Press Releases
Warner & Kaine Call for Federal Government to Release & Implement National Plan for Testing
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine joined Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and 39 of their Senate colleagues today to send a letter to President Trump, calling on his administration to develop a comprehensive national strategic plan of action by May 24th to ensure states have sufficient tests to begin safely re-opening. The first case of COVID-19 in the United States was diagnosed in Washington state on January 20, 2020. After 12 weeks, and the appearance of … Continue Reading
May 01, 2020
Warner & Kaine Applaud More Than $36 Million to Support Virginia HBCUs Amid COVID-19
~ Virginia's five HBCUs will be eligible to receive federal funding under the CARES Act ~ WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA), members of the Congressional Bipartisan Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) Caucus, applauded $36,475,848 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Education to support Virginia's five HBCUs. The federal funding was made possible through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund established under the Coronavirus … Continue Reading
May 01, 2020
Warner, Kaine Announce $281,500 in Federal Funds for Water Improvement Projects in Lee & Wise Counties
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced that Lee and Wise Counties will receive $259,000 and $22,500 in federal funds, respectively, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for water improvement projects. "We are pleased to announce these federal dollars to improve water infrastructure in these communities," said the Senators. "These projects aim to improve water quality for Virginia families." The Wise County Public Service Authority in Wise, … Continue Reading
April 30, 2020
Kaine On Morning Joe: Support State And Local Governments To Prevent Layoffs Of First Responders
Watch here: https://timkaine.box.com/s/xa5ad4i4xey3zzb9auc6bmv3hbiz8ll9 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today on MSNBC's Morning Joe, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine called for Congress to pass more COVID-19 relief funding for state and local governments to prevent layoffs of critical personnel, including firefighters, police officers, and other first responders. "Most states are doing their budgets right now. Most localities are doing their budgets right now. And get this - they are having them contemplate … Continue Reading
April 29, 2020
Warner & Kaine Push To Strengthen Food Assistance Amid Coronavirus Crisis
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) keeps food on the table, families from slipping into poverty WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine joined their colleagues, led by Senators Jeff Merkley and Chris Murphy, in urging Senate leadership to support and strengthen SNAP- formerly known as food stamps-to help ensure that families across America can keep food on their tables despite the mounting economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. "Given … Continue Reading
April 29, 2020
Warner, Kaine Applaud More Than $10 Million in Federal Funding for Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services
~ Funding can be used to pay for necessary equipment and supplies, as well as to address inmate needs ~ WASHINGTON - Today U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) applauded $10,832,775 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to assist the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services in preventing, preparing for and responding to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. The federal funding was made possible through the FY2020 Coronavirus Emergency … Continue Reading
April 27, 2020
Warner, Kaine Push To Extend COVID-19 Economic Relief To 501(C)(6) Nonprofits
~ Virginia is estimated to have the third highest number of 501(c)(6) employees ~ WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) urged Senate leaders to ensure that nonprofit organizations like regional chambers of commerce, state restaurant associations, and groups representing law enforcement are able to receive the financial relief they need during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. In a letter, the Senators asked Senate leaders and leaders on the Committee … Continue Reading
April 27, 2020
Warner, Kaine Announce Nearly $15 Million in Federal Funds to Help Combat COVID-19 Crisis in Virginia
~ Funds can be used by Virginia Department of Health to better evaluate outbreak and implement response measures ~ WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $14,857,347 in federal funding to strengthen the Commonwealth's response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The funding, awarded through the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases (ELC) cooperative agreement, was made possible by … Continue Reading
April 24, 2020
Warner, Kaine Announce $200,000 for Virginia Tech to Help Scientific Community Address COVID-19 Crisis
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $200,000 in federal funding to support a project by the Molecular Sciences Software Institute (MolSSI) at Virginia Tech that seeks to help the global computational molecular sciences community quickly provide their scientific data and expertise to address the COVID-19 crisis. The funding, awarded through the National Science Foundation (NSF), was made possible by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security … Continue Reading
April 23, 2020
Amid COVID-19, Warner, Kaine Urge Swift Approval of Food Program for Families Who Rely on Free or Reduced School Meals
~ Inclusion in Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program would help fight food insecurity for children during health crisis ~ WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) urging swift approval of Virginia's request to operate a Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program that would ensure that children in Virginia continue to have access to healthy and nutritious foods during this crisis. … Continue Reading
April 23, 2020
Warner, Kaine Join Push to Ensure Families Receive Promised COVID-19 Stimulus Payments for their Children as Quickly as Possible
~ Treasury announcement gave families less than 48 hours' notice to enter additional information needed to receive $500 COVID-19 payment per child ~ WASHINGTON - Today U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) joined Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and 34 of their Senate colleagues calling on the U.S. Treasury Department to ensure that families who are not normally required to file taxes - and who will automatically receive … Continue Reading
April 23, 2020
Warner, Kaine Applaud More Than $1.8 Million in Funding for Rural Virginia Hospitals
WASHINGTON - Today U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) applauded $1,854,974 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to assist the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) in supporting rural hospitals across the Commonwealth as they combat the COVID-19 crisis. The federal funding was made possible through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which allocated $150 million to assist hospitals funded through the Small … Continue Reading
April 22, 2020
Kaine Announces ‘Everybody’s The Graduation Speaker’ Video Contest For Virginia High School Seniors
Watch his video announcing the contest here. WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine launched the "Everybody's the Graduation Speaker" video contest. With many in-person graduations likely to be postponed or canceled due to the coronavirus, Kaine is encouraging Virginia's graduating high school seniors to submit a video of an original speech they would like to give at graduation. Kaine will select speeches to feature on his Facebook page and website during May and June to celebrate … Continue Reading
April 22, 2020
As Workplace Infections Rise, Kaine Introduces Bill To Protect Workers From COVID-19
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine joined Senator Tammy Baldwin to introduce legislation to protect U.S. workers from COVID-19 in response to disturbing, widespread reports of unsafe workplaces leading to preventable illnesses and deaths. The COVID-19 Every Worker Protection Act would require the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to issue an Emergency Temporary Standard that establishes a legal obligation for all workplaces to implement comprehensive infectious … Continue Reading
April 22, 2020
Kaine Pushes For Urgent Job Training Investments In Next COVID-19 Relief Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. -U.S. Senator Tim Kaine joined more than 20 of his colleagues in a letter, led by Senators Jeff Merkley and Richard Blumenthal, pressing Senate leadership to include critical workforce development and career and technical education (CTE) funding in the next coronavirus relief bill. The letter comes as nearly 22 million workers filed for unemployment in the course of a month and as the economy shed nearly all of the jobs gained over the past five years. "Although unemployment … Continue Reading
April 21, 2020
Warner & Kaine Statement On Senate Passage Of Coronavirus Relief Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine released the following statement after the Senate unanimously approved a bipartisan coronavirus relief package that provides $310 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program (including $60 billion for women-owned businesses, minority-owned businesses, and businesses in rural communities), $60 billion for Economic Injury Disaster Loans, $75 billion for health care providers, and $25 billion for testing. "This legislation will … Continue Reading
April 21, 2020
Senators Push Veterans Affairs Secretary for Information on Personal Protective Equipment for Employees Amid COVID-19
~ Alarming media reports highlight many VA staff are working without PPE, penalized for following health guidance from public health authorities ~ WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Jack Reed (D-RI) sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pushing for more information regarding the personal protective equipment (PPE) available to its employees at hospitals, clinics and other facilities … Continue Reading
April 17, 2020
Warner & Kaine Call For Dedicated, Flexible State And Local Government Emergency Funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine joined 30 of their colleagues to call for state, local, and tribal governments to receive dedicated, flexible funding in the next COVID-19 emergency funding package. While Virginia has received $3.3 billion to support its COVID-19 response, the Senators are pushing for the next emergency coronavirus relief package to provide assurances that funding can be used to prevent potentially devastating budget cuts and that localities … Continue Reading
April 16, 2020
Warner & Kaine Call For Emergency OSHA Standard To Protect Essential Workers In COVID-19 Response Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Following concerns about worker safety in Virginia, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine joined Senator Tammy Baldwin and 32 of their Senate colleagues in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer calling for any future coronavirus response legislation to include a requirement that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issue an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) to guarantee protections for all essential … Continue Reading
April 16, 2020
Kaine And King Lead Call For Investments To Address Mental Health Needs Resulting From COVID-19
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine and Angus King led 18 of their colleagues in a letter to Senate leadership to call for increased investments in mental and behavioral health in future COVID-19 relief legislation. Reports have shown Americans are experiencing negative effects on their mental health due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Senators highlighted the threat COVID-19 poses to several particularly vulnerable populations, including people in marginalized communities with … Continue Reading
