Joe Manchin

Defaulting on the Nation's debt would cause tremendous harm to American families, businesses, and to the global economy

It is just irresponsible to not deal with the underlying problem that gives rise to the need for all of this debt.

The harm from default would take not just a short term to recover from, but I think it could take a decade to recover from.

I want to achieve comprehensive immigration reform. It does not mean I am willing to shut down the Government until the House of Representatives does what I want.

Let us stop lurching from one manufactured crisis to another manufactured crisis and stop threatening to default on the Nation's obligations

The average American at the pump has not seen relief every time that we do have this energy independence.

I've continued to support an all in energy policy which basically would be in consideration of the XL pipeline.

Very little relief, wouldn't you agree?

So someone is doing extremely well.

Achieving energy independence is the most critical thing we can do as a country.

Are there any options from pricing standpoint? If we're doing more and doing the heavy lift, if you will, more discovery, more technology, more of everything.

We are basically, you are going to pay me now or pay me later.

There are no insurance companies that--if this goes away, there are no insurance companies or the insurance industry willing to step to the plate.

Not been a burden on the taxpayers in any way, shape, or form that you can see?

If it goes away and the market does not pick it up and we have a massive hit, then it is basically out of the taxpayers' pocket and no reimbursement whatsoever.

It has changed every time we have done it, so we have not found the sweet spot yet.

There is a place for Government, especially when it can shore up a market and improve the economy, the economic situation, without costing the taxpayers.

The Government is going to step to the plate.

There is nothing else on the marketplace.

Social Security in the State of West Virginia--60 percent of retired seniors--that is their income.

We have to have a cost of living, or COLA, no matter what you call it. ... But there has to be one that adequately takes into account the essential living costs of people that basically the majority of their income is their Social Security…

I think, again, what we are talking about is if you make $250,000 a year--or, 110.

These are discussions that we have, that go on, and they are not done in public, but it needs to be talked about.

We cannot come to grips politically with that.

I am just saying here that the nursing home industry does a great job. They take care of people and do it well.