Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, debated and voted for the Syria Transition Support Act of 2013 (S. 960), a bipartisan bill introduced by the Committee Chairman Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), and Ranking Member Senator Bob Corker (R-TN).  The legislation allows U.S. military assistance to vetted Syrian rebels, authorizes the imposition of new sanctions on sellers of arms and oil to the Assad regime, and creates a $250 mill...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (D-IL 8) hosted a discussion with nearly 80 veterans,  business leaders and support organizations today at American Legion Post 24 in Alexandria on Kaine's first bill, the Troop Talent Act, and  next steps for the bipartisan legislation. “None of us can feel good if we hear the unemployment stats that our veterans are facing in a tough ec...Continue Reading

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine launched his permanent Senate website today. Through the site, Virginians can contact Kaine to voice their opinions on legislation, access a number of constituent services and seek assistance as they resolve issues with federal agencies. “This easy-to-use website will allow Virginians to share opinions with me and let my office know how we can help,” said Kaine. “I hope constituents will also use the site to learn more a...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine today applauded the confirmation of Marilyn Tavenner of Virginia as the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) by a vote of 91 to 7. Tavenner is the first Senate-confirmed CMS Administrator since 2006. CMS oversees Medicare and Medicaid and is charged with health care services for millions of Americans. Tavenner, who has served as CMS Acting Administrator since late 2011, was a nurse for nearly 20 y...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) successfully amended The Water Resources Development Act, which passed the Senate today by a vote of 83-14, to resolve issues specific to three important Virginia water projects. One amendment facilitates additional progress on the Virginia Port Authority’s multi-year efforts to develop a marine terminal at Craney Island. A second Warner-Kaine amendment provides a technical correction that will promote efforts to rest...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Budget Committee, took to the Senate floor again today to call for an end to Republican obstruction on the budget. In his remarks, Kaine noted the proposed budget would replace the sequester cuts in the next fiscal year which have caused 800,000 furloughs of Department of Defense civilian employees this year, including 90,000 in Virginia. “As we’ve taken steps to begin a budget conference, again and again individ...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement in response to Virginia Tech President Charles Steger’s retirement announcement: "Virginia Tech has made huge progress under the leadership of Charles Steger.  I join Hokies in congratulating him for his long and distinguished service and wish the Board of Visitors well as they search for the next President of this fine University." ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement in response to recent reports the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) targeted organizations based on ideology: “I am very concerned about allegations the IRS targeted certain groups seeking tax-exempt status on political grounds, including a Virginia-based organization. There’s no excuse for ideological discrimination in our system. The Administration should take swift action to get to the bottom of thi...Continue Reading

Background:America’s historic battlefields allow us to experience the epic battles that defined our nation.  From the Revolutionary War to the War of 1812 to the Civil War, preserving these American historic treasures helps to educate future generations about our rich cultural history and to commemorate the sacrifices made to secure our freedom. Unfortunately, suburban sprawl and haphazardly-planned development are encroaching on many of these significant battlefields. Only about 20 p...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) visited Slaughter Pen battlefield today to announce his second bill, the American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act. The bipartisan bill introduced by Kaine and Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) during the sesquicentennial of the Civil War will preserve historical battlegrounds by reauthorizing the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program (CWBPP) that provides competitive federal grants to match private and non-profit donat...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine today highlighted more than $2.5 million that’s being made available for 24 Virginia community health centers as a result of the Affordable Care Act. Last year, the 24 eligible health centers served 283,906 Virginians. “Community health centers play a critical role in providing quality care to Virginians and are on the front lines of our health care system,” said Kaine. “I’m pleased these new resources are being made a...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Budget committee, today criticized Republican obstruction of the budget process as they continue to object to appointing conference members. The most recent motion to appoint conferees was made today by Kaine’s Budget Committee colleague, Senator Mark Warner (D-VA). During Kaine’s speech on the floor, he noted that while there are signs of economic recovery, a budget deal between both houses is necessary f...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Armed Services Committee, pressed top United States Air Force officials in a hearing today on the issue of sexual assault in the military including the arrest of Lt. Col. Jeffrey Krusinski, chief of the Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response branch, on charges of sexual battery in Arlington, Virginia.  In his questioning, Kaine expressed his concern over the signal these news accounts send to current and future servi...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement after the Senate passed the Marketplace Fairness Act by a vote of 69 to 27. Last week, Kaine discussed the Marketplace Fairness Act across Virginia including in Roanoke, Harrisonburg, Waynesboro, Falls Church and Leesburg: “Merchants across our Commonwealth play by the rules and collect sales tax but big internet retailers have been shielded from that same responsibility. I am pleased we took a bipartisan step...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine visited the Eden Center in Falls Church today to meet with members of the Asian-American business community and discuss the ways immigration reform would have a positive impact in the region and throughout Virginia. Kaine, a supporter of comprehensive immigration reform, noted that an improved legal system would continue to draw talent to Virginia’s schools and businesses and develop the state’s overall competitiveness. "For years we've...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine made stops in the Shenandoah Valley today including a roundtable with women business leaders at James Madison University in Harrisonburg and a downtown tour of Waynesboro to learn more about growing the economy in the region. In Harrisonburg and Waynesboro, Kaine discussed the importance of a business-friendly atmosphere to revitalizing local economies. Kaine also discussed the upcoming vote on the Marketplace Fairness Act to level the playing fiel...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine joined Roanoke Mayor Dave Bowers and members of the local business community today to tour the city’s downtown and discuss economic development in the region. During the discussion, Kaine expressed his support for the Marketplace Fairness Act that will level the playing field for small businesses in Roanoke and across Virginia that are a major source of job creation. "I support the Marketplace Fairness Act for two reasons," said Kaine. "First...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Armed Services Committee, began his in-state work week in Emporia with families of National Guardsmen and women who were recently activated to discuss ways he can support them in the Senate and thank them for their sacrifices on behalf of the nation. The Emporia-based unit will be the first Virginia National Guard unit to enter federal active duty since last year. "When I sit in Budget Committee hearings or Armed Services hearings ...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON –U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) today sent a letter to President Obama urging him to take action to reduce the current backlog of veterans’ disability claims. Currently, the average claim takes over 300 days to be resolved. In the letter, Sens. Warner and Kaine, who were joined by 65 other members of the Senate, cited long delays in cities across the country in making the case for swift action to reduce the backlog. “After a decade of war, and ...Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, questioned Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey on the impact of sequestration cuts on readiness, as well as how the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) proposal in the defense budget would potentially affect Virginia and whether it’s the best way to reduce overall costs. “I worry about the sturm und drang of BRAC. When BRAC is a...Continue Reading