Press Releases
Kaine Calls For Investigation Of Bonuses Reportedly Awarded To IRS Employees With Conduct Issues
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a letter to Katherine Archuleta, Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), and John Koskinen, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine called for swift action in the wake of recent reports that millions of dollars' worth of pay and awards were given to IRS employees who had conduct issues resulting in disciplinary actions and to employees who owe delinquent taxes. "Incidents like that of the IRS are unacceptable and cannot go … Continue Reading
April 25, 2014
Kaine Calls On Dod To Grant Religious Accommodations To Sikhs Serving In The Military
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine led 14 of his colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel calling on the Department of Defense to modify its regulations on appearance so that patriotic Sikh Americans can serve in the U.S. Armed Forces while abiding by their articles of faith. "Despite their achievements, Section 4(g) of the revised Instruction would require religiously observant service members to remove their head coverings, cut their hair, or shave their … Continue Reading
April 24, 2014
Kaine Statement On Palestinian Unity Pact
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern, South and Central Asian Affairs, released the following statement on the announcement of reconciliation between the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and Hamas today, as well as its impact on Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. "It is disappointing to see events in recent weeks that have driven the Israelis and Palestinians further apart in the important quest to find a … Continue Reading
April 24, 2014
Kaine Statement On Silver Line Announcement
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement on the announcements by MWAA and WMATA regarding substantial completion of the Silver Line: "I am pleased MWAA is now able to certify substantial completion of the Silver Line. Though the delays have been frustrating, safety must always be the top priority. I hope the additional time has provided for the most stringent safety measures to be taken, and look forward to WMATA taking possession of the line and … Continue Reading
April 23, 2014
Kaine Tours Clean Energy R&D Center, Visits Highland View Elementary School In Bristol
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In Bristol today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine toured the Clean Energy Research & Development Center and learned how the state-of-the-art facilities could benefit businesses while conserving energy. During the visit, Kaine discussed the importance of research and development in renewable and alternative energy for U.S. troop safety abroad, and its role in preparing Virginia's workforce to succeed in the jobs of the 21st century. "Meeting with local elected officials and … Continue Reading
April 22, 2014
Kaine Travels To Wytheville, Marion, Emory and Abingdon
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In Wytheville today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine hosted a roundtable discussion with business and community leaders at Wytheville Community College. Kaine learned more about economic development in the region, including the need for expanded workforce development training and career and technical education, as well as discussed his efforts to help pass a two-year budget agreement that has provided greater budget certainty for communities across the Commonwealth. "If we continue … Continue Reading
April 21, 2014
Kaine Meets With Roanoke Women Community Leaders To Discuss Education, Economic Development
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In Roanoke today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine met with women community leaders to discuss issues that impact local businesses and families and learn more about economic development in the region. The visit is Kaine's latest stop on a two-week tour across the Commonwealth. During the discussion, Kaine described why passage of a two-year budget agreement is so important for the local economy and small businesses in the Roanoke Valley. "We don't know how to best run your business, … Continue Reading
April 17, 2014
Warner, Kaine, Forbes, Hurt Applaud Announcement Of Fort Pickett As Site For Embassy Security Training Facility
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine along with U.S. Representatives Randy Forbes and Robert Hurt applauded today's announcement that Fort Pickett, Virginia will be the location for a new Foreign Affairs Security Training Center (FASTC) to train U.S. diplomatic and government personnel assigned to high-threat posts around the world. After a multi-year exhaustive search for the best site, the Administration has determined Fort Pickett is the best site to meet the State … Continue Reading
April 17, 2014
Kaine Attends Commonwealth Crossing Groundbreaking
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine continued his statewide tour of the Commonwealth in the Martinsville and Henry County area where he joined U.S. Representatives Robert Hurt and Morgan Griffith at the groundbreaking of the Commonwealth Crossing Business Centre. During the ceremony, Kaine praised the extraordinary work done to receive a site permit in line with environmental standards and begin the process of developing the site. Henry County and the Martinsville-Henry Co. … Continue Reading
April 16, 2014
Kaine Statement On The Murder Of Carlos Mejia Orellana In Honduras
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement on the murder of Carlos Mejia Orellana in Honduras: "I was shocked to learn of the murder of Carlos Mejia Orellana, journalist and marketing director of Jesuit founded Radio Progreso in Honduras. My prayers go out to Carlos's friends and family in the El Progreso community that welcomed me as a young student in the 1980's. "Too often, Honduran officials have dismissed threats and attacks against journalists, and … Continue Reading
April 15, 2014
Kaine Tours NASA Langley Research Center In Hampton
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine continued his two-week tour of Virginia in Hampton with a visit to the NASA Langley Research Center. Throughout the tour, Kaine discussed the importance of NASA Langley's role in growing and diversifying the regional economy and attracting talented workers. "NASA is a great player in Virginia and Langley is a fantastic center for aeronautical and aviation related research," said Kaine. "With wonderful private sector partners here too, this is a … Continue Reading
April 14, 2014
Kaine Discusses Economic Development In Charlottesville, Visits Central Virginia Community College In Lynchburg
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine kicked off a two-week tour of Virginia at the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce's Commonwealth Breakfast where he thanked the Chamber for its work to spur business growth and economic development in the region. During the breakfast, Kaine heard from local business leaders about issues impacting the regional economy, before discussing ways to bring job creation and economic growth to Charlottesville, including his efforts in the … Continue Reading
April 14, 2014
Kaine Statement On Shootings In Kansas
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement on yesterday's shootings in Overland Park, Kansas: "Passover starts tonight. It's a remarkable and meaningful commemoration of God's protection of an oppressed and enslaved Jewish people in Egypt thousands of years ago. All over the world, people will sit down to a Seder meal and recount the story of bondage to freedom that describes Jewish history, but also offers hope to all peoples and to all individuals. Anne … Continue Reading
April 12, 2014
Kaine Kicks Off Citizen Day Initiative
On Saturday, April 12th, Senator Tim Kaine kicked off his Citizen Day initiative by joining volunteers with Operation Paintbrush to repaint the home of elderly Henrico County residents in need. Modeled after an initiative he launched as Lieutenant Governor, Citizen Days are an opportunity for Tim to share his passion for public service by bringing Virginians together to participate in service projects across the Commonwealth. Citizen Days will also be a chance for Tim to highlight … Continue Reading
April 10, 2014
Air Force Announces Office Of Scientific Research To Stay In Arlington
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Rep. Jim Moran, (D-VA-8) announced today that the Air Force has decided not to relocate the Office of Scientific Research from its current site in Arlington to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. In January, Sens. Warner and Kaine and Rep. Moran wrote a letter urging the Air Force to reconsider the proposed move. The Office of Scientific Research employs 170 in the heart of Northern Virginia's technology corridor in … Continue Reading
April 09, 2014
Kaine Pushes For Increased Investments In Career & Technical Education
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine led 24 of his Senate colleagues in sending a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee urging them to increase support for career and technical education (CTE) through the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act State Grant program. "CTE programs continue to evolve and expand to meet the needs of students who want the training and education necessary for … Continue Reading
April 09, 2014
Kaine Raises Concerns About FDA Approval Of Zohydro
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine sent a letter to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Margaret Hamburg expressing concern that recent FDA approval of Zohydro ER could have a negative impact on Virginia communities. Zohydro is the first drug approved by the FDA with a formulation of hydrocodone not combined with an analgesic, making it the purest form of the product. "As you know, there has been a significant economic and public health impact due to opioid … Continue Reading
April 09, 2014
Kaine Statement On Failure To Pass Equal Pay Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked consideration of the Paycheck Fairness Act, legislation that would help close the pay gap by empowering women to negotiate for equal pay, closing loopholes courts have created in the law, creating strong incentives for employers to obey the laws and strengthening federal outreach and enforcement efforts: "I regret that many of my Senate colleagues chose to deny hard-working women the … Continue Reading
April 08, 2014
Kerry To Kaine: “Fort Pickett Is The Best Site” For Embassy Security Training Facility
WASHINGTON, D.C. - During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing today, Secretary of State John Kerry assured U.S. Senator Tim Kaine that, despite recent consideration of other sites, Fort Pickett, Virginia remains the State Department's top choice for a Foreign Affairs Security Training Center (FASTC) to train U.S. diplomatic and government personnel assigned to high-threat posts around the world. According to the State Department, Fort Pickett is the best site to meet State's … Continue Reading
April 08, 2014
Kaine Statement On Equal Pay Day
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement in honor of National Equal Pay Day: "Today, on Equal Pay Day, I reaffirm my commitment to ensuring women have the tools they need to address wage discrimination and close the gender pay gap. It is unacceptable that in 2014, women in Virginia make 79 cents for every dollar a man makes. "This isn't just a women's issue, it's a family and economic issue. Such pay disparity decreases the wages of working families - … Continue Reading