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MANCHIN, FCC COMMISSIONER ROSENWORCEL ENCOURAGE LEWIS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL TO SUBMIT SPEED TESTS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Federal Communications Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel encouraged Lewis County High School students to submit broadband speed tests while they are learning from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Senator Manchin will send these speed tests to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai to advocate for the FCC to create a public feedback system and fix their broadband coverage maps, which determine where federal funding goes to expand broadband coverage.
“Everyone in West Virginia knows that many areas of our state lack reliable broadband coverage and the COVID-19 pandemic has made this disparity even more clear. Commissioner Rosenworcel and I are teaming up with the students of Lewis County High School to submit tests to the FCC to prove that their broadband coverage maps are plain wrong and need fixed before millions of dollars are incorrectly distributed to expand broadband coverage,” said Senator Manchin. “I look forward to working with the students of Lewis County High to push the FCC to fix their maps so that all students in West Virginia have reliable broadband access to complete their schoolwork during this crisis and beyond. And thank you Commissioner Rosenworcel for continuing to be a great ally to West Virginia and our efforts to expand reliable broadband. If you would like to submit a speed test, please visit https://www.manchin.senate.gov/speedtest.”
MANCHIN, CAPITO ANNOUNCE $57 MILLION TO INCREASE COVID-19 TESTING IN WEST VIRGINIA
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $57,211,926 from the CARES Act for West Virginia to increase COVID-19 testing across the state.
“In order to eventually reopen our state safely, we must rapidly expand testing for all West Virginians. But I continue to hear from West Virginians across the state who can’t get tested before returning to work and healthcare providers who don’t have the supplies needed to perform enough tests,” said Senator Manchin. “This funding will help our public health officials and healthcare providers procure the necessary equipment to perform the COVID-19 tests. West Virginians always care for one another, and right now that means listening to public health officials, wearing masks, and heeding state guidance to slow the spread of COVID-19 as we work to reopen our businesses and communities.”
MANCHIN HEARS FROM WEST VIRGINIA MUNICIPAL LEAGUE AMID CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
Washington, DC – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) participated in a call with the West Virginia Municipal League to hear their concerns about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“West Virginia’s towns and cities are feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their communities and they need help to take care of their communities during this crisis. West Virginia has $1.25 billion sitting in the bank waiting to be distributed to municipalities, and I’ve called on Governor Justice to distribute the funding. Today I spoke with the West Virginia Municipal League and answered their questions about federal assistance during the pandemic. I will continue to advocate for municipalities to receive the funding they need to keep their communities together during this crisis,” said Senator Manchin.
MANCHIN, DURBIN, KAINE, BROWN, CASEY, CAPITO, WARNER INTRODUCE BILL TO PROTECT MINERS FROM COVID-19 EXPOSURE
Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Bob Casey (D-PA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced the COVID-19 Mine Worker Protection Act which would require the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) to issue an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) within 7 days of enactment to protect our miners from COVID-19 exposure at the mines. Additionally, the bill would forbid mine operators from retaliating against miners for reporting infection control problems to their employer or any public authority.
“Our miners risk their lives every day to power our nation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, that risk is even greater for our brave miners. On April 17, my colleagues and I sent a letter to President Trump asking for MSHA to implement these safety standards, but they have yet to act to protect our miners,” said Senator Manchin. “I introduced the bipartisan COVID-19 Mine Worker Protection Act to ensure that our miners are protected from exposure to COVID-19 in the mines. This commonsense legislation will help our miners stay safe during this pandemic while they continue to provide Americans with the power they need every day and especially when so many Americans are spending extended amounts of time at home. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle as well as MSHA and the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) to pass this legislation and protect our miners during this pandemic.” |