"The only thing around here that seems to be bipartisan is both sides want to spend more money. We can’t spend our way out of nearly $33T in national debt. A deal is a deal — we passed the Fiscal Responsibility Act with bipartisan support. We have to stop this runaway train."

2023 U.S. CAPITOL CHRISTMAS TREE ESSAY CONTEST FOR WEST VIRGINIA FOURTH GRADERS

The Capitol Christmas Tree – known as “The People’s Tree” – lights up the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol during the holiday season and is selected from a different national forest each year. This year, the tree will come from West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest.

West Virginia 4th grade students are invited to describe in 500 words why they love West Virginia’s forests and public lands, incorporating the theme of the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree: “Endlessly Wild & Wonderful.” Senator Manchin will select one student to receive a once-in-a-lifetime all-expenses paid trip for the winner and one guardian to travel to Washington, DC to take part in the official tree-lighting ceremony alongside members of the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate and the public. The student will be invited to attend several other festivities during their visit and may have an opportunity to read their winning essay publicly.

Entry deadline is Tuesday, September 26th.

CONTEST DETAILS 

READ THE PRESS RELEASE

SUPPORTING VETERANS IN OUR COMMUNITIES

Are you a Veteran who deployed to a combat zone but never enrolled in VA health care? If you left active duty between September 11, 2001, and October 1, 2013, you should apply today. But act fast—the deadline is September 30, 2023.

Apply for VA health care now

Not you? Don’t worry. You may still be able to enroll directly in VA care. Learn more here

Apply anytime for PACT Act benefits

Mr. Curry of Stanley contacted my office on behalf of his mother who needed assistance filing for survivors benefits. Her late husband was a retired service member and Postal service employee. As a result of an inquiry from my office, Mrs. Curry was able to file the correct paperwork and receive a retroactive benefit as well as recurring monthly benefits.

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance with a state or federal agency, please contact my office at 304-342-5855.

BUSINESS FINANCING - Need new equipment? The WVEDA Equipment Financing Program allows eligible in-state businesses in specific sectors up to $2 million in loans for development and expansion. Contact the WV Economic Development Authority at (304) 352-6213 for more information.

.gov WEBSITES - Only the U.S. government and public sector organizations can obtain a .gov website and email address. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on an official government site. Contact Consumer Action’s hotline at (415) 777-9648 or online if you have a question about a suspicious site.

WEST VIRGINIA OUTDOOR ADVENTURES - Our country's 63rd national park, the New River Gorge, does not require an entrance pass and offers free camping! View a list of all state parks and other federal recreation sites in West Virginia. Learn more about interagency passes (free for Veterans and their families) to more than 2,000 federally protected recreation areas across the United States.

HEALTH INSURANCE OPTIONS - Those who no longer qualify for Medicaid and CHIP can turn to the Marketplace for insurance coverage. 4 in 5 customers are able to find health coverage for $10 or less a month. Visit Healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 for more information and to enroll. 

UNINSURED/UNDERINSURED INDIVIDUALS - Many clinics throughout the state offer free or low-cost health care options for West Virginians. Use this search tool to find a clinic in your area. 

HEALTH CARE FOR VETERANS - Medical Foster Homes are private residences that can serve as an alternative to a nursing home. Learn more about the program which provides highly individualized assistance in a non-institutional setting. 

Find job opportunities in your area:

USAJOBS.gov - the federal government’s official employment site with opportunities across the United States and around the world

State of West Virginia job opportunities
Search for WV apprenticeship programs by county
WV Women Work - skilled trades training for women
WorkForce WV employment database
National Labor Exchange job postings
Department of Transportation open job postings
DHHR open positions throughout the state​
Department of Education job opportunities
WV K-12 Education Job-Bank

MANCHIN, CAPITO, MILLER, MOONEY URGE CMS TO ADOPT TREAT-IN-PLACE MODEL IN WEST VIRGINIA

MANCHIN, KENNEDY INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN PROTECTING OUR COURTS FROM FOREIGN MANIPULATION ACT

MANCHIN ANNOUNCES $5.9 MILLION FOR RURAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ACROSS WEST VIRGINIA

MANCHIN WORKS TO PROTECT VETERANS’ ACCESS TO EMERGENCY CARE

MANCHIN ANNOUNCES $1.9 MILLION TO REDUCE VIOLENT CRIME ACROSS WEST VIRGINIA, SUPPORT HUNTINGTON COMMUNITY REENTRY PROGRAM

MANCHIN ANNOUNCES $8 MILLION TO STRENGTHEN HEALTHCARE SERVICES ACROSS WEST VIRGINIA

MANCHIN ANNOUNCES $3.5 MILLION FOR BOONE MEMORIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER, LINCOLN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

MANCHIN ANNOUNCES $467K FOR WEST VIRGINIA DMV TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES, COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY

MANCHIN SPEAKS WITH MORE THAN 1,500 WEST VIRGINIA STUDENTS AT 54 SCHOOLS ABOUT U.S. SERVICE ACADEMIES

MANCHIN ANNOUNCES $685K TO SUPPORT SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR ALL WEST VIRGINIANS

MANCHIN QUESTIONS NOMINEE FOR CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE U.S. AIR FORCE

MANCHIN, RUBIO INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL LEGISLATION TO PROTECT HEALTHCARE EMPLOYEES AGAINST WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

ALL PRESS RELEASES

MANCHIN, BARRASSO ISSUE PERMITTING UPDATE

ALL ENERGY NEWS

West Virginians have a long history of bravely serving our nation, and I was honored to speak with more than 1,500 students from 54 West Virginia schools about the great opportunities at a U.S. Service Academy. Thank you to these students for considering a future serving our country! 

Stay connected to all Service Academy Initiatives at 
https://www.manchin.senate.gov/help-from-joe/academy-nominations.

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance with
a state or federal agency, please contact one of my offices: