Press Releases
Warner, Kaine Join Bipartisan Group Of Senators In Calling For Full Implementation Of Mental Health Parity Law
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine joined U.S. Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Chris Murphy (D-CT) and a bipartisan group of 20 other Senators in calling on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to take immediate, overdue action to fully implement and enforce the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). In a letter addressed to HHS Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell and DOL Secretary Thomas E. Perez, … Continue Reading
October 15, 2015
In Richmond, Kaine Joins Ex-Offenders For Roundtable Discussion On Criminal Justice Reform
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today in Richmond, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine joined a group of ex-offenders for a roundtable discussion about the challenges of returning to their communities following incarceration. The discussion was co-hosted by Adult Alternative Program, a program based in Richmond that helps former offenders obtain the training and credentials to prepare them for employment after incarceration. "My takeaways from today's discussion were, first, we need to determine what educational … Continue Reading
October 09, 2015
Senate Passes Warner, Kaine Resolution Commemorating The Life Of Robert Simon
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A resolution, introduced by U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, commemorating the life and accomplishments of Robert E. Simon has passed the Senate in a unanimous vote. Simon, who passed away last month at the age of 101, founded the Town of Reston, Virginia. "Bob Simon was a visionary who recognized that all humans ought to be able to live together and be neighbors. His vision was of a community in which people could live, work, and play in the same general area," the … Continue Reading
October 08, 2015
Kaine: Three Years After Benghazi Attacks, It’s Time To Build Diplomatic Security Training Facility At Fort Pickett, VA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - During a hearing today on the need for a new diplomatic security training facility to better protect U.S. embassy personnel overseas, witnesses from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the State Department testified to the fact that, despite years of delay as a result of Congressional pressure, Fort Pickett in Blackstone, Virginia remains the best site for a new Foreign Affairs Security Training Center (FASTC). Further, a witness from the Department of Homeland … Continue Reading
October 08, 2015
Kaine, Portman, Baldwin, Capito Introduce Bill To Create Cte Teacher Residency Programs
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Rob Portman (R-OH) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Co-Chairs of the Senate Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus, along with U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), introduced the Creating Quality Technical Educators Act to expand the Higher Education Act's teacher residency grant program to help schools recruit and train high-quality CTE teachers. The Creating Quality Technical Educators Act would foster partnerships between … Continue Reading
October 07, 2015
Following Senate & House Passage, Kaine Hails Wins For Virginia In Annual Defense Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, praised passage of the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference report, which passed the Senate 70-27 today following House passage of the legislation last week. The NDAA conference report, which is based on bills reported out of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees earlier in the year, includes a number of provisions that Kaine supported during the Committee … Continue Reading
October 07, 2015
Mikulski Leads Cardin, Warner, Kaine In Praising Committee Passage Of New Legislation To Improve Metro Safety
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) today announced that new legislation (S. 2093) she has introduced, cosponsored by Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), that would improve safety oversight of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) has been passed today by the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee (HSGAC). The legislation, which was introduced on September 29, would alter the way members of the Metro … Continue Reading
October 06, 2015
Warner, Kaine Announce More Than $777,000 In Farm Bill Funding To Increase Access To Locally-Grown Food
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $777,628 in grant funding to communities in Virginia to improve and expand access locally-grown foods. Today's funding - made available by the Agricultural Act of 2014 - will support operations at local farms, markets and conservation organizations that promote locally-grown foods and support economic development and small business activities in … Continue Reading
October 01, 2015
Kaine In Carrier Hearing: I’m Proud To Represent The Thousands Of Shipbuilders Who Manufacture The Largest And Most Complicated Items On The Planet
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, in a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the Gerald R. Ford-class carrier program, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine highlighted the work of the shipbuilders constructing the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) at Newport News Shipbuilding and the challenges of the cost-estimation process for first-in-class ships. "I'm proud to represent the thousands of shipbuilders who manufacture the largest and most complicated items on the planet Earth: nuclear aircraft carriers and subs," … Continue Reading
October 01, 2015
Warner, Kaine Press Navy Secretary Ray Mabus For Plan To Address Impacts Of Workload Fluctuations At Hampton Roads Shipyards
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine urged Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus to develop a plan to stabilize the ship repair industry following a shortfall in workload requirements for the Hampton Roads area that has led to layoffs at BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair and Newport News Shipbuilding. The Senators suggested several options that the Navy could implement to increase stability and predictability of the workload at the private shipyards, including … Continue Reading
October 01, 2015
Kaine Statement On Mayor Paul Fraim
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement on Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim's announcement that he will not seek reelection: "When I was Mayor of Richmond, Paul Fraim was seen throughout Virginia as a Mayor's Mayor. We all admired his energy and vision in Norfolk. He has done a great job for a great city. I count him as a close friend, and he's given me good advice over the years. I join Norfolk citizens in thanking him for his long and dedicated … Continue Reading
September 30, 2015
Warner, Kaine Announce Nearly $7 Million In HUD Funding To Increase Access To Fair Housing
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced that seven Virginia localities and organizations will receive nearly $7 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funding will help local governments fight housing discrimination, improve economic conditions and increase access to affordable housing. "These funds will strengthen Virginia communities and improve the quality of life for residents," said Warner. "These are … Continue Reading
September 30, 2015
Warner, Kaine Announce More Than $1.6 Million In DOJ Funding To Improve Virginia Drug Court Services
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded $1,695,445, in grant funding to multiple Virginia communities to improve and expand drug court operations. "Drug courts are a proven, cost-efficient way of ensuring Virginians with addiction have access to the support and resources they need to ease the transition back to being functioning and productive members of society," Warner said. "In many cases, drug courts … Continue Reading
September 30, 2015
Kaine Statement On Russian Airstrikes In Syria
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees, released the following statement on the commencement of Russian airstrikes on targets in Syria today: "Today, Russian military forces began conducting airstrikes on targets in Syria. Despite Russia's stated purpose of defending Syria against ISIL militants, it's alarming that the first set of strikes appear to have targeted the Syrian opposition fighting against the brutal … Continue Reading
September 30, 2015
Kaine Statement On Vote To Avert A Government Shutdown
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement on his vote for a clean spending bill to fund the government through December 11 and avert a government shutdown. The continuing resolution passed the Senate 78-20: "While there's no substitute for regular budget order, passage of an interim spending bill to avert another needless government shutdown and allow negotiations to continue on a long-term budget solution is the right path forward. It's my hope that in the … Continue Reading
September 29, 2015
Kaine Renews Call For A Syrian Humanitarian Zone
WASHINGTON, D.C. - During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing with international non-governmental organizations today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine called on the United States to provide additional civilian protection to help stem the European refugee crisis and reiterated his support for a humanitarian safe zone in northern Syria. "My first visit to Turkey was at a time when there was about 750,000 Syrian refugees in Turkey in the summer of 2013 and now it's two million. Other countries … Continue Reading
September 29, 2015
Warner, Kaine, Manchin Introduce Sweeping Reforms To Black Lung Benefits Program
WASHINGTON - Today U.S. Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA), Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) proposed sweeping reforms to the federal program that provides benefits to coal miners suffering from black lung disease. Federal law requires that coal companies compensate miners with disabilities who contract black lung, which is caused by inhaling coal dust over an extended period of time, but coal companies routinely deploy an array of unfair tactics to avoid paying miners the benefits they … Continue Reading
September 28, 2015
Warner, Kaine Announce $450,000 In DOJ Funding For Sexual Assault Prevention Initiatives In Williamsburg
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced that the Department of Justice has awarded the James City County Police Department in Williamsburg, Virginia $450,000 through a grant to support programs that help prevent sexual assault and domestic violence. "One in three homicide victims in Virginia is the victim of domestic or family violence," said Warner. "These funds will support victims in Williamsburg and James City County area and provide police and … Continue Reading
September 28, 2015
Warner, Kaine. Scott, Connolly, And Beyer Advocate For Virginia College Students
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and U.S. Reps. Bobby Scott (D-VA-3), Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11), and Don Beyer (D-VA-8) wrote to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), urging support for a one-year reauthorization of the Federal Perkins Loan Program. Without Congressional action, the program will lose its authorization on September 30, 2015, leaving Virginia college students in the lurch for … Continue Reading
September 24, 2015
Warner, Kaine Respond To Wmata Corrective Action Plan
WASHINGTON - Today U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) responded to the news that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has approved a Corrective Action Plan for improving safety on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) rail and bus systems. This announcement follows the June release of an FTA safety review that identified 54 specific overall safety violations across the WMATA system, and gave WMATA 90 days to develop a plan to address each of those … Continue Reading
