Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Joe Manchin

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Joe Manchin.

Joe Manchin is an American businessman and former politician who served as a U.S. Senator for West Virginia from 2010 to 2025. Initially a Democrat, he later registered as an independent. Prior to his Senate career, Manchin was the 27th Secretary of State of West Virginia (2001-2005) and the 34th Governor of West Virginia (2005-2010). Before entering public service, he co-founded and led Enersystems, a family-owned coal brokerage firm.

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Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

July 2005: Massey Energy CEO Sued Manchin

In July 2005, Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship sued Joe Manchin, alleging that Manchin had violated Blankenship's First Amendment rights.

January 2006: Sago Mine Disaster

During the Sago Mine disaster in early January 2006 in Upshur County, West Virginia, Joe Manchin confirmed incorrect reports that 12 miners had survived.

2009: Financial Disclosures

In 2009, Joe Manchin's financial disclosures revealed that his earnings from Energysystems were $1,363,916. Environmentalists criticized Manchin for his family ties to the coal industry, suggesting his opposition to certain health regulations stemmed from his stake in the industry.

2010: Vote on Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act

In 2010, Joe Manchin voted against cloture for the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act, but did not vote on the bill itself.

2010: Financial Disclosures

In 2010, Joe Manchin's financial disclosures showed his earnings from Energysystems were $417,255. Environmentalists criticized Manchin for his family ties to the coal industry, suggesting his opposition to certain health regulations stemmed from his stake in the industry.

2011: Support for Energy Tax Prevention Act

In 2011, Joe Manchin was the only Democratic senator to support the Energy Tax Prevention Act, which aimed to prevent the EPA from regulating greenhouse gases. This action underscored his stance on energy and environmental issues.

December 2012: Manchin voices displeasure with MTV's Buckwild

In December 2012, Joe Manchin expressed his disapproval of MTV's reality show Buckwild, which was set in Charleston, West Virginia. He requested that the network's president cancel the show, arguing that it presented a negative and unrealistic portrayal of the state.

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2012: Support for GOP effort against EPA regulations

In 2012, Joe Manchin supported a Republican effort to "scuttle Environmental Protection Agency regulations that mandate cuts in mercury pollution and other toxic emissions from coal-fired power plants".

2013: Manchin criticized for interview restrictions

In 2013, Joe Manchin was criticized for agreeing to an interview with The Journal in Martinsburg, West Virginia, but demanding that he not be asked any questions about gun control or the Second Amendment.

December 2014: Letter to EPA regarding power plant rule

In December 2014, Joe Manchin was one of six Democratic senators who signed a letter to the EPA urging the agency to give states more time to comply with its rule on power plants and calling for an elimination of the 2020 targets in the final rule. This demonstrated his concern for the impact of environmental regulations on states.

June 30, 2015: John Manchin II withdraws lawsuit against Joe and Roch Manchin

On June 30, 2015, John Manchin II withdrew a lawsuit that he had filed against Joe Manchin and his other brother, Roch Manchin. The lawsuit concerned a $1.7 million loan related to the family-owned carpet business.

August 3, 2015: Manchin Votes to Terminate Federal Funding for Planned Parenthood

On August 3, 2015, Joe Manchin broke with Democratic leadership by voting in favor of a Republican-sponsored bill to terminate federal funding for Planned Parenthood both in the United States and globally.

2016: Manchin comments on due process after Orlando shooting

In 2016, in the aftermath of the Orlando nightclub shooting, Joe Manchin stated that "due process is what's killing us right now," in reference to the difficulty of keeping guns out of the hands of potential terrorists. This comment drew criticism from both the NRA and the Cato Institute.

February 2017: Vote to confirm Scott Pruitt as EPA Administrator

In February 2017, Joe Manchin was one of two Democratic senators to vote to confirm Scott Pruitt as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. This vote signaled his alignment with the Trump administration's approach to environmental regulation.

June 2017: Support for withdrawal from Paris climate accord

In June 2017, Joe Manchin supported President Donald Trump's withdrawal from the Paris climate accord. Manchin stated that he supported a "cleaner energy future" but felt the Paris deal failed to balance the environment and the economy.

August 2017: Response to Resignation Request

In August 2017, after West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey publicly asked Joe Manchin to resign from the Senate Democratic leadership, Manchin responded with strong language.

2017: Vote on Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

In 2017, Joe Manchin voted against the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

October 2018: Opposition to entitlement reform

In October 2018, Joe Manchin expressed strong opposition to entitlement reform, describing Mitch McConnell's comments on the need to reform entitlement programs such as Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare as "absolutely ridiculous."

February 2019: Opposition to the Green New Deal

In February 2019, Joe Manchin expressed opposition to the Green New Deal after Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called for a vote on the plan.

April 2019: Vote to confirm David Bernhardt as Secretary of the Interior

In April 2019, Joe Manchin was one of three Democratic senators who voted with Republicans to confirm David Bernhardt, an oil executive, as Secretary of the Interior. This vote reflected his willingness to support individuals with ties to the energy industry.

2019: Manchin Votes for Bill Requiring Care for Infants Born Alive After Failed Abortion

In 2019, Joe Manchin was one of three Democrats to join all Republicans in voting for a bill to require that doctors care for infants born alive after a failed abortion.

May 2020: Manchin Receives Funding from Oil and Gas Industry

Starting in May 2020, Joe Manchin received the most funding from the oil and gas industry of any senator. He received $1.6 million in donations from fossil fuel PACs from May 2020 to May 2021. He also receives funding from individuals and PACs connected to law and real estate, among others.

2020: Letter to EPA regarding power plant rule

In December 2014, Joe Manchin was one of six Democratic senators who signed a letter to the EPA urging the agency to give states more time to comply with its rule on power plants and calling for an elimination of the 2020 targets in the final rule. This call for elimination was related to the 2020 targets set by the EPA.

June 6, 2021: Manchin expresses opposition to the For the People Act

On June 6, 2021, Joe Manchin voiced his opposition to the For the People Act due to a lack of bipartisan support. Manchin expressed support for a reinforced version of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, urging its passage in the Senate.

June 2021: ExxonMobil Lobbyist Names Manchin as Key Target

In June 2021, an ExxonMobil lobbyist, Keith McCoy, stated that Joe Manchin was one of the company's key targets for funding and that Manchin participated in weekly meetings with ExxonMobil.

September 30, 2021: Manchin Questioned on Conflict of Interest Regarding Build Back Better Act

On September 30, 2021, Joe Manchin was questioned by an MSNBC reporter about a potential conflict of interest related to his opposition to the Build Back Better Act, citing his company Enersystems' ties to power plants impacted by the bill. Manchin responded that his assets have been in a blind trust for 20 years.

October 2021: Manchin labeled a Democrat in name only by The Guardian

In October 2021, Richard Luscombe of The Guardian described Joe Manchin as a Democrat in name only due to his opposition to President Biden's Build Back Better Act.

October 2021: Named a 'climate villain'

In October 2021, The Guardian named Joe Manchin one of the United States' top "climate villains", citing his use of his position to hold climate legislation hostage on behalf of the fossil fuel industry. This label reflected growing criticism of his environmental stance.

December 2021: Manchin expresses displeasure with tactics used to pressure him on Build Back Better Act

Also in December 2021, Joe Manchin expressed displeasure with the tactics Democrats used to pressure him into supporting the Build Back Better Act, stating that he felt badgered and that the staff's actions were "absolutely inexcusable."

2021: Opposition to Clean Electricity Performance Program

In 2021, Joe Manchin opposed the "Clean Electricity Performance Program" in a budget reconciliation bill, which led to its removal from the bill. This action highlighted his influence on energy policy.

January 2022: Heavy Spending on Private Security

In January 2022, The Hill reported that Joe Manchin "spent heavily on private security" during the last three months of 2021 after becoming a target for progressive protesters.

February 2022: Manchin Votes Against Women's Health Protection Act

In February 2022, Joe Manchin was the only Democratic senator to vote against an abortion proposal, Women's Health Protection Act, that would have included limiting the states' ability to restrict abortion access, among other expansions.

May 2022: Manchin Opposes Women's Health Protection Act

In May 2022, Joe Manchin said that he would again vote against his party's bill, the Women's Health Protection Act, which included codifying federal abortion rights as the Supreme Court appeared poised to overturn Roe. Manchin said the bill went too far and that he would support a narrower measure that still included codifying Roe. He was the only Senate Democrat to oppose the legislation.

2024: Manchin Registers as Independent and Declines Reelection Bid

In 2024, Joe Manchin announced he was registering as an independent. Later in 2024 he announced that he would not run for reelection. Manchin expressed regret over voting for the American Rescue Plan, attributing it to increased inflation.