There will not be a newsletter on Friday, November 27.

BROADBAND

The sad fact is that many places in West Virginia simply do not have access to reliable broadband and the lack of access affects West Virginians every day. Back in 2015, the FCC released a coverage map that stated 99.9% of Americans had wireless coverage. I knew then what I know now: That is just plain wrong.

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 success stories below:

Heather Wright of Inwood contacted Senator Manchin for assistance with her military retirement payments. Heather medically retired from the National Guard in Martinsburg, however 17 months of payments were missing. For 27 months she had gone back and forth between the Guard and DFAS to obtain her pay. As a result of Caseworker Angie Walsh’s inquiry, the error was resolved.

From the Hill to the Mountains

MANCHIN SLAMS VA PRIVATIZATION OF COMPENSATION AND PENSION EXAMS FOR DISABLED VETERANS
Charleston, WV – Last week, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, led his colleagues in expressing concerns about the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) recent decision to increase the privatization of Compensation and Pension (C&P) exams, negatively impacting services and benefits provided to disabled Veterans.

MANCHIN STATEMENT ON BIDEN CABINET NOMINEES
Charleston, WV – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released the following statement on President-elect Biden’s cabinet nominations.

"President-elect Biden has announced several well-qualified, experienced and professional nominees for various roles within his administration and will continue to do so in the coming days and weeks. As a former Governor, I understand how critical it is for an executive leader to build a team he can trust and is ready to begin the critical work immediately after being confirmed. The role of the Senate is to review and confirm these nominees and I take that responsibility seriously. I will carefully review the qualifications and merits of each nominee as they come before the Senate."

MANCHIN STATEMENT ON THE DEATH OF TAYLOR MELDIN HALSTEAD AT KANAWHA COUNTY MINE FACILITY
Charleston, WV – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today released the following statement on the death of Taylor Meldin Halstead at the American Eagle Mine in Kanawha County.

"Gayle and I send our hearts out to Taylor Meldin Halstead’s family, friends, and loved ones. This terrible news is especially heartbreaking during the holidays. Our miners put their lives on the line every day as they enter the mines and power our great nation. We are deeply grateful for their sacrifices, and we are forever thankful for Taylor’s contribution to our state. This is truly a tragic loss. Gayle and I, like all West Virginians, will keep Taylor’s family and loved ones in our prayers."

MANCHIN LEADS BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL MEMBERS IN PRESSING FOR LOCAL MEDIA CONSIDERATION IN RECRUITMENT ADVERTISING IN FY21 NDAA
Charleston, WV – Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Representatives Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) and Bradley Byrne (R-AL-1) pressed for local media consideration when the Department of Defense (DoD) uses advertisements for recruitment. The Members specifically called for the use of the House-passed language in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

MANCHIN ANNOUNCES SERVICE ACADEMY NOMINATIONS
Recommends 45 Students From Across West Virginia
Charleston, WV – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced today that he will nominate 45 West Virginia students from 16 counties to the U.S. Service Academies, which include the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point. This year, Senator Manchin is providing letters of recommendation to students who would like to attend the U.S. Coast Guard Academy or who are seeking Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) scholarships.

"West Virginia has a legacy of military service and sacrifice and I truly believe we are the most patriotic state in the nation. It is my highest honor to recommend 45 of West Virginia’s brightest young men and women to the U.S. Service Academies," Senator Manchin said. "Each of these students worked hard to earn these nominations and are determined to serve our country. Many are also striving to carry on the proud military heritage of their families. Today, I join all West Virginians in congratulating these hardworking and patriotic students who are committed to becoming our next generation of military leaders."

MANCHIN, BROWN, CASEY, KAINE, WARNER URGE MSHA TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO PROTECT MINERS FROM SILICA EXPOSURE
Charleston, WV – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Bob Casey (D-PA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Mark Warner (D-VA) urged the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) to take immediate action to protect miners from excess silica exposure after the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (OIG) published a report on the inadequate measures currently in place to protect miners from the harmful carcinogen linked to deadly respiratory diseases such as black lung, silicosis, and progressive massive fibrosis (PMF).

MANCHIN APPLAUDS TSA UPGRADES AT YEAGER AIRPORT
Charleston, WV – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today applauded the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for installing a credential authentication technology (CAT) unit at Yeager Airport which aims to create a more hassle free screening process for passengers.

"As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect our daily lives, we must work together to implement new technology and procedures to reduce our risk. Today’s announcement is a great step for Yeager Airport and I am pleased the TSA is investing in our airport with this new technology. The CAT unit will help TSA officials authenticate passengers IDs and boarding passes with less contact and quicker screening, limiting passenger and staff interaction. I look forward to seeing the benefits of this new system at Yeager and will continue to advocate for funding that supports our airports across West Virginia," said Senator Manchin.

THANKSGIVING MESSAGE

As Thanksgiving approaches, Gayle and I are reminded once again of the importance of family: the source of life’s greatest joys and its deepest bonds. Our loved ones are the foundation of our country as well as the inspirational force in each of our lives. We are so blessed with the riches of loving families and friends, a beautiful state to call home, and the knowledge that we are truly a statewide community with an unbreakable bond. Not only is this approach good for the soul but it makes West Virginia the best place to work and live.

This year has brought unprecedented challenges but in true West Virginia fashion, we have seen each other rise up to help our neighbors and go above and beyond the call of duty. In the words of Abraham Lincoln, “The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battle-field and patriot grave to every living heart and hearth-stone, all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”

Let us continue to let our Better Angels fly - to pray for peace, safety, and a greater understanding of one another. My parents taught me that if you can count your blessings, you can share your blessings. We are all so blessed to enjoy their opportunities of this great nation.

We wish each of you a very Happy Thanksgiving.

- Joe & Gayle

Information is updated daily on: manchin.senate.gov/coronavirus

WV STRONG

I was always taught that if you can count your blessings, you can share your blessings. I’ve been seeing so many great WV Strong and Better Angels stories. During these unprecedented times, it’s important to focus on all the wonderful things that are still happening every day in our beautiful state.

Nominated as today’s Better Angels is the team with the Brooke County Salvation Army. In addition to the challenges that have come with COVID-19, the Unity Apartments in Wellsburg also experienced flooding in March which displaced the first floor tenants until reconstruction began recently. The team at Unity called on their local Salvation Army for help and in true West Virginia fashion, they went above and beyond to help, delivering meals and supplies during those critical months.

Every person involved with these programs and services is representing the very best of who we are as a statewide community, and I am grateful every single day for the outstanding impact of the Salvation Army.

Please continue sharing your stories of hope, volunteerism, and bravery with me at wvstrong@manchin.senate.gov .

WORKING FOR YOU

MANCHIN, CAPITO ANNOUNCE $1.3 MILLION FOR COVID-19 RESPONSE IN WEST VIRGINIA
Charleston, WV – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $1,389,154 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the State of West Virginia’s Office of the Adjutant General. The funds will be used to support emergency protective measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Specifically, this funding provides the required 75 percent cost share for the purchase and distribution of commodities in the form of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as N95 respirators, medical gloves, surgical masks, medical gowns, face shields, sanitizer, and sanitizer kits that were needed to respond to COVID-19 from March through July of this year. This operation was mandated under orders of Governor Jim Justice to procure emergency contracts for PPE in emergency response to COVID-19 within West Virginia.

"Our front line workers need PPE to stay as safe as possible while they care for their fellow West Virginians. As COVID-19 cases rise in West Virginia and across the nation, keeping our healthcare professionals and front line workers properly equipped is vital," Senator Manchin said. “This funding will help cover some of the costs already incurred for providing our fellow West Virginians the emergency resources they need during the COVID-19 pandemic. This crisis is far from over and we must all do our part by wearing our masks and following the guidelines to keep our family, friends, and neighbors safe. I will continue to fight for funding that supports our healthcare professionals and front line workers throughout this pandemic.”

TESTING

Some testing sites require a physician’s order before testing. To report your symptoms and be directed to one of the available testing sites, contact your primary care doctor or a designated hotline for your area. If you have gone through these steps and are still having problems getting a test, please email me at common_sense@manchin.senate.gov and a member of my staff will reach out to you to see if we can assist.

Click here to view our list of verified testing locations.

Add or update your organization’s testing location and hours.

For a listing of one-day, weekly, and drive-through pharmacy testing, visit the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources website: https://dhhr.wv.gov/COVID-19/pages/testing.aspx

Click here for WV DHHR’s latest updates to reported COVID-19 cases

RESOURCES

Our office is working diligently to bring you the most up-to-date information as it becomes available. Click the links below for more information. All information regarding resources and more can be found on Senator Manchin’s website.

Unemployment & Direct Payments

Veterans Assistance

Basic Needs

Business Assistance

Volunteer

Feeling Ill?

WV 211:

United Way of West Virginia provides an important service to West Virginians by helping users navigate the vast number of resources available to aid with healthcare issues, food shortages, mental health questions and more. This program is more important now than ever as we battle the COVID-19 pandemic and I commend United Way for continuing to serve their fellow West Virginians through this time.

United Way’s new 2-1-1 will make information on a wide variety of local support services more accessible across our entire state,” said United Way of Central WV President, Margaret O’Neal. “Whether it’s information for locating a health clinic, finding child care programs, or getting housing assistance, 2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember, go-to resource for individuals and families.

To utilize these resources West Virginians can:

Call 2-1-1
Text your zip code to 898-211
Visit http://www.wv211.org/contact
Call toll-free 1-833-848-9905

__________________________
All information is available and updated daily on manchin.senate.gov/coronavirus.

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