WV JOBS

I am proud to have co-hosted 48 major hiring events throughout the state since 2015. If you are looking for a job, want to change your career, or enhance your skills, these job fairs are the places to be! Check back in the new year for upcoming fairs.

Another available resource for job seekers is the recently launched www.DiscoverWVJobs.com.

Click here to stay up-to-date.

Scheduling

My staff and I 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, we are honored to receive your invitation.

To invite the Senator to your event, click here.

Manchin Mobile Monday

Every Monday, members of my staff are available in easily accessed locations across the state to assist with constituent services and to bring your thoughts and concerns directly back to me. Below are next week's times and locations for Monday, December 9.

Shady Spring

Shady Spring Branch Library

440 Flat Top Road

Time: 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Staff: Regional Coordinator, Ali Mitchell, will attend.

Spencer

Roane County Committee on Aging

811 Madison Avenue

Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Staff: Regional Coordinator, Brian Aluise, will attend.

From the Hill to the Mountains

MANCHIN: FCC ADMITS COVERAGE MAPS ARE WRONG

This report confirms what I have been saying all along – these maps are wrong. I commend my fellow West Virginians for investing their time and energy into this process, and I hope that FCC appreciates the critical role they played in bringing these problems to light through the Challenge Process. I look forward to learning more about this newly announced 5G Fund and hope that it will build on the successes of the MFII process and not throw the baby out with the bath water. At a minimum, it should include a process to confirm the accuracy of the eligibility maps before billions of dollars go out the door, and it should include a terrain factor to ensure that the hardest to serve places can compete for this limited funding. The promise of 5G sounds great, but there are many places in West Virginia that do not have any service at all. We cannot forget about them.

MANCHIN MEETS WITH FDA COMMISSIONER NOMINEE DR. STEPHEN HAHN

Today, I had a productive meeting with Dr. Hahn about his qualifications, his vision for the FDA and what he will do to fight the opioid epidemic. With 131 Americans dying every day due to an opioid overdose, the FDA now more than ever needs a champion who is committed to changing the way the agency handles opioids. In 2016, I voted against FDA Commissioner Dr. Califf’s nomination because of his close ties to the pharmaceutical industry which created this epidemic. The FDA and the Commissioner’s number one priority should be public health. We need to change the culture of the FDA and we need a commissioner who will push back against the pressure to continually approve new opioid medications given the significant risks to public health.

MANCHIN INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN BILL TO IMPROVE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR RURAL VETERANS

I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan bill that will make it easier and more accessible for Veterans to travel to VA facilities. I have heard more about travel and transportation from Veterans in West Virginia than almost any other Veterans issue due to the recent change in the state veterans van program back to the Disabled American Veterans transportation network. This legislation will help ensure our Veterans in rural areas have the access to services even if they are hard to get to. This is just common sense and I look forward to passing this bipartisan legislation into law.

MANCHIN INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO HELP PROTECT PEOPLE'S PERSONAL DATA ONLINE

I am very concerned about the increased frequency of online data breaches and the dangers they present for users. We must give American users the confidence they need to feel that their sensitive information remains safe online. When you go to a bank or a doctor’s office, you expect them to protect your personal information. Just because a company is online shouldn’t make them any different. That’s why I am proud to partner with my colleagues on this bill that would require online services to secure personal data and protect users from harm.

MANCHIN CONGRATULATES SHARON ROCKEFELLER FOR NATIONAL MEDAL OF ARTS AWARD

I’d like to congratulate Sharon Rockefeller on being awarded a 2019 National Medal of Arts. It is great to see such an accomplished West Virginian recognized for her incredible work in the arts. From promoting the Public Broadcasting Service during her tenure as First Lady of West Virginia to serving as the Chairperson of the National Gallery of Art, Sharon has always been the best at anything she’s championed. Sharon’s accomplishments represent the dedication all West Virginians have towards bettering their communities and she makes every West Virginian proud. I am so proud to call Sharon and Jay my friends, and remain thankful for their dedicated service to our state and nation.

Energy Committee News

MANCHIN STATEMENT ON BROUILLETTE CONFIRMATION

I'm pleased to join my Senate colleagues in voting to confirm Mr. Dan Brouillette to be our next Secretary of Energy. Today marks the third time the Senate has voted to confirm Mr. Brouillette in a bipartisan manner. With experience on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the Department of Energy and USAA, Mr. Brouillette is well-qualified to lead the Department of Energy. I look forward to working with him to advance our energy innovation agenda and bring the Appalachian Storage Hub to fruition.

Key Federal Resources

MANCHIN, CAPITO ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $1.4 MILLION FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN WEST VIRGINIA

Strategic financial decisions boost economic and community development and improve the prosperity of our families, businesses and communities. I am pleased that West Virginians will get the financial support they need, whether that is for affordable housing, critical loans to get small businesses off the ground, or to develop and carry out sound economic plans. As a member of the Financial Services Appropriations Subcommittee in the Senate, which oversees funding for the CDFI fund each year, I will continue to fight for funding that boosts economic development in West Virginia.

MANCHIN, CAPITO ANNOUNCE $356K TO COMBAT OPIOID EPIDEMIC IN WEST VIRGINIA

West Virginia has the highest overdose rate per capita of any state, and the impacts of this epidemic can be felt in every family, every community and every part of our state. This funding will go a long way in helping combat the opioid crisis, and I look forward to seeing the important work accomplished by the Martinsburg Initiative. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue to fight to ensure West Virginia receives the necessary funding to fight the opioid epidemic in every way possible.

MANCHIN, CAPITO ANNOUNCE $4.6 MILLION FOR WEST VIRGINIA AIRPORTS

In West Virginia, our airports help drive our economy and boost our tourism industry. Ensuring they receive the resources they need is crucial and this funding will help airports in West Virginia make the needed improvements and repairs so they can continue to operate. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee and one of the only aviators in the Senate, I always have our West Virginia airports in mind and will continue to ensure they receive the funding they need.

MANCHIN, CAPITO ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $1 MILLION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS IN WELLSBURG

West Virginians have bounced back from the pain and destruction the terrible 2016 floods caused, but we still have more to do. This funding provided by FEMA will help prepare us for future flooding and help prevent potential damages to our infrastructure and communities. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue to fight for additional resources that support infrastructure to prevent future disasters in West Virginia.

MANCHIN ANNOUNCES $450K FOR DEFENSE RESEARCH AT WVU

West Virginians have helped shape our nation and support our military through research, manufacturing, and coal mining for over a century and we have a proud tradition of supporting our service members and Veterans. These awards show that WVU is a world class research institution, and I am glad to see this investment into our state ensures that West Virginians will continue to develop technology that protects our great country and our service members. As a member of both the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for funding that supports this type of research and development.

ON THE ROAD

In Honor of the Anniversary of the Attacks on Pearl Harbor

The surprise attack was a monumental event not only in American history, but in all of world history. It awakened a “sleeping giant,” as some Japanese leaders feared. It gave every man, woman, and child in America a personal stake in a global war over the very survival of human civilization. Millions of brave souls boarded planes and ships to join the fight. At home, brave Americans entered the factories and shipyards to supply the war effort, sacrificing to support their family members who were fighting for the freedom of the world.

These Americans, our “greatest generation,” persevered, but they did so with the same firm belief in the greatness of America, with the same love of country greater than of life itself. America became, and remains, a free nation under God because of such men and women.

President Franklin Roosevelt said in his address before Congress that the attack on Pearl Harbor would be “a date which will live in infamy.” In nearly 80 years we have never forgotten. We must make sure that each year, and more importantly every day, that we remember those past sacrifices and the ongoing sacrifices being made to protect our homeland and to secure our freedom.

On December 7, let us not forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we hold dear.

Our home state has mined the coal that forged the steel that built the great ships and tanks that Americans have served on. West Virginia has given much, and we have much to be proud of. May God continue to bless America and the great state of West Virginia.

I'm proud to thank the countless West Virginians who shopped locally this weekend in honor of Small Business Saturday. When our small business succeed, our entire state succeeds. Thank you to our small business owners who maintain the standards of warm, West Virginia hospitality and unparalleled customer service.

Click below to watch.

I had the privilege of speaking with some of Hundred High School's best and brightest this week. Thank you all for your excellent questions.

Regional Coordinator Brian Aluise attended the WV Coding and Cyber Summit and participated in the outstanding coding presentations.

Senior Caseworker Cris Hewett attended the deployment sendoff for the 1st Squadron, 150th Cavalry Regiment. The WV National Guard is a vital contributor in keeping America safe and free. I proudly join all West Virginians in thanking them for their service and wish them a safe return.

HOW MAY WE HELP YOU?

To request assistance from my case team, click here.

As your U.S. Senator, I am proud to be your voice with government agencies during your time of need. My goal is for me and my staff to provide the best possible customer service for every West Virginian who contacts me needing assistance. While I have no direct jurisdiction in legal or administrative matters of any federal, state, or local agency, I welcome the opportunity to assist you in any way possible and to assure that full consideration is given to your case. See one of our recent success stories below:

Mr. Kevin Milam contacted the Senator’s office for help with the Social Security Administration. His disability was approved in December 2018, and by September he still hadn’t received his retroactive payment award. Senior Caseworker Cris Hewett reached out to the SSA Payment Center and within 30 days, Mr. Milam was awarded his back pay.

IN YOUR COMMUNITY

To inform our office of community events we can showcase, click here.

Economic Injury Disaster Loan Availability Announcement

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced that Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations located in Mingo County, West Virginia, as a result of drought beginning Oct. 15, 2019.

"This county is eligible because it is contiguous to one or more primary counties in Kentucky. The Small Business Administration recognizes that disasters do not usually stop at county or state lines. For that reason, counties adjacent to primary counties named in the declaration are included," said Kem Fleming, director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East.

Learn more here.

Social Security Phone Scam - Learn How to Protect Yourself

Social Security employees do occasionally contact people--generally those who have ongoing business with the agency--by telephone for business purposes. However, Social Security employees will never threaten a person or promise a Social Security benefit approval, or increase, in exchange for information. In those cases, the call is fraudulent and people should not engage with the caller. If a person receives these calls, he or she should report the information to the OIG Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271 or online at https://oig.ssa.gov/report.

To watch a PSA about the scam, click here or visit www.ssa.gov for more information.

Social Security has recently worked with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission to create a new fraud prevention placemat to help you avoid Social Security scams. You can order free copies of the placemat to use at dining venues, or to share with friends and family. The placemat is in English on one side and Spanish on the other side.

To learn more, call my office Toll Free at (855) 275-5737, email me, or find me on social media:

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