Joe Manchin
Encyclopedia
Joseph "Joe" Manchin III (born August 24, 1947) is the junior United States Senator representing West Virginia
. Manchin, a Democrat
, was Governor of West Virginia from 2005 to 2010. He won the special election in November 2010
to fill the seat of Robert Byrd
, who had died in office; the term ends January 3, 2013.
, in 1947, the second of five children of Mary (née Gouzd) and John Manchin. His grandparents were Italian
and Czechoslovakia
n immigrants
. His father owned a carpet and furniture store. His grandfather, Joe Manchin I, owned a grocery store. Both his father and his grandfather were elected as Mayor of Farmington, West Virginia
. His uncle James Manchin was a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates
and was elected statewide as West Virginia Secretary of State and West Virginia State Treasurer
. Manchin graduated from Farmington High School in 1965.
Manchin entered West Virginia University
on a football
scholarship
in 1965; however, an injury during practice ended his football career. He graduated in 1970 with a degree in information management and later became involved in several family-owned businesses.
in 1982 at the age of 35 and was then elected to the West Virginia Senate
in 1986, where he served until 1996. He ran for governor in 1996, finishing second to Charlotte Pritt
among a large group of candidates in the Democratic primary election
. He then ran for Secretary of State of West Virginia
in 2000, winning easily.
governor Bob Wise
in the 2004 Democratic primary election
in May 2003, but Wise decided not to seek re-election after a scandal, and Manchin won both the primary and general elections
by large margins. His election marked the first time that two people of the same political party followed one another in the West Virginia governor's office since 1964.
Manchin easily won re-election to a second term as Governor in 2008, capturing 70 percent of the vote.
, the Southern Governors' Association, and the Democratic Governors Association
. He was also chairman of the Southern States Energy Board, state's chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission
and chairman of the Interstate Mining Compact Commission.
In July 2005, Massey Energy
chief executive officer
Don Blankenship
sued Manchin, alleging that Manchin had violated Blankenship's First Amendment
rights by threatening increased government scrutiny of his coal operations due to Blankenship's political activities. Blankenship had donated substantial funds into campaigns to defeat a proposed pension bond amendment and oppose the re-election of state Supreme Court
Justice Warren McGraw
, and he fought against an proposed increase in the severance tax
on extraction of mineral resources. Soon after defeat of the pension bond amendment, the state Division of Environmental Protection revoked a permit approval for controversial new silo
s near Marsh Fork Elementary School in Raleigh County
. While area residents had complained for some time that the coal operation there endangered their children, Blankenship claimed that the DEP acted in response to his opposition to the bond amendment.
During the Sago Mine disaster of early January 2006 in Upshur County, West Virginia
, Manchin initially appeared to confirm incorrect reports that 12 miners had survived; in actuality only one survived. Manchin later acknowledged that an unintentional miscommunication had occurred with rescue teams within the mine. On February 1, 2006, he ordered a stop to all coal production in West Virginia, pending safety checks, after two more miners were killed in separate accidents. A total of 16 West Virginia coal miners died from mining accidents in early 2006. Manchin's overall handling of the Sago mine incident may have enhanced his popularity. In November 2006, SurveyUSA
ranked him as one of the most popular governors in the country with a 74 percent approval rating.
On April 15, 2006, during an Easter
visit to U.S. soldiers stationed in Iraq
, Manchin generated controversy by posing for photographers while signing two missiles at Balad Air Force Base. One of the messages read, "Sending you to hell, from Almost Heaven, West Virginia." He told the media: "I just thought, 'Hey, these are people doing tremendous harm to our people.' I wanted to send them a little message." After receiving several complaints, Manchin apologized.
Longtime West Virginia Democratic
U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd's health was obviously declining by 2010. Speculation focused on what Democratic West Virginia Governor Manchin's response would be if the Senator passed away, but the Governor consistently refused to comment on the subject prior to Byrd's death, except for stating that he would not appoint himself to the position. Senator Byrd died on June 28, 2010, and Manchin in his capacity as governor, having the responsibility of designating a replacement, appointed Carte Goodwin
, his 36-year-old legal adviser, on July 16 who became the youngest U.S. Senator.
A Rasmussen Reports
poll found Manchin leading in the potential 2010 special election
for the seat against Republican
Congresswoman Shelly Moore Capito and former West Virginia Secretary of State Betty Ireland
, also a Republican. On July 20, 2010, Manchin officially announced he would seek the Senate seat.
In the Democratic primary
on August 28, he defeated former Democratic Congressman and former West Virginia Secretary of State Ken Hechler
In the general election, he then defeated Republican John Raese
.
Senator Manchin's seat is next up for election in November 2012.
2012
Senator Manchin’s seat in the Senate will be up for election again in 2012. According to Democratic polling firm Public Policy Polling
, early polling finds Senator Manchin heavily favored, leading Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito
50-39, 2010 opponent John Raese
60-31, and Congressman David McKinley
57-28.
as a U.S. Senator on November 15, 2010, succeeding appointed Senator Carte Goodwin
. Before his swearing-in, rumors suggested that the Republican Party
was courting Manchin to change parties, although the Republicans later suggested that Manchin was the source of the rumors. Manchin named Democratic strategist Chris Kofinis to be his chief of staff. Kofinis was formerly an adviser to Wesley Clark
and John Edwards
.
On December 9, 2010, Manchin was the sole Democrat to vote against cloture for the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act
, which contained a provision to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell
. In an interview with The Associated Press, Manchin cited the advice of retired military chaplains as a basis for his decision to vote against repeal. He also indicated he wanted more time to "hear the full range of viewpoints from the citizens of West Virginia."
On December 18, 2010, Manchin was not present for the vote to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and the vote on the DREAM Act
, regarding immigration. The National Republican Senatorial Committee
criticized Manchin for attending a family Christmas gathering instead of voting on these sensitive issues.
In June, 2011, Manchin joined with Senator Charles Schumer
(D-NY) in seeking a crackdown on
bitcoin currency transactions
, saying that they facilitated illegal drug trade
transactions. "The transactions leave no traditional [bank transfer] money trail
for investigators to follow, and leave it hard to prove a package recipient knew in advance what was in a shipment," using an "'anonymizing
network' known as Tor
." One opinion website said the senators wanted "to disrupt [the] Silk Road drug website."
, and they have three children: Heather, Joseph IV, and Brooke. He is a member of the National Rifle Association
and a licensed pilot.
In 2006 and 2010 Manchin delivered commencement addresses at Wheeling Jesuit University
and at Davis & Elkins College, receiving honorary degrees from both institutions.
Governor
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West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
. Manchin, a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, was Governor of West Virginia from 2005 to 2010. He won the special election in November 2010
United States Senate special election in West Virginia, 2010
The 2010 United States Senate special election in West Virginia was held on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd died in office on June 28, 2010. Democrat Governor Joe Manchin appointed Carte Goodwin to temporarily fill the vacancy. Goodwin pledged to not run for...
to fill the seat of Robert Byrd
Robert Byrd
Robert Carlyle Byrd was a United States Senator from West Virginia. A member of the Democratic Party, Byrd served as a U.S. Representative from 1953 until 1959 and as a U.S. Senator from 1959 to 2010...
, who had died in office; the term ends January 3, 2013.
Early life, education, and business career
Manchin was born in Farmington, West VirginiaFarmington, West Virginia
Farmington is a town in Marion County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 387 at the 2000 census. It is best known for being the site of the 1968 Farmington Mine disaster.-Geography:...
, in 1947, the second of five children of Mary (née Gouzd) and John Manchin. His grandparents were Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
n immigrants
Immigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
. His father owned a carpet and furniture store. His grandfather, Joe Manchin I, owned a grocery store. Both his father and his grandfather were elected as Mayor of Farmington, West Virginia
Farmington, West Virginia
Farmington is a town in Marion County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 387 at the 2000 census. It is best known for being the site of the 1968 Farmington Mine disaster.-Geography:...
. His uncle James Manchin was a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates
West Virginia House of Delegates
The West Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the West Virginia Legislature. Only three states—Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia—refer to their lower house as the House of Delegates.-Historical:-Current:-District organization:...
and was elected statewide as West Virginia Secretary of State and West Virginia State Treasurer
Treasurer
A treasurer is the person responsible for running the treasury of an organization. The adjective for a treasurer is normally "tresorial". The adjective "treasurial" normally means pertaining to a treasury, rather than the treasurer.-Government:...
. Manchin graduated from Farmington High School in 1965.
Manchin entered West Virginia University
West Virginia University
West Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg; West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery; Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser;...
on a football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
scholarship
Athletic scholarship
An athletic scholarship is a form of scholarship to attend a college or university awarded to an individual based predominantly on his or her ability to play in a sport...
in 1965; however, an injury during practice ended his football career. He graduated in 1970 with a degree in information management and later became involved in several family-owned businesses.
Early political career
Manchin was elected to the West Virginia House of DelegatesWest Virginia House of Delegates
The West Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the West Virginia Legislature. Only three states—Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia—refer to their lower house as the House of Delegates.-Historical:-Current:-District organization:...
in 1982 at the age of 35 and was then elected to the West Virginia Senate
West Virginia Senate
The West Virginia Senate is the upper house of the West Virginia Legislature.There are 17 senatorial districts. Each district has two senators who serve staggered four-year terms....
in 1986, where he served until 1996. He ran for governor in 1996, finishing second to Charlotte Pritt
Charlotte Pritt
Charlotte Pritt is an educator, businesswoman, and politician in the U.S. state of West Virginia. From 1984 to 1988, she served in the West Virginia House of Delegates. From 1988 to 1996, she served in the West Virginia State Senate...
among a large group of candidates in the Democratic primary election
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
. He then ran for Secretary of State of West Virginia
Secretary of State of West Virginia
The Secretary of State of West Virginia is one of the elected constitutional officers of the U.S. state of West Virginia.The current Secretary of State, Natalie Tennant , was elected in November 2008 and assumed the office in January 2009....
in 2000, winning easily.
Governor of West Virginia
Elections
Manchin announced his intention to challenge incumbent DemocraticDemocratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
governor Bob Wise
Bob Wise
Robert Ellsworth "Bob" Wise, Jr. is an American politician. A Democrat, Wise served as the 33rd Governor of West Virginia from January 2001 to January 2005.-Early life:...
in the 2004 Democratic primary election
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
in May 2003, but Wise decided not to seek re-election after a scandal, and Manchin won both the primary and general elections
West Virginia gubernatorial election, 2004
The 2004 West Virginia gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 2004 for the post of Governor of West Virginia. Democratic Secretary of State of West Virginia Joe Manchin defeated Republican Monty Warner.-Candidates:...
by large margins. His election marked the first time that two people of the same political party followed one another in the West Virginia governor's office since 1964.
Manchin easily won re-election to a second term as Governor in 2008, capturing 70 percent of the vote.
Tenure as Governor
Manchin was a member of the National Governors AssociationNational Governors Association
The National Governors Association , founded in 1908 as the National Governors' Conference, is funded primarily by state dues, federal grants and contracts and private contributions. NGA represents the governors of the fifty U.S. states and five U.S. territories The National Governors Association...
, the Southern Governors' Association, and the Democratic Governors Association
Democratic Governors Association
The Democratic Governors Association is a Washington, D.C. based 527 organization founded in 1983, consisting of U.S. state and territorial governors affiliated with the Democratic Party. The mission of the organization is to provide party support to the election and re-election of Democratic...
. He was also chairman of the Southern States Energy Board, state's chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission
Appalachian Regional Commission
The Appalachian Regional Commission is a United States federal-state partnership that works with the people of Appalachia to create opportunities for self-sustaining economic development and improved quality of life...
and chairman of the Interstate Mining Compact Commission.
In July 2005, Massey Energy
Massey Energy
Massey Energy Company was a coal extractor in the United States with substantial operations in West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia. By revenue, it was the fourth largest producer of coal in the United States and the largest coal producer in Central Appalachia...
chief executive officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
Don Blankenship
Don Blankenship
Donald Leon "Don" Blankenship was Chairman and CEO of Massey Energy Co., the sixth largest coal company in the United States...
sued Manchin, alleging that Manchin had violated Blankenship's First Amendment
First Amendment to the United States Constitution
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering...
rights by threatening increased government scrutiny of his coal operations due to Blankenship's political activities. Blankenship had donated substantial funds into campaigns to defeat a proposed pension bond amendment and oppose the re-election of state Supreme Court
Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia is the state supreme court of West Virginia, the highest of West Virginia's state courts. It is located in the state capital, Charleston....
Justice Warren McGraw
Warren McGraw
Warren Randolph McGraw is a lawyer, politician, and judge in West Virginia and brother to current West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw.- Personal life :...
, and he fought against an proposed increase in the severance tax
Severance tax
Severance taxes are incurred when non-renewable natural resources are separated from a taxing jurisdiction. Industries that typically incur such taxes are oil and gas, coal, mining, and timber industries....
on extraction of mineral resources. Soon after defeat of the pension bond amendment, the state Division of Environmental Protection revoked a permit approval for controversial new silo
Silo
A silo is a structure for storing bulk materials.Silo may also refer to:* Silo , a 3D modeling software* Silo , a defunct chain of retail electronics stores* SILO , used in Linux...
s near Marsh Fork Elementary School in Raleigh County
Raleigh County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 79,220 people, 31,793 households, and 22,096 families residing in the county. The population density was 130 people per square mile . There were 35,678 housing units at an average density of 59 per square mile...
. While area residents had complained for some time that the coal operation there endangered their children, Blankenship claimed that the DEP acted in response to his opposition to the bond amendment.
During the Sago Mine disaster of early January 2006 in Upshur County, West Virginia
Upshur County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 23,404 people, 8,972 households, and 6,352 families residing in the county. The population density was 66 people per square mile . There were 10,751 housing units at an average density of 30 per square mile...
, Manchin initially appeared to confirm incorrect reports that 12 miners had survived; in actuality only one survived. Manchin later acknowledged that an unintentional miscommunication had occurred with rescue teams within the mine. On February 1, 2006, he ordered a stop to all coal production in West Virginia, pending safety checks, after two more miners were killed in separate accidents. A total of 16 West Virginia coal miners died from mining accidents in early 2006. Manchin's overall handling of the Sago mine incident may have enhanced his popularity. In November 2006, SurveyUSA
SurveyUSA
SurveyUSA is a polling firm in the United States. It conducts market research for corporations and interest groups, but is best known for conducting opinion polls for various political offices and questions...
ranked him as one of the most popular governors in the country with a 74 percent approval rating.
On April 15, 2006, during an Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
visit to U.S. soldiers stationed in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
, Manchin generated controversy by posing for photographers while signing two missiles at Balad Air Force Base. One of the messages read, "Sending you to hell, from Almost Heaven, West Virginia." He told the media: "I just thought, 'Hey, these are people doing tremendous harm to our people.' I wanted to send them a little message." After receiving several complaints, Manchin apologized.
Elections
2010Longtime West Virginia Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd's health was obviously declining by 2010. Speculation focused on what Democratic West Virginia Governor Manchin's response would be if the Senator passed away, but the Governor consistently refused to comment on the subject prior to Byrd's death, except for stating that he would not appoint himself to the position. Senator Byrd died on June 28, 2010, and Manchin in his capacity as governor, having the responsibility of designating a replacement, appointed Carte Goodwin
Carte Goodwin
Carte Patrick Goodwin is an American politician and attorney who served as a United States Senator from West Virginia. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Goodwin was appointed by West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin on July 16, 2010, to fill the vacancy created by the death of Robert Byrd. ...
, his 36-year-old legal adviser, on July 16 who became the youngest U.S. Senator.
A Rasmussen Reports
Rasmussen Reports
Rasmussen Reports is an American media company that publishes and distributes information based on public opinion polling. Founded by pollster Scott Rasmussen in 2003, the company updates daily indexes including the President's job approval rating, and provides public opinion data, analysis, and...
poll found Manchin leading in the potential 2010 special election
United States Senate special election in West Virginia, 2010
The 2010 United States Senate special election in West Virginia was held on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd died in office on June 28, 2010. Democrat Governor Joe Manchin appointed Carte Goodwin to temporarily fill the vacancy. Goodwin pledged to not run for...
for the seat against Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Congresswoman Shelly Moore Capito and former West Virginia Secretary of State Betty Ireland
Betty Ireland
Betty Ireland was the 28th Secretary of State of West Virginia from 2005-2009, serving as the first woman elected to the executive branch of West Virginia state government. She was also the first Republican elected to that position since 1972. Ireland did not seek a second term in 2008 due to her...
, also a Republican. On July 20, 2010, Manchin officially announced he would seek the Senate seat.
In the Democratic primary
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
on August 28, he defeated former Democratic Congressman and former West Virginia Secretary of State Ken Hechler
Ken Hechler
Kenneth William Hechler is an American politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he represented West Virginia in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1959 to 1977 and was West Virginia Secretary of State from 1985 to 2001....
In the general election, he then defeated Republican John Raese
John Raese
John R. Raese is an American business owner and politician. He has lost campaigns to represent West Virginia in the U.S. Senate in 1984, 2006 and 2010, and a campaign for Governor of West Virginia in 1988....
.
Senator Manchin's seat is next up for election in November 2012.
2012
Senator Manchin’s seat in the Senate will be up for election again in 2012. According to Democratic polling firm Public Policy Polling
Public Policy Polling
Public Policy Polling is an American Democratic Party-affiliated polling firm based in Raleigh, North Carolina. PPP was founded in 2001 by businessman and Democratic pollster Dean Debnam, the firm's current president and chief executive officer...
, early polling finds Senator Manchin heavily favored, leading Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito
Shelley Moore Capito
Shelley Moore Capito is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2001. She is a member of the Republican Party...
50-39, 2010 opponent John Raese
John Raese
John R. Raese is an American business owner and politician. He has lost campaigns to represent West Virginia in the U.S. Senate in 1984, 2006 and 2010, and a campaign for Governor of West Virginia in 1988....
60-31, and Congressman David McKinley
David McKinley
David B. McKinley is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party. He is a former member of the West Virginia House of Delegates and Chairman of the West Virginia Republican Party....
57-28.
Tenure
Manchin was sworn in by Vice President Joe BidenJoe Biden
Joseph Robinette "Joe" Biden, Jr. is the 47th and current Vice President of the United States, serving under President Barack Obama...
as a U.S. Senator on November 15, 2010, succeeding appointed Senator Carte Goodwin
Carte Goodwin
Carte Patrick Goodwin is an American politician and attorney who served as a United States Senator from West Virginia. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Goodwin was appointed by West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin on July 16, 2010, to fill the vacancy created by the death of Robert Byrd. ...
. Before his swearing-in, rumors suggested that the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
was courting Manchin to change parties, although the Republicans later suggested that Manchin was the source of the rumors. Manchin named Democratic strategist Chris Kofinis to be his chief of staff. Kofinis was formerly an adviser to Wesley Clark
Wesley Clark
Wesley Kanne Clark, Sr., is a retired general of the United States Army. Graduating as valedictorian of the class of 1966 at West Point, he was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to the University of Oxford where he obtained a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, and later graduated from the...
and John Edwards
John Edwards
Johnny Reid "John" Edwards is an American politician, who served as a U.S. Senator from North Carolina. He was the Democratic nominee for Vice President in 2004, and was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004 and 2008.He defeated incumbent Republican Lauch Faircloth in...
.
On December 9, 2010, Manchin was the sole Democrat to vote against cloture for the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act
National Defense Authorization Act
The National Defense Authorization Act is the name of a United States federal law that has been enacted for each of the past 48 fiscal years to specify the budget and expenditures of the United States Department of Defense.-See also:...
, which contained a provision to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Don't ask, don't tell
"Don't ask, don't tell" was the official United States policy on homosexuals serving in the military from December 21, 1993 to September 20, 2011. The policy prohibited military personnel from discriminating against or harassing closeted homosexual or bisexual service members or applicants, while...
. In an interview with The Associated Press, Manchin cited the advice of retired military chaplains as a basis for his decision to vote against repeal. He also indicated he wanted more time to "hear the full range of viewpoints from the citizens of West Virginia."
On December 18, 2010, Manchin was not present for the vote to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and the vote on the DREAM Act
DREAM Act
The DREAM Act is an American legislative proposal first introduced in the Senate on August 1, 2001 and most recently reintroduced there on May 11, 2011....
, regarding immigration. The National Republican Senatorial Committee
National Republican Senatorial Committee
The National Republican Senatorial Committee is the Republican Hill committee for the United States Senate, working to elect Republicans to that body. The NRSC was founded in 1916 as the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee...
criticized Manchin for attending a family Christmas gathering instead of voting on these sensitive issues.
In June, 2011, Manchin joined with Senator Charles Schumer
Charles Schumer
Charles Ellis "Chuck" Schumer is the senior United States Senator from New York and a member of the Democratic Party. First elected in 1998, he defeated three-term Republican incumbent Al D'Amato by a margin of 55%–44%. He was easily re-elected in 2004 by a margin of 71%–24% and in 2010 by a...
(D-NY) in seeking a crackdown on
bitcoin currency transactions
Bitcoin
Bitcoin is a decentralized, peer-to-peer network over which users make transactions that are tracked and verified through this network. The word Bitcoin also refers to the digital currency implemented as the currency medium for user transactions over this network...
, saying that they facilitated illegal drug trade
Illegal drug trade
The illegal drug trade is a global black market, dedicated to cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of those substances which are subject to drug prohibition laws. Most jurisdictions prohibit trade, except under license, of many types of drugs by drug prohibition laws.A UN report said the...
transactions. "The transactions leave no traditional [bank transfer] money trail
Money trail
The phrase "money trail" is a catch phrase, used to describe the source of funding for a politician or interest group. Such funding sources are not always obvious and is often only discovered through investigation by journalists, government agencies, or opposition groups...
for investigators to follow, and leave it hard to prove a package recipient knew in advance what was in a shipment," using an "'anonymizing
Anonymity
Anonymity is derived from the Greek word ἀνωνυμία, anonymia, meaning "without a name" or "namelessness". In colloquial use, anonymity typically refers to the state of an individual's personal identity, or personally identifiable information, being publicly unknown.There are many reasons why a...
network' known as Tor
Tor (anonymity network)
Tor is a system intended to enable online anonymity. Tor client software routes Internet traffic through a worldwide volunteer network of servers in order to conceal a user's location or usage from someone conducting network surveillance or traffic analysis...
." One opinion website said the senators wanted "to disrupt [the] Silk Road drug website."
Committee assignments
- Committee on Armed ServicesUnited States Senate Committee on Armed ServicesThe Committee on Armed Services is a committee of the United States Senate empowered with legislative oversight of the nation's military, including the Department of Defense, military research and development, nuclear energy , benefits for members of the military, the Selective Service System and...
- Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and CapabilitiesUnited States Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and CapabilitiesThe Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities is one of six subcommittees within the Senate Armed Services Committee.-Jurisdiction:...
- Subcommittee on Readiness and Management SupportUnited States Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management SupportThe Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support is one of six subcommittees within the Senate Armed Services Committee.-Jurisdiction:...
- Subcommittee on Strategic ForcesUnited States Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic ForcesThe Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces is one of six subcommittees within the Senate Armed Services Committee.-Jurisdiction:...
- Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities
- Committee on the BudgetUnited States Senate Committee on the BudgetThe United States Senate Committee on Budget was established by the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974. It is responsible for drafting Congress's annual budget plan and monitoring action on the budget for the Federal Government. The committee has jurisdiction over the...
- Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsUnited States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsThe United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions generally considers matters relating to health, education, labor, and pensions...
- Committee on Rules and AdministrationUnited States Senate Committee on Rules and AdministrationThe Senate Committee on Rules and Administration is responsible for the rules of the United States Senate, with administration of congressional buildings, and with credentials and qualifications of members of the Senate, including responsibility for dealing with contested elections.The committee...
Electoral history
Personal life
Manchin has been married since 1967 to the former Gayle ConellyGayle Conelly Manchin
Gayle Conelly Manchin is the wife of U.S. Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia and served as West Virginia's First Lady from 2005 to 2010. She grew up in Beckley, West Virginia and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Language Arts and Education and a...
, and they have three children: Heather, Joseph IV, and Brooke. He is a member of the National Rifle Association
National Rifle Association
The National Rifle Association of America is an American non-profit 501 civil rights organization which advocates for the protection of the Second Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights and the promotion of firearm ownership rights as well as marksmanship, firearm safety, and the protection...
and a licensed pilot.
In 2006 and 2010 Manchin delivered commencement addresses at Wheeling Jesuit University
Wheeling Jesuit University
Wheeling Jesuit University is a private, co-educational Roman Catholic university in the United States. Located in Wheeling, West Virginia, it was founded as Wheeling College in 1954 by the Society of Jesus . Today, Wheeling Jesuit University is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of...
and at Davis & Elkins College, receiving honorary degrees from both institutions.
External links
- U.S. Senator Joe Manchin official U.S. Senate site
- Joe Manchin for U.S. Senate official campaign site
Governor
- Profile at the Democratic Governors AssociationDemocratic Governors AssociationThe Democratic Governors Association is a Washington, D.C. based 527 organization founded in 1983, consisting of U.S. state and territorial governors affiliated with the Democratic Party. The mission of the organization is to provide party support to the election and re-election of Democratic...
- Inaugural Address of Joseph Manchin III
- Manchin Inauguration Ceremony on WV PBS January, 2009
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