Op-Eds
Both Parties Should Support My Permitting Reform Bill
by Senator Joe Manchin
Congress votes this week on the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2022. It’s a defining moment. Will we promote energy security and independence, or will we allow extreme ideologies and politics to embolden our nation’s enemies? Will we allow toxic tribal politics and the Vladimir Putins of the world to dictate our future, or will we protect our nation’s energy security?We are in the midst of a global energy war, and the American people—Republican, Democrat and independent—are paying the … Continue Reading
February 22, 2022
Funding For W.Va To Address Abandoned Mine Lands
by Senator Joe Manchin
On the morning of Nov. 20, 1968, the Farmington Consol No. 9 mine exploded and 78 brave coal miners lost their lives in the hours that followed. It was a tragic day that my family, and so many other families, will never forget. Like many other West Virginians, that disaster was personal to me. I lost my uncle John and several of my classmates and friends. I’ll never forget the look on my mother’s face when she found out her younger brother had died in the explosion. You can’t tell the history … Continue Reading
February 11, 2022
President Biden Should Withdraw Nominee To Lead The Food And Drug Administration
by Senators Joe Manchin and Mike Braun
Since OxyContin was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1995, more than 500,000 Americans have died from overdoses related to opioids and synthetic opioids.Nearly three decades later, more than 101,000 Americans - over 1,500 West Virginians and nearly 2,500 Hoosiers - died between June 2020 and June 2021. It’s clear that not much has changed in the way the FDA approves and manages these highly addictive, destructive drugs killing Americans at an astonishing rate.In fact, it has … Continue Reading
November 14, 2021
Infrastructure bill delivers for West Virginia
by Senator Joe Manchin and Senator Shelley Moore Capito
Across the Mountain State, we are in desperate need of infrastructure investments. More than 3,200 miles of highway and 1,545 bridges are in poor condition. At least 258,000 West Virginians have no broadband access. Thirty-two percent of trains and transit vehicles are beyond their useful lives.The lack of reliable and affordable broadband access makes it difficult for our students to complete their homework, our fellow West Virginians to start new businesses and our seniors to attend … Continue Reading
September 02, 2021
Why I Won’t Support Spending Another $3.5 Trillion
by Senator Joe Manchin
The nation faces an unprecedented array of challenges and will inevitably encounter additional crises in the future. Yet some in Congress have a strange belief there is an infinite supply of money to deal with any current or future crisis, and that spending trillions upon trillions will have no negative consequence for the future. I disagree.An overheating economy has imposed a costly “inflation tax” on every middle- and working-class American. At $28.7 trillion and growing, the … Continue Reading
August 10, 2021
Manchin: 'The Senate is not broken'
by Senator Joe Manchin
West Virginia is home to rolling hills, roaring rivers, and vast forests that make our state Almost Heaven. Those same treasures make for rough terrain and communities that lack access to broadband and upgraded infrastructure.Across the Mountain State, 1,545 bridges and more than 3,200 miles of highway are in poor condition. Thirty-two percent of trains and transit vehicles are beyond their useful lives. More than 258,000 West Virginians have no broadband access.West Virginia’s infrastructure … Continue Reading
June 08, 2021
Why I'm voting against the For the People Act
by Senator Joe Manchin
The right to vote is fundamental to our American democracy and protecting that right should not be about party or politics. Least of all, protecting this right, which is a value I share, should never be done in a partisan manner.During my time as West Virginia’s secretary of state, I was determined to protect this right and ensure our elections are fair, accessible and secure. Not to benefit my party but all the people of West Virginia. For example, as secretary of state I took specific … Continue Reading
April 07, 2021
I will not vote to eliminate or weaken the filibuster | The Washington Post
by Senator Joe Manchin
When Americans vote to send their two senators to Washington, they trust that they will work to represent the interests of their state on equal footing with 98 other senators. I have always said, “If I can’t go home and explain it, I can’t vote for it.” And I respect that each of my colleagues has the same responsibility to their constituents.It’s no accident that a state as small as West Virginia has the same number of senators as California or Texas. It goes to the heart of what … Continue Reading
March 14, 2021
Biden's Plan Will Help Keep Us West Virginia Strong | Charleston Gazette-Mail
by Senator Joe Manchin
Almost one year ago, the first West Virginian was diagnosed with COVID-19. In the time since then we have seen our schools close and reopen, small businesses shut their doors and watched in awe as our hospital workers, grocery store clerks, first responders and front line workers became superheroes. We got used to wearing masks and frequently using hand sanitizer, social distancing when we are around loved ones and doing everything possible to contain the virus. Despite our best efforts we … Continue Reading
February 13, 2021
Cutting state income tax a bad move for WV | Charleston Gazette-Mail
by Senator Joe Manchin
I write today with serious concerns about federal funds the state is anticipating and the harm that will come if financial decisions are made based on a reliance on these federal funds. I urge you to consider the long term ramifications of the proposal.The total West Virginia budget is slightly more than $4.6 billion. Of that amount, $2.2 billion — nearly half — is dependent on the state income tax.The income tax supports early literacy programs and schools, our health departments that are … Continue Reading
January 05, 2021
Congress, it's time to do our job | CNN Opinion
by Senator Joe Manchin
I was first sworn in as a United States senator on November 15, 2010, and took an oath to defend the United States Constitution. Standing alongside me that day was my mother, my wife, our children and grandchildren. I raised my right hand and placed my left hand on our family Bible. Then, I swore to "support and defend" and to "bear true faith and allegiance to" the Constitution of the United States of America.I have since had the honor of taking that oath two more times upon being reelected … Continue Reading
December 23, 2020
Sharing wild and wonderful with the world | The Register-Herald
by Senator Joe Manchin and Senator Shelley Moore Capito
First designated as a National River in 1978, the New River Gorge is composed of approximately 72,000 acres of land along 53 miles of one of the world’s oldest rivers - the New River - stretching from Bluestone Dam to Hawk’s Nest Lake. More importantly, it is home to hiking trails, globally-renowned rock climbing formations, world-class whitewater rafting, and remarkable hunting and fishing opportunities. Not to mention, the third tallest bridge in the United States - an iconic West Virginia … Continue Reading
December 15, 2020
How we compromised on covid-19 relief | The Washington Post
by Senator Joe Manchin and Senator Mitt Romney
Coming off the most bitter, divisive presidential election (and post-election) in modern American history, expectations have been understandably low for Congress’s ability to agree on anything — even another round of covid-19 relief. Progress has been nonexistent for several months, with talks at an impasse between a comprehensive $2.2 trillion stimulus package put forth by Democrats and a much more targeted $500 billion bill proposed by Republicans. These proposals were denounced and … Continue Reading
August 26, 2020
Outdoors Act Helps Keep W.Va. Wild, Wonderful
by Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott
As West Virginians, we areblessed to live in one of the most naturally beautiful states in the nation. From our scenic rivers to our majestic mountains to our unspoiled wilderness areas, there truly is something for everyone in “wild and wonderful”West Virginia.With the recent signing into law of the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act, our region and our state are even better poised to take advantage of West Virginia’s natural beauty by expanding outdoor recreation opportunities while … Continue Reading
June 20, 2020
Investing in our outdoor treasures | The Martinsburg Journal
by Senator Joe Manchin
West Virginia boasts world-class rivers, seemingly never-ending forests, and a rich history that ties the outdoors to the core of our state’s identity. Ask most West Virginians and they’ll tell you how they grew up hunting, hiking, fishing, and exploring our wild and wonderful backyard. It’s who we are and what we love to do. That’s why I’m proud to lead the Great American Outdoors Act which reinvests in our outdoor treasures.But our recreation areas are not just beautiful, they also support … Continue Reading
June 15, 2020
How to create good new jobs in America's wonderlands | CNN
by Senator Joe Manchin and Senator Cory Gardner
Setting aside our natural treasures to be owned and enjoyed by the public at large was one of the most forward thinking ideas in our country's history. Growing up in Colorado and West Virginia, our childhoods were marked with field trips and adventures in our country's majestic public lands. Whether it was hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park or the woods of North Central West Virginia, we learned to appreciate the great American outdoors.Now, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to … Continue Reading
May 28, 2020
Put This Bipartisan Legislation to Bolster our Food Supply Chain in Any Additional COVID-19 Relief Package | Agripulse
by Sen. Joe Manchin, Sen. Kevin Cramer, Sen. Agnus King, Sen. Mike Rounds, Sen. Steve Daines, Sen. Tina Smith, Sen. John Barrasso, Sen. Jon Tester, and Sen. Michael Enzi
Agriculture is the economic engine for many communities in the Midwest, North East, and across the Upper Great Plains. Our agricultural producers play a critical role in feeding and fueling our nation, and also in our national security strategy. When we can produce affordable, nutritious food here at home, we don’t have to rely on other countries to obtain it. Unfortunately, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is exposing several vulnerabilities to our nation’s food supply chain.Today, around … Continue Reading
May 27, 2020
Senator Manchin and FCC Commissioner Rosenworcel urge Lewis County to speed test | The Weston Democrat
by Senator Joe Manchin and FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel
Last fall, we went back to school. We visited Lewis County High School in Weston to gather in the auditorium and speak at an assembly about broadband access in the community. Our message to the students was simple: If you can’t connect, you can’t compete.Today, having broadband is essential for everyone. It’s how students do their homework. It’s how businesses communicate with customers. It’s how health care gets to patients - especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when telehealth is more … Continue Reading
April 19, 2020
WV healthcare providers need more support | The Herald-Dispatch
by Senator Joe Manchin
It’s no secret West Virginia is one of the most naturally beautiful rural states in the nation. Our majestic mountains, rolling hills, valleys and rivers make for the perfect escape. However, it’s not without its challenges. The wild and wonderful features of our state can make travel and infrastructure a challenge, especially for those who live in our most remote locations. In turn, our rural communities can sometimes be the most challenging to serve.We see this as we fight to get reliable … Continue Reading
April 12, 2020
We Must Support Rural Healthcare | AARP West Virginia Update
by Senator Joe Manchin
Rural hospitals and healthcare providers throughout West Virginia are the first line of defense in the communities they serve. Already, our rural healthcare providers often operate on shoestring budgets to provide the best possible care to the populations they serve. As we fight the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot allow these rural hospitals and providers to close. That's why I've been advocating for dedicated funding for our rural healthcare providers and increased telehealth options to fill … Continue Reading
