Manchin Recaps First 6 Months in Office

Press Release

On a conference call with West Virginia reporters today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) recapped his first six months in office, which have been marked by extensive outreach to West Virginians and commonsense accomplishments in Washington.

"Over the last six months, I have used every available opportunity to push my "Commonsense Agenda'-- creating jobs, restoring fiscal responsibility, keeping our promises to seniors and veterans and achieving energy independence -- and I am proud that we have made progress in every area," Senator Manchin said.

"I have and will continue to promote commonsense solutions to our nation's greatest challenges every single day I am in office," Senator Manchin added. "I am grateful that the people of West Virginia continue to provide me with the kind of insight, ideas and priorities that have helped me craft commonsense solutions for our nation and state. I have made it a goal to reach out, stay connected, and learn about the concerns and issues that matter to West Virginians. You are my top priority."

U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller also applauded Senator Manchin's service to West Virginia.

"During his first six months in the Senate, Senator Manchin has shown that he is a strong, independent voice for West Virginians," said Senator Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) "Joe clearly works hard, is dedicated to families, seniors, and veterans and has a great interest in working together to make our state better. I look forward to continuing to work with him to do what we both came to the Senate to do -- improve the lives of each and every West Virginian. I'm very proud to serve with him."

Throughout his first six months in office, Senator Manchin has conducted three statewide tours, visiting 29 counties in West Virginia and traveling more than 12,000 miles. Senator Manchin has held four town hall meetings, visited nine courthouses, and held 11 "Coffee and Common Sense" events with constituents. Senator Manchin's staff has addressed more than 1,800 constituents cases involving personal issues ranging from problems with Social Security, veterans affairs and Medicare to black lung benefits. His staff has visited all 55 counties.

In Washington, Senator Manchin has sponsored or cosponsored 53 measures, and is very proud to have been the lead Democratic cosponsor on a measure that successfully repealed the onerous 1099 provision of the new health care law, which would have caused substantial burdens for small businesses by requiring them to file a report with the IRS every time they spent $600.

"The best part of this job is having the ability to serve the people of West Virginia. Every town hall, "Coffee and Common Sense' event, every courthouse visit and every meeting is a privilege," Senator Manchin said.

Building on his philosophy of retail government, Senator Manchin also announced on the call that his staff will launch their second "Commonsense Connections" Week beginning Monday, May 23. Representatives from Senator Manchin's office will travel all across West Virginia to meet with constituents in every part of the state and hear their commonsense ideas, priorities, and concerns.

Senator Manchin held his first "Commonsense Connections" Week in February, during which representatives from his office traveled to all 55 counties in the state.

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