WASHINGTON, April 16 (UPI) -- West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin hailed his state's legislative accomplishments Saturday and called for bipartisan cooperation in Washington.
"In 60 short days, we enacted significant civil justice reforms that will result in at least $50 million being put back into the pockets of our state's ratepayers," he said of his state's just-ended legislative session.
Manchin called for Washington leaders to take example from his state and work across the aisle. However, he placed the blame for the partisan divide on Republican leaders.
"It just goes to show that when you are willing to work across the aisle . . . you can accomplish great things for Americans. There are some partisan leaders, who control both houses of Congress, that keep Washington stuck in partisan gridlock. When America is facing challenges like deployment of our family members overseas, record mounting gas prices and sky rocketing health care costs, it is not a time for rhetoric or fighting. It is a time for leadership and action.
"The basic difference in this is everyone is welcome in the Democratic Party. We are not a party of divisiveness; we are a party of inclusion. And our core beliefs revolve around our dedication to helping every American improve the quality of their lives."
