Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Senator Tim Kaine joined Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mike Lee (R-UT) in introducing the Smarter Sentencing Act, legislation to modernize federal drug sentencing policies by lowering certain mandatory drug sentences. “Our nation is facing a serious over-incarceration problem,” said Kaine. “One way we can tackle this challenge is by reducing mandatory minimums that unfairly punish non-violent drug offenders. ...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released a statement following multiple reports that President Trump has reversed course after promising to issue a ban on non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes:   “It’s unacceptable that President Trump is putting politics over public health by breaking his promise to ban flavored e-cigarettes. As the epidemic of youth e...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) introduced legislation to help more unemployed Americans reenter the workforce. The Building on Reemployment Improvements to Deliver Good Employment (BRIDGE) for Workers Act would give states more flexibility in administering existing unemployment benefits to help more Americans find good-paying jobs.  These reemployment benefits—which ...Continue Reading

~ Senators have been pushing to lift the Chinese ban on U.S. turkey and chicken products for years ~  WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) today applauded the news that the Chinese government will lift the import ban on U.S. poultry products that has been in place since 2015, effective immediately. “For years, we have raised concerns about China’s unfair ban on U.S. poultry products and today’s announcement that the ban will be lifted...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine joined Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein and all of their Democratic colleagues in introducing the Senate companion to the House-passed Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. The bill, which would reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) through 2024, provides essential protections and resources to survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse. The legislation preserves adv...Continue Reading

Video: https://timkaine.box.com/s/9npzu74utsz562pe6n81wyyzky8qelni WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, amid the Trump Administration’s delay in issuing a final policy to address the growing epidemic of youth e-cigarette use, Kaine pressed the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products Director Mitch Zeller on whether the Trump Administration will honor their pledge to ban all non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes. In response, Zeller said, “there is no final answer.” Kaine as...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON – With three senior State Department officials scheduled to testify during the first week of public hearings on the Trump-Ukraine scandal, Democratic members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today called on two top ranking officials in the Department to step up during the current leadership crisis at the agency, make statements of support for the personnel, and commit to no retaliation against the career public servants risking their careers and reputations due to the T...Continue Reading

Bipartisan legislation will award Congressional Gold Medals to Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Dr. Christine Darden for their groundbreaking contributions WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, bipartisan legislation cosponsored by U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine to award four African-American women scientists the Congressional Gold Medal for their work at NASA Langley was signed into law by President Trump. The award distinguishes Katherine Johnson, Dr. Christine Darde...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine announced $391,400 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for rural business development and public safety. “We’re pleased to announce these grants to strengthen local businesses and public safety in the Commonwealth,” the Senators said. “This federal assistance will go directly towards supporting local entrepreneurs and law enforcement in Virginia.” $277,20...Continue Reading

Legislation arrives as Trump Administration reportedly considers ending deportation protections for military families  WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced legislation today to strengthen military readiness by safeguarding the Parole in Place (PIP) program, which allows undocumented family members—parents, children, spouses or widowers—of members of the U.S. Armed Forces and Veterans to lawfully remain in the United States in one-year increment...Continue Reading

~ Bill will help safeguard pensions for 92,000 coal miners and protect health care for 13,000 miners ~ WASHINGTON – Following years of efforts to try to safeguard benefits for mine workers, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA), today introduced bipartisan legislation along with Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) to secure pensions for our nation’s retired miners. The legislation would shore up the 1974 United Mine Workers ...Continue Reading

~ Va. & Md. Senators celebrate the Nationals’ first-ever World Series championship ~  WASHINGTON – Today the U.S. Senate unanimously approved a resolution introduced by U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-MD) officially congratulating the Washington Nationals on winning the World Series for the first time in franchise history. “The Washington Nationals worked hard, played with heart and had fun while the...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Martha McSally (R-AZ), Tim Kaine (D-VA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Chris Coons (D-DE) introduced bipartisan legislation to expand access to veteran treatment courts and allow those who served our nation to receive the care they need. Veteran treatment courts work in tandem with the traditional criminal justice system to help rehabilitate veterans who have committed non-violent misdemeanor crimes while transitioning back to civilian ...Continue Reading

~ Mandatory federal funding expired on September 30 for Virginia Union University, Hampton University, Virginia State University, Norfolk State University, and Virginia University of Lynchburg ~ ~ No Senate vote currently set to renew this funding ~  WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA), members of the Congressional Bipartisan Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) Caucus, today joined 36 of their colleagues in a new push to pass funding for ...Continue Reading

~ Grace Furnace property is one of the largest tracts to be acquired for conservation purposes in Virginia in decades ~  WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) today applauded the acquisition of a significant property by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service. The addition of this land to the Forest Service will help preserve a local historic asset, enhance Virginians’ access to recreation, and protect the water quality of Craig Creek,...Continue Reading

Trump’s Decision Abandoned the Kurds and Puts International Humanitarian Aid Operations at Risk WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), the top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism, on Thursday led 5 U.S. Senators in calling on the Secretary of State to ensure U.S. resources are made flexible for humanitarian efforts to evacuate personnel and continue assisting Syrian refugees inside Iraq. In a...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Senators Mark Warner (D-VA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) announced they will introduce a resolution honoring the Washington Nationals’ first World Series title in franchise history.  Beating the Houston Astros in Game 7 last night, the Nationals won all four away games to clinch the series. “In one word – history!” Norton said.  “Congratulations to ...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine applauded Senate passage of bipartisan legislation to fund federal programs critical to Virginia under the Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of Commerce (DOC), Department of Justice (DOJ), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Department of Interior (DOI).&n...Continue Reading

New Senate resolution supports the United States’ implementation of international guidelines for the peaceful use of space that reflect significant U.S. input WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-NM) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced a resolution to maintain U.S. leadership in protecting satellites and spacecraft in Earth’s orbit from space debris and ensuring that all nations cooperate to promot...Continue Reading

In a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar, Democrats condemn the ongoing delay and reported weakening of Trump Administration’s promised action to address epidemic of youth e-cigarette use WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine joined Senator Patty Murray, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), and 24 of their Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of Health and...Continue Reading