Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine announced $35,719,247 in federal funding to support access to safe and affordable housing throughout Virginia, particularly in communities whose households face a higher rate of eviction. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded the funding through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The funding is part of the $5 billion in supplemental CDBG funding authorized...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine released the following statement today before voting against moving forward on Senator McConnell’s latest attempt to pass a “skinny” COVID-19 relief bill: “We’re not going to vote for a half-baked relief bill, pat ourselves on the back, and call it a day while families are left out in the lurch. The two of us are ready to vote for meaningful relief for small businesses and struggling families but no...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine released the following statement today upon the Senate voting to confirm Thomas Cullen as a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia: “We’re pleased to see the Senate confirm Thomas Cullen to this judgeship. We’re impressed with his record of prosecuting white supremacists in Charlottesville, and we believe he will serve the Western District well.” Mr. Cullen has served as the...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) and U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-Va.) issued the following joint response to The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission Safety Audit of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). This was the first audit of the safety commission since it was established in 2017, two years after the death of Carol Glover in a smoke-filled Yellow Line train. “We are appalled and disappointed b...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) today announced $2,888,888 in federal funding from the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) to extend a runway at the Virginia Highlands Airport in Abingdon, VA. The funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) was authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). A portion of this funding comes from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economi...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee On Africa And Global Health Policy, sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calling for the State Department to communicate with the Government of Rwanda to ensure the safety and fair treatment of Paul Rusesabagina. This past week, Rwandan officials arrested Rusesabagina—the inspiration for the 2004 film Hotel Rwanda—for various charges his family has denied. Ru...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine announced $1,250,000 in federal funding from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to update the Town of Pulaski’s wastewater treatment facility and construct a pump station.  “We are glad to know that these federal dollars will be put to use in Pulaski to update their wastewater infrastructure and strengthen the local economy,” said the Senators.  In addition to the facility ...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $5,354,487 in federal funding to provide economic relief to the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport and the Virginia Tech Montgomery Executive Airport. The funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) was authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). A portion of this funding comes from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act supporte...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine applauded $543,619 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) to reduce domestic violence, dating violence, and sexual assault in Norfolk and Richmond.  “Unfortunately, in today’s society, there’s so much more we must do to combat violence against women, especially on our college campuses,” said the Senators. “Boosting t...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $1,487,500 in federal funding from the National Park Service (NPS)'s Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to preserve and protect public land in Virginia.  "The LWCF grant awards for Springdale Regional Park and John J. Radcliffe Conservation Area will preserve and protect Virginia's rich history and beautiful ...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine applauded $9,000,000 in federal funding to expand broadband infrastructure and service in rural communities in Virginia. The funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) was awarded through the ReConnect Program. The funding will be used to install a fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network that will connect 7,496 people, 416 farms, 97 businesses, a fire station, a town hall, and two educational facilities to high-s...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine joined Senator Richard Blumenthal and 23 of their colleagues in calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to boost its Lifeline program to keep students connected as millions return to school both virtually and in person. Since 1985, the FCC’s Lifeline program has made basic internet and telephone service more affordable for low-income Americans and has had bipartisan support. The senators strongly crit...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON – Today U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $4,138,947 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help support health centers across the Commonwealth as they continue battling the COVID-19 crisis.  “We’re thrilled to announce that these federal dollars will go towards supporting Virginia’s health centers as they continue to provide essential care during this pandemic,”...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) today announced $1,600,000 in federal funds for planning district commissions in Virginia to support redevelopment and revitalization in order to diversify and strengthen regional economies. The funding was authorized by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act supported by ...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement today upon the passing of former Virginia Lieutenant Governor John Hager: “John Hager served his city, Commonwealth, and country well. He inspired me. I’m proud to call him a friend, and Anne and I are thinking about Maggie and his wonderful family.”  ###

~ Furloughs would wreak havoc on the livelihood of Virginia families and delay the processing of essential petitions and applications ~  WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) expressed deep concern with plans by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to furlough more than 13,000 employees, including more than 750 in Virginia. In a letter, the Senators urged USCIS Acting Director Joseph Edlow to continue to pay its employ...Continue Reading

~ Letter follows controversial changes to the Postal Service that could affect mail-in voting ~  WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) urged Virginia’s election registrars to do everything in their power to ensure that all Virginians can access their right to vote amid controversial reforms to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and the ongoing public health emergency. In a letter, the Senators strongly encouraged the Commonwealth’s 133 re...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine joined Senator Gary Peters, Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and the entire Senate Democratic caucus to demand answers from Postmaster General Louis DeJoy on significant operational changes he directed that have caused serious delays for postal customers in Virginia and across the country. In a letter, the Senators called on DeJoy to testify before Congress and provide clear, tra...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA), along with U.S. Reps. Robert Wittman (R-VA), Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Don Beyer (D-VA), A. Donald McEachin (D-VA), Elaine Luria (D-VA), and Jennifer Wexton (D-VA), sent a letter to ensure that children in Virginia have access to healthy foods during the COVID-19 pandemic, when they may be participating in distance learning from home and therefore unable to easily access school-provided breakfast and lunch. In a ...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after Israel and the United Arab Emirates reached a deal that will lead to normalization of diplomatic relations and suspend Israel’s annexation of Palestinian territory: “I applaud the normalization of relations between Israel and the UAE, two valued U.S. allies. I appreciate the work of the Trump Administration on this accord. And I am so...Continue Reading