From the Hill to the Mountains

MANCHIN: POSTMASTER GENERAL MUST DO MORE TO SECURE MAIL, ELECTION BALLOTS FOR AMERICANS

Charleston, WV – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released the following statement on U.S. Postmaster General DeJoy’s announcement to suspend any changes to the Postal Service until after the election, but has yet to reinstate critical machines and equipment that have been removed from operation since DeJoy took over as Postmaster General. 

“Postmaster General DeJoy’s announcement that changes to the Postal Service will not be made until after the election is a step in the right direction, but actions speak louder than words. The Postal Service must immediately reinstate all critical machines and equipment that have been idled or removed from operation since Mr. DeJoy’s tenure began and extend this moratorium on major changes through the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes no closures of post offices, no reduction in hours, and the continued treatment of election mail as first-class mail. We all know that if the American people and members of Congress had not pushed back on these unacceptable changes, the Administration would have continued on as they have been. I’m not done fighting to make sure every American and West Virginian receives their medicine, their Social Security benefits, and yes, their election ballots.”

MANCHIN TO DEJOY: REINSTATE CRITICAL MAIL SORTING MACHINES IMMEDIATELY

Charleston, WV – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) called on U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to immediately reinstate the critical mail sorting machines at the U.S. Postal Service’s Charleston Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC). During his visit to the P&DC earlier today, Senator Manchin saw firsthand three mail sorting machines out of service and another that is slated to be put out of service soon. If these changes are not reversed, the capacity at the Charleston P&DC will be considerably reduced, which is simply unacceptable. Senator Manchin also called upon Postmaster General DeJoy to change his attitude towards the Postal Service and take the responsibilities of public service seriously or resign.

The Senator said in part, “I urge you to immediately reinstate critical mail processing and distribution machines at the Charleston Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) in Charleston, West Virginia. This afternoon I toured the P&DC facility and witnessed firsthand the disturbing effects of your leadership on the United States Postal Service (USPS), and I am truly astonished by the failures of your short tenure in the role of Postmaster General. You must change your attitude towards USPS and take seriously the responsibilities of public service.”

MANCHIN VISITS SOUTH CHARLESTON U.S. POSTAL SERVICE DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Charleston, WV – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) visited and toured the South Charleston U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Distribution Center to show his gratitude to the postal workers for getting mail to West Virginians and his appreciation for the U.S. Postal Service. To view photos, please click here.

“Last week I visited four Postal Service locations across West Virginia and today I visited the South Charleston USPS Distribution Center to see firsthand how these unacceptable changes are affecting West Virginians during this pandemic and election cycle. During my visit I saw three mail sorting machines that were out of service at the South Charleston USPS Distribution Center. This is unacceptable, especially in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic and a presidential election where we’ll see more mail-in ballots than ever before,” Senator Manchin said. “We have seen efforts by this Administration and the new Postmaster General to dismantle the U.S. Postal Service and we need immediate action to protect this vital public service. I have already filed the POST Act to prevent post office closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. This week, I am filing another bill to prevent any more major, fundamental changes to the Postal Service during this pandemic. It would be insane to stop treating election mail as first class mail, remove sorting machines or reduce hours and close locations right now. Now is not the time to play politics with our mail. People need their medicine. People need their Social Security benefits. And yes – people need their ballots to vote. I am so proud of our post offices and our postal workers and as long as the current Administration is working against them, I won’t stop fighting to protect our rural post offices in West Virginia and across America.”

MANCHIN, CAPITO ANNOUNCE POLLUTION AND HAZARDOUS WASTE CONTROL GRANTS 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 $1,385,777 for pollution prevention, pipeline safety, and hazardous materials emergency preparedness in West Virginia. This funding is made available through both the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  

“West Virginia is home to an abundance of natural resources and incredible recreation areas. These awards will help ensure those natural resources are managed safely while ensuring our recreation areas flourish for generations to come. I will continue to fight for funding that helps keep our state wild and wonderful through safety and preparedness projects like these,” said Senator Manchin.

2020 CENSUS

Visit our 2020 Census page on our website.

The deadline to respond is now September 30, 2020.

If we don’t respond to the Census, we will miss out on important federal funds that make our communities stronger. Every person in West Virginia that does not respond to the Census equates to $20,000 lost in federal funds for West Virginia and our communities over the next ten years. If 100 people do not respond, that's $2 MILLION lost in federal funds to West Virginia over the next ten years. We simply can’t afford that. So please, Be Counted and respond to the census today by visiting: 

2020census.gov 

or call 844-330-2020.

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 recent success stories below:

Mr. George McComas, of Gerrardstown, contacted Senator Manchin for assistance with reinstating his VA healthcare benefits. The VA obtained information from the IRS that put Mr. McComas over the income threshold. As a result of Caseworker Angie Walsh's inquiry, the information obtained was found to have a negative cash value. Mr. McComas was reinstated at his previous priority level.

Energy Committee News

MANCHIN STATEMENT ON PENDLEY REPORTS

Charleston, WV – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources, released the following statement on reports that the White House will be withdrawing William Perry Pendley’s nomination to be Director of the Bureau of Land Management.

“William Perry Pendley was the wrong person to lead the Bureau of Land Management, a job that is so important to all of us in America. I hope the Administration will nominate someone with a deep appreciation for our public lands who can earn bipartisan support.”