The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law (Catholic Law) welcomed Sen. Joe Manchin (D, W.Va.) to discuss his philosophy of governing. Invited by the Democratic Law Students Association (DLSA), Manchin was introduced by Catholic Law professor Marshall Breger, who pointed out that, due to the close balance of power in recent years, the senator has become one of the most important political figures in the nation’s capital.

“He carries on the institutional sense of the Senate of his predecessors,” Breger said later, reflecting on the senator’s visit.

Speaking to an audience that filled the Walter A. Slowinski Courtroom, Manchin embarked on a retelling of his life’s story, noting how his political engagement began after he as a child witnessed then presidential candidate John F. Kennedy speaking on television. Manchin—who noted that, during his adolescence, his family was the only Catholic one in his small, West Virginia hometown—explained that the endurance of Kennedy’s renown, in spite of the anti-Catholic sentiments across the United States at the time, inspired him to increase his own participation in local politics. Manchin also discussed his philosophy of fiscal responsibility, his attitude of social compassion, and his belief in the necessity of bipartisanship.

Manchin’s presentation concluded with Yusuf Khan (3L), president of both the Student Bar Association (SBA) and DLSA, thanking the senator for his time and those in attendance for their questions. The event was followed by a reception in the Louise H. Keelty and James Keelty, Jr. Atrium.

Manchin’s recent visit in October to Catholic Law was not the first time that the West Virginian senator has interacted with the Law School’s community, as he sat down with Clarence E. “CEM” Martin III ’74 for a recorded interview which was shared at the 2021 Dean’s Dinner.