url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-secures-forklift-for-five-loaves-and-two-fishes-food-bank-in-kimball-,Manchin Secures Forklift for Five Loaves & Two Fishes Food Bank in Kimball,2017-12-29,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 29, 2017 Manchin Secures Forklift for Five Loaves & Two Fishes Food Bank in Kimball Charleston, WV U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released the following statement following the delivery of a much needed forklift to Five Loaves & Two Fishes Food Bank in Kimball, WV. Today Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia donated a forklift to Five Loaves & Two Fishes. After learning about the food banks need for a forklift, Senator Manchin was instrumental in securing the forklift for the food bank. Since I learned of the urgent need from Senator Richard Ojeda at Five Loaves & Two Fishes Food Bank in McDowell County, Ive been working with Bob and Linda McKinney, local officials and businesses to help secure a forklift that will allow them to continue receiving shipments and feeding the people of this community. Weve since seen such a wonderful outpouring of support, starting with United Rentals of Beckley which allowed the Food Bank to have immediate use of a forklift that got them through such a critical time of year. A long-term solution was always the goal, and today I am so proud and grateful to announce that Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia (TMMWV) has stepped forward, in great fashion, to donate a forklift to Five Loaves & Two Fishes. I know everyone is moved and humbled by this incredible act of community giving by Toyota, and also relieved to see a permanent forklift finally here in Kimball where the need remains great, and the desire to help and serve remains strong. I would like to thank Tom Lego, Leah Curry and TMMWV for making this moment possible and especially for the individuals, families and children whose lives will be touched by this generous donation. I thank Dave Vincent and United Rentals of Beckley for stepping forward immediately to ensure that the Food Bank wasnt without a forklift over the past several weeks. And I thank Bob and Linda and everyone with Five Loaves & Two Fishes for working every day to lift up people in their greatest time of need. Its the kind of work that inspires. Its the kind of work that saves lives. And it represents who we are as West Virginians neighbors who always help each other. Thank you and may God Bless McDowell County, and our great state of West Virginia. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-statement-on-miner-death-in-fayette-county-,Manchin Statement on Miner Death in Fayette County,2017-12-29,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 29, 2017 Manchin Statement on Miner Death in Fayette County Charleston, WV U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today released the following statement on the death of Thurman A. Watts, a coal miner who was working in Fayette County. All of West Virginia is heartbroken to learn of the loss of Thurman A. Watts today. Yet again, we are reminded of the incredible sacrifices our coal miners and their families make every day. Gayle and I join the entire state in sending our thoughts and prayers to the Watts family during this difficult time. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-highlights-how-west-virginia-will-benefit-from-historic-tax-reform-legislation,Capito Highlights How West Virginia Will Benefit from Historic Tax Reform Legislation,2017-12-27,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.27.17 Capito Highlights How West Virginia Will Benefit from Historic Tax Reform Legislation CHARLESTON, W.Va. Last week, Congress and the Trump administration delivered the first comprehensive pro-growth tax reform our country has seen in more than three decades. In an op-ed for The Daily Mail Opinion Page of the Charleston Gazette-Mail, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) discusses this historic legislation and outlines the many ways West Virginians will benefit. Make no mistake: This is an important moment for our nation. Throughout this process, I promised to do whats best for West Virginia families, workers and small businesses; and I believe that this legislation is absolutely whats best for our state, Senator Capito wrote. View the op-ed here and below. Doing Whats Best for West VirginiaBy U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.)Charleston Gazette-Mail (Daily Mail Opinion Page)December 26, 2017 Something big happened in Washington last week. After years of hearings and discussions and months of working through an open and transparent process, Congress passed comprehensive pro-growth tax reform legislation. On Friday, President Trump signed that legislation into lawdelivering on a promise that will have enormous benefits for our country. Getting tax reform across the finish line has been one of my top priorities, and its a historic and substantial victory for West Virginians and for Americans across the nation. The agreement passed last week will provide critical tax relief and create new economic opportunities for workers and small businesses. And it does that by lowering taxes across the board and making our tax code simpler, fairer and more competitive. The new tax law reduces individual tax rates so middle-income Americans can keep more of the money they work so hard to earn. It significantly increases the child tax creditdoubling it from $1,000 to $2,000so more families can benefit from it. It also nearly doubles the standard deduction, which is already used by 83 percent of West Virginians. All of these changes mean that West Virginia familiesnot Washingtonwill decide how to spend the money they make. Whether thats taking care of household costs, taking care of an unexpected expense or saving for the future, the choice will be theirs. What does that mean in actual dollars? Take, for example, a family of four earning the median family income of $73,000 per year. Under the new law, that family will see a tax cut of more than $2,000. For a married couple earing $55,000 per year with two kids will go from owing roughly $800 in taxes to owing nothing. Were talking about making a real, tangible difference in the lives of West Virginians. But thats just the beginning. The new tax law will also help small businesses succeed and make sure American companies remain competitive globally. As it does for individuals, the law lowers tax rates for businesses of all sizes. It also includes a simple tax deduction for small business owners that will be easier to administer and free up resources that could be used to grow their companies. Thats an especially important change in West Virginia where 95 percent of our businesses are small businesses. These companies are truly the backbone of our local economy, and they employ half of our private-sector workforce. When it comes to larger businesses, in addition to lowering the corporate tax rate, the new law modernizes our international tax system. That means it will make it easier for businesses to bring home money they earn overseas and encourage them to invest more here at home. These reforms are all significant on their own, but its their combined effect that makes the new law a truly significant achievement. Because of these changes, West Virginians and so many others are going to see higher wages, more jobs and new opportunities to get ahead. Thats not a talking point. Its something Ive heard time and time again from West Virginia small business owners, from constituents who are tired of a struggling economy and stagnant wages, and from groups representing a wide variety of industries that are critical to our state. Of course, there has also been a lot of misleading rhetoric from critics and political theatrics from naysayers who never really planned to support this effort. But Im confident that next yearwhen workers see larger paychecks and communities feel the benefits of greater economic growthit will be clear that this legislation is exactly the kind of big and bold solution our country needs and West Virginians deserve. Make no mistake: This is an important moment for our nation. Throughout this process, I promised to do whats best for West Virginia families, workers and small businesses; and I believe that this legislation is absolutely whats best for our state. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-applauds-senate-passage-of-anti-fentanyl-legislation,Capito Applauds Senate Passage of Anti-Fentanyl Legislation,2017-12-22,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.22.17 Capito Applauds Senate Passage of Anti-Fentanyl Legislation Bipartisan bill she introduced now heads to presidents desk WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.)along with Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio)today hailed Senate passage of the INTERDICT Act, their bipartisan legislation that would help stop the flow of the illicit opioid fentanyl across the U.S. border. The bill will help equip U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with scanning devices and other technologies to detect synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Just this week, we learned that West Virginia continues to lead the country in overdose deaths, but we are not the only state that is being forced to deal with the tragic consequences of the growing opioid epidemic. Given the scope and the impact of this national crisis, its going to take a comprehensive, all-hands-on-deck approach to fight it, and enforcement is a big part of that strategy, Senator Capito said. I was proud to introduce the INTERDICT Act with Senator Markey and will continue working to make sure our law enforcement professionals have the tools and resources they need to keep illicit substances out of our country and off of our streets. In data released this week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that more than 42,000 Americans died from an opioid overdose in 2016, with nearly half being directly attributed to fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. Mexico is the primary source for illicit fentanyl trafficked into the United States, while distributors in China are the principal source of the precursor chemicals used to manufacture the drug, as well as a source for finished-product illicit fentanyl and fentanyl analogs, which are often shipped to the United States through the mail and express consignment carriers. Specifically, the INTERDICT Act: Ensures that CBP will have additional portable chemical screening devices available at ports of entry and mail and express consignment facilities and additional fixed chemical screening devices available in CBP laboratories. Provides CBP with sufficient resources, personnel and facilitiesincluding scientists available during all operational hoursto interpret screening test results from the field. Authorizesbased on CBP guidancethe appropriation of $15 million for hundreds of new screening devices, laboratory equipment, facilities and personnel for support during all operational hours Companion legislation introduced by U.S. Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Niki Tsongas (D-Mass.) passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 412-3 in October. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-writes-to-labor-secretary-acosta-on-black-lung-regulation,Capito Writes to Labor Secretary Acosta on Black Lung Regulation,2017-12-22,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.22.17 Capito Writes to Labor Secretary Acosta on Black Lung Regulation WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today wrote to U.S. Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta regarding the Mine Safety and Health Administrations (MSHA) Respirable Dust Rule. The agency recently called for comment as part of a review of the rule, which was implemented in an attempt to protect our nations miners from coal workers pneumoconiosis (CWP), known as black lung disease. I have visited black lung clinics in West Virginia, met with miners and retired miners who suffer from this terrible illness, and I am concerned by reports that black lung rates in the Appalachian region are increasing, Senator Capito wrote. It is important that MSHA and industry leaders work together to protect the health of our miners and combat black lung disease. MSHA has not proposed any action that would repeal or alter the Respirable Dust Rule but is accepting comment on ways it could be improved. The full letter is below and available here. The Honorable Alexander Acosta Secretary United States Department of Labor 200 Constitution Avenue N.W. Washington, DC 20210 Re: Retrospective Study of Respirable Coal Mine Dust Rule Dear Secretary Acosta: On December 14, 2017 the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) announced that it will be accepting public comment as part of a review of the agencys Respirable Dust Rule. This announcement was part of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) Unified Agenda and Regulatory Plan (Unified Agenda). The Respirable Dust Rule was implemented in an attempt to protect our nations miners from coal workers pneumoconiosis (CWP), known as black lung disease, a serious and debilitating disease that can be fatal. I have visited black lung clinics in West Virginia, met with miners and retired miners who suffer from this terrible illness and I am concerned by reports that black lung rates in the Appalachian region are increasing. It is important that MSHA and industry leaders work together to protect the health of our miners and combat black lung disease. To date, MSHA has not proposed any action that would repeal or alter the Respirable Dust Rule. However, according to the Unified Agenda, MSHA is accepting comment on ways that the current Black Lung rule could be improved or made more effective or less burdensome. MSHA is also conducting a retrospective review of the current rules effectiveness. As you examine the Respirable Dust Rules effectiveness and public comments about ways that it could be potentially be improved, I ask that you avoid any action that would reduce the protections afforded to miners under the current regulation. The health of our miners should be MSHAs first priority as it considers any future action related to this rule. I would oppose any change to the Respirable Dust Rule that fails to maintain current standards if such a proposal were made. I am a strong supporter of efforts to reverse or reform regulations that are ineffective or overly burdensome. It is critical, however, that we preserve policies that protect the safety and health of our nations coal miners. As the administration considers public comments in response to the announcement in the Unified Agenda, I urge you not to propose any change that would weaken the protection provided to our miners by the Respirable Dust Rule. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-capito-wishes-west-virginians-a-merry-christmas-looks-ahead-to-2018,"VIDEO: Capito Wishes West Virginians a Merry Christmas, Looks Ahead to 2018",2017-12-22,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.22.17 VIDEO: Capito Wishes West Virginians a Merry Christmas, Looks Ahead to 2018 Click here or the image above to watch the video.**Download the video here.** CHARLESTON, W.Va. U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today released a video message ahead of the Christmas and New Year holidays. Full video transcript included below: Merry Christmas! I am excited to spend the holidays with family and friends at home in West Virginia. As we reflect on 2017, we have so much to be grateful for, and I am excited about whats ahead in the new year. During this holiday season, please join me in celebrating the meaning of Christmas the birth of the Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Please also continue to spread joy, happiness and kindness throughout your communities into the new year. Im also incredibly thankful for our troops. These men and women bravely serve this country, often far away from home and their loved ones. From my family to yours, Merry Christmas. I look forward to working together to accomplish more great things for West Virginia in the year ahead. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-brown-kaine-warner-and-casey-urge-secretary-acosta-to-protect-miners-safety_health-,"Manchin, Brown, Kaine, Warner & Casey Urge Secretary Acosta to Protect Miners Safety & Health",2017-12-22,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 22, 2017 Manchin, Brown, Kaine, Warner & Casey Urge Secretary Acosta to Protect Miners Safety & Health Washington, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Warner (D-VA) and Bob Casey (D-PA) sent a letter to the Secretary of the Department of Labor (DOL), Alexander Acosta, urging him to keep the Respirable Dust Rule to protect mine safety and miners health. This letter comes after the rule was included in the Unified Agenda for re-examination. The Senators said in part: Given this increase in black lung disease and the devastating impact that this disease has on coal miners and their families, we believe that it is critical that we maintain this rule. Claims that the Respirable Dust Rule is unnecessary, imposes a costly burden, or provides little to no benefit to society ignore the fact that it can take up to a decade or longer for simple black lung disease to develop. We are also keenly aware that the rate of black lung disease fell after Congress passed the Coal Act of 1969 and that comprehensive evidence that this rule has been effective will not be fully available until 2026 at the earliest. We should not abandon our coal miners three short years after the rule went into effect. Read the full letter below or click here: Dear Secretary Acosta, On December 14, 2017, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) published its fall Unified Agenda and Regulatory Plan, a semiannual list of federal regulatory and deregulatory actions. We write to express our concerns regarding the decision to list several rules under the purview of the Mine Safety Health Administration (MSHA) for re-examination in the Unified Agenda. These rules are meant to protect the health and safety of our nations coal miners. The Trump Administration has made clear its commitment to reducing regulatory burdens. We agree that unnecessary, outdated, or duplicative regulations should be examined for elimination or modification. However, we believe that worker safety is of the utmost importance and we unequivocally oppose rolling back the Respirable Dust Rule (the rule) which is meant to protect the safety, health, and in effect the livelihood of our coal miners. In particular, the rule, which took effect in 2014, was promulgated by MSHA in an effort to reduce occupational lung diseases - namely coal workers pneumoconiosis (CWP), commonly known as black lung disease. Black lung disease is a common but preventable disease that has plagued coal miners in Appalachia for decades. The impacts of black lung disease are debilitating and, in the most serious cases, fatal. In 2010, the Secretary of Labor, acting under the authority of the Federal Mine Safety Health Act of 1977, proposed the rule. The rule lowers the acceptable threshold for concentrations of respirable coal mine dust with the goal of making the air that miners breathe in coal mines less toxic. The final rule decreased the dust limits from 2.0 milligrams per cubic meter to an improved level of 1.5 milligrams per cubic meter. Unfortunately, recent research, most notably a report from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), has indicated the prevalence of black lung in Appalachian coalfields is worse than previously thought. Furthermore, black lung clinics in Appalachia report that younger coal miners are being diagnosed with the disease at increasing rates. Given this increase in black lung disease and the devastating impact that this disease has on coal miners and their families, we believe that it is critical that we maintain this rule. Claims that the Respirable Dust Rule is unnecessary, imposes a costly burden, or provides little to no benefit to society ignore the fact that it can take up to a decade or longer for simple black lung disease to develop. We are also keenly aware that the rate of black lung disease fell after Congress passed the Coal Act of 1969 and that comprehensive evidence that this rule has been effective will not be fully available until 2026 at the earliest. We should not abandon our coal miners three short years after the rule went into effect. In short, we believe in worker safety first and foremost. MSHAs mission is a critical one for the safety and health of our nations miners and the Respirable Dust Rule is vital to ensuring that MSHA succeeds in that mission. We urge you to retain the Respirable Dust Rule and prevent the unnecessary erosion of vital mine safety and health standards. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-wishes-west-virginians-a-merry-christmas-,Manchin Wishes West Virginians a Merry Christmas,2017-12-22,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 22, 2017 Manchin Wishes West Virginians a Merry Christmas Washington, DC U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released the following statement wishing West Virginians a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Gayle and I, along with the entire Manchin family, would like to wish all West Virginians, Americans, and our brave service men and women a Merry Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year. This holiday season, it is important to celebrate our many blessings especially the love of our families and friends. It is also a time to remember the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve our country. Their sacrifices allow us to enjoy these blessings this holiday season. Let us keep them and their families in our hearts and prayers, not just during the holidays, but each day. Ive always said if you can count your blessings, you can share your blessings. We are all so blessed to enjoy their opportunities of this great nation. That is why, during this spiritual season, I encourage every West Virginian to share their blessings and generosity with those who may need a helping hand. Again, Gayle and I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with hope, peace, and joy. As we look forward to 2018, let us all recommit ourselves to working toward the common goal of building a positive future for ourselves, our children, and our communities across this great nation. May God bless us all and may God continue to bless America and the great state of West Virginia. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://evanjenkins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-jenkins-asks-hud-award-grant-huntington-fairfield-project,REP. JENKINS ASKS HUD TO AWARD GRANT FOR HUNTINGTON-FAIRFIELD PROJECT,2017-12-21,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Evan Jenkins,J000297,evanjenkins.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) today urged the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Administration to award Huntington a grant to help revitalize Huntingtons Fairfield neighborhood. Rep. Jenkins spoke with HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Housing Dominique Blom on Wednesday to express his strong support for the Huntington Housing Authoritys application for a HUD Development Choice Neighborhoods Planning and Action grant. He has also contacted HUD Secretary Ben Carson to bring Huntingtons grant application to his attention. The city has applied for a grant of up to $1.3 million to implement the citys Fairfield Choice Neighborhood Revitalization project. I was very pleased with the conversation I had with Deputy Assistant Secretary Blom about how important this funding is for the city of Huntington. The Fairfield Choice Neighborhood Revitalization project is an important step forward for our community, and I will continue to push for funding for this important grant, Rep. Jenkins said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://evanjenkins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-jenkins-votes-fund-chip-wv-disaster-aid,"REP. JENKINS VOTES TO FUND CHIP, WV DISASTER AID",2017-12-21,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Evan Jenkins,J000297,evanjenkins.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) issued the following statement today after voting to keep the government open, provide about $3 billion in critical funding for CHIP, and bring more than $30 million in disaster aid to West Virginia: I remain very disappointed that Senate Democrats wont come to the table to work out a long-term reauthorization of CHIP. The House voted nearly two months ago to reauthorize this critical program, yet Senate Democrats werent on board. Todays vote provides about $3 billion for CHIP, and I hope my colleagues will set aside partisan politics and vote to secure this critical program for West Virginias children, Rep. Jenkins said. The bills passed by the House today provide about $3 billion in short-term CHIP money to keep state CHIP programs funded, as well as continued funding for community health centers. It also includes more than $30 million in continued flood relief and mitigation efforts for West Virginia through the Community Development Block Grant program. The legislation also provides critical funding and support for our military and national defense. The House passed a five-year reauthorization bill in November, which Rep. Jenkins strongly supported, but the full Senate has yet to take up a CHIP reauthorization bill.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-bipartisan-group-urge-dea-to-act-swiftly-on-partial-fill-law,"Capito, Bipartisan Group Urge DEA to Act Swiftly on Partial Fill Law",2017-12-21,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.21.17 Capito, Bipartisan Group Urge DEA to Act Swiftly on Partial Fill Law WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) today sent a letter urging the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to update regulations and guidance related to the partial filling of Schedule II controlled substances. Doing so would give prescribers and pharmacists additional clarity about the new provisions of federal law and other steps that can be taken to better address the nations opioid crisis. The senators were joined by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), chairman and ranking member of the Judiciary Committee which has jurisdiction over the DEA. U.S. Representatives Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) and Steve Stivers (R-Ohio) also signed the letter. More than 33,000 Americans died from opioid-related drug overdoses in 2015, and prescription painkillers continue to be a major contributor to the epidemic. According to data released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, West Virginia continues to lead the nation in drug overdose deaths. Senators Warren and Capito and Representatives Clark and Stivers introduced bipartisan legislation that was incorporated in the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) to enable patients or physicians to request a partial fill of any Schedule II medication, including prescription opioids like OxyContin and Vicodin. Outdated DEA regulations, which include a different definition of partial filling from the definition provided in CARA, have led to significant confusion on the part of pharmacists and prescribers, the members of Congress wrote. These health care providers are critical partners in the fight against the opioid epidemic but are reluctant to move forward with implementation of the law or to proactively implement programs to partially fill initial opioid prescriptions until the DEA updates its regulations. In response to recent letters from Senators Capito and Warren inquiring about their implementation of partial fill authorities, the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) indicated that many of their members have expressed significant confusion regarding outdated DEA regulations. Medical member organizations are ready and willing to inform their members about partial fill policies, but the DEA needs to issue clear federal guidance so they can disseminate additional information. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, over 70 percent of people who misuse prescription painkillers got them from a friend, relative or doctor. Encouraging prescribers and pharmacists to embrace partial fill policies for their patients would help reduce the number of opioids that are misused in homes and communities across the country. A PDF of the letter sent today is available here. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-supports-passage-of-continuing-resolution-to-fund-government-will-continue-push-for-long-term-chip-funding,"Capito Supports Passage of Continuing Resolution to Fund Government, Will Continue Push for Long-Term CHIP Funding",2017-12-21,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.21.17 Capito Supports Passage of Continuing Resolution to Fund Government, Will Continue Push for Long-Term CHIP Funding WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement after voting to pass a continuing resolution that will fund the government through January 19, 2018. I am pleased that Congress passed this short-term bill to fund important programs and priorities, including resources for our national security. This continuing resolution extends the VA Choice program that provides health care to our veterans, funds community health centers and extends the State Childrens Health Insurance Program or CHIP. These programs are essential to West Virginias veterans, families and children. I am committed to working with my colleagues to enact a full-year government funding bill and long-term funding for the CHIP program early in 2018. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/42240-americans-die-from-opioids-last-year-manchin-asks-when-government-will-take-it-seriously-,"42,240 Americans Die From Opioids Last Year, Manchin Asks When Government Will Take It Seriously",2017-12-21,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 21, 2017 42,240 Americans Die From Opioids Last Year, Manchin Asks When Government Will Take It Seriously Press Contact Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today released a statement on the Center for Disease Controls (CDC) new report on opioid overdose deaths in 2016. The report stated that in 2016, there were 42,249 opioid related overdose deaths in the US. That is a 28% increase over 2015. Thats 115 people dying every day. There has not been a year since I have been in the Senate that opioid overdose deaths have gone down, and this year is no different. Desp Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/good-news-energy-department-report-shows-manchin-led-storage-hub-effort-good-for-appalachia-,Good News: Energy Department Report Shows Manchin Led Storage Hub Effort Good for Appalachia,2017-12-21,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 21, 2017 Good News: Energy Department Report Shows Manchin Led Storage Hub Effort Good for Appalachia Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) applauded a Department of Energy (DOE) report that demonstrates opportunities for a natural gas liquids storage hub in the Appalachian region are vast and would lead to positive economic development. The Appalachian Storage Hub is a vital American energy infrastructure project that will enhance energy and national security while leveraging the regions unique energy resources for the long-term economic benefit of families, manufacturers, and communities in West Virginia, neighboring states and across the nation, Senator Manchin said. This storage hub will create jobs and expand the economy in the Appalachian region, which has been affected by the decline in energy production and manufacturing in the region. The Department of Energy projections prove what Ive been saying all along, the Appalachian Storage Hub is critical to powering our nation and will attract significant investment to our region. In June, Senator Manchin introduced the Capitalizing American Storage Potential (CASP) Act, which would make a regional storage hub eligible for the Department of Energys Title XVII loan guarantee program, allowing the Mountain State to realize the unique opportunities associated with Appalachias abundant natural gas liquids (NGLs) resources, naturally-occurring geologic storage, and expanding energy infrastructure. Some key points of the report: The Appalachian region is endowed with significant NGL resources projected to be economically recoverable over at least the next three decades. Since the boom in natural gas production unlocked by technological innovation industry has invested billions of dollars in natural gas and NGL infrastructure in Appalachia. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts that natural gas production in Appalachia will increase over 350 percent from 2013 to 2040. Appalachian NGL production is projected to increase over 700 percent in the 10 years from 2013 to 2023. Increased recovery of ethane, instead of rejecting it in the dry natural gas stream, presents opportunities for new downstream investments using ethane as a feedstock. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-applauds-president-trump-executive-order-on-critical-minerals-,Manchin Applauds President Trump Executive Order on Critical Minerals,2017-12-21,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 21, 2017 Manchin Applauds President Trump Executive Order on Critical Minerals Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) applauded President Trump for issuing an executive order to identify new sources of critical minerals also known as rare earth elements - in the United States. Senator Manchin introduced the Rare Earth Element Advanced Coal Technologies Act (REEACT Act) in July to ensure the Department of Energy (DOE) office of Fossil Energy continues this important program, and authorizes and annual appropriation of $20 million per year through 2025. I am pleased that President Trump recognizes the vulnerability caused by our reliance on foreign imports of critical minerals, Senator Manchin said. The National Energy Technology Laboratory in Morgantown has worked to develop a domestic supply of critical minerals from coal and coal byproducts since 2011, and I look forward to working with President Trump to continue this important research that will protect our national security interests, and also help to give a much needed boost to coal country. Earlier this month, DOE announced that coal samples collected from several basins nationwide, spanning the entire coal supply chain, were found to contain high concentrations of rare earth elements (REE), a promising sign to the successful commercialization of coal separation technologies. Senator Manchins REEACT Act will ensure DOE and its partners continue vital research into developing and commercializing the technology for domestic production of REEs from coal and coal byproducts a critical step toward re-establishing a U.S. domestic supply for these products that will make our nation less vulnerable to potential supply disruptions. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-congratulates-michael-stuart-on-senate-confirmation,Capito Congratulates Michael Stuart on Senate Confirmation,2017-12-20,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.20.17 Capito Congratulates Michael Stuart on Senate Confirmation Stuart to serve as U.S. Attorney for Southern District of West Virginia WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today congratulated Michael Stuart after the Senate confirmed him to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia. Senator Capito recommended Stuart for the position and issued the following statement regarding his confirmation: I was proud to recommend Michael Stuart to serve as the next U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia and to support his nomination throughout the confirmation process. His impressive career and his commitment to honorably and ethically upholding the law make him a strong and qualified choice for this position. I have no doubt that his skill and his character will make him an effective and respected U.S. Attorney. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-votes-to-pass-historic-pro-growth-tax-reform-legislation,Capito Votes to Pass Historic Pro-Growth Tax Reform Legislation,2017-12-20,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.20.17 Capito Votes to Pass Historic Pro-Growth Tax Reform Legislation WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today voted in support of the comprehensive pro-growth tax reform legislation. Senator Capito issued the following statement after the Senate passed the bill 51-48: Today, we secured a historic and substantial victory for West Virginians and for Americans across the country. Make no mistake: This is an important moment for our nation. Throughout this process, I promised to do whats best for West Virginia families, workers and small businesses; and I believe that this legislation is absolutely whats best for our state. These reforms will cut taxes and allow middle-income families to keep more of their hard-earned money. They will help small businesses grow and succeed and make sure American companies remain competitive globally. They will lead to higher wages, more jobs and new opportunities to get ahead. As with any major legislative push, there has been a lot of misleading rhetoric from critics and political theatrics from naysayers who never really planned to support this effort. Im confident that next yearwhen workers see larger paychecks and communities feel the benefits of greater economic growthit will be clear that this legislation is exactly the kind of big and bold solution our country needed. I worked hard to advance these critical reforms; I was proud to vote in support of them; and as chairman of the Appropriations subcommittee with jurisdiction over the IRS, I look forward to overseeing their implementation next year. Click here for more information on the legislationwhich received broad support from West Virginia leaders and groups representing a wide variety of industries important to the state. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-disappointed-to-vote-no-on-short-sided-and-rushed-tax-bill-,Manchin Disappointed to Vote No on Short Sided and Rushed Tax Bill,2017-12-20,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 20, 2017 Manchin Disappointed to Vote No on Short Sided and Rushed Tax Bill Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released the following statement on his vote against the rushed Senate tax plan. For the last several months I have worked with President Trump, Gary Cohn, Marc Short and the economic team at the White House on a tax reform plan that I hoped would benefit the people of West Virginia and the country. I was honored to be invited to the White House on multiple occasions to meet with the President and know that he was genuine in his desire to make this a bipartisan tax bill that helped the working class, grew jobs and made our businesses competitive in the global economy. I tried to work with my Republican colleagues in the Senate to make this truly a bipartisan bill like Ronald Reagan did. Unfortunately, it was clear from the time Senator McConnell passed his irresponsible budget, that he had no intentions of working in a bipartisan way, and instead, wanted to use the tax bill as a political tool that adds a minimum of $1.4 trillion to our national debt. I am truly disappointed that this process turned partisan, because I believe our country needs real tax reform and anything that is done in such a strictly-partisan way is not good for West Virginia or the country as a whole. When we started this process I believed that real reform needed to meet four goals: it needed to focus on permanent relief for working class families; make small businesses and corporations competitive in a global economy and set an environment for job growth; be fiscally responsible and not grow our debt; and simplify the tax code. Unfortunately, I do not believe that this bill meets those goals. It hurts seniors by threatening severe cuts to Medicare next year and it hurts families by destabilizing the healthcare market raising the average healthcare cost for a family of four by nearly $2,000 each year. I do believe that this bill will provide temporary relief to some working class families, and I will work with the President to make those permanent, so that hard-working Americans can plan for their future like the corporations and very wealthy individuals that are receiving extremely large and permanent tax cuts will do. Despite my best efforts, this bill does not work for the future of West Virginia: It hurts our seniors, leaves the working class paying more, and tilts the playing field against small businesses while irresponsibly adding to our growing $20 trillion national debt. During my first few months in the Senate, Admiral Mike Mullen, who was Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the time, testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee that he believed the single biggest threat to our national security is our national debt. This has stuck with me during my time as a United States Senator and has hardened my resolve to get our national debt under control. While I am disappointed that we were not able to take advantage of this historic opportunity and pass real tax reform, I will continue to work with President Trump to help the working class and reign in our debt something I know he cares deeply about. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://evanjenkins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-jenkins-house-passes-landmark-tax-reform-bill,REP. JENKINS: HOUSE PASSES LANDMARK TAX REFORM BILL,2017-12-19,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Evan Jenkins,J000297,evanjenkins.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) issued the following statement today after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the conference report for the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act: This bill is a result of working closely with President Trump to craft job-creating tax reform that works for West Virginias families and small businesses. The Tax Cuts & Jobs Act means that our middle-class families will keep more of their money. A single parent of two children who earns $52,000 will get to keep nearly $1,900 more of their hard-earned money, thanks to this bill. We will also help our states economy continue to grow by encouraging companies to invest in America and create jobs here at home. Im looking forward to seeing this bill on the presidents desk before Christmas so we can deliver tax cuts in the new year, Rep. Jenkins said. The report is the House-Senate agreement on the bill. The report now heads to the U.S. Senate for a vote.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mckinley.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1199,McKinley Votes for Historic Tax Reform,2017-12-19,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,David McKinley,M001180,mckinley.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, the House passed the final version of H.R. 1, theTax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was negotiated by a joint House and Senate conference committee. This bill makes Americas tax system fairer, simpler and lowers taxes on the middle-class. The final bill includes several provisions championed by Congressman David B. McKinley, P.E., (WV-1). This is a historic moment for the American people. It has been 31 years since we updated our burdensome tax code. This reform will bring some much-needed relief to the middle-class, remove special interest loopholes, lower rates, double the standard deduction (which over 80% of West Virginians currently use), double the child tax credit, and make the tax code simpler, said McKinley. Take for example the average married couple in West Virginia who make $42,000 a year. Under the old tax system, they wouldve paid $3,398 in taxes. Under this new plan, they will pay just $1,800. Thats a savings of almost 50%, which will be huge for West Virginia tax payers, added McKinley. Throughout this process, we pushed to make sure our priorities were included. We did not take our eye off the ball. In so doing, we successfully maintained the Historic Preservation Tax Credit, education credits that will make college more affordable, credits for clean coal research, and successfully removed provisions that would cost local jobs, McKinley said. Background TheTax Cuts and Jobs Actdelivers on the promises made by Congressional Republicans and President Trump to lower middle-class tax rates and open the door for more private sector job creation. TheTax Cuts and Jobs Act: Lowers individual tax rates for low- and middle-income Americans to Zero, 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%. Doubles the standard deductionfrom $6,500 to $12,000 for individuals and $13,000 to $24,000 for married couples. Average middle-class family of four will save $2,059 per year on taxes. West Virginia will see a $1,685 increase in median household income. Expands the Child Tax Creditfrom $1,000 to $2,000 to help parents with the cost of raising children. Preserves the home mortgage interest deductionfor existing mortgages and maintains the credit for newly purchased homes up to $750,000. Retains popular retirement savings optionssuch as 401(k)s and Individual Retirement Accounts so Americans can continue to save for their future. Eliminates Obamacares individual mandate, providing families with much-needed relief and the flexibility to buy the health care thats right for them. Provides relief for Americans with expensive medical billsby expanding the medical expense deduction for 2017 and 2018 for medical expenses exceeding 7.5% of adjusted gross income, and rising to 10% beginning in 2019. Provides support for graduate studentsby continuing to exempt the value of reduced tuition from taxes. Lowers the corporate tax ratefrom 35% to 21%, opening the door for private sector job growth. Makes it easier and far less costly for American businesses to bring home foreign earningsto invest in creating jobs and increasing paychecksin our local communities. McKinley successfully worked with House leadership to ensure that the tax reform package retains the Historic Preservation Tax Credit, critical clean coal research credits, higher education credits and a full repeal of the corporate alternative minimum tax. For more information about our releases, please contact (202) 225-4172",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mooney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-alex-x-mooney-plans-vote-tax-cuts-all-americans,Congressman Alex X. Mooney Plans to Vote for Tax Cuts for all Americans,2017-12-19,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Alex Mooney,M001195,mooney.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Alex X. Mooney Plans to Vote for Tax Cuts for all Americans Today, Congressman Alex X. Mooney (WV-2) intends to vote for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to deliver tax cuts for all West Virginians. He released the following statement: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act means an average family of four will receive a $2,059 tax cutthat means more money in the pockets of all Americans. The bill doubles the standard deduction for all taxpayers, meaning that a couples first $24,000 of income will be tax free. Furthermore, the bill doubles the child tax credit to $2,000. The bill also reduces taxes on small businesses (from 35% to 25%) and will encourage job growth in West Virginia. President Donald Trump has been a true leader on delivering tax relief for all Americans and I am looking forward to continuing to work with him to create more jobs and to keep our economy growing. Finally, this bill will reverse the flow of jobs leaving our country by reducing the corporate tax from 35% to 21%, which will make us again competitive with the rest of world. Therefore, I will be voting for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act today, said Rep. Mooney. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-and-manchin-announce-more-than-12-million-for-west-virginia-head-start-programs,Capito and Manchin Announce More Than $1.2 Million for West Virginia Head Start Programs,2017-12-19,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Skip to primary navigation Skip to content About Working For West Virginia News Contact",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/west-virginians-agree-tax-reform-will-help-our-state,West Virginians Agree: Tax Reform Will Help Our State,2017-12-19,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.19.17 West Virginians Agree: Tax Reform Will Help Our State WASHINGTON, D.C. The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote today on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, pro-growth tax reform legislation that President Donald Trump recently described as vital to the American people. The billwhich the Senate is also expected to vote on early this weekwill provide tax relief for middle-income families, help small businesses grow and create new economic opportunities across the country. And West Virginians agree. As Congress prepares to vote on sending tax reform legislation to the presidents desk, manufacturers, small businesses, conservatives, news outlets and groups representing a wide variety of industries important to West Virginia are sharing their support. West Virginia Chamber of CommerceFederal tax reform is crucial to continued job creation and economic development in West Virginia. This effort is a real win-win. By making tax rates more competitive, small businesses will be able to reinvest in growing their operations and creating more jobs, and individuals will be able determine how best to spend their hard-earned money, further stimulating economic growth. Steve Roberts, president of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce West Virginia Manufacturers AssociationManufacturers large and small know this reform would mean more jobs in America, more investment in America and more men and women making things in America. West Virginia manufacturers are grateful to the Senators who stood with us and voted for tax reform aimed at creating a more competitive manufacturing environment. The current tax system is hurting workers in West Virginia. Our elected leaders now need to seize this opportunity, get tax reform across the finish line and send it to President Donald Trumps desk. Rebecca McPhail, president of the West Virginia Manufacturers Association National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)Both [the Senate and House] versions [of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act] recognize the need for small business tax relief, which means businesses could reinvest in their businesses and employees, create local jobs in rural and urban areas of West Virginia We cant afford to miss this once-in-a-generation opportunity to help Main Street businesses grow and create jobs. Gil White, West Virginia state director of the NFIB The Intelligencer Wheeling News-Register EditorialIf approved, perhaps this week, by both chambers, the [Tax Cuts and Jobs Act] would go to President Donald Trump for his signature. If that happens, it would be an early Christmas present for virtually all Americans Lawmakers should approve the compromise bill. Americans deserve more jobs. We have earned tax relief for ourselves. West Virginia Governor Jim JusticePresident Trump is continuing to keep his promise to Americans to help grow our country by providing our average families with significant tax relief. By simplifying and streamlining the tax filing process it lifts a huge burden off of the middle class. Higher standard deductions and lower rates for businesses will also encourage economic growth and the creation of jobs. I urge our Congressional representatives to vote for this tax reform package so President Trump can sign it into law.West Virginia Oil Marketers & Grocers Association (OMEGA)This is critical and transformative legislation that will help state residents and businesses. The relief provided in the federal tax reform legislation will allow West Virginians to keep more of their hard earned money while providing businesses the opportunity to invest in their people and products. We appreciate the efforts of our leaders in Congress to bring this bill to fruition and look forward to its implementation in 2018. Traci Nelson, president of OMEGA National Mining Association (NMA)The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act contains reforms that will drive job creation and retention in U.S. mining Together, these pro-growth policies will stimulate investment that will lead to more good jobs for American workers, more affordable energy from the nation's world-leading coal supply and sustainable mineral production that we need for manufacturing, infrastructure improvements and new technologies. Hal Quinn, president and chief executive officer of NMA West Virginia Senate President Mitch CarmichaelFor the first time in more than 30 years, the opportunity has arrived: We have a chance to deliver tax relief to millions of working families, create a fairer and simpler tax code for all Americans, and deliver significant tax relief to small businesses, which are truly the foundation of our economy West Virginians stand to benefit tremendously from this tax relief.West Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Tim ArmsteadPresident Trump and leaders in Congress are working diligently on a massive rewrite of our federal tax code. Its the most aggressive tax reform proposal weve seen since the Reagan administration, and it would have tremendous benefits for our state Now I hope Congress will quickly move on [the presidents] plan to bring prosperity and hope to all sectors of our economy.Americans for Prosperity[Senator Capitos] support means that West Virginians are one step closer to bigger paychecks, more jobs, and a truly historic chance at enhanced prosperity Americans will see the many benefits of tax reform in their larger paychecks and in the ability of their neighbors and friends to better live out their version of the American dream. Jason Huffman, state director of the West Virginia chapter of Americans for Prosperity With so many voicing their support for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the choice is clear: A vote for this pro-growth tax reform legislation is a vote for West Virginians. As Senator Capito said on the Senate floor last week: Its time to seize this once-in-a-generation opportunity. It is time now to get tax reform across the finish line. And it is time to send this pro-growth legislation to President Trumps desk. Families, workers and small businesses in West Virginia and across this country are counting on us. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/12/19/2017/manchin-releases-weekly-energy-report-,MANCHIN RELEASES WEEKLY ENERGY REPORT,2017-12-19,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 19, 2017 MANCHIN RELEASES WEEKLY ENERGY REPORT Washington, D.C. Today U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released a report detailing the price and production levels of coal as well as natural gas prices in Appalachia and nationally. For the week ending December 9, 2017, estimated U.S. coal production totaled approximately 15.5 million short tons. This production estimate is roughly 1% lower than last weeks estimate and 0.4% higher than the production estimate in the comparable week in 2016. Read Senator Manchins full reportclick here. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-and-capito-announce-more-than-12-million-for-west-virginia-head-start-programs,MANCHIN AND CAPITO ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $1.2 MILLION FOR WEST VIRGINIA HEAD START PROGRAMS,2017-12-19,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 19, 2017 MANCHIN AND CAPITO ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $1.2 MILLION FOR WEST VIRGINIA HEAD START PROGRAMS Washington, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) announced $1,231,457 in funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) to support Head Start programs in Raleigh County. Head Start allows the children of West Virginia access to early education that is vital to their development, Senator Manchin said. These funds will support the programs in Raleigh County, and Im excited for the continued investment in the educational foundation of our children. As a supporter of Head Start, I am glad this funding is coming to southern West Virginia,Senator Capito said.Early childhood education is important for emotional and cognitive development, and programs like this can help give West Virginia children a leg up. Individual awards are: $1,231,457 Raleigh County Community Action Association, Inc. # # # Print Email Tweet Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-sends-recommendations-on-combating-opioid-epidemic-to-west-virginia-dhhr-for-use-in-response-plan,MANCHIN SENDS RECOMMENDATIONS ON COMBATING OPIOID EPIDEMIC TO WEST VIRGINIA DHHR FOR USE IN RESPONSE PLAN,2017-12-19,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 19, 2017 MANCHIN SENDS RECOMMENDATIONS ON COMBATING OPIOID EPIDEMIC TO WEST VIRGINIA DHHR FOR USE IN RESPONSE PLAN Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) sent a letter to Bill Crouch, Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), proposing recommendations for West Virginias response plan to combat the opioid crisis. Last month, the DHHR announced the development of an opioid response plan through public engagement and collaboration with experts that will be presented to Governor Jim Justice and the West Virginia Legislature in January 2018. Senator Manchin said in part: Given the deadly impact of this epidemic, I am pleased to see West Virginia moving forward to develop a response plan to combat the opioid epidemic. As a former Governor and current United States Senator of our great state, I wanted to share a few commonsense recommendations for the panel to consider. I have been on the frontlines of this battle for many years and some progress is being made, but now more than ever, we need to double down and fight to save the lives of our fellow West Virginians. In the letter, Senator Manchin made three recommendations for the panel to consider: Empower regulators to go after bad actors: prescribers, pharmacies, distributors, and pharmaceutical companies that are contributing to the flood of opioid pills in West Virginias communities. Adopt mandatory prescriber education about the dangers of opioids and the risks of addiction and overdose deaths. Issue a State of Emergency declaration to provide additional flexibility in accessing the resources needed to address the opioid crisis. Read the full letter below or click here: Dear Secretary Crouch: As you know, we lost more than 33,000 Americans to opioid overdoses in 2015 alone and early estimates indicate that that number was even higher in 2016. Our state of West Virginia has been the hardest hit state in the country: in 2016, we lost more than 700 West Virginians to an opioid overdose. This epidemic has devastated our communities and torn families apart. That is why it is so important that we all work together to take steps to end this crisis. Given the deadly impact of this epidemic, I am pleased to see West Virginia moving forward to develop a response plan to combat the opioid epidemic. As a former Governor and current United States Senator of our great state, I wanted to share a few commonsense recommendations for the panel to consider. I have been on the frontlines of this battle for many years and some progress is being made, but now more than ever, we need to double down and fight to save the lives of our fellow West Virginians. First, I urge you to use every authority that you have to empower regulators, including the West Virginia Board of Medicine and the Board of Pharmacy, to go after bad actors: those prescribers, pharmacies, distributors, and pharmaceutical companies that are contributing to the flood of opioid pills in West Virginias communities. These individuals and companies are doing incredible harm to our state and should not be allowed to continue to practice. I have been working at the federal level to ensure that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other federal agencies have the authorities that they need to stop irresponsible opioid prescribing and distribution, but we all must work together at every level of government to end the flow of unnecessary opioids coming to our state. Second, I urge you to adopt mandatory prescriber education about the dangers of opioids and the risks of addiction and overdose deaths. Too many well-meaning medical professionals have had insufficient training on opioids, including effective pain management alternatives and the risks of substance use disorders. I have introduced a bill in the Senate that would require prescribers in every state to receive 3 hours of training to qualify for a DEA license, and I have pushed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require prescriber training for opioid prescribers, but West Virginia can take that step now and lead the way for the rest of the country to follow. Finally, I urge the Governor and the State Legislature to issue a State of Emergency declaration. While West Virginia is not the only state impacted by the opioid crisis, we have been hit particularly hard and lead the nation in the number of people dying each year from an overdose. This declaration would provide the state additional flexibility in accessing the resources needed to address this crisis. Several states have already issued a State of Emergency declaration, including our neighbors in Maryland and Virginia. This has enabled them to tap into previously unavailable funding, increase access to the overdose-reserving drug naloxone, and get more people into treatment. We need to make sure that every available resource is being utilized to its maximum value. I am committed to doing everything that I can to address this crisis and look forward to working with you and sharing additional ideas for steps that we must take at the local, state, and federal levels to rebuild our communities and save lives. Only working together can we stop this deadly epidemic. Again, thank you for the work that you are doing to raise awareness and to promote commonsense solutions to address stop the opioid crisis. Too many people in our communities are losing their lives, families, and futures to opioids and we must do everything in our power to help them. I look forward to continuing to work with you. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sens-manchin-moran-call-for-bipartisan-legislative-solution-to-protect-free-and-open-internet-promote-rural-broadband-access,"Sens. Manchin, Moran Call for Bipartisan Legislative Solution to Protect Free and Open Internet, Promote Rural Broadband Access",2017-12-18,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 18, 2017 Sens. Manchin, Moran Call for Bipartisan Legislative Solution to Protect Free and Open Internet, Promote Rural Broadband Access Washington, D.C.U.S. SenatorsJoe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance, and Data Security, today issued the following statement: As senators who have been working to close the digital divide, we believe federal policy must continue to promote the expansion of broadband access across rural America. Consumers and innovators deserve clear rules of the road that will continue to ensure the internet remains an open marketplace, will drive our online economy and will support investment throughout our internet ecosystem. To that end, we agree with the calls of Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Thune and our colleagues on both sides of the aisle that we must find bipartisan consensus that codifies strong net neutrality protections and conclusively resolves this debate. Consumers want an internet that is free of content-based discrimination and supports the deployment of reliable, affordable broadband access throughout the country. Congress enshrining net neutrality protections based on clear and certain rules into law is necessary to guarantee the internet remains free and open. # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://evanjenkins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-jenkins-statement-tax-cuts-jobs-act,REP. JENKINS STATEMENT ON TAX CUTS & JOBS ACT,2017-12-15,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Evan Jenkins,J000297,evanjenkins.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) issued the following statement today on the House and Senate agreement on the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act: The work the House and Senate have done over the past weeks has strengthened this legislation. The Tax Cuts & Jobs Act preserves important West Virginia priorities, including the mortgage interest deduction, the historic tax credit and the medical expenses deduction. I personally advocated for West Virginias priorities and worked with leadership to make sure they were included in the final bill. Ive made the conference report and a summary available on my website so West Virginians can join me in carefully reviewing the bill before next weeks vote, Rep. Jenkins said. The conference report and a two-page summary are available on Rep. Jenkins website at https://evanjenkins.house.gov/issues/tax-reform. Under this bill, a family of four earning the median family income of $73,000 will receive a tax cut of $2,059. It also protects coal jobs by repealing the alternative minimum tax, which prevents investment in new equipment for mines. Additionally, it preserves critical deductions and credits, including: Medical expense deductions Historic tax credits Tax-free graduate school tuition waivers Student loan interest deductions Mortgage interest deductions State and local tax deductions Deductions for teachers buying classroom supplies Adoption tax credits.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mckinley.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1198,McKinley Secures Crucial Tax Reform Victories,2017-12-15,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,David McKinley,M001180,mckinley.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, a joint House and Senate conference committee released the final version of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The final bill includes several provisions championed by Congressman David B. McKinley, P.E., (WV-1). Throughout this process, our office sought to get the best deal possible for West Virginians. Even after the House passed the tax reform bill and started negotiations with the Senate on the final version, we pushed to make sure our priorities were addressed. We did not take our eye off the ball, said McKinley. Through perseverance, we successfully worked to maintain the Historic Preservation Tax Credit, education credits that will make college more affordable and clean coal research credits, and successfully removed provisions that would cost local jobs. I applaud Chairman Kevin Brady and the negotiators on the conference committee for taking action on these critical issues. This plan will deliver much needed relief for middle income families and make our tax code fairer and simpler, McKinley added. This is a historic moment for the American people. Our legislation to finally reform America's broken tax code will deliver more jobs, bigger paychecks, and fairer taxes to hardworking families and job creators throughout the country, said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX). I'm grateful to Congressman McKinley for his leadership on the Historic Tax Creditand for his work in support of making pro-growth, pro-family tax reform a reality for the American people. Background McKinley successfully worked with House leadership to ensure that the tax reform package retains the Historic Preservation Tax Credit, critical clean coal research credits, higher education credits and a full repeal of the corporate alternative minimum tax. The Historic Preservation Tax Credit has directly aided in the revitalization of Main Streets and rural communities nationwide. Over 40% of the projects using this credit have been in rural communities, breathing new life into their downtowns and attracting investment. The Historic Tax Credit pays for itself, generates $29.8 billion in tax revenue and brings in $1.18 for every dollar spent. To ensure its inclusion, McKinley: Had more than a dozen contacts with leadership in the House, Senate, and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady Secured a promise from Chairman Brady on the House floor that the credit would be included in the final version. Led a bipartisan letter with 32 other Members voicing support for its inclusion. The corporate alternative minimum tax would have had devastating impacts on the coal industry. Coal companies invest heavily in new equipment, oftentimes doing so with large borrowing costs. The industry is very capital-intensive, with many leveraged employers. If the corporateAMT had remained in the tax code, paired with new limits on interest deductibility, many companies would have had a higher tax burden. To ensure this tax was removed from the final version, McKinley organized a letter to leadership with 26 members. McKinley signed onto a letter with 31 other Members requesting leadership to include the qualified tuition reductions and tuition assistance from employers provisions in the final tax reform bill. These provisions make college more affordable and ensure that our students aren't starting out in the workforce saddled with large amounts of debt. For more information about our releases, please contact (202) 225-4172",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-manchin-urge-congressional-leadership-to-commit-resources-to-opioid-epidemic,"Capito, Manchin Urge Congressional Leadership to Commit Resources to Opioid Epidemic",2017-12-15,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.15.17 Capito, Manchin Urge Congressional Leadership to Commit Resources to Opioid Epidemic WASHINGTON, D.C. As the nations opioid epidemic continues to ravage communities across the country, U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today joined a bipartisan group of senators in calling on Senate leadership to provide states with the resources they need to tackle this ongoing public health emergency. In their letter, the bipartisan group urge Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to include additional funding dedicated to addressing the crisis in the upcoming supplemental and omnibus appropriations legislation. Opioid misuse is not a partisan issue. It is ravaging communities in every state and preys upon individuals and families regardless of party affiliation, the senators wrote. We have worked together on this issue in the past, and with the clear statement from [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Acting Secretary Eric Hargan] that the administration is looking for Congress to lead the way, it is time for us to work together again. As the Senate considers pending supplemental and omnibus appropriation legislation, please make every effort to ensure that new, substantial and sustained funding for the opioid epidemic is included in any legislative package. Other senators signing the letter include U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Angus King (I-Maine) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.). The full text of the letter is below, and a PDF is available here. Dear Majority Leader McConnell and Democratic Leader Schumer: We write today to discuss our Nations opioid misuse epidemic and the urgent need for Congress to provide our states with the resources they need to deal with this public health emergency. In light of recent statements from the administration asking Congress to act on this issue, we believe the upcoming supplemental and omnibus appropriations legislation present significant opportunities for additional funding. As you are aware, the opioid misuse epidemic is taking a toll on individuals, families and communities across the Nation. It is tearing apart families and straining the resources of local governments, law enforcement and public health agencies. Although we are pleased by the recent declaration of the epidemic as a public health emergency, that action needs to be coupled with adequate, sustained resources. On December 4, Acting HHS Secretary Eric Hargan stated that the administration is looking forward to hearing from Congress about how they intend to address this. That means it is up to us to act. We urge you to advance a spending package that will provide substantial new resources for our families and our communities who have waited too long for help. Although the measures in the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), the 21st Century Cures legislation and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 were important first steps, we must now build upon those efforts to ensure that states have adequate resources for first responders, enforcement, prevention efforts and treatment and recovery services. We must also provide more resources for research into addiction and pain, to gain a better understanding of the disease and develop innovative new treatments for substance misuse. Opioid misuse is not a partisan issue. It is ravaging communities in every state and preys upon individuals and families regardless of party affiliation. We have worked together on this issue in the past, and with the clear statement from Acting Secretary Hargan that the administration is looking for Congress to lead the way, it is time for us to work together again. As the Senate considers pending supplemental and omnibus appropriation legislation, please make every effort to ensure that new, substantial and sustained funding for the opioid epidemic is included in any legislative package. Thank you and we look forward to working with you to ensure that our communities receive the resources they need to effectively address this national crisis. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-applauds-new-bridge-of-hope-scholarship-program-for-people-in-recover,MANCHIN APPLAUDS NEW ‘BRIDGE OF HOPE’ SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE IN RECOVERY,2017-12-15,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 15, 2017 MANCHIN APPLAUDS NEW BRIDGE OF HOPE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE IN RECOVERY Charleston, W.Va. Today at Recovery Point Charleston, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin joined representatives from Fruth Pharmacy and the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation to unveil a new program, Bridge of Hope, that will provide scholarships for people in recovery to seek education and job training. Today is about people right here in West Virginia who want to make a change, who have made a change, and who want a bright future, Senator Manchin said. These scholarships will give those who have battled and overcome addiction the boost and support they need to take that next step to go the extra mile and get the education or training that will allow them to achieve their dreams. Fruth Pharmacy committed $20,000 to start the program and, in partnership with the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation, is working with Recovery Point, the Charleston and Huntington Health Departments, Cabell Huntington Hospital and others across the health care and recovery spectrum in West Virginia to reach as many people as possible. So far, donations to the program have reached $100,000. The key to complete recovery is to bridge the gap of training and education needed for people to secure meaningful employment, feel better about themselves, and become an active and contributing member of our communities, said Lynne Fruth, President of Fruth Pharmacy. Bridge of Hope will help individuals who are in sustained recovery obtain a college degree or job training. The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation will administer the fund and the application process. People in recovery can apply for scholarship help to access training in trades like carpentry, HVAC and welding or certification in areas like cosmetology or massage therapy. Scholarships for two- and four-year degrees will also be available. ### Print Email Tweet Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-capito-urge-congressional-leadership-to-commit-resources-to-opioid-epidemic,"Manchin, Capito Urge Congressional Leadership to Commit Resources to Opioid Epidemic",2017-12-15,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 15, 2017 Manchin, Capito Urge Congressional Leadership to Commit Resources to Opioid Epidemic WASHINGTON, D.C. As the nations opioid epidemic continues to ravage communities across the country, U.S. SenatorsJoe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today joined a bipartisan group of senators in calling on Senate leadership to provide states with the resources they need to tackle this ongoing public health emergency. In their letter, the bipartisan group urge Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to include additional funding dedicated to addressing the crisis in the upcoming supplemental and omnibus appropriations legislation. Opioid misuse is not a partisan issue. It is ravaging communities in every state and preys upon individuals and families regardless of party affiliation, the senators wrote. We have worked together on this issue in the past, and with the clear statement from [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Acting Secretary Eric Hargan] that the administration is looking for Congress to lead the way, it is time for us to work together again. As the Senate considers pending supplemental and omnibus appropriation legislation, please make every effort to ensure that new, substantial and sustained funding for the opioid epidemic is included in any legislative package. Other senators signing the letter include U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Angus King (I-Maine) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.). The full text of the letter is below, and a PDF is available here. Dear Majority Leader McConnell and Democratic Leader Schumer: We write today to discuss our Nations opioid misuse epidemic and the urgent need for Congress to provide our states with the resources they need to deal with this public health emergency. In light of recent statements from the administration asking Congress to act on this issue, we believe the upcoming supplemental and omnibus appropriations legislation present significant opportunities for additional funding. As you are aware, the opioid misuse epidemic is taking a toll on individuals, families and communities across the Nation. It is tearing apart families and straining the resources of local governments, law enforcement and public health agencies. Although we are pleased by the recent declaration of the epidemic as a public health emergency, that action needs to be coupled with adequate, sustained resources. On December 4, Acting HHS Secretary Eric Hargan stated that the administration is looking forward to hearing from Congress about how they intend to address this. That means it is up to us to act. We urge you to advance a spending package that will provide substantial new resources for our families and our communities who have waited too long for help. Although the measures in the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), the 21st Century Cures legislation and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 were important first steps, we must now build upon those efforts to ensure that states have adequate resources for first responders, enforcement, prevention efforts and treatment and recovery services. We must also provide more resources for research into addiction and pain, to gain a better understanding of the disease and develop innovative new treatments for substance misuse. Opioid misuse is not a partisan issue. It is ravaging communities in every state and preys upon individuals and families regardless of party affiliation. We have worked together on this issue in the past, and with the clear statement from Acting Secretary Hargan that the administration is looking for Congress to lead the way, it is time for us to work together again. As the Senate considers pending supplemental and omnibus appropriation legislation, please make every effort to ensure that new, substantial and sustained funding for the opioid epidemic is included in any legislative package. Thank you and we look forward to working with you to ensure that our communities receive the resources they need to effectively address this national crisis. # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://evanjenkins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-jenkins-statement-tax-bill-agreement,REP. JENKINS STATEMENT ON TAX BILL AGREEMENT,2017-12-14,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Evan Jenkins,J000297,evanjenkins.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) issued the following statement on the news that the House and Senate have reached a deal on historic tax reform legislation: “This agreement is welcome news for West Virginians as we go into the holiday season. Next week, we will be voting on historic tax cuts that will create more jobs and put more money in the pockets of West Virginia’s families. I will carefully and thoughtfully read the final legislation to make sure it meets our goals of lowering taxes, creating jobs, and growing our economy.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-capito-discusses-need-to-get-tax-reform-across-the-finish-line,VIDEO: Capito Discusses Need to Get Tax Reform Across the Finish Line,2017-12-14,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.14.17 VIDEO: Capito Discusses Need to Get Tax Reform Across the Finish Line Highlights supportive statements from West Virginians WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today spoke on the Senate floor to deliver the latest in a series of speeches on the need to pass comprehensive pro-growth tax reformhighlighting supportive statements from West Virginia families, manufacturers and small businesses and illustrating how it will benefit the state. Today, we are closer than ever before to getting comprehensive pro-growth tax reform across the finish line, Senator Capito said. Throughout the processwhenever Ive been back home in West VirginiaIve heard from constituents, friends, strangers who are really rooting for this effort; and theyre rooting for it because they understand what a difference it will make in their lives. For a video of Senator Capitos full remarks, click here or on the image above. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://mckinley.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=2976,West Virginia congressmen urge CHIP reauthorization in letter,2017-12-13,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,David McKinley,M001180,mckinley.house.gov,,,legacy,"West Virginia’s congressional representatives are urging the Senate to pass legislation reauthorizing funding for the federal program that provides health care insurance for children and their families. Reps. David McKinley, Alex Mooney and Evan Jenkins sent a letter Monday to Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, to pass a long-term deal regarding the Children’s Health Insurance Program. The program provides insurance for families with incomes that are too high to qualify for Medicaid, and nine million children nationally are covered. More than 21,000 children in West Virginia have health insurance coverage through CHIP. The state adopted a state version in 1998. “Central Appalachia is largely rural, with access to care issues common in rural, remote areas. That makes CHIP even more imperative, as it encourages and promotes access to preventative and primary care for so many of our constituents,” the congressmen wrote to Hatch, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance. To read the rest of the article, click here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-calls-on-fda-and-dea-to-consider-rescheduling-nerve-pain-medication-that-has-been-connected-to-overdose-deaths-in-west-virginia-,MANCHIN CALLS ON FDA AND DEA TO CONSIDER RESCHEDULING NERVE-PAIN MEDICATION THAT HAS BEEN CONNECTED TO OVERDOSE DEATHS IN WEST VIRGINIA,2017-12-13,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 13, 2017 MANCHIN CALLS ON FDA AND DEA TO CONSIDER RESCHEDULING NERVE-PAIN MEDICATION THAT HAS BEEN CONNECTED TO OVERDOSE DEATHS IN WEST VIRGINIA Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) sent a letter to Scott Gottlieb, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Robert Patterson, Acting Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), asking the administrations to consider rescheduling and requiring additional risk mitigation for the drug gabapentin, a nerve-pain medication labeled as a drug of concern by the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy. Senator Manchin said in part: While our focus is appropriately on the devastating impact of prescription opioids, there are other prescription drugs that are also contributing to this crisis. In fact, the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy recently designated the nerve-pain medication gabapentin as a drug of concern after the number of overdose deaths related to the drug increased from 36 in 2012 to 106 in 2016. Though gabapentin is currently listed as a Schedule V drug under the United States Controlled Substances Act, West Virginia is not the only state raising concerns about this drug; officials in Kentucky and Ohio have also increased regulation on and surveillance of gabapentin. In the letter, Senator Manchin asked the FDA and DEA heads to answer the following questions: Are the FDA and DEA currently investigating the rise in abuse of gabapentin and related overdose deaths? Are the FDA and DEA considering rescheduling this drug given the larger public health impact and the potential for abuse when taken with other dangerous medications? Is the FDA considering implementing new REMS for gabapentin to ensure that prescribers and patients are fully aware of the danger of this drug when taken with other medications, including opioids? Read the full letter below or click here: Dear Dr. Gottlieb and Acting Administrator Patterson: As 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. We lost 884 West Virginians to a drug overdose last year alone. Families and communities in my state and around the country are reeling. While our focus is appropriately on the devastating impact of prescription opioids, there are other prescription drugs that are also contributing to this crisis. In fact, the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy recently designated the nerve-pain medication gabapentin as a drug of concern after the number of overdose deaths related to the drug increased from 36 in 2012 to 106 in 2016. Though gabapentin is currently listed as a Schedule V drug under the United States Controlled Substances Act, West Virginia is not the only state raising concerns about this drug; officials in Kentucky and Ohio have also increased regulation on and surveillance of gabapentin. A recent study highlighted the increase in abuse of gabapentin. The researchers found that 20% of the patients tested were using gabapentin without a prescription and the significant majority of those patients were using other prescription drugs including opioids, benzodiazepines, and others. The authors of the study concluded: Until recently, it was considered to have little potential for abuse however this review has shown that a significant amount of patients are taking Gabapentin without physician consent. This could be due to the fact that recent studies have revealed that Gabapentin may potentiate the high obtained from other central nervous system acting drugs. Given the recent rise in overdose deaths associated with gabapentin and the studies funding increased abuse of this drug, I am urging the FDA and the DEA to consider rescheduling this drug and requiring additional risk mitigation measures including physician and patient education around the potential for abuse, addiction, and overdose deaths when this drug is prescribed and used with other dangerous medications, including opioids. I ask that you provide answers to the following questions: Are the FDA and DEA currently investigating the rise in abuse of gabapentin and related overdose deaths? Are the FDA and DEA considering rescheduling this drug given the larger public health impact and the potential for abuse when taken with other dangerous medications? Is the FDA considering implementing new REMS for gabapentin to ensure that prescribers and patients are fully aware of the danger of this drug when taken with other medications, including opioids? ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://evanjenkins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-jenkins-urges-senate-reauthorize-chip,REP. JENKINS URGES SENATE TO REAUTHORIZE CHIP,2017-12-12,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Evan Jenkins,J000297,evanjenkins.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) has led a letter from the West Virginia House delegation urging the Senate to pass a long-term CHIP reauthorization and give families peace of mind this holiday season. In the letter to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Reps. Jenkins, David McKinley and Alex Mooney wrote of the importance of CHIP to West Virginia and Appalachia. “Central Appalachia is largely rural, with access to care issues common in rural, remote areas. That makes CHIP even more imperative, as it encourages and promotes access to preventative and primary care for so many of our constituents. As of fiscal year 2016, about 1 million children in Central Appalachian states were enrolled in CHIP,” they wrote. West Virginia officials have said the state has enough funding for CHIP through March 2018, but quick action remains imperative. The House passed a five-year reauthorization bill in November, but the full Senate has yet to take up a CHIP reauthorization bill. “We must find a solution to guarantee stability and to guarantee that no child goes without health insurance. We must come together and finish the work of Congress and reauthorize CHIP,” they wrote. A PDF of the letter is available here. The full text of the letter is below. December 11, 2017 Senator Orrin Hatch Chairman Senate Committee on Finance 104 Hart Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Chairman Hatch, As members of the House of Representatives who represent Central Appalachia congressional districts, we ask you to quickly pass the long-term CHIP reauthorization to give our families and children peace of mind as we approach the holiday season. Your leadership on CHIP and ensuring that millions of children receive quality health insurance and care is truly commendable, and we stand ready to work with you to pass this bill and send it to the president. Central Appalachia is largely rural, with access to care issues common in rural, remote areas. That makes CHIP even more imperative, as it encourages and promotes access to preventative and primary care for so many of our constituents. As of fiscal year 2016, about 1 million children in Central Appalachian states were enrolled in CHIP.[1] The House of Representatives passed the CHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS Act, H.R. 3922, which extended CHIP for five years. Additionally, Congress has voted to provide more time to reach a long-term solution by including a short-term funding fix for CHIP in the continuing resolution passed on December 7, 2017. According to a Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) issue brief, many of our states will exhaust CHIP funds early next year.[2] We must find a solution to guarantee stability and to guarantee that no child goes without health insurance. We must come together and finish the work of Congress and reauthorize CHIP. CHIP has been a lifeline to so many in Central Appalachia, and passing this legislation must remain a priority. In our state of West Virginia, reauthorizing CHIP will give certainty to so many going in to the new year. The work you have done on CHIP has helped many families in our region, and we are ready to work with you to finalize legislation and reauthorization this program. Sincerely, Evan H. Jenkins                                                          David B. McKinley, P.E. Alex Mooney   [1] CMS Medicaid “Reports and Evaluations Annual Enrollment Reports: 2016 Number of Children Ever Enrolled Report” [2] MACPAC “Federal CHIP Funding: When Will States Exhaust Allotments?” July 2017",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/pentagon-begins-audit-in-response-to-manchin-led-effort_,PENTAGON BEGINS AUDIT IN RESPONSE TO MANCHIN LED EFFORT,2017-12-12,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 12, 2017 PENTAGON BEGINS AUDIT IN RESPONSE TO MANCHIN LED EFFORT Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) applauded the Department of Defense’s decision to begin auditing the Pentagon, an effort led by Senator Manchin since 2012. Senator Manchin has introduced the Audit the Pentagon Act in the 112th Congress, 113th Congress and the 114th Congress and included audit language in the National Defense Authorization Act that President Trump signed today. “The United States of America has – and will continue to have – the greatest military in the world. However, at a time when our federal government’s finances are out of control, we need to make sure that we are cutting the fat and not the muscle from our Defense Department so that we will continue to maintain our great military strength,” Senator Manchin said. “We must ensure that we’re using our limited resources most efficiently to support the men and women in uniform. One of best ways to find the most accurate information about our military’s spending and priorities is to shed light on the Department of Defense budget without jeopardizing our national security secrets. I have always said it is unacceptable that the Department of Defense is the only major federal agency that has not completed a financial audit and I am glad that we are finally setting it right. I have beat this drum for five years and I applaud Secretary Mattis and Comptroller Norquist for getting this process started.” Section 9 of Article I of the Constitution of the United States requires all agencies of the Federal Government, including the Department of Defense, to publish “a regular statement and account of the receipts and expenditures of all public money”. The Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990 mandated that all federal departments produce unqualified annual financial statements by 1992. The Department of Defense is the only federal department that has not complied with this law. The National Defense Authorization Act of 2014 mandated that the Secretary of Defense perform a full audit of the fiscal year 2018 financial statements of the Department of Defense and submit the results to Congress by March 31, 2019. Key Findings in the Department of Defense’s failure to complete a clean audit opinion: The Department of Defense did not publish an auditable spending statement before March 1, 1997. Every year since 1995, the Government Accountability Office has labeled the Department of Defense “High Risk” for waste, fraud, abuse and mismanagement due to the agency’s inability to adequately manage its funds. In September 2010, it was determined that the nearly $6 billion spent to improve financial information was not successful and the Government Accountability Office could not predict when the DoD would be able to provide these financial statements. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-announces-final-mobile-office-hours-for-2017,Capito Announces Final Mobile Office Hours for 2017,2017-12-11,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.11.17 Capito Announces Final Mobile Office Hours for 2017 Meet with Capito staff in Mineral, Hampshire and Pendleton counties CHARLESTON, W.Va. U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today announced new mobile office dates throughout West Virginia for the remainder of this month. Members of Senator Capitos staff will be available to provide constituents one-on-one assistance with casework and other issues they may be experiencing with federal agencies. Appointments are not required but are encouraged and can be made by visiting Senator Capitos mobile office page on her website. Mobile office schedule for December 14-20, 2017: Thursday, December 14, 2017 Mineral County 11:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Frankfort District Senior Center 10 Summit Drive Short Gap, WV 26753 Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Hampshire County 11:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Capon Valley View Senior Center Christian Church Road High View, WV 26711 Wednesday, December 20, 2017 Pendleton County 11:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Franklin Senior Center 231 Mill Road Franklin, WV 26807 # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-highlights-progress-in-connecting-west-virginia,Capito Highlights Progress in Connecting West Virginia,2017-12-11,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.11.17 Capito Highlights Progress in Connecting West Virginia WASHINGTON, D.C. In an op-ed for The State Journal, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) discusses her efforts to tackle the states broadband issue. Through her Capito Connect plan, she has made a significant difference in bringing new opportunities and investments for connectivity in the Mountain State. Connecting our communities wont happen overnight, but we are headed in the right direction. This goal is not only achievable, but it is critical for our state to compete and thrive today, and my Capito Connect plan is bringing us closer to bridging the digital divide, Senator Capito wrote. View the op-ed here and below. Connecting West Virginia: What Weve Done, Where Were GoingBy U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) The State JournalDecember 11, 2017 Now more than ever, broadband is a powerful tool that is necessary for West Virginia students and businesses to be able to compete in a global digital economy. Not only does it allow us to browse the internet, and connect with friends and family, but it has the ability to create opportunities that lead to new jobs and higher wages, providing the momentum West Virginias economy needs. Whether youre a small business owner looking to develop your online presence and reach a broader audience, or a teacher who needs to send a homework assignment to students who missed a class, broadband access is critical in todays world. It keeps us connected, has the ability to break down barriers and lead to significant economic growth. Unfortunately, the digital divide between rural and urban America is growing, and West Virginia is at the bottom of the pack, ranking 48thin the nation for broadband accessibility. Additionally, about 30 percent of West Virginians lack access to broadband that meets the FCCs standards. This is simply unacceptable and rural America deserves better. Since day one, connecting West Virginia has been a top priority of mine. And one way I have been working to accomplish this is through my Capito Connect plan, which I launched in 2015 to serve as a roadmap for bringing affordable, high-speed internet access to homes, businesses and classrooms in West Virginia. The three-part plan accomplishes this goal by understanding the benefits of connectivity, fostering collaboration between government and the private sector and promoting economic growth through innovation. Since launching this initiative, I have taken several steps to increase connectivity and bridge the digital divide. Ive heard from thousands of West Virginians during a state-wide listening tour, hosted several roundtable discussions, released a guidebook to help our communities understand the federal resources available, and coached West Virginians on these opportunities. Capito Connect has also helped on a larger scale with projects like in 2015 when I announced a new provider for a cell tower in Paw Paw, or just a few months ago when I announced a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide access in Barbour, Randolph and Upshur Counties. Capito Connect is making a difference and connecting thousands of West Virginians. But Capito Connect is not the only avenue I am using to bridge the digital divide. My roles on both the Appropriations and Commerce Committees put me in a strong position to advocate for policies that will help West Virginia, especially when it comes to connectivity. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I have identified new funding for broadband and strengthened federal programs. Just this past summer, I helped advance two Appropriations bills out of committee that include resources to expand rural broadband access and support efforts like Capito Connect. During several Commerce Committee hearings, I questioned Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao on broadband deployment, and asked Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to work together with the U.S. Economic Development Administration to expand access in West Virginia. Ive raised these same issues directly with President Trump and Vice President Pence on numerous occasions as early as last year when I sent a letter to the president encouraging the administration to include broadband deployment as a core component of any infrastructure package. After sending this letter, I was glad to see that the administrations proposal will include a provision to expand rural broadband. On the policy side, I have introduced a number of legislative solutions, like theGigabit Opportunity (GO) Act, which helps rural and low-income communities access high-speed broadband that will ultimately lead to new investments to spur economic growth. Going forward, I am committed to continuing efforts to assure broadband data is accurate. Doing so will allow us to prioritize communities that need it most. The West Virginia Broadband Enhancement Council, who I have partnered with on this issue, is already addressing data accuracy with their broadband mapping tool, which provides interactive access to the states broadband availability. We have made a lot of progress, but there is still work to be done, and I am ready to build on this momentum. I look forward to continuing this important dialogue with the president and his administration, my colleagues on the Senate Broadband Caucus, and FCC officials, like Commissioner Ajit Pai who has visited West Virginia numerous times to witness the problem firsthand. By keeping the discussion going between various groups, we can bring more innovative solutions to the table. Connecting our communities wont happen overnight, but we are headed in the right direction. This goal is not only achievable, but it is critical for our state to compete and thrive today, and my Capito Connect plan is bringing us closer to bridging the digital divide. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/12/11/2017/manchin-releases-weekly-energy-report-,MANCHIN RELEASES WEEKLY ENERGY REPORT,2017-12-11,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 11, 2017 MANCHIN RELEASES WEEKLY ENERGY REPORT Washington, D.C. – Today U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released a report detailing the price and production levels of coal as well as natural gas prices in Appalachia and nationally. For the week ending December 2, 2017, estimated U.S. coal production totaled approximately 15.7 million short tons. This production estimate is roughly 11.6% lower than last week’s estimate and 9.0% lower than the production estimate in the comparable week in 2016. Read Senator Manchin’s full report click here. Print Email Tweet Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-launches-thisiswv-series-and-encourages-west-virginians-to-share-state-pride,MANCHIN LAUNCHES #ThisIsWV SERIES AND ENCOURAGES WEST VIRGINIANS TO SHARE STATE PRIDE,2017-12-11,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 11, 2017 MANCHIN LAUNCHES #ThisIsWV SERIES AND ENCOURAGES WEST VIRGINIANS TO SHARE STATE PRIDE Charleston, WV – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today launched a “This is West Virginia” series to highlight the best of the state, its people and communities. Senator Manchin is encouraging West Virginians to engage in the series by sharing what makes them proud of the Mountain State by posting photos, events, individual stories and commentaries using the hashtag #ThisIsWV. “When people who aren’t from West Virginia ask about our state, we jump at the chance to tell them who we are,” Senator Manchin said. “As West Virginians, we know how special our home is. And we know it’s our job to tell the world, ‘No, that’s not West Virginia. This is West Virginia. We are proud and patriotic. We are hard-working and compassionate. We have awe-inspiring sights and the best people you’ll ever meet. That’s who we are, and we hope you’ll come visit.’”  To launch the series, Senator Manchin released this video. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-bipartisan-group-introduce-bill-to-extend-availability-of-new-alzheimers-stamp,"Capito, Bipartisan Group Introduce Bill to Extend Availability of New Alzheimers Stamp",2017-12-08,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.08.17 Capito, Bipartisan Group Introduce Bill to Extend Availability of New Alzheimers Stamp WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) yesterday introduced legislation with Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) to authorize a new U.S. Postal Service Alzheimers research stamp for an additional six years. Revenue from sales of the recently unveiled 60 cent postal stamp go to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support Alzheimers research. The new stamp recently released by the U.S. Postal Service will be another source of funding for critically important Alzheimers research. By making that stamp available for an even longer period of time, we can further strengthen our efforts to fight Alzheimers, Senator Capito said. We have a long way to go in a fight that means so much to so many, and this bipartisan legislation is another step forward in finding a cure to this devastating disease. The senators announced the legislation at a press conference alongside U.S. Representatives Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) and Maxine Waters (D-Calif.)who introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives earlier this yearas well as Alzheimers researchers and advocates. The group spoke about the importance of research funding to help end Alzheimers, a progressive neurological disease that affects more than five million Americans. At the press conference, Drs. John Lazo and Beth Sharlow, Alzheimers researchers at the University of Virginia, highlighted the importance of building upon recent developments in Alzheimers research. Additionally, advocates Kathy Siggins of Maryland, Caitlin Moran of Washington, D.C., and Tom Misciagna of Virginia shared their personal experiences with Alzheimers disease and why the new Alzheimers stamp is important to raise awareness about the disease and help enhance research funding. For a copy of the legislation, click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-protects-funding-for-veterans-homeless-programs,Capito Protects Funding for Veterans Homeless Programs,2017-12-08,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.08.17 Capito Protects Funding for Veterans Homeless Programs WASHINGTON, D.C. Following calls from U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) to reverse course, this week, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it would not more forward with proposed cuts to programs that assist homeless veterans who are looking for housing and utilize additional services offered by the VA. Last month, Senator Capito and other members of the Senate Appropriations Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee wrote to VA Secretary David Shulkin urging him to not move forward with proposed cuts to critical veterans programs. Yesterday, Secretary Shulkin issued a statement saying there will be absolutely no change in the funding to support our homeless programs. Senator Capito issued this statement in response: A misguided proposal by the VA threatened critical funds to Veterans Homeless Programs.Along with my colleagues on the subcommittee who oversee the funding for the VA, I was able to ensure those who have earned our support are going to continue to receive it.For those who were willing to sacrifice for our freedoms, we should be doing more, not less. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mckinley.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=329,McKinley Praises EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt,2017-12-07,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,David McKinley,M001180,mckinley.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Congressman David B. McKinley, P.E., (WV-1) questioned Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt during his first appearance before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. This hearing follows recent EPA hearings in Charleston, WV, which were the first since the Obama Administration took office in 2009. share: f t Today, Congressman David B. McKinley, P.E., (WV-1) questioned Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt during his first appearance before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. This hearing follows recent EPA hearings in Charleston, WV, which were the first since the Obama Administration took office in 2009. For years I have invited the EPA to come to West Virginia and hear from us, as we have been bearing the burden from their harmful policies. They never accepted my invitations, and rural states like ours were left further behind. It's about time that bureaucrats in Washington took head of the damage their actions cause, said McKinley. Under Mr. Pruitt's leadership, the EPA has begun taking steps to undo the significant damage caused by Obama's regulatory overreach. Under his leadership, they've announced plans to withdraw the dangerous power plant regulations and moved to repeal the Waters of the U.S. rule. These actions will unleash America's energy potential, grow our economy and create jobs in rural states like West Virginia. I applaud Mr. Pruitt for his leadership, and look forward to seeing the EPA continue implementing its back-to-basics agenda, which focuses on greater collaboration with the states, McKinley added. Click hereto watch the hearing.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mooney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-alex-x-mooney-votes-protect-second-amendment,Congressman Alex X. Mooney Votes to Protect the Second Amendment,2017-12-07,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Alex Mooney,M001195,mooney.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Alex X. Mooney Votes to Protect the Second Amendment Today, Congressman Alex X. Mooney (WV-2) voted in favor of H.R. 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act to ensure that law abiding gun owners can transport their weapons across state lines. Congressman Mooney is also a cosponsor of the bill and released the following statement: “When I was elected to serve the people of the Second District of West Virginia, I made a promise to my constituents that I would protect their Second Amendment rights. Today’s vote is a fulfilment of that promise. For too long, law abiding gun owners have had their constitutional right to keep and bear arms hindered by government bureaucrats. This is a commonsense bill would implement concealed carry reciprocity in XX states. As a gun owner, right-to-carry permit holder, and recipient of a lifetime A+ NRA rating, I am fighting every day to protect our Second Amendment rights from Democratic attempts to pass ideological gun-control policies that make law-abiding citizens less free and less safe. The Constitution is clear that “…the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-bipartisan-senators-urge-extension-of-secure-rural-schools-program,"Capito, Bipartisan Senators Urge Extension of Secure Rural Schools Program",2017-12-07,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.07.17 Capito, Bipartisan Senators Urge Extension of Secure Rural Schools Program WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) joined a bipartisan group of senators in sending a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) urging them to include a reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Program in any end-of-year legislation. SRS supports public schools, public roads, forest health projects, emergency services and many other essential county services for more than 775 counties across the country. The SRS program expired on September 30, 2015, and it has not been reauthorized for FY16 or beyond. Forest counties and schools received their last authorized SRS payment in 2016. Without SRS, existing revenue-sharing payments are not sufficient to support critical services these counties must provide. The SRS program continues to be a critical safety-net for forest counties as we work to diversify rural economies, improve forest management and forest health, strengthen historic forest revenue sharing with local governments, and ensure that our forests provide a range of values such as clean water, jobs, and wood fiber for local economies, the senators wrote. In the interest of working together in a bipartisan way to support local rural communities, we ask that you include a reauthorization of Secure Rural Schools in any end-of-the-year legislation. We appreciate your assistance with this matter, they continued. In addition to Senator Capito, senators who signed the letter include: Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael F. Bennet (D-Colo.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-Pa.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.), Margaret Wood Hassan (D-N.H.), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Dean Heller (R-Nev.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Jeffery A. Merkley (D-Ore.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), James E. Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). Click here or read the full letter below: The Honorable Mitch McConnell Majority Leader, U.S. Senate U.S. Capitol, S-230 Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Chuck Schumer Minority Leader, U.S. Senate U.S. Capitol, S-221 Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Majority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Schumer: We write to strongly urge the inclusion of at least a two-year reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program, which enjoys tremendous bipartisan support, in any end-of-the-year legislation. On U.S. Forest Service land, the federal government has historically shared 25 percent of timber harvest revenues with counties to compensate for federal ownership. On certain land managed by the Department of Interior, the Bureau of Land Management shares 50 percent of the revenue from federal timber sales with counties. Due to declining timber harvests, a critical source of funding for rural counties, sometimes referred to as forest counties, has seen significant decreases, often decimating impacted county budgets. In 2000, Congress passed SRS with broad bipartisan support as a fiscal solution to help fund essential services resulting from the reduced revenue-sharing receipts. Since then, SRS has been a critical lifeline for over 775 counties in over 40 states across the country by helping fund more than 4,400 schools, road maintenance, law enforcement, and search and rescue operations. However, SRS authorization lapsed last year and rural counties are now back to simply receiving the timber revenue-sharing receipts. These receipts are up to 80 percent less than what forest counties received under SRS. We are now witnessing firsthand the hardships rural counties face as a result of SRS authorization lapsing. Without the certainty of SRS payments, schools, libraries, and jails are closing. Schools that remain open will see a reduction of teachers. Roads go unpaved and become unsafe. Mental and physical health services are scaled back or even ended. Fewer and fewer law enforcement officers are forced to patrol larger and larger areas. The SRS program continues to be a critical safety-net for forest counties as we work to diversify rural economies, improve forest management and forest health, strengthen historic forest revenue sharing with local governments, and ensure that our forests provide a range of values such as clean water, jobs, and wood fiber for local economies. In the interest of working together in a bipartisan way to support local rural communities, we ask that you include a reauthorization of Secure Rural Schools in any end-of-the-yearlegislation. We appreciate your assistance with this matter. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-bipartisan-senators-urge-extension-of-secure-rural-schools-program,"MANCHIN, BIPARTISAN SENATORS URGE EXTENSION OF SECURE RURAL SCHOOLS PROGRAM",2017-12-07,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 07, 2017 MANCHIN, BIPARTISAN SENATORS URGE EXTENSION OF SECURE RURAL SCHOOLS PROGRAM Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) joined a bipartisan group of 32 senators in sending a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), urging them to include a reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Program in any end-of-year legislation. SRS supports public schools, public roads, forest health projects, emergency services and many other essential county services for more than 775 counties across the country. The SRS program expired on September 30, 2015, and it has not been reauthorized for FY16 or beyond. Forest counties and schools received their last authorized SRS payment in 2016. Without SRS, existing revenue-sharing payments are not sufficient to support critical services these counties must provide. The Senators wrote in part: “The SRS program continues to be a critical safety-net for forest counties as we work to diversify rural economies, improve forest management and forest health, strengthen historic forest revenue sharing with local governments, and ensure that our forests provide a range of values such as clean water, jobs, and wood fiber for local economies. In the interest of working together in a bipartisan way to support local rural communities, we ask that you include a reauthorization of Secure Rural Schools in any end-of-the-year legislation. We appreciate your assistance with this matter. In addition to Senator Manchin, senators who signed the letter include: Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael F. Bennet (D-Colo.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-Pa.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.), Margaret Wood Hassan (D-N.H.), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Dean Heller (R-Nev.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Jeffery A. Merkley (D-Ore.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), James E. Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). Click here or read the full letter below: Dear Majority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Schumer: We write to strongly urge the inclusion of at least a two-year reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program, which enjoys tremendous bipartisan support, in any end-of-the-year legislation.  On U.S. Forest Service land, the federal government has historically shared 25 percent of timber harvest revenues with counties to compensate for federal ownership. On certain land managed by the Department of Interior, the Bureau of Land Management shares 50 percent of the revenue from federal timber sales with counties. Due to declining timber harvests, a critical source of funding for rural counties, sometimes referred to as “forest counties,” has seen significant decreases, often decimating impacted county budgets. In 2000, Congress passed SRS with broad bipartisan support as a fiscal solution to help fund essential services resulting from the reduced revenue-sharing receipts. Since then, SRS has been a critical lifeline for over 775 counties in over 40 states across the country by helping fund more than 4,400 schools, road maintenance, law enforcement, and search and rescue operations.  However, SRS authorization lapsed last year and rural counties are now back to simply receiving the timber revenue-sharing receipts. These receipts are up to 80 percent less than what forest counties received under SRS. We are now witnessing firsthand the hardships rural counties face as a result of SRS authorization lapsing. Without the certainty of SRS payments, schools, libraries, and jails are closing. Schools that remain open will see a reduction of teachers. Roads go unpaved and become unsafe. Mental and physical health services are scaled back or even ended. Fewer and fewer law enforcement officers are forced to patrol larger and larger areas.  The SRS program continues to be a critical safety-net for forest counties as we work to diversify rural economies, improve forest management and forest health, strengthen historic forest revenue sharing with local governments, and ensure that our forests provide a range of values such as clean water, jobs, and wood fiber for local economies.  In the interest of working together in a bipartisan way to support local rural communities, we ask that you include a reauthorization of Secure Rural Schools in any end-of-the-year legislation. We appreciate your assistance with this matter.   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-cornyn-introduce-skylars-law-to-save-children-like-skylar-neese-,"MANCHIN, CORNYN INTRODUCE SKYLAR’S LAW TO SAVE CHILDREN LIKE SKYLAR NEESE",2017-12-07,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 07, 2017 MANCHIN, CORNYN INTRODUCE SKYLAR’S LAW TO SAVE CHILDREN LIKE SKYLAR NEESE Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and John Cornyn (R-TX) today introduced “Skylar’s Law,” which will establish a national endangered missing advisory (EMA) communications network to enable immediate public notification for missing child cases that do not meet the strict criteria for issuance of an AMBER Alert system. In July of 2012, sixteen-year-old Skylar Neese went missing from her home in Morgantown, West Virginia. Even though Skylar’s parents were immediately alarmed at their daughter’s absence and insisted that Skylar would not have left home voluntarily, no AMBER Alert was issued at the time of Skylar’s disappearance because her case did not meet the strict criteria for issuance of an AMBER alert.  Skylar was later found to have been murdered by two of her friends, and her case gained national attention. The SKYLAR Act would assist law enforcement officers nationwide in issuing immediate public notifications to help locate missing individuals like Skylar whose cases do not meet the strict criteria for an AMBER Alert but are still at risk of serious injury or death. “What Skylar went through and what her family is dealing with is unconscionable and it’s something that I will do whatever I can to prevent from happening ever again,” Senator Manchin said. “I have been working with Skylar’s parents on “Skylar’s Law” which would establish a national communications network to issue immediate public notifications for missing individuals like Skylar whose cases do not meet the strict criteria for an AMBER Alert but are still at serious risk. “Skylar’s Law” is a no brainer and I hope my colleagues see this legislation and hear Skylar’s story and swiftly pass this bill.”  “While AMBER alerts have been successful in bringing missing children home, there are still missing persons who do not meet the alerts’ strict criteria but whose cases warrant an immediate public alert,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I am proud to join Senator Manchin on Skylar’s Law which will create a national communications network that can be activated immediately so our law enforcement officers can access timely information to help solve these cases.” “I want to thank Senator Manchin for his hard work and staying on top of this. This is not a Democrat or Republican issue. This about our kids; protecting our kids. Anytime a child goes missing, it’s the most helpless feeling in the world and I don’t want anyone to have to go through what we went through. With the introduction of ‘Skylar’s Law,” we can help children and other parents,” said Dave Neese, Skylar’s father. The AMBER Alert system has succeeded beyond all expectations, and is credited with directly aiding the safe recovery of approximately 75 children every year.  However, issuance of the AMBER Alerts requires satisfaction of strict criteria—including evidence of abduction.  In most cases, such evidence is usually not present, especially in the critical first few hours of the case. Immediate public notification is critical. More than two-thirds of all child abduction homicides began as a missing child or runaway report, and one out of five child abduction homicide victims are already dead before police are even notified.  Yet states are understandably wary of issuing AMBER alerts absent clear evidence of abduction, in order to avoid dulling the public response. This bill establishes a national Endangered Missing Advisory (EMA) communications network, modeled after state-wide networks already in operation in states like Montana and California, which can be activated immediately to notify the public that a child has gone missing. COORDINATED: Much like the AMBER Alert network, the national EMA network would be overseen by a coordinator who works closely with states, law enforcement agencies, local governments, and AMBER Alert professionals to develop EMA plans and act as the network’s nationwide point of contact.  The Coordinator would establish voluntary minimum standards for the issuance of alerts through the network and ensure that state and local law enforcement agencies and communications personnel are trained to utilize it. VOLUNTARY: The EMA system only works when it’s voluntary for both states and communications network participants, and this bill would preserve the voluntary nature of the system.  Recent trends are positive – in 2005, only 5 states had EMA networks in place.  Now, 18 states have such networks, plus another 16 who have similar networks in place for missing seniors.   ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-student-loan-rehabilitation-bill-advances-in-the-senate,Capito Student Loan Rehabilitation Bill Advances in the Senate,2017-12-06,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.06.17 Capito Student Loan Rehabilitation Bill Advances in the Senate Washington, D.C. The U.S. Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee yesterday approved a provision based on bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) to help private student loan borrowers rehabilitate their credit after a default on their loans. Currently, federal student loan borrowers are able to remove a default from their credit report, yet private student loan borrowers are not. The provision was approved as part of a larger package and now heads for consideration by the entire Senate. Students invest a lot in their education, and we need to do our part to help them maintain a secure financial footing as they pay off loans. Senator Peters and I have worked together on a solution to help make this possible. Like federal student loans, our bipartisan legislation will allow students with private loans opportunities to rehabilitate their credit following a default. I thank the Senate Banking Committee for advancing it out of the committee, Senator Capito said. The provision, based on the Federal Adjustment in Reporting (FAIR) Student Credit Act, would create an equal opportunity for private student loan borrowers who have successfully completed a series of on-time payments to remove a default from their credit report. Under current law, federal loans may be rehabilitated one time, and borrowers can repair their credit by removing a default. However, private lenders currently do not have the ability to remove negative credit information on borrowers who participate in loan rehabilitation programs. Instead, private lenders may only request to delete information from a credit report if it is inaccurate. While 90 percent of higher education loans are public and therefore eligible for loan rehabilitation, private student loans currently total $9.9 billion, and more than 850,000 private student loans are in default, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. A bad credit report from a default can negatively impact a borrowers ability to get a job, rent an apartment, buy a home or purchase a car for years. Senators Capito and Peters previously introduced the FAIR Student Credit Act during the 114th Congress, and as members of the U.S. House of Representatives during the 113th Congress. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-capito-discusses-importance-of-chip-tax-reform-on-senate-floor,"VIDEO: Capito Discusses Importance of CHIP, Tax Reform on Senate Floor",2017-12-06,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.06.17 VIDEO: Capito Discusses Importance of CHIP, Tax Reform on Senate Floor WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) spoke today on the Senate floor to highlight two important legislative priorities: reauthorizing the State Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and passing pro-growth tax reform. Later in the day, the Senate voted 51-47 to go to conference with the U.S. House of Representatives on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.On CHIP, Senator Capito said: CHIP was one of the first programs that I became a strong champion for. Thats because I understand how critical it was then for families in West Virginia and what it is now Thousands of West Virginia families and children who rely on this program need to know that its going to be there. On tax reform, she continued: Im not OK with standing still because if youre standing still, youre losing. We need to move this economy forward. We need to make it work for everybody. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act represents a new direction for Americaone that provides hope, prosperity and a chance to really turn things around for a lot of people. For a video of Senator Capitos full remarks, click here or on the image above. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-calls-on-fda-to-adopt-changes-to-properly-fight-opioid-epidemic,MANCHIN CALLS ON FDA TO ADOPT CHANGES TO PROPERLY FIGHT OPIOID EPIDEMIC,2017-12-06,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 06, 2017 MANCHIN CALLS ON FDA TO ADOPT CHANGES TO PROPERLY FIGHT OPIOID EPIDEMIC Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) sent a letter to the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Dr. Scott Gottlieb, calling on him to adopt three policy changes through the Opioid Policy Steering Committee in order to reduce the number of unnecessary and dangerous opioid medications available. Senator Manchin said in part: “I am strongly supportive of your effort to establish the Opioid Policy Steering Committee to strengthen FDA’s response to this crisis. I have been very critical of the role that the FDA has played in this epidemic, but I have been heartened to see the changes that the agency has been making to take responsibility for the public health impact of these deadly drugs. “I appreciate the opportunity to submit three commonsense policy changes for the Opioid Policy Steering Committee to consider. I believe that these simple steps could have a dramatic impact in reducing the number of unnecessary and dangerous opioid medications on the market.” Read full letter below or click here: Dear Dr. Gottlieb, As you know, our country faces a national crisis. In 2015, we lost more than 33,000 Americans to opioid overdoses and early estimates indicate that that number was even higher in 2016.  As the senior Senator from West Virginia, I have seen this devastation first hand. No state in the nation has been harder hit than mine. In 2016, we lost more than 700 West Virginians and many more have seen their communities and families torn apart. That is why it is so important that we work together and do everything in our power to end this crisis. That is why I am strongly supportive of your effort to establish the Opioid Policy Steering Committee to strengthen FDA’s response to this crisis. I have been very critical of the role that the FDA has played in this epidemic, but I have been heartened to see the changes that the agency has been making to take responsibility for the public health impact of these deadly drugs. I appreciate the opportunity to submit three commonsense policy changes for the Opioid Policy Steering Committee to consider. I believe that these simple steps could have a dramatic impact in reducing the number of unnecessary and dangerous opioid medications on the market. First, I strongly believe that the FDA should require mandatory and continuing education for every healthcare provider who prescribes opioids. Too many of our medical professionals have received too little training on the dangers of opioids, signs of addiction, and alternatives to opioids for pain management. We must ensure that they have the information that they need to make medically appropriate decisions for their patients’ care. Second, to strengthen the FDA’s new commitment to consider the public health impact of opioid medications, I urge you to seek Advisory Committee guidance and review every opioid product that is currently on the market to determine for each one if the risks outweigh the benefits. These risks include not just addiction and overdose deaths, but also outbreaks of HIV and Hepatitis C that occur when a drug is too easy to abuse. Every opioid that an Advisory Committee determines is more dangerous than beneficial should be immediately removed from the market. Third, for every new opioid medication approved, the FDA should remove one or more older opioid medications from the market with a particular focus on those opioids that are not crush-resistant and are more easily abused. There are several dozen opioid extended-release and long-acting opioid medications that have been approved by the FDA and at least two dozen short-acting opioid medications. This market is saturated and we can currently treat everything from short-term, acute pain to excruciating cancer pain. We simply do not need to increase the number of opioid medications on the market. Again, thank you for the work that you are doing to raise awareness and to promote solutions to address this deadly epidemic. Too many in our communities are losing their lives, families, and futures to opioids and we need to be doing everything humanly possible to help them. These commonsense changes are a critical first step. Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to continuing to work with you. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mckinley.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=280,McKinley Hosts Morgantown Forum on Opioid Epidemic in Rural America,2017-12-05,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,David McKinley,M001180,mckinley.house.gov,,,legacy,"Last night, Congressman David B. McKinley, P.E., (WV-1) hosted a public forum on efforts to combat the opioid epidemic in Morgantown. The House Committee on Energy and Commerce held a hearing in October with the federal agencies charged with overseeing efforts to combat the opioid crisis. Last night's forum recreated this discussion for constituents in the First District. share: f t Last night, Congressman David B. McKinley, P.E., (WV-1) hosted a public forum on efforts to combat the opioid epidemic in Morgantown. The House Committee on Energy and Commerce held a hearing in October with the federal agencies charged with overseeing efforts to combat the opioid crisis. Last night's forum recreated this discussion for constituents in the First District. West Virginia is the epicenter of the opioid crisis sweeping the nation. This epidemic is ravaging rural states like ours, which is why we organized this forum. Unfortunately, due to a last-minute change in schedule, we had votes in the House to move towards tax reform, and I was unable to be there in person. My staff gathered constituent feedback so that we can take action in Washington, said McKinley. The key takeaways from the forum are: rural communities don't have the resources to apply for the federal grants available to larger cities; there is a shortage in treatment options and space at treatment facilities for those affected by opioid addiction; and there needs to be better training for law enforcement on how to handle overdoses and get the addict the necessary treatment. It's essential that Congress finds solutions to these issues so that rural states, like West Virginia, are able to address this growing epidemic, McKinley said. Thank you to the panelists and attendees who showed up to listen and participate. It's unfortunate that a vocal minority chose to be disruptive at the event. This is a serious issue that is killing West Virginia's citizens at a higher rate than any other state in the nation. Public forums like these aren't a time for political grandstanding. This is a serious problem that requires serious solutions. This can't be achieved without the ability to have a civil discussion, added McKinley. The panel for the forum included leaders from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the West Virginia Office of Drug Control Policy, West Virginia University and local treatment providers from the First District. Background The House Committee on Energy and Commerce has an ongoing investigating into the extreme level of opioid pill dumping in West Virginia. One pharmacy in Kermit, a town with a population of 392, received nine million opioid pills in a span of two years. In the past six years, 780 million opioid pills have been shipped to West Virginia, which amounts to 433 pills for every man, woman and child in the state. Rep. McKinley joined Energy and Commerce Committee leadership on two letters in May and October asking the DEA and drug distributors for information on these shipments. The DEA hasn't sent the requested information. McKinley has participated in four previous Energy and Commerce, Oversight and Investigations subcommittee hearings on the problem of prescription drugs and opioid abuse in the 114th Congress. He has also hosted 15 drug abuse roundtables throughout West Virginia's First District. In March, the House passed H.R. 1628, the American Health Care Act that would repeal and replace Obamacare. Contained in the legislation was a $15 billion provision to fund state efforts at substance abuse and mental health treatment. The House passed S. 524, the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act (CARA), legislation providing federal resources to states and local law enforcement agencies to better fight the drug abuse and opioid addiction epidemic. The bill was signed into law in July 2016 and included 4 McKinley provisions: o A rural voice for the new inter-agency task force that will review, modify, and update practices for pain management and prescribing pain medication o A directive to the task force that identifies and researches better alternatives to non-opioid forms of pain management o Requires the Attorney General to consider a community's prevalence of opioid abuse and related deaths when awarding grants to states to combat opioid epidemic o Takes a step towards strengthening real time data reporting on substance abuse at the local, state, and federal levels (for veterans only) The House passed H.R. 34, the 21st Century Cures Act, legislation that included an additional $970 million over a two-year period for opioid prevention and treatment programs. This funding is awarded to states based on number of opioid overdose death and number of patients awaiting opioid abuse disorder treatment. This bill was signed into law in December 2016. McKinley authored the Congressional letter to House appropriators in support of at least $250 million for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. During the FY18 appropriations the House passed H. Amdt. 439, which increased HIDTA funding by $6 million. The HIDTA program works to fight the drug epidemic which is sweeping not only the U.S., but in particular West Virginia. To view McKinley's questions in the hearing, click here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-calls-for-action-on-chip,Capito Calls for Action on CHIP,2017-12-05,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.05.17 Capito Calls for Action on CHIP WASHINGTON, D.C. In a letter to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) is urging swift action to extend funding for the State Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) before the end of the year. In the letter, Senator Capito outlines her long-standing support for the CHIP program, including to help implement the program in West Virginia when she was a state legislator. Since then, Senator Capito has consistently voted to fund and expand the CHIP program. The Senate Finance Committee advanced a five-year CHIP funding extension in October. Throughout my time serving the state of West Virginia, I have supported CHIP.In the state legislature, I served on the committee charged with implementing the CHIP program in West Virginia.As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and as a United States Senator, I have voted for bipartisan legislation to reauthorize and expand the CHIP program, said Senator Capito in the letter. The CHIP program remains essential for working families in West Virginia and across the nation. Clickhereor read the full letter below: The Honorable Orrin Hatch Chairman, Senate Finance Committee 219 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Dear Chairman Hatch, I applaud the bipartisan work being done by the Finance Committee to reauthorize the State Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP).Under your leadership, the program began and over the years has provided working families across the nation health insurance coverage options they would not have otherwise.I share your passion for this program and will continue to work with the Committee and Senate Leadership to move the reauthorization forward as soon as possible. Throughout my time serving the state of West Virginia, I have supported CHIP.In the state legislature, I served on the committee charged with implementing the CHIP program in West Virginia.As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and as a United States Senator, I have voted for bipartisan legislation to reauthorize and expand the CHIP program. As you know, each year CHIP benefits approximately 9 million children and 370,000 pregnant women throughout the country, including approximately 22,000 children or 14,000 families in West Virginia.These families earn too much to be eligible for Medicaid, but often have no other coverage options.According to the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, almost 85 percent of these children lived in households with one parent working at least 50 weeks of the past year. The CHIP program remains essential for working families in West Virginia and across the nation.Thank you for all you are doing, and all you have done, to ensure its continuation.I look forward to working together to reauthorize the CHIP program as soon as possible. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-manchin-announce-funding-to-help-bridge-workforce-skills-gap,"Capito, Manchin Announce Funding to Help Bridge Workforce Skills Gap",2017-12-05,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.05.17 Capito, Manchin Announce Funding to Help Bridge Workforce Skills Gap WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today announced $179,022 for West Virginia Public Broadcasting from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). Funding comes through CPBs American Graduate program, which is focused on supporting community-based solutions to educate youth and improve high-school graduation rates. The 21st century economy requires a skilled labor force that is able to compete on a global scale, Senator Capito said. It is critical that young West Virginians, as well as their parents and teachers, realize the enormous opportunities a STEM education can provide. This funding allows West Virginia Public Broadcasting to help prepare our children and our state for the future. We turn to our public broadcasters for our news and entertainment, and Im excited to now see the Corporation for Public Broadcasting invest in the workers of West Virginia. The American Graduates Initiative will work to improve the skillsets of West Virginians in every corner of the state, and I look forward to the CPBs proven track record of success implemented throughout all of our communities, Senator Manchin said.""There's a big need to educate students and parents about STEM jobs that require more than a high school diploma, but less than a college degree,"" said Scott Finn, CEO of West Virginia Public Broadcasting. ""This American Graduate grant allows WVPB to work with educators and employers to make sure they hear that message."" # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-votes-to-confirm-kirstjen-nielsen-for-dhs-secretary,Capito Votes to Confirm Kirstjen Nielsen for DHS Secretary,2017-12-05,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.05.17 Capito Votes to Confirm Kirstjen Nielsen for DHS Secretary Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) issued this statement after voting to confirm Kirstjen Nielsen as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security: As our nation faces evolving threats at home and abroad, Kirstjen Nielson brings solid credentials to the department at a critical time. I look forward to working with her to keep our homeland secure, fight terrorism and address disaster preparedness. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-capito-continues-oversight-of-efforts-to-combat-opioid-crisis,VIDEO: Capito Continues Oversight of Efforts to Combat Opioid Crisis,2017-12-05,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.05.17 VIDEO: Capito Continues Oversight of Efforts to Combat Opioid Crisis WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.)a member of the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommitteetoday participated in an oversight hearing examining efforts to fight the opioid epidemic. During the hearing, Senator Capito questioned government officials responsible for various federal drug programs and highlighted legislation she introduced last month to prioritize funding for states hardest hit by the drug crisis. You can look for us to be very aggressive, Senator Capito said. If we dont stop this epidemic in West Virginia and New Hampshire then the numbers are going to go up proportionally in all of these states. For a video of Senator Capitos questions at todays hearing, click here or on the image below. More information on the hearing, witness testimony and an archived webcast are available here. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/12/05/2017/manchin-releases-weekly-energy-report-,MANCHIN RELEASES WEEKLY ENERGY REPORT,2017-12-05,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 05, 2017 MANCHIN RELEASES WEEKLY ENERGY REPORT Washington, D.C. – Today U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released a report detailing the price and production levels of coal as well as natural gas prices in Appalachia and nationally. For the week ending December 1, 2017, estimated U.S. coal production totaled approximately 14.1 million short tons. This production estimate is roughly 5.6% lower than last week’s estimate and 13.9% lower than the production estimate in the comparable week in 2016. Read Senator Manchin’s full report click here. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-manchin-questions-health-officials-on-the-status-of-the-american-opioid-crisis,ICYMI: MANCHIN QUESTIONS HEALTH OFFICIALS ON THE STATUS OF THE AMERICAN OPIOID CRISIS,2017-12-05,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 05, 2017 ICYMI: MANCHIN QUESTIONS HEALTH OFFICIALS ON THE STATUS OF THE AMERICAN OPIOID CRISIS Washington, D.C. – Today U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) questioned Dr. Debra Houry, Director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz, Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Dr. Francis S. Collins, Director of the National Institutes of Health and Former Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy of the President’s Commission on Combatting Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis  on the business rationale behind flooding 780 million pain pills into West Virginia from 2007 to 2012. “This is truly a bipartisan problem. This is not a Republican or a Democrat problem that we have here - it’s been a silent killer for far too long,” Senator Manchin said. “780 million Hydrocodone and Oxycodone. That’s 433 pain pills for every man, woman and child. 433. And you’re saying a flag was never raised and now all of a sudden you’re all looking at them? Do you all believe that this has been, from the pharmaceuticals, to the distributors to the PBMs, a business model or a health-healing model?”  Senator Manchin also touched on both the Jessica Grubb Legacy Act and Jessie’s Law, two bills in honor of Jessica Grubb to bring privacy regulations for substance abuse treatment in line with HIPPA and to establish best practices for hospitals to ensure that this information is shared throughout a health system. To watch a video of Senator Manchin’s questioning, please click here. ###   Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-calls-on-west-virginians-to-share-their-stories-on-why-chip-is-important-to-them,MANCHIN CALLS ON WEST VIRGINIANS TO SHARE THEIR STORIES ON WHY CHIP IS IMPORTANT TO THEM,2017-12-05,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 05, 2017 MANCHIN CALLS ON WEST VIRGINIANS TO SHARE THEIR STORIES ON WHY CHIP IS IMPORTANT TO THEM Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) is asking West Virginia families to share stories on how the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) has made an impact in their lives and the lives of their children. CHIP provides health insurance to almost 9 million children in America, and ensures that more than 21,000 children in West Virginia have access to the healthcare services they need. Families wishing to share their CHIP stories can email them to chip@manchin.senate.gov. Senator Manchin will read your stories on the Senate Floor. He encourages you to include a photo of your family. “As any West Virginian, I believe that we must take care of our children first and foremost. No matter where a child lives or how much their family makes, we owe it to them to make sure they receive the best health care available,” Senator Manchin said. “Congress’ failure to reauthorize CHIP is disgraceful. That is why I want to hear from my fellow West Virginians about what CHIP has done for you. I know your stories will inspire my colleagues to reauthorize the CHIP program so millions of kids aren’t in limbo and parents can rest easy knowing that their child has health care.” CHIP expired on September 30, 2017. Unless the program is reauthorized, West Virginia is expected to freeze enrollment in the program on February 28, 2018. CHIP in West Virginia is currently 100% funded by the federal government. So without CHIP, tens of thousands of West Virginian children are at risk of losing health insurance coverage. Services covered by CHIP in West Virginia include: Doctor visits Check-ups Hospital visits Immunizations (Shots) Prescriptions Tests and X-rays Dental care Vision care  Emergency care Mental Health Diabetic supplies Urgent Care or After Hour Clinic Visits Case Management for Special Needs ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-capito-announce-funding-to-help-bridge-workforce-skills-gap,"Manchin, Capito Announce Funding to Help Bridge Workforce Skills Gap",2017-12-05,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 05, 2017 Manchin, Capito Announce Funding to Help Bridge Workforce Skills Gap WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today announced $179,022 for West Virginia Public Broadcasting from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). Funding comes through CPB’s American Graduate program, which is focused on supporting community-based solutions to educate youth and improve high-school graduation rates. “We turn to our public broadcasters for our news and entertainment, and I’m excited to now see the Corporation for Public Broadcasting invest in the workers of West Virginia. The American Graduates Initiative will work to improve the skillsets of West Virginians in every corner of the state, and I look forward to the CPB’s proven track record of success implemented throughout all of our communities,” Senator Manchin said. “The 21st century economy requires a skilled labor force that is able to compete on a global scale,” Senator Capito said. “It is critical that young West Virginians, as well as their parents and teachers, realize the enormous opportunities a STEM education can provide. This funding allows West Virginia Public Broadcasting to help prepare our children and our state for the future.” ""There's a big need to educate students and parents about STEM jobs that require more than a high school diploma, but less than a college degree,"" said Scott Finn, CEO of West Virginia Public Broadcasting. ""This American Graduate grant allows WVPB to work with educators and employers to make sure they hear that message."" # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-announces-mobile-offices-in-two-west-virginia-counties,Capito Announces Mobile Offices in Two West Virginia Counties,2017-12-04,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.04.17 Capito Announces Mobile Offices in Two West Virginia Counties Meet with Capito staff in Hardy and Morgan counties CHARLESTON, W.Va. U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today announced new mobile office dates throughout West Virginia for the upcoming week. Members of Senator Capitos staff will be available to provide constituents one-on-one assistance with casework and other issues they may be experiencing with federal agencies. Appointments are not required but are encouraged and can be made by visiting Senator Capitos mobile office page on her website. Mobile office schedule for December 5-7, 2017: Tuesday, December 5, 2017 Hardy County 11:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Moorefield Senior Center 409 Spring Ave. Moorefield, WV 26836 Thursday, December 7, 2017 Morgan County 11:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Paw Paw Senior Center 783 Winchester St. Paw Paw, WV 25434 # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://evanjenkins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-jenkins-thanks-senate-passing-tax-cuts-jobs-act,REP. JENKINS THANKS SENATE FOR PASSING TAX CUTS & JOBS ACT,2017-12-02,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Evan Jenkins,J000297,evanjenkins.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) issued the following statement today after the U.S. Senate passed the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act: “The Senate’s vote is another step toward tax cuts, tax reform and tax simplification that will create jobs and put more money back in West Virginians’ pockets. This bill is not the final product, and we will continue to make changes to strengthen the final legislation. I commend the Senate for acting quickly to pass this important legislation and thank Senator Capito for standing up for West Virginia’s middle-class families and small businesses.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-supports-senate-passage-of-pro-growth-tax-reform,Capito Supports Senate Passage of Pro-Growth Tax Reform,2017-12-02,2017,2017-12,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.02.17 Capito Supports Senate Passage of Pro-Growth Tax Reform WASHINGTON, D.C.U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito(R-W.Va.)applauded the Senates passage of comprehensive, pro-growth tax reform legislation.TheTax Cuts and Jobs Acttakes a broad step forward to bring tax relief to West Virginia families, workers and businesses. Today we had an opportunity to vote for the kind of pro-growth reform that will provide relief to so many and make a real difference in the lives of working families across the country. These reforms will allow middle-income individuals to keep more of the money theyve worked so hard for. They will help our small businesses grow and enable them to create more jobs and increase wages for their employees. And they will give our economy the boost it so desperately needs. I cant fathom why anyone would not vote in support of the kind of relief and the kind of help this tax bill provides, saidSenator Capito. I was proud to cast my vote for this legislationa bill that I truly believe will help improve the lives of so many West Virginians and Americans. This was a big moment in our efforts to deliver the tax reform solutions Americans need, and I will continue working to make sure West Virginians come out ahead as we work with the House on a final agreement. Senator Capito also discussed tax reform in her Weekly Address to West Virginians. View the video here. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-introduces-amendment-to-republican-tax-plan-for-west-virginians-,Manchin Introduces Amendment to Republican Tax Plan for West Virginians,2017-12-02,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 02, 2017 Manchin Introduces Amendment to Republican Tax Plan for West Virginians Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) introduced an amendment to the Republican tax plan to recommit the bill back to the Finance Committee in order to permanently secure tax cuts for middle-class, working people, and small businesses and to keep the medical expense deduction, the student loan interest deduction, the retirement savings incentives, the homeownership incentives and the historic tax credit. “My amendment would simply send this legislation back to the Senate Finance Committee with instructions to change provisions important to West Virginians,” Senator Manchin. “First, it would call for the reductions on individual tax rates for middle class and working people to be made permanent. Currently, individuals receive temporary relief, while corporate changes are made permanent – a gimmick that provides uncertainty to West Virginia taxpayers. Next it directs the committee to maintain important priorities like the medical expense deduction, student loan interest deduction, retirement savings incentives, homeownership incentives and the historic tax credit. “It’s important that we provide this permanent relief to American taxpayers who are slated to see higher taxes as rates go up in the later years of this bill. In my state alone, 79% of West Virginians make under $75,000 and will see their taxes spike as their tax relief expires. Finally, the amendment calls for small businesses to receive much needed relief and for the corporate tax rate to be set at 25%. In my state 95.6% of business are small businesses and employee over 50% of West Virginians.” To read the text of the amendment, click here. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-votes-no-on-flawed-rushed-tax-plan-,"Manchin Votes No on Flawed, Rushed Tax Plan",2017-12-02,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 02, 2017 Manchin Votes No on Flawed, Rushed Tax Plan Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released the following statement on his vote against the flawed, rushed Senate tax plan.   “For the last several months I have tried to work with my Republican colleagues on a tax plan that works for the people of West Virginia because I believe in tax cuts. I visited the White House with my Republican colleagues to meet with President Trump, I assembled meetings with his economic team and my Senate colleagues, and I offered idea after idea to try to make this bill bipartisan. I took this seriously, because tax reform is too important to be done on party lines, and anything that is done in such a strictly-partisan way is not good for West Virginia or the country as a whole. Despite my efforts, this bill does not work for West Virginia: It hurts our seniors, leaves the middle class paying more, and tilts the playing field against small businesses while irresponsibly adding to our growing $20 trillion national debt.  “Let me be clear, I support sustainable tax cuts to grow our economy and raise wages, but this rushed bill is nothing more than a sugar high with an old fashioned bait and switch, where 79% of West Virginians will end up paying more in just a few years. It hurts seniors by triggering a $25 billion cut to Medicare next year. It hurts families by raising the average healthcare cost for a family of four by nearly $2,000 each year. It hurts students and their families by ending itemized deductions they rely on. It hurts our historic cities who rely on historic credits to revitalize Main Street and create jobs. It hurts our grandchildren by adding $1.5 trillion to our already staggering debt. And as our deficits continue to grow it significantly harms our military readiness, the ability to equip our National Guard to respond to domestic emergencies, and ability to properly care for our Veterans.  Today, I am rejecting this flawed and rushed bill, because I cannot in good conscience vote for legislation that hurts West Virginia families, seniors, students, teachers and business owners.” ###   Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://evanjenkins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-committee-passes-rep-jenkins-social-cost-carbon-bill,HOUSE COMMITTEE PASSES REP. JENKINS SOCIAL COST OF CARBON BILL,2017-11-30,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,WV,Evan Jenkins,J000297,evanjenkins.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – The House Natural Resources Committee on Thursday passed legislation introduced by U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) to prohibit federal agencies from using flawed metrics when writing new regulations. H.R. 3117, the Transparency and Honesty in Energy Regulations Act (THERA), would prohibit the federal government from using the flawed social cost of carbon and social cost of methane metrics in the rulemaking process. “The Obama administration used biased estimates like the social cost of carbon to push through its anti-coal regulations. These models hide the true economic costs of the EPA’s energy and environmental rules, which have eliminated jobs in West Virginia and raised the price of electricity for families. We are now one step closer to ensuring that no future administration can hide behind flawed formulas to justify their job-killing regulations and bring more transparency to the rulemaking process,” Rep. Jenkins said. A companion bill is sponsored in the Senate by Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla. The bill would bar the use of the social cost of carbon, methane and nitrous oxide in energy and environment rules. This legislation would provide certainty and build upon a recent Trump executive order that canceled the government’s use of these metrics. It would also ensure that the regulatory process adheres to strict cost-benefit guidelines and prohibit the use of such metrics unless subsequently authorized by Congress.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mckinley.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=159,House Passes McKinley Bill to Spur Economic Development,2017-11-30,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,WV,David McKinley,M001180,mckinley.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3017, the Brownfields Enhancement Economic Redevelopment and Reauthorization Act of 2017, authored by Congressman David B. McKinley, P.E., (WV-1). This legislation reauthorizes and improves the Brownfields Program, which is a program designed to empower states, communities, and other stakeholders in economic redevelopment to work together in a timely manner to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfields. This legislation updates the program for the first time since 2006. share: f t Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3017, the Brownfields Enhancement Economic Redevelopment and Reauthorization Act of 2017, authored by Congressman David B. McKinley, P.E., (WV-1). This legislation reauthorizes and improves the Brownfields Program, which is a program designed to empower states, communities, and other stakeholders in economic redevelopment to work together in a timely manner to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfields. This legislation updates the program for the first time since 2006. Abandoned industrial sites are an eyesore to the community and are detrimental to economic development. For those sites that qualify under this program, this bill will speed up our ability to mitigate the environmental hazards present. Across the Northern Panhandle and the rest of West Virginia we have hundreds of these sites, and the Brownfields Program has been an important tool to turn these abandoned eyesores into economic opportunity, said McKinley. The strength of our nation is found in every community that continues to push toward a better tomorrow. The Brownfields bill will empower communities to clean up abandoned property and invest in new opportunities, said House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy. Communities across the country have already used this program successfully and this authorization will increase local tax bases and allow previously unused areas to gain a second life. I applaud David for his work on this bill. Background Brownfield sites are properties whose redevelopment or reuse is complicated by the potential presence of a hazardous substance, contaminant or pollutant. Since it was established in 1995, the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Brownfields Program has changed the way developers approach and manage the redevelopment of these properties. The EPA uses grants authorized in the program to empower states, communities and developers to safely assess, clean up and repurpose these brownfield sites. This reauthorization is critical to ensure that full funding for the program continues. In addition to reauthorizing the Brownfields Program, this legislation makes some key improvements that will enable more sites to be redeveloped. This bipartisan bill: o Makes important clarificationsrelated to CERCLA liability & petroleum sites. o Expands eligibilityfor non-profit organizations and eligible entities that owned these properties prior to the original enactment of the Brownfields Program so that they may receive brownfields grant funding. o Increases the limit for remediation grantsfrom $200,000 to $500,000. o Creates multipurpose grants,which will provide flexibility to communities trying to cleanup multiple brownfields sites within an area in the community. o Makes it easier for small, rural, or disadvantaged communities and tribes to participate in the brownfields program. Earlier this year, Pietro Fiorentini, a supplier to the natural gas industry, broke ground on a new manufacturing facility located on a site in Weirton that was cleaned up through the Brownfields Program. This project has created jobs and spurred economic activity in the area. This is just one example of the investment that can be created by reclaiming these sites. Brownfield projects also attract private investment into small and rural towns nationwide. The Business Development Corporation (BDC) in West Virginia has been the beneficiary of $2.5 million in EPA Brownfield Grants. They have successfully leveraged that into $70 million in private funding to develop brownfield properties.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-and-heller-to-congress-pass-our-bill-to-protect-veterans-from-dangerous-medical-providers,MANCHIN AND HELLER TO CONGRESS: PASS OUR BILL TO PROTECT VETERANS FROM DANGEROUS MEDICAL PROVIDERS,2017-11-30,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"November 30, 2017 MANCHIN AND HELLER TO CONGRESS: PASS OUR BILL TO PROTECT VETERANS FROM DANGEROUS MEDICAL PROVIDERS New GAO Report Confirms that VA Concealed Mistakes Made by Providers Washington, D.C. – Following the release of a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that found the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) failed to report poorly-performing medical providers, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Dean Heller (R-NV) urged the Senate to swiftly take action on their bipartisan legislation that stops the VA from concealing providers’ medical mistakes.  According to the GAO, the VA failed to report 90 percent of poor-performing medical providers to a national database designed to prevent them from crossing state lines and endangering patients elsewhere. The GAO report’s findings are in line with a USA Today investigation that prompted Manchin and Heller to introduce the VA Provider Accountability Act. The VA Provider Accountability Act addresses issues raised in the GAO report by requiring the VA to report major adverse actions to the National Practitioner Data Bank and state licensing boards. It will also prohibit the VA from signing settlements with fired or dismissed VA employees that allow the VA to conceal serious medical errors or purge negative records from personnel files. “This GAO report, like the USA Today report that preceded it, is disturbing and shows a pattern of incompetence that could hurt both VA and non-VA patients. While I appreciate that VA is making attempts to correct this on their own, I believe these improvements in accountability measures need to be codified. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to push this important piece of legislation through quickly,” Senator Manchin said. “The nonpartisan GAO’s findings are truly shocking, worrisome, and downright reprehensible. America’s military veterans deserve the world-class medical care that they have rightfully earned, and by medical workers who uphold the VA’s mission statement. It is a shame the GAO has found that the VA has not been forthcoming when it comes to reporting poor-performing doctors to the National Practitioner Data Bank and state licensing boards, and that’s why Congress must immediately pass the VA Provider Accountability Act,” Senator Heller said. “This report is further evidence that we must enact my bipartisan legislation that holds the VA’s feet to the fire so that the veterans the agency exists to serve have trust in their caretakers. Congress must now act swiftly to help ensure that our military veterans are not at risk of receiving unsafe care from poor-performing and dangerous medical professionals and ensure these individuals are held accountable outside the VA system.”  Senators Manchin and Heller introduced the VA Provider and Accountability Act last month after a USA Today investigation recently revealed the VA has for years repeatedly buried and concealed poor care and mistakes made by its medical workers. The VA Provider Accountability Act is cosponsored by Senator Cassidy and supported by Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Federation of State Medical Boards. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mooney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-alex-x-mooney-names-chad-story-district-director,Congressman Alex X. Mooney Names Chad Story as District Director,2017-11-29,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,WV,Alex Mooney,M001195,mooney.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Alex X. Mooney Names Chad Story as District Director Congressman Alex X. Mooney (WV-2) has announced a new addition to his senior staff.  Chad Story has been named District Director and will based out of the Congressman’s Charleston district office. He will replace Fred Joseph who is retiring at the end of November.  A lifelong West Virginian, Mr. Story was born and raised in Logan County.  Growing up in the southern coalfields, his grandfather and uncles were all coal miners.  He graduated from Man High School and attended Southern West Virginia Community & Technical College where he served as president of the student body. He is a graduate of West Virginia State University in Institute, West Virginia in 2012 with a degree in history. He is pursuing a degree in Educational Leadership at American Public University Systems in Charles Town, West Virginia.   Devoted to serving others, Chad Story has been a case manager for adults and children with developmental disabilities and a special education teacher.  Most recently, he has served as a district staffer for Congressman Evan Jenkins (WV-3) where he focused on economic development, federal grants and constituent services for southern West Virginia.   “Chad’s extensive district operation experience and his deep West Virginia roots makes him a great choice to lead my district team. Chad is devoted to our state and is committed to providing quality constituent services to the Second Congressional District,” said Rep. Mooney. “I am excited for this new experience and to be leading a great district team.  Our goal is very simple and that is to provide the best constituents services as possible to the people of the Second District,” Story said.  “West Virginia is my home and I want to do my part to see it prosper and grow.  I am honored that Congressman Mooney has given me this opportunity to serve.” Story serves on the Board of Directors for Facing Hunger Food Bank and the Logan County Child Advocacy Center; he is vice president of the Man Lions Club and a member of the Iaeger Masonic Lodge #148.  He lives in Charleston, West Virginia.   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-and-manchin-urge-department-of-state-to-keep-training-facility-at-summit-point-raceway-open,Capito and Manchin Urge Department of State to Keep Training Facility at Summit Point Raceway Open,2017-11-29,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.29.17 Capito and Manchin Urge Department of State to Keep Training Facility at Summit Point Raceway Open WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) sent a letter to U.S Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, urging that the State Departmentkeeps the Summit Point Raceway training facility open, without consolidating its functions within the Foreign Affairs Security Training Center (FASTC). The Senators said in part: We understand that the State Department plans to close the Summit Point training site and consolidate its functions within the Foreign Affairs Security Training Center (FASTC) currently under construction at Fort Picket in Virginia. While we are glad that such an important program will continue, current plans to consolidate this training in one location may not provide sufficient capacity to meet our future training needs. If the site at Fort Pickett is not able to accommodate all of the requisite training operations, no viable alternative would be available and a temporary or prolonged suspension of training operations would be inevitable.That is unacceptable. The West Virginia facility can and should remain open to prepare our public servants traveling abroad for any kind of threat they may encounter. Click here or read the full letter below: Dear Secretary Tillerson: We write to you to ask for your support in protecting the training facility at the Summit Point Raceway in Summit Point, West Virginia. As you know, Summit Point is currently the site of the Foreign Affairs Counter Threat (FACT) training course which is an essential program provided to diplomatic personnel and their families to prepare them to safely live and work overseas. We understand that the State Department plans to close the Summit Point training site and consolidate its functions within the Foreign Affairs Security Training Center (FASTC) currently under construction at Fort Picket in Virginia. While we are glad that such an important program will continue, current plans to consolidate this training in one location may not provide sufficient capacity to meet our future training needs. If the site at Fort Pickett is not able to accommodate all of the requisite training operations, no viable alternative would be available and a temporary or prolonged suspension of training operations would be inevitable. That is unacceptable. The West Virginia facility can and should remain open to prepare our public servants traveling abroad for any kind of threat they may encounter. As members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, we have been strong advocates of the continued funding of programs like the one at Summit Point because of the important work they do to prepare our diplomatic personnel. Summit Point has a proven track record of success for over three decades, and the unparalleled training provided by this facility is vital to keeping Americans safe. We strongly encourage you to maintain the site as an operational alternative training ground to ensure that this program will always be accessible to our men and women who depend on it. We also invite you to tour the training facility at Summit Point so that you can see for yourself just how well the site runs and manages their FACT training courses and why it should remain operational. Thank you for your time and attention on this important matter. We urge you to strongly consider this request and look forward to working with you to find a solution that serves our country and honors the brave men and women who serve our country overseas. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-statement-on-miner-death-in-boone-county,Capito Statement on Miner Death in Boone County,2017-11-29,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.29.17 Capito Statement on Miner Death in Boone County WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) released the following statement regarding the death of coal miner Zachary Grant Harris in Boone County: I am saddened and sorry to learn about Zacharys death and extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. Coal mining is a proud West Virginia tradition, but it is not without risks, and creating a safe environment for our miners is critical. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-capito-encourages-senate-passage-of-tax-reform-legislation,VIDEO: Capito Encourages Senate Passage of Tax Reform Legislation,2017-11-29,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.29.17 VIDEO: Capito Encourages Senate Passage of Tax Reform Legislation WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) spoke today on the Senate floor to urge her colleagues to vote for comprehensive pro-growth tax reform, emphasizing how the Senate bill will help working West Virginians and small businesses across the state. This bill will power economic growth and opportunity for American workers. It will lead to increased wages. It will help our small businesses compete, thrive and expand. And it will provide much needed tax relief for middle-class families in West Virginia and across the country, Senator Capito said. We can accept the slow economic growth that has occurred over the past decade, or we can take big and bold action, she continued. To my colleagues: If you want to help the middle class benefit from tax cuts, higher wages and more job opportunities, then you should vote for this bill. If you want America to become more competitive in the global economy, then you should vote for this bill. If you want small businesses to expand and thrive, then you should vote for this bill. For a video of Senator Capitos full remarks, click here or on the image above. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/11/29/2017/manchin-statement-on-miner-death-in-boone-county,MANCHIN STATEMENT ON MINER DEATH IN BOONE COUNTY,2017-11-29,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"November 29, 2017 MANCHIN STATEMENT ON MINER DEATH IN BOONE COUNTY Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today released the following statement on the death of Zachary Grant Harris, a coal miner who was working in Boone County. “Our coal miners and their families make unthinkable sacrifices every day. Today, we are heartbroken at the loss of Zachary Grant Harris in Boone County. Gayle and I join all West Virginians in holding the Harris family in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.” ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-and-capito-urge-department-of-state-to-keep-training-facility-at-summit-point-raceway-open-,MANCHIN AND CAPITO URGE DEPARTMENT OF STATE TO KEEP TRAINING FACILITY AT SUMMIT POINT RACEWAY OPEN,2017-11-29,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"November 29, 2017 MANCHIN AND CAPITO URGE DEPARTMENT OF STATE TO KEEP TRAINING FACILITY AT SUMMIT POINT RACEWAY OPEN Washington, D.C. – Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)  sent a letter to U.S Secretary of State Tillerson, urging that the State Department keeps the Summit Point Raceway training facility open, without consolidating its functions within the Foreign Affairs Security Training Center (FASTC). The Senators said in part: “We understand that the State Department plans to close the Summit Point training site and consolidate its functions within the Foreign Affairs Security Training Center (FASTC) currently under construction at Fort Picket in Virginia. While we are glad that such an important program will continue, current plans to consolidate this training in one location may not provide sufficient capacity to meet our future training needs. If the site at Fort Pickett is not able to accommodate all of the requisite training operations, no viable alternative would be available and a temporary or prolonged suspension of training operations would be inevitable.  That is unacceptable. The West Virginia facility can and should remain open to prepare our public servants traveling abroad for any kind of threat they may encounter.” Click here or read the full letter below: Dear Secretary Tillerson: We write to you to ask for your support in protecting the training facility at the Summit Point Raceway in Summit Point, West Virginia. As you know, Summit Point is currently the site of the Foreign Affairs Counter Threat (FACT) training course which is an essential program provided to diplomatic personnel and their families to prepare them to safely live and work overseas. We understand that the State Department plans to close the Summit Point training site and consolidate its functions within the Foreign Affairs Security Training Center (FASTC) currently under construction at Fort Picket in Virginia. While we are glad that such an important program will continue, current plans to consolidate this training in one location may not provide sufficient capacity to meet our future training needs. If the site at Fort Pickett is not able to accommodate all of the requisite training operations, no viable alternative would be available and a temporary or prolonged suspension of training operations would be inevitable.  That is unacceptable. The West Virginia facility can and should remain open to prepare our public servants traveling abroad for any kind of threat they may encounter. As members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, we have been strong advocates of the continued funding of programs like the one at Summit Point because of the important work they do to prepare our diplomatic personnel. Summit Point has a proven track record of success for over three decades, and the unparalleled training provided by this facility is vital to keeping Americans safe. We strongly encourage you to maintain the site as an operational alternative training ground to ensure that this program will always be accessible to our men and women who depend on it. We also invite you to tour the training facility at Summit Point so that you can see for yourself just how well the site runs and manages their FACT training courses and why it should remain operational.   Thank you for your time and attention on this important matter. We urge you to strongly consider this request and look forward to working with you to find a solution that serves our country and honors the brave men and women who serve our country overseas. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-votes-against-motion-to-proceed-on-senate-republican-tax-plan-,MANCHIN VOTES AGAINST MOTION TO PROCEED ON SENATE REPUBLICAN TAX PLAN,2017-11-29,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"November 29, 2017 MANCHIN VOTES AGAINST MOTION TO PROCEED ON SENATE REPUBLICAN TAX PLAN Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released the following statement on his vote against the motion to proceed on the Senate Republican Tax Plan. “Today I voted against the motion to proceed on the Republican Tax Plan because I haven’t seen a final bill. I haven’t been able to review any legislation or see a Congressional Budget Office score to consider its impacts on West Virginia. I am still trying to work with my Republican colleagues and the Trump Administration to find a bipartisan way forward. I will continue to try to work across the aisle in the hopes that Republicans will slow down and work with us. The working people of West Virginia know that our country needs tax reform but we must work together to truly achieve comprehensive, bipartisan reform that allows the middle class, small businesses and our economy to grow and thrive.” ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://evanjenkins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-jenkins-testimony-today-s-epa-hearing-charleston,REP. JENKINS TESTIMONY AT TODAYS EPA HEARING IN CHARLESTON,2017-11-28,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,WV,Evan Jenkins,J000297,evanjenkins.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) submitted testimony for the record at today’s Environmental Protection Agency public hearing in Charleston on the proposed repeal of the Clean Power Plan. “I have spoken with the president and the administration about the importance of West Virginia’s coal miners and how the Clean Power Plan, as well as many of the other Obama administration’s regulations, were strangling the economy. At every step, I have fought against burdensome regulations, worked with President Trump, and stood with West Virginia’s coal miners,” Rep. Jenkins said. He also said that the House Natural Resources Committee will be marking up his bill on Wednesday, the Transparency and Honesty in Energy Regulations Act. “I introduced this bill, which would prohibit the use of social cost of greenhouse gases in the federal rulemaking process unless the agencies adhere to OMB guidance. This controversial metric was abused by the former administration to wage their war on coal. The Clean Power Plan was justified largely by using the social cost of carbon,” Rep. Jenkins said. Rep. Jenkins was unable to attend in person due to votes in Washington today, but his district director, Michael Chirico, read the testimony on his behalf. The congressman’s testimony as prepared for the record is below: “I am giving this testimony on behalf of Congressman Evan Jenkins, who couldn’t be here because he is in D.C. for votes scheduled for today. “West Virginia’s future is bright, the economy is growing at a fast pace and the energy regulations that have crippled our state are being repealed. The Clean Power Plan repeal will continue to fuel a resurgence of West Virginia’s economy, which has been growing at 3 percent in 2017, the second fastest in the United States. “The eight years before President Trump took office, the war on coal decimated an entire industry, a way of life in West Virginia. Ten thousand coal jobs were lost here over the last five years because of the war on coal. But this is changing thanks to President Trump and Administrator Pruitt. “I proudly stand with the Trump administration and Administrator Pruitt in repealing and eliminating burdensome and job-killing regulations. “I fully support the repeal of the Clean Power Plan and have been working to eliminate this regulation for years. The Clean Power Plan was one of the key regulations in Obama’s war on coal. It would have caused thousands of men and women to lose their good paying jobs and would have caused double-digit increases in electricity costs. This is unacceptable for a state that relies on the low-cost energy that coal provides. “Since the day I took office, I fought back against the Obama administration’s overreaching energy policies. I joined with 34 senators and 171 representatives to send an amicus brief that supported overturning the Clean Power Plan on the grounds that the EPA acted illegally in moving the regulation. “As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I secured policy riders that halted job-killing coal regulations. I ensured that Congress rejected the Obama administration’s request for increased funding for more EPA regulators and led the charge to cut the EPA’s budget by hundreds of millions of dollars. “I was also proud to sponsor and cosponsor a number of bills that worked to stop the war on coal. I sponsored legislation which became law that blocked the implementation of the Obama stream buffer zone rule, saving one-third of all coal jobs. I also cosponsored and voted on legislation that would have stopped the Clean Power Plan from going forward. “This week the House Natural Resources Committee will be marking up the Transparency and Honesty in Energy Regulations Act. I introduced this bill, which would prohibit the use of social cost of greenhouse gases in the federal rulemaking process unless the agencies adhere to OMB guidance. This controversial metric was abused by the former administration to wage their war on coal. The Clean Power Plan was justified largely by using the social cost of carbon. “This government overreach is over. I have spoken with the president and the administration about the importance of West Virginia’s coal miners and how the Clean Power Plan, as well as many of the other Obama administration’s regulations, were strangling the economy. At every step, I have fought against burdensome regulations, worked with President Trump, and stood with West Virginia’s coal miners. “I fully support a speedy repeal of the Clean Power Plan, giving West Virginia hope for a future of economic prosperity.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mooney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-alex-x-mooney-wv-02-submits-statement-opposing-clean-power,Congressman Alex X. Mooney (WV-02) Submits Statement Opposing Clean Power Plan,2017-11-28,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,WV,Alex Mooney,M001195,mooney.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Alex X. Mooney (WV-02) Submits Statement Opposing Clean Power Plan Charleston, WV – Congressman Alex Mooney (WV-02) submitted the following testimony at the Environmental Protection Agency public hearing in Charleston regarding the Clean Power Plan: “I am pleased to submit my testimony to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding my support for the agency’s proposed repeal of the so-called Clean Power Plan rule. When the EPA finalized these rules in 2015, they did irreparable damage to West Virginia’s economy. Due to the pending plan, power plants that were once the economic driver of communities across our great state have been shuttered. Proposed plants that were to expand the energy infrastructure throughout the Appalachian Region never came to fruition. For nearly three years, West Virginian workers have had a cloud of uncertainty hanging over their heads due to the pending implementation of the Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan.  Fortunately, our government’s system of checks and balances prevented the plan from reaching fruition. The U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay on the enforcement of this proposed regulation in 2016 after 27 states (including West Virginia), 24 trade associations, 37 rural electric co-ops and three labor unions sued the EPA.  Their lawsuit emphasized a range of legal and technical concerns, while also demonstrating the regulation went further than the law allowed. This is yet again another Obama era overreach that put the American economy at a disadvantage and destroyed jobs. I want to take this opportunity to thank EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt and the EPA Regional Offices for conducting these public hearings.  This is the proper procedure to review this regulation and, ultimately, to repeal it. I also want to thank President Trump for signing the Energy Independence Executive Order back in March, triggering the review of the Clean Power Plan and leading to this much-needed and transparent public hearing process.  This is how government should operate and I commend the EPA for coming to my Congressional District to hear what West Virginians have to say about this crippling regulation.  Former President Obama's plan is flawed and the regulation has done harm to the American economy and to the American worker.  It is time to rid our economy of this uncertainty and pursue an energy policy that is pro-worker, allows the United States to be a leader in energy production and unlocks American ingenuity.”   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-and-manchin-announce-more-than-92-million-for-rural-development-in-west-virginia,Capito and Manchin Announce More Than $9.2 Million for Rural Development in West Virginia,2017-11-28,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.28.17 Capito and Manchin Announce More Than $9.2 Million for Rural Development in West Virginia WASHINGTON, D.C. Today U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced $9,295,505 - $591,505 in grant funding and $8,704,000 in approved loans - from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development program for rural development projects in four West Virginia communities. Access to quality public services and economic opportunity are essential for West Virginias rural communities to thrive. This funding will assist local leaders in their efforts to grow our economy, and improve the quality of life for West Virginians. I will continue to advocate for programs like these that invest in our states future, said Senator Capito. Rural development projects provide economic opportunities that are felt across very corner of West Virginia, said Senator Manchin. This funding will be used to purchase a new police vehicle in Lewis County, construct a new water treatment plant in McMechen, conduct a feasibility study in Mingo County and improve the water and waste disposal system in Wyoming County. Individual awards listed below: $6,650,000 to the City of McMechen - Rural Development funds will be used to construct a new water treatment plant, rehabilitate and install security for the ground wells, complete potable water line replacements, and rehabilitate two water storage tanks. The City of McMechen owns and operates a Class I ground water only public water system in Marshall County, West Virginia. It is located adjacent to the Ohio River, south of Wheeling, WV off WV Route 2. The source of raw water is pumped from four ground wells. The system consists of a water treatment plan, two steel finished potable water storage tanks, and a distribution system with a total of 0.6 M gallon storage capacity. The distribution system consists of approximately 5.79 miles of water main ranging from 4"" to 12"" diameter steel pipe. The City serves approximately 956 residential and commercial customers and 1 resale user. $4,900 to the Lewis County Commission - Rural Development funds will be used to purchase a new AWD Ford Police Interceptor sedan through the WV State bid procurement process, with the installation of all necessary emergency response police equipment. $50,605 to the Mingo County Redevelopment Authority - Rural Development funds will be used to conduct a study of the feasibility of a Wood Products Industrial Park to be located in Mingo County West Virginia. The study will investigate opportunities in marketing value added and end-use manufacture of wood products of the West Virginia timber industry. $2,590,000 to the Center Public Service District - Rural Development funds will be used to replace approximately 1,250' of 15"" pipe, 4,812' of 12"" pipe, and 38 existing manholes in the Sycamore Avenue and Rock Castle Creek areas. The project will consist of installing a rotary fan press, modifying the existing screen mechanism, and installing a new NPW system. These improvements will significantly decrease I&I, customer complaints, and environmental concerns. No customers will be added with this project. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-nominates-31-west-virginians-to-us-service-academies,Capito Nominates 31 West Virginians to U.S. Service Academies,2017-11-28,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.28.17 Capito Nominates 31 West Virginians to U.S. Service Academies WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) announced U.S. Service Academy nominations for 31 qualified high school seniors from 18 counties in West Virginia. Nominees were selected by a board chosen by Senator Capito that reviewed each application, interviewed candidates and made recommendations. Nominating young men and women to our nations prestigious service academies is one of the most important responsibilities I have as a United States Senator, said Senator Capito. All of these young men and women are smart, talented and driven, and have worked extremely hard to get to this point. Attending these service academies provides more than just an education. It will allow these students to hone their leadership skills and prepare to serve our country, and I am honored to support them throughout this process. Service Academy Nominees are listed below: United States Air Force Academy Stephanie Anne Adkison-Sacra Harrison County Liam Patrick Bailey Putnam County Jocelynn M. Cooper Boone County Addison Michael DeViese Jackson County Thomas Daniel Ingram Fayette County Makayla Elizabeth Miles Jefferson County John Rocky Pallotta Monongalia County Andrew Jacob Panzarella Jefferson County Keith Michael Skaggs (also nominated to the U.S. Military Academy)Taylor County Bryce Alexander Turney Jefferson County Zachary Wade Tysor Randolph County Cameron Warren Zobrist Greenbrier County United States Military Academy Derek Edward Dearth Ohio County Holly Elizabeth Edwards Cabell County Aaron C. Flowers Monongalia County Ethan Paul Gottlieb (also nominated to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy)Jefferson County Rebecca Marie Kocsis Harrison County Matthew Alexander Martin Kanawha County Massimo Dee Menguito Harrison County Cameron Lee Patterson Putnam County Vaughn Shanen Thacker Mercer County United States Naval Academy Jackson Andrew Crouse Jefferson County Michael Caleb Hall Ohio County James Alexander Inman Berkeley County Josephine Renee Laing Ohio County Sean Daniel Martineau Jefferson County Katie Marie Payne Clay County Jack Thomas Stryker Ohio County Trey Nicholas Toland Marion County George Andrew Triplett Randolph County Sada Dakota Wright Gilmer County # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-west-virginians-welcome-epa-decision-to-hold-public-hearing-in-charleston,Capito: West Virginians Welcome EPA Decision to Hold Public Hearing in Charleston,2017-11-28,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.28.17 Capito: West Virginians Welcome EPA Decision to Hold Public Hearing in Charleston WASHINGTON, D.C. Today and tomorrow, the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) is hosting a public hearing in Charleston to hear directly from West Virginians. In an op-ed for the Daily Mail Opinion Page of the Charleston Gazette-Mail, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) applauded the EPAs decision to visit West Virginia. West Virginians expect federal agencies to follow the law. We want leaders to consider the impact of regulations on jobs and the economy. And, importantly, officials must listen to those Americans who will be most impacted by their decisions. Its clear that this administration and EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt are changing course, Senator Capito wrote. The Trump administration is bringing the change to regulatory policy that West Virginians voted for. I welcome the new EPA to Charleston and will continue working with President Trump to keep West Virginia a leading energy producer for generations to come. In 2015, Senator Capito called on the Obama Administration to visit West Virginia as it developed the Clean Power Plan, but EPA Air Chief Janet McCabe declined saying that EPA only held public events where it was comfortable. View the op-ed here and below. Trump EPA Bringing Positive ChangeBy: U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) Charleston Gazette-Mail (Daily Mail Opinion Page)November 28, 2017 This Tuesday and Wednesday, the Environmental Protection Agency is holding alistening sessionin Charleston on its proposal to withdraw from the Obama administrations so-called Clean Power Plan. The Trump administrations decision to withdraw from this plan, and the decision to hear directly from West Virginians, demonstrate a positive change from the job-killing policies of the previous administration. West Virginians expect federal agencies to follow the law. We want leaders to consider the impact of regulations on jobs and the economy. And, importantly, officials must listen to those Americans who will be most impacted by their decisions. Its clear that this administration and EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt are changing course. The Clean Power Plan was an effort by the Obama administration to force states to turn away from coal-powered electricity. Congress never gave EPA the authority to implement such a sweeping regulatory change and that is why the U.S. Supreme Court took the rare step of blocking implementation of the rule before it could take effect. Legislation I introduced to overturn the rule was passed by both the Senate and the House, but was vetoed by President Barack Obama. West Virginia is the nations second-largest coal producing state. Because coal accounts for over 94 percent of electricity generation in our state, West Virginians would have been disproportionately impacted by the Clean Power Plan. Our state lost thousands of good-paying jobs due in large part to other EPA overreaches. And government budgets at the state and local levels were decimated by the loss of tax revenue that coal has long provided in our state. But Obamas EPA refused to hold a listening session on the Clean Power Plan in West Virginia. Instead, the previous administration chose to listen in places like San Francisco, Boston and New York City. It was clear that Obamas EPA had no desire to hear from the miners, truck drivers, railroad workers, small businesses and many others across coal country whose livelihoods would be most impacted by the rule. At a Senate hearing,I askedformer EPA Air Chief Janet McCabe why the Obama administration chose not to visit West Virginia. She responded that EPA held its public events where it was comfortable. After a difficult eight years, it is refreshing to see that the Trump administration is comfortable listening to the needs of working families here in West Virginia. President Donald Trump and our Republican congressional majority are rolling back some of the worst regulatory abuses of the previous administration. In February, Congress passed, and Trump signed, legislation to block a last-minute rule proposed by Obamas Interior Department that could have cost thousands of jobs. Everyone agrees that we need clean air and clean water; still, West Virginians should not be forced to choose between economic prosperity and a clean environment. We expect both. That is why federal environmental laws like the Clean Water Act, and the Clean Air Act provide for cooperation between federal authorities and state officials. This structure allows states to make decisions that are best for local communities economic and environmental needs. The last administration upset that balance in favor of heavy-handed control from Washington. That led more than half the states to follow West Virginias lead in filing suit against the Clean Power Plan. Congress and the Trump administration are working to restore the proper balance that enforces our environmental laws while protecting our jobs. And we are already seeing positive results. West Virginia coal production was up 23 percent in the first half of 2017 as compared with the first half of 2016. The Trump administration is bringing the change to regulatory policy that West Virginians voted for. I welcome the new EPA to Charleston and will continue working with President Trump to keep West Virginia a leading energy producer for generations to come. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-and-capito-announce-more-than-92-million-for-rural-development-in-west-virginia,MANCHIN AND CAPITO ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $9.2 MILLION FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN WEST VIRGINIA,2017-11-28,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"November 28, 2017 MANCHIN AND CAPITO ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $9.2 MILLION FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN WEST VIRGINIA Washington, D.C. – Today U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) announced $9,295,505 - $591,505 in grant funding and $8,704,000 in approved loans - from the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development program for rural development projects in four West Virginia communities. “Rural development projects provide economic opportunities that are felt across very corner of West Virginia,” said Senator Manchin. “This funding will be used to purchase a new police vehicle in Lewis County, construct a new water treatment plant in McMechen, conduct a feasibility study in Mingo County and improve the water and waste disposal system in Wyoming County.” “Access to quality public services and economic opportunity are essential for West Virginia’s rural communities to thrive. This funding will assist local leaders in their efforts to grow our economy, and improve the quality of life for West Virginians. I will continue to advocate for programs like these that invest in our state’s future,” said Senator Capito. Individual awards listed below: $6,650,000 to the City of McMechen - Rural Development funds will be used to construct a new water treatment plant, rehabilitate and install security for the ground wells, complete potable water line replacements, and rehabilitate two water storage tanks. The City of McMechen owns and operates a Class I ground water only public water system in Marshall County, West Virginia. It is located adjacent to the Ohio River, south of Wheeling, WV off WV Route 2. The source of raw water is pumped from four ground wells. The system consists of a water treatment plan, two steel finished potable water storage tanks, and a distribution system with a total of 0.6 M gallon storage capacity. The distribution system consists of approximately 5.79 miles of water main ranging from 4"" to 12"" diameter steel pipe. The City serves approximately 956 residential and commercial customers and 1 resale user. $4,900 to the Lewis County Commission - Rural Development funds will be used to purchase a new AWD Ford Police Interceptor sedan through the WV State bid procurement process, with the installation of all necessary emergency response police equipment. $50,605 to the Mingo County Redevelopment Authority - Rural Development funds will be used to conduct a study of the feasibility of a Wood Products Industrial Park to be located in Mingo County West Virginia. The study will investigate opportunities in marketing value added and end-use manufacture of wood products of the West Virginia timber industry. $2,590,000 to the Center Public Service District - Rural Development funds will be used to replace approximately 1,250' of 15"" pipe, 4,812' of 12"" pipe, and 38 existing manholes in the Sycamore Avenue and Rock Castle Creek areas. The project will consist of installing a rotary fan press, modifying the existing screen mechanism, and installing a new NPW system. These improvements will significantly decrease I&I, customer complaints, and environmental concerns. No customers will be added with this project. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-moderate-senate-democrats-call-for-bipartisan-way-forward-on-tax-reform-,"MANCHIN, MODERATE SENATE DEMOCRATS CALL FOR BIPARTISAN WAY FORWARD ON TAX REFORM",2017-11-28,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"November 28, 2017 MANCHIN, MODERATE SENATE DEMOCRATS CALL FOR BIPARTISAN WAY FORWARD ON TAX REFORM Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) joined U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Tom Carper (D-DE), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Jon Tester (D-MT), Mark Warner (D-VA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Chris Coons (D-DE), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Angus King (I-ME), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Gary Peters (D-MI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) at a press conference highlighting their willingness to work with Republicans on a bipartisan way forward on tax reform. “We are all here today because we believe that our country needs tax reform and we believe that it must be done in a bipartisan way,” Senator Manchin said. “We want our Republican colleagues to know that if they slow down, reach out, and work in a bipartisan way, you will have Democrats willing to work with you. I believe that tax reform should focus on permanent relief for the middle class; making sure our small businesses are treated the same way our large corporations are, while also making sure our corporations are globally competitive; and not adding trillions of dollars of debt that our children and grandchildren will be responsible for. I have worked on some ideas that I have shared with the White House and my Republican colleagues to no avail but I am still hopeful they will slow down, work in a bipartisan way and make this real tax reform that grows and helps our middle class in a responsible way.” To watch a full video of the press conference click here. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-statement-on-clean-power-plan-public-hearing-in-west-virginia-,MANCHIN STATEMENT ON CLEAN POWER PLAN PUBLIC HEARING IN WEST VIRGINIA,2017-11-28,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"November 28, 2017 MANCHIN STATEMENT ON CLEAN POWER PLAN PUBLIC HEARING IN WEST VIRGINIA Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) issued the following statement on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) public hearing in West Virginia this week on the Clean Power Plan. “The Clean Power Plan was an assault on our state’s economy and our way of life. This unlawful and harmful policy proved that the Obama administration not only didn’t know the impacts of the Clean Power Plan but also, that they didn’t care. From 2008-2016, 10,473 hardworking West Virginia coal miners lost their jobs and 178 coal mines closed due to, in part, the uncertainty caused by the Clean Power Plan. “I am glad that the EPA is finally paying attention to these impacts in West Virginia, one of the most affected states of the Clean Power Plan, and is actually on the ground talking with West Virginians about this failed experiment and ways we can work together to create an all of the above energy policy that benefits everyone. “Moving forward in the 21st century economy, we need to strike a balance between the environment and the economy and I have always said that the Clean Power Plan never achieved that balance. The Clean Power Plan never worked and I commend President Trump for doing away with this harmful regulation and preventing further job losses, increases to consumer energy bills, and more damage to our economy. “Today, coal makes up 30% of our electric portfolio and it will continue to power our nation for generations. To truly achieve an all-of-the-above energy policy, we must use everything we have – coal, natural gas, nuclear, solar, hydro, and wind – while also making sure that we are not adversely hurting our economy and taking away people’s livelihoods. I thank the EPA for finally coming to West Virginia and listening to what we have to say.” ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/11/27/2017/manchin-releases-weekly-energy-report-,MANCHIN RELEASES WEEKLY ENERGY REPORT,2017-11-27,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"November 27, 2017 MANCHIN RELEASES WEEKLY ENERGY REPORT Washington, D.C. – Today U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released a report detailing the price and production levels of coal as well as natural gas prices in Appalachia and nationally. For the week ending November 24, 2017, estimated U.S. coal production totaled approximately 14.9 million short tons. This production estimate is roughly 0.9% higher than last week’s estimate and 6.2% lower than the production estimate in the comparable week in 2016. Read Senator Manchin’s full report, click here. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-manchin-announce-funding-to-hire-law-enforcement-in-three-west-virginia-counties,"Capito, Manchin Announce Funding to Hire Law Enforcement in Three West Virginia Counties",2017-11-22,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.22.17 Capito, Manchin Announce Funding to Hire Law Enforcement in Three West Virginia Counties CHARLESTON, W.Va. U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today announced a total of $498,694 from the U.S. Department of Justices (DOJ) Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program. Funding will be used to hire full-time law enforcement officers in Marion, Cabell and Fayette counties. West Virginias law enforcement professionals work tirelessly to keep dangerous criminals off of our streets and ensure our communities are safe, and it is critical that we support them in their efforts, Senator Capito said. This funding will allow the cities of Fairmont and Oak Hill and the Cabell County Sheriffs Department to hire additional officers to help them continue the important work they do. Im glad to see this investment in our law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line every day to keep our families and communities safe. This funding will enable Fairmont, Oak Hill and Cabell County Sheriff Departments to hire additional officers and better protect us, Senator Manchin said. Individual awards listed below: City of Fairmont - $250,000 Cabell County Sheriffs Department - $125,000 City of Oak Hill - $123,694 # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-wishes-west-virginians-a-happy-thanksgiving,Capito Wishes West Virginians a Happy Thanksgiving,2017-11-22,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.22.17 Capito Wishes West Virginians a Happy Thanksgiving CHARLESTON, W.Va. U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today issued the following statement ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday: Every year during the Thanksgiving holiday, we are reminded of our many blessings. I am thankful for so muchincluding my family and friends, good health, the men and women who selflessly serve this country, and the opportunity to serve West Virginians in the United States Senate. Charlie and I look forward to spending time in Charleston with our children and grandchildren as we celebrate these blessings. We wish all West Virginians a very happy and safe Thanksgiving. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-capito-op-ed-highlights-need-for-pro-growth-tax-reform,ICYMI: Capito Op-Ed Highlights Need for Pro-Growth Tax Reform,2017-11-22,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.22.17 ICYMI: Capito Op-Ed Highlights Need for Pro-Growth Tax Reform CHARLESTON, W.Va. In an op-ed for the Beckley Register-Herald, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) outlines how comprehensive pro-growth tax reform will benefit West Virginians and encourages support for this this once-in-a-generation opportunity. The op-ed comes after the House of Representatives passed their tax reform proposal last week, and the Senate is expected to take up their own proposal following Thanksgiving. For the first time in decades, we have an opportunity to take our complicated and outdated tax code and make it simple, fair, and more competitive. The plan being considered in the Senate will provide relief for working families, help businesses of all sizes grow and expand, and spark the kind of growth that can truly transform our economy, Senator Capito wrote. View the op-ed here and below. Tax Reform Offers Growth OpportunitiesBy: U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) Beckley Register-HeraldNovember 22, 2017 As West Virginia families travel home to gather together for Thanksgiving whether just down the street or from across the country I cant help but think about all of the gifts and opportunities we have to be thankful for. Our state has had a rough go of it during the past eight years, and weve all felt the effects of a struggling economy, overregulation and fewer opportunities to get ahead. But things are turning around in West Virginia. This year, weve enjoyed consistent economic growth, unemployment is down, and were seeing significant new investments in our workers and our resources. All of these developments make me thankful and proud to be a West Virginian. They also make me even more eager to build on this momentum and seize other opportunities to move our state forward. Thats why I have been working with my Senate colleagues to pass comprehensive tax reform. For the first time in decades, we have an opportunity to take our complicated and outdated tax code and make it simple, fair, and more competitive. The plan being considered in the Senate will provide relief for working families, help businesses of all sizes grow and expand, and spark the kind of growth that can truly transform our economy. These are the principles that have guided me throughout this entire process. Theyre goals that are shared by so many Americans regardless of political party and recent evidence shows that the Senate plan checks all of the boxes. A study from the Tax Foundation found that the Senate bill would create the equivalent of 925,000 new jobs across the country. Thats significant. In West Virginia, the average middle-income family would gain $1,952 in after-tax income because of the legislation. Think about what that extra money would mean to you and your family. Do you need to make repairs to your car or take care of another expense? Do you need to set some aside for a college fund, for your retirement, or even a rainy day? The Tax Foundation also found that our state would see approximately 4,700 new jobs created. Think about what those new jobs would mean for our communities, and for our students who graduate without the opportunities they need to stay in West Virginia and start their careers. The Senate bill also doubles the child tax credit for hard-working families and nearly doubles the standard deduction which is used by over 80 percent of West Virginia tax filers. Were talking about making a real, tangible difference in the lives of West Virginians and all Americans. Which is why I just cant understand the misguided attacks coming from Democrats and other critics. Some are saying the Senate plan is tax cuts for the rich but report after report has made it clear that Americans at all income levels will benefit from these tax cuts. Others are saying that this is a partisan exercise done in secret but tax reform has been subject to a thorough and open legislative process. In fact, there have been 70 Senate hearings on tax reform since 2011, and the current proposal just went through a full markup in committee and will be subject to significant debate on the floor. That means any Senator Republican or Democrat will have an opportunity to amend and debate the bill. When you take time to really consider these criticisms, they ring hollow. Theyre the same excuses that have been recycled for years. The truth is simple: If Democrats and others are really serious about helping working families and moving our country and our state forward, this is their opportunity. President Trump is ready to sign a bill that grows our economy and benefits middle-income families, and every member of Congress has a decision to make. We can cling to the status quo and a failed economic approach perpetuated by the policies of the previous administration, or we can work together with President Trump to pass tax reform. This is an important moment for our country. Its an opportunity to do something big and bold. Its an opportunity to build a stronger economy, to grow our small businesses and provide more jobs and higher wages, and to deliver tax relief to all Americans. I am so thankful for the chance to represent our great state in the Senate and for the opportunity to deliver solutions like tax reform that I know will help make your lives better. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/11/27/2017/manchin-wishes-west-virginians-a-happy-thanksgiving,MANCHIN WISHES WEST VIRGINIANS A HAPPY THANKSGIVING,2017-11-22,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"November 22, 2017 MANCHIN WISHES WEST VIRGINIANS A HAPPY THANKSGIVING Charleston, WV – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today released the following statement wishing West Virginians a happy Thanksgiving: “As we gather around the dinner table this Thanksgiving, it’s important for all of us to reflect on the great blessings we share as West Virginians and Americans. In the Manchin household, we were always taught that if you can count your blessings, you can share your blessings. This lesson has stuck with me throughout my adult life and I have tried to pass it along to my children and grandchildren. One the blessings I always count is my family and loved ones. That’s why last week I introduced a resolution in the Senate that designates the week of Thanksgiving ‘National Family Week.’ This week, we are surrounded by our families and loved ones and we must never forget to give thanks for them. “This Thanksgiving, let us thank our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Guard Members and Reservists who sacrifice so much, including seeing their own family this holiday, so that we may enjoy the comfort and safety of this great country. Their courage and strength shine as an example of what it means to express love for one’s country. “Each day presents its own unique struggles and anxieties, but it’s always important to remember the blessing of living in the great country on Earth. I would like to thank all of the wonderful people of West Virginia who have given me the opportunity to represent them. 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.” ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-capito-announce-funding-to-hire-law-enforcement-in-three-west-virginia-counties,"Manchin, Capito Announce Funding to Hire Law Enforcement in Three West Virginia Counties",2017-11-22,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"November 22, 2017 Manchin, Capito Announce Funding to Hire Law Enforcement in Three West Virginia Counties CHARLESTON, W.Va. – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today announced a total of $498,694 from the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program. Funding will be used to hire full-time law enforcement officers in Marion, Cabell and Fayette counties. “I’m glad to see this investment in our law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line every day to keep our families and communities safe. This funding will enable Fairmont, Oak Hill and Cabell County Sheriff Departments to hire additional officers and better protect us,” Senator Manchin said. “West Virginia’s law enforcement professionals work tirelessly to keep dangerous criminals off of our streets and ensure our communities are safe, and it is critical that we support them in their efforts,” Senator Capito said. “This funding will allow the cities of Fairmont and Oak Hill and the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department to hire additional officers to help them continue the important work they do.” Individual awards listed below: City of Fairmont - $250,000 Cabell County Sheriff’s Department - $125,000 City of Oak Hill - $123,694 # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mckinley.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=315,McKinley Nominates 14 Students to Service Academies,2017-11-21,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,WV,David McKinley,M001180,mckinley.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. David B. McKinley, P.E. (R-W.Va.) has nominated 14 West Virginia students to United States service academies including the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Congressional nomination is the first step in a process toward appointment to a military academy. share: f t Rep. David B. McKinley, P.E. (R-W.Va.) has nominated 14 West Virginia students to United States service academies including the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Congressional nomination is the first step in a process toward appointment to a military academy. These fourteen young men and women represent the best our state has to offer, said Rep. McKinley. Because of their hard work and commitment, they have earned this distinction. They show great promise not only in the classroom but on the athletic field, and in their community. West Virginia continues to produce the next generation of leaders. The following students were nominated by Rep. McKinley based on their academic performance, extracurricular activity in their communities, and personal recommendations: Derek Dearth (Wheeling) attendsCentral Catholic High School. Derek served as Assistant Captain for the varsity hockey team when they were the 2016-2017 WV state champions, and serves as the Captain for the varsity lacrosse team. He was named 2017 WVSLA All Star. Derek is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta National Honors Society, Rho Kappa National Honors Society, the United Way Junior Board, and has served as a Class Officer for the Student Council. Nominated to U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Aaron Flowers(Morgantown) currently attends West Virginia University and is a graduate of University High School. Aaron played football and lacrosse for University High School and is nationally recognized for his marksmanship as part of the Junior Olympics Team and WV Junior Marksman Program. He is a member of the WVU Rifle Club and ROTC Promise Scholar and is an Eagle Scout and member of the Order of the Arrow. Aaron has served as part of the ROTC Color Guard Team, a member of the WVU ROTC Program and ROTC Color Guard. Nominated to U.S. Military Academy at West Point and U.S. Naval Academy. Michael Hall (Wheeling) attends Wheeling Central Catholic High School. He has received the Geography Award, the Latin Conference Team Award, the World History Award and the French Award. He has played basketball, baseball and football for his school. He is a member of the Junior Rangers, Catholic Charities, Latin Club, Key Club, Ski Club and is working towards his pilot's license. Nominated to U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Air Force Academy. Cameron Kellar(Morgantown) attends Trinity Christian School. Cameron has played varsity basketball for four years. He is a member of the Drama Club, the Fellowship of Christian athletes and is a leader in his church's youth group. Nominated to U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Rebecca Kocsis (Enterprise) attends North Marion where she is ranked 1st in her class. She is Captain of the Soccer Team, Captain of the Swim Team, and has run track for four years. She won the Rhododendron Girls State Outstanding Citizenship Award, the Rotary Youth Leadership Award, and the Golden Horseshoe Award. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, Chess Club, and serves as Senior Class Vice President. Rebecca attended the WV State Trooper Academy and a Mu Alpha Theta Math Honorary. Nominated to U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Air Force Academy. Josephine Laing (Wheeling) attends Wheeling Park High School. She served as Jr. Varsity Captain for the soccer team for two years. She is a member of the National Honor Society, the Technology Student Association, the Debate Team Public Forum Division Leader and contender for the National Debate Tournament, member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Drug Free Clubs of America. Josephine is also the 1st Chair Violin for the school orchestra. Nominated to U.S. Military Academy at West Point and U.S. Naval Academy. Dominic Lough (Grafton) attends Grafton High School and is ranked fifth in his class. Dominic has played on the school's football and baseball teams all four years. He has served as a Class Officer, Officer of the School Club and on Student Council. He's been a member of the Future Business Leaders of America for two years and was part of the 2017 Governor's Honors Academy. Nominated to U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Naval Academy. Massimo Menguito (Bridgeport) attends Bridgeport High School. He has played soccer and has been a member of the swimming team for four years. He was Co-Captain of the Mountain State Soccer Team. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, Chess Club, French Honorary Society, Student Council, has served as Treasurer for the student government and is an accomplished musician. Nominated to U.S. Military Academy at West Point. John Rocky Pallotta (Morgantown) attends University High School where he is ranked 6th in his class. John has served as Team Captain for the varsity soccer team and has played varsity lacrosse. He is a member of the National Honor Society, is an Honorary Member of Mu Alpha Theta, member of American Legion Mountaineer Boys State, 1st place winner of TEAMS, and scholarship winner from the WVU Statler School of Engineering. Nominated to U.S. Air Force Academy. Keith Skaggs (Flemington) attends Grafton High School where he is ranked 1st in his class. He has served as Captain of the varsity soccer team, Captain of the wrestling team and has run cross country. He has served as Class Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Youth Leadership Association, Bearcat Brigade, WV SADD Student Leadership Team, President of the Hispanic National Honor Society, and semifinalist for the National Merit Scholarship. Nominated to U.S. Military Academy at West Point and U.S. Air Force Academy. Jack Stryker(Wheeling) attends Central Catholic High School where he is ranked 3rd in his class. He was recognized as special team Player of the Year for his school's football team, has served as captain of the soccer team and has run on the varsity track team for three years. He has served as President for the National Honors Society, Vice President for Mu Alpha Theta, as treasurer for Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society, Treasurer for the Spanish National Honor Society and Team Captain for the Science Bowl. Jack has also served on the youth board for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston and as Class President for two years. Nominated to U.S. Naval Academy. Trey Toland (Mannington) attends North Marion High School where he is ranked 7th in his class. He is Captain of the Tennis Team, Regional Singles/Doubles Champion, Conference Doubles Champion, and Special Teams Captain of the football team. Trey won the WV Young Writers Award and has been named the Times West Virginian Newspaper's Player of the Week for football. He is a member of the National Honor Society, the WV Young Writers, and Mu Alpha Theta. He has served as Editor for his school's newspaper, the Husky Headlines and as Student Body President. Nominated to U.S. Military Academy at West Point and U.S. Naval Academy. Isaac Waters (Vienna) attends Parkersburg High School. He has played soccer for three years and has won a gold medal with the school's crew team. He has served a member of the Order of the Arrow, as an officer in the Senior Men's Club, as Patrol Leader for the Boy Scouts and as Assistant Patrol Leader for the 2017 National Boy Scouts Jamboree. Isaac has won several two-mile swim awards and has won the God and Country Award. Nominated to U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Sada Wright (Glenville) attends Gilmer County High School where she is ranked 10th in her class. She has run track and field for three years and has played basketball for two. Sada is the 2017 Class A Shot Put & Discus State Champion, 2017 AAU All American, and 1st Team ALL-LKC. She holds the school record for the longest discus throw in Class A history. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Glenville Youth Ministry, Drama Club, Belle Ministerial Association, and has served as Class President for three years. Nominated to U.S. Naval Academy.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-manchin-announce-funding-for-health-facilities-community-infrastructure,"Capito, Manchin Announce Funding for Health Facilities, Community Infrastructure",2017-11-21,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.21.17 Capito, Manchin Announce Funding for Health Facilities, Community Infrastructure WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today announced a total of $355,000 for Highland-Clarksburg Hospital and Cowen Public Service District (PSD) through the U.S. Department of Agricultures (USDA) Office of Rural Development. Funding will be used to improve the hospital facility and water service to Cowen PSD customers. Quality health care facilities and public services are essential for West Virginias rural communities, Senator Capito said. I am particularly thrilled that part of this funding will go toward improving facilities for those suffering from mental and behavioral health issues, including substance abuse disorders. I will continue to fight for programs that invest in the well-being of West Virginians. Im glad to see this investment in Highland-Clarksburg Hospital and Cowen Public Service District. Qualityhealthcare facilitiesand safe water infrastructure are important elements of our communities. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue to fight for resources to improve our West Virginia communities, Senator Manchin said. Individual awards listed below: $325,000 Highland-Clarksburg Hospital: This funding will go toward an outdoor recreation area for patients, as well as roof repairs. It is provided through the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program. $30,000 Cowen Public Service District: This funding will go toward a study to identify and correct leaks in the PSDs system. It is provided through the Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH) program. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-capito-announce-funding-for-health-facilities-and-community-infrastructure,"Manchin, Capito Announce Funding for Health Facilities, and Community Infrastructure",2017-11-21,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"November 21, 2017 Manchin, Capito Announce Funding for Health Facilities, and Community Infrastructure WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today announced a total of $355,000 for Highland-Clarksburg Hospital and Cowen Public Service District (PSD) through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Office of Rural Development. Funding will be used to improve the hospital facility and water service to Cowen PSD customers. “I’m glad to see this investment in Highland-Clarksburg Hospital and Cowen Public Service District. Quality healthcare facilities and safe water infrastructure are important elements of our communities. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue to fight for resources to improve our West Virginia communities,” Senator Manchin said. “Quality health care facilities and public services are essential for West Virginia’s rural communities,” Senator Capito said. “I am particularly thrilled that part of this funding will go toward improving facilities for those suffering from mental and behavioral health issues, including substance abuse disorders. I will continue to fight for programs that invest in the well-being of West Virginians.” Individual awards listed below: $325,000 – Highland-Clarksburg Hospital: This funding will go toward an outdoor recreation area for patients, as well as roof repairs. It is provided through the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program. $30,000 – Cowen Public Service District: This funding will go toward a study to identify and correct leaks in the PSD’s system. It is provided through the Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH) program. # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-manchin-announce-funding-to-repair-flood-damage-at-national-fish-hatchery,"Capito, Manchin Announce Funding to Repair Flood Damage at National Fish Hatchery",2017-11-20,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.20.17 Capito, Manchin Announce Funding to Repair Flood Damage at National Fish Hatchery WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today announced a total of $212,963 from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the White Sulphur Springs National Fish Hatchery. Funding will be used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to repair damage done to trails and other infrastructure as a result of the June 2016 floods. The White Sulphur Springs National Fish Hatchery has been a part of West Virginia for more than 100 years, supplying our nations rivers with trout, Senator Capito said. Sadly, it experienced significant damage as a result of the horrible floods that impacted our state last summer. Through my role on the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have worked to secure funding to make sure the hatchery could reopen, and I am thrilled it is being repaired so West Virginians and fishermen everywhere can enjoy all it has to offer. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I have worked to make sure that West Virginia receives the funding we need to properly repair and rebuild after the historic floods last year that includes the National Fish Hatchery in White Sulphur Springs, Senator Manchin said. The National Fish Hatchery kept rivers in West Virginia and our nation stocked with fish for over 100 years, and I am glad it is receiving the funding they need to continue. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-manchin-others-introduce-bipartisan-chesapeake-restoration-legislation,"Capito, Manchin, Others Introduce Bipartisan Chesapeake Restoration Legislation",2017-11-17,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,WV,Shelley Capito,C001047,www.capito.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.17.17 Capito, Manchin, Others Introduce Bipartisan Chesapeake Restoration Legislation WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) joined several colleagues yesterday to introduce the bipartisan Chesapeake Bay Farm Bill Enhancements Act of 2017. This legislation increases mandatory funding for the bay, strengthens the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCCP) and provides more opportunities for effective conservation efforts. Senators Capito and Manchin were joined by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.). Congressman Bobby Scott (D-Va.) introduced the House companion measure. The Chesapeake Bay headwaters in West Virginia sustain important ecosystems and play a vital role in our states economy,Senator Capito said.This bipartisan legislation will provide essential grant funding for West Virginia, which will go a long way in continuing our efforts to support the bays restoration and care, ensuring that it remains a vibrant natural resource for future generations. Since 2014, the Regional Conservation Partnership Program invested $19.1 million for 6 projects with 88 partners in West Virginia. These projects have improved water quality and benefited the wildlife in our streams and rivers in the Eastern Panhandle. Overall, these investments have improved water quality in the Chesapeake Bay, without placing an unfair burden on the state, Senator Manchin said. Im proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation, to provide partners greater resources and ensure we continue to restore the nations largest estuary. Not only is the Chesapeake Bay a national treasure, its also crucial to Maryland jobs and our economy, said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and lead sponsor of the bill. This bill will provide more resources for restoration efforts that are key to the Bays health. As we begin work on the Farm Bill, I urge my colleagues to seriously consider this legislation. This investment will help ensure that our Bay economy continues to thrive and that Marylanders and tourists can enjoy this treasure for generations to come. In the 2008 Farm Bill, Congress authorized the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative to provide assistance to agricultural producers to minimize excess nutrients and sediments in order to restore, preserve, and protect the Chesapeake Bay. On average, approximately $50 million was invested annually in the Chesapeake Bay through in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative. In 2014, the RCPP was created in order to prioritize conservation resources that were previously handled by separate conservation programs such as the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative. Unfortunately, under the RCPP, the Chesapeake Bay has received significantly less funding averaging around $13 million annually. The Chesapeake Bay Farm Bill Enhancements Act would help restore some of this much-needed funding by tripling the amount of mandatory RCPP funding available per fiscal year from $100 million to $300 million. The bill would also improve technical assistance for partners and prioritize projects that improve water quality and water quantity and implement multi-state watershed restoration plans. The text of the legislation can be found here. A letter from groups supporting this legislation can be found here. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-calls-on-doj-to-reverse-decision-and-reopen-bannum-place-of-wheeling-,MANCHIN CALLS ON DOJ TO REVERSE DECISION AND REOPEN BANNUM PLACE OF WHEELING,2017-11-17,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"November 17, 2017 MANCHIN CALLS ON DOJ TO REVERSE DECISION AND REOPEN BANNUM PLACE OF WHEELING Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) sent a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions to reconsider the Bureau of Prisons’ decision to not renew the contract of Bannum Place of Wheeling, a residential reentry center that provides former offenders­­ a structured, supervised environment in which to live and receive job counseling and substance abuse treatment after their release from prison while they seek to rebuild their lives and reenter the workforce. Senator Manchin said in part: “West Virginia currently suffers from the lowest labor force participation rate and the highest overdose rate in the nation.  In 2016, West Virginia reported 818 overdose deaths – nearly a 13% increase over 2015.  For a state with such statistics, it is critical that we do everything necessary to provide treatment to individuals who need help so that they can return to the workforce and rejoin their communities. This problem is getting worse, not better. The state of West Virginia is now home to only three residential reentry centers. Closing Bannum Place of Wheeling is a step backwards in our fight against this epidemic.” “The closing of Bannum not only devastated myself and my employees but also the residents of Wheeling. We were a great community resource. At the time of the closing of Bannum, every one of the residents were employed. It is a big loss, especially for female inmates, to have no place to come and find employment, open bank accounts, and receive an education. The recidivism rate will likely skyrocket as a result of the closing of this critical resource,” said Lynette Banks, Director of Bannum Place of Wheeling. Opened in 2006, Bannum Place of Wheeling had been open for over 10 years providing critical services such as employment assistance, substance abuse treatment, financial planning education, and medical/mental health care. These services contributed to the 90% program completion rate of Bannum Place of Wheeling. It had an average daily population of 15 people. Read the full letter below or click here: Dear Attorney General Sessions: I write to express my strong objection to the recent closure of Bannum Place of Wheeling in Wheeling, West Virginia. I share the expressed concerns of the judges serving on the United States District Court in the Northern District of West Virginia and urge you to reopen this facility as soon as possible. Residential reentry centers promote addiction recovery, job training, and most importantly, community reintegration. Located in the heart of downtown Wheeling, Bannum Place of Wheeling maintained excellent working relationships with local law enforcement, employers, and community leaders. The strong relationships cultivated by the center and its outstanding director, Lynette Banks, contributed to the 90% completion rate and an extremely high rate of employment following completion of the program. The success of this facility cannot be overstated. It had been, without question, fulfilling its mission to reduce recidivism and strengthen communities. The pervasive nature of the opioid epidemic and the urgency with which attention is needed has been underscored by several members of the Trump Administration including the President himself during his recent declaration of a public health emergency. In his speech, he mentioned the “shocking death toll” observed across the country and, most importantly, stated that “we can be the generation that ends the opioid epidemic.” I, too, believe that we can end the opioid epidemic and request the assistance of the Bureau of Prisons and the Department of Justice to achieve this goal. West Virginia currently suffers from the lowest labor force participation rate and the highest overdose rate in the nation.  In 2016, West Virginia reported 818 overdose deaths – nearly a 13% increase over 2015.  For a state with such statistics, it is critical that we do everything necessary to provide treatment to individuals who need help so that they can return to the workforce and rejoin their communities. This problem is getting worse, not better. The state of West Virginia is now home to only three residential reentry centers. Closing Bannum Place of Wheeling is a step backwards in our fight against this epidemic. Bannum Place of Wheeling was the only residential reentry center in the Northern Panhandle, and I am concerned about the limited treatment and community reentry options now available to the residents of that region. Simply redirecting program participants to other residential reentry centers in the state is not feasible. The closest center in the state, located in Clarksburg, West Virginia, is a two hour drive from the jobs these residents have already obtained. Furthermore, the Clarksburg facility, with only nineteen beds, is simply too small to absorb the displaced participants from Bannum Place of Wheeling.  Accordingly, I write to ask that you consider all measures available to reopen the Bannum Place of Wheeling.  If it is not practical to renew the service contract with the previous operator of the center, I ask that you award a new contract to another service provider in order to allow the Wheeling Center to reopen and resume its critical role in serving West Virginians and helping our citizens reenter society. Thank you for your attention to this matter. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-capito-others-introduce-bipartisan-chesapeake-restoration-legislation,"Manchin, Capito, Others Introduce Bipartisan Chesapeake Restoration Legislation",2017-11-17,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,WV,Joe Manchin,M001183,www.manchin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"November 17, 2017 Manchin, Capito, Others Introduce Bipartisan Chesapeake Restoration Legislation WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) joined several colleagues yesterday to introduce the bipartisan Chesapeake Bay Farm Bill Enhancements Act of 2017. This legislation increases mandatory funding for the bay, strengthens the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCCP) and provides more opportunities for effective conservation efforts. Senators Capito and Manchin were joined by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.). Congressman Bobby Scott (D-Va.) introduced the House companion measure. “Since 2014, the Regional Conservation Partnership Program invested $19.1 million for 6 projects with 88 partners in West Virginia. These projects have improved water quality and benefited the wildlife in our streams and rivers in the Eastern Panhandle. Overall, these investments have improved water quality in the Chesapeake Bay, without placing an unfair burden on the state,” Senator Manchin said. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation, to provide partners greater resources and ensure we continue to restore the nation’s largest estuary.” “The Chesapeake Bay headwaters in West Virginia sustain important ecosystems and play a vital role in our state’s economy,” Senator Capito said. “This bipartisan legislation will provide essential grant funding for West Virginia, which will go a long way in continuing our efforts to support the bay’s restoration and care, ensuring that it remains a vibrant natural resource for future generations.” “Not only is the Chesapeake Bay a national treasure, it’s also crucial to Maryland jobs and our economy,” said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and lead sponsor of the bill. “This bill will provide more resources for restoration efforts that are key to the Bay’s health. As we begin work on the Farm Bill, I urge my colleagues to seriously consider this legislation. This investment will help ensure that our Bay economy continues to thrive and that Marylanders and tourists can enjoy this treasure for generations to come.” In the 2008 Farm Bill, Congress authorized the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative to provide assistance to agricultural producers to minimize excess nutrients and sediments in order to restore, preserve, and protect the Chesapeake Bay. On average, approximately $50 million was invested annually in the Chesapeake Bay through in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative. In 2014, the RCPP was created in order to prioritize conservation resources that were previously handled by separate conservation programs such as the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative. Unfortunately, under the RCPP, the Chesapeake Bay has received significantly less funding – averaging around $13 million annually. The Chesapeake Bay Farm Bill Enhancements Act would help restore some of this much-needed funding by tripling the amount of mandatory RCPP funding available per fiscal year from $100 million to $300 million. The bill would also improve technical assistance for partners and prioritize projects that improve water quality and water quantity and implement multi-state watershed restoration plans. The text of the legislation can be found here. A letter from groups supporting this legislation can be found here. # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://evanjenkins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-jenkins-votes-tax-cuts-jobs-act,REP. JENKINS VOTES FOR TAX CUTS & JOBS ACT,2017-11-16,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,WV,Evan Jenkins,J000297,evanjenkins.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) voted today to help pass the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, landmark tax reform legislation. “President Trump has made tax reform one of his key issues, and I was proud to stand with him to pass this once-in-a-generation tax cuts, tax simplification and job-creating legislation. Our vision for America is one where middle-class families can keep more of their hard-earned money and where small businesses can unleash their job-growing potential. Hardworking West Virginians know best how to spend their money, not Washington. We are one step closer to historic tax cuts for American families and small businesses, and I urge the Senate to act quickly to deliver this tax relief,” Rep. Jenkins said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mckinley.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=438,McKinley Votes to Provide Middle-Class Tax Relief,2017-11-16,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,WV,David McKinley,M001180,mckinley.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, the House passed H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which makes America's tax system fairer, simpler and lowers taxes on the middle-class. Congressman David B. McKinley, P.E., (WV-1) voted yes on the bill and will be monitoring the next steps with the Senate. share: f t Today, the House passed H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which makes America's tax system fairer, simpler and lowers taxes on the middle-class. Congressman David B. McKinley, P.E., (WV-1) voted yes on the bill and will be monitoring the next steps with the Senate. It has been 31 years since we updated our tax code. America is now much more deeply involved in global competition; therefore, it's time to reform our tax system. This reform will bring some much-needed relief to the middle-class. We must make our code simpler and fairer, and this bill removes special interest loopholes, reduces rates, and makes it so that most families can file their taxes on a postcard. It will also increase America's competitiveness on the world stage, and open the door for private sector job creation, said McKinley. Our office successfully worked to preserve clean coal research credits in the House legislation, he added. We are expecting the Historic Preservation Tax Credit to be included in the final version. We have a clear choice here: do we allow the status quo to continue, which only benefits the wealthy and politically connected? Or do we allow the process to continue and fight to ensure the final version is the best deal possible for the middle class and small employers? said McKinley. This is a process, and today we voted to move forward to the next step. Some issues still need to be resolved in the final bill, and we will be closely monitoring the negotiations, McKinley said. Background The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act delivers on the promises made by Congressional Republicans and President Trump to lower middle-class tax rates and open the door for more private sector job creation. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: Lowers individual tax rates for low- and middle-income Americans to Zero, 12%, 25%, and 35%.Doubles the standard deduction from $6,350 to $12,000 for individuals and $12,700 to $24,000 for married couples.Average middle-class family of four will save $1,182 per year on taxes.West Virginia will see a $1,685 increase in median household income.Expands the Child Tax Creditfrom $1,000 to $1,600 to help parents with the cost of raising children.Preserves the home mortgage interest deduction for existing mortgages and maintains the credit for newly purchased homes up to $500,000.Retains popular retirement savings optionssuch as 401(k)s and Individual Retirement Accounts so Americans can continue to save for their future.Lowers the corporate tax ratefrom 35% to 20%, opening the door for private sector job growth.Makes it easier and far less costly for American businesses to bring home foreign earningsto invest in creating jobs and increasing paychecks in our local communities. McKinley successfully worked with House leadership to ensure that the bill also retains critical clean coal research credits. As the process moves forward, he will continue working to ensure that the Historic Preservation Tax Credit is included in the final version that comes out of the conference committee. This credit is critical in redeveloping Main Streets throughout West Virginia.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mooney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-mooney-praises-tax-cuts-west-virginia-families,Congressman Mooney Praises Tax Cuts for West Virginia Families,2017-11-16,2017,2017-11,Republican,House,WV,Alex Mooney,M001195,mooney.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Mooney Praises Tax Cuts for West Virginia Families Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Alex X. Mooney (WV-02) voted for H.R. 1 - the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which will result in a $1,655 tax cut for the average family in West Virginia’s Second Congressional District. He released the following statement: “Today, I proudly voted for lower taxes for all hard-working West Virginia taxpayers. I share President Donald Trump’s commitment to creating more good paying jobs in our state and country. The current tax code is too confusing and in our tax reform plan most Americans will file their taxes on a postcard. This bill will grow our economy, encourage job creation and raise take-home pay. While Democrats have failed to offer any tax relief plans, the Republican majority in Congress ran on a plan to reform the tax code—and today we delivered a big win for the American people. I support President Trump in bringing much needed tax relief for West Virginia families and small businesses,” said Rep. Mooney. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z