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MANCHIN: THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR STATE TO SIT ON MONEY ANY LONGER
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released the following statement about the need for West Virginia Governor Jim Justice to begin distributing the $1.25 billion allocated to West Virginia through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
“I disagree with the Governor, this is not political it is a matter of survival for all West Virginians. Simply put, the state of West Virginia has $1.25 billion in the bank that Congress allocated through the CARES Act. Governor Justice already has permission from President Trump’s Department of Treasury on how the state can use this money. The money can be used to pay for things that would help West Virginians right now like testing, personal protective equipment, sanitation efforts, homelessness, grants to small businesses, food delivery to seniors, expenses for our struggling rural hospitals or payroll expenses for employees responding to COVID-19 – just to name a few,” Senator Manchin said. “Beyond that, our municipalities and counties are facing tough decisions as they confront the very real possibility of cutting essential services West Virginians rely on, like trash pickup and emergency services, and laying off employees. Other rural states have received the same amount as West Virginia and have already taken steps to distribute the funds. There is no excuse for the state to sit on this money any longer. I urge Governor Justice to please distribute a share of this funding as soon as possible to West Virginians - they need help and they need it now. I will continue to work with both Republicans and Democrats to make sure the state has the resources and flexibility we need to respond to this crisis.”
MANCHIN, ROMNEY, LEAHY, GARDNER, WYDEN BILL TO EXTEND PPP LOAN DEADLINE FROM 8 TO 16 WEEKS
Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Cory Gardner (R-CO), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Deadline Extension Adjustment for Loans (DEAL) Act. The PPP DEAL Act will extend the loan forgiveness period from 8 to 16 weeks and amend the rehire date from June 30th to 16 weeks after the PPP loan is awarded. Additional information on the PPP DEAL Act can be found here.
“Small businesses across the country have borne the brunt of this medical crisis. While the PPP loans have been a useful resource for many small businesses, there is no way many of these small businesses can use this funding in 8 weeks and rehire everyone by June 30th. These arbitrary deadlines are causing stress for our mom and pop shops that aren’t able to get their businesses back in full swing due to the different state reopening dates across the country,” said Senator Manchin. “Businesses like the Fort Hill Child Development Center in Charleston, West Virginia have recently reopened their doors but may not be able to bring back all their employees by the June 30th deadline because the ongoing medical crisis has and will continue to keep many of their children at home. Extending the forgiveness period and the rehire date deadline will give West Virginia businesses a fighting chance to get their feet under them and bring back their employees in a reasonable timeframe. The PPP DEAL Act is commonsense, bipartisan legislation, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass this legislation and help our businesses in need during this pandemic.”
MANCHIN, CAPITO ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $1 MILLION IN FEMA COVID-19 RELIEF
Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $1,074,068 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Emergency Management Performance Grant Program – COVID-19 Supplemental (EMPG-S). This funding was made available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) that was signed into law on Friday, March 27, and will assist West Virginians in their efforts to meet the challenges of this pandemic.
“As our public health and emergency management professionals respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, they need all of the help they can get. This support from FEMA will help our professionals prevent, prepare, and respond to the crisis that is affecting every West Virginian and American. I will continue fighting for West Virginia to receive the resources necessary to fight this pandemic and ensure that our public health officials are supported during this uncertain time,” said Senator Manchin.
MANCHIN APPLAUDS FCC APPROVAL OF WIRT COUNTY HEALTH SERVICES TELEHEALTH PROGRAM APPLICATION
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) applauded the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval of Wirt County Health Services Association/Coplin Health System’s application for $274,432 to provide telehealth services to West Virginians during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a member of the Financial Services & General Government (FSGG) Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees the FCC’s budget, Senator Manchin helped support $200 million in funding for the telehealth pilot program through the CARES Act.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has forced healthcare providers and patients to adjust to new appointment formats, including telephone-based appointments and video-based meetings with their healthcare providers. On April 17th, I wrote to the FCC to advocate for the Wirt County Health Services application for funding to provide West Virginians with telehealth services, and today the FCC approved their application,” said Senator Manchin. “This is great news for Wirt County and will help ensure our fellow West Virginians receive the care they need during this crisis. I will continue to advocate for health providers across West Virginia to receive the funding and support they need during this pandemic.”
MANCHIN URGES TRANSPARENCY IN VA DISABILITY CLAIMS PROCESS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee (SVAC), led the call for transparency and accountability as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) suspends in-person compensation and pension (C&P) exams for Veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a letter to VA Secretary Robert Wilkie today, Manchin and his committee colleagues pressed the Department to outline its plans for transitioning to virtual C&P exams during the ongoing crisis and issue updated guidelines to ensure Veterans seeking disability compensation are met with a fair and transparent process.
The Senators said in part, “The Department must issue clear guidance to its Regional Offices (ROs), those who perform C&P examinations and potential beneficiaries so that veterans are not needlessly confused or harmed during this unprecedented time. For example, we were disappointed to learn that veterans, including those in high-risk health groups, were still required to go to C&P exams until early April, exposing themselves to unneeded risk and potentially putting their health in jeopardy. Veterans should not have been unnecessarily forced from their homes during this COVID-19 pandemic.”
Emphasizing the importance of conducting virtual exams during the pandemic, the Senators pushed the Department to provide Congress with its plans to provide assistance to low-income or rural Veterans—with limited access to reliable broadband, internet, or smart phone capabilities—so that they may participate in their appointments remotely. They also requested that VA provide information on their appointment deferment and cancellation policies.
MANCHIN, CAPITO ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $11 MILLION IN COMMUNITY RELIEF AMID COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $11,193,235 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program, which received additional funding in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) that was signed into law on Friday, March 27. This funding will help address increased unemployment and economic disruption in West Virginia because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Communities across West Virginia and our nation are struggling with high unemployment and closing of businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Investing in our communities across the Mountain State is essential to helping our unemployed neighbors and friends, and reopening our local and small businesses safely. We must continue to support one another during this crisis, and I will continue to fight for the resources we need to create more economic opportunity in West Virginia,” said Senator Manchin.
MANCHIN, CAPITO ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $7.7. MILLION IN ENERGY ASSISTANCE FOR WEST VIRGINIA FAMILIES
Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $7,715,683 for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) though the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). LIHEAP, which received additional funding in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) provides financial assistance to low-income Americans for whom energy costs represent a disproportionate share of their household budgets. The additional CARES Act funding is intended to ensure this financial support remains available for those whose incomes have been suddenly and negatively impacted by the national emergency created by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“Every West Virginian deserves a roof over their head and a warm place to sleep. While many utility companies have announced suspension of disconnections due to late payments during the COVID-19 pandemic, many of our friends and neighbors are still struggling to make ends meet,” said Senator Manchin. “This funding will help West Virginians pay for their utilities during these difficult times because no one should have to choose between paying their bills or feeding their family.”
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