BROADBAND

Take a Speed Test Here.

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:

Mrs. Patricia Brown from Moorefield contacted the Senator’s office requesting assistance with the Office of Personnel Management concerning her federal retirement life insurance benefits. She retired in January 2019 and had signed documents for her life insurance to continue into retirement. OPM told Mrs. Brown she had waived her life insurance although her documents did not show this to be accurate. Caseworker Gerrie Greene sent an inquiry to the OPM for assistance with her retirement benefits, and Mrs. Brown’s life insurance was reinstated with the onset date of her retirement payments.

From the Hill to the Mountains

MANCHIN STATEMENT ON THE DEATH OF CHUCK YEAGER
Washington, DC – This evening, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released the following statement on the death of American hero and West Virginian, Chuck Yeager.

"General Chuck Yeager was an American hero. West Virginia’s native son was larger than life and an inspiration for generations of Americans. He bravely served our nation as a pilot for more than 30 years in the U.S. Air Force during World War II and Vietnam. When he became the first pilot to break the sound barrier he challenged each of us to test the limits of what’s possible. I am grateful to have gotten to know this legendary West Virginian and to call him my dear friend. Gayle and I are praying for his family and all who loved and admired General Yeager. May his example of courage in the face of adversity inspire us all."

MANCHIN ANNOUNCES $362 MILLION TO EXPAND BROADBAND ACCESS ACROSS WEST VIRGINIA
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced $362,066,660 from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) Phase I auction to expand broadband access at nearly 120,000 locations across West Virginia over the next decade.

"Today’s announcement is great news for West Virginia. This first phase of funding will help our state deploy broadband access to nearly 120,000 locations across the Mountain State, bringing Internet access to West Virginians in rural and mountainous regions of the state. I am pleased that my efforts to ensure rural states like West Virginia get a piece of the pie have been successful in securing $362 million for our state," Senator Manchin said. "This funding will connect unserved areas across the state, helping students complete their schoolwork, ensuring our small businesses can compete nationally and globally, and providing seniors and Veterans with access to telehealth services. While this is great news, we still have more to do to help all West Virginians get reliable, affordable broadband access. We must work to hold the nine providers who won bids accountable for the contractual promises they are making, especially those who have had a mixed record of success in West Virginia. We must guarantee that future federal funding is distributed using updated broadband coverage maps to ensure that areas in West Virginia that were excluded from this round get their fair share in the next auction."

MANCHIN, CAPITO BILL TO PREVENT CLARKSBURG VA ABUSES SIGNED INTO LAW
Washington, DC – Last week, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito’s (R-WV) bill, The Improving Safety and Security for Veterans Act of 2019, was signed into law by President Trump. The bill passed the House of Representatives in November 2020 and passed the Senate in December 2019.

"After the seven horrific murders at the Clarksburg VA Medical Center, our Veterans and their families deserve transparency and answers. The victims and their families deserve justice and peace of mind, and I believe that this is the first step to healing our Veteran community and rebuilding their trust in the VA. I am very pleased President Trump signed our legislation into law, helping to ensure that our brave Veterans will receive the great care they deserve," Senator Manchin said.

MANCHIN, WHITEHOUSE, BARRASSO, CRAMER, HOEVEN, SMITH, CAPITO INTRODUCE 45Q LEGISLATION
Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), John Barrasso (R-WY), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), John Hoeven (R-ND), Tina Smith (D-MN) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) yesterday introduced the 45Q Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) Tax Credit Amendments Act of 2020—legislation that makes targeted statutory changes to maximize the utility of the credit enacted as part of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018. These narrow, discrete improvements will ensure that the credit is utilized to its full potential to create manufacturing, construction, and engineering jobs; preserve coal and natural gas jobs; and prevent carbon dioxide emissions while even facilitating the reduction of carbon dioxide that is already in the atmosphere.

ENERGY COMMITTEE NEWS

MANCHIN: CONGRESS MUST REAUTHORIZE SRS AND PILT

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) led 27 bipartisan Senators in urging Congressional leadership to include a reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS) and maintain robust Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program funding as part of the Appropriations process. The Senators’ letter comes as the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to threaten rural counties’ abililty to properly fund basic services like law enforcement, road maintenance, and childhood education.

"SRS and PILT serve as a lifeline to rural America’s local governments and now, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the budgets of these rural counties have taken a hit. These two programs fund roads, schools, law enforcement, and essential county services, such as public health programs. With additional demands on their resources as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, rural communities and counties are stretched thinner than ever,” said the Senators, in part. “Congress must include a reauthorization of SRS, including the programmatic amendments to S. 430 passed on a broad bipartisan basis in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee."

Last December, Senator Manchin secured a 2-year extension to the SRS program in the Fiscal Year 2020 Appropriations package. The extension provided a total of $1,778,953.84 for counties in West Virginia with Forest Service lands.