Press Releases
In Spanish Floor Speech, Kaine Makes Case For Immigration Reform
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine today delivered remarks in Spanish on the Senate floor to voice his support for the bipartisan Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act and strongly urge his colleagues to come together to pass the commonsense proposal. "Let's show this country and the world that this is not a Republican bill and it is not a Democratic bill but it is a strong bipartisan bill. It is time that we pass comprehensive immigration reform," … Continue Reading
June 10, 2013
Kaine Statement on Passage of the Farm Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement today after final passage of the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013 (the Farm Bill) by a vote of 66 to 27. Last week, Kaine voiced his support for passage of a long-term farm bill during discussions with local farmers in Charlottesville and Gordonsville. "With Senate passage of a long-term farm bill, Virginia's agricultural community is one step closer to the certainty it deserves to plan for the future. … Continue Reading
June 07, 2013
Kaine Meets With Hagel, Mabus At Pentagon To Discuss Issues Facing Virginia's Defense Community Ahead of Authorization Bill Markup
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today met with top Pentagon officials to discuss issues facing Virginia's defense community. During meetings with Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, Kaine addressed the ongoing impact of sequestration and continued furloughs for thousands of Virginians, his priorities for the Commonwealth in upcoming discussions of the National Defense Authorization Act, and the … Continue Reading
June 04, 2013
In Armed Services Committee Hearing, Kaine Presses Top Military Officials On Damaging Effects Of Sexual Assault, Retaliation Fears
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Armed Services Committee, today pressed top military officials on the escalating crisis of sexual assault and unwanted sexual contact in the military. Kaine also outlined his concerns this morning in an op-ed in the Virginian-Pilot. During the first panel of the hearing, Kaine questioned Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey, Service Chiefs and Service Judge Advocates General and described the damaging impacts he … Continue Reading
June 04, 2013
The Stakes Are Enormously High
I'm proud to represent the state that's more connected to the military than any other. Communities across the Commonwealth are defined by the servicemembers and their families, installations, shipyards, airfields and historical battlefields. So when we're faced with the issue of sexual assault in our Armed Forces, it shakes the military culture - and the surrounding communities - to the core. And while there are all sorts of effects we feel today as a result of these incidents, I worry as … Continue Reading
May 31, 2013
Kaine Discusses Farm Bill In Charlottesville and Gordonsville
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine participated in a roundtable with local farmers in Charlottesville today to discuss the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013 (the Farm Bill), which was voted out of committee with bipartisan support, and how it will help Virginia farmers and local markets. Kaine expressed his support for a full five-year arm bill to provide farmers in Virginia and across the nation with the long-term certainty they deserve. "The uncertainty surrounding the … Continue Reading
May 30, 2013
Kaine Visits Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Discusses Defense Authorization Act And Budget Priorities
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Armed Services Committee, toured the Norfolk Naval Shipyard today and led a discussion with shipyard employees as part of a statewide effort to gather feedback ahead of the committee's negotiations on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in the coming weeks. The NDAA authorizes funding for military programs during the next fiscal year. "Today is an opportunity to meet the men and women who are so critical to our national … Continue Reading
May 29, 2013
Kaine Statement On Governor McDonnell's Announcement Regarding Restoration of Rights
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement today on Governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell's announcement regarding the restoration of voting rights to nonviolent felons who have completed their sentences. As governor, Kaine restored the rights of more than 4,400 Virginians and worked to increase the availability of applications and timeliness of his administration's responses to restoration requests: "I applaud Governor McDonnell for his work to expedite the … Continue Reading
May 29, 2013
Kaine Meets With Top Officials At United Nations Headquarters
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, participated in a series of meetings with top United Nations officials on Tuesday, May 28 at the organization's headquarters in New York City including Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, United States Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice, UN Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman, U.S. Representative to the UN for UN Management and Reform Joseph Torsella, and Deputy Executive Director … Continue Reading
May 27, 2013
Kaine Attends Memorial Day Events to Honor Fallen Heroes
RICHMOND, VA - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined Virginians this weekend at Memorial Day events to pay tribute to the men and women in uniform who have given their lives in service to our country. In Richmond on Friday, Kaine joined veterans and community members at the annual Hunter Holmes McGuire Medical Center Memorial Day program and spoke to the sacrifices made by members of the military throughout our nation's history. "We will never … Continue Reading
May 23, 2013
Bipartisan Virginia Delegation Calls for Long Overdue Federal Recognition for Virginia Indian Tribes
Washington, DC - Today, Senator Tim Kaine joined Senator Mark R. Warner, Congressmen Rob Wittman (R-01), Bobby Scott (D-03), Gerry Connolly (D-11), Congressman Jim Moran (D-08) and members of Virginia tribes to announce legislation to grant federal recognition to six Virginia Native American tribes. The bill, the "Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Act" was introduced by Moran and Kaine in the House and Senate, respectively. The legislation would grant federal recognition to the … Continue Reading
May 22, 2013
Kaine & Warner Submit Legislation To Expand Offshore Energy Leases
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner today cosponsored the introduction of The Virginia Outer Continental Shelf Energy Production Act of 2013. The legislation would expand American offshore energy production with a revised five-year leasing plan, and provide revenue sharing. The bill would provide an alternative to the Administration's proposed 2012-2017 offshore oil and gas leasing plan, which excludes Virginia. It is similar to House legislation recently proposed by … Continue Reading
May 22, 2013
Kaine Chairs First Subcommittee Hearing, Discusses Importance of International Development to U.S. Economy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of the International Development and Foreign Assistance Subcommittee, chaired his first subcommittee hearing today on international development and the importance of private sector investments and public-private partnerships. Kaine referenced his recent introduction of Secretary Kerry at his first address as Secretary of State at the University of Virginia, noting the compelling case Kerry made … Continue Reading
May 22, 2013
Sens. Warner & Kaine Submit Legislation to Expand Offshore Energy Leases
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) today cosponsored the introduction of The Virginia Outer Continental Shelf Energy Production Act of 2013. The legislation would expand American offshore energy production with a revised five-year leasing plan, and provide revenue sharing. The bill would provide an alternative to the Administration's proposed 2012-2017 offshore oil and gas leasing plan, which excludes Virginia. It is similar to House legislation recently … Continue Reading
May 21, 2013
Kaine Amendment Included in Syria Assistance Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, debated and voted for the Syria Transition Support Act of 2013 (S. 960), a bipartisan bill introduced by the Committee Chairman Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), and Ranking Member Senator Bob Corker (R-TN). The legislation allows U.S. military assistance to vetted Syrian rebels, authorizes the imposition of new sanctions on sellers of arms and oil to the Assad regime, and creates a $250 million … Continue Reading
May 21, 2013
Sen. Kaine and Rep. Duckworth Discuss Next Steps for Troop Talent Act in Alexandria
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (D-IL 8) hosted a discussion with nearly 80 veterans, business leaders and support organizations today at American Legion Post 24 in Alexandria on Kaine's first bill, the Troop Talent Act, and next steps for the bipartisan legislation. "None of us can feel good if we hear the unemployment stats that our veterans are facing in a tough economy. As we draw down out of Afghanistan and as more transition from … Continue Reading
May 17, 2013
Kaine Launches New Senate Website
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine launched his permanent Senate website today. Through the site, Virginians can contact Kaine to voice their opinions on legislation, access a number of constituent services and seek assistance as they resolve issues with federal agencies. "This easy-to-use website will allow Virginians to share opinions with me and let my office know how we can help," said Kaine. "I hope constituents will also use the site to learn more about my travels through the … Continue Reading
May 15, 2013
Warner And Kaine Applaud Confirmation Of Marilyn Tavenner
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine today applauded the confirmation of Marilyn Tavenner of Virginia as the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) by a vote of 91 to 7. Tavenner is the first Senate-confirmed CMS Administrator since 2006. CMS oversees Medicare and Medicaid and is charged with health care services for millions of Americans. Tavenner, who has served as CMS Acting Administrator since late 2011, was a nurse for nearly 20 … Continue Reading
May 15, 2013
Sens. Warner & Kaine Successfully Boost VA. Projects In Water Resources Development Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) successfully amended The Water Resources Development Act, which passed the Senate today by a vote of 83-14, to resolve issues specific to three important Virginia water projects. One amendment facilitates additional progress on the Virginia Port Authority's multi-year efforts to develop a marine terminal at Craney Island. A second Warner-Kaine amendment provides a technical correction that will promote efforts to restore Four … Continue Reading
May 15, 2013
Kaine Joins Measures To End Military Sexual Assault
Kaine Joins Measures To End Military Sexual Assault WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Armed Services Committee, joined two measures today to combat sexual assault in the military in the wake of continuing reports of increased anecdotal and systemic failures to adequately address unwanted sexual contact within the military. "Rising incidents of sexual assault are unacceptable and require immediate and systemic change in our Armed Forces. Women and men who serve in our … Continue Reading
