West Virginia. The funding will be used to enhance job creation and business development through Reclaim Appalachia, a project to deconstruct older buildings with no further economic life and either repurpose or donate the deconstructed materials in Wayne, Mingo and Lincoln Counties.\r\nSouthern West Virginia has been hit particularly hard by the harmful regulations of this Administration, and we must do everything we can to ensure they have access to quality jobs and a quality way of life, Senator Manchin said. This funding will help the Coalfield Development Corporation continue their important work, and I am thrilled they are receiving funding to help improve their communities and their quality of life.\r\nIn order to revitalize Southern West Virginias economy, we must invest in creative projects that will strengthen the workforce and create new job opportunities, said Senator Capito. This funding for the Coalfield Development Corporation will help support exactly the kind of programs we need to get West Virginians back to work.\r\nCoalfield Development Corporation is a community based organization that generates opportunities for families by providing quality and affordable homes and creating quality jobs in southern 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.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=ca99e979-6f53-4264-8a27-9fe45f98a63d", "Manchin, Capito Applaud Funding to Help West Virginia Workers Affected by Coal Mining Layoffs", "2015-10-06", "2015", "2015-10", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 06, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin, Capito Applaud Funding to Help West Virginia Workers Affected by Coal Mining Layoffs \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 Funding from the Department of Labor will provide reemployment and training for more than 1,400 workers\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today applauded the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announcement that a supplemental National Dislocated Worker Grant (NDWG), worth up to $7.6 million, is being awarded to WorkForce West Virginia to help West Virginia workers affected by coal mining industry layoffs rejoin the workforce. The grants initial release of $3.2 million will assist about 900 participants enrolled in the grant project, and an additional 500 targeted participants impacted by recent layoffs.\r\nThese are unbelievably challenging times for our miners and our coal mining industry as we have seen a devastating amount of layoffs this year, Senator Manchin said. We need to do everything in our power to help our miners through these uncertain times. This funding will expand job training programs that will help them develop the skillsets necessary to fill other available positions. I thank Secretary Perez and the Department of Labor for this important funding.\r\nOnerous regulations and market forces have devastated many of our states mining communities. In these difficult times, we need to ensure that our displaced coal miners have access to job training and other services as they look for new jobs, said Senator Capito. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I worked hard to ensure that funding to assist dislocated workers in the coal community was a priority.\r\nWorkForce West Virginia plans to use the funds to continue to provide reemployment and training. Services include: assessments, occupational guidance and counseling, on-the-job training, support services, job search, job placement and follow-up activities. Funds will also support maintenance and staff of United Mine Workers Career Centers, established to serve the affected workers. This includes costs for a center in Pennsylvania to serve residents there who were dislocated from coal jobs in 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.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=cf8d29ac-9825-40a2-b686-fab9977ad97d", "Manchin Calls for Passage of Lautenberg Act to Protect West Virginia Families From Dangerous Chemicals", "2015-10-06", "2015", "2015-10", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 06, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Calls for Passage of Lautenberg Act to Protect West Virginia Families From Dangerous Chemicals \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 On Senate floor, Senator Manchin calls for immediate action on chemical safety reform\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 calling on the chamber to pass the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, bipartisan legislation to protect Americans from toxic chemicals by updating the countrys outdated chemical regulatory program.\r\nThe Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act is the result of a bipartisan agreement that Senator Manchin helped negotiate after nearly two years of deliberations. Lawmakers, stakeholders, and affected community leaders  like those impacted by the Freedom Industries spill in January 2014  helped craft this groundbreaking legislation, which ensures the federal government will safely oversee consumer products to better protect American families. The legislation creates a predictable and transparent federal system to regulate the safety of chemicals based on the latest science, provides greater regulatory certainty to the chemical manufacturing industry and strikes a balance between state and federal roles in chemical safety management.\r\nTo watch a YouTube video of Senator Manchins remarks, please click here.\r\nThe full text of Senators remarks as prepared for delivery is included below:\r\nM. President, today I rise to speak about a bill that is long overdue, and one that in part honors our dear colleague Frank Lautenberg.\r\nI think we can all agree that the current Toxic Substances Control Act  TSCA  is inadequate and that it is long past due to reform this law.\r\nThe Toxic Substances Control Act has not been improved in more than 30 years.\r\nIn that time more than 80,000 chemicals have been registered in the U.S., many of which are used in commerce every day, yet only about 200 have undergone EPA testing.\r\nSenator Lautenberg knew this, and that is why he worked for many years to reform this law.\r\nAnd there is not one person here who can question his dedication to not only reforming this law, but also to protecting our environment and the health and safety of every American.\r\nSo I stand here today in support of this bill because Frank Lautenberg, a champion of public health, safety and the environment, a lion of the Senate, began the negotiations towards the agreement before you today because he knew it was time to fix this broken system in a way that could pass Congress and make Americans safer.\r\nBut I know that this bill is not only important to the American people, but it is vital to the people of West Virginia.\r\nReforming TSCA would establish much-needed regulatory certainty for the chemical industry, which directly and indirectly employs about 40,000 West Virginians and over 800,000 people nationwide.\r\nWhen Senator Lautenberg met with Senator Vitter, he toughened many of the most important provisions in this bill. And Senator Udall has taken up this effort, further strengthening the bill.\r\nThe bill we have before us includes increased states rights under preemption.\r\nIt ensures that doctors, first responders, and government health and environmental officials would have greater access to confidential business information to guarantee that those potentially exposed to harmful chemicals could receive the best possible treatment.\r\nMost importantly it contains a safety standard that, unlike current law, is based solely on human health and the environment and includes no cost-benefit analysis.\r\nIt would ensure that all chemicals undergo safety reviews and that first responders and states have access to this information.\r\nDuring the Freedom Industry spill in my state in January 2014, we had very little information on the health and environmental impacts of crude MCHM.\r\nIn July of last year, I pushed the NIH and CDC to conduct further studies into the potential health impacts of crude MCHM.\r\nThis month, the NIHs National Toxicology Program concluded their study into crude MCHM and indicated that no long-term health effects should be expected for residents who were impacted.\r\nWhile I am thrilled with these findings, we shouldnt have to wait more than a year to get safety information on the chemicals in question.\r\nThis bill would require the EPA to systematically review all chemicals in commerce for the first time ever. While this will be a long process, it is far superior to the current system that allows the chemicals we use every day to go untested for health impacts.\r\nSome of my colleagues have argued that this bill could be better.\r\nI am sure it could be, but I have been in the legislative process since 1982, working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to reach commonsense compromises and never once have I had a perfect bill before me.\r\nI dont know what a perfect bill looks like.\r\nI do know that before I decide to vote for a bill I ask myself three things: will this improve the quality of life of my constituents; is it better than the status quo; and have we worked as hard as we can to preserve our core beliefs. For me, the Frank Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act is a yes on all three of those.\r\nSenator Lautenberg was a smart legislator, who knew it was time to move past partisan politics and craft a bill that would finally protect all Americans. We all know that Senator Lautenberg viewed TSCA reform  viewed this bill as his legacy. He worked tirelessly for years leading up to his final days in the Senate to craft bipartisan legislation that will protect the health and safety of all Americans.\r\nThis bill not only protects the health and safety of all Americans, but also protect hundreds of thousands of jobs nationwide.\r\nIn honor of a great public servant, Senator Frank Lautenberg, I urge my colleagues to move forward and pass this bipartisan bill, the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act.\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=72fbd22c-00c5-46e4-9ef8-ea53651a76a4", "Manchin Statement on the Passing of West Virginian in Afghanistan Plane Crash", "2015-10-03", "2015", "2015-10", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 03, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Statement on the Passing of West Virginian in Afghanistan Plane Crash  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today issued the following statement on the passing of Staff Sergeant Ryan Hammond, the Marshall County native who died in the Thursday crash of a U.S. Air Force C-130 in Afghanistan.\r\nGayle and I join all West Virginians in praying for Ryan Hammonds family and friends in the wake of this awful tragedy. West Virginia and the United States lost a brave airman whose dedicated and courageous service to this country will never be forgotten. Our hearts are broken from this devastating tragedy, and we are again reminded of the risks our service members face while protecting our country each and every day. We ask all West Virginians to join us in keeping Ryans family and friends in our thoughts and prayers during this 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://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=6ac46c2f-ec71-4db1-bc44-eb5a79e683a1", "Manchin, McDonald Talk About Drug Abuse, Health Care Access | Charleston Gazette-Mail", "2015-10-02", "2015", "2015-10", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 25, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin, McDonald Talk About Drug Abuse, Health Care Access | Charleston Gazette-Mail \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tOn Friday morning, U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin and Veterans Affairs Secretary Bob McDonald visited Charleston to talk about two major issues facing the country and states military veterans  healthcare access and drug addiction, two often-connected problems that strongly affect West Virginia.\r\nManchin, who in May helped launch a bipartisan caucus in the U.S. Senate to address prescription drug abuse, said Friday that although he believes the U.S. is strong in terms of economic reach and military force, issues like pervasive drug abuse, if not reined in, could ultimately cripple it.\r\nThere is not another country that thinks it can take our military...theres not another country that thinks its going to take our economic opportunities away. Thats not going to happen. They dont think they have to, said Manchin, D-W.Va.. They do not think they have to  theyre just going to be happy waiting for us to destroy ourselves from within. They do not think well be educated well enough, that we wont have the skill sets and that we wont be clean enough to be able to compete on a global basis, as a world leader in the next generation.\r\nAccording to Manchin, the problem in both West Virginia and the U.S. is staggering  more than 80 percent of the opioids produced in the world are consumed in the U.S., and 40 people die each day from drug overdoses in America. The problem is perhaps most apparent in West Virginia, which experienced a six-fold increase in drug overdose deaths between 1999 and 2010.\r\nWest Virginia saw 34 drug overdose deaths per 100,000 residents from 2011-13, up dramatically from 22 deaths per 100,000 people in 2007-09, according to a report released in June by the nonprofit groups Trust for Americas Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. West Virginias drug overdose death rate was more than double the national average, according to the report. The state has seen 3,000 drug overdose deaths in the past five years  an average of 600 per year, according to the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health.\r\nAbuse of prescription drugs costs the country an estimated  this figure is unbelievable  an estimated $53 billion annually, Manchin said. I made the decision to stay in the Senate, and it was a tough decision, because I think everyone knows I enjoyed being governor, and I would have liked the opportunity to try to come back and see if the people would have me work with them again and serve. But I thought about where I could do the most good, and this is where I think I can, in Washington.\r\nMcDonald was appointed secretary of the VA in July of 2014 after former secretary Erin Shinseki resigned in the wake of a scandal in which at least 40 United States Armed Forces veterans died while waiting for care at the Phoenix, Arizona Veterans Health Administration facilities. According to McDonald, while many outside analysts blamed the long wait times at the Arizona VA on returning vets from Afghanistan or Iraq, the VA found that the problem stemmed from the aging of Vietnam-era veterans that the country was unprepared for.\r\nIn 1975, when I graduated from West Point, 2 million veterans were over the age of 65, McDonald said. In 2017, 9.8 million veterans will be over the age of 65  a five-fold increase in a very short period of time. We simply werent ready for what comes with aging  more issues, more claims, more disability and the need for more medical care. This is going to happen to the American population, so we have to identify these trends and help American medicine get ready for them.\r\nMcDonald said the VA, as the largest integrated health-care system in the country, is a good indicator of health-care system issues that could face the U.S. health care system as a whole. As Baby Boomers age, the strain on the health care system could resemble the 2014 VA crisis  by 2020, 64 million Americans are expected to be enrolled in Medicare.\r\nThe VA really has such an important role to play in American medicine and for the American public, he said. Were the canary in the coal mine...we see things before the American population, so we have a role to play, to not only help serve vets and take care of vets, but to help ensure that American medicine is moving in the right direction.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\t    By:\n\t\t\t\t    Lydia Nuzum\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=7624abde-beaa-4c0d-b0cf-b72fa0c60f18", "Manchin, Murphy, Udall, Lee Call for an End to the Failed Syria Train and Equip Program", "2015-10-02", "2015", "2015-10", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 02, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin, Murphy, Udall, Lee Call for an End to the Failed Syria Train and Equip Program \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 a letter to Secretary Carter, Secretary Kerry and CIA Director Brennan, the bipartisan group of Senators urge U.S. officials to cease unsuccessful program and seek alternative ways forward\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tom Udall (D-NM) and Mike Lee (R-UT) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Defense Secretary Ash Carter, U.S. Department of State Secretary John Kerry and Central Intelligence Agency Director John Brennan urging them to end the Syria Train and Equip Program  an unsuccessful effort to train and equip Syrian opposition fighters  which has endangered Americans and further escalated conflict in the region.\r\nThe Senators wrote in part: The Syria Train and Equip Program goes beyond simply being an inefficient use of taxpayer dollars. As many of us initially warned, it is now aiding the very forces we aim to defeat. On Friday, USCENTCOM confirmed that some of the fighters that we trained and equipped had turned over ammunition and trucks to al-Qaedas affiliate in Syria, Al Nusra Front. In exchange for safe passage, the fighters, trained by the U.S., gave up approximately 25% of their U.S.-issued equipment.\r\nPlease read the full text of the Senators letter below or here.\r\nDear Secretary Carter, Secretary Kerry, and Director Brennan:\r\nWe write to express our deep concern about the Syria Train and Equip Program and to call for an end to this failed initiative. When Congress was considering the program last year, many of us expressed concerns about this program endangering Americans and further escalating the conflict. The evidence further supports our belief. It is time for the Department to find a new path forward.\r\nAuthorized at $500 million for Fiscal Year 2015, the program has struggled to graduate vetted opposition fighters. When General Lloyd Austin III, the commander of United States Central Command (USCENTCOM), recently testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee, he said that only \"four or five\" U.S.-trained opposition fighters were on the ground fighting in Syria. It has since been reported that another 75 United States-trained rebels have entered the fight, but this is still a far cry from the 5,000 fighters the program aimed to train each year.\r\nThe Syria Train and Equip Program goes beyond simply being an inefficient use of taxpayer dollars. As many of us initially warned, it is now aiding the very forces we aim to defeat. On Friday, USCENTCOM confirmed that some of the fighters that we trained and equipped had turned over ammunition and trucks to al-Qaedas affiliate in Syria, Al Nusra Front. In exchange for safe passage, the fighters, trained by the U.S., gave up approximately 25% of their U.S.-issued equipment.\r\nWith over 200,000 persons killed, 4 million refugees, and 7.6 million internally displaced people, the situation in Syria is absolutely tragic, and we must ensure that any U.S. efforts do not cause additional harm. We ask that you cease the Syria Train and Equip Program and look for alternative ways forward.\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=aa27b291-3a55-483e-a71e-0e5fe0398c11", "Manchin Calls for Commerce Committee Hearing on Wireless Coverage Gaps in Rural America", "2015-10-02", "2015", "2015-10", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 02, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Calls for Commerce Committee Hearing on Wireless Coverage Gaps in Rural America \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 a letter to Chairman Wicker and Ranking Member Schatz, Senator Manchin asks the Committee to examine the future of the Mobility Fund\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  As significant broadband coverage gaps still exist in West Virginia and across rural America, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) sent a letter to the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation & the Internet Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Ranking Member Brian Schatz (D-HI) requesting a hearing to address the state of advanced wireless service in America today.\r\nAs Senators who represent rural and remote states, you know how important access to communications services is to public safety, economic development, and education, Senator Manchin wrote. Without access to broadband and mobile services, our rural communities and people cannot compete in the global economy. Over the last decade, the industry has made great strides in building out mobile infrastructure. Hundreds of millions of consumers now have access to advanced wireless communications, but significant coverage gaps still exist in West Virginia and across rural America.\r\nLast week, Senator Manchin sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler calling on the FCC to deliver on its promise of universal service by improving the Mobility Fund, which was established by the agency to significantly improve wireless coverage in unserved, rural areas by supporting private investment. Manchin also called for immediate improvements to the program and invited Chairman Wheeler to West Virginia to see firsthand the communications challenges that remain in rural communities.\r\nPlease read the full text of the Senators letter below or here.\r\nDear Chairman Wicker and Ranking Member Schatz:\r\nUniversal service is a core pillar of our nations communications policy and one that is particularly important to the people of West Virginia. As Senators who represent rural and remote states, you know how important access to communications services is to public safety, economic development, and education. Without access to broadband and mobile services, our rural communities and people cannot compete in the global economy. Over the last decade, the industry has made great strides in building out mobile infrastructure. Hundreds of millions of consumers now have access to advanced wireless communications, but significant coverage gaps still exist in West Virginia and across rural America. I respectfully request your leadership in convening a hearing of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation and the Internet to address the state of advanced wireless service in America today.\r\nOver the last several years, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has been restructuring universal service policy. It does not appear that the data the FCC is using provides a clear and accurate picture of the state of wireless infrastructure deployment. According to the Seventeenth Annual Wireless Competition Report released in December 2014, 99.9 percent of Americans live in a census block that receives some service from some mobile wireless provider. While this data may be technically accurate, it bears no resemblance to the reality that many West Virginians face: they do not have access to reliable wireless services.\r\nAs a former businessman, I know that private companies need a fair return on their investment. Universal service funding was designed to make sure companies can generate a return on their network investment and sustain services in high cost areas of the nation. Companies will not invest in wireless infrastructure without the certainty that universal service support will be available to them. Right now, the FCC is not providing any certainty to them, which stifles investment across rural America.\r\nIn 2011, the FCC created a new universal service program designed specifically to support the deployment of advanced wireless infrastructure. This program should have provided the most funding to the states with the lowest rates of wireless penetration. West Virginia had one the lowest rates of wireless service penetration when the Mobility Fund was initiated and, most disappointingly, that is where we remain today. The first round of the Mobility Fund failed West Virginia.\r\nIt is not clear how the FCC plans to proceed on the second round of funding for advanced wireless infrastructure. To my enormous frustration and that of my constituents, the FCC is poised to leave $70 million on the table from Mobility Fund Phase I and is seeking comment on a proposal to reduce the scope of the Mobility Fund even further in the future. The FCC has a statutory mission to make sure all Americans have access to comparable communications services. Every day, I field inquiries from local officials about securing additional cell phone towers and improving wireless coverage. For example, Mayor Vivian Livingwood of Gilbert, West Virginia has been waiting two years on the improved infrastructure she was promised, and shes still waiting today. That is unacceptable.\r\nThe Commerce Committee has long been a champion of universal service policy. Our states depend on this vital program to make sure all of our constituents have access advanced communications networks. As we look forward to the rollout of wireless and broadband technologies across much of America, we cannot forget the millions of people who still lack access to these services. We have an opportunity to invest millions of dollars in wireless infrastructure if the FCC will move forward with the second round of grants from the Mobility Fund.\r\nThank you again for your leadership on these issues and for considering this request. I look forward to working together to improve the FCCs administration of the Mobility Fund.\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=5f8868d7-b33a-456c-bbf0-6f847691ce4e", "Manchin Condemns EPA Ozone Rule That Will Hurt Economy", "2015-10-01", "2015", "2015-10", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 01, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Condemns EPA Ozone Rule That Will Hurt Economy  \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 Rule would increase energy prices, curb job growth and hinder economic opportunities by setting the ground-level ozone standard at an unrealistically low level\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today strongly criticized the ground-level ozone rule released today by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The rule, which lowers the ground level ozone standard from 75 parts per billion to 70 parts per billion, would increase energy prices, curb job growth and hinder economic opportunities by setting the standard at an unrealistically low level.\r\nIve always said we need to strike a balance between the environment and the economy. This rule fails to strike that balance and would have a devastating impact on our economy, Senator Manchin said. Lowering the ozone standard would cost states billions of dollars and thousands of good-paying jobs. We need the EPA and our federal government to work with us as allies, not as adversaries who continually impose burdensome regulations and then move the goalposts before we even have a chance to comply. I urge my colleagues to take immediate action on the CASE Act to rein in this harmful rule.\r\nEarlier this year, Senator Manchin and Senator John Thune (R-SD) introduced legislation to block the EPA from implementing tighter ground-level ozone standards. The bill, The Clean Air, Strong Economies (CASE) Act, would stem the economic harm from an impractical ozone standard by requiring the EPA to focus on the worst areas for air quality before lowering the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone across the country.\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=725fbc66-7674-45c6-8ceb-ab566817a71c", "Manchin and Capito Announce Funding to Combat Drug Abuse in West Virginia", "2015-10-01", "2015", "2015-10", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 01, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin and Capito Announce Funding to Combat Drug Abuse in West Virginia \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today announced a total of $620,005 in funding from the U.S. Department of Justice to support continued efforts to combat drug abuse in West Virginia.\r\nThe City of Huntington will receive $220,005 in funding to support the enhancement of drug court services. Specifically, the grant award will help establish new capabilities in underserved communities, enhance training programs for drug court experts, and expand and improve the overall quality of their effectiveness.\r\nThe West Virginia Supreme Court will receive $400,000 to improve and increase the effectiveness of juvenile drug courts. Funding will be used for training, program monitoring and evaluation. Mentor programs will be created and curriculum will be developed to better serve individuals in need. Additionally, a state-wide evaluation of West Virginias Juvenile Drug Courts will be conducted to determine areas in need of adjustments.\r\nCrime and substance abuse wreaks so much havoc on our families, our communities and our state, Senator Manchin said. Our drug court officers must have the necessary resources to provide treatment and other services to those battling drug addiction so that we can combat this devastating epidemic. This funding will help keep our communities safe from drug abuse and addiction by improving and expanding drug court services and getting victims of crime and substance abuse, who have had their lives devastated by these illegal acts, back on the right track.\r\nIn order to continue the fight against West Virginias drug epidemic, it is critical that the state be equipped with the necessary resources, said Senator Capito. This federal funding will play a significant role in enhancing drug court services in the city of Huntington and statewide, bringing us closer to our goal of creating a drug-free West Virginia. I am pleased to join Senator Manchin in this announcement and remain committed to doing everything in my power to prevent the spread of drug abuse.\r\nIndividual awards are listed below:\r\n $220,005  City of Huntington\r\n $400,000  West Virginia Supreme Court\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=8b46a073-737a-4a5a-85f5-5f86b18b3d0e", "Manchin Votes Against Bill That Shorts Funding for Veterans", "2015-10-01", "2015", "2015-10", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 01, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Votes Against Bill That Shorts Funding for Veterans \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today voted against the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (MilCon-VA) Appropriations bill that underfunds veterans benefits and programs. The bill is $1.2 billion below the Presidents request and shortchanges veterans programs by $857 million. \r\nWe made a sacred commitment to our veterans when we sent them to war that we would do whatever it takes it take care of them when they returned, Senator Manchin said.This bill does nothing to address that promise. Just last week, Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary McDonald made a special trip to West Virginia to visit our VA facilities and meet with our veterans. It was clear to everyone that there is major work to be done to address the shortages at our VA facilities and improve and expand the VA services so that all veterans have access to the treatment and care they earned and deserve. This bill will essentially do the opposite of what we have been working so hard to do in our state and across the country: improve the VA system and provide the best care available to our veterans. Disappointingly, this bill takes an ax to needed funding for the VA, underfunding medical care by over $500 million dollars, which is equal to the cost of providing care for more than 60,000 veterans.\r\nAfter speaking with Secretary McDonald today, I understand that the VA cannot provide the proper care to our nations veterans under this bill. I have always said that we must set our priorities based on our values, and there is nothing our nation values more than our veterans, who have risked it all in defense of our country. This bill very sadly cuts spending on the backs of our veterans, and I cannot in any way, shape or form vote to support it.\r\nThe Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (MilCon-VA) Appropriations bill will harm veterans in many ways, including:\r\n \r\nUnderstaff the nations VA hospitals with over $500 million in health care cuts. The Senate MilCon-VA appropriations bill reduces funding for the VA by $857 million below the Presidents budget. This would lead to underfunding of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical care by over $500 billion dollars, equivalent to the cost of providing care for more than 60,000 veterans.\r\n \r\n \r\nCut funding for maintenance at VA hospitals. Roughly 60 percent of VAs medical facilities are more than 50 years old. The VA estimates that this bill cuts approximately $105 million for non-recurring maintenance to address deficiencies at hospitals and clinics.\r\n \r\n \r\nPit funding for traditional medical services against funding for new, lifesaving prescription drugs that treat diseases like Hepatitis-C or the VAs Caregivers program for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans. Veterans are disproportionately affected by the deadly disease known as Hepatitis-C. The VA is facing significant unanticipated costs due primarily to increased demand for new Hepatitis-C treatment drugs that have up to a 96 percent cure rate; a nearly 50 percent increase in the utilization of fee-based medical care provided outside of the VA health care system; and a spike in the usage of the VAs Caregivers Program for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. The VA allocation in this bill does not provide sufficient funding to address requested medical service requirements and all of these emerging medical care priorities\r\n \r\nVeterans groups, such as American Legion and Veterans Association of America, have announced their opposition to this bill.\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/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=65ed919f-f86c-4a7b-990f-6e8746c24053", "Make Washington Work | Roll Call", "2015-09-30", "2015", "2015-09", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 30, 2015\n\t\t\t Make Washington Work | Roll Call  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tCongress current approval rating is at a dismal 14 percent, and its no wonder why  governing by crisis and subjecting our constituents to partisan bickering is not what we were elected to do. Instead of offering viable solutions to the issues our nation faces, many members of Congress on both sides of the aisle have merely dug in their heels and refused to budge. When the government shut down in 2013, Standard & Poors estimated it cost our economy $24 billion. Across the country federal workers, small businesses and our nations tourism industry struggled financially for more than two weeks because Congress refused to compromise.\r\nThe most basic function of serving the American people is to run the federal government, avoid crisis and find solutions to the issues dividing us. Whether Americans support or oppose Planned Parenthood, there is no solution in a government shutdown, and the threat is unacceptable to both of us.\r\nWhen many in Washington turn away from a challenge, we remain determined to work across party lines. After the nation witnessed the horror of the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012, we formed a bipartisan team to pass common sense reforms to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill. While Congress has allowed the Export-Import Banks authority to lapse, jeopardizing American manufacturing and trade, we stand committed to protecting the jobs of thousands of workers and will not give up on our bipartisan reform bill. Though many turn their eyes from the health care and employment problems plaguing veterans across the country, we started the Veterans Jobs Caucus and the Post-9/11 Veterans Caucus to address the unique challenges these brave men and women face.\r\nWe have co-sponsored and introduced more than 20 bills and amendments together because we understand the importance of working across the aisle when addressing some of our nations toughest issues. When the American people see Washington governed by partisan rhetoric and stand-offs, they reject that behavior. We believe in the potential of Congress to function through a bipartisan approach to governing.\r\nWhile the majority of Republicans and Democrats gravitate toward partisan gridlock, we share the common goal of rolling up our sleeves and finding solutions. Our approach is not always popular in Washington  in fact, we are often criticized for failing to play party politics. But we didnt run for Senate to serve party leaders, we ran to make Washington work and to serve the American people we represent. A government shutdown is not an acceptable way to govern.\r\nSens. Mark S. Kirk, R-Ill., and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., have both been serving in the Senate since 2010.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\t    By:\n\t\t\t\t    Senators Joe Manchin and Mark Kirk\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/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=f4a32531-dfc4-4778-a9cc-4c99c757fa8d", "Congress, don't kill Social Security Disability Insurance, fix it and save it | Fox News", "2015-09-30", "2015", "2015-09", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 30, 2015\n\t\t\t Congress, don't kill Social Security Disability Insurance, fix it and save it | Fox News \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tNearly 11 million Americans rely on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), a program intended to provide a safety net to workers who develop a serious, long-term disability.\r\nMost American workers pay into SSDI through their payroll taxes, but payments to beneficiaries have exceeded these taxes in recent years. Indeed, since 2009, SSDI has paid out $155 billion more than it has taken in.\r\nAccording to the 2015 annual report from the Social Security systems trustees, the SSDI trust fund will run out in late 2016. Unless Congress acts, every one of those 11 million people will see a 19 percent cut in benefits. This will mean the average beneficiary will receive $230 less per month -- moving from barely above to below the poverty line.\r\nSSDI was established as an insurance program for the totally and permanently disabled. In 1980, SSDI cost about $25 billion per year, but today, annual program costs have skyrocketed to more than $140 billion.\r\nWe aneed to shift SSDI from a one-size-fits-all mindset to a smarter approach that differentiates between the permanently disabled and those who, with medical treatment and rehabilitation services, can recover.\r\nThe growth of the program has been driven by a number of factors, including population growth and demographic changes, but also by changes that Congress made in 1984 to make it easier to qualify for the program.\r\nToday, nearly 300,000 Arkansans and West Virginians rely on SSDI. In some of our counties, nearly 20% of working-age people receive SSDI benefits.\r\nMany of these individuals are permanently disabled, and were committed to protecting this vulnerable population. But we must also dramatically improve the program for the temporarily disabled to help them recover and return to work.\r\nWe are not currently accomplishing this goal.\r\nLast year, the Social Security Administration helped fewer than 600 Arkansans and West Virginians on SSDI return to work, or about 1 in 500 of the people on the program. Nationwide, the program helps less than 1 in 200 return to work each year.\r\nHelping those who can work get back to work will not only help those people reach their full potential through dignity of work, it will also improve the solvency of the program.\r\nHow can we accomplish this goal?\r\nWe must intervene early. On average, applicants wait more than a year before getting an SSDI eligibility decision. We can use this time to help applicants who are disabled, but have the potential for work activity stay connected to the workforce by providing support services. This can be done through vocational training, supportive employment, health services, incentives for employers, and more. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has already begun to experiment to discover the best approach to help these beneficiaries. Congress should support and strengthen these efforts.\r\nWe also need to shift SSDI from a one-size-fits-all mindset to a smarter approach that differentiates between the permanently disabled and those who, with medical treatment and rehabilitation services, can recover.\r\nWhile SSA categorizes beneficiaries based on likelihood of medical improvement, theres no requirement to pursue rehabilitation or medical services to prepare for a return to work. We need to help individuals with temporary disabilities gain access to rehabilitation and recovery services and offer a timeline to re-enter the workforce.\r\nSimilarly, we must ensure that the Social Security Administration is regularly reviewing the health and rehabilitation status of SSDI beneficiaries. This will ensure that SSDI benefits continue for those who need them while those who have recovered can transition back to the workforce. For these individuals SSDI can be a temporary program and a way to recover  not a permanent status.\r\nThese are just a few ideas for protecting the integrity of this important program. Were committed to working with our colleagues in the Congress, the Social Security Administration, and beneficiaries to ensure the long-term solvency of the program.\r\nOur goal should be to help the temporarily disabled return to work and preserve SSDI benefits for our most vulnerable citizens.\r\nRepublican Tom Cotton represents Arkansas in the United States Senate.\r\nDemocrat Joe Manchin represents West Virginia in the United States Senate.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\t    By:\n\t\t\t\t    Senators Joe Manchin and Tom Cotton", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=3671a88e-a4d8-40f1-94d5-6cf8f4ae726c", "Manchin Congratulates West Virginia's 2015 National Blue Ribbon Honor Schools", "2015-09-30", "2015", "2015-09", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 30, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Congratulates West Virginia's 2015 National Blue Ribbon Honor Schools \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 Evans Elementary School in Evans and Gihon Elementary School is Parkersburg have been recognized nationally for high levels of achievement among students at all levels\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) congratulated Evans Elementary School in Evans and Gihon Elementary School in Parkersburg for being recognized as West Virginias National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2015 based on overall academic excellence and progress in closing achievement gaps among students.\r\nThe students, teachers and families at Evans Elementary and Gihon Elementary Schools have earned this esteemed Blue Ribbon honor by working together to ensure that all students are achieving academic excellence at the highest level, Senator Manchin said. It is essential that we create an educational environment where our kids at every school across West Virginia are engaged, challenged and given the opportunity to reach their potential. I am proud of these two schools for their successful efforts to give our young students the support they need to do their best. Again, I thank the communities at Evans and Gihon Elementary for their leadership and commitment to excellence, and I congratulate them on receiving this distinguished award.\r\nAt the invitation of U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan, representatives from each of the 335 schools selected nationwide are invited to Washington, D.C. for the Recognition Ceremony on November 9th and 10th. At the ceremony, each school will receive a National Blue Ribbon Schools plaque and a flag.\r\nBackground:\r\nThe National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students either achieve very high learning standards and/or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap. Every year, the U. S. Department of Education selects and celebrates the chosen schools.\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=ccb404e5-f232-48b8-ae0d-c9ee23501e53", "Manchin, Capito Announce Funding for Pipeline Safety Research at West Virginia University", "2015-09-30", "2015", "2015-09", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 30, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin, Capito Announce Funding for Pipeline Safety Research at West Virginia University \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 $100,000 in funding for West Virginia University to research new ideas and technologies that will improve the safety of the nations energy transportation pipelines. The funding is being awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportations Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administrations (PHMSA) Competitive Academic Agreement Program (CAAP).\r\nOur research and development teams at West Virginia University do tremendously important work, leading the nation in innovation and helping us advance in engineering, science and technology, Senator Manchin said. There is truly no better place than West Virginia for this type of research. Our state understands first-hand the importance of protecting our citizens from pipeline accidents while also ensuring the flow of energy products across the country. Im so pleased that this grant will support our students and faculty at WVU and their goal of finding solutions for improving pipeline safety in our country.\r\nThe U.S. has experienced tremendous growth in energy production over the last several years, which presents a huge opportunity for West Virginias economy. In order to seize this opportunity, we must ensure that energy products are transported safely and effectively. This grant will enable West Virginia University to conduct research that will improve the safety of energy pipelines - already one of the safest methods of transportation  and empower West Virginia to capitalize on the potential of Americas energy revolution, said Senator Capito.\r\nWest Virginia University was selected to receive this grant based on relevance to PHMSAs mission, scientific merit, feasibility and past institutional performance. PHMSA intends to adopt the most promising findings into its core research program for further, long-term investigation.\r\nFor more information, please visit the Research & Development section of PHMSAs website at: www.phmsa.dot.gov.\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/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=1aeb7d7e-d89e-43f5-ad4f-cd14cbd2f6ce", "Camp Dawson Gold Star Family Weekend Kicked Off With Senator Joe Manchin, VA Secretary Robert McDonald | Preston Country News and Journal", "2015-09-29", "2015", "2015-09", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 29, 2015\n\t\t\t Camp Dawson Gold Star Family Weekend Kicked Off With Senator Joe Manchin, VA Secretary Robert McDonald | Preston Country News and Journal \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tKINGWOOD  U. S. Sen. Joe Manchin and U. S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald kicked off the Gold Star weekend at Camp Dawson on Friday afternoon with an address to the nearly 75 people of West Virginias fallen military.\r\n\r\nI loved being here in West Virginia today, McDonald said. We flew all over the state, and it is beautiful. There is a lot of timber in West Virginia.\r\n\r\n\r\nThe people in this state are the most patriotic, and I had the privilege to see that today, McDonald said. Per capita, West Virginia has the highest rate of any state of military, and I am humbled to be in your presence.\r\n\r\n\r\nMcDonald said a lot of information was shared with him regarding the programs in the VA, and while the waiting list for services went from 800,000 to 68,000, there is still a long way to go.\r\n\r\n\r\nI will share that information in Washington, D.C., McDonald said. The most important thing I have learned today is hearing the progress we have made in the VA, but to have one veteran homeless or not getting the care he/she needs is one too many, and we are working to correct that.\r\n\r\n\r\nWhile addressing the crowd, McDonald said while he is a military veteran, he sometimes feels inadequate, and notices other veterans feel that way also.\r\n\r\n\r\nI think all those who served feel inadequate, McDonald said. I never served in active duty and feel inadequate to those who did. Then I speak with those who were deployed, and they feel inadequate to those who were injured.\r\n\r\n\r\nWe all know of our brothers and sisters in cemeteries who gave the ultimate sacrifice, he finished. That knowledge makes the injured feel inadequate.\r\n\r\n\r\nManchin thanked McDonald for visiting the state with him on Friday, assuring the Gold Star families no one has given more to their country than veterans.\r\n\r\n\r\nI brag about you all the time, Manchin said. No state has given more of themselves than the state of West Virginia. We have more veterans, and for Secretary McDonald to come and tour our state is a great honor.\r\n\r\n\r\nAfter the ceremony, Manchin said how good it is to have McDonald at the head of the VA.\r\n\r\n\r\nWe thought we were serving our veterans, and then we found out we werent, Manchin said. That shook us to the core. We are blessed to have a secretary with military and corporate experience.\r\n\r\n\r\nMcDonald said he was impressed by some of the programs used to decrease opioid use, including yoga, equine therapy and the need to open a clinic in Beckley.\r\n\r\n\r\nToday, I learned about an agricultural program in West Virginia helping veterans, McDonald said. I want to learn more about that and expand upon it once I get back to Washington, D.C.\r\n\r\n\r\nManchin said he would like to see United States citizens decrease their use of opioids.\r\n\r\n\r\nWe need to stop going to a pill bottle for pain relief and instead go to something else, Manchin said.\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Gold Star Weekend is around the last weekend of September at Camp Dawson and is designed for families of fallen military heroes in every state.\r\n\r\n\r\nWe have 43 fallen heroes in West Virginia, U.S. Army Captain Jason Freeman said. This weekend provides fellowship to families, mothers, fathers and children of those and to feel the closeness and the bond created.\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\t    By:\n\t\t\t\t    Theresa Marthey\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=0c4089a8-a24d-47b5-92c0-6385927b12f0", "Manchin Fights to Limit Domestic Meth Production in West Virginia", "2015-09-29", "2015", "2015-09", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 29, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Fights to Limit Domestic Meth Production in West Virginia \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today hosted a briefing on how West Virginia has worked to address methamphetamine abuse. The purpose of this briefing is to help spread awareness of efforts West Virginia and other jurisdictions have made to turn the tide against meth abuse and how communities can combat the rise of meth cooks.\r\nCrystal Meth destroys families and communities, and the costs associated with addiction - premature deaths, drug treatment, lost productivity, crime, health care expenses, environmental hazards, and child endangerment  are a massive drain on public resources. However, West Virginia and other jurisdictions have started to turn the tide against meth through collaboration between public and private leaders that has addressed the manufacture of meth without increasing regulation on small businesses or reducing access to important medicines. Crystal meth is a scourge across America, and its my hope that this briefing will show how communities can start bringing the fight to the meth cooks.\r\nThe other speakers include:\r\nLynn Fruth, owner of Fruth Pharmacies, and a leader in the fight against meth with efforts in her pharmacies;\r\nCourtney Hunter, Director of Advocacy at Partnership for a Drug Free America, to share the work that the advocacy community is doing to fight the crystal meth problem;      \r\nLori Phillips-Jones, former District Attorney in Tennessee, whose efforts dropped meth labs in her jurisdiction by 80%; and\r\nJim Langford, Georgia Director of the Meth Project, to share the impact of crystal meth addiction on local communities.\r\nSenator Manchins efforts to tackle domestic meth production:\r\nAugust 2013: Officials with Fruth Pharmacy, a regional pharmacy chain in WV, announced that they would no longer be selling single-ingredient pseudoephedrine (PSE) products. They replaced Sudafed with Nexafed, a medication that works like Sudafed, but is tamper-resistant so it is more difficult to extract the PSE to make meth.\r\nMay  July 2014: Senator Manchin called the CEOs at CVS Pharmacy, Kmart, Kroger, Rite-Aid, Walgreens, and Walmart requesting that they stop selling single-ingredient PSE in the state.\r\nJuly 2014: After being urged by Senator Manchin, CVS, Walgreens, Kmart, and Rite-Aid stores in West Virginia stopped selling single-ingredient, non-tamper resistant PSE that is used to make meth. Additionally, Kroger stored in West Virginia announced they would limit the sale of single-ingredient PSE.\r\nJanuary 2015: Senator Manchin sent individual letters to members of the West Virginia Legislature encouraging the body to pass legislation implementing the West Virginia Board of Pharmacys recommendations to curb the tide of meth production in the state. The Boards recommendations include rescheduling PSE products as a controlled substance that requires a prescription to obtain, lowering the monthly PSE products as a controlled substance that requires a prescription to obtain, lowering the monthly PSE sales limit to 3.6g and lowering the annual PSE sales limit to 24g.\r\nMarch 2015: Senator Manchin introduced an amendment, which was included in the final FY2016 Congressional Budget, to encourage Congress to invest in efforts to combat meth abuse.\r\nJune 2015: Senator Manchin sent a follow up letter to Walmart and Kroger, urging them to reconsider their earlier decision. Both stores have continued to refuse to remove single ingredient PSE products, but both agreed to meet the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy recommendations for monthly and annual sales limits.\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=238f5824-c646-4a6b-80fe-950bfa58ad1e", "Manchin Announces Funding to Spur Economic Growth and Job Creation in West Virginia", "2015-09-29", "2015", "2015-09", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 29, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Announces Funding to Spur Economic Growth and Job Creation in West Virginia \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 Kanawha County will benefit from $500,000 EDA investment\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today announced the Economic Development Administration (EDA) will award $500,000 to TechConnects ScaleUp West Virginia initiative to bring together the public and private sectors in the creation of an economic development roadmap to diversify and strengthen the regional economy. This funding will spur innovation and entrepreneurship, long-term competitiveness and diversification and job creation across West Virginia.\r\nIn order to improve West Virginias economic success and boost our economy, we need to ensure our public and private sectors work together, Senator Manchin said. The strategies created and implemented with this funding will coordinate our resources efficiently to overcome our economic challenges and spur our economic growth and develop new opportunities across West Virginia.\r\nTechConnect aims to diversify West Virginias economy through innovation in advanced energy, chemicals and advanced materials, biometrics, and biotechnology. TechConnect works to build a culture that supports innovation and entrepreneurship, access to capital, and a proactive business climate with incentives for innovation-based start-ups.\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=92fe8b1a-16db-49f5-9529-261e6683c689", "WVU Fire Training Academy, Volunteer Fire Departments Receive FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grants", "2015-09-28", "2015", "2015-09", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 28, 2015\n\t\t\t WVU Fire Training Academy, Volunteer Fire Departments Receive FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grants  \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 Grants totaling more than $660,000 awarded in West Virginia\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) announced new Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) awards totaling $663,582 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The funding will benefit West Virginia Universitys (WVU) State Fire Training Academy, the Mt. Clare Volunteer Fire Department in Harrison County and the Hamlin Volunteer Fire Department in Lincoln County.\r\n\"Our dedicated firefighters and first responders are on the frontlines of keeping our communities safe each and everyday,\" Senator Manchin said. \"I witnessed their hard work and commitment firsthand from my experience working with the Marion County Volunteer Fire Department. This funding will ensure our firefighters have the resources they need to continue to protect West Virginians in times of need.\"\r\nIn order to keep our people and our communities safe, West Virginias firefighters must have the training and resources needed to do their job effectively. These grants will support training at WVUs State Fire Training Academy and boost safety operations at volunteer fire departments in Harrison and Lincoln Counties. Most importantly, these grants will help protect those who work tirelessly to keep us safe, said Senator Capito.\r\nIndividual awards are listed below:\r\n $500,000  West Virginia University State Fire Training Academy\r\n $84,762  Mt. Clare Volunteer Fire Department, Harrison County\r\n $78,820  Hamlin Volunteer Fire Department Inc., Lincoln County\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=c144a080-f0bb-4e74-a30c-425f76326799", "Manchin Statement on Pope Francis' Address to Congress", "2015-09-24", "2015", "2015-09", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 24, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin Statement on Pope Francis' Address to Congress \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today issued the following statement on Pope Francis address to the United States Congress.\r\nI was blessed and honored to hear Pope Francis address to the United States Congress and the American people. His call to raise those out of poverty, lend a hand to our neighbors, provide opportunity to all and of compassion and love through the Golden Rule are most needed at this troubling time in our world, our nation and our Capitol. I hope every American hears the words of this spiritual leader and avoids a common temptation nowadays: to discard whatever proves troublesome. America is still a land of dreams for so many, and will remain so if we come together and overcome our differences and focus on shared values. I thank Pope Francis for his inspiring words to Congress. I am hopeful that his presence will bring a renewed spirit of community, friendship and civility to our lawmakers, so that we can truly be the servants of the public.\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=83254de9-c8f1-4770-bd88-c196a814df22", "Manchin and Capito Announce More Than $1 Million for Critical Water Infrastructure Projects", "2015-09-23", "2015", "2015-09", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 23, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin and Capito Announce More Than $1 Million for Critical Water Infrastructure Projects \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 Funding will benefit residents in Clay and McDowell Counties\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today announced that the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded a total of $1,146,400 to support water infrastructure projects in Clay and McDowell Counties.\r\nThe Clay Public Service Districts Pack Fork and Independence Road Waterline Extension project aims to provide safe, reliable water service to 134 households and two organizations in an isolated part of Clay County by constructing approximately eight miles of new waterline. The Gary Wastewater System Inspection and Evaluation project will help the city of Gary make necessary repairs to improve its existing services for 442 current customers. This project will benefit future businesses and residences by providing analysis to plan for expanding service to unserved areas of McDowell County.\r\nInvesting in water infrastructure projects that are outdated not only improves the quality of life for our local residents, but preserves countless good-paying jobs, boosts economic development and improves the prosperity of our families, businesses and communities, Senator Manchin said. I am pleased these projects will receive the funding needed to improve the water systems in Clay and McDowell Counties and expand water services to underserved communities that truly need it.\r\nBy enabling local governments to extend public water services and improve wastewater services in very isolated rural areas, these grants will not only help to improve water quality and reliability in underserved areas, they will also improve the potential for future economic growth, said Senator Capito. Any time we invest in infrastructure, West Virginias economy stands to benefit, and I am glad West Virginia will receive these two grants from the Appalachian Regional Commission.\r\nIndividual amounts below:\r\n$760,000  Clay County for the Clay County Public Service Districts Pack Fork and Independence Road Waterline Extension Project\r\n$386,400  the City of Gary for the Gary Wastewater System Inspection and Evaluation Project\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=ce9157b5-1ecf-415b-954f-8a64543da21c", "Manchin and Capito Urge West Virginians to Participate in Drug Take-Back Day this Saturday", "2015-09-23", "2015", "2015-09", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 23, 2015\n\t\t\t Manchin and Capito Urge West Virginians to Participate in Drug Take-Back Day 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 National Drug Take-Back Day is an opportunity to help reduce the risk of prescription drug abuse and increase awareness of this critical public health epidemic\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today urged West Virginians to participate in the Drug Enforcement Administrations (DEA) National Drug Take-Back Day this Saturday, September 26, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Drug Take-Back Day is an opportunity for the public to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft by disposing of expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. \r\nPrescription drug abuse continues to devastate communities in our state and across this nation and we must work with our local, state and federal leaders and our law enforcement to end this epidemic, Senator Manchin said. Drug Take-Back Days have been tremendously successful in West Virginia and serve as an opportunity to bring neighbors and families together in the fight against drug abuse. These events raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and help individuals protect their loved ones by offering the opportunity to safely dispose of medications, including those that could be abused. Drug Take-Back Day is a simple and common sense initiative we can all rally around to combat drug abuse so that West Virginia and our beautiful country can have strong, drug-free communities. \r\nEnsuring the safe and proper disposal of unwanted medications is critical to combating the drug epidemic that is harming West Virginias communities, said Senator Capito. Too often prescription drug abuse starts at home, which is why it is essential to use this opportunity to clean out your medicine cabinets. I hope all West Virginians will participate in this Saturdays Prescription Drug Take-Back Day and help elevate the conversation about this alarming crisis.\r\n In May, after the DEA announced it would no longer sponsor National Prescription Drug Take-Back Days, Senators Manchin and Capito sent a letter to the U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch calling for the reinstatement of National Drug Take-Back Days. To view the letter, please click here. \r\nAt the last DEA-sponsored National Prescription Drug Take-Back event in 2014, the DEA and more than 4,000 of its partners collected 309 tons of unwanted drugs at nearly 5,500 individual sites, bringing the total amount of drugs collected in four years to more than 2,400 tons. \r\nFor more information and to find a certified drop-off location in your area, 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"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 387, "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 \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Democrat", "p1": "WV", "p2": "2015"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=WV&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 387, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=WV&year=2015", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=WV&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 387, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=WV&year=2015&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=WV&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "WV", "label": "WV", "count": 387, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&year=2015", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=WV&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "2015", "label": "2015", "count": 387, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=WV", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2015-09-23,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Emanchin~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fpublic~2Findex~2Ecfm~2Fpress-releases~3FContentRecord_id~3Dce9157b5-1ecf-415b-954f-8a64543da21c", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=WV&year=2015&_next=2015-09-23%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Emanchin~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fpublic~2Findex~2Ecfm~2Fpress-releases~3FContentRecord_id~3Dce9157b5-1ecf-415b-954f-8a64543da21c&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 137.64489674940705, "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"}