2020 CENSUS

The deadline to respond is now September 30, 2020.

MANCHIN: ASININE DECISION TO SHORTEN 2020 CENSUS LEAVES WEST VIRGINIANS BEHIND

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today released the following statement on the U.S. Census Bureau decision to move the deadline to respond from October 31st to September 30th, an entire month earlier than previously decided.

“It makes no sense that the U.S. Census Bureau is hindering extra efforts to help every American respond to the Census by making the asinine decision to move up the Census response deadline by an entire month in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic that is affecting response rates and outreach across the country. In West Virginia, only 54.6% of West Virginians have completed the Census, the third lowest response rate in the country, putting us far behind the rest of the nation in being counted. That will have a serious impact on our state for years to come. West Virginia relies more on Census-directed funding than almost any other state, and every West Virginian who doesn’t complete the Census represents $20,000 over the course of ten years in lost funding for schools, roads, and other essential services. The extra month is vital to an accurate count since many door-knocking programs and other in-person outreach efforts – which are vital to counting our hard-to-reach rural areas – were halted due to the pandemic. This change hurts West Virginia, and I will be asking the Census Bureau to reverse their decision and give every West Virginian and American the chance to be counted.”

Be Counted and respond to the census today by visiting: 

2020census.gov 
or call 844-330-2020.

Visit our 2020 Census page on our website.

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.

That’s why I’m asking all West Virginians to submit your internet speed-tests, so we can prove to the FCC that our broadband coverage is well below the stated coverage. So far, your efforts have helped the FCC acknowledge that our providers are overstating their coverage, but we must continue to show where and how widespread the lack of broadband coverage is in West Virginia.

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. Theresa Lynn Lilly, of Sissonville, contacted Senator Manchin for assistance. After losing his job, Mrs. Lilly's husband maintained private health insurance for them through 2018.  When he became Medicare eligible, Mrs. Lilly also attempted to enroll in Medicare but was denied for a “gap in health coverage.”  She had attempted to appeal the review two times, but could not get assistance and was told that she would have to wait until open enrollment next year, which would leave her without health insurance benefits.  Caseworker Cris Hewett contacted the local Social Security office and requested that Mrs. Lilly’s application be reviewed.  SSA agreed to an equitable relief review and approved her Medicare enrollment effective October 1st, leaving no gap in insurance coverage.

From the Hill to the Mountains

SENATE VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE PASSES MANCHIN BILLS

Washington, DC – Today the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee (SVAC) passed 12 bills, including three bills led or cosponsored by U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), the Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act, CARE for Reservists Act, and Deborah Sampson Act. These bills will now be referred to the entire Senate.

“Today the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee passed the Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act, CARE for Reservists Act, and Deborah Sampson Act, three bills I led and co-sponsored to help our Veterans who have served our country,” said Senator Manchin. “We made a promise to the men and women who fought bravely defending America, often in terrible conditions and environments, that when they returned home we would make sure they were taken care of. This legislation does just that by securing benefits for Veterans exposed to open-air burn pits, expands counseling eligibility for National Guard and Reserve members, and improves benefits and care for women Veterans. I am proud of our work to get these bills to the Senate Floor and will continue to work with my bipartisan colleagues to get this commonsense legislation across the finish line. We must hold true to our commitment made to the patriotic men and women who served their country admirably and earned these benefits and care.”

MANCHIN, CAPITO ANNOUNCE $14.1 MILLION FOR DRINKING WATER, WASTEWATER SERVICES IN WEST VIRGINIA COMMUNITIES

Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $14,119,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to improve water service in West Virginia communities.

“All West Virginians should have clean, accessible drinking water and deserve dependable infrastructure, no matter where they live in the Mountain State. This USDA investment will help communities across our state expand and upgrade water and wastewater systems that serve thousands of residents. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for funding that helps our communities provide the services West Virginians need,” said Senator Manchin.

MANCHIN, CAPITO ANNOUNCE FUNDING FOR COONSKIN PARK REPAIR

Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, today announced $1,149,720 to restore Coonskin Park in Kanawha County from damage that occurred during the 2016 floods. This funding is made available through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and will help repair the parks pool, sewer system, irrigation system, and service roads.

“In 2016, Coonskin Park was badly damaged in the flooding that ravaged our state, leaving our communities devastated and mourning the loss of 23 West Virginians. Every day I think about those we lost during those awful floods,” said Senator Manchin. “This funding will help Kanawha County rebuild the park and prepare for future threats to the area from natural disasters. I look forward to seeing the finished product and I know while many communities have been able to rebuild after the storm, not everyone has received the help they need. I will keep fighting for every West Virginian to get the assistance they need and deserve to recover from the terrible 2016 floods.”

MANCHIN, CAPITO ANNOUNCE FUNDING FOR HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM ACROSS WEST VIRGINIA

Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $3,778,006 for housing authorities across West Virginia from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This funding comes through HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program and was made available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that President Donald J. Trump signed into law on March 25, 2020.

“As West Virginians continue to face the COVID-19 pandemic, many are struggling to pay rent and keep a roof over their family,” said Senator Manchin. “Families are doing everything they can to stay afloat right now and they need help. This funding will allow families across West Virginia to find affordable housing, helping to keep West Virginians safe and secure during this crisis. As we continue to work on the next COVID-19 relief package, I will fight for more funding that helps West Virginia families keep a roof over their heads.”

MANCHIN, CAPITO ANNOUNCE NEARLY $3 MILLION FOR WEST VIRGINIA AIRPORTS

Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $2,948,456 from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to modify, improve, and rehabilitate airports across West Virginia. A portion of these funds were allocated in the CARES Act.

“West Virginia airports are hubs of economic development and offer access to the state for tourism and industries. Without our airports, our regional economies and tourism industry would suffer, in turn hurting our communities, schools, and services which are especially vital in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” said Senator Manchin. “This funding will help our airports improve their facilities and runways, expand services, and ensure the safety of those who travel to and from our wild and wonderful state. I am pleased the CARES Act funding I fought for in March is continuing to benefit our state. I won’t stop fighting for rural states like West Virginia to get the funding that helps us get through this crisis and rebuild our economy.”

MANCHIN, CAPITO URGE TREASURY, IRS TO EXTEND CARBON CAPTURE UTILIZATION FOR AN ADDITIONAL YEAR

Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, sent a bipartisan letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Charles Rettig urging them to amend the IRS’s safe harbor guidance to allow carbon capture, utilization and sequester projects an additional year of eligibility. The letter follows the IRS granting certain renewable energy projects an extension in May.

“Extending the safe harbor to qualify for the 45Q tax credit will create and protect thousands of jobs, provide regulatory certainty, and further incentivize carbon capture, utilization and sequestration projects to reduce emissions,” the senators wrote. “As you finalize carbon capture, utilization and sequester regulations, the safe harbor guidance IRS issued in February should be amended to provide carbon capture, utilization and sequester projects an additional year of eligibility.”

AS UNINSURED RATES RISE, MANCHIN AGAIN URGES PRESIDENT TRUMP TO ALLOW ACA, MEDICARE ENROLLMENTS

Charleston, WV – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) joined several colleagues in again urging President Donald Trump to establish a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for the Affordable Care Act and Medicare. A recent report found that 5.4 million workers have become uninsured due to job losses caused by COVID-19. Additionally, every year there are thousands of senior citizens who do not sign up for Medicare, and therefore miss out on the insurance market for that year. With the increased risk that seniors face from COVID-19, allowing them another chance to obtain affordable health insurance is needed. Without the affordable access to diagnosis and care furnished by comprehensive health insurance, people who begin to feel sick will delay seeking medical attention, thereby placing them at an even higher risk of illness.

Energy Committee News

MANCHIN, ENERGY COMMITTEE CONSIDER EFFORTS TO IMPROVE CYBERSECURITY FOR THE ENERGY SECTOR

To watch a video of Senator Manchin’s opening remarks, please click here.

To watch a video of Senator Manchin’s questioning, please click here.

Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing to examine federal and industry efforts to improve cybersecurity for the energy sector. U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Ranking Member of the Committee, addressed concerns over security threats to America’s energy infrastructure in the midst of a global pandemic.

“The COVID-19 crisis has made our nation – and the world – acutely aware of the consequences of being underprepared for a catastrophic event. The pandemic has forced the energy industry to adapt to new challenges and vulnerabilities with more employees working remotely. There are certainly lessons to be learned from this moment in history about the need to invest in protections to avoid, mitigate, and respond to events that challenge our grid’s resilience, and thereby our national resilience. You all know well that threats to critical infrastructure are serious and increasing. Legacy grid systems were not designed to defend themselves against modern cyberattacks and, as they grow more and more connected to the internet, our electric systems grow more and more vulnerable,” Ranking Member Manchin said.