The Boat Docking Habits Of Joe Manchin

US Senator Joe Manchin's houseboat, Almost Heaven, is docked in Washington, D.C., on the Potomac River. Manchin has indicated that he will keep the boat in the same location for at least a year after his Senate term ends in January 2025. The houseboat has been the site of bipartisan negotiations between lawmakers, with senators from both parties invited on board for pizza, beer, and merlot.

Joe Manchin's houseboat, 'Almost Heaven', is docked in Washington, D.C

Joe Manchin's houseboat, Almost Heaven, is docked in Washington, D.C. The senator from West Virginia has indicated that he will keep the houseboat in the same location for at least a year after his Senate term ends in January. Manchin has used the houseboat as a residence when in Washington and a venue for bipartisan negotiations with other lawmakers. He has also expressed a desire for the boat to be a "unifying anchor" in D.C., bringing Republicans and Democrats together for conversations in a private setting.

Almost Heaven is often associated with bipartisanship in Washington. Manchin routinely invites senators from both parties for evening cruises, serving pizza, beer, and merlot. The boat has been described as a "floating incubator" of bipartisanship, fostering relationships and negotiations among lawmakers.

The houseboat is 65 feet long and was built in 2001. Manchin purchased it for $220,000 and insured it for $700,000. While Republicans have characterised it as a "$700,000 D.C. luxury yacht" in campaign ads, others consider it more accurately a houseboat since it serves as Manchin's residence in Washington.

The name "Almost Heaven" is a reference to "Take Me Home, Country Roads," one of West Virginia's state songs. However, the song's roots are in Washington, D.C., as it was inspired by a road trip to Gaithersburg.

Almost Heaven has been the site of protests by climate activists, who have criticised Manchin for holding up a spending package with billions in climate and energy investment. Despite the protests and political gamesmanship, Manchin remains committed to using his houseboat as a venue for fostering cross-party collaboration and relationship-building among senators.

Manchin bought the boat for $220,000 and insured it for $700,000

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin bought his houseboat, the "Almost Heaven", for $220,000. However, he insured it for $700,000. The boat, which is docked on the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., has been the subject of media attention due to its use as a political gathering space. Manchin has hosted senators from both sides of the aisle on the boat, fostering a space for bipartisanship.

The "Almost Heaven" is a 65-foot-long vessel built in 2001. While it is referred to as a houseboat by some, it meets the length requirements to be considered a yacht. Manchin's purchase of the boat at a significantly lower price than its insured value has sparked speculation. Experts suggest that the previous owner may have been eager to sell, allowing Manchin to acquire the boat at a discounted price.

The boat features a spacious interior with air conditioning, a living room, a dining area with a granite dining table, and a fully equipped kitchen. It offers a more casual atmosphere compared to traditional political gatherings, with guests often wearing shirts and shorts instead of suits and ties. Manchin's preference for living on a boat instead of buying real estate in Washington, D.C., has been noted, along with the boat's role as a unique venue for political negotiations and discussions.

The "Almost Heaven" has been described as a "floating incubator" of bipartisanship, with senators from different political parties coming together to negotiate legislation and strategy. Manchin's intention to keep the boat in Washington, D.C., even after his Senate term ends demonstrates the importance he places on using the space to bring people together. The boat's insurance value of $700,000 highlights the potential market value of the vessel, despite Manchin acquiring it at a lower price.

The $220,000 purchase price of the "Almost Heaven" is a significant aspect of the story, as it contrasts with the $700,000 insurance value. This discrepancy caught the attention of the media and sparked further investigation into the boat's value and Manchin's intentions for its use. The boat's role as a political gathering space and its potential impact on fostering bipartisanship are also notable aspects of the story.

The boat is 65 feet long and was built in 2001

Joe Manchin's houseboat, "Almost Heaven", is 65 feet long and was built in 2001. It is a recreational vessel that Manchin has used as his residence in Washington, DC, and has also served as a "floating incubator" for bipartisan sessions with other lawmakers.

The boat's length generally qualifies it as a yacht, but its luxury status is a matter of opinion. Manchin purchased the vessel for $220,000, though it was insured for $700,000. It has four cabins accommodating eight guests and two crew members, with a classic white hull and light cherry wood interior.

Manchin has expressed his intention to keep the boat in DC through at least 2025, even after his Senate term ends, to continue bringing Republicans and Democrats together in a neutral setting. He has used the boat for bipartisan gatherings, serving pizza, beer, and merlot, and fostering conversation and connection.

The name "Almost Heaven" is a reference to the song "Take Me Home, Country Roads", one of West Virginia's four state songs, which was inspired by a road trip to Gaithersburg, DC.

Manchin has lived on the boat when in Washington, instead of buying real estate

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin has chosen to live on a houseboat in Washington, D.C., instead of buying real estate in the city. The 65-foot vessel, named "Almost Heaven", is docked on the Potomac River, about 8 miles south of the Capitol. Manchin has said that he was "not crazy about buying any real estate in Washington, not at all".

The houseboat serves as a unique residence for Manchin when he is in Washington, and it has also become a hub for bipartisan gatherings and negotiations. Manchin often invites senators from both parties to join him for evening cruises, pizza, beer, and the occasional bottle of merlot. This has fostered a space for building relationships and negotiating legislation across party lines.

"Almost Heaven" was purchased by Manchin for $220,000, but it is insured for $700,000. While it has been described as a "luxury yacht" by some, particularly during Manchin's 2018 reelection campaign, others consider it to be a houseboat due to its function as Manchin's primary residence in Washington.

Manchin has expressed his intention to keep the houseboat in Washington through at least 2025, even if his Senate term ends in January of that year. He hopes to continue using it as a venue for bringing people together and fostering meaningful conversations in a politically divided environment.

'Almost Heaven' has been used to negotiate legislation and strategy with other lawmakers

Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, has used his houseboat "Almost Heaven" to negotiate legislation and strategy with other lawmakers. The boat, docked on the Potomac River, 8 miles south of the Capitol, serves as a "floating incubator" for bipartisanship, bringing together senators from both parties for evening cruises with pizza, beer, and merlot.

Manchin, who lives on the boat when he is in Washington, has expressed his desire to use it to foster unity and bring Republicans and Democrats together. He plans to keep the boat in Washington through at least 2025 to see if he can "still use it to bring Republicans and Democrats together."

"It’s a great gathering place I’ve used for 14 years, and I’m going to continue to use it," Manchin said.

The boat has been the site of sessions with other lawmakers to negotiate legislation and strategy. For example, in 2014, Time magazine wrote that "Almost Heaven" and Manchin's previous vessel, the "Black Tie," served as:

> "a kind of floating incubator of that tenderest of Washington flowers in the first decades of the 21st century: bipartisanship."

Manchin's efforts to bring lawmakers together on the boat have resulted in some legislative successes. For instance, after congressional leaders failed to pass a student-loan fix due to a lack of moderate support, Manchin and Angus King of Maine met on the boat and crafted a new proposal. They brought along six influential, bipartisan members, and the new bill passed the Senate 81 to 18 and the House overwhelmingly.

"Almost Heaven" has also been a source of controversy. In 2018, the National Republican Senatorial Committee targeted Manchin in a campaign ad, calling him "Washington Joe" and claiming that he owned a "$700,000 D.C. luxury yacht." While the boat is indeed valued at $700,000 for insurance purposes, Manchin purchased it for a much lower price of $220,000.

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