Press Releases
Kaine Introduces Bill To Increase Accountability At The VA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined thirteen of his Senate colleagues today to introduce the Restoring Veterans' Trust Act of 2014, legislation to correct underlying problems in access to medical care at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). "This legislation is an important step toward restoring the confidence of our veterans and the American public," said Kaine. "By providing the VA with direct hire authority, ensuring … Continue Reading
June 02, 2014
Kaine Discusses Higher Education Affordability In Fredericksburg
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine hosted a roundtable discussion on college affordability today with students and educators at Germanna Community College in Fredericksburg. Throughout the discussion, Kaine heard from students and parents faced with the high cost of higher education and described his efforts in the Senate to help students afford post-secondary degrees. Kaine kicked off the roundtable by describing his experience with dual enrollment, which helped ease the financial … Continue Reading
June 02, 2014
Kaine Statement On EPA Announcement Regarding Existing Power Plants
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement today in response to the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed rule on existing power plants: "Today the EPA proposed standards for carbon emissions for existing power plants. Reducing this carbon pollution is in our national interest, but we have an obligation to do it in a way that makes economic sense. "I recently wrote to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to request that the usual 60-day comment period be … Continue Reading
May 29, 2014
Kaine Statement On VA Inspector General’s Report
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today: "Congress and our veterans have been calling for dramatic action to end waiting times for years. Despite assurances from VA leadership that the issue is being addressed and improved, the latest revelations, including widespread falsification of records, demonstrate the systemic nature of the problem and that efforts to solve it have not been successful. I … Continue Reading
May 29, 2014
Warner, Kaine Applaud Support For Uss George Washington In House Spending Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine released the following statement applauding the full funding for the refueling and overhaul of the USS George Washington in the Fiscal Year 2015 House Appropriations Committee defense spending bill: "We are pleased the House Appropriations Committee included $789 million for the refueling and overhaul of the USS George Washington - sending yet another clear signal that maintaining an 11-carrier fleet is critical to the defense … Continue Reading
May 28, 2014
Kaine Statement On President Obama’s West Point Address
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 President's remarks at West Point earlier today: "America is strongest when its military, economic, diplomatic, and moral example are balanced. I was pleased to hear the President articulate such an approach for continued U.S. engagement around the world in his commencement address at West Point today, as well as how the U.S. should use a … Continue Reading
May 28, 2014
Kaine, Portman, Baldwin Call On President Obama To Establish Career And Technical Scholars Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. - 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, sent a letter to President Barack Obama urging him to establish a Presidential Career and Technical Scholars Award program to better recognize and value the efforts of American students who have chosen CTE pathways. President Obama, who highlighted the importance of CTE training in his State of the Union Address, is scheduled to … Continue Reading
May 27, 2014
Sens. Warner and Kaine Applaud Designation Of Chesapeake Bay As A Critical Conservation Area
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated the Chesapeake Bay Watershed as one of eight national Critical Conservation Areas, a new designation that ensures Bay region producers are eligible to receive a portion of more than $100 million in annual funding to help implement a variety of conservation projects and increase the sustainability of regional water, soil, wildlife and natural resources. … Continue Reading
May 25, 2014
Kaine Statement On Ukrainian Election
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement today on Ukraine's election: "The people of Ukraine today sent a clear message to the international community: by peaceful means, they alone will determine their country's future. The government in Kiev has a fresh mandate that Moscow must respect. Today's election marked a triumph not only for Ukrainian democracy and sovereignty, but for international law. The … Continue Reading
May 25, 2014
Kaine Statement On Lebanon’s Presidential Election
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern, South and Central Asian Affairs, released the following statement today on Lebanon's Presidential election: "I was disappointed with Parliament's failure to elect a new President in Lebanon. Political consensus and stability are essential to addressing the myriad of internal and external challenges currently facing Lebanon. I urge all parties to engage in constructive dialogue to … Continue Reading
May 23, 2014
Warner, Kaine Applaud Advancement Of Virginia Funding Priorities In Spending Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced the advancement of critical funding priorities for Virginia in the Fiscal Year 2015 Senate Appropriations bill for Military Construction, Veteran Affairs, and Related Agencies that was voted out of committee yesterday. Last month, Warner and Kaine weighed in with Appropriations Committee Chairwoman U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski and Vice Chairman U.S. Senator Richard Shelby, as well as the leadership of the Appropriations … Continue Reading
May 23, 2014
Kaine Meets With State Department On Current Situation In Libya
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern, South and Central Asian Affairs, released the following statement on the current situation in Libya: "Yesterday I met with a high-level State Department official to review safety measures for U.S. citizens and personnel in Libya, especially given the increase in fighting this week between rival groups. I wanted to understand clearly the contingencies that are in place, including the … Continue Reading
May 23, 2014
Kaine Requests That EPA Extend Comment Period For Existing Coal-Fired Power Plants Rule
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine joined a bipartisan group of 46 senators to send a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy requesting a 120-day public comment period for its proposed regulation of greenhouse gases from existing coal-fired power plants. EPA is expected to release the first ever greenhouse gas (GHG) performance standards for existing power plants on June 2. In their letter, the senators stressed that utilities, rural electric … Continue Reading
May 23, 2014
Kaine, Heitkamp Introduce Legislation To Help Foster Children, Encourage More Families To Open Their Homes
WASHINGTON, D.C. -U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) introduced The Foster Care Tax Credit Act yesterday, legislation to provide tax relief for foster families to help cover the costs of caring for a foster child. The Foster Care Tax Credit Act would help cover the costs of caring for children in foster and kinship care by establishing a tax credit of up to $1,000 each year. The bill, introduced during National Foster Care Month, would also direct the Federal government … Continue Reading
May 22, 2014
Kaine, Menendez, Boxer, Cardin Introduce Legislation To Repeal 2002 Resolution Authorizing Use Of Military Force Against Iraq
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Tim Kaine, Robert Menendez, Barbara Boxer and Ben Cardin introduced legislation today repealing the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) Against Iraq that passed in 2002. The legislation was introduced following a hearing yesterday in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the AUMFs for Iraq and Afghanistan. "The open-ended nature of the Authorizations for the Use of Military Force in both the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is extremely … Continue Reading
May 22, 2014
Kaine Hails Wins For Virginia In Defense Bill, Including Support for USS George Washington & Military Personnel
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today praised the committee's Fiscal Year 2015 National Defense Authorization Act, which includes key provisions Kaine supported that benefit Virginia's defense community. The bill was reported out of committee today with a bipartisan vote of 25 to 1. Prior to the markup, Kaine sent a letter to Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-MI) voicing support for these priorities and advocating for … Continue Reading
May 22, 2014
Senators Kaine & Warner Successfully Include Virginia Projects In Final Passage Of Water Resources Development Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today announced Senate passage of the House-approved Water Resources Development Act, sending the bipartisan legislation to the President for his signature. The final legislation successfully included Warner-Kaine amendments which resolved issues specific to three Virginia water projects: One advances the Craney Island expansion at the Port of Virginia, a second authorizes funding for Chesapeake Bay oyster restoration programs, … Continue Reading
May 22, 2014
Kaine Statement On Russia And China Vetoing Another UN Security Council Resolution On Syria
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern, South and Central Asian Affairs, released the following statement today expressing disappointment about Russian and Chinese action at the UN. "Today I commend the international community and the UN for bringing to a vote a Security Council resolution that would have empowered the International Criminal Court to investigate and prosecute war crimes in Syria, no matter the perpetrator. I … Continue Reading
May 21, 2014
Kaine Questions Administration Officials On Authorization For Use Of Military Force
WASHINGTON, D.C. - During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine questioned officials from the Department of Defense and State Department on the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF). Kaine expressed serious concerns about the breadth and indefinite mandate of the AUMF approved by Congress nearly 13 years ago in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks and urged Congress to take action to refine the open-ended authorization. "I have a … Continue Reading
May 21, 2014
Kaine Discusses Commissaries, Credentialing During Defense Bill Markup
WASHINGTON, D.C. - During the Fiscal Year 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) markup in the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine applauded the inclusion of an amendment mirroring the Servicemembers' Compensation Empowerment Act, a bill Kaine recently introduced with Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) to ensure military servicemembers' preferences on pay & benefits are considered by the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization … Continue Reading
