Senator Manchin’s newsletter will resume on January 5, 2021.

From the Hill to the Mountains

MANCHIN: WEST VIRGINIA WINS INCLUDED IN YEAR-END FUNDING PACKAGE
Final Legislation Includes Bipartisan COVID-19 Emergency Relief Funding, Comprehensive Energy Package And New River Gorge National Park And Preserve Designation

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released the following statement on the passage of the year-end spending package that includes COVID-19 emergency relief funding, a comprehensive energy package, designation of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and additional West Virginia priorities.

"Late tonight Congress passed a year-end spending package that contains long overdue COVID-19 emergency relief funding, the first comprehensive national energy package in 13 years, designation of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and additional West Virginia priorities. The bipartisan, bicameral legislation I introduced last week served as the foundation for the final COVID-19 relief bill and while some of our priorities were unfortunately not included in the final package, I am pleased this final bill supports programs that will help our workers, families and small businesses make it through the difficult months ahead," Senator Manchin said. "This year-end package also includes the designation of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve which creates a 7,021 acre National Park and 65,165 acre National Preserve in southern West Virginia and an all-of-the-above update to our national energy policy that focuses on innovation, rather than elimination, by providing a down payment on the research, development and demonstration of technologies to ensure that all of our abundant energy sources are used in the cleanest way possible. This legislation includes many great provisions for the Mountain State and I urge President Trump to sign the year-end spending package immediately."

MANCHIN, CAPITO, MILLER ENSURE LEGISLATION INCLUDED IN YEAR-END PACKAGE TO ESTABLISH NEW RIVER GORGE AS PARK AND PRESERVE
Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), along with Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV-3) today issued the following statements regarding the inclusion of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve Designation Act—legislation that would redesignate the New River Gorge National River as the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve—in the year-end legislative package. This redesignation will promote the beauty and historical significance of the New River Gorge by making the site just the 63rd National Park and 20th National Preserve in the United States, while ensuring that the longstanding traditions of hunting and fishing are protected for generations to come.

Congress is expected to vote on the year-end legislative package soon, which includes this legislation and several other provisions that will benefit West Virginians.

"The New River Gorge is truly one of West Virginia’s most treasured playgrounds and largest tourist attractions because of its whitewater rafting, hunting, fishing, outdoor sports and natural beauty. This designation will increase the international recognition by highlighting West Virginia’s world-class beauty and resources. Over the last two years we have met with outdoorsmen, businesses and local leaders and other interested groups to ensure this designation will promote the beauty and rich history of the New River Gorge, while ensuring that the longstanding traditions of hunting and fishing are protected for generations to come," said Senator Manchin.

MANCHIN RECEIVES COVID-19 VACCINE
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released the following statement after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, in accordance with guidance from the Office of the Attending Physician. 

"The attending physician’s office notified all Senators that we are to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in order to maintain continuity of government. Following this guidance, I received the vaccine this morning from the attending physician in Washington and am feeling well. In addition to receiving the vaccine, I will continue following the recommendations from the CDC by wearing a mask and practicing social distancing to keep myself and others as safe as possible. This vaccination is an important step towards defeating this virus and I encourage all West Virginians to receive it when it becomes available in your area," said Senator Manchin. "But we are not out of the woods yet. I urge Congressional leadership to finalize a COVID-19 emergency relief package to provide Americans with the urgent support they desperately need to make it through the next few months. As leadership continues to negotiate I encourage them to include the bipartisan, bicameral agreement we shared earlier this week in the final package."

MANCHIN, CAPITO ANNOUNCE $4.4 MILLION for WEST VIRGINIA HEAD START PROGRAMS 

Charleston, WV – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $4,473,661 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for Head Start programs across West Virginia. 

MANCHIN, CAPITO ANNOUNCE $1.8 MILLION for OPIOID MISUSE TREATMENT, RESEARCH 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 $1,859,051 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for opioid misuse research and treatment programs across West Virginia.

Energy Committee News

MANCHIN ENERGY PACKAGE INCLUDED IN YEAR-END APPROPRIATIONS BILL

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, announced that his bipartisan, bicameral Energy Act of 2020 has been included in the year-end appropriations bill.

The Energy Act features consensus provisions from Senator Manchin’s American Energy Innovation Act. It stands to become the first comprehensive update of our nation’s energy policies in 13 years.

"This all-of-the-above energy package is the first comprehensive national energy policy update in 13 years. The Energy Act of 2020 focuses on innovation, rather than elimination, by providing a down payment on the research, development, and demonstration of technologies to ensure that all of our abundant energy sources are used in the cleanest way possible. It also reauthorizes important programs for West Virginia, like the Weatherization Assistance Program, and provides the National Energy Technology Laboratory in Morgantown, WV, with new tools and resources to continue their critical mission. This energy package is an important reminder that when we work in a bipartisan way, West Virginians and the American people come out on top,” said Senator Joe Manchin.

The Energy Act is the culmination of years of bipartisan work spearheaded in the Senate by Ranking Member Manchin and Chairman Lisa Murkowski. Under their leadership, the Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a series of hearings, legislative markups, and bipartisan negotiations over the course of the 116th Congress to shape the focus on this effort and reach consensus on the dozens of individual measures.

In total, 69 senators sponsored or cosponsored provisions included in the Energy Act. All or part of 37 Senate bills are included, including 29 bipartisan bills.

Click here for a section-by-section.

Click here for a high-level summary.

The full text of the Energy Act can be found here.

MANCHIN, COMMITTEE CONCLUDE HISTORIC 116TH CONGRESS

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, praised the historic, bipartisan achievements of the Senate Energy Natural Resources Committee in the 116th Congress.

"Over the last two years, we’ve held 70 hearings and reported 78 bills. We’ve also reported and confirmed all 21 nominees sent to us to hold positions in the administration. As a result of our bipartisan work in Committee, we’ve enacted a number of important pieces of legislation. At the beginning of the 116th Congress, in a sign of things yet to come, we passed the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, a wide-reaching public lands package that included over 120 individual bills to improve the way our public lands are managed and conserved. Congress then came together again to overwhelmingly support the protection and preservation of America’s treasured public lands for generations to come with the passage of my Great American Outdoors Act. As this Congress came to a close, we worked around the clock to get energy and natural resources legislation across the finish line as part of the end of year spending bill. We secured inclusion of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve Act, which creates a 72,186 acre National Park and Preserve in southern West Virginia. We also secured inclusion of a package of western water legislation to support water supply reliability for communities, water users and tribes across the western United States. And we negotiated inclusion of the first comprehensive update of our nation’s energy policies in 13 years by means of the Energy Act of 2020. This long-overdue legislation takes an all-of-the-above approach and makes a $35 billion downpayment on technologies that will be necessary to reduce emissions in the power sector, industry, and buildings. This focus on innovation, rather than elimination, lays the foundation for climate solutions to be deployed both here and around the world, while ensuring our continued energy independence. The accomplishments of the 116th Congress are a testament to the strong, bipartisan work that is still possible when we put politics aside to do what is best for our country, and I thank Chairman Lisa Murkowski for her partnership and leadership on the Committee. I look forward to continuing this tradition of bipartisanship next year on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, tackling the important issues that our country faces by working together, across the aisle, for the greater good,” said Ranking Member Manchin.

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:

Judith Sheehan of Oak Hill, WV, contacted the Senator for assistance with her efforts to obtain healthcare benefits with the United Mine Worker’s of America. As a result of Caseworker Amber McCartney’s inquiry, the UMWA reviewed her case and awarded her healthcare benefits.

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.