2020 CENSUS

Visit our 2020 Census page on our website.

The deadline to respond is now September 30, 2020.

AFTER DECISION TO CUT CENSUS BY ENTIRE MONTH, MANCHIN CALLS FOR REVERSAL, CENSUS EXTENSION

Charleston, WV – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) recently led two letters with his Senate colleagues in calling for the reversal of the 2020 Census response deadline change and urging the inclusion of a Census deadline extension in the next COVID-19 relief package. Last week, Senator Manchin called the decision to shorten the Census response period by an entire month asinine and urged the U.S. Census Bureau to reverse their decision which will negatively impact states with low response rates like West Virginia.

“Every West Virginian who doesn’t complete the Census represents $20,000 lost over the next ten years and as of today, only 55 percent of West Virginians have completed the Census. We also rely on Census-directed funding more than almost any other state to help our schools, roads, and other essential services. The U.S. Census Bureau decision last week to shorten the Census response deadline by an entire month hurts West Virginians, and I will not stand by without fighting to reverse this decision. My colleagues and I sent two letters urging the Census Bureau to reverse their decision and to include a response deadline extension in the next COVID-19 relief package. It makes no sense that in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Census Bureau would cut the response period, ensuring many West Virginians will not have the chance to be counted. It is just simply unacceptable,” said Senator Manchin.

Be Counted and respond to the census today by visiting: 

2020census.gov 

or call 844-330-2020.

From the Hill to the Mountains

MANCHIN URGES U.S. POSTAL SERVICE TO ADDRESS DELAYS, PREVENT ELECTION MAIL COST INCREASES

Charleston, WV – Last night, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) led 47 Senators in urging the U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to provide answers regarding reports of recent changes to long-standing practices at USPS that would result in increased delivery times and costs for election mail, and urged him not take any further action that makes it harder and more expensive for states and election jurisdictions to mail ballots. 

The Senators wrote, “Like voting itself, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is vital to our democracy. Since you assumed the role of Postmaster General, there have been disturbing reports regarding changes at USPS that are causing significant delays in the delivery of mail. Under normal circumstances, delayed mail is a major problem – during a pandemic in the middle of a presidential election, it is catastrophic. Instead of taking steps to increase your agency’s ability to deliver for the American people, you are implementing policy changes that make matters worse, and the Postal Service is reportedly considering changes that would increase costs for states at a time when millions of Americans are relying on voting by mail to exercise their right to vote.”

Earlier this month, Senator Manchin introduced the Protect Our Services Today (POST) Act which mandates the U.S. Postal Service cannot close any post office facility during the COVID-19 pandemic. Senator Manchin also asked Postmaster General DeJoy for clarification on reported post office closures across West Virginia and received assurances there would be no closures at this time. However, USPS did inform Senator Manchin that an ongoing review was underway which could significantly reduce facility operations throughout the Appalachian District.

MANCHIN, CAPITO ANNOUNCE $5K FOR ARTHURDALE HERITAGE

Charleston, WV – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $5,000 from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) for Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. in West Virginia.

“Arthurdale Heritage Inc. prides itself on its dedication to preserving the historic town of Arthurdale, which was established in 1934 as a homestead community for West Virginians in Preston County and the Scott’s Run area. I am pleased this historic town and organization received support from the NEH to continue their great work in preserving West Virginian and American history for generations to come,” said Senator Manchin.

MANCHIN PARTICIPATES IN GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR MARSHALL UNIVERSITY BILL NOE FLIGHT SCHOOL

Charleston, WV – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for Marshall University’s Bill Noe Flight School at Yeager Airport in Charleston. To view pictures from the event, click here.
 
“The Marshall University Bill Noe Flight School is a great opportunity for West Virginia and will bring an awful lot of variety to Marshall’s programs,” Senator Manchin said. “The school will open up a lot of opportunities for students seeking a career in aviation. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue to support Marshall University and the Bill Noe Flight School in every way possible to ensure they receive the assistance needed to provide their students with a world class education right here in the Mountain State.”

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:

Mr. Mike Laughon, a Veteran, contacted Senator Manchin for assistance with obtaining a hearing aid.  As a result of caseworker Sylvia Asbury's inquiry, VA staff contacted Mr. Laughon to arrange his appointments to help him receive his hearing aid. 

Energy Committee News

MANCHIN CONDEMNS EPA ROLLBACK ON METHANE EMISSIONS REGULATIONS

Charleston, WV – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, released the following statement on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to roll back existing regulations covering new source methane emissions.

“Today’s announcement that the EPA will roll back the rule on methane leak detection from the oil and gas industry makes no sense. It will stall the progress being made towards decreasing emissions from fossil operations. Major oil and gas companies are actively investing in, developing, and using new technologies to detect and repair leaks, which are known to be a public health risk and contribute to climate change. There is no excuse to roll these regulations back when industry has the technology to do so safely and efficiently.”