W.Va. Sen. Joe Manchin signs bipartisan pledge

WASHINGTON (WSAZ) -- U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin signed a pledge Monday urging a return to bipartisanship.

Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat, says he is urging his colleagues to join him in signing a pledge to not campaign against a sitting colleague.

“Several years ago I took a personal pledge to not campaign against a sitting colleague,” Manchin said. “I think the time has come for all Senators to make this pledge and commit ourselves to being Americans first – not Republicans or Democrats,"

The pledge is the first step to show the American people they are here to work towards a better United States, according to Manchin's office.

Text of the pledge can be seen below:

In order to restore civility to the United States Senate and our political discourse we must pledge to return to an era of bipartisan cooperation and agreement. I, _______________, pledge to the people of _______________ and to the American people that I will:

1) Not campaign against a sitting colleague;

2) Not directly fundraise against them;

3) Not distribute any direct mail against them;

4) Not appear or endorse any advertisements directed at them;

5) Not use or endorse social media campaigns that attack them.