Due to a system update, there will not be a newsletter published for the next two weeks. The newsletter will resume on June 4. Visit the Senator's website and social media to stay up-to-date.

Upcoming Job Fairs

I am proud to co-host these major hiring events, with more to be listed throughout the year. If you are looking for a job, want to change your career, or build your skills, these job fairs are the places to be!            

Click here to stay up-to-date.

Scheduling  

Senator Manchin and his office representatives participate in events and meetings across the Mountain State throughout the year.  From Skypes with classrooms, to small business ribbon cuttings, job fairs, and Manchin Mobile Mondays -local meetings with Senator Manchin's staff about the issues that matter in your community- the Senator and his office are honored to receive your invitation.   

To invite the Senator to your event, click here.

11th Commonsense Connections

Manchin staff will visit all 55 counties in one week

I am pleased to announce that my office will launch its 11th “Commonsense Connections” Week beginning Monday, May 20 and ending Friday, May 24. Representatives from my state offices will make stops across the state, visiting all 55 counties to hear West Virginians’ commonsense priorities and concerns and to offer my assistance with federal agencies through casework.

I believe in retail government - bringing the government directly to our citizens, hearing their concerns and finding the best possible commonsense solutions to the issues that matter to them. The customer comes first in business, just as the citizens should come first in government. That is what ‘Commonsense Connections’ is all about – my staff travels to every corner of the state and meets with our constituents to hear about the personal challenges they are facing and their ideas of how to move our country forward, and then I take their ideas to Washington.

Senator Manchin launched his first-ever “Commonsense Connections” Week in February 2011, when representatives from his office traveled to all 55 counties in the state. This is the 11th time the staff will visit every county in the state in one week.

Please note Senator Manchin will not be in attendance for these events.

Click here for a list of stops by county.

From the Hill to the Mountains

MANCHIN INTRODUCES TWO BILLS TO FIGHT THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC 

This week I introduced the Opioid Quota Openness, Transparency, and Awareness (QuOTA) Act and the Safer Prescribing of Controlled Substances Act. The QuOTA Act will address the opioid crisis through increasing transparency of the Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) production quotas for manufacturers so that the general public will have more information about these dangerous prescriptions. The Safer Prescribing of Controlled Substances Act will change the DEA regulations around physician licenses to prescribe opioids so that physicians are required to receive training before receiving or renewing their DEA license. 

I have introduced these two bills to give those on the frontlines of the opioid epidemic the upper hand in preventing prescription opioids from getting into the wrong hands. The DEA and prescribers are our first line of defense in this epidemic and these bills will strengthen opioid production quota regulations and the education of physicians so they know how to safely prescribe opioids to people who truly need them. By making these changes, we can combat the opioid epidemic and continue to heal our communities and citizens who have been affected by the epidemic. Fighting the opioid epidemic has been my top priority and I will continue to push for legislation that helps West Virginians and our country fight and recover from this terrible crisis.

MANCHIN ANNOUNCES $18 MILLION FOR WV RURAL AIRPORT RUNWAY IMPROVEMENTS

This week I was proud to announce $18 million for two West Virginia airports through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Funding will support runway improvements and rehabilitation.

As a pilot, I know the importance of keeping our airport runways in top-notch condition. Small, rural airports particularly need our help, which is why I worked with my colleagues to include an additional $1 billion in FY18 within the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program for airports like Huntington and Parkersburg. I was pleased to see that Charleston received funding in the first round, and I am glad that DOT has decided to release the second round of funds so we can invest in infrastructure in the Tri-State and Mid-Ohio Valley airports. I will continue to use my position on the Senate Appropriations Committee to make sure every airport in our state has the funds it needs to continue to grow.

Individual awards listed below:

• $10,000,000– Tri-State Airport in Huntington
• $8,000,000– Mid-Ohio Valley Airport in Parkersburg

MANCHIN APPLAUDS EPA ADMINISTRATOR WHEELER FOR MINDEN CLEANUP ANNOUNCEMENT

I applaud Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Wheeler for his addition of the Shaffer Equipment/Arbuckle Creek area to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL), which prioritizes areas of contamination that affect local communities and environmental health.

This is a great step in the right direction for the Shaffer Equipment/Arbuckle Creek area so that they can begin fixing the situation that is harming residents of Minden. In March, I sent a letter to Administrator Wheeler urging him to add the Shaffer Equipment/Arbuckle Creek area to the NPL, and I am glad that this was taken to heart. I am grateful for the efforts of EPA staff in support of this community, but the residents of Minden are in dire need of further assistance. Now that we have the NPL designation, I will continue to request that the EPA consider relocation efforts as an option as well as consider pursuing long-term remedial action in order to pursue a permanent solution to the contamination at the Shaffer site. I look forward to seeing the positive changes made for the citizens of Minden and the surrounding area.

MANCHIN CONGRATULATES WEST VIRGINIA'S TOP YOUTH VOLUNTEERS OF 2019

Quinn Raffo of Craigsville and Chloe Orecchio of Weirton for received the 2019 Prudential Spirit of Community Award alongside 100 other extraordinary, service-minded young Americans.

I want to personally congratulate Quinn and Chloe on their service and contributions to the state of West Virginia. One of the best qualities of West Virginians is that we are committed to helping our neighbors and bettering our communities. Quinn and Chloe are prime examples of this and they make every West Virginian proud. I commend them on their accomplishments and know that they will continue to make us proud.

Click here for more highlights from the week.