Press Releases

Trump’s Decision Abandoned the Kurds and Puts International Humanitarian Aid Operations at Risk WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), the top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism, on Thursday led 5 U.S. Senators in calling on the Secretary of State to ensure U.S. resources are made flexible for humanitarian efforts to evacuate personnel and continue assisting Syrian refugees inside Iraq. In a...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Senators Mark Warner (D-VA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) announced they will introduce a resolution honoring the Washington Nationals’ first World Series title in franchise history.  Beating the Houston Astros in Game 7 last night, the Nationals won all four away games to clinch the series. “In one word – history!” Norton said.  “Congratulations to ...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine applauded Senate passage of bipartisan legislation to fund federal programs critical to Virginia under the Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of Commerce (DOC), Department of Justice (DOJ), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Department of Interior (DOI).&n...Continue Reading

New Senate resolution supports the United States’ implementation of international guidelines for the peaceful use of space that reflect significant U.S. input WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-NM) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced a resolution to maintain U.S. leadership in protecting satellites and spacecraft in Earth’s orbit from space debris and ensuring that all nations cooperate to promot...Continue Reading

In a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar, Democrats condemn the ongoing delay and reported weakening of Trump Administration’s promised action to address epidemic of youth e-cigarette use WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine joined Senator Patty Murray, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), and 24 of their Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of Health and...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement today on the passing of former Virginia Governor Gerald L. Baliles: “Governor Baliles modernized our roads, pushed environmental policies that understood economic growth and conservation go hand-in-hand, and led unprecedented international missions that laid the groundwork for Virginia to become the global trade hub it is today. Given the decades of Virginia prosperity these initiatives have enabled, it would ...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led members of the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy in urging President Trump to nominate the first U.S. Ambassador to Sudan since 1997. In a letter, Booker highlighted the importance of strong U.S. support for Sudan as the country transitions toward a civilian government and democratic elections after months of protes...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine delivered a floor speech calling on his colleagues to pass the House resolution condemning Trump’s betrayal of the Kurds, bring to the floor the Menendez-Risch sanctions bill to hold Turkey accountable, and increase humanitarian assistance for the Kurdistan Regional Government and international refugee support agencies. In his remarks, Kaine said, “I want America to be the country that tells the world, ‘You can count on us. You can coun...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.)—along with Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.)—is making good on a promise to keep fighting to secure back pay for federal contractor employees who went without pay during the last government shutdown.  The Senators filed an amendment to Senate appropriations measures that would provide those low-wage workers with back pay. Sen. Smith and ...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine cosponsored the Working Students Act, legislation to support students who are working their way through school. The bill will allow students who need to work to pay for college to complete their degrees more quickly and with less debt. “As the cost of college continues to rise, more and more students need to work in order to afford school,” Kaine said. “I’m proud this legislation gives students the ability to support their e...Continue Reading

WATCH HERE: https://timkaine.box.com/s/nczfviqrc1e9ia1p4i88ezkfcmlfmael WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, in a Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) hearing, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine condemned the Trump Administration for abandoning the Kurds who have fought alongside American troops, empowering our adversaries, and raising the risk that there will be a resurgence of ISIS. In his questioning, Kaine criticized the Trump Administration for failing to consult experts or come before Congress to prop...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) cosponsored the Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act, a bill to help homeless and foster students get the support they need to access and succeed in higher education. This legislation, which Kaine also cosponsored last Congress, was introduced by Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Rob Portman (R-OH). “Every student deserves the opportunity to pursue higher education, but homeless and foster youth oft...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s announcement of a ceasefire in Syria: “President Trump’s decision to help Turkey push the Kurds out of their home in northern Syria after all they have done to help the U.S. defeat ISIS is outrageous. His explanation that ‘they had to have it cleaned out’ is chilling. I’ll have n...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine announced $504,450 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the Mount Rogers Health District in Southwest Virginia, which oversees eight localities at the epicenter of the addiction crisis. The funding will allow the district to partner with researchers across the country on solutions to address the addiction crisis in Southwest Virginia. “The drug addiction crisis has hu...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) cosponsored the Transparency and Effective Accountability Measures (TEAM) for Veteran Caregivers Act, a bill to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) caregiver program. The legislation was introduced by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Gary Peters (D-MI). “Caregivers play a vital role in the lives of veterans who are injured, disabled, or suffering from other chronic conditions. I’m proud to join this bipartisa...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine released the following statement after the U.S. Senate confirmed U.S. Magistrate Judge David J. Novak to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division: “We’re pleased that the Senate voted to confirm Judge Novak for the Eastern District Court of Virginia. His experience prosecuting national security matters at the federal level and his service as a magist...Continue Reading

~ Senate will soon vote on whether to protect Americans with preexisting conditions against discrimination by insurance companies and the Trump Administration pushing “junk” insurance plans ~ WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) requested information from Virginia’s insurance commission on how the Trump Administration’s push for “junk” health insurance plans is affecting protections for Virginians with preexisting ...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, released the following statement seventeen years after the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) for the war against Iraq was signed into law: “Iraq is now our ally. It is incoherent that we have not just one, but two war authorizations in place against a country that is a partner to us in the region. Republican leadership should let the Senate vote ...Continue Reading

~ Funding will support broadband serving nearly 7,000 homes in seven counties ~   WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) today applauded $23,979,453 in federal funding from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to expand broadband to nearly 7,000 unserved homes and businesses in seven counties across Southwest Virginia. “The lack of broadband infrastructure continues to affect folks in rural Virginia, from business owners to students,&rd...Continue Reading

~ Will support initiative to reach more than 3,500 youth and 2,000 adults in the Charlottesville area ~ WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $375,000 in federal assistance to help advance an initiative in Charlottesville, Va. by the Charlottesville Food Justice Network to expand food access for youth and families, cultivate local food equity, and fuel and sustain economic empowerment through increased community-led urban agriculture. This fundin...Continue Reading