{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where state = \"VA\" and year = 2023 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-need-for-congressional-oversight-of-weapons-transfers", "Kaine Statement on Need for Congressional Oversight of Weapons Transfers", "2023-12-30", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) and the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement regarding the Biden Administration\u2019s decision to transfer weapons to Israel without congressional oversight:\n\n\u201cJust as Congress has a crucial role to play in all matters of war and peace, Congress should have full visibility over the weapons we transfer to any other nation. Unnecessarily bypassing Congress means keeping the American people in the dark. We need a public explanation of the rationale behind this decision\u2014the second such decision this month.\u201d\n\nKaine has long been a leading voice for the need to make decisions related to war and peace through a deliberate congressional process. This month, Kaine\u2019s bipartisan legislation to prevent any U.S. president from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO without congressional approval was signed into law. Earlier this year, the Senate voted to pass Kaine\u2019s bipartisan legislation to repeal the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs) and formally end the Gulf and Iraq wars.\n\nKaine strongly condemned Hamas\u2019 October 7 terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians and has been vocal about the need to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He\u2019s taken a series of steps to prioritize the release of hostages taken by Hamas, including directly engaging the Qatari and Egyptian governments, address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and protect civilians in Gaza and the West Bank, and counter Hamas\u2019 terrorist threats. Kaine led his colleagues in calling for a short-term cessation of violence in order to ensure humanitarian assistance is reaching civilians in Gaza.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://mcclellan.house.gov/media/press-releases/mcclellan-highlights-2023-accomplishments", "McClellan Highlights 2023 Accomplishments", "2023-12-29", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Jennifer L. McClellan", "M001227", "mcclellan.house.gov", "mcclellan", "https://mcclellan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) released her 2023 Year in Review to highlight her legislative and constituent service accomplishments. McClellan won a special election and was sworn into Congress on March 7th, 2023.\n\n\u201cIt is the honor of my lifetime to serve Virginia\u2019s Fourth Congressional District. As the first Black Congresswoman to represent Virginia, I work to bring my unique perspective and lived experiences to my work in Washington and the District,\u201d said Congresswoman McClellan. \u201cDespite Republicans\u2019 dysfunction, I am proud of the work I was able to accomplish for Virginians, and I look forward to continuing my efforts in service to our Commonwealth.\u201d\n\nTo read the report, click here or click below.\n\nImage\n\nSome of McClellan\u2019s major accomplishments in 2023 include:\n\nIntroduced 8 original pieces of legislation and cosponsored 230 additional bills.\n\nClosed 892 constituent cases and returned $1,000,000+ to residents of Virginia\u2019s Fourth.\n\nHer NATO Resolution to prohibit any President from withdrawing the United States from NATO without congressional approval was included in the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2024 and signed into law.\n\nSuccessfully securedfour additional amendments in the NDAA to improve the quality of life of servicemembers and their families.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6052", "Beyer, Eshoo Introduce Landmark AI Regulation Bill", "2023-12-22", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Donald S. Beyer, Jr.", "B001292", "beyer.house.gov", "beyer", "https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA), who serve as Vice Chair and Co-Chair, respectively, of the Congressional Artificial Intelligence (AI) Caucus, today introduced the AI Foundation Model Transparency Act, ambitious legislation to promote transparency in artificial intelligence foundation models.\n\nFoundation models are AI models trained on broad data; they power the generative AI websites and chatbots that have drawn international focus over the past year. Information about the data these models are trained on generally is not available to the public, and AI models often produce inaccurate, imprecise, or biased responses due to limitations or biases in the model\u2019s training data or how the model was trained. This often results in racial or gendered bias, which can have serious real-world impacts in areas including health-related AI inferences, loan granting, housing approval, or predictive policing.\n\nThe AI Foundation Model Transparency Act would direct the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in consultation with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), to set standards for what information high-impact foundation models must provide to the FTC and what information they must make available to the public. Information identified for increased transparency would include training data used, how the model is trained, and whether user data is collected in inference.\n\n\u201cArtificial intelligence foundation models commonly described as a \u2018black box\u2019 make it hard to explain why a model gives a particular response. Giving users more information about the model\u2014how it was built and what background information it bases its results on\u2014would greatly increase transparency,\u201d said Beyer. \u201cThis bill would help users determine if they should trust the model they are using for certain applications, and help identify limitations on data, potential biases, or misleading results. When a model\u2019s bias could lead to harmful results like rejections for housing or loan applications, or faulty medical decisions, the importance of this reform becomes clear and very significant.\u201d\n\n\u201cAI offers incredible possibilities for our country, but it also presents peril. Transparency into how AI models are trained and what data is used to train them is critical for consumers and policy makers,\u201d said Eshoo. \u201cThe AI Foundation Model Transparency Act directs the Federal Trade Commission and NIST to establish standards for data sharing by foundation model deployers. This critical legislation will provide necessary information and empower consumers to make well informed decisions when they interact with AI. It will also provide the FTC critical information for it to continue to protect consumers in an AI-enabled world.\u201d\n\nThe AI Foundation Model Transparency Act would:\n\nDirect the FTC, in consultation with NIST, the Copyright Office, and OSTP, to set transparency standards for foundation model deployers, by asking them to make certain information publicly available to consumers;\n\nDirect companies to provide consumers and the FTC with information on the model\u2019s training data, model training mechanisms, and whether user data is collected in inference; and\n\nProtect small deployers and researchers, while seeking responsible transparency practices from our highest-impact foundation models.\n\nThe bill would also help copyright owners protect their copyrights, addressing widespread concerns from businesses and individuals about AI, by giving users more information to help them begin to determine if their copyrights were included in an AI foundation model\u2019s training data.\n\nText of the AI Foundation Model Transparency Act is available here, with a one-pager on the bill here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6053", "Beyer Highlights Strong Economic Indicators Showing Solid Growth At The End Of 2023", "2023-12-22", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Donald S. Beyer, Jr.", "B001292", "beyer.house.gov", "beyer", "https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), Senior House Democrat on Congress\u2019 Joint Economic Committee, today highlighted a raft of strongly positive economic indicators showing solid, sustained growth heading into the end of 2023.\n\nTwelve headlines show the breadth of America\u2019s economic strength heading into 2024:\n\nWall Street Journal: Prices Fell in November for the First Time Since 2020. Inflation Is Approaching Fed Target.\n\nBloomberg: US Consumer Confidence Surges Most Since 2021 in Broad Upturn\n\nReuters: Solid US Job Growth, Drop In Unemployment Rate Underscore Labor Market Resilience\n\nNew York Times: Gas Prices Are Falling Fast, Helping Tame Inflation\n\nYahoo Finance: Strong Wage Growth Gave Americans A $1,000 Spending Boost In 2023\n\nWashington Post: Dow Jones Hits An All-Time High As Investors Cheer Progress On Inflation\n\nForbes: This Key Inflation Metric Finally Hit Federal Reserve\u2019s Target\n\nABC: Federal Reserve Expects To Cut Interest Rates Next Year, Fed Chair Jerome Powell Says\n\nAssociated Press: US Economic Growth for Last Quarter Is Revised Up Ro A 5.2% Annual Rate\n\nCNN: 2022 Had The Lowest Total Unemployment Rate Ever\n\nMarketWatch: U.S. Housing Starts Surge To Highest Level Since May\n\nCNN: Recession Fears Are Starting To Fade For Americans", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wittman-kiggans-scott-mcclellan-urge-dod-ensure-funding-hampton-roads", "Wittman, Kiggans, Scott, McClellan Urge DOD to Ensure Funding For Hampton Roads Shipbuilding Ecosystem", "2023-12-22", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Robert C. \"Bobby\" Scott", "S000185", "bobbyscott.house.gov", "bobbyscott", "https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2013 Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01), vice chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, was joined by Virginia delegation members Reps. Jen Kiggans (VA-02), Bobby Scott (VA-03), and Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) in urging Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to ensure aircraft carrier procurement funding remains on track.\n\n\u201cStable and predictable shipbuilding timelines help to maintain a healthy industrial base ecosystem while providing economic benefits for thousands of Virginians in the greater Hampton Roads region,\u201d said Congressman Wittman. \u201cAny delays in funding for the next Ford\u00ad\u00ad-class carrier would be extremely disruptive to our Navy\u2019s ability to project power and provide for our national security.\u201d\n\nThe Virginian delegation members also touted the more than $5 billion in cost savings and stability that multi-ship buys would generate for the Navy and the shipbuilding industrial base.\n\n\u201cAt a time when our nation is facing threats from multiple fronts, it is critical to prioritize our shipbuilding schedule,\u201d said Congresswoman Kiggans. \u201cOur aircraft carriers are the best in the world and the cornerstone of our ability to project power around the globe. Additionally, the shipbuilding industry provides stable, good paying jobs for Hampton Roads and is a major contributor to our local economy and an economic driver for our Commonwealth. I\u2019m proud to join my colleagues to urge Secretary Austin to keep our shipbuilding plan on schedule. Any delay would directly impact our national security and that is unacceptable.\u201d\n\n\u201cConsistent Navy procurement schedules for shipbuilding are critical to ensuring that Hampton Roads\u2019 shipbuilders and our industrial base as a whole are supported,\u201d said Congressman Scott.\u201cUncertainty in the production line leads to uncertainty in our national security capabilities, and I remain committed to ensuring reliable funding for the Ford-class and our nation\u2019s entire shipbuilding program.\u201d\n\nTo read the full letter to Secretary Austin, click here or scroll below.\n\n___\n\nThe Honorable Lloyd Austin\n\nSecretary of Defense\n\n1000 Defense PentagonWashington, DC 20301-1000\n\nDear Secretary Austin:\n\nAs you continue preparation of the fiscal year 2025 Budget Request for the Department of Defense, we are writing to express our support for the procurement of Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers on steady and predictable construction intervals.\n\nThe President\u2019s Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2024 forecasts two years of advance procurement (AP) for CVN 82, the fifth ship in the Ford-class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 with incremental funding beginning in fiscal year 2028. This procurement timeline for CVN 82 is consistent with the Navy\u2019s most recent 30-year shipbuilding plan, which acknowledges the importance of stable, executable acquisition profiles to the development and retention of highly-skilled workforces and investment in world-class manufacturing and shipbuilding facilities.\n\nIt is disheartening, therefore, to see recent reports suggesting that the Department may be considering delays to CVN 82 in the fiscal year 2025 budget request \u2013 something that would be extremely disruptive to the shipbuilding industrial base and detrimental to national security.\n\nIn accordance with Section 132 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (P.L. 117-263), the Secretary of the Navy recently submitted a report to the congressional defense committees highlighting the overwhelming benefits of a Ford-class acquisition strategy that leverages the block buy purchase of CVN 82 and CVN 83 with sufficient advance procurement funding on consistent and predictable 4-year construction intervals. Similar to previous multi-ship procurement strategies that have proven successful across numerous shipbuilding programs (to include CVN 80 and CVN 81), it is estimated that a block buy procurement of CVN 82 and CVN 83 in FY28 would save the nation more than $5 billion and inject much needed stability into an otherwise fragile shipbuilding industry.\n\nAs recent events have shown, our nation\u2019s aircraft carrier fleet remains in constant demand, with more than 1/3 (4 of 11) of the nation\u2019s aircraft carriers recently deployed worldwide to protect vital national interests. Foundational to this deterrent presence is our nation\u2019s aircraft carrier industrial base, which has been dramatically reduced to approximately 2,000 across the country. These remaining suppliers \u2013 many of which support both submarines and aircraft carriers as part of the nation\u2019s nuclear industrial base \u2013 rely on the Navy\u2019s commitment to steady, executable procurement timelines to avoid the \u201cboom and bust\u201d acquisition profiles and breaks in production lines referenced in the 2024 shipbuilding plan.\n\nAs such, we urge the Department to remain on course with the procurement of CVN 82 in 2028 and strongly encourage consideration of the optimum acquisition strategy for Ford-class aircraft carriers delineated in the Navy\u2019s report to the defense committees earlier this year.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://mcclellan.house.gov/media/press-releases/mcclellan-joins-wittman-kiggans-scott-urge-dod-ensure-funding-hampton-roads", "McClellan Joins Wittman, Kiggans, Scott to Urge DoD to Ensure Funding for Hampton Roads Shipbuilding Ecosystem", "2023-12-22", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Jennifer L. McClellan", "M001227", "mcclellan.house.gov", "mcclellan", "https://mcclellan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) joined Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01), vice chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and Virginia Reps. Jen Kiggans (VA-02), and Robert C. \u201cBobby\u201d Scott (VA-03) to urge Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to ensure aircraft carrier procurement funding remains on track.\n\n\u201cNow more than ever, we must do everything to ensure a consistent shipbuilding schedule,\u201d said Congresswoman McClellan. \u201cHampton Roads plays a vital role in supporting the U.S. Navy and supporting America\u2019s national security priorities. I am glad to join my colleagues to urge the Defense Department to ensure the timely procurement of aircraft carriers and other military assets.\u201d\n\n\u201cStable and predictable shipbuilding timelines help to maintain a healthy industrial base ecosystem while providing economic benefits for thousands of Virginians in the greater Hampton Roads region,\u201d said Congressman Wittman. \u201cAny delays in funding for the next Ford\u00ad\u00ad-class carrier would be extremely disruptive to our Navy\u2019s ability to project power and provide for our national security.\u201d\n\n\u201cAt a time when our nation is facing threats from multiple fronts, it is critical to prioritize our shipbuilding schedule,\u201d said Congresswoman Kiggans. \u201cOur aircraft carriers are the best in the world and the cornerstone of our ability to project power around the globe. Additionally, the shipbuilding industry provides stable, good paying jobs for Hampton Roads and is a major contributor to our local economy and an economic driver for our Commonwealth. I\u2019m proud to join my colleagues to urge Secretary Austin to keep our shipbuilding plan on schedule. Any delay would directly impact our national security and that is unacceptable.\u201d\n\n\u201cConsistent Navy procurement schedules for shipbuilding are critical to ensuring that Hampton Roads\u2019 shipbuilders and our industrial base as a whole are supported,\u201d said Congressman Scott. \u201cUncertainty in the production line leads to uncertainty in our national security capabilities, and I remain committed to ensuring reliable funding for the Ford-class and our nation\u2019s entire shipbuilding program.\u201d\n\nThe Virginia delegation members also touted the more than $5 billion in cost savings and stability that multi-ship buys would generate for the Navy and the shipbuilding industrial base.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-applauds-fiscal-year-2024-national-defense-act-becoming-law", "Kaine Applauds Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Act Becoming Law", "2023-12-22", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and Chair of the SASC Subcommittee on Seapower, applauded the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) becoming law. The bipartisan legislation includes several provisions secured by Kaine to support our national security and Virginia\u2019s defense community. As a member of SASC, Kaine played a key role in shaping the legislation and served as a member of the conference committee working to reconcile differences between the House and Senate-passed versions of the bill.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m glad the president signed this defense bill, which will support our national security, servicemembers, and Virginia\u2019s defense community. I help write this bill every year, and this year, I\u2019m particularly proud to have included bipartisan legislation I led to prevent any U.S. president from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO and to direct more federal attention to combat the fentanyl crisis. I also ensured the incorporation of my provisions to implement the Australia-U.K.-U.S. (AUKUS) agreement, which will support the security of our allies and boost Virginia\u2019s economy.\u201d\n\nKaine successfully secured the following provisions in the legislation:\n\nNATO: Includes Kaine\u2019s bipartisan legislation with Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) to prevent any U.S. president from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO without congressional approval.\n\nDisrupt Fentanyl Trafficking Act: Includes provisions from Kaine\u2019s bipartisan bill with Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) to direct increased federal attention to fentanyl trafficking by utilizing Pentagon tools like counter-drug intelligence and involving Mexico as an active partner to combat the crisis and disrupt cartel activity in Mexico. Specifically, the Disrupt Fentanyl Trafficking Act of 2023 will work to strengthen these efforts by:\n\nHighlighting the need to address the threat to national security posed by fentanyl trafficking.\n\nDirecting the Pentagon to develop a fentanyl-specific counter-drug strategy, including enhanced cooperation with Mexican defense officials.\n\nRequiring the Secretary of Defense to enhance security cooperation with the Mexican military.\n\nAddressing coordination efforts between the military and federal law enforcement agencies.\n\nAustralia and U.K. Partnership: Strengthens the United States\u2019 partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom in the implementation of the AUKUS agreement, in which the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia will share and collaborate on technologies crucial to the allies\u2019 long-term security. Because a significant portion of Virginia-class submarines are built in Hampton Roads, the AUKUS agreement creates opportunity for further job creation and economic growth in Hampton Roads.\n\nShipbuilding: Authorizes investments to help meet the congressionally mandated requirement to have 31 operational amphibious warfare ships for the Navy and Marine Corps, by restoring funding for LPD-33 and strengthening oversight of the Navy\u2019s shipbuilding plan. Improves acquisition processes, expands defense industrial base capacity, and supports workforce development initiatives.\n\nPay Raises: Authorizes a 5.2 percent pay raise for military servicemembers and the Department of Defense (DOD) civilian workforce. Requires a review of military pay rates to determine if the current basic pay table adequately compensates junior enlisted personnel in pay grades E-1 through E-4.\n\nRecruitment: Establishes an Enlisted Training Corps demonstration program for the purpose of introducing community and junior college students to the military and preparing selected students for enlisted service in the Armed Forces. This follows conversations Kaine has had in Hampton Roads about tackling the recruitment and retention challenges in the military.\n\nU.S. Posture in Indo-Pacific: Expands cooperation and engagement to ensure the Indo-Pacific remains free and open. Extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI), which enhances U.S. force posture, infrastructure, readiness, capacity, and capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region, through Fiscal Year 2024 and authorizes the full budget request for Fiscal Year 2024. Establishes the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness Initiative (IPMDA) to improve maritime security and boost information-sharing among partners in the region. Includes bipartisan legislation cosponsored by Kaine to increase coordination and boost cooperation with Pacific Island nations on emergency humanitarian response, law enforcement and maritime security activities, and counterintelligence.\n\nTaiwan: Establishes a comprehensive training, advising, and institutional capacity-building program for military forces of Taiwan. Improves U.S.-Taiwan cooperation related to military cybersecurity activities.\n\nSupport for Ukraine: Extends Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) through Fiscal Year 2027 and authorizes the full budget request in Fiscal Year 2024. Extends waivers for the streamlined acquisition of defense stocks related to Ukraine and authorizes additional munitions eligible for multiyear procurement contracts.\n\nServicemember Health Care: Includes various provisions to strengthen and expand access to quality health care for servicemembers and dependents with a focus on improving mental health services.\n\nRequires a study in military treatment facilities on the efficacy of opioid alternatives for pain management, department assessment on the rates of opioid prescriptions to servicemembers.\n\nAllows licensed Military and Family Life Counselors to provide non-medical counseling services outside of the state in which they are licensed.\n\nProvides career flexibility for the services\u2019 mental health workforce to increase retention.\n\nMilitary Construction: Includes over $561 million for military construction (MILCON) in Virginia.\n\n$157M for Child Development Center, MQ-25 Aircraft Facilities, and a submarine pier at Naval Station Norfolk\n\n$81M for Drydock Saltwater System at Norfolk Naval Shipyard\n\n$61M for Special Operations Forces Seal Delivery Vehicle Team 2 Operations Support Facility at Joint Expeditionary Base (JEB) Little Creek-Fort Story\n\n$57M for Child Development Center at Joint Expeditionary Base (JEB) Little Creek-Fort Story\n\n$46M for weapons magazines at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown\n\n$37M for Water Treatment Plant at Marine Corps Base Quantico\n\n$30M for pedestrian access at the Pentagon\n\n$25M for Defense Intelligence Agency headquarters annex at Fort Belvoir\n\n$23M for Maritime Surveillance System Facility at Dam Neck Annex\n\n$20M for an Aircraft Maintenance Hangar at Virginia Army National Guard\u2019s Army Aviation Support Facility in Sandston\n\n$12M for Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar support facilities at Dam Neck\n\n$4M for an Equine Training Facility at Fort Belvoir\n\n$4M to complete maintenance and readiness centers at Virginia Army National Guard\u2019s Roanoke Regional Readiness Center in Troutville\n\n$4M for the Army Reserve Center in Richmond\n\nMilitary Families:\n\nExpands servicemember eligibility to receive reimbursement for qualified spouse relicensing or business costs when the servicemember relocates as the result of reassignment or a transfer from active duty to the reserves\u2014making it easier for military spouses to continue their careers.\n\nMakes mental health care more accessible and affordable for beneficiaries in the active duty family members category and TRICARE Young Adult program, by waiving cost sharing requirements for the first three outpatient mental health visits each year.\n\nDirects a review and report on access to resources and services related to mental health for students of Department of Defense Education Activity Schools.\n\nMilitary Housing:\n\nImproves military housing for servicemembers E-6 and below without dependents whose ships are undergoing maintenance by providing the authority to allow these junior enlisted servicemembers to collect a Basic Housing Allowance (BAH) and not live aboard the ship. This follows conversations that Kaine had with servicemembers in Hampton Roads about mental health challenges while living aboard ships during long maintenance periods.\n\nAuthorizes improvements to the quality and oversight of military enlisted barracks, including the replacement of substandard barracks.\n\nRequires that unaccompanied housing meets the same basic standards as all other military housing.\n\nImproves the calculation of BAH rates with respect to junior enlisted members, by delinking that calculation from specific housing types and provides additional flexibility to ensure equitable housing rates can be calculated in markets with limited housing inventory.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/warner-kaine-scott-announce-3-million-federal-funding-regional-flood", "Warner, Kaine, Scott Announce $3 Million in Federal Funding for Regional Flood Risk Management in Hampton, VA", "2023-12-21", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Robert C. \"Bobby\" Scott", "S000185", "bobbyscott.house.gov", "bobbyscott", "https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA), and Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA-03) announced $3,000,000 to initiate the Peninsula Regional Flood Risk Management feasibility study for the City of Hampton, VA and the surrounding region.\n\nAs part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the lawmakers previously secured $1.5 million for the Virginia Beach and Vicinity Coastal Storm Risk Management Study and nearly $399 million for the Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Project. Today\u2019s announcement builds on that progress by extending the study of flood risk management strategies to the Peninsula. The study will investigate flood threats ranging from sea level rise, coastal storm surge, and rainfall events, and will develop mitigation solutions to reduce flood risk. This funding will allow work on the study to begin immediately.\n\n\u201cRising sea levels threaten lives and livelihoods, and in no place has that been more evident than this region, which has experienced record flooding in recent years,\u201d the members said. \u201cWe\u2019re glad to see this crucial funding finally head to the region in order to develop a comprehensive resilience plan for all of Hampton Roads.\u201d\n\nThe Hampton Roads region is subject to the highest rate of historic relative sea level rise on the U.S. east coast and tenth worldwide in terms of value of assets exposed to flooding. Sea level rise conditions underscore the necessity for a comprehensive study to identify and address flooding challenges to ensure continued quality of life, economic growth, and ecosystem health for the region.\n\nSince 2021, Sens. Warner and Kaine haverequestedfunding for this project in order to build a comprehensive flood management and storm resilience plan for the region.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-kaine-and-colleagues-sound-the-alarm-about-economic-deterioration-in-the-west-bank", "Warner, Kaine & Colleagues Sound the Alarm About Economic Deterioration in the West Bank", "2023-12-21", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, led Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Angus King (I-ME), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tom Carper (D-DE) Jack Reed (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) in sounding the alarm about the economic deterioration in the West Bank and the troubling rise in violent acts perpetrated by extremist Israeli settlers. In a letter to President Biden, the lawmakers stressed the need for Israel to take steps to address the growing instability in the West Bank, including by ensuring that the Palestinian Security Forces are able to ward off violence against innocent Palestinian civilians and prevent further destabilization, which could open an additional front to the conflict.\n\nThis letter follows a decision by Israel to withhold a significant portion of tax revenues that its government collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority (PA). These revenues \u2013 meant to be collected and transferred based on longstanding agreement \u2013 are critical for the PA\u2019s civil administration and security purposes.\n\n\u201cA range of factors since October 7 \u2013 including a loss of wages for the thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank whose work permits Israel revoked \u2013 have contributed to an economic situation that has shuttered thousands of West Bank businesses and reduced the Palestinian Authority\u2019s (PA) revenues by roughly 80 percent. Those revenues support a range of critical functions for the PA, including paying public-worker salaries as well as the salaries of members of the Palestinian Security Forces, whose local law enforcement and security efforts are critical to maintaining stability in the West Bank,\u201d wrote the senators. \u201cA significant source of the PA\u2019s revenue derives from Palestinian import tax revenues, which according to long-standing agreement, the Israeli government collects on behalf of, and then transfers to, the PA. We are concerned that the Israeli government\u2019s decision following the October 7 attacks to withhold a significant portion of these revenues, and the PA\u2019s decision to not accept the reduced sum, is dramatically exacerbating the economic volatility in the West Bank.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn addition to harming the well-being of Palestinians, the current lack of revenue transfers directly threatens the economic standing of the security services in the West Bank. Absent these funds, salaries for the more than 30,000 members of the Palestinian Security Forces cannot be paid in full. The possibility of these forces declining to serve, absent pay \u2013 and the possibility of militant groups attempting to step in and financially coerce these services \u2013 represents a significant security threat, risking the opening of a new front to this conflict to the detriment of Israeli and regional security,\u201d they continued. \u201cWe urge you and senior members of your Administration to continue to prioritize the resumption of these transfers in any conversations with the Israeli government as well as Palestinian Authority officials. A commitment by Israel to immediately transfer the full allotment of Palestinian Authority revenues is vital to staving off a significant rise in instability, and would represent a crucial step by Israel towards deescalating tensions in the West Bank.\u201d\n\nA copy of the letter is available here and below:\n\nDear President Biden,\n\nWe write with ongoing concern about the alarming conditions in the West Bank. As Israel continues to address the lethal and ongoing threat posed by Hamas following the terrorist group\u2019s horrific October 7 attacks, Israel must take steps to address growing instability in the West Bank. Israeli settlers\u2019 violence and deteriorating economic conditions are compromising the lives of innocent Palestinian civilians and threaten further destabilization. We are concerned that these conditions risk opening an additional front to the conflict, to the significant detriment of Israeli and regional security.\n\nMembers of Congress have joined you in voicing concerns about the alarming rise in violent acts perpetrated by extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank over the past two months. We believe the Israeli government must address these attacks against Palestinians, and we applaud your Administration\u2019s recent actions \u2013 including visa bans \u2013 targeting those carrying out these attacks.\n\nWe are also concerned about the conflict\u2019s economic impact in the West Bank, and the risk it poses for further violence. A range of factors since October 7 \u2013 including a loss of wages for the thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank whose work permits Israel revoked \u2013 have contributed to an economic situation that has shuttered thousands of West Bank businesses and reduced the Palestinian Authority\u2019s (PA) revenues by roughly 80 percent. Those revenues support a range of critical functions for the PA, including paying public-worker salaries as well as the salaries of members of the Palestinian Security Forces, whose local law enforcement and security efforts are critical to maintaining stability in the West Bank.\n\nA significant source of the PA\u2019s revenue derives from Palestinian import tax revenues, which according to long-standing agreement, the Israeli government collects on behalf of, and then transfers to, the PA. We are concerned that the Israeli government\u2019s decision following the October 7 attacks to withhold a significant portion of these revenues, and the PA\u2019s decision to not accept the reduced sum, is dramatically exacerbating the economic volatility in the West Bank.\n\nIn addition to harming the well-being of Palestinians, the current lack of revenue transfers directly threatens the economic standing of the security services in the West Bank. Absent these funds, salaries for the more than 30,000 members of the Palestinian Security Forces cannot be paid in full. The possibility of these forces declining to serve, absent pay \u2013 and the possibility of militant groups attempting to step in and financially coerce these services \u2013 represents a significant security threat, risking the opening of a new front to this conflict to the detriment of Israeli and regional security.\n\nWe acknowledge the need for a number of reforms related to PA governance, including those that would address corruption concerns, as well as its martyr and prisoner payment system. These reforms remain important, alongside supporting near-term stability and security.\n\nIn recent testimony before the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Secretary of State Blinken testified that the PA is \u201cvastly under resourced,\u201d and that import tax revenues have indeed been a topic of negotiation with the Israeli government. We urge you and senior members of your Administration to continue to prioritize the resumption of these transfers in any conversations with the Israeli government as well as Palestinian Authority officials. A commitment by Israel to immediately transfer the full allotment of Palestinian Authority revenues is vital to staving off a significant rise in instability, and would represent a crucial step by Israel towards deescalating tensions in the West Bank.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-kaine-scott-announce-3-million-in-federal-funding-for-regional-flood-risk-management-feasibility-study-in-hampton-va", "Warner, Kaine, Scott Announce $3 Million in Federal Funding for Regional Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study in Hampton, VA", "2023-12-21", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA), and Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA-3) announced $3,000,000 to initiate the Peninsula Regional Flood Risk Management feasibility study for the City of Hampton, VA and the surrounding region.\n\nAs part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the lawmakers previously secured $1.5 million for the Virginia Beach and Vicinity Coastal Storm Risk Management Study and nearly $399 million for the Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Project. Today\u2019s announcement builds on that progress by extending the study of flood risk management strategies to the Peninsula. The study will investigate flood threats ranging from sea level rise, coastal storm surge, and rainfall events, and will develop mitigation solutions to reduce flood risk. This funding will allow work on the study to begin immediately.\n\n\u201cRising sea levels threaten lives and livelihoods, and in no place has that been more evident than this region, which has experienced record flooding in recent years,\u201d the members said. \u201cWe\u2019re glad to see this crucial funding finally head to the region in order to develop a comprehensive resilience plan for all of Hampton Roads.\u201d\n\nThe Hampton Roads region is subject to the highest rate of historic relative sea level rise on the U.S. east coast and tenth worldwide in terms of value of assets exposed to flooding. Sea level rise conditions underscore the necessity for a comprehensive study to identify and address flooding challenges to ensure continued quality of life, economic growth, and ecosystem health for the region.\n\nSince 2021, Sens. Warner and Kaine have requested funding for this project in order to build a comprehensive flood management and storm resilience plan for the region.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=74152009-A568-4072-95E6-F3399A6F8809", "Warner, Kaine, Scott Announce $3 Million in Federal Funding for Regional Flood Risk Management in Hampton, VA", "2023-12-21", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Mark R. Warner", "W000805", "www.warner.senate.gov", "warner", "https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA), and Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA-03) announced $3,000,000 to initiate the Peninsula Regional Flood Risk Management feasibility study for the City of Hampton, VA and the surrounding region.\n\nAs part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the lawmakers previously secured $1.5 million for the Virginia Beach and Vicinity Coastal Storm Risk Management Study and nearly $399 million for the Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Project. Today\u2019s announcement builds on that progress by extending the study of flood risk management strategies to the Peninsula. The study will investigate flood threats ranging from sea level rise, coastal storm surge, and rainfall events, and will develop mitigation solutions to reduce flood risk. This funding will allow work on the study to begin immediately.\n\n\u201cRising sea levels threaten lives and livelihoods, and in no place has that been more evident than this region, which has experienced record flooding in recent years,\u201d the members said. \u201cWe\u2019re glad to see this crucial funding finally head to the region in order to develop a comprehensive resilience plan for all of Hampton Roads.\u201d\n\nThe Hampton Roads region is subject to the highest rate of historic relative sea level rise on the U.S. east coast and tenth worldwide in terms of value of assets exposed to flooding. Sea level rise conditions underscore the necessity for a comprehensive study to identify and address flooding challenges to ensure continued quality of life, economic growth, and ecosystem health for the region.\n\nSince 2021, Sens. Warner and Kaine have requested funding for this project in order to build a comprehensive flood management and storm resilience plan for the region.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:56:20Z"], ["https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=F477A381-91DE-48A6-8275-990FED884AE8", "Warner and Colleagues Sound the Alarm About Economic Deterioration in the West Bank", "2023-12-21", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Mark R. Warner", "W000805", "www.warner.senate.gov", "warner", "https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, led Sens. Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Angus King (I-ME), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tom Carper (D-DE) Jack Reed (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) in sounding the alarm about the economic deterioration in the West Bank and the troubling rise in violent acts perpetrated by extremist Israeli settlers. In a letter to President Biden, the lawmakers stressed the need for Israel to take steps to address the growing instability in the West Bank, including by ensuring that the Palestinian Security Forces are able to ward off violence against innocent Palestinian civilians and prevent further destabilization, which could open an additional front to the conflict.\n\nThis letter follows a decision by Israel to withhold a significant portion of tax revenues that its government collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority (PA). These revenues \u2013 meant to be collected and transferred based on longstanding agreement \u2013 are critical for the PA\u2019s civil administration and security purposes.\n\n\u201cA range of factors since October 7 \u2013 including a loss of wages for the thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank whose work permits Israel revoked \u2013 have contributed to an economic situation that has shuttered thousands of West Bank businesses and reduced the Palestinian Authority\u2019s (PA) revenues by roughly 80 percent. Those revenues support a range of critical functions for the PA, including paying public-worker salaries as well as the salaries of members of the Palestinian Security Forces, whose local law enforcement and security efforts are critical to maintaining stability in the West Bank,\u201d wrote the Senators. \u201cA significant source of the PA\u2019s revenue derives from Palestinian import tax revenues, which according to long-standing agreement, the Israeli government collects on behalf of, and then transfers to, the PA. We are concerned that the Israeli government\u2019s decision following the October 7 attacks to withhold a significant portion of these revenues, and the PA\u2019s decision to not accept the reduced sum, is dramatically exacerbating the economic volatility in the West Bank.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn addition to harming the well-being of Palestinians, the current lack of revenue transfers directly threatens the economic standing of the security services in the West Bank. Absent these funds, salaries for the more than 30,000 members of the Palestinian Security Forces cannot be paid in full. The possibility of these forces declining to serve, absent pay \u2013 and the possibility of militant groups attempting to step in and financially coerce these services \u2013 represents a significant security threat, risking the opening of a new front to this conflict to the detriment of Israeli and regional security,\u201d they continued. \u201cWe urge you and senior members of your Administration to continue to prioritize the resumption of these transfers in any conversations with the Israeli government as well as Palestinian Authority officials. A commitment by Israel to immediately transfer the full allotment of Palestinian Authority revenues is vital to staving off a significant rise in instability, and would represent a crucial step by Israel towards deescalating tensions in the West Bank.\u201d\n\nA copy of the letter is available here and below:\n\nDear President Biden,\n\nWe write with ongoing concern about the alarming conditions in the West Bank. As Israel continues to address the lethal and ongoing threat posed by Hamas following the terrorist group\u2019s horrific October 7 attacks, Israel must take steps to address growing instability in the West Bank. Israeli settlers\u2019 violence and deteriorating economic conditions are compromising the lives of innocent Palestinian civilians and threaten further destabilization. We are concerned that these conditions risk opening an additional front to the conflict, to the significant detriment of Israeli and regional security.\n\nMembers of Congress have joined you in voicing concerns about the alarming rise in violent acts perpetrated by extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank over the past two months. We believe the Israeli government must address these attacks against Palestinians, and we applaud your Administration\u2019s recent actions \u2013 including visa bans \u2013 targeting those carrying out these attacks.\n\nWe are also concerned about the conflict\u2019s economic impact in the West Bank, and the risk it poses for further violence. A range of factors since October 7 \u2013 including a loss of wages for the thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank whose work permits Israel revoked \u2013 have contributed to an economic situation that has shuttered thousands of West Bank businesses and reduced the Palestinian Authority\u2019s (PA) revenues by roughly 80 percent. Those revenues support a range of critical functions for the PA, including paying public-worker salaries as well as the salaries of members of the Palestinian Security Forces, whose local law enforcement and security efforts are critical to maintaining stability in the West Bank.\n\nA significant source of the PA\u2019s revenue derives from Palestinian import tax revenues, which according to long-standing agreement, the Israeli government collects on behalf of, and then transfers to, the PA. We are concerned that the Israeli government\u2019s decision following the October 7 attacks to withhold a significant portion of these revenues, and the PA\u2019s decision to not accept the reduced sum, is dramatically exacerbating the economic volatility in the West Bank.\n\nIn addition to harming the well-being of Palestinians, the current lack of revenue transfers directly threatens the economic standing of the security services in the West Bank. Absent these funds, salaries for the more than 30,000 members of the Palestinian Security Forces cannot be paid in full. The possibility of these forces declining to serve, absent pay \u2013 and the possibility of militant groups attempting to step in and financially coerce these services \u2013 represents a significant security threat, risking the opening of a new front to this conflict to the detriment of Israeli and regional security.\n\nWe acknowledge the need for a number of reforms related to PA governance, including those that would address corruption concerns, as well as its martyr and prisoner payment system. These reforms remain important, alongside supporting near-term stability and security.\n\nIn recent testimony before the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Secretary of State Blinken testified that the PA is \u201cvastly under resourced,\u201d and that import tax revenues have indeed been a topic of negotiation with the Israeli government. We urge you and senior members of your Administration to continue to prioritize the resumption of these transfers in any conversations with the Israeli government as well as Palestinian Authority officials. A commitment by Israel to immediately transfer the full allotment of Palestinian Authority revenues is vital to staving off a significant rise in instability, and would represent a crucial step by Israel towards deescalating tensions in the West Bank.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:56:20Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-and-marshall-lead-colleagues-in-bipartisan-push-to-lower-prescription-drug-costs", "Kaine & Marshall Lead Colleagues in Bipartisan Push to Lower Prescription Drug Costs", "2023-12-20", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Roger Marshall (R-KS), members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, led a bipartisan group of their colleagues in a letter urging the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Labor (DOL), and the Department of the Treasury to lower out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs by enforcing a rule limiting the use of harmful \u201ccopay accumulators.\u201d Copay accumulators prevent copay assistance from counting towards a patient\u2019s deductible or out-of-pocket maximum, which makes it harder for patients to afford their medications. Virginia is one of 19 states that have banned copay accumulator programs, and this push would expand Virginia\u2019s progress nationwide.\n\nRegarding a recent court ruling limiting the use of copay accumulators, the members said, \u201cThis decision is an important step in the right direction for low-income and other eligible patients who rely on manufacturer and nonprofit copay assistance programs to alleviate affordability and access challenges for their medicines.\u201d\n\nThe lawmakers wrote, \u201cInstead of appealing the court\u2019s ruling, we urge you to adopt policies from the 2020 NBPP [Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters] that strike the right balance of preserving a plan\u2019s ability to control costs while also putting the patient first.\u201d\n\nIn the letter, the senators also push for their Help Ensure Lower Patient (HELP) Copays Act to permanently prohibit the use of copay accumulators and require health plans and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to count the value of copay assistance towards a patient\u2019s deductible or out-of-pocket maximum.\n\nIn addition to Kaine and Marshall, the letter is signed by Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ted Budd (R-NC), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chris Coons (D-DE), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), John Boozman (R-AR), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ).\n\n\u201cWe are hearing from more and more people with bleeding disorders in Virginia that they cannot access the treatments they need because they are facing copay accumulator adjustor programs. We are so grateful to Senators Kaine, Marshall and their colleagues who are working to lower patient costs and improve access to care. I join them in urging the Biden Administration to release new rulemaking to end this harmful practice; our community \u2013 and many others \u2013 simply can\u2019t wait,\u201d said Kelly Waters, Executive Director, Virginia Hemophilia Foundation.\n\n\u201cMore patients than ever are reaching out to us because they\u2019ve been negatively impacted by these programs,\u201d said Anna Hyde, Vice President of Advocacy and Access for the Arthritis Foundation. \u201cThey are being caught in a financial bind because they can\u2019t pay the full cost of their medications. Biologic medicines are expensive and there are no generic alternatives, so copay assistance is often a vital life line for them.\u201d\n\n\"Far too many of the 1 million Americans living with multiple sclerosis are unable to afford life-changing medications to reduce the number of relapses, delay the progression of disability, and limit new disease activity. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is disappointed with the Biden Administration\u2019s decision to appeal the court\u2019s September 29th ruling and continue the use of copay accumulators that will negatively impact access to care. We urge the withdrawal of their recently filed appeal,\u201d said Bari Talente, EVP, Advocacy & Healthcare Access, National MS Society.\n\n\u201cToo many rare-disease patients struggle to afford the therapies they need. Copay accumulator programs hurt the most vulnerable rare disease patients who rely on manufacturer copay assistance to afford their medications by dramatically increasing their cost-sharing liability. NORD supports the District Court\u2019s decision to vacate portions of the 2021 NBPP Final Rule that permitted the use of copay accumulator programs, and we are grateful for the strong bipartisan and bicameral support for the HELP Copays Act which would cement this decision legislatively. NORD is grateful to Senator Marshall and Senator Kaine for spearheading this letter to HHS on this important issue and for their continued leadership in protecting rare disease patients,\u201d said Peter Saltonstall, President and COE, National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).\n\n\u201cThe NPF Patient Navigation Center is constantly fielding calls from people who can\u2019t afford the medicine they have been prescribed because of copay accumulator practices, so we are clearly disappointed in the Administration\u2019s move to appeal the decision of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that would limit their use,\u201d said Leah M. Howard, J.D., President and CEO of the National Psoriasis Foundation. \u201cWe join Senators Doc Marshall (R-KS) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), in urging the Administration to renew policies ensuring copay assistance is counted towards deductibles and out of pocket maximums.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Biden Administration has made it a priority to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for Americans. HHS can do just that \u2013 make necessary and lifesaving treatments more accessible and affordable for the most vulnerable Americans, those with rare and serious, chronic illnesses. Senators Marshall and Kaine, have led the way in Congress by centering patients in the discussion on healthcare access. We encourage HHS to follow suit, align with the Administration\u2019s priorities, and enforce the 2020 NBPP. Now is the time to do right by patients!\u201d said the AIDS Institute.\n\n\u201cWhile serving a million people impacted by cancer each year, we at the Cancer Support Community have witnessed the adverse effects of copay accumulator adjustment programs (AAPs) on patients\u2019 ability to access life-saving medications. CSC strongly opposes the use of AAPs and supports the adoption of the 2020 NBPP policy, protecting affordability and access to care for under-resourced patients who rely on manufacturer copay assistance programs. We are grateful to have leaders that share our commitment to breaking down barriers and improving healthcare for all,\u201d said the Cancer Support Community.\n\nFull text of the letter is available here and below:\n\nDear Secretary Becerra, Acting Secretary Su, and Secretary Yellen:\n\nWe are writing in support of the recent decision from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that vacated the 2021 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP) Final Rule provision that permitted the use of copay accumulator adjustment programs (AAPs) and remanded to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to interpret the definition of \u201ccost-sharing.\u201d This decision is an important step in the right direction for low-income and other eligible patients who rely on manufacturer and nonprofit copay assistance programs to alleviate affordability and access challenges for their medicines. We are disappointed in HHS\u2019s decision to file a notice of appeal of the decision and HHS\u2019s articulated intention to not take any enforcement action against health insurance issuers or health plans that fail to count copay assistance toward the patient\u2019s maximum annual limitation on cost-sharing. Instead of appealing the court\u2019s ruling, we urge you to adopt policies from the 2020 NBPP that strike the right balance of preserving a plan\u2019s ability to control costs while also putting the patient first.\n\nPatient assistance programs (PAPs) help low-income and vulnerable patients with complex conditions access life-saving medicine. Historically, these copay assistance programs counted toward the annual limitation on cost-sharing, and the policy was reaffirmed under the Affordable Care Act. The patient protection on cost-sharing provided patients and families with greater predictability and certainty about their maximum out-of-pocket exposure on an annual basis. It also helped improve patient adherence to their medication and overall health outcomes. For example, one study showed that reduced cost-sharing for cardiovascular medicines increased adherence and had a greater impact on reducing the risk of vascular events and medical costs among non-white patients.\n\nIn recent years, health plans, pharmacy benefit managers, and third-party administrators have used AAPs to help to control costs. However, like cost utilization management, AAPs can be used as a profit-seeking tactic. When HHS published the 2021 NBPP final rule, it permitted group health plans and health insurance issuers to use AAPs without limitation. The Administration believed this \u201copen door\u201d would not necessarily lead to an increased uptake of AAPs by PBMs, but they were wrong. These programs proliferated in the intervening years. Nearly two-thirds of individual health plans available on the ACA marketplace included AAPs. It was also estimated that of all commercial markets in 2021, 43% of covered lives were in commercial health plans that had implemented AAPs.\n\nAs a result of this policy change, patients in our home states suffered, facing financial hardship and barriers to their once-accessible life-saving medicine. In many cases, patients or their family members found out about the AAP not counting their assistance at the pharmacy counter. They were left embarrassed, anxious, and without recourse. A recent survey showed that between 25- 36% of respondents discontinued therapy when they received an unexpected high charge of over $1,500 during the plan year as a result of AAPs. For many chronic disease patients, discontinuation of therapy can lead to irreversible and in some cases life-threatening health consequences. Further, six in 10 said they would have extreme difficulty affording their treatments without copay assistance programs being applied to their cost-sharing. Moreover, recent research has shown that non-white patients are 31% more likely to be exposed to an AAP than white patients. It was for these reasons, and more, that patient groups took action against the 2021 NBPP. Patients were not the only stakeholder to respond. State regulators have passed and are in the process of passing legislation. To date, 19 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have banned or limited the use of AAPs.\n\nAs you consider next steps, we strongly encourage you to support patients by reconsidering your appeal of the court\u2019s ruling and instead adopting the 2020 NBPP policy. It required plans to count manufacturer copay assistance toward the annual limitation on cost-sharing for drugs that do not have a medically appropriate generic equivalent available. In the 2020 rule, HHS reasoned that it would be less likely that the manufacturer\u2019s assistance would disincentivize a lower cost alternative and thereby distort the market. HHS itself acknowledged situations when a patient has been subject to significant out-of-pocket costs because the patient has not progressed through the deductible phase of the health plan due to AAPs not applying the value of the manufacturer-sponsored assistance to the patient\u2019s deductible. HHS further noted that \u201cwhen this happens, the patient may be forced to stop taking the drug, switch to an alternative offered by the plan, or pay the full bill for the non-formulary drug, none of which are patient-friendly, especially for those patients with rare and life-threatening conditions.\u201d\n\nWe also strongly believe that federal legislative action is also needed to restore this vital patient protection. In fact, Congress is currently working on a bipartisan, bicameral basis to advance legislation to ensure copay assistance counts toward the patient\u2019s maximum annual limitation on cost-sharing.\n\nThank you for your consideration of this request. We look forward to your reply and your plan to ensure patients receive cost-sharing protections.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/video-kaine-highlights-2023-accomplishments-work-ahead-in-2024", "VIDEO: Kaine Highlights 2023 Accomplishments, Work Ahead in 2024", "2023-12-20", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "VIDEO AVAILABLE HERE\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following video celebrating this year\u2019s accomplishments and looking ahead to 2024. In the video, Kaine discussed his travel across the Commonwealth to see how legislation he helped pass, like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act, is benefiting Virginians. He also highlighted that there\u2019s more to do and that he\u2019ll continue working to support communities across Virginia in the Senate in the new year.\n\n\u201cAs I've traveled around the state and been in so many communities in Virginia, it's been good to celebrate moving forward on some important progress,\u201d said Kaine. \u201cThe combination of the infrastructure bill and our chips manufacturing bill and the Inflation Reduction Act has meant that I've been able to do significant announcements of key projects in virtually every corner of Virginia.\u201d\n\nKaine concluded, \u201cOur strength is fundamentally the strength of our people, the strength of our investments, and the strength of our alliances. And whether that's right in Virginia or around the world, I'll keep promoting those strengths to keep America and Virginia moving forward.\u201d\n\nDuring the video, Kaine discussed some of this year\u2019s accomplishments, including:\n\nOn the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: So far, Virginia has received $8.4 billion in infrastructure law funding, including for over 247 projects. Kaine specifically mentioned a recent $729 million grant he secured for Transforming Rail in Virginia (TRV) Phase 2 projects, which will help alleviate current bottlenecks, promote economic growth, expand capacity, and improve reliability for Virginia commuters, travelers, and freight.\n\nOn the Inflation Reduction Act: The Inflation Reduction Act took historic steps to lower health care and energy costs, including a $35 cap per month on insulin for Americans with Medicare, including 36,461 Virginians. Kaine talked about how this cap is saving seniors money. The cap took effect on January 1, 2023.\n\nOn the Repeal of the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs): The Senate voted to pass Kaine\u2019s bipartisan legislation to repeal the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs and formally end the Gulf and Iraq wars. Kaine has been a leading voice in Congress on the need to repeal outdated AUMFs to help ensure that decisions about whether servicemembers are sent into harm\u2019s way are made through a deliberate congressional process.\n\nOn the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act: Kaine discussed the passage of the recent defense bill, which included his legislation to prevent any U.S. president from withdrawing from NATO without the consent of the Senate or an Act of Congress. He also mentioned provisions he secured in the bill to support the Australia-U.K.-U.S. (AUKUS) agreement, in which the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia will share and collaborate on technologies crucial to the allies\u2019 long-term security. In addition to bolstering our alliances, the agreement creates opportunities for further job creation and economic growth in Virginia, since a significant portion of Virginia-class submarines, which will be transferred through the agreement, are built in Hampton Roads.\n\nA full transcript of the video is below:\n\nHey, everybody. Senator Tim Kaine here.\n\nI want to wish you a happy holiday season as we come to the end of 2023.\n\nAs I've traveled around the state and been in so many communities in Virginia, it's been good to celebrate moving forward on some important progress. The combination of the infrastructure bill and our chips manufacturing bill and the Inflation Reduction Act has meant that I've been able to do significant announcements of key projects in virtually every corner of Virginia.\n\nJust recently, we announced a $730 million rail investment in Virginia that will improve passenger and freight rail service all over the Commonwealth.\n\nIn the Inflation Reduction Act, we took steps to cap insulin costs for seniors at $35 a month under the Medicare program, and that has had tremendous benefit in saving our seniors money.\n\nWe have a record low unemployment rate, and the number of jobs that have been created since 2021 has been historic. But there's so much more to do.\n\nIn particular, as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I work very hard to both help fund our military with a significant military pay increase we just passed, avoid unnecessary wars and not allow presidents to wage war without votes of Congress, but also strengthen alliances.\n\nIn the last couple of weeks, I've passed a historic bill that would block any president from getting out of the NATO alliance without a vote of Congress and also advance alliances in the Indo-Pacific with Australia and the U.K.\n\nOur strength is fundamentally the strength of our people, the strength of our investments, and the strength of our alliances. And whether that's right in Virginia or around the world, I'll keep promoting those strengths to keep America and Virginia moving forward.\n\nHave a great holiday.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-commends-biden-administration-protecting-access-affordable-health", "Scott Commends Biden Administration for Protecting Access to Affordable Health Care", "2023-12-19", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Robert C. \"Bobby\" Scott", "S000185", "bobbyscott.house.gov", "bobbyscott", "https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "As originally released by the Committee on Education and the Workforce, Democrats\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Biden Administration announced a proposed rule that would reverse a Trump-era rule that made it harder for workers and families to get affordable, high-quality health insurance.\n\n\u201cI applaud the Biden Administration for today\u2019s proposal to rescind the previous Administration\u2019s \u2018Association Health Plan\u2019 (AHP) rule and protect consumers from health benefit arrangements that seek to evade important requirements of federal and state law. Small businesses and self-employed people deserve access to affordable health care, which the Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides.\n\n\u201cRegrettably, President Trump directed federal agencies to take steps to expand non-traditional forms of health coverage that do not comply with the core consumer protections of the ACA and other laws. One of their actions allowed a group or association of employers to sponsor a single health plan that does not have to provide essential health benefits under the ACA, like maternity care. This rule was blocked by a federal court, which described the Trump Administration\u2019s efforts as \u2018clearly an end-run around the ACA.\u2019\n\n\u201cAHPs undermine the core promise of the ACA\u2014access to affordable health care for all. AHPs may provide lower costs to some enrollees, but they do so by skimping on benefits and increasing costs for everybody else.\n\n\u201cSpecifically, the rescinded rule would have expanded enrollment in association plans that cherry-pick low-risk, young individuals for a pool separate from the ACA Marketplace. AHPs could also exclude certain categories of coverage, such as maternity care, mental health care, or substance use disorder treatment, to dissuade certain groups or individuals from enrolling. Association plans also evade essential health benefits and other consumer protections under state and federal law.\n\n\u201cIf healthy, low-risk individuals can leave the Affordable Care Act Marketplace risk pool, join a separate association, and pay lower rates, those who did not get into these plans will\u2014on average\u2014be forced to pay higher premiums.\n\n\u201cBy rescinding this rule, the Biden Administration\u2019s proposal will help resolve ambiguity and ensure consumers are protected from health plans that circumvent consumer protection laws.\u201d\n\nRanking Member Scott and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Mark DeSaulnier called on the Department of Labor to rescind the Trump-era rule in February of this year. Read the full text of the letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://cline.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1338", "RSC BUDGET AND SPENDING TASK FORCE CHAIR CLINE, RSC LEAD LETTER TO TREASURY ON RULE CHANGE THAT WOULD FUEL WASTE AND ABUSE OF UNSPENT COVID-19 FUNDS", "2023-12-19", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Ben Cline", "C001118", "cline.house.gov", "cline", "https://cline.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Republican Study Committee\u2019s (RSC) Budget and Spending Task Force Chairman Ben Cline (R-VA) and RSC Chairman Kevin Hern (R-OK) sent a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen demanding that the Treasury Department roll back an Interim Final Rule (IFR) that would allow state and local governments to hoard tens of billions in unspent COVID funds from the 2021 American Rescue Plan (ARP).\n\nUnder current law, state and local governments have until December 31, 2024, to \u201cobligate\u201d COVID funds. Instead of enforcing this statutory deadline, the Treasury Department\u2019s rule allows state and local governments to obligate funds past the statutory deadline by submitting a detailed memo on how they plan to spend the money by April 30, 2024. This blatantly fails to comply with congressional statutes and will further fuel the fire of inflationary, wasteful government spending.\n\nCo-signers of the letter include Representatives Jeff Duncan, Michael Cloud, Randy Weber, August Pfluger, Beth Van Duyne, Ralph Norman, Harriet Hageman, Lance Gooden, Scott Franklin, Doug LaMalfa, Scott Fitzgerald, James Baird, Ronny Jackson, Chuck Edwards, Austin Scott, Josh Brecheen, Rich McCormick, Joe Wilson, Barry Moore, Claudia Tenney, Glenn Grothman, Andy Biggs, Eli Crane, Alex Mooney, Eric Burlison, Pat Fallon, Byron Donalds, Kat Cammack, Mike Collins, Rudy Yakym, Bob Good, Erin Houchin, Keith Self, and Troy Balderson.\n\nThe Economic Policy Innovation Center (EPIC) also supports the letter.\n\n\u201cThe Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF), which the Biden Administration has treated like a slush fund, is a quintessential example of government waste, and a critical opportunity for taxpayer savings. Even worse than the initial waste is Treasury\u2019s new Hoarding Rule, which allows states to stash this money for later unspecified uses. We are grateful to Congressmen Cline and Hern and their 34 Congressional colleagues who joined them in championing common sense and highlighting these abuses, including Treasury\u2019s overreach on the definition of an obligation.\u201d\u2014 Brittany Madni, Executive Vice President, Economic Policy Innovation Center\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found here. Excerpts from the letter below:\n\nCongress designed the SLFRF to \u201csupport [the state and local] response to and recovery from the COVID-19 public health emergency,\u201d but much of that funding is being used for projects that have little if anything to do with relieving or recovering from the pandemic.\n\nFor example, \u201cmore than $185 million has been approved for projects related to golf courses (such as updating irrigation systems or buying golf carts), more than $400 million has gone to improve swimming pools, almost $80 million has gone to sports stadiums, $34 million has gone to building tennis and pickleball courts, $10 million has gone to rodeos, and one town even got $15 million to install showers and a commercial kitchen at a site to host the circus and local flea market. $4 million even went to the Field of Dreams in Iowa where Major League Baseball hosts its annual late-summer game!\u201d1\n\nThe list of inappropriate uses of SLFRF funds goes on and on. What\u2019s more, those inappropriate uses and this unilateral extension of time to obligate funds conveniently coincide with this final year of the Biden Administration\u2019s first term in office, further raising the question of whether these funds are being properly deployed around the country. With approximately 44 percent, or $152 billion SLFRF dollars as yet unobligated, it is absolutely vital that Treasury exercise tremendous care in its management of the program, not engage in wanton, unilateral rulemakings that unlawfully expand the period for obligation of SLFRF funds.\n\nIt is abundantly clear that Treasury is attempting, through this immediately effective and final rulemaking, to wall off money from Congress as we seek offsets to new Federal expenditures.\n\n\u2026\n\nThe IFR\u2019s new April 30, 2024, reporting deadline unlawfully extends the statutory requirement to obligate funds beyond the established deadline of December 31, 2024, by two years. The IFR would enable funds to be obligated post-December 31, 2024, through December 31, 2026. Treasury has not articulated a statutory authority or justification for this change wrought by the IFR. It has not supplied Congress or the public with any reasons or rationale. It has unlawfully contravened the plain language of the statute. Consequently, the IFR should be withdrawn by the Department.\n\n\u2026\n\nThe Anti-Deficiency Act prohibits Treasury from expending and obligating funds in a manner inconsistent with its direction Congress. For example, the ADA makes clear that Treasury may not \u201cmake or authorize an expenditure or obligation exceeding an amount available in an appropriation or fund for the expenditure or obligation,\u201d and it may likewise not \u201cinvolve either government in a contract or obligation for the payment of money before an appropriation is made unless authorized by law.\u201d2\n\nHere, by changing the definition of \u201cobligation\u201d and adding a new definition for \u201creturn of funds\u201d to the SLFRF program, Treasury is potentially putting itself afoul of these and other ADA requirements. Treasury has provided no explanation or justification for how these purely discretionary policy choices comport with the ADA. It must immediately do so or withdraw these regulations.\n\n\u2026\n\n\u201cWe, along with the Government Accountability Office, must increase oversight of the Executive Branch\u2019s use of emergency COVID-19 funding. A significant amount of activity on this front is underway, but more is required.3 The SLFRF fund is one program that requires additional oversight. As has been explored, it does not appear that President Biden and Treasury are properly managing the SLFRF program, and indeed are now seeking to unlawfully and unilaterally expand it for apparently political purposes. We cannot tolerate that.\u201d\n\n1 Paul Winfree and Brittany Madni, Econ. Pol. Innov. Ctr., \u201cThe Bidenomics Slush Fund: How $350 Billion is Being Misappropriated (Dec. 3, 2023),\u201d https://epicforamerica.org/publications/bidenomics-slush-fund/.\n\n2 31 U.S.C. \u00a7 1341(a)(1).\n\n[1] See generally Government Accountability Office, \u201cCoronavirus Oversight,\u201d https://www.gao.gov/coronavirus.\n\nFull letter here.\n\nRead more coverage on the letter from Semafor here.\n\nCongressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://cline.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1340", "REP. CLINE INTRODUCES BILL TO PREVENT UNIVERSITIES FROM USING TAXPAYER-FUNDED GRANTS FOR WOKE DEI PROGRAMS", "2023-12-19", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Ben Cline", "C001118", "cline.house.gov", "cline", "https://cline.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA) introduced the Federal Grant Accountability Act. This legislation would ensure that higher education institutions are properly using taxpayer-funded federal grant money solely for conducting research projects, rather than for funding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, by requiring reports on how indirect cost reimbursements are being allocated to schools to provide more transparency to the federal grant-making process. It would also prohibit federal agencies from distributing funds at an indirect rate that is higher than the lower rate offered to private organizations.\n\nThis comes following a shocking testimony from university presidents during a House Education and Workforce Committee hearing on the massive rise in antisemitism on college campuses.\n\nRep. Ben Cline said, \u201cUniversities are raking in tens of billions of dollars from taxpayers for scientific research. While some are using their grant money appropriately, others are using it as a slush fund to promote woke, radical DEI activities. Congress must protect Americans\u2019 taxpayer dollars and ensure that the money received is being spent on legitimate, research-oriented purposes, not to push the Left\u2019s political agenda on college campuses.\u201d\n\nExecutive Vice President of Heritage Action, Ryan Walker, said, \u201cInstitutions of higher education should drive research and promote diversity of thought, not forced compliance with radical political agendas. DEI practices promote division in America, further exploited by university bureaucrats at the expense of taxpayers. The Federal Grant Accountability Act holds universities accountable by ensuring taxpayer funds are used for actual research and not as fuel for the Left\u2019s agenda.\"\n\nBackground\n\nIn 1946, taxpayers began subsiding scientific research at higher education institutions.\n\nThe cost of all academic research projects is broken down into two types of costs: direct costs of the project and overhead expenses, also known as indirect costs.\n\nWhile direct costs are easy to quantify and itemize, indirect costs are not. Currently, universities can receive reimbursement from federal agencies based on an indirect cost rate, defined as a percentage of the direct costs of a research project. This is negotiated between the federal agency awarding the project and each university.\n\nIn some cases, that indirect cost a university is reimbursed for can be high as 60 percent, which means the university can receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in reimbursements for indirect costs that can be used by the school for whatever purposes they choose. While some schools use those funds directly toward the research project, others are likely to use the money to fund Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) activities on college campuses.\n\nRead more coverage from Washington Examiner here.\n\nRead the full bill text here.\n\nCongressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/following-warner-and-kaine-push-administration-negotiates-pause-on-retaliatory-tariffs-on-whiskey-and-spirits", "Following Warner & Kaine Push, Administration Negotiates Pause on Retaliatory Tariffs on Whiskey and Spirits", "2023-12-19", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) applauded the Biden administration for heeding their call to protect the millions of U.S. jobs that rely on American whiskey and spirits producers. Earlier this month, Warner and Kaine joined a bipartisan group of senators urging the administration to negotiate with the European Union (EU) to remove retaliatory tariffs that hurt these businesses in Virginia and across the country. Without urgent action from the Biden administration, the EU would have implemented a 50% tariff on American whiskey imports on January 1, 2024. Today, the EU announced they would pause these retaliatory tariffs for 15 months in response to U.S. pressure.\n\n\u201cThe spirits industry plays a vital role in Virginia\u2019s economy, and we\u2019re glad to see the Biden administration acted quickly to protect the thousands of Virginia jobs that rely on it,\u201d said the senators. \u201cWe\u2019ll keep working to reach a permanent solution that will protect the industry from harmful retaliatory tariffs.\u201d\n\nRetaliatory tariffs by the EU have cost domestic sprits distillers and winemakers billions of dollars since 2018, and the U.S. needs a permanent solution to safeguard over 1.7 million production, distribution, and hospitality jobs that rely on the industry. The EU originally set the whiskey tariff at 25%, and following Warner and Kaine\u2019s push, the Biden Administration negotiated an agreement to suspend the tariff until 2024. The senators\u2019 bipartisan letter urged U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to negotiate a deal to permanently remove retaliatory tariffs on all American-made sprits and wines.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-and-kaine-urge-administration-to-appoint-special-envoy-for-sudan", "Warner & Kaine Urge Administration to Appoint Special Envoy for Sudan", "2023-12-19", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine urged the Administration to avoid further delays in the appointment of a Special Envoy for Sudan. Nearly 4.8 million people have been internally displaced since the war in Sudan began in April 2023\u2014resulting in one of the largest internal displacement crises in the world. It\u2019s estimated that there have been 10,000 civilian casualties, and approximately 24 million people are in need of immediate humanitarian assistance. In their letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the senators emphasize the crucial role a Special Envoy would play in coordinating and leading U.S. diplomatic efforts to address this crisis and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance.\n\n\u201cAt the onset of this conflict in April 2023, we strongly advocated for U.S. leadership in coordinating a robust international diplomatic response, the safe and swift delivery of humanitarian assistance, the protection of civilians, and, crucially, that a special envoy be appointed to provide a single address within the U.S. government, as well as a clear U.S. lead for foreign parties when participating in direct negotiations with the Rapid Support Forces, Sudanese Armed Forces, and regional partners,\u201d wrote the senators. \u201cAlthough we welcome the progress to-date in facilitating humanitarian action to meet the urgent needs of civilians, we once again reaffirm our request that you immediately appoint a special envoy to manage the Sudan crisis.\u201d\n\nThey continued, \u201cWe are concerned that the lack of a dedicated special envoy, who would report directly to the Secretary of State and who would internally coordinate and lead U.S. government efforts, and who may serve as a focal point and driver for international diplomatic and humanitarian efforts, is severely inhibiting the United States\u2019 ability to engage most forcefully towards a resolution to the crisis.\u201d\n\n\u201cTo ensure a prosperous future for Sudan, the U.S. government must serve as a lead negotiator in peace discussions via a special envoy for Sudan,\u201d the senators concluded. \u201cWe would welcome additional information, whether via a briefing to our staff or in a written response, regarding the rationale for why our request for the appointment of a Special Envoy for Sudan remains unmet.\u201d\n\nWarner and Kaine have been longtime advocates for the Sudanese community in Virginia. Last week, Warner and Kaine applauded the Department of Homeland Security\u2019s (DHS) announcement that it will extend the re-registration period for Temporary Protected Status for migrants from Sudan, which they urged in May. Earlier this year, Warner spoke out about the violence in Sudan and hosted a virtual town hall for Sudanese Americans. Kaine has pushed the Administration to ensure the safety and security of U.S. citizens in Sudan and urged both sides to commit to a permanent ceasefire. He held an event in Richmond with members of Virginia\u2019s Sudanese American community to hear their perspectives on the conflict and discuss ways he can be helpful.\n\nFull text of the letter is available here and below:\n\nDear Secretary Blinken,\n\nThe destructive conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has been raging for eight months. It has resulted in 4.8 million people internally displaced, 1.2 million fleeing to neighboring countries and regions, 10,000 civilian casualties, and approximately 24 million people in need of immediate humanitarian assistance. Sudan\u2019s health systems have reached their breaking point, and the country is plagued with widespread sexual violence, looting, and killing.\n\nAt the onset of this conflict in April 2023, we strongly advocated for U.S. leadership in coordinating a robust international diplomatic response, the safe and swift delivery of humanitarian assistance, the protection of civilians, and, crucially, that a special envoy be appointed to provide a single address within the U.S. government, as well as a clear U.S. lead for foreign parties when participating in direct negotiations with the RSF, SAF, and regional partners. Although we welcome the progress to-date in facilitating humanitarian action to meet the urgent needs of civilians, we once again reaffirm our request that you immediately appoint a special envoy to manage the Sudan crisis.\n\nWe are grateful for the efforts from you, Assistant Secretary Molly Phee, Ambassador John Godfrey, Ambassador Daniel Rubinstein, and Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Mike Hammer have put into facilitating negotiations between the RSF, SAF, and global partners in Jeddah. We also welcome your December 6 atrocities determination for the crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing conducted by the SAF and RSF. However, much more needs to be done to end this brutal conflict, and the need is urgent. We are concerned that the lack of a dedicated special envoy, who would report directly to the Secretary of State and who would internally coordinate and lead U.S. government efforts, and who may serve as a focal point and driver for international diplomatic and humanitarian efforts, is severely inhibiting the United States\u2019 ability to engage most forcefully towards a resolution to the crisis. We are pleased that the negotiation talks between the SAF and RSF in Jeddah have resumed, but a stronger and more cohesive U.S. diplomatic effort is long overdue. The tally of Sudanese lives taken by this conflict is mounting by the day.\n\nAs global stability is threatened by multiple destructive conflicts, we cannot forget about the people of Sudan. To ensure a prosperous future for Sudan, the U.S. government must serve as a lead negotiator in peace discussions via a Special Envoy for Sudan. We would welcome additional information, whether via a briefing to our staff or in a written response, regarding the rationale for why our request for the appointment of a Special Envoy for Sudan remains unmet. Thank you for your time and attention to this request.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=3A0078CF-829C-43B2-A98A-08BFA23B65EC", "Sens. Warner and Kaine Urge Administration to Appoint Special Envoy for Sudan", "2023-12-19", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Mark R. Warner", "W000805", "www.warner.senate.gov", "warner", "https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine urged the Administration to avoid further delays in the appointment of a Special Envoy for Sudan. Nearly 4.8 million people have been internally displaced since the war in Sudan began in April 2023\u2014resulting in one of the largest internal displacement crises in the world. It\u2019s estimated that there have been 10,000 civilian casualties, and approximately 24 million people are in need of immediate humanitarian assistance. In their letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the senators emphasize the crucial role a Special Envoy would play in coordinating and leading U.S. diplomatic efforts to address this crisis and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance.\n\n\u201cAt the onset of this conflict in April 2023, we strongly advocated for U.S. leadership in coordinating a robust international diplomatic response, the safe and swift delivery of humanitarian assistance, the protection of civilians, and, crucially, that a special envoy be appointed to provide a single address within the U.S. government, as well as a clear U.S. lead for foreign parties when participating in direct negotiations with the Rapid Support Forces, Sudanese Armed Forces, and regional partners,\u201d wrote the senators. \u201cAlthough we welcome the progress to-date in facilitating humanitarian action to meet the urgent needs of civilians, we once again reaffirm our request that you immediately appoint a special envoy to manage the Sudan crisis.\u201d\n\nThey continued, \u201cWe are concerned that the lack of a dedicated special envoy, who would report directly to the Secretary of State and who would internally coordinate and lead U.S. government efforts, and who may serve as a focal point and driver for international diplomatic and humanitarian efforts, is severely inhibiting the United States\u2019 ability to engage most forcefully towards a resolution to the crisis.\u201d\n\n\u201cTo ensure a prosperous future for Sudan, the U.S. government must serve as a lead negotiator in peace discussions via a special envoy for Sudan,\u201d the senators concluded. \u201cWe would welcome additional information, whether via a briefing to our staff or in a written response, regarding the rationale for why our request for the appointment of a Special Envoy for Sudan remains unmet.\u201d\n\nWarner and Kaine have been longtime advocates for the Sudanese community in Virginia. Last week, Warner and Kaine applauded the Department of Homeland Security\u2019s (DHS) announcement that it will extend the re-registration period for Temporary Protected Status for migrants from Sudan, which they urged in May. Earlier this year, Warner spoke out about the violence in Sudan and hosted a virtual town hall for Sudanese Americans. Kaine has pushed the Administration to ensure the safety and security of U.S. citizens in Sudan and urged both sides to commit to a permanent ceasefire. He held an event in Richmond with members of Virginia\u2019s Sudanese American community to hear their perspectives on the conflict and discuss ways he can be helpful.\n\nFull text of the letter is available below:\n\nDear Secretary Blinken,\n\nThe destructive conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has been raging for eight months. It has resulted in 4.8 million people internally displaced, 1.2 million fleeing to neighboring countries and regions, 10,000 civilian casualties, and approximately 24 million people in need of immediate humanitarian assistance. Sudan\u2019s health systems have reached their breaking point, and the country is plagued with widespread sexual violence, looting, and killing.\n\nAt the onset of this conflict in April 2023, we strongly advocated for U.S. leadership in coordinating a robust international diplomatic response, the safe and swift delivery of humanitarian assistance, the protection of civilians, and, crucially, that a special envoy be appointed to provide a single address within the U.S. government, as well as a clear U.S. lead for foreign parties when participating in direct negotiations with the RSF, SAF, and regional partners. Although we welcome the progress to-date in facilitating humanitarian action to meet the urgent needs of civilians, we once again reaffirm our request that you immediately appoint a special envoy to manage the Sudan crisis.\n\nWe are grateful for the efforts from you, Assistant Secretary Molly Phee, Ambassador John Godfrey, Ambassador Daniel Rubinstein, and Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Mike Hammer have put into facilitating negotiations between the RSF, SAF, and global partners in Jeddah. We also welcome your December 6 atrocities determination for the crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing conducted by the SAF and RSF. However, much more needs to be done to end this brutal conflict, and the need is urgent. We are concerned that the lack of a dedicated special envoy, who would report directly to the Secretary of State and who would internally coordinate and lead U.S. government efforts, and who may serve as a focal point and driver for international diplomatic and humanitarian efforts, is severely inhibiting the United States\u2019 ability to engage most forcefully towards a resolution to the crisis. We are pleased that the negotiation talks between the SAF and RSF in Jeddah have resumed, but a stronger and more cohesive U.S. diplomatic effort is long overdue. The tally of Sudanese lives taken by this conflict is mounting by the day.\n\nAs global stability is threatened by multiple destructive conflicts, we cannot forget about the people of Sudan. To ensure a prosperous future for Sudan, the U.S. government must serve as a lead negotiator in peace discussions via a Special Envoy for Sudan. We would welcome additional information, whether via a briefing to our staff or in a written response, regarding the rationale for why our request for the appointment of a Special Envoy for Sudan remains unmet. Thank you for your time and attention to this request.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:56:20Z"], ["https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=D5D7EA33-1B34-473B-9D28-16EFBF64C7C0", "Warner, Kennedy Introduce Legislation to Require Financial Regulators to Respond to AI Market Threats", "2023-12-19", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Mark R. Warner", "W000805", "www.warner.senate.gov", "warner", "https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and John Kennedy (R-LA), both members of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, introduced the Financial Artificial Intelligence Risk Reduction Act, bipartisan legislation to require financial regulators to address uses of AI-generated content that could disrupt financial markets.\n\n\u201cAI has tremendous potential but also enormous disruptive power across a variety of fields and industries \u2013 perhaps none more so than our financial markets,\u201d said Sen. Warner, a former business executive and venture capitalist. \u201cThe time to address those vulnerabilities is now.\u201d\n\n\u201cAI is moving quickly, and our laws should do the same to prevent AI manipulation from rattling our financial markets. Our bill would help ensure that AI threats do not put Americans\u2019 investments and retirement dreams at risk,\u201d Sen. Kennedy said.\n\nThe legislation requires the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) to coordinate financial regulators\u2019 response to threats to the stability of the markets posed by AI, including the use of \u201cdeepfakes\u201d by malign actors and other practices associated with the use of AI tools that could undermine the financial system, such as trading algorithms. The legislation also requires FSOC to identify gaps in existing regulations, guidance, and exam standards that could hinder effective responses to AI threats, and implement specific recommendations to address those gaps.\n\nIn response to the potential magnitude of the threat, the Financial Artificial Intelligence Risk Reduction Act would also provide for treble penalties when AI is used in violations of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules, including acts of market manipulation and fraud. The legislation also makes clear that anyone who uses an AI model is responsible for making sure that everything that model does complies with all securities laws.\n\nThe legislation also provides the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) with the authority necessary to oversee AI service providers, similar to the authority the other financial regulators have had for decades.\n\nA copy of the legislation is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:56:20Z"], ["https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-19-million-workers-will-get-raise-under-raise-wage-act", "Scott: Up to 19 Million Workers will Get a Raise under Raise the Wage Act", "2023-12-18", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Robert C. \"Bobby\" Scott", "S000185", "bobbyscott.house.gov", "bobbyscott", "https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "As originally released by the Committee on Education and the Workforce, Democrats\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Ranking Member Robert C. \u201cBobby\u201d Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a report on the effect of gradually raising the federal minimum wage to $17 per hour by 2028.\n\n\u201cThe clear conclusion from the Congressional Budget Office\u2019s report is that the benefits of the Raise the Wage Act of 2023 for workers far outweigh the potential costs. According to CBO\u2019s estimates, the legislation would give up to 19 million workers a raise, lift 400,000 Americans out of poverty, and further bolster our economic growth by putting money back into the pockets of workers who will spend that money in their communities.\n\n\u201cNotably, the CBO\u2019s findings reinforce the evidence that gradually raising the federal minimum wage would boost wages most for workers in states with some of the weakest labor organizing protections, which have prevented workers from forming unions and negotiating for higher pay.\n\n\u201cIt has been more than a decade without an increase to the federal minimum wage\u2014the longest period in U.S. history. As the current minimum wage of $7.25 becomes even less of an adequate floor for workers\u2019 pay, we must pass the Raise the Wage Act of 2023 to strengthen the financial security of our nation\u2019s workers and their families.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://mcclellan.house.gov/media/press-releases/mcclellan-leads-15-lawmakers-call-fda-and-cdc-address-lead-contamination-foods", "McClellan Leads 15 Lawmakers to Call on FDA and CDC to Address Lead Contamination in Foods Consumed by Young Children", "2023-12-18", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Jennifer L. McClellan", "M001227", "mcclellan.house.gov", "mcclellan", "https://mcclellan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) led fifteen House Democrats in a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The lawmakers expressed serious concerns about the increasing reports of children experiencing lead poisoning due to the consumption of lead-tainted cinnamon applesauce. They called on the FDA to expedite actions to strengthen food heavy metal contamination standards and urged the CDC to ensure families are informed and can access the necessary testing and care.\n\nThe Washington Postreported at least 118 suspected or confirmed cases of lead exposure, leading to high blood lead levels in children who had consumed applesauce products containing cinnamon. As of December 11, the FDA has received 65 reports of illness in 27 states linked to these now-recalled products. Children absorb significantly more ingested lead than adults, which can lead to severe adverse health impacts, including vomiting, weight loss, fatigue, seizures, hearing loss, learning difficulties, and developmental delays.\n\n\u201cFamilies and other consumers trust regulators to ensure that food products meet minimum safety standards. These reports are extremely troubling on their own \u2013 especially given the emerging possibility that the cinnamon may have been intentionally contaminated with lead,\u201d wrote the lawmakers. \u201cHowever, they also shed light on larger issues around the lack of federal standards for lead in most foods, including those consumed by babies and young children, and that product testing is not generally required.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the lawmakers urged the FDA to take a series of actions to protect American consumers, including expediting its efforts on the Closer to Zero Action Plan, an initiative that seeks to reduce exposure to contaminants in foods. They also emphasized the need to consider the cumulative impacts of lead exposure suffered by historically marginalized communities and called on the CDC to ensure that disadvantaged families can access appropriate testing and treatment.\n\n\u201cWe also urge FDA to expand its current draft guidance on foods intended for babies and young children to ensure that the applesauce pouches implicated in this situation and other foods consumed by young children are covered,\u201d continued the lawmakers. \u201cFinally, we ask FDA to release any testing results it has received for products implicated in the current applesauce recall\u2026 As more cases are being identified, we want to particularly uplift disadvantaged and vulnerable communities where children may be disproportionately affected. This may be the case as children suffer the cumulative effects of lead exposure from multiple sources such as housing and drinking water in addition to contaminated food products.\u201d\n\nThe letter was signed by Reps. Alma Adams, Nanette Barrag\u00e1n, Yadira Caraveo, Kathy Castor, Danny Davis, Don Davis, Derek Kilmer, Seth Magaziner, Betty McCollum, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Chris Pappas, Katie Porter, Shri Thanedar, David Trone, and Jennifer Wexton.\n\nThe letter is endorsed by the Center for Science in the Public Interest.\n\n\u201cThis latest outbreak has shown us that our food system is failing kids. We need to be able to trust that the products we pick up in the grocery store will not cause lead poisoning,\u201d said Sarah Sorscher, Director of Regulatory Affairs at the Center for Science in the Public Interest. \u201cFDA must move faster in setting limits for lead in foods marketed to children, and make sure that those standards cover the kinds of apple sauce products that caused this outbreak.\u201d\n\nRead the full letter here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://mcclellan.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-foushee-manning-mcclellan-scott-send-second-letter-urging-ferc-deny-mvp", "Reps. Foushee, Manning, McClellan, Scott Send Second Letter Urging FERC to Deny MVP Southgate Pipeline Extension", "2023-12-18", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Jennifer L. McClellan", "M001227", "mcclellan.house.gov", "mcclellan", "https://mcclellan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC (December 18, 2023) \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Congresswoman Kathy Manning(NC-06), Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), and Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) sent a second letter to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Secretary Kimberly Bose, requesting that the Commission deny an extension of the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) Southgate project. The certificate is needed for construction of a 73-mile proposed extension of the MVP, which would span from southern Virginia into northwestern North Carolina. FERC plans to review the MVP Southgate extension request at their upcoming Commission meeting on Tuesday, December 19, 2023.\n\n\u201cMVP has demonstrated alarming disregard for community safety as it has proceeded with installation of the mainline project, and FERC should not grant another extension while the company has yet to prove whether it can comply with the consent agreement and safety measures,\u201d the Members said.\n\n\u201cAs Members of Congress committed to addressing the climate crisis, we echo the requests of impacted community members and leaders,\u201d continued the lawmakers. \u201cIf built, this pipeline would lock homes and businesses in the Southeast into the long-term use of natural gas during a critical moment in which we must transition away from fossil fuels to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.\u201d\n\nThe Mountain Valley Pipeline was issued the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity in June of 2020 from FERC and in the years since, neighbors, residents and citizen groups have expressed significant concerns about environmental impacts, public safety, ecotourism, and nearby communities of color.\n\nThis letter is following up on a similar request the Members sent to FERC on August 15, 2023. Additionally, McClellan and Foushee and Manning led separate, successful efforts to extend the public comment period for the Southgate certificate extension. The Southgate project was not covered under the Fiscal Responsibility Act provisions for the automatic approval of the MVP mainline.\n\nThe full text of the letter can be viewed here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-cosponsors-bill-to-expand-maternal-health-care-options", "Kaine Cosponsors Bill to Expand Maternal Health Care Options", "2023-12-18", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, cosponsored the Healthy Maternal and Obstetric Medicine (MOM) Act, legislation led by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) that would expand health care options for expectant mothers. Certain life events, including marriage, divorce, giving birth or adopting a baby, and changing jobs, trigger a special enrollment period to enroll in health insurance outside of an insurer\u2019s annual open enrollment period. Currently, becoming pregnant is not considered a qualifying event, meaning expectant mothers must wait until the birth of their child or an annual enrollment period to sign up for or change their coverage. The Healthy MOM Act would establish a special enrollment period for expectant mothers that are eligible for coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and other private individual or group health plan coverage, ensuring that they can access affordable health care throughout their pregnancies.\n\n\u201cAccess to high-quality health care before, during, and after pregnancy is crucial to prevent devastating outcomes for Virginia families,\u201d said Kaine. \u201cMost pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. The Healthy MOM Act would improve maternal health outcomes, lower costs, and help expectant mothers and their babies get the care they need, so they can start happy, healthy lives.\u201d\n\nAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1,205 women in the United States died from pregnancy-related complications in 2021, up from 861 in 2020 and 754 in 2019. Black and American Indian/Alaska Native women are about three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women. Prenatal care leads to healthier mothers and babies. Data demonstrates expanding access to prenatal care could help prevent more than 80 percent of pregnancy-related deaths. Without access to health insurance, expecting moms also face high out-of-pocket costs. The Healthy MOM Act would improve maternal health outcomes and lower costs by expanding access to high-quality care.\n\nSpecifically, the Healthy MOM Act would:\n\nCreate a special enrollment period in the ACA marketplaces and private insurance plans for individuals when they become pregnant, allowing them to enroll in or change their health care plan;\n\nEnable the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to establish a special enrollment period for pregnancy for those eligible to receive coverage through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. This enrollment period would still be available for families during a lapse in appropriation or government shutdown;\n\nGuarantee 12-months of continuous Medicaid eligibility for postpartum women. Kaine worked to pass legislation to make permanent the state option to provide 12 months of postpartum care for low-income women under Medicaid. This was a major expansion of maternal health care, as Medicaid previously provided postpartum coverage for only 60 days. Virginia was the first state to implement this expansion, and since then, most states have opted into this expansion of maternal care. The Healthy MOM Act would make the expansion a permanent fixture of Medicaid, so that women in every state have access to 12 months of postpartum care;\n\nEnsure comprehensive coverage of maternity care \u2013 including labor and delivery \u2013 for dependent children covered by group health plans and other forms of employer-sponsored coverage; and\n\nProtect existing income eligibility levels for pregnant women and infants covered by Medicaid, maintaining the highest standard of care for low-income pregnant individuals and infants.\n\nKaine has long supported efforts to address the maternal health crisis. Kaine introduced bipartisan legislation to promote maternal health and reduce racial inequities in maternal and infant mortality by strengthening support for women during and after pregnancy, expanding maternal health research and data collection, and ensuring women are better matched with birthing facilities that meet their specific needs. In May, Kaine introduced the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, which includes 13 bills that would combat the maternal health crisis, address racial inequities, and save moms\u2019 lives. That legislation includes Kaine\u2019s Maternal Vaccinations Act to increase maternal vaccination rates, particularly in communities with historically low rates of vaccination.\n\nCompanion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives is led by Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12).\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-kaine-and-colleagues-push-to-fund-wmata-national-security-needs", "Warner, Kaine, & Colleagues Push to Fund WMATA National Security Needs", "2023-12-18", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner, Tim Kaine, Ben Cardin, and Chris Van Hollen wrote to President Biden requesting that the administration include at least $30 million in their FY25 budget request for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to specifically address the agency\u2019s operational costs related to national security and counterterrorism. This request comes as WMATA faces a $750 million budget shortfall that threatens safety and services starting next summer.\n\nIn their letter, the senators stress that WMATA, more than other transit authorities, shoulders a heavy security burden because of its role in federal government operations and national security activities. The agency estimates that it spends between $30 and $33 million annually on operations relating to its national security and counterterrorism mission.\n\n\u201cGiven this sui generis role played by WMATA, it should come as no surprise that the agency shoulders some burdens that are unique among transit providers. Perhaps most important of these burdens is WMATA\u2019s responsibility to prevent terrorism targeting our Nation\u2019s capital\u2014a responsibility far out of proportion to the size of the system,\u201d the senators wrote.\n\nThey continued, \u201cUnfortunately, this responsibility is more than hypothetical. In 2010, an anti-government extremist opened fire at the Pentagon station. A year later, a man was convicted in connection with the targeting of four WMATA stations in a terrorist bomb plot. And let us not forget that it was a Metro Transit Police officer who, while assisting Capitol Police, discovered the bomb planted at the Democratic National Committee on January 6, 2021.\u201d\n\nSens. Warner, Kaine, Cardin, and Van Hollen have long been active supporters of WMATA, working to secure critical funding, expand service, and improve safety.\n\nA copy of the letter is available here and below:\n\nDear President Biden:\n\nWe write today to respectfully request that the President\u2019s budget request for Fiscal Year 2025 include at least $30 million for transfer to Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) for the agency\u2019s operational costs associated with national security activities and countering terrorism on the system.\n\nWMATA\u2019s operations are critical to the functioning of the federal government in the National Capital Region. A majority of WMATA\u2019s 19.6 million riders are federal workers. Over one-third of all Metrorail stations are located on federal property, serving federal facilities. Two stations on Capitol Hill serve Members of Congress and their staffs. Federal facilities served by WMATA include our most sensitive national security installations, like the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security. Pentagon Station, for example, provides convenient rail access to the global headquarters of our Nation\u2019s Department of Defense and uniformed services.\n\nGiven this sui generis role played by WMATA, it should come as no surprise that the agency shoulders some burdens that are unique among transit providers. Perhaps most important of these burdens is WMATA\u2019s responsibility to prevent terrorism targeting our Nation\u2019s capital\u2014a responsibility far out of proportion to the size of the system. Unfortunately, this responsibility is more than hypothetical. In 2010, an anti-government extremist opened fire at the Pentagon station. A year later, a man was convicted in connection with the targeting of four WMATA stations in a terrorist bomb plot. And let us not forget that it was a Metro Transit Police officer who, while assisting Capitol Police, discovered the bomb planted at the Democratic National Committee on January 6, 2021.\n\nWMATA estimates that it spends between $30 and $33 million on operations relating to its national security and counterterrorism mission. Similar to the Federal Payment for Emergency Planning and Security Costs for the District of Columbia, these costs are directly attributable to the unique role WMATA plays in ensuring the safety and smooth operation of our Nation\u2019s federal government. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the federal government provide funding to WMATA for these expenses. Therefore, we respectfully request that the President\u2019s budget for FY25 include at least $30 million to support WMATA\u2019s national security operational expenses necessary to keep the system and the National Capital Region safe.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=BC99C4D2-3B9B-414D-BA5D-907F385ABC1F", "Warner Leads Virginia and Maryland Senate Delegation in Push to Fund WMATA National Security Needs", "2023-12-18", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Mark R. Warner", "W000805", "www.warner.senate.gov", "warner", "https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Ben Cardin, and Chris Van Hollen (both D-MD) wrote to President Biden requesting that the administration include at least $30 million in their FY25 budget request for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to specifically address the agency\u2019s operational costs related to national security and counterterrorism. This request comes as WMATA faces a $750 million budget shortfall that threatens safety and services starting next summer.\n\nIn their letter, the senators stress that WMATA, more than other transit authorities, shoulders a heavy security burden because of its role in federal government operations and national security activities. The agency estimates that it spends between $30 and $33 million annually on operations relating to its national security and counterterrorism mission.\n\n\u201cGiven this sui generis role played by WMATA, it should come as no surprise that the agency shoulders some burdens that are unique among transit providers. Perhaps most important of these burdens is WMATA\u2019s responsibility to prevent terrorism targeting our Nation\u2019s capital\u2014a responsibility far out of proportion to the size of the system,\u201d the senators wrote.\n\nThey continued, \u201cUnfortunately, this responsibility is more than hypothetical. In 2010, an anti-government extremist opened fire at the Pentagon station. A year later, a man was convicted in connection with the targeting of four WMATA stations in a terrorist bomb plot. And let us not forget that it was a Metro Transit Police officer who, while assisting Capitol Police, discovered the bomb planted at the Democratic National Committee on January 6, 2021.\u201d\n\nSens. Warner, Kaine, Cardin, and Van Hollen have long been active supporters of WMATA, working to secure critical funding, expand service, and improve safety.\n\nA copy of the letter is available here and below:\n\nDear President Biden:\n\nWe write today to respectfully request that the President\u2019s budget request for Fiscal Year 2025 include at least $30 million for transfer to Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) for the agency\u2019s operational costs associated with national security activities and countering terrorism on the system.\n\nWMATA\u2019s operations are critical to the functioning of the federal government in the National Capital Region. A majority of WMATA\u2019s 19.6 million riders are federal workers. Over one-third of all Metrorail stations are located on federal property, serving federal facilities. Two stations on Capitol Hill serve Members of Congress and their staffs. Federal facilities served by WMATA include our most sensitive national security installations, like the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security. Pentagon Station, for example, provides convenient rail access to the global headquarters of our Nation\u2019s Department of Defense and uniformed services.\n\nGiven this sui generis role played by WMATA, it should come as no surprise that the agency shoulders some burdens that are unique among transit providers. Perhaps most important of these burdens is WMATA\u2019s responsibility to prevent terrorism targeting our Nation\u2019s capital\u2014a responsibility far out of proportion to the size of the system. Unfortunately, this responsibility is more than hypothetical. In 2010, an anti-government extremist opened fire at the Pentagon station. A year later, a man was convicted in connection with the targeting of four WMATA stations in a terrorist bomb plot. And let us not forget that it was a Metro Transit Police officer who, while assisting Capitol Police, discovered the bomb planted at the Democratic National Committee on January 6, 2021.\n\nWMATA estimates that it spends between $30 and $33 million on operations relating to its national security and counterterrorism mission. Similar to the Federal Payment for Emergency Planning and Security Costs for the District of Columbia, these costs are directly attributable to the unique role WMATA plays in ensuring the safety and smooth operation of our Nation\u2019s federal government. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the federal government provide funding to WMATA for these expenses. Therefore, we respectfully request that the President\u2019s budget for FY25 include at least $30 million to support WMATA\u2019s national security operational expenses necessary to keep the system and the National Capital Region safe.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:56:20Z"], ["https://mcclellan.house.gov/media/press-releases/mcclellan-ranking-members-lofgren-stevens-call-gao-report-assess-financial", "McClellan, Ranking Members Lofgren, Stevens Call for GAO Report to Assess Financial Instability in the Graduate and Postdoctoral STEM Workforce", "2023-12-15", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Jennifer L. McClellan", "M001227", "mcclellan.house.gov", "mcclellan", "https://mcclellan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, House Science, Space and Technology (SST) Committee Member Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), SST Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), and Ranking Member of the SST Subcommittee on Research and Technology Haley Stevens (MI-11) sent a letter to the Comptroller General Gene Dodaro, asking the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study the financial instability of graduate and postdoctoral STEM scholars.\n\nGraduate and postdoctoral students conduct work integral to the implementation of the bipartisan, bicameral CHIPS and Science Act. The legislation includes historic investments to surge production of American-made semiconductors, tackle supply chain vulnerabilities to make more goods in America, revitalize the nation\u2019s scientific research and technological leadership, and strengthen America\u2019s economic and national security at home and abroad.\n\n\u201cGraduate students and postdoctoral scholars play an important role in the United States science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research and development enterprise,\u201d wrote the lawmakers. \u201cThe recruitment, training, and retention of these early-career researchers are essential to fulfilling the potential of the CHIPS and Science Act and ensuring that the United States remains the global leader in science and technology. However, increases in costs and personal expenses needed to pursue a STEM career have led to unsustainable levels of financial instability for some researchers.\u201d\n\nGraduate and postdoctoral students often struggle with financial instability due to the rising costs of health care, housing, transportation, food, child care, and other expenses. Over 95 percent of graduate researchers recently surveyed reported worrying about increased costs of living. In another survey, almost 95 percent of postdoctoral researchers indicated that their professional and personal lives were most negatively affected by their salary.\n\n\u201cDue to the importance of STEM professionals to our nation's health, economy, and well-being, and due to the long and resource-intensive training period these researchers must undertake, it is vital for us to understand the factors that may affect entry into and completion of such training,\u201d continued the lawmakers. \u201cTherefore, we ask the Government Accountability Office to study what is known about financial instability among graduate students and postdoctoral scholars and assess the extent to which federal support for STEM research and training addresses financial instability.\u201d\n\nMcClellan, Lofgren, and Stevens are committed to growing and diversifying the STEM workforce and dismantling barriers to opportunities. Financial instability affects postsecondary attendance and persistence for students, particularly students with lower socioeconomic status. This GAO study will provide valuable information on financial insecurity and the extent to which underrepresented groups may be disproportionately impacted by the financial strain of seeking advanced STEM training, helping lawmakers take action on this issue.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-opening-of-the-kerem-shalom-border-crossing", "Kaine Statement on Opening of the Kerem Shalom Border Crossing", "2023-12-15", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC), released the following statement following the White House\u2019s announcement that the Kerem Shalom border crossing would open for direct delivery of humanitarian assistance. Kaine called for the opening of Kerem Shalom to expedite the delivery of critical humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.\n\n\u201cAs Israel brings Hamas to account for its horrific terrorist attacks on October 7, it is crucial that Israel also takes every possible step to protect civilians in Gaza. That\u2019s why I\u2019ve called for the reopening of the Kerem Shalom border crossing and why I\u2019m glad to see that become a reality. Reopening Kerem Shalom is necessary to ensure humanitarian assistance can be delivered to civilians in Gaza at the pace and scope it needs to be. We must continue pushing for additional humanitarian aid, the immediate release of all hostages, and a strategy that combats the threat from Hamas and protects civilians.\u201d\n\nKaine strongly condemned Hamas\u2019 October 7 terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians and has been vocal about the need to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He\u2019s taken a series of steps to prioritize the release of hostages taken by Hamas, including directly engaging the Qatari and Egyptian governments, address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and protect civilians in Gaza and the West Bank, and counter Hamas\u2019 terrorist threats. Kaine led his colleagues in calling for a short-term cessation of violence in order to ensure humanitarian assistance is reaching civilians in Gaza.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/schatz-welch-van-hollen-kaine-booker-call-on-biden-to-urge-israeli-egyptian-governments-to-allow-journalists-into-gaza-protect-free-press", "Schatz, Welch, Van Hollen, Kaine, Booker Call on Biden to Urge Israeli, Egyptian Governments to Allow Journalists into Gaza, Protect Free Press", "2023-12-15", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Peter Welch (D-VT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) today called on President Joe Biden to urge the governments of Israel and Egypt to protect press freedom and allow journalists into Gaza to cover the war. In their letter to the president, the senators underscored the importance of safe access into Gaza for journalists and the need for accurate and independent reporting from inside the warzone.\n\n\u201cWe ask you to further urge the Israeli government, as well as the Egyptian government, to respect press freedom by allowing all interested journalists to report without restriction from Gaza, with the exception of operational security requirements for embedded journalists, and provide journalists with the appropriate protections to carry out their essential work,\u201d the senators wrote. \u201cWithout protections for journalists in Gaza and access for international journalists, the world is unable to get a complete and accurate understanding of events. Journalists play a vital role in a free society by holding individuals, organizations, and governments accountable for their actions. The lack of transparency caused by limited journalistic access is at odds with the obligation all governments have to allow citizens to access factual information. Especially in a time of rampant mis- and disinformation, journalists both provide the international community with up-to-date news about the war and equip the local population with potentially life-saving information about fast-changing developments.\u201d\n\nThe senators continued, \u201cAmerican democracy rests on a bedrock commitment to a free press and we must insist on the same from others, including our closest allies and partners. The principles for which the United States advocates send strong messages to foreign governments and help establish essential international norms.\u201d\n\nThe full text of the senators\u2019 letter to President Biden is available here and below:\n\nDear President Biden,\n\nWe appreciate your continued engagement with Congress on issues related to the war in Gaza and welcome your efforts to secure the release of hostages, limit civilian casualties, and provide humanitarian aid to Palestinians in desperate need of assistance. We write to you today because we are deeply concerned about the inability of international journalists to enter and report from Gaza and the lack of safety for journalists covering the war in Gaza, which keeps the public from understanding the full dimensions of this war. We were glad to see Secretary Blinken\u2019s letter to the Agence France-Presse (AFP) about the U.S. commitment to protecting journalists during armed conflict and his comments on the \u201cvital importance of their mission\u201d in recent days, but more must be done. Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, does not respect a free press, given its history of using propaganda and harassing, obstructing, torturing, and using physical violence against journalists in Gaza\u2014actions that must be condemned and stopped. Israeli journalists were among the 1,200 killed in Hamas\u2019s unspeakably brutal attacks on October 7th. As Israel addresses legitimate and ongoing threats from Hamas, we ask you to further urge the Israeli government, as well as the Egyptian government, to respect press freedom by allowing all interested journalists to report without restriction from Gaza, with the exception of operational security requirements for embedded journalists, and provide journalists with the appropriate protections to carry out their essential work.\n\nNews organizations, including those in Israel, are not able to independently access Gaza. In November, 11 news organizations sent a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi urging them to allow their journalists into Gaza to report on the war. According to the Israeli government, over 2,000 international journalists have come to Israel since October 7th. A small number of reporters have been allowed to access Gaza as part of a tour organized by Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Under this arrangement, journalists must remain with the IDF, and in some cases, face requirements to submit their footage to the IDF for review before publication. One journalist has been able to enter and report from Gaza without IDF supervision, but only for a matter of hours at a United Arab Emirates field hospital in southern Gaza. Other journalists who have requested to enter Gaza through the Rafah crossing have been refused, receiving conflicting answers from the Egyptian and Israeli governments about why they are unable to cross the border. This setup is wholly inadequate and severely restricts the flow of independent information.\n\nReporting on military operations is a dangerous, but extremely important, job. Today, journalists are risking their lives reporting from conflict zones around the globe, including in Ukraine, to share stories about the reality and impacts of war with the world. Israel, which almost entirely controls access to Gaza, allowed international (though, not Israeli) journalists access to the territory during its 2014 military offensive, permitting in-depth, on-the-ground reporting on the war. Journalists understand that entering a warzone puts themselves in harm\u2019s way, but they should be the ones to decide their risk tolerance, not the Israeli or Egyptian governments. You spoke of the importance and the costs of reporting on the war in Ukraine last year, honoring the \u201ccourage and sacrifice of journalists around the world.\u201d Let us listen to the nearly 100 French journalists who signed a petition calling for international journalists to be allowed to report in Gaza, writing \u201cLet us enter the Gaza Strip to do our job. We know the risks.\u201d\n\nAccess for international journalists is even more important given the dire situation facing Gazan reporters. Since October 7th, the world has relied on Gazan journalists, many of them freelancers, to report on and share information. They, at great risk to themselves, have continued working while fleeing their homes, losing family members, and living under constant threat of violence. The scale of the killings of journalists and media workers is unprecedented in recent times. In October, the IDF told Reuters and AFP that it cannot guarantee the safety of their journalists during IDF operations in Gaza, and devastatingly, dozens of journalists in Gaza have been killed, as have reporters working outside Gaza on the Lebanese border. Others are injured and unable to leave Gaza. With no new reporters or media workers allowed to enter Gaza, there is no flexibility for rotating people in and out of the field. Palestinian journalists in Gaza are cut off from international support, so have been unable to receive personal protective gear, including bulletproof vests and helmets. Media and communications blackouts limit their ability to report and publish information. The inability for reporters or their families to leave Gaza leaves them trapped in a humanitarian nightmare. The international community must make clear that those restrictions on or mistreatment of journalists is unacceptable.\n\nWithout protections for journalists in Gaza and access for international journalists, the world is unable to get a complete and accurate understanding of events. Journalists play a vital role in a free society by holding individuals, organizations, and governments accountable for their actions. The lack of transparency caused by limited journalistic access is at odds with the obligation all governments have to allow citizens to access factual information. Especially in a time of rampant mis- and disinformation, journalists both provide the international community with up-to-date news about the war and equip the local population with potentially life-saving information about fast-changing developments.\n\nAmerican democracy rests on a bedrock commitment to a free press and we must insist on the same from others, including our closest allies and partners. The principles for which the United States advocates send strong messages to foreign governments and help establish essential international norms.\n\nWe respectfully request your administration urge the Israeli government, and where appropriate, the Egyptian government, to:\n\nExpeditiously allow journalists interested in covering the war into Gaza;\n\nProvide the standard protections for Palestinian journalists already in Gaza, including respecting media credentials and press insignia, and convey and follow rules of engagement regarding the press that guarantee basic protection;\n\nAllow personal protective and professional equipment into Gaza to help journalists conduct their reporting duties, including bulletproof vests, helmets, and phone chargers;\n\nPermit journalists in Gaza who desire to leave the territory to do so;\n\nRefrain from using media and communications blackouts and take care to preserve telecommunications infrastructure needed for reporting;\n\nEnsure that reporters are not to be harassed, detained, threatened or otherwise prevented from doing their jobs in areas adjacent to Gaza, including in Israel, Egypt, Lebanon, and the West Bank, and release unduly detained journalists; and\n\nConduct swift, transparent, and thorough investigations into killings and other attacks on journalists, following internationally accepted standards.\n\nWe appreciate your emphasis on protecting civilians as Israel addresses the security threats posed by Hamas. We are grateful for your leadership in negotiating the week-long humanitarian pause, which secured the release of many hostages and allowed desperately needed humanitarian assistance into Gaza. As you continue to engage with the Israeli and Egyptian governments, we ask that you advocate for the safety and freedom of journalists in this conflict.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-and-kaine-announce-nearly-5-million-in-funding-for-hampton-university", "Warner and Kaine Announce Nearly $5 Million in Funding for Hampton University", "2023-12-15", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine announced $4,962,986 for Hampton University to establish an Interdisciplinary Climate Science Degree Program. The program will be embedded in a National Center for Climate Modeling Research. The funding was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education.\n\n\u201cOur nation\u2019s HBCUs make tremendous contributions to our communities, and HBCU graduates are often leading the way, working to find solutions to important global challenges,\u201d said the senators. \u201cWe\u2019re thrilled Hampton University is receiving federal funding to develop a climate science program and look forward to seeing the program\u2019s success in the years to come.\u201d\n\nThe program will upgrade current research facilities at Hampton University and aim to increase the number of Black American doctoral recipients in climate science and increase the number of climate science research centers at HBCUs. 11% of all HCBUs are located in coastal communities that are impacted by rising sea levels and flooding, and these communities are also overwhelmingly Black and brown. However, only three HBCUs have research centers dedicated to climate resilience.\n\nWarner and Kaine are longtime advocates of HBCUs. The senators successfully pushed to get the FUTURE Act signed into law to restore $255 million in federal funding for these institutions. Kaine successfully pushed to pass legislation he cosponsored called the HBCU Propelling Agency Relationships Towards a New Era of Results for Students (PARTNERS) Act, which strengthens partnerships between federal agencies and HBCUs. Warner successfully pushed to promote defense research at HBCUs in a defense authorization bill, which included a version of his Building Equitable Access to Contribute to Our National Security (BEACON) Act.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6049", "Hickenlooper, Murkowski Legislation to Expand Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Programs Passes HELP Committee", "2023-12-14", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Donald S. Beyer, Jr.", "B001292", "beyer.house.gov", "beyer", "https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, a negotiated version of U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Lisa Murkowski\u2019s bipartisan Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Support Act passed out of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee as a provision within the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act.\n\n\u201cColorado\u2019s on the frontline of the youth mental health crisis,\u201d said Senator Hickenlooper. \u201cPeer-to-peer mental health programs help break the stigma around mental health care and connect students to the resources they need.\u201d\n\nThe senators\u2019 original Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Support Act would help school districts facilitate peer-to-peer mental health programs in middle and high schools. Provisions of the legislation passed as part of the reauthorization of the SUPPORT Act in today\u2019s HELP markup.\n\nThe SUPPORT Act, originally passed in 2018 to help combat the opioid crisis, funds prevention, treatment, and recovery services for Americans with substance use disorders and mental illness. These critical programs need to be reauthorized by Congress this year.\n\n\"The University of Colorado Boulder is grateful to Senator Hickenlooper for his leadership on the Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Support Act,\" said Professor Sona Dimidjian, Director of the Ren\u00e9e Crown Wellness Institute. \"There is an urgent need for mental health support for young people in Colorado and across the nation. Research shows peer-to-peer models can increase access, cultural responsiveness, and strengthen the skills needed to support mental health and wellness. The Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Support Act is an important first step toward expanding the science of these models and increasing essential mental health support for young people.\"\n\n\u201cMental Health America applauds Senators Hickenlooper and Murkowski and the Senate HELP Committee for moving forward legislation to prioritize and fund youth peer support in schools,\u201d said Mary Giliberti, Chief Public Policy Officer. \u201cYoung people who receive peer support services report improvement in their sense of belonging, reduced isolation, and increased self-advocacy skills, which aid in their recovery from mental health and substance use conditions. As we continue to see the mental health crisis worsen in young people, efforts to grow activities in schools that prevent and intervene early are of utmost importance.\u201d\n\nThe program would be administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in consultation with the Department of Education.\n\nCongressman Don Beyer champions the legislation in the House of Representatives and plans to reintroduce a companion this Congress.\n\n\u201cThe suicide rate is at its highest level since 1941. Student-led peer-to-peer initiatives are a key tool that can help prevent needless death, and I\u2019m glad to see it advance on a bipartisan basis,\u201d said Congressman Beyer. \u201cCongress must do all it can to address suicide and mental illness. I thank Senators Hickenlooper and Murkowski for their leadership on this important bill, will continue working on that important effort with colleagues in both parties.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-ongoing-israel-hamas-war", "Scott Statement on Ongoing Israel-Hamas War", "2023-12-14", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Robert C. \"Bobby\" Scott", "S000185", "bobbyscott.house.gov", "bobbyscott", "https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement:\n\n\u201cI was relieved to see the recent successful negotiation that allowed for a halt in fighting, the release of more than 100 Israeli hostages, and increased humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza. Like many, I am very troubled by reports of heavy losses of Palestinian civilian lives in this war.\n\n\u201cTo ensure a lasting ceasefire and peace, negotiations must include further humanitarian aid to be delivered to Gaza and a release of all hostages. Israel has a right to defend itself but, as the Biden Administration has made clear, this must be in accordance with international law which includes minimizing civilian causalities to the greatest extent possible. This will be critical as we work towards a future where Hamas is defeated and can no longer terrorize Israelis and Gazans. It will also bolster our efforts to ensuring a lasting peace in the region, a two-state solution, and the safety and dignity of the Israeli and Palestinian people.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-votes-defense-bill-fy24", "Scott Votes for Defense Bill for FY24", "2023-12-14", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Robert C. \"Bobby\" Scott", "S000185", "bobbyscott.house.gov", "bobbyscott", "https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Bobby Scott issued the following statement after voting for theConference Report to Accompany H.R. 2670, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024:\n\n\u201cThe FY24 NDAA provides a well-deserved pay raise and support to servicemembers, guarantees the defense of the American people, and invests in our national security. As the representative of Hampton Roads and a member of the conference committee, I am proud that the final bill supports our region\u2019s shipbuilding industrial base with provisions that include one Columbia-class submarine and two Virginia-class submarines as well as authorizing a multi-year procurement for the Virginia-class submarine program and full funding for the Ford Class aircraft carrier program. The conference report also includes an authorization for the AUKUS agreement, allowing for a trilateral security partnership between the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia that will authorize the transfer and sale of up to three Virginia-class submarines to Australia. This will strengthen the naval presence of a key ally in the region and create jobs in Newport News. It additionally includes a deadline for a report I requested in last year\u2019s NDAA, focused on efforts made to prevent and respond to deaths by suicide in the Navy.\n\n\u201cAs the Ranking Member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, I am pleased the conference report also includes historic investments to strengthen research at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions. This funding to support researchers and modernize research facilities at these institutions is critical to our national security and competitive edge in the global economy.\n\n\u201cI am thankful that many culture war provisions included in the original House-passed version of this year\u2019s NDAA were ultimately rejected, such as amendments to attack reproductive freedom for women in uniform. Divided government leads to some compromises that must be made. Ultimately, this was legislation that would support servicemembers and protect our national security and I look forward to seeing it signed into law.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://mcclellan.house.gov/media/press-releases/mcclellan-helps-pass-ndaa-fully-fund-military", "McClellan Helps Pass NDAA to Fully Fund the Military", "2023-12-14", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Jennifer L. McClellan", "M001227", "mcclellan.house.gov", "mcclellan", "https://mcclellan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), a member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), voted in support of final passage of H.R. 2670, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024. The legislation authorizes funding for the United States military and supports America\u2019s servicemembers.\n\n\u201cAs a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am proud of the work we accomplished to pass this crucial piece of legislation. Our Commonwealth is home to over 130,000 active-duty servicemembers and over 700,000 veterans, who deserve the full support of the federal government,\u201d said Congresswoman McClellan. \u201cThis year\u2019s NDAA represents a bipartisan compromise that protects our national security priorities, advances military development and innovation, and supports our servicemembers, veterans, and their families. Despite House Republicans\u2019 attempts to undermine Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiatives, attack our LGBTQ+ service members, and restrict reproductive health care, congressional Democrats were able to successfully remove their poison pill policies.\u201d\n\nMcClellan successfully secured the following provisions in the legislation:\n\nTraction Alopecia Study: to direct the Department of Defense to conduct a study into the feasibility of implementing novel treatments for service members, particularly Black women, who suffer from traction alopecia and scalp damage caused by the military\u2019s strict grooming standards.\n\nExtension Deadline for U.S.S. George Washington: to provide the Office of the Inspector General at the Department of Defense the necessary time to conclude its investigation into the contributing factors behind the suicides committed by Navy servicemembers aboard the U.S.S. George Washington in Newport News, Virginia.\n\nMental Health Awareness and Suicide Training Study: to direct the Comptroller General of the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study into mental health awareness and suicide prevention training in the military and to offer recommendations to close existing gaps.\n\nMilitaryOne Source Study: to direct the Department of Defense to conduct a study into the efficacy, utility, and accessibility of the One Source Program, which aims to connect servicemembers and their families with various services and resources.\n\nNATO Resolution: McClellan\u2019s bipartisan, bicameral legislation to prevent any U.S. President from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO without congressional approval. The Senate version is led by Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Marco Rubio (R-FL).\n\n\u201cThroughout the NDAA process \u2013 from the 14 hour committee markup to the hours of floor debate opposing Republicans\u2019 extreme policies \u2013 I fought to ensure this legislation meets our national security priorities and supports our troops and their families. I successfully secured five major provisions to safeguard America\u2019s role in NATO and protect our alliance with leading democracies, improve our service members' quality of life, address the mental health crisis among our service members, and ensure they have the resources and support they deserve,\u201d continued Congresswoman McClellan. \u201cAs lawmakers, we have a responsibility to simultaneously ensure the security of the Nation and solve the challenges facing our military personnel as they make courageous sacrifices to defend our freedom and liberties. I look forward to President Biden signing this legislation into law.\u201d\n\nOther notable provisions in the bill include:\n\nPay Raise for Service Members: allocates necessary funding to support the Biden-Harris Administration\u2019s proposed 5.2% pay raise for service members.\n\nExpanded Child Development and Education: includes $301 million in military construction for new child development centers, an additional $60 million for planning and design to accelerate future child development center replacements, and $70 million for educational agencies with military dependent students that serve children with severe disabilities.\n\nHistoric Investments in HBCUs: authorizes a record $150 million for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to invest in innovation, technology, and modernization initiatives, as well as historically underserved communities.\n\nImproved Health Care Resources: increases access to mental and physical health care under TRICARE, reduces out-of-pocket costs, and expands delivery of health care benefits. The final version of the bill also struck down the House-version that overturned the Department of Defense\u2019s travel rule for reproductive health care.\n\nBolstered Defense Coordination: authorizes key provisions of the Australia, United Kingdom, and United States (AUKUS) security agreement that will increase defense cooperation between our nations and strengthen the industrial base so that we can produce necessary defense equipment in a more timely and cost effective manner. Also fully reauthorizes the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI).\n\nReaffirmed Commitment to a Cleaner Environment: authorizes $650 million worth of investments in energy resilience and energy conservation projects.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-murphy-smith-introduce-bill-to-modernize-public-health-data-infrastructure", "Kaine, Murphy, Smith Introduce Bill to Modernize Public Health Data Infrastructure", "2023-12-14", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Tina Smith (D-MN) reintroduced the Improving Data Accessibility Through Advancements (DATA) in Public Health Act, legislation to modernize our nation\u2019s public health data infrastructure. This bill would increase timely and accurate information sharing between local, state, and federal public health departments to improve our preparedness and response to emerging public health threats.\n\n\u201cThe pandemic underscored the importance of having an effective public health data sharing system for tracking cases, responding to public health emergencies, and providing live-saving care for those in need,\u201d said Kaine. \u201cWhile we\u2019ve made some progress to strengthen public health data sharing since COVID, we still have much more to do to better connect local, state, and federal public health systems. The Improving DATA in Public Health Act would help us do that.\u201d\n\n\u201cAccurate, real-time data is key to an effective public health strategy \u2013 a major lesson learned from the pandemic. This legislation would bring our public health data infrastructure into the 21st century and make sure local, state, and federal public health departments have the information they need to monitor and quickly respond to future emergencies,\u201d said Murphy.\n\n\u201cWe need collaboration across all levels of government to ensure that our public health experts have the information they need to make the best decisions,\u201d said Smith. \u201cAddressing the information gaps in public health data is crucial, and this bill provides a much-needed update to the way local, federal, and tribal authorities communicate, ensuring that we are ready to respond to the next public health crisis and keep our communities safe.\u201d\n\nThe United States\u2019 early response to the COVID-19 pandemic was hindered by gaps in public health data, varying definitions of data across government agencies, and difficulties accessing data. These barriers made it more difficult for health care professionals to access the data they needed to make timely, evidence-based clinical decisions, and prevented public health officials from accurately monitoring and responding to disease outbreaks. Our public health system learned from these gaps in data and we must make permanent these data sharing requirements. The Improving DATA in Public Health Act would help save lives and prepare the U.S. for future public health crises.\n\nSpecifically, the Improving DATA in Public Health Act would improve public health data sharing by:\n\nDirecting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to establish uniform data standards for sharing public health data across local, state, and federal public health systems. Without uniform standards, it\u2019s difficult for federal agencies like the CDC to aggregate public health data and for local and state health systems across the country to respond to public health threats;\n\nAllowing the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to strengthen data sharing processes between public health entities, like health care facilities, laboratories, and public health departments;\n\nCreating a grant program for health care providers, academic medical centers, and state and local public health systems to develop best practices on soliciting demographic information used for public health purposes to strengthen the quality and completeness of demographic data collection; and\n\nEstablishing an advisory committee of experts to ensure that public health data reporting processes are carried out effectively.\n\nKaine originally introduced a version of this bill last year, and some provisions were included in the Senate HELP Committee\u2019s PREVENT Pandemics Act, which became law as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 government funding bill that Kaine helped pass. The Improving DATA in Public Health Act would build on those provisions to strengthen our public health data sharing system.\n\nKaine has long led efforts to modernize our public health data systems. In 2019, he led bipartisan legislation to fund improvements to our nation\u2019s public health data infrastructure. The American Rescue Plan, which Kaine helped pass, provided funding to support and strengthen public health data surveillance and analytics systems at the CDC. Kaine specifically pushed for this funding to be included in the final bill. Last year, he announced over $74 million in funding to strengthen the public health workforce and infrastructure in Virginia.\n\nFull text of the bill is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-kaine-applaud-passage-of-legislation-to-provide-back-pay-to-servicemembers", "Warner, Kaine Applaud Passage of Legislation to Provide Back Pay to Servicemembers", "2023-12-14", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) applauded Senate passage of legislation they cosponsored with Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) to provide back pay, retroactive promotion dates, and other needed administrative fixes for military officers whose promotions were delayed in the Senate. Passage of this legislation comes one week after Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) released his months-long block of more than 400 military promotions.\n\n\u201cThe brave men and women of our military do not serve any particular political party. They serve our nation as a whole \u2013 working to defend our national interests and the values that we hold sacred as Americans. As such, we owe it to the members of our military to prevent them from becoming pawns in any political game. After a months-long blockade by a single Senator, we\u2019re glad to see over 400 military promotions finally moving forward, and are proud to pass legislation to ensure that this senseless hold does not affect the pay, seniority, or benefits, of our brave men and women in uniform,\u201d said the senators.\n\nThe Military Personnel Confirmation Restoration Act of 2023 \u2013 which applies to any officer that was held by Sen. Tuberville and confirmed by the end of the 2023 calendar year \u2013 would grant retroactive pay, allowances, benefits, and seniority for the grade or rank to which a servicemember had been appointed.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=1D9E0914-D5F0-425A-88CC-2CAE63835AB2", "Statement of U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner on Congressional Passage of the Nation's Annual Defense Bill", "2023-12-14", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Mark R. Warner", "W000805", "www.warner.senate.gov", "warner", "https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), applauded congressional passage of the nation\u2019s annual defense bill, which includes key priorities for Virginia and a series of measures championed and backed by Sen. Warner.\n\n\u201cDespite all the current chaos in Congress, I\u2019m encouraged that we were finally able to pass this annual defense spending bill that strengthens our military, provides support for our troops, bolsters our nation\u2019s defense capabilities, and delivers for Virginia. Once signed by the president, this legislation will ensure that our military and Department of Defense have what they need to safeguard our national security interests and continue to keep Americans safe. I hope that my colleagues in both the House and the Senate will look to this deal, realize that bipartisan agreement is within reach, and reach the consensus needed to fund the government and fulfill our commitment to Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel.\u201d\n\nThe legislation supports $886.3 billion in funding for our nation\u2019s defense, and includes crucial measures supported by Sen. Warner.\n\nServicemembers and the civilian defense workforce:\n\nAuthorizes a 5.2 percent pay raise for military servicemembers and Department of Defense (DoD) civilian workforce \u2013 the largest raise in two decades.\n\nImproves living conditions for enlisted servicemembers by greenlighting improvements to the quality and oversight of barracks. This provision specifically authorizes the replacement of substandard barracks and establishes new requirements that enlisted housing meet the same basic standards as all other military housing.\n\nImproves living conditions for junior Navy Sailors whose vessels are undergoing an extended maintenance overhaul. This legislation authorizes basic allowance for housing (BAH) payments that allow these servicemembers to live in commercial housing, rather than aboard the ship.\n\nSupports more equitable housing rates in markets with limited housing inventory by modifying the calculation of basic allowance for housing (BAH) rates.\n\nAllows for additional financial support for servicemembers, by reducing the threshold used to determine high cost-of-living areas for the purpose of providing a cost-of-living allowance to servicemembers assigned to locations in the continental United States.\n\nTakes a number of steps to address critical childcare shortages and improve availability for military families. To help address the overwhelming demand for childcare, last year Sen. Warner was able to secure $3.5 million in planning & design funding to support two new child development centers at Hampton Roads installations. This bill authorizes $104 million to fund two Child Development Centers, one at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story and one at Naval Station Norfolk.\n\nStrengthening our nation\u2019s defense and cyber defense capabilities:\n\nAuthorizes funding, provides legal authorities, and enhances congressional oversight for the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC) through inclusion of the Intelligence Authorization Act (IAA) for Fiscal Year 2024 \u2013 legislation authored by Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Warner.\n\nAuthorizes $16.7 billion for military construction projects, including $570 million for 20 military construction projects in Virginia. This includes $104 million to fund two Child Development Centers, one at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story and one at Naval Station Norfolk. It also includes authorization for $20 million for a replacement hanger and additional airfield infrastructure in Sandston for the Virginia National Guard, and $4 million in planning and design funding for a new Army Reserve training center in Richmond.\n\nAuthorizes the Navy to enter into one or more contracts for the multiyear procurement of the next block of 13 Virginia-class submarines.\n\nRequires the development of a regional cybersecurity strategy to support the operations of each geographic combatant command.\n\nRequires the establishment of a dedicated cyber intelligence capability to support information-sharing on technology developments, capabilities, operations, and intentions of actors who pose cyber threats.\n\nDirects DoD to support institutions of higher education on cyber workforce education and development efforts in the fields of cybersecurity, intelligence, data science, information security management, and quantum information science.\n\nIncreases transparency surrounding the DoD\u2019s investments in Artificial Intelligence by requiring DoD to provide information to Congress by mid-June of 2024 detailing the applications of AI technologies and their respective investment amounts, and an analysis of how these investments align with the Department\u2019s stated objectives regarding AI. This provision stems from an amendment led by Sen. Warner.\n\nTakes steps towards securing the nation\u2019s supply of domestic energy by establishing a Nuclear Fuel Security Program to boost domestic uranium mining, production, and enrichment for the types of nuclear fuel used in commercial reactors and anticipated for next-generation reactors, including small modular reactors (SMRs). Sen. Warner was an original cosponsor of this legislation.\n\nCountering aggression by adversaries like Russia and China:\n\nProhibits the purchase of drones from countries like China that pose a national security concern. This provision, championed in part by Warner, prohibits federal dollars from being used to procure or operate drones from countries or companies identified as posing a national security threat.\n\nAuthorizes the full budget request for the European Deterrence Initiative (EDI) and the Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI).\n\nUnderscores the United States\u2019 commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a unified response to the Russian Federation\u2019s unjust war in Ukraine. Sen. Warner has been a strong supporter of NATO, which conducts crucial work in Virginia at NATO Allied Command Transformation in Hampton Roads.\n\nSupports Ukraine in its fight against Russian attacks and aggression by extending the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) through 2026 and authorizing $300 million in fiscal years 2024 and 2025. The USAI is one of the main tools used by the U.S. in support of Ukraine\u2019s defensive needs. This legislation also extends waivers for the streamlined acquisition of defense stocks related to Ukraine and authorizes additional munitions eligible for multiyear procurement contracts.\n\nSupports advancement of the AUKUS Partnership between the U.S., Australia, and the UK, including through additional funding and authorizations to operationalize the agreement, and support close engagement between these three nations \u2013 which has a particular relevance to Virginia\u2019s naval and industrial base infrastructure.\n\nProvides support to Taiwan by establishing a comprehensive training, advising, and institutional capacity-building program for the military forces of Taiwan.\n\nNow that it\u2019s been passed by the Senate and House of Representatives, this legislation will head to President Biden\u2019s desk for his signature.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:56:20Z"], ["https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=473DB335-FF10-4E29-896A-0CCD32A292E8", "Warner & Kaine Applaud Passage of Legislation to Provide Back Pay to Servicemembers", "2023-12-14", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Mark R. Warner", "W000805", "www.warner.senate.gov", "warner", "https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today,U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) applauded Senate passage of legislation they cosponsored with Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) to provide back pay, retroactive promotion dates, and other needed administrative fixes for military officers whose promotions were delayed in the Senate. Passage of this legislation comes one week after Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) released his months-long block of more than 400 military promotions.\n\n\u201cThe brave men and women of our military do not serve any particular political party. They serve our nation as a whole \u2013 working to defend our national interests and the values that we hold sacred as Americans. As such, we owe it to the members of our military to prevent them from becoming pawns in any political game. After a months-long blockade by a single Senator, we\u2019re glad to see over 400 military promotions finally moving forward, and are proud to pass legislation to ensure that this senseless hold does not affect the pay, seniority, or benefits, of our brave men and women in uniform,\u201d said the senators.\n\nThe Military Personnel Confirmation Restoration Act of 2023 \u2013 which applies to any officer that was held by Sen. Tuberville and confirmed by the end of the 2023 calendar year \u2013 would grant retroactive pay, allowances, benefits, and seniority for the grade or rank to which a servicemember had been appointed.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:56:20Z"], ["https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-extreme-maga-republicans-wasting-time-partisan-baseless", "Scott: Extreme MAGA Republicans Wasting Time With Partisan, Baseless Impeachment Inquiry", "2023-12-13", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Robert C. \"Bobby\" Scott", "S000185", "bobbyscott.house.gov", "bobbyscott", "https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after House Republicans voted to authorize an impeachment inquiry against President Biden:\n\n\u201cThis past fall, House Republicans held a hearing on whether or not to impeach President Biden and their own witnesses said there was no evidence to support an impeachment. Despite that testimony, they remain intent on impeaching President Biden not only without evidence, but without even articulating any credible allegations. Since the beginning of this Congress, the extreme MAGA Republican majority in the House has not enacted any legislation focused on lowering costs or growing the middle class. Instead, they have focused on partisan political bills and resolutions that do nothing to improve the lives of working families. The American people deserve better.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-remarks-opposition-hres-927", "Scott Remarks in Opposition to H.Res. 927", "2023-12-13", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Robert C. \"Bobby\" Scott", "S000185", "bobbyscott.house.gov", "bobbyscott", "https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "As originally released by the Committee on Education and the Workforce, Democrats\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Ranking Member Robert C. \u201cBobby\u201d Scott (VA-03) delivered the following remarks during the debate of H. Res. 927, Condemning antisemitism on university campuses and the testimony of University Presidents in the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.\n\n\u201cI condemn antisemitism in all forms. Moreover, calls for the genocide of Jewish people has no place in reasonable discourse, and I condemn them. I did not think such a statement should be necessary, but in today\u2019s context, it is necessary.\n\n\u201cThese sentiments were shared repeatedly by Claudine Gay of Harvard, Sally Kornbluth from M.I.T., and Elizabeth Magill from the University of Pennsylvania during their testimony last week.\n\n\u201cUnfortunately, because of the five-minute exchange towards the end of the hearing that was clipped and shared online without full context during the hours-long hearing, these university presidents\u2019 commitment to fighting antisemitism has been called into question. This is because, during the clip, they answered the question asked. They made the mistake of believing the hearing was a serious attempt to ascertain what could be done to promote student safety on campus in light of the tensions between the First Amendment protections of freedom of speech on the one hand and the civil code, Title VI and campus code of conduct on the other.\n\n\u201cSome speech, such as threats, can be so severe as to be criminal. Other speech could establish a hostile environment on campus in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Universities can establish codes of conduct prohibiting some speech while respecting the First Amendment.\n\n\u201cBut any speech involved in the First Amendment analysis is likely to be reprehensible. The fact that it might be protected does not make the speech any less reprehensible and does not suggest that you even agree with it. A call for genocide of Jewish people is obviously reprehensible in all contexts \u2013 but whether or not it is constitutionally protected, depends on context.\n\n\u201cDon\u2019t take my word for it. Read the article published recently in the Harvard Crimson authored by Harvard Law Professor Charles Fried \u2013 former solicitor general during the Reagan Administration. In the article, Professor Fried states \u2013 and I quote \u2013\n\n\u2018When asked whether they would discipline students (or, I suppose, faculty) if they called for the genocide of Jews, each president responded that the answer depends on the context of the utterances.\n\n'I have taught at Harvard Law School since 1961 and began practicing before the Supreme Court in 1985 \u2014 for four years as Solicitor General of the United States \u2014 and I would have felt professionally obligated to answer as the presidents did. It does depend on the context.\n\n'In the 1969 case Brandenburg v. Ohio, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that \u2018constitutional guarantees of free speech and free press do not permit a State to forbid or prescribe advocacy of the use of force or of law violation except where such advocacy is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to incite or produce such action.\u2019\u2026\n\n'Speech itself is, indeed, well-protected.\n\n'The three university presidents head private institutions that are not bound in every respect by federal constitutional constraints. But each institution, in various ways, has declared itself committed to protecting First Amendment values over the years. So, it is not surprising that their presidents would have answered that whether they would discipline or expel students for advocating genocide depends on the context.\n\n'If one seeks to follow constitutional principles, answering this question certainly does depend on the context.\u2019\n\n\u201cThat\u2019s what Professor Fried said.\n\n\u201cThat is the kind of analysis applied to any freedom of speech question. It is even being applied to former President Trump today \u2013 was his speech on January 6, 2021, a crime of inciting violence, or was it protected speech?\n\n\u201cIncredibly, the university presidents were directed to give a one-word answer: yes or no. They responded as Professor Fried said he would have been professionally obligated to do.\n\n\u201cIt depends on context.\n\n\u2018Regrettably, they took the question as an opportunity to seriously discuss the Constitutional implications of a complex question\u2014 that was a big mistake.\n\n\u201cAnd for that mistake, we are considering a resolution to condemn them and ask them to resign.\n\n\u201cI also think it is important to put this resolution in context \u2013 Because in 2017, after white supremacists walked through the campus of the University of Virginia, shouting, 'Jews will not replace us!' Democrats on the Committee requested a hearing on that incident, and nothing happened. Meanwhile, the one who declared \u2018there were good people on both sides\u2019 has been enthusiastically endorsed.\n\n\u201cWe need to do everything the law allows to address antisemitism, islamophobia, racism, homophobia, and other forms of discrimination on college campuses. This resolution is not a serious effort to advance that cause. I, therefore, oppose this resolution and reserve the balance of my time.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://mcclellan.house.gov/media/press-releases/mcclellan-statement-supreme-courts-decision-hear-mifepristone-case", "McClellan Statement on the Supreme Court\u2019s Decision to Hear Mifepristone Case", "2023-12-13", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Jennifer L. McClellan", "M001227", "mcclellan.house.gov", "mcclellan", "https://mcclellan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) issued the following statement after the Supreme Court\u2019s decision to grant certiorari in the case Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA:\n\n\u201cToday, the United States Supreme Court agreed to hear Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA. While this is an important step in the continued fight for reproductive freedom, the future of mifepristone remains uncertain. The lower courts\u2019 rulings attempting to limit access to mifepristone are outrageous, undermine the FDA\u2019s authority, and jeopardize the health and well-being of millions of Americans.\n\n\u201cMifepristone is proven to be a safe, effective abortion medication and remains accessible to Americans for now. I signed onto an amicus brief with more than 200 of my congressional colleagues to urge the Court to preserve access to mifepristone. I will continue fighting to protect Americans\u2019 reproductive freedoms and empower them to make their own health care decisions in consultation with their providers. Politicians have no place in these deeply personal, medical choices. We have seen the impact of these attacks on abortion rights, causing horrific situations like Kate Cox\u2019s case in Texas or Brittany Watts in Ohio.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-and-rubio-applaud-senate-passage-of-their-bipartisan-bill-to-prevent-any-us-president-from-leaving-nato", "Kaine & Rubio Applaud Senate Passage of Their Bipartisan Bill to Prevent Any U.S. President from Leaving NATO", "2023-12-13", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Marco Rubio (R-FL), members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC), applauded Senate passage of their bipartisan bill to prohibit any President of the United States from withdrawing from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) without Senate approval or an Act of Congress. The legislation was included in the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed by a bipartisan vote of 87-13.\n\n\u201cNATO has held strong in response to Putin\u2019s war in Ukraine and rising challenges around the world,\u201d said Kaine. \u201cThe Senate\u2019s vote today to pass my bipartisan bill to prevent any U.S. President from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO reaffirms U.S. support for this crucial alliance that is foundational for our national security. It also sends a strong message to authoritarians around the world that the free world remains united.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Senate should maintain oversight on whether or not our nation withdraws from NATO. We must ensure we are protecting our national interests and protecting the security of our democratic allies,\u201d said Rubio.\n\nKaine and Rubio successfully fought to include their bipartisan bill as an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2024 NDAA. Specifically, the amendment would require the advice and consent of the Senate or an Act of Congress before suspending, terminating, or withdrawing U.S. membership in NATO. If any U.S. President attempts to leave NATO without Senate approval or an Act of Congress, the amendment prohibits any funding from being used to do so.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-applauds-senate-passage-of-national-defense-act-including-his-bills-to-prevent-any-us-president-from-leaving-nato-and-address-fentanyl-crisis", "Kaine Applauds Senate Passage of National Defense Act, Including His Bills to Prevent Any U.S. President from Leaving NATO and Address Fentanyl Crisis", "2023-12-13", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and Chair of the SASC Subcommittee on Seapower, applauded the Senate\u2019s bipartisan vote to pass the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bipartisan bill includes several provisions secured by Kaine to support our national security and Virginia\u2019s defense community. As a member of SASC, Kaine played a key role in shaping the legislation and served as a member of the conference committee working to reconcile differences between the House and Senate-passed versions of the bill.\n\n\u201cEvery year, the defense bill provides us with the opportunity to strengthen our national security and better support our nation\u2019s servicemembers and their families. As a member of the Armed Services Committee and senator from one of the most military-connected states, I\u2019m proud of the bipartisan work we\u2019ve done to provide a pay raise for servicemembers, support Virginia\u2019s defense community, fund important projects at Virginia military installations, and help ensure the Navy and Marine Corps have the ships they need to keep us safe. The legislation also bolsters our alliances, as it includes my bipartisan bill to prevent any U.S. President from withdrawing from NATO, as well as provisions I secured to support the Australia-U.K-U.S. (AUKUS) agreement. Our NATO and AUKUS alliances are critical to our national security and economic growth in Hampton Roads, which is home to the only operational NATO command in the U.S. and the best shipbuilders in the world. I also fought to include my bipartisan bill to direct increased federal attention to combat the fentanyl crisis, which is hurting so many communities in Virginia. I urge the House to pass this bill and get it to the President\u2019s desk as soon as possible.\u201d\n\nKaine successfully secured the following provisions in the legislation:\n\nNATO: Includes Kaine\u2019s bipartisan legislation with Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) to prevent any U.S. President from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO without congressional approval.\n\nDisrupt Fentanyl Trafficking Act: Includes provisions from Kaine\u2019s bipartisan bill with Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) to direct increased federal attention to fentanyl trafficking by utilizing Pentagon tools like counter-drug intelligence and involving Mexico as an active partner to combat the crisis and disrupt cartel activity in Mexico. Specifically, the Disrupt Fentanyl Trafficking Act of 2023 will work to strengthen these efforts by:\n\nHighlighting the need to address the threat to national security posed by fentanyl trafficking\n\nDirecting the Pentagon to develop a fentanyl-specific counter-drug strategy, including enhanced cooperation with Mexican defense officials,\n\nRequiring the Secretary of Defense to enhance security cooperation with the Mexican military, and\n\nAddressing coordination efforts between the military and federal law enforcement agencies.\n\nAustralia and U.K. Partnership: Strengthens the United States\u2019 partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom in the implementation of the AUKUS agreement, in which the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia will share and collaborate on technologies crucial to the allies\u2019 long-term security. Because a significant portion of Virginia-class submarines are built in Hampton Roads, the AUKUS agreement creates opportunity for further job creation and economic growth in Hampton Roads.\n\nShipbuilding: Authorizes investments to help meet the congressionally mandated requirement to have 31 operational amphibious warfare ships for the Navy and Marine Corps, by restoring funding for LPD-33 and strengthening oversight of the Navy\u2019s shipbuilding plan. Improves acquisition processes, expands defense industrial base capacity, and supports workforce development initiatives.\n\nPay Raises: Authorizes a 5.2 percent pay raise for military servicemembers and the Department of Defense (DOD) civilian workforce. Requires a review of military pay rates to determine if the current basic pay table adequately compensates junior enlisted personnel in pay grades E-1 through E-4.\n\nRecruitment: Establishes an Enlisted Training Corps demonstration program for the purpose of introducing community and junior college students to the military and preparing selected students for enlisted service in the Armed Forces. This follows conversations Kaine has had in Hampton Roads about tackling the recruitment and retention challenges in the military.\n\nU.S. Posture in Indo-Pacific: Expands cooperation and engagement to ensure the Indo-Pacific remains free and open. Extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI), which enhances U.S. force posture, infrastructure, readiness, capacity, and capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region, through Fiscal Year 2024 and authorizes the full budget request for Fiscal Year 2024. Establishes the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness Initiative (IPMDA) to improve maritime security and boost information-sharing among partners in the region. Includes bipartisan legislation cosponsored by Kaine to increase coordination and boost cooperation with Pacific Island nations on emergency humanitarian response, law enforcement and maritime security activities, and counterintelligence.\n\nTaiwan: Establishes a comprehensive training, advising, and institutional capacity-building program for military forces of Taiwan. Improves U.S.-Taiwan cooperation related to military cybersecurity activities.\n\nSupport for Ukraine: Extends Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) through Fiscal Year 2027 and authorizes the full budget request in Fiscal Year 2024. Extends waivers for the streamlined acquisition of defense stocks related to Ukraine and authorizes additional munitions eligible for multiyear procurement contracts.\n\nServicemember Health Care: Includes various provisions to strengthen and expand access to quality health care for servicemembers and dependents with a focus on improving mental health services.\n\nRequires a study in military treatment facilities on the efficacy of opioid alternatives for pain management department assessment on the rates of opioid prescriptions to servicemembers.\n\nAllows licensed Military and Family Life Counselors to provide non-medical counseling services outside of the state in which they are licensed.\n\nProvides career flexibility for the services\u2019 mental health workforce to increase retention.\n\nMilitary Construction: Includes over $561 million for military construction (MILCON) in Virginia.\n\n$23M for Maritime Surveillance System Facility at Dam Neck Annex\n\n$57M for Child Development Center at Joint Expeditionary Base (JEB) Little Creek-Fort Story\n\n$37M for Water Treatment Plant at Marine Corps Base Quantico\n\n$157M for Child Development Center, MQ-25 Aircraft Facilities, and a submarine pier at Naval Station Norfolk\n\n$46M for weapons magazines at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown\n\n$81M for Drydock Saltwater System at Norfolk Naval Shipyard\n\n$25M for Defense Intelligence Agency headquarters annex at Fort Belvoir\n\n$61M for Special Operations Forces Seal Delivery Vehicle Team 2 Operations Support Facility at JEB Little Creek-Fort Story\n\n$30M for pedestrian access at the Pentagon\n\n$12M for Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar support facilities at Dam Neck\n\n$4M for an Equine Training Facility at Fort Belvoir\n\n$20M for an Aircraft Maintenance Hangar at Virginia Army National Guard\u2019s Army Aviation Support Facility in Sandston\n\n$4M to complete maintenance and readiness centers at Virginia Army National Guard\u2019s Roanoke Regional Readiness Center in Troutville\n\n$4M for the Army Reserve Center in Richmond\n\nMilitary Families:\n\nExpands servicemember eligibility to receive reimbursement for qualified spouse relicensing or business costs when the servicemember relocates as the result of reassignment or a transfer from active duty to the reserves\u2014making it easier for military spouses to continue their careers.\n\nMakes mental health care more accessible and affordable for beneficiaries in the active duty family members category and TRICARE Young Adult program, by waiving cost sharing requirements for the first three outpatient mental health visits each year.\n\nDirects a review and report on access to resources and services related to mental health for students of Department of Defense Education Activity Schools.\n\nMilitary Housing:\n\nImproves military housing for servicemembers E-6 and below without dependents whose ships are undergoing maintenance by providing the authority to allow these junior enlisted servicemembers to collect a Basic Housing Allowance (BAH) and not live aboard the ship. This follows conversations that Kaine had with servicemembers in Hampton Roads about mental health challenges while living aboard ships during long maintenance periods.\n\nAuthorizes improvements to the quality and oversight of military enlisted barracks, including the replacement of substandard barracks.\n\nRequires that unaccompanied housing meets the same basic standards as all other military housing.\n\nImproves the calculation of BAH rates with respect to junior enlisted members, by delinking that calculation from specific housing types and provides additional flexibility to ensure equitable housing rates can be calculated in markets with limited housing inventory.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-and-kaine-statement-on-dhs-extension-of-temporary-protected-status-re-registration-period", "Warner & Kaine Statement on DHS Extension of Temporary Protected Status Re-Registration Period", "2023-12-13", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) praised an announcement by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that it will extend the re-registration period for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for migrants from countries including El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Sudan. The announcement follows a Warner-led letter to advocate for TPS for migrants from Sudan and a Kaine-led letter to advocate for TPS for migrants from El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. This move will extend the amount of time allotted for TPS recipients to re-register for the program and its benefits from 60-days to the full 18-month validity period for each country with a TPS designation.\n\n\u201cWe are very encouraged by DHS\u2019 move to extend the re-registration period for those needing to renew their TPS status. Virginia is home to tens of thousands of TPS recipients who play essential roles in their communities and serve as a key part of our economy. This needed extension will provide these individuals \u2013 who are unable to safely return to their countries of origin due to extreme circumstances \u2013 with the additional time they need to carefully navigate the re-registration process and ensure that they can retain their lawful status, continue to work legally, and avoid deportation,\u201d said the senators.\n\nEstablished by the U.S. Congress through the Immigration Act of 1990, TPS is a temporary, renewable program that provides relief from deportation and access to a work permit for foreign nationals from certain countries who are unable to return safely to their home country due to natural disasters, armed conflicts, or other extraordinary conditions.\n\nUnder this extension, the TPS re-registration periods are as follows:\n\nEl Salvador: July 12, 2023, through March 9, 2025\n\nHonduras: November 6, 2023, through July 5, 2025\n\nNepal: October 24, 2023, through June 24, 2025\n\nNicaragua: November 6, 2023, through July 5, 2025\n\nSudan: August 21, 2023, through April 19, 2025\n\nHaiti: January 26, 2023, through August 3, 2024\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=2FE783F1-7B1F-4D05-94EB-FA2B9C7C65EE", "Statement of U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner & Tim Kaine on DHS Extension of TPS Re-Registration Period", "2023-12-13", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Mark R. Warner", "W000805", "www.warner.senate.gov", "warner", "https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) praised an announcement by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that it will extend the re-registration period for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for migrants from countries including El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Sudan. The announcement follows a Warner-led letter to advocate for TPS for migrants from Sudan and a Kaine-led letter to advocate for TPS for migrants from El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. This move will extend the amount of time allotted for TPS recipients to re-register for the program and its benefits from 60-days to the full 18-month validity period for each country with a TPS designation.\n\n\u201cWe are very encouraged by DHS\u2019 move to extend the re-registration period for those needing to renew their TPS status. Virginia is home to tens of thousands of TPS recipients who play essential roles in their communities and serve as a key part of our economy. This needed extension will provide these individuals \u2013 who are unable to safely return to their countries of origin due to extreme circumstances \u2013 with the additional time they need to carefully navigate the re-registration process and ensure that they can retain their lawful status, continue to work legally, and avoid deportation,\u201d said the senators.\n\nEstablished by the U.S. Congress through the Immigration Act of 1990, TPS is a temporary, renewable program that provides relief from deportation and access to a work permit for foreign nationals from certain countries who are unable to return safely to their home country due to natural disasters, armed conflicts, or other extraordinary conditions.\n\nUnder this extension, the TPS re-registration periods are as follows:\n\nEl Salvador: July 12, 2023, through March 9, 2025\n\nHonduras: November 6, 2023, through July 5, 2025\n\nNepal: October 24, 2023, through June 24, 2025\n\nNicaragua: November 6, 2023, through July 5, 2025\n\nSudan: August 21, 2023, through April 19, 2025\n\nHaiti: January 26, 2023, through August 3, 2024\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:56:20Z"], ["https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=EC4C325E-713B-4D67-84FD-445E58561999", "Warner, Rubio Praise Passage of Intel Authorization Act", "2023-12-13", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Mark R. Warner", "W000805", "www.warner.senate.gov", "warner", "https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Vice Chairman Marco Rubio (R-FL) released the following statements on passage of the Intelligence Authorization Act (IAA) for Fiscal Year 2024, which was included the final National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The IAA authorizes funding, provides legal authorities, and enhances congressional oversight for the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC). After the House of Representatives approves the legislation, it will head to the president for his signature.\n\n\u201cThe Intelligence Authorization Act plays a crucial role in ensuring that America\u2019s intelligence agencies have the tools they need to protect the American people,\u201d said Chairman Warner. \u201cThis year\u2019s bill improves the IC\u2019s ability to track threats posed by our adversaries while promoting much-needed reforms to our nation\u2019s security classification system and expanding the Committee\u2019s efforts to reform the security clearance process in order to attract the best and brightest talent to the intelligence space. I am glad that Congress is coming together to pass this package that meets the needs of our Intelligence Community.\n\n\u201cOur adversaries, especially China, Russia, and Iran, are growing increasingly aggressive and collaborative in their efforts to weaken America and degrade the international rules-based system,\u201d said Vice Chairman Rubio. \u201cThe Intelligence Community (IC) has a critical role to play in identifying and mitigating these significant threats. This Intelligence Authorization Act strengthens our Committee\u2019s ongoing oversight of intelligence activities, makes important reforms to preserve our American values, and ensures that the IC effectively manages critical resources, authorities, and personnel to protect our national security.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe IAA for Fiscal Year 2024 authorizes funding for the IC and ensures that it has the resources, personnel, and authorities it needs to protect our country and inform decision makers, while ensuring continued robust congressional oversight. The bill\u2019s provisions focus on the following key areas:\n\nIncreases oversight of the national security threats posed by People\u2019s Republic of China, including its economic practices, foreign malign influence operations, military capabilities, and investments in, and attempts to dominate, the supply chains of artificial intelligence (AI), next-generation energy technologies, and biotechnology, among many others.\n\nEstablishes a new IC atrocities coordinator to increase collection, analysis, and intelligence support to government-wide efforts to hold China accountable for its egregious human rights abuses, including the Uyghur genocide.\n\nImproves the IC\u2019s procurement, adoption, and integration of emerging technologies by requiring the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to establish policies for the IC\u2019s acquisition, adoption, development, and use of AI, to create an intelligence innovation board, and to submit a plan for implementing an Intelligence Community Innovation Unit to integrate commercial emerging technologies.\n\nEnhances insight into the Maduro regime\u2019s imprisonment of United States persons in Venezuela.\n\nEnsures the IC has a first-class workforce by improving workforce mobility among IC agencies to meet national security needs; and increasing recruitment priorities for candidates with financial intelligence and technical expertise.\n\nEstablishes new requirements for reporting and investigating allegations of sexual assault and sexual harassment with the CIA.\n\nIncreases transparency by strengthening Unidentified Aerial Phenomena funding limitations and reporting requirements.\n\nPromotes reform of the nation\u2019s security classification system to ensure accountability, increase transparency, and strengthen trust between the American people and their elected government.\n\nContinues to drive improvement in the security clearance process by requiring a policy framework to facilitate the mobility of the Intelligence Community workforce; renewing a report on the number of clearance holders in the government and industry; requiring updated timeliness standards the granting of clearances to reflect progress under the Trusted Workforce (TW) 2.0 initiative; annually measuring satisfaction among agencies, industry, and applicants with TW 2.0; and promoting shared IT among Intelligence Community elements to harmonize their clearance processes.\n\nProhibits the Department of Homeland Security Intelligence and Analysis from conducting custodial briefings in certain circumstances, collecting on journalists, and hiring personnel who collect information on domestic terrorism for a period of one year.\n\nRequires intelligence assessments of the strategic competition in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as assessments of certain cartels.\n\nEnsures continued support to the victims of anomalous health incidents (AHIs or \u201cHavana Syndrome\u201d) by improving the CIA\u2019s funding flexibility for payments to qualified victims; and requiring each IC element to issue regulations and procedures for implementing HAVANA Act of 2021 authorities.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:56:20Z"], ["https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6048", "Bipartisan Delegation Secures Paid Leave For Veterans In Federal Workforce In NDAA Conference Report", "2023-12-12", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Donald S. Beyer, Jr.", "B001292", "beyer.house.gov", "beyer", "https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Don Bacon (R-NE), and Nancy Mace (R-SC) today announced that the amendment they advanced with Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) to expand access to family and medical leave for veterans in the federal workforce was adopted in the Conference Report for the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2024 (Title XI, Sec. 1114, pg. 735). The amendment would factor in military service when determining eligibility for family and medical leave policies for federal workers.\n\n\u201cEvery American worker deserves access to family and medical leave, and the provision we secured in the NDAA will recognize time in military service like time in the federal civil service,\u201d said Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA). \u201cPassage of this measure will be a big win for my constituents, many of whom are federal workers. But federal employees work across the United States, and a huge number of them served their country in uniform, so the benefit of this much-needed change to law will be felt all over the country. I am grateful to my colleagues in both chambers for their support for this legislation, and in particular to Reps. Chrissy Houlahan, Don Bacon, Nancy Mace, and Chris Smith for their leadership.\u201d\n\n\"I can\u2019t underscore enough how far federal paid family leave has come in the past few years,\u201d said Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA). \u201cIn FY20, I secured 12 weeks of paid parental leave for federal workers; in FY23, I also secured 12 weeks for our service members. But even as we saw historic progress, a gap remained for our service members transitioning to a job in the federal government. By crediting time in uniform towards paid parental leave for the federal government, we will help retain the best and brightest America has to offer. I am grateful for the steadfast partnership of Rep. Beyer as we strengthen our workforce and, in turn, our national security. I look forward to seeing this policy signed into law in the coming weeks.\"\n\n\u201cProviding family medical leave benefits to federal employees is one of Congress\u2019 more significant legislative accomplishments over the past several years,\u201d said Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE). \u201cI\u2019m grateful for the opportunity to work with Congressman Beyer supporting veterans who choose to enter the federal work force by crediting their past military service toward their family and medical leave eligibility requirements. I\u2019m pleased this provision was included in the final conference agreement and look forward to it becoming law before the end of the year.\u201d\n\n\u201cMany Servicemembers transition from military service to federal service but their military time does not count towards the Family and Medical Leave Act. This provision which was included in the FY 2024 NDAA will allow veterans who are continuing civil service as a federal employee to count their military service towards the one year required to earn Family and Medical Leave,\u201d said Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://cline.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1335", "HOUSE PASSES REP. CLINE\u2019S BIPARTISAN BILL TO REIN IN UNELECTED BUREAUCRATS", "2023-12-12", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Ben Cline", "C001118", "cline.house.gov", "cline", "https://cline.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Ben Cline\u2019s (VA-06) Ensuring Accountability in Agency Rulemaking Act (H.R. 357), cosponsored by Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02), passed in the U.S. House of Representatives. This bipartisan legislation will provide greater accountability to taxpayers in the regulatory process by requiring all rules, except in limited circumstances, to be signed and issued by an individual appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.\n\nRep. Ben Cline said, \u201cFor too long, costly regulatory burdens have been imposed by unelected career bureaucrats, rather than an individual confirmed by the Senate. That is unacceptable. Passage of this legislation on the House Floor is a step in the right direction to help rein in Washington bureaucrats\u2019 overreach of power and ensure a government that is accountable to the American people.\u201d\n\nRep. Jared Golden said, \u201cIt\u2019s simple: federal regulations should be made by officials who are accountable to the American people. House passage of this common-sense, bipartisan bill brings us one step closer to a more responsible and responsive government.\u201d\n\nRead more about Congressman Cline\u2019s bill exclusively on Fox News.\n\nThe Ensuring Accountability in Agency Rulemaking Act is Rep. Cline\u2019s first legislation to pass the House floor in the 118th Congress. It now heads to the Senate for consideration.\n\nCosponsors: Jared Golden (ME-02), Scott Perry (PA-10), Mary Miller (IL-15), Mark Green (TN-07), Andy Ogles (TN-05), Josh Brecheen (OK-02), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Nancy Mace (SC-01), Michael Cloud (TX-27), Michael Guest (MS-03), Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Harriet Hageman (WY), Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Debbie Lesko (AZ-08), Byron Donalds (FL-19), Eli Crane (AZ-02), Russell Fry (SC-07), Lance Gooden (TX-05), and Mark Alford (MS-04)\n\nBackground\n\nAccording to a 2019 study by the Pacific Legal Foundation, 98% of all rules that came out of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) between 2001 and 2017 were issued \u201cillegally\u201d by non-Senate confirmed officials and that other agencies had similar problems.\n\nThe study found that 25 of those rules had an economic impact of more than $100 million and that the FDA\u2019s high incidence of rules issued by minor officials meant that more than 70% of all HHS rules were \u201cunconstitutional.\u201d\n\nIn 2021, Congress passed 143 laws while federal agencies issued 3,257 rules. Such agency rules have an estimated cost of $1.927 trillion annually, which is the equivalent of $14,684 per U.S. household each year.\n\nCongressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/cardin-rubio-kaine-cassidy-durbin-issue-bipartisan-statement-calling-on-guatemala-to-uphold-rule-of-law-ensure-the-peaceful-transfer-of-power", "Cardin, Rubio, Kaine, Cassidy, Durbin Issue Bipartisan Statement Calling on Guatemala to Uphold Rule of Law, Ensure the Peaceful Transfer of Power", "2023-12-12", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) issued the following statement calling for the rule of law and peaceful transfer of power to be upheld in Guatemala in the lead up to President-elect ?Bernardo Ar\u00e9valo\u2019s January 2024 inauguration.\n\n\u201cFriday\u2019s announcement by Guatemalan prosecutors to strip President-elect Ar\u00e9valo of his legal immunity and cast doubt on his January 14, 2024 inauguration is a threat to Guatemala\u2019s democracy. Together, with democratic actors and international organizations from around the world, we stand in solidarity with the people of Guatemala in the defense of the rule of law and democracy.\n\n\u201cWe urge Attorney General Porras to ensure that the Public Prosecutor\u2019s Office upholds the rule of law and rejects efforts that undermine the peaceful transfer of power. We call on President Giammattei to advocate that Guatemalan institutions join with the private sector and civil society to support and respect a peaceful transition of power, as expected of every democracy. A commitment to uphold Guatemala's place among the community of democratic nations will be crucial for the future of U.S.-Guatemala relations.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-and-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-boost-substance-use-disorder-recovery-resources", "Kaine & Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Boost Substance Use Disorder Recovery Resources", "2023-12-12", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Last week, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine, Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-NM), John Cornyn (R-TX), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced the Strengthening Communities of Recovery Act to reauthorize and expand resources for individuals experiencing substance use disorder (SUD). Individuals in recovery often struggle to reintegrate into society due to stigma, lack of support, and limited access to resources they need. The Strengthening Communities of Recovery Act would support those in recovery by reauthorizing and expanding the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services\u2019 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration\u2019s Building Communities of Recovery grant program, which allows organizations to develop and enhance peer recovery and general recovery support services.\n\n\u201cSubstance use disorder impacts Virginians across the Commonwealth, and it\u2019s important that we help individuals and families get the support they need to recover,\u201d said Senator Kaine. \u201cThe Strengthening Communities of Recovery Act would help develop, improve, and expand peer support and recovery services for Virginians in need.\u201d\n\nSUD represents a significant public health challenge in Virginia. In 2022, 22,398 Virginians visited the emergency room due to an overdose, and 2,490 Virginians died from an overdose. Despite the number of Virginians impacted by substance use disorder, the availability of recovery services is limited. The Strengthening Communities of Recovery Act would increase the availability of recovery services by:\n\nReauthorizing the Building Communities of Recovery grant program for five years,\n\nIncreasing funding for the grant program from $5 million per year to $16 million per year, and\n\nProviding funding to allow organizations to offer a number of recovery services, including advocacy, education, employment assistance, and outreach to families and communities. Organizations would also be enabled to collaborate with other harm reduction entities, such as community-based partnerships that provide individuals that use drugs with the tools and resources they need to recover.\n\nIn June, the McShin Foundation in Richmond was awarded federal funding through the Building Communities of Recovery program. The McShin Foundation supports individuals returning to the community from jails, prisons, or institutions, individuals with a history of reoccurring substance use, and individuals in need of aftercare upon leaving Richmond addiction treatment centers. The funding will be used to provide peer support services to those incarcerated in rural areas, housing in one of their recovery residences for those transitioning from incarceration, and for the training and development of six Peer Recovery Specialists per year. This will help Virginians recover and contribute to their communities and local economies. The Strengthening Communities of Recovery Act will help ensure the McShin Foundation receives this funding.\n\n\u201cTo be able to provide all these services to people when they need it not only is life-changing for the individual, but it creates a healing change as well as a prosperous future in our whole community,\u201d said Honesty Liller, CEO of the McShin Foundation.\n\nFull text of the bill is available here. A one pager is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-applauds-committee-passage-of-his-bipartisan-bills-to-support-substance-use-disorder-recovery-address-teacher-shortages-and-more", "Kaine Applauds Committee Passage of His Bipartisan Bills to Support Substance Use Disorder Recovery, Address Teacher Shortages, and More", "2023-12-12", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, applauded the HELP Committee\u2019s passage of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act and the Advancing Research in Education (AREA) Act. The bills, which now head to the Senate floor, include several provisions Kaine secured to support individuals recovering from substance use disorder and to strengthen education by addressing teacher shortages and more.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m glad the HELP Committee has advanced the SUPPORT Act, which will provide support for those in recovery from substance use disorder, and the AREA Act, which will help collect the data we need to address issues facing our students and educators. The bills include provisions I\u2019ve worked to secure, including support for peer support specialists, who play a crucial role in the recovery process, and resources to expand access to recovery programs. They also include improvements to our education data collection systems to help address teacher shortages. I look forward to working with my colleagues to bring these bills across the finish line.\u201d\n\nThe SUPPORT Reauthorization Act will reauthorize and expand the SUPPORT Act of 2018, which expired in September of this year. The bill supports prevention, treatment, and recovery services for individuals with substance use disorder and mental health challenges. Kaine successfully secured the following provisions in the legislation:\n\nSupporting Peer Support Specialists: Includes provisions from Kaine\u2019s bipartisan Providing Empathetic and Effective Recovery (PEER) Support Act, legislation to codify the Office of Recovery at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and help peer support specialists serving individuals recovering from a mental health condition or substance use disorder by removing barriers to certification and practice.\n\nBoosting Recovery Resources and Services: Includes bipartisan legislation Kaine cosponsored to reauthorize and expand the Building Communities of Recovery grant program, which provides resources for community-based organizations to develop and improve recovery services, including peer support, advocacy, education, employment assistance, and outreach to families and communities.\n\nSupporting People Living with Chronic Pain: Includes bipartisan legislation Kaine cosponsored to advance research and help clinicians and scientists more effectively study chronic pain conditions.\n\nThe AREA Act reauthorizes the Education Sciences Reform Act, which expired in 2008. The bill authorizes the U.S. Department of Education\u2019s Institute of Education Sciences to conduct research and collect data on the U.S. education system, which policymakers, education leaders, teachers, parents, and researchers use to improve education outcomes for students. Kaine successfully secured the following provisions in the legislation:\n\nAddressing Teacher Shortages: Includes new requirements for collection of data on the teacher workforce, including recruitment, retention, and qualifications, to help local, state, and federal officials develop better solutions to address teacher shortages in different states or regions. These provisions are modeled off of Kaine\u2019s Supporting Teaching and Learning through Better Data Act, legislation to help address teacher workforce shortages by strengthening data collection on the teacher workforce.\n\nSupporting Career and Technical Education (CTE): Includes bipartisan legislation Kaine cosponsored that would ensure federal education data and research incorporates CTE to help improve states\u2019 career readiness programs, meets the needs of the economy, and expands a skilled workforce.\n\nStudying the Effects of Cellphones in Schools: Includes two amendments Kaine cosponsored that model provisions from his bipartisan Focus on Learning Act. The amendments allow the U.S. Department of Education to collect data on state and local policies about student smartphone use and study the impacts of smartphone use during instructional time on academic achievement and youth mental health. The study would also examine the impacts of policies schools have chosen to implement to restrict student cellphone use.\n\nSupport for Training Grants for Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), Including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic-Serving Institutions: Includes programs to expand pipelines and increase participation of researchers at HBCUs and other MSIs, including fellowships and early career grants, as well as technical assistance for recipients.\n\nToday, Kaine also helped pass out of the HELP Committee the Screening for Communities to Receive Early and Equitable Needed Services (SCREENS) for Cancer Act to reauthorize the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP), which provides lifesaving breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services to women with low income, are uninsured or underinsured, and who do not qualify for Medicaid, and the bipartisan Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act, which will improve patients\u2019 ability to access medication treatment for opioid use disorder by modernizing outdated rules, empowering board-certified physicians to prescribe methadone to patients, and allowing U.S. pharmacies to dispense methadone.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-and-kaine-announce-532435-in-funding-for-housing-in-central-and-southwest-virginia", "Warner and Kaine Announce $532,435 in Funding for Housing in Central and Southwest Virginia", "2023-12-12", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine announced $532,435 in federal funding to help low-income families in Central and Southwest Virginia make critical housing improvements. The funding was awarded by U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development.\n\n\u201cEvery Virginian should have access to safe housing,\u201d said the senators. \u201cThis federal funding is critical to helping low-income Virginians make repairs to their homes to protect their health and safety.\u201d\n\nThe funding will be awarded as follows:\n\n$212,435 for Thomas Jefferson Planning District to partner with local housing nonprofit organizations to carry out emergency repairs, rehabilitation, and home safety modifications for homeowners in Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson Counties.\n\n$210,000 for Renovation Alliance to help homeowners in Botetourt, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, and Roanoke Counties make repairs to remove health and safety hazards from their homes. Funds will be used for restoration activities, including new roofs; electrical, plumbing, heating, and cooling repairs; and improvements to address structural issues with the homes.\n\n$110,000 for Appalachia Service Project, Inc. for critical housing rehabilitation and repairs in Lee, Wise, and Dickenson Counties.\n\nKaine, a former fair housing attorney, has introduced bicameral legislation to protect low-income families and veterans from housing discrimination by banning discrimination based on source of income. Warner and Kaine have introduced legislation to help first-time, first-generation homebuyers through more friendly mortgage rates. The senators also secured $210,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for Appalachia Service Project for home repairs as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 government funding bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=483D0BF6-B6BF-49F8-B55B-DE26D1AB3867", "Statement of Senate Intel Chair Mark R. Warner on Zelenskyy Meeting", "2023-12-12", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Mark R. Warner", "W000805", "www.warner.senate.gov", "warner", "https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy\u2019s meeting with senators:\n\n\u201cFor nearly two years, President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people have defended their country against Russia\u2019s unprovoked and brutal invasion. I am proud that the United States has led the world in support of Ukraine\u2019s efforts to push back against Vladimir Putin\u2019s aggression, and today\u2019s meeting highlighted the importance of continuing this support. The time to act is now. We must honor our commitments and pass a security package before the year ends.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:56:20Z"], ["https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/mcclellan-scott-announce-two-500k-dot-grant-awards", "McClellan, Scott Announce Two $500K DOT Grant Awards", "2023-12-11", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Robert C. \"Bobby\" Scott", "S000185", "bobbyscott.house.gov", "bobbyscott", "https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Representatives Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) and Robert C. \u201cBobby\u201d Scott (VA-03)applauded two separate $500,000 grant awards to strengthen Virginia\u2019s passenger rail network. The U.S. Department of Transportation\u2019s (USDOT) Federal Rail Administration\u2019s Corridor Identification and Development Program awarded grants to support construction of the Charlotte, North Carolina to Washington, D.C. Corridor and the east-west Commonwealth Corridor.\n\nImprovements to the North Carolina to Washington, D.C. Corridor will dramatically expand passenger rail service and reliability in the growing Southeast Corridor, which is expected to reach a population of more than 25 million by 2040. The Commonwealth Corridor will provide much needed east-to-west passenger rail service and connect Newport News with Richmond, Charlottesville, and the New River Valley in Virginia.\n\n\u201cThis announcement is incredibly welcomed news that will make a meaningful difference in the lives of Virginians,\u201d said Congresswoman McClellan. \u201cThe Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act continues to deliver for Virginia. This federal funding will support the development of a vital component of the national rail passenger transportation system and better connect Virginia with the rest of the nation. As we work to implement additional provisions from the bill, I will continue advocating for localities in Virginia\u2019s Fourth and across the Commonwealth.\u201d\n\n\"These announcements from the DOT are great news for the Commonwealth. These funds will expand passenger rail service for Virginians and provide a boost for our local economies,\u201d said Congressman Scott. \u201cThe Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was a once in a generation investment in rail, roads, bridges, ports, tunnels, broadband and more. The law has already delivered big wins for Virginia and these grants are another example. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure we take full advantage of further opportunities and resources made available from this law.\"\n\nMcClellan and Scott fought to secure this federal funding for the Commonwealth. In March 2023, McClellan and Scott sent a letter to USDOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg urging the selection of the N.C. to D.C. Corridor and the Commonwealth Corridor. While in the Virginia General Assembly, McClellan carried legislation to direct the Department of Rail and Public Transportation to conduct a feasibility study of the Commonwealth Corridor.\n\nRead the full DOT announcement here. Read the grant support letter here. Read the Commonwealth Corridor feasibility study here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://mcclellan.house.gov/media/press-releases/mcclellan-scott-announce-two-500k-dot-grant-awards", "McClellan, Scott Announce Two $500K DOT Grant Awards", "2023-12-11", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Jennifer L. McClellan", "M001227", "mcclellan.house.gov", "mcclellan", "https://mcclellan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Representatives Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) and Robert C. \u201cBobby\u201d Scott (VA-03) applauded two separate $500,000 grant awards to strengthen Virginia\u2019s passenger rail network. The U.S. Department of Transportation\u2019s (USDOT) Federal Rail Administration\u2019s Corridor Identification and Development Program awarded grants to support construction of the Charlotte, North Carolina to Washington, D.C. Corridor and the east-west Commonwealth Corridor.\n\nImprovements to the North Carolina to Washington, D.C. Corridor will dramatically expand passenger rail service and reliability in the growing Southeast Corridor, which is expected to reach a population of more than 25 million by 2040. The Commonwealth Corridor will provide much needed east-to-west passenger rail service and connect Newport News with Richmond, Charlottesville, and the New River Valley in Virginia.\n\n\u201cThis announcement is incredibly welcomed news that will make a meaningful difference in the lives of Virginians,\u201d said Congresswoman McClellan. \u201cThe Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act continues to deliver for Virginia. This federal funding will support the development of a vital component of the national rail passenger transportation system and better connect Virginia with the rest of the nation. As we work to implement additional provisions from the bill, I will continue advocating for localities in Virginia\u2019s Fourth and across the Commonwealth.\u201d\n\n\"These announcements from the DOT are great news for the Commonwealth. These funds will expand passenger rail service for Virginians and provide a boost for our local economies,\u201d said Congressman Scott. \u201cThe Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was a once in a generation investment in rail, roads, bridges, ports, tunnels, broadband and more. The law has already delivered big wins for Virginia and these grants are another example. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure we take full advantage of further opportunities and resources made available from this law.\"\n\nMcClellan and Scott fought to secure this federal funding for the Commonwealth. In March 2023, McClellan and Scott sent a letter to USDOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg urging the selection of the N.C. to D.C. Corridor and the Commonwealth Corridor. While in the Virginia General Assembly, McClellan carried legislation to direct the Department of Rail and Public Transportation to conduct a feasibility study of the Commonwealth Corridor.\n\nRead the full DOT announcement here. Read the grant support letter here. Read the Commonwealth Corridor feasibility study here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://mcclellan.house.gov/media/press-releases/sens-warner-kaine-rep-mcclellan-call-answers-mail-delivery-issues-richmond", "Sens. Warner & Kaine, Rep. McClellan Call for Answers to Mail Delivery Issues in the Richmond Area", "2023-12-11", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Jennifer L. McClellan", "M001227", "mcclellan.house.gov", "mcclellan", "https://mcclellan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 On Friday, Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04) sent a letter to the Virginia District Manager of the United States Postal Service (USPS) requesting answers and improved transparency regarding the recent mail delivery issues in the Richmond area. In their letter, the lawmakers urge Virginia District Manager Gerald Roane to address these issues and communicate directly with impacted residents.\n\n\u201cWe write to advocate on behalf of our constituents, who have continued to share countless stories of mail delays and mail security concerns throughout Virginia and the Fourth Congressional District. While we appreciate your outreach with our offices, we feel our constituents would greatly benefit from direct communications from you or an appropriate United States Postal Service (USPS) representative,\u201d wrote the lawmakers. \u201cTherefore, we request your office to facilitate a town hall for concerned residents regarding their postal service concerns no later than January 19, 2024.\u201d\n\nOver the past few months, the lawmakers received hundreds of reports of mail delivery issues, including late and missing deliveries, sudden stops in service, and mail theft. In their letter, the lawmakers highlight various cases currently under investigation, including a local small business owner in the Bellevue neighborhood and a constituent in the Fan neighborhood.\n\n\u201cOne notable case involves a 38-year resident of the Bellevue neighborhood and small business owner who has been grappling with mail delivery issues for over four months. Weekly missed deliveries since September have resulted in the non-receipt of crucial items such as paychecks, credit card bills, and insurance policies. This has, in turn, led to the imposition of late fees and, in some instances, the cancellation of essential services,\u201d they continued. \u201cSimilarly, a constituent in the Fan neighborhood of Richmond reported a mail hiatus lasting up to eight days. Despite reporting the issue to their local post office, USPS made no efforts to follow up or notify the family about the status of their case. Ultimately, an automated message from the postal service declared the matter resolved without any prior communication.\u201d\n\nThe lawmakers continue to open constituent cases to advocate on their behalf and resolve these issues. Read their full letter here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-grassley-and-murray-lead-bipartisan-push-for-clear-guidance-on-the-new-free-application-for-federal-student-aid", "Kaine, Grassley & Murray Lead Bipartisan Push for Clear Guidance on the New Free Application for Federal Student Aid", "2023-12-11", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Patty Murray (D-WA) led a bipartisan group of their colleagues in a letter urging the Department of Education to provide clear guidance and communication to students, families, educators, college access counselors, and schools leading up to and after the release of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The redesigned FAFSA\u2014which was made possible by legislation Kaine helped pass\u2014will make it easier for students to get financial aid and help 1.5 million more students, including 37,916 students in Virginia, access the maximum Pell Grant award. While the Department announced earlier this month that the new FAFSA will be released by December 31, 2023, it did not provide a concrete date and indicated that there will be processing delays in the first months of 2024, creating uncertainty for students and their families.\n\n\u201cWe understand that overhauling the current application and reconfiguring the federal student aid system requires significant time, preparation, and resources. However, despite a one-year delay in the implementation process, the Department recently announced the new FAFSA will be available to students by December 31, 2023, with no indication of an actual date,\u201d the lawmakers wrote.\n\n\u201cFurther, the Department\u2019s latest announcement also revealed that processing delays will take place in the first few months of 2024, meaning that schools will not be able to generate financial aid offers for their students in a timely fashion,\u201d the lawmakers continued. \u201cWhile the simplified FAFSA is meant to provide more students with federal student aid, we fear the most vulnerable students will be negatively impacted by these delays.\u201d\n\nThe lawmakers wrote, \u201cFAFSA delays can be particularly burdensome for students who lack reliable broadband access, students in foster care, students experiencing homelessness, first-generation students, students experiencing financial insecurity, and so many more.\u201d\n\nThe Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education (FUTURE) Act, which Kaine successfully pushed to pass, and the FAFSA Simplification Act, which was included in the Fiscal Year 2021 government funding bill that Kaine helped pass, took important steps to streamline the FAFSA process. Kaine also introduced bipartisan legislation that would expand Pell Grant eligibility by allowing students to use federal Pell Grants to afford high-quality, shorter-term job training programs for the first time.\n\nIn addition to Kaine, Grassley, and Murray, the letter is signed by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Bob Casey (D-PA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Joni Ernst (R-IA), John Fetterman (D-PA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-NM), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Ed Markey (D-MA), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).\n\nThe letter is endorsed by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), National College Attainment Network (NCAN), and SchoolHouse Connection.\n\nFull text of the letter is available here and below:\n\nDear Secretary Cardona:\n\nWe write to thank you for your work as the U.S. Department of Education (\u201cDepartment\u201d) prepares for the launch of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and to urge you to provide ample guidance and communication to students and families, educators, college access counselors, schools, and the financial aid community throughout the rollout process.\n\nIn recent years, Congress has taken important steps to streamline the complex and burdensome FAFSA process through the passage of the Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education (FUTURE) Act and the FAFSA Simplification Act. Prior to these efforts, it was estimated that students left anywhere from $2 to $3.5 billion in federal Pell Grants on the table annually by not completing the FAFSA. Now, due to Congressional and Administrative efforts on FAFSA simplification, the Department has estimated that over 610,000 new students from low-income backgrounds will receive Pell Grants, and nearly 1.5 million more students will receive the maximum Pell Grant award.\n\nWe understand that overhauling the current application and reconfiguring the federal student aid system requires significant time, preparation, and resources. However, despite a one-year delay in the implementation process, the Department recently announced the new FAFSA will be available to students by December 31, 2023, with no indication of an actual date. This is a considerable departure from the traditional launch date of October 1st. Further, the Department\u2019s latest announcement also revealed that processing delays will take place in the first few months of 2024, meaning that schools will not be able to generate financial aid offers for their students in a timely fashion.\n\nWhile the simplified FAFSA is meant to provide more students with federal student aid, we fear the most vulnerable students will be negatively impacted by these delays. FAFSA delays can be particularly burdensome for students who lack reliable broadband access, students in foster care, students experiencing homelessness, first-generation students, students experiencing financial insecurity, and so many more. That is why we ask that you work with schools, financial aid administrators, college access organizations, and other key stakeholders to do the following:\n\nProvide clear communication to applicants upon submission of their FAFSA by giving realistic timelines and detailed next steps.\n\nEnsure increased availability and adequate staffing of help centers for students and financial aid offices, including the availability of bi- or multi-lingual staff and weekend and evening hours in January and February.\n\nMaintain low verification selection rates for the 2024-2025 cycle.\n\nEnsure that FAFSA instructions clearly inform applicants that their primary residence should not be included in evaluating the value of a for-profit farm or small business for asset reporting purposes on the FAFSA.\n\nAllow parents without Social Security Numbers, who are unable to verify their identities online, to securely upload their documentation to expedite the process of getting them a Federal Student Aid ID.\n\nEncourage institutions of higher education (IHE) to push back their financial aid deadlines to March 1st, at the earliest, so that students, families, and counselors have adequate time to complete the form.\n\nAllow IHEs to accept electronic copies of verification materials, including electronic signatures.\n\nPartner with key stakeholders to strongly encourage students to complete the FAFSA through trusted sources.\n\nOffer IHEs timely updates on progress and provide them the resources to address student\u2019s questions, concerns, or challenges.\n\nShare timely FAFSA completion data with the field to monitor progress.\n\nThank you for your attention to this important issue.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-led-bicameral-congressional-delegation-discusses-democracy-migration-and-economic-stability-during-visits-to-guatemala-and-honduras", "Kaine-Led Bicameral Congressional Delegation Discusses Democracy, Migration, and Economic Stability During Visits to Guatemala and Honduras", "2023-12-11", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Last night, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, who serves as Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere and previously worked as a missionary in Honduras, concluded a bicameral congressional delegation visit to Guatemala and Honduras to meet with elected officials, the private sector, and civil society leaders. Kaine led the delegation, which included U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Laphonza Butler (D-CA) and U.S. Representatives Delia Ramirez (D-IL-3) and Norma Torres (D-CA-35).\n\nWhile the delegation was in Guatemala, the country\u2019s Attorney General attempted to nullify the results of the country\u2019s recent free and fair elections\u2014prompting strong condemnation from the delegation before national and international press. Facing mounting pressure, including from the delegation, Guatemala\u2019s private sector and the international community, Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei was forced to distance himself from this brazen attempt to void the will of the Guatemalan people.\n\nMaintaining democracy and economic and political stability in Central America is critical to stopping forced migration and advancing U.S. national security and the security of our borders. During the visit, the delegation expressed their strong support for strategies to strengthen prosperity, stability, and security in the region, as well as bilateral coordination in countering Chinese government influence. During the visit, President-elect Ar\u00e9valo\u2019s transition team announced its intention to maintain Guatemala\u2019s diplomatic recognition of Taiwan.\n\n\u201cOur national and economic security depend in part on our ability to address issues like drug trafficking, transnational crime, and the root causes of migration\u2014all of which impact Virginia,\u201d said Senator Kaine. \u201cDemocratic backsliding, including the attempt to overturn a free and fair election in Guatemala that occurred while we were there, further drives irregular migration and poses a serious danger to our ability to work together to tackle those problems. I\u2019m glad our delegation was on the ground to vigorously condemn that attack on Guatemala\u2019s democracy, and to pressure outgoing President Giammattei to denounce it. As Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, I will keep doing all that I can to support strategies for prosperity and security in Guatemala, Honduras, and the entire region.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur bicameral trip to Guatemala occurred at a critical moment for the country\u2019s democracy amid ongoing protests following provocative actions by the Public Ministry to undermine a decisive election,\u201d said Senator Durbin. \u201cI have raised concerns for months about democratic backsliding in Guatemala and neighboring Honduras, with cowardly attacks on the free press and efforts to expose government corruption. This trip included productive conversations about a better democracy for the people of Guatemala and Honduras, and I look forward to working with soon to be inaugurated Guatemalan President-Elect Ar\u00e9valo.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur trip was an opportunity to reaffirm America\u2019s support for the will of the Guatemalan people, who resoundingly elected Bernardo Ar\u00e9valo as their new president. As the country prepares for President-elect Ar\u00e9valo\u2018s transition in January, the United States remains unwavering in its support for a peaceful and orderly transfer of power,\u201d said Senator Merkley, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. \u201cU.S. support for the rule of law and democracy was also a key theme for our time in Honduras. Our two peoples share an important commitment to democratic ideals, as well strong cultural and economic ties. In Guatemala and Honduras, the delegation saw firsthand how critical it is we bolster our relationship with both nations.\n\n\u201cThis weekend, our delegation had the unique experience of seeing democracy and diplomacy in action while abroad. And, we were reminded of how fragile democracy can be at times and the essential role of civil society\u2014with alarming events unfolding in Guatemala during our visit and with warnings of democratic backsliding in Honduras,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cStrengthening the rule of law and supporting transparent, democratic governance is the best hope for these countries\u2019 development. Every month, thousands of desperate Guatemalan and Honduran families are fleeing hunger, poverty, injustice, and gang violence in search of safety and a better life. Our countries have a common, urgent interest in addressing the complex root causes of migration. This trip was an opportunity to listen and to share more about a path forward to real progress in the months and years ahead.\u201d\n\n\u201cStability in Central America is critical for our national security and necessary for easing migration bottlenecks at our border,\u201d said Senator Butler. \u201cI was inspired by the women and girls who are fighting for a fair future, who deserve a chance to play a role in the decisions that shape their lives. At a time when faith and confidence in the electoral process is under threat around the world, we have a moral obligation to counter efforts to undermine democracy in every corner of the globe.\"\n\n\u201cDemocratic backsliding and the blatant disregard for the rule of law are existential threats to Guatemala's future. The ruling regime is attempting to cancel the votes of the most oppressed populations, harming the future of all young Guatemalans. The United States must use every tool at its disposal to uphold democracy in the region and ensure aid helps the people most in need, not corrupt, selfish leaders. If these corrupt actors won't stop their efforts to undermine democracy, we stand ready to support those fighting for a democratic future and are prepared to take further action,\u201d said Congresswoman Torres, the only Guatemalan-born Member of Congress.\n\n\u201cThe well-being and prosperity of our communities across the globe, including those in IL-03, are interconnected. As the proud daughter of brave Guatemalans, I recognize how important it is to strengthen our diplomatic and humanitarian efforts to address the challenges that motivate families like mine to depart their countries of origin,\u201d said Congresswoman Ramirez, Vice Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee. \u201cI am honored to have joined this bicameral delegation to Guatemala and Honduras to listen, learn and further our resolve to protect democracy, support economic growth, defend human rights, deter corruption, and address the root causes of migration. I look forward to continuing to work on our shared mission to create safer, thriving communities in Guatemala, Honduras, and our nation.\u201d\n\nIn Guatemala, the lawmakers first met with officials of the outgoing administration of President Giammattei to urge them to guarantee the peaceful transition of power and respect the voice of the people in electing President-elect Bernardo Ar\u00e9valo. Shortly after that meeting, the Guatemalan Attorney General\u2019s declared that Guatemala\u2019s national election results were \u2018null and void.\u2019 In response, Senators Kaine, Durbin, Merkley, Welch, and Butler and Representatives Torres and Ramirez immediately denounced that move.\n\nThe delegation also met with Guatemalan President-elect Ar\u00e9valo to share their concerns regarding provocative actions by the Public Ministry (Guatemala\u2019s justice department), including the raiding of facilities holding electoral materials, opening of ballot boxes, and intimidation of peaceful protestors, among other brazen attempts to nullify the results of Guatemala\u2019s recent elections. The delegation met with staff at the U.S. Embassy to discuss the status of bilateral engagement with the Guatemalan government. Then, they met with civil society and indigenous leaders to talk about how corruption in Guatemala causes irregular migration to the United States and how the U.S. and Guatemala can work together to tackle the root causes of migration. They also talked about how impunity for violence committed against Guatemalan citizens inhibits economic development and diverts scarce resources away from government agencies. Next, they met with members of the private sector to talk about how a peaceful democratic transition is crucial to Guatemala\u2019s ability to further attract private investment. In November, Senators Kaine, Durbin, Merkley, and Welch condemned attacks on democracy in Guatemala, and underscored how those actions are destabilizing for the entire region.\n\nNext, the delegation traveled to Honduras, where they met with staff at the U.S. Embassy to underscore the importance of bilateral engagement with the Honduran government. The delegation met with representatives of the private sector and civil society, who discussed the investment climate and raised concerns over deteriorating rule of law and the strength of Honduras\u2019 democratic institutions. Then, they held meetings with the Honduran President of Congress Luis Redondo, President Xiomara Castro, and Foreign Minister Enrique Reina to reinforce democratic principles, reinvigorate stalled anti-corruption reforms, and foster the political and economic stability necessary to reducing migration. They discussed opportunities to strengthen ties between the United States and Honduras, including by continuing to partner to address the root causes of migration, combat narcotics trafficking, and protect the rule of law.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-and-kaine-announce-over-256-million-in-funding-for-safety-improvements-in-virginia-beach-and-richmond", "Warner & Kaine Announce Over $25.6 Million in Funding for Safety Improvements in Virginia Beach and Richmond", "2023-12-11", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine announced $25,668,909 in federal funding to make safety improvements along the Virginia Beach Trail and in Richmond. The funding was awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation\u2019s Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program, which funds initiatives to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. The program was created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which the senators helped pass.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s critical that our transportation networks have the infrastructure needed to keep Virginians safe while they walk, bike, and drive,\u201d said the senators. \u201cWe\u2019re glad this funding made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law we passed will be used to make safety improvements along the Virginia Beach Trail and help prevent serious injuries and deaths at intersections in Richmond.\u201d\n\nThe funding will be awarded as follows:\n\n$14,900,000 for Virginia Beach to make multiple safety improvements for the Virginia Beach Trail project to address unsafe pedestrian conditions in the Hampton Roads area and create an active transportation link between downtown Norfolk and the Virginia Beach Town Center. Once completed, the shared-use path will have over three miles of pedestrian and bicycle trails completely separated from vehicles and move people walking and biking off a busy road. The trail will link multiple universities, businesses, and employment opportunities to underserved communities along the corridor. The project also includes a pedestrian bridge over the 10-lane road, high-visibility crosswalks, and improved lighting.\n\n$10,768,909 for Richmond to address safety issues at 13 different corridors across the city. About 40% of the killed or seriously injured traffic incidents in Richmond occur on 3% of the street network, and many occur at intersections. The funding will be used to implement the Federal Highway Administration\u2019s Proven Safety Countermeasures and the Virginia Department of Transportation\u2019s Systemic Safety Countermeasures, including high visibility signal backplates (for 56 projects); flashing yellow arrows (72 projects); LED street lights (733 projects); infrastructure upgrades for unsignalized intersections, where the control of right-of-way is determined by the presence of a YIELD or STOP sign, or no sign at all (132 projects); red light enforcement cameras (11 projects); pedestrian hybrid beacons (7 projects); transit stop ADA accessibility enhancements (86 projects); permanent bicycle lane separation (1.93 miles); and other intersection improvements (26 projects).\n\nWarner and Kaine have long supported efforts to improve transportation infrastructure across the Commonwealth. Earlier this year, the senators announced over $38 million in federal funding to improve shared-use and bicycle paths and roadway safety in Northampton, Accomack, Chesterfield, Rockingham, and Fairfax Counties. The senators also announced nearly $2 million in federal funding to promote increased safety for Virginia drivers and motorists.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-kaine-and-mcclellan-call-for-answers-to-mail-delivery-issues-in-the-richmond-area", "Warner, Kaine, & McClellan Call for Answers to Mail Delivery Issues in the Richmond Area", "2023-12-11", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 On Friday, Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine and Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04) sent a letter to the Virginia District Manager of the United States Postal Service (USPS) requesting answers and improved transparency regarding the recent mail delivery issues in the Richmond area. In their letter, the lawmakers urge Virginia District Manager Gerald Roane to address these issues and communicate directly with impacted residents.\n\n\u201cWe write to advocate on behalf of our constituents, who have continued to share countless stories of mail delays and mail security concerns throughout Virginia and the Fourth Congressional District. While we appreciate your outreach with our offices, we feel our constituents would greatly benefit from direct communications from you or an appropriate United States Postal Service (USPS) representative,\u201d wrote the lawmakers. \u201cTherefore, we request your office to facilitate a town hall for concerned residents regarding their postal service concerns no later than January 19, 2024.\u201d\n\nOver the past few months, the lawmakers received hundreds of reports of mail delivery issues, including late and missing deliveries, sudden stops in service, and mail theft. In their letter, the lawmakers highlight various cases currently under investigation, including a local small business owner in the Bellevue neighborhood and a constituent in the Fan neighborhood.\n\n\u201cOne notable case involves a 38-year resident of the Bellevue neighborhood and small business owner who has been grappling with mail delivery issues for over four months. Weekly missed deliveries since September have resulted in the non-receipt of crucial items such as paychecks, credit card bills, and insurance policies. This has, in turn, led to the imposition of late fees and, in some instances, the cancellation of essential services,\u201d they continued. \u201cSimilarly, a constituent in the Fan neighborhood of Richmond reported a mail hiatus lasting up to eight days. Despite reporting the issue to their local post office, USPS made no efforts to follow up or notify the family about the status of their case. Ultimately, an automated message from the postal service declared the matter resolved without any prior communication.\u201d\n\nThe lawmakers continue to open constituent cases to advocate on their behalf and resolve these issues. Read their full letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=1022E7AA-477A-4CA8-9076-4AAC84F92DA3", "U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine Announce over $25.6 Million in Funding for Safety Improvements in Virginia Beach and Richmond", "2023-12-11", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Mark R. Warner", "W000805", "www.warner.senate.gov", "warner", "https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine announced $25,668,909 in federal funding to make safety improvements along the Virginia Beach Trail and in Richmond. The funding was awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation\u2019s Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program, which funds initiatives to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. The program was created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which the senators helped pass.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s critical that our transportation networks have the infrastructure needed to keep Virginians safe while they walk, bike, and drive,\u201d said the senators. \u201cWe\u2019re glad this funding made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law we passed will be used to make safety improvements along the Virginia Beach Trail and help prevent serious injuries and deaths at intersections in Richmond.\u201d\n\nThe funding will be awarded as follows:\n\n$14,900,000 for Virginia Beach to make multiple safety improvements for the Virginia Beach Trail project to address unsafe pedestrian conditions in the Hampton Roads area and create an active transportation link between downtown Norfolk and the Virginia Beach Town Center. Once completed, the shared-use path will have over three miles of pedestrian and bicycle trails completely separated from vehicles and move people walking and biking off a busy road. The trail will link multiple universities, businesses, and employment opportunities to underserved communities along the corridor. The project also includes a pedestrian bridge over the 10-lane road, high-visibility crosswalks, and improved lighting.\n\n$10,768,909 for Richmond to address safety issues at 13 different corridors across the city. About 40% of the killed or seriously injured traffic incidents in Richmond occur on 3% of the street network, and many occur at intersections. The funding will be used to implement the Federal Highway Administration\u2019s Proven Safety Countermeasures and the Virginia Department of Transportation\u2019s Systemic Safety Countermeasures, including high visibility signal backplates (for 56 projects); flashing yellow arrows (72 projects); LED street lights (733 projects); infrastructure upgrades for unsignalized intersections, where the control of right-of-way is determined by the presence of a YIELD or STOP sign, or no sign at all (132 projects); red light enforcement cameras (11 projects); pedestrian hybrid beacons (7 projects); transit stop ADA accessibility enhancements (86 projects); permanent bicycle lane separation (1.93 miles); and other intersection improvements (26 projects).\n\nSens. Warner and Kaine have long supported efforts to improve transportation infrastructure across the Commonwealth. Earlier this year, the senators announced over $38 million in federal funding to improve shared-use and bicycle paths and roadway safety in Northampton, Accomack, Chesterfield, Rockingham, and Fairfax Counties. The senators also announced nearly $2 million in federal funding to promote increased safety for Virginia drivers and motorists.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:56:20Z"], ["https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=D288EB92-82EA-4C70-97D9-08A8A1FD235F", "U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, Rep. McClellan Call for Answers to Mail Delivery Issues in the Richmond Area", "2023-12-11", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Mark R. Warner", "W000805", "www.warner.senate.gov", "warner", "https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On Friday, U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA), and Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04) sent a letter to the Virginia District Manager of the United States Postal Service (USPS) requesting answers and improved transparency regarding the recent mail delivery issues in the Richmond area. In their letter, the lawmakers urge Virginia District Manager Gerald Roane to address these issues and communicate directly with impacted residents.\n\n\u201cWe write to advocate on behalf of our constituents, who have continued to share countless stories of mail delays and mail security concerns throughout Virginia and the Fourth Congressional District. While we appreciate your outreach with our offices, we feel our constituents would greatly benefit from direct communications from you or an appropriate United States Postal Service (USPS) representative,\u201d wrote the lawmakers. \u201cTherefore, we request your office to facilitate a town hall for concerned residents regarding their postal service concerns no later than January 19, 2024.\u201d\n\nOver the past few months, the lawmakers received hundreds of reports of mail delivery issues, including late and missing deliveries, sudden stops in service, and mail theft. In their letter, the lawmakers highlight various cases currently under investigation, including a local small business owner in the Bellevue neighborhood and a constituent in the Fan neighborhood.\n\n\u201cOne notable case involves a 38-year resident of the Bellevue neighborhood and small business owner who has been grappling with mail delivery issues for over four months. Weekly missed deliveries since September have resulted in the non-receipt of crucial items such as paychecks, credit card bills, and insurance policies. This has, in turn, led to the imposition of late fees and, in some instances, the cancellation of essential services,\u201d they continued. \u201cSimilarly, a constituent in the Fan neighborhood of Richmond reported a mail hiatus lasting up to eight days. Despite reporting the issue to their local post office, USPS made no efforts to follow up or notify the family about the status of their case. Ultimately, an automated message from the postal service declared the matter resolved without any prior communication.\u201d\n\nThe lawmakers continue to open constituent cases to advocate on their behalf and resolve these issues.\n\nCopy of the full letter available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:56:20Z"], ["https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-november-jobs-report-5", "Scott Statement on November Jobs Report", "2023-12-08", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Robert C. \"Bobby\" Scott", "S000185", "bobbyscott.house.gov", "bobbyscott", "https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "As originally released by the Committee on Education and the Workforce, Democrats\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Ranking Member Robert C. \u201cBobby\u201d Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 199,000 jobs in November as the unemployment rate ticked down from 3.9 percent to 3.7 percent. Under President Biden\u2019s leadership, the economy has added 14.1 million jobs. This is more jobs in 34 months than any President has created in an entire 4-year term.\n\n\u201cToday\u2019s jobs report further demonstrates that the investments made by President Biden and Congressional Democrats continue to deliver for the American people. These investments have accelerated our economic growth and lowered costs for working families by securing higher wages for workers, creating new job opportunities, and stabilizing inflation.\n\n\u201cAs our job market expands, we must ensure that students and workers can enter or transition into sustainable careers and employers can hire well-trained workers. That is why, this week, I helped lead the effort to introduce two bipartisan bills\u2014the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act and A Stronger Workforce for America Act\u2014that would help Americans get the skills and support they need to benefit from our economic growth. By expanding Pell Grant eligibility to high-quality, short-term training programs, the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Actwould allow more adults to attend and complete courses that will help them compete in the modern economy. Moreover, A Stronger Workforce for America Act would make critical updates to our workforce development system to better connect workers with good-paying job opportunities and help employers access a pipeline of talented workers.\n\n\u201cWhile the Republican Majority in Congress has been marked by dysfunction and political brinksmanship, I remain committed to working with all my colleagues to pass evidence-based legislation that invests in America\u2019s skills development and empowers working families to thrive in good-paying jobs.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-rounds-manchin-and-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-provide-back-pay-for-officers-impacted-by-military-promotion-hold", "Kaine, Rounds, Manchin, & Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Provide Back Pay for Officers Impacted by Military Promotion Hold", "2023-12-08", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and one of the most forceful voices who pushed to end Senator Tuberville\u2019s reckless hold on military promotions, joined U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) in introducing the bipartisan Military Personnel Confirmation Restoration Act of 2023 to provide back pay to military officers who were denied promotions for months.\n\n\u201cBy denying servicemembers\u2019 military promotions at the time they were supposed to receive them, Senator Tuberville also denied them the pay, allowances, and benefits that come with these promotions,\u201d said Kaine. \u201cWhile I\u2019m glad many of these servicemembers received the promotions they\u2019ve earned this week, this bill is critical to helping ensure the impacted servicemembers are compensated.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the Military Personnel Confirmation Restoration Act of 2023 would provide those officers impacted by Tuberville\u2019s promotions hold with backpay commensurate to the date they would have otherwise been promoted. It also directs the Secretary of Defense to adjust their time in grade, or associated seniority for the grade or rank associated with their appointment, and carry out other administrative fixes, including allowances and benefits.\n\nTuberville\u2019s hold on military promotions resulted in the delayed promotion or assignment of 430 flag or general officers. This week, the Senate confirmed 425 of these promotions and is expected to confirm the remaining ones before the end of the year. Last month, Kaine held the Senate floor for over an hour, calling up every individual military promotion being blocked by Tuberville, which Tuberville denied. Kaine also spoke on the Senate floor various times and during Senate Armed Services Committee hearings to highlight how the blockade impacted servicemembers in Virginia and across the country.\n\nIn addition to Kaine, Rounds, and Manchin, the Military Personnel Confirmation Act of 2023 is cosponsored by Senators Angus King (I-ME), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL).\n\nFull text of the bill is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/statement-from-lawmakers-on-guatemalan-attorney-generals-attempt-to-nullify-fair-election", "Statement from Lawmakers on Guatemalan Attorney General\u2019s Attempt to Nullify Fair Election", "2023-12-08", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Laphonza Butler (D-CA) and U.S. Representatives Norma J. Torres (D-CA-35) and Delia C. Ramirez (D-IL-3) released the following statement regarding the Guatemalan Attorney General\u2019s attempt to nullify the fair election of anti-corruption reformist President-elect Bernardo Ar\u00e9valo and Vice President-Elect Karin Herrera:\n\n\u201cWe categorically condemn and reject the Guatemalan Attorney General\u2019s declaration that Guatemala\u2019s national election results are \u2018null and void.\u2019 The Attorney General\u2019s continued efforts to overturn the election and brazenly defy the will of the Guatemalan voter yet again threaten to undermine Guatemala\u2019s political and economic stability and its standing in the international community. The election results must be upheld, and we call on the Constitutional Court to reject the Attorney General's arbitrary attempts to nullify the election. President Giammattei must demonstrate leadership and uphold his stated commitment to a peaceful transition of power. We call on President Giammattei and Attorney General Mar\u00eda Consuelo Porras to immediately stop this attempted coup.\u201d\n\nThe Attorney General had previously filed spurious charges against President-elect Ar\u00e9valo, Vice President-Elect Herrera, and other officials and attempted to strip them of their pre-trial immunity. While President Alejandro Giammattei has publicly acknowledged Arevalo\u2019s electoral victory, the Attorney General has continued to systematically attempt to undermine the electoral transition and engage in targeted investigations against the President-elect's political party and other democracy defenders. Guatemala\u2019s Supreme Electoral Tribunal, the country\u2019s top electoral court, has indicated it will not hold a repeat of these elections and that the results are unalterable. In November, Senators Kaine, Durbin, Merkley, and Welch condemned those attacks on democracy in Guatemala, and underscored how those actions are destabilizing for the entire region.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-and-kaine-announce-2-million-to-plan-new-rail-routes-across-virginia", "Warner and Kaine Announce $2 Million to Plan New Rail Routes Across Virginia", "2023-12-08", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $2,000,000 in federal funding to study huge improvements to passenger rail in Virginia and surrounding states by potentially extending Amtrak service to new cities, increasing frequency, and creating faster routes. The funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation\u2019s Corridor Identification and Development (Corridor ID) Program, which supports comprehensive intercity passenger rail planning and development in order to create a pipeline of intercity passenger rail projects ready for implementation. The Corridor ID Program was authorized and funded by the bipartisan infrastructure law, legislation strongly supported by Sens. Warner and Kaine.\n\n\u201cFor years, we\u2019ve been championing the expansion of rail to every corner of the Commonwealth because it\u2019s a slam dunk for local economies, cuts traffic, and protects the environment,\u201d said the senators. \u201cWe\u2019re thrilled the bipartisan infrastructure law is taking a big step towards expanding service across the entire Commonwealth so communities along the I-95 corridor and beyond can be connected by more convenient, consistent passenger rail.\u201d\n\nThe funding is broken down as follows:\n\n$500,000 for the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation for a proposed project that would extend Amtrak service to Bristol. The proposed corridor would also include new frequencies, improved travel times, improvements to reliability, and new stations, including an infill stop in Bedford.\n\n$500,000 for the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation for a proposed project that would connect Newport News with Richmond, Charlottesville and the New River Valley. The proposed corridor would provide new service on existing alignment, complementing existing state-supported Northeast Regional services connecting Washington, DC with Newport News and Roanoke, VA.\n\n$500,000 for the North Carolina Department of Transportation for a proposed project that would address infrastructure capacity constraints along the existing Carolinian service between Charlotte, NC and Washington, DC by improving services in Petersburg, Richmond, Fredericksburg and Alexandria, Virginia and several stops in North Carolina. Improvements include rehabilitating a partially abandoned alignment between Raleigh, NC and Petersburg, VA that is more direct than the existing routing, potentially shaving more than an hour off the travel time between the two states.\n\n$500,000 for Amtrak for a proposed project that would increase existing Amtrak Cardinal Service frequency from three days per week to daily. The Amtrak Cardinal Serve currently connects Alexandria, Manassas, Culpeper, Charlottesville, Staunton, and Clifton Forge, Virginia to cities including New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, DC, and more.\n\nWith the announcement of funding, each project now enters \u201cStep 1\u201d of the Corridor ID Program to develop a scope, schedule, and cost estimate for preparing, completing, or documenting its service development plan.\n\nSens. Warner and Kaine have long supported efforts to improve and expand rail service across Virginia. Yesterday, the senators announced a $729 million investment in the Long Bridge Project, a transformative initiative that will alleviate a major passenger and freight rail bottleneck between Virginia and Washington, DC. The announcement is the result of years of work by the senators, from passing , which authorized critical land transfers that allowed construction of the project to move forward, to previous announcements of $20 million for the project. Additionally, the bipartisan infrastructure law represented the largest investment in passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak, and since its passage, Sens. Warner and Kaine have announced several seismic rail projects including $100 million for the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority to design and build the Franconia-Springfield Bypass, a historic $58 million investment in the Raleigh to Richmond (R2R) rail corridor, and the opening of the Silver Line Extension to Dulles International Airport. Sens. Warner and Kaine have also been longtime advocates for one of the routes proposed today, extending rail service all the way to Bristol. Sens. Warner and Kaine also advanced Amtrak service to Lynchburg, which in 2017 was extended to Roanoke.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=8C973C57-5657-4DA9-9A40-25F5D6AB6951", "Warner and Kaine Announce $2 Million to Plan New Rail Routes Across Virginia", "2023-12-08", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Mark R. Warner", "W000805", "www.warner.senate.gov", "warner", "https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $2,000,000 in federal funding to study huge improvements to passenger rail in Virginia and surrounding states by potentially extending Amtrak service to new cities, increasing frequency, and creating faster routes. The funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation\u2019s Corridor Identification and Development (Corridor ID) Program, which supports comprehensive intercity passenger rail planning and development in order to create a pipeline of intercity passenger rail projects ready for implementation.?The Corridor ID Program was authorized and funded by the bipartisan infrastructure law, legislation strongly supported by Sens. Warner and Kaine.\n\n\u201cFor years, we\u2019ve been championing the expansion of rail to every corner of the Commonwealth because it\u2019s a slam dunk for local economies, cuts traffic, and protects the environment,\u201d said the senators. \u201cWe\u2019re thrilled the bipartisan infrastructure law is taking a big step towards expanding service across the entire Commonwealth so communities along the I-95 corridor and beyond can be connected by more convenient, consistent passenger rail.\u201d\n\nThe funding is broken down as follows:\n\n$500,000 for the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation for a proposed project that would extend Amtrak service to Bristol. The proposed corridor would also include new frequencies, improved travel times, improvements to reliability, and new stations, including an infill stop in Bedford.\n\n$500,000 for the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation for a proposed project that would connect Newport News with Richmond, Charlottesville and the New River Valley. The proposed corridor would provide new service on existing alignment, complementing existing state-supported Northeast Regional services connecting Washington, DC with Newport News and Roanoke, VA.\n\n$500,000 for the North Carolina Department of Transportation for a proposed project that would address infrastructure capacity constraints along the existing Carolinian service between Charlotte, NC and Washington, DC by improving services in Petersburg, Richmond, Fredericksburg and Alexandria, Virginia and several stops in North Carolina. Improvements include rehabilitating a partially abandoned alignment between Raleigh, NC and Petersburg, VA that is more direct than the existing routing, potentially shaving more than an hour off the travel time between the two states.\n\n$500,000 for Amtrak for a proposed project that would increase existing Amtrak Cardinal Service frequency from three days per week to daily. The Amtrak Cardinal Serve currently connects Alexandria, Manassas, Culpeper, Charlottesville, Staunton, and Clifton Forge, Virginia to cities including New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, DC, and more.\n\nWith the announcement of funding, each project now enters \u201cStep 1\u201d of the Corridor ID Program to develop a scope, schedule, and cost estimate for preparing, completing, or documenting its service development plan.\n\nSens. Warner and Kaine have long supported efforts to improve and expand rail service across Virginia. Yesterday, the senators announced a $729 million investment in the Long Bridge Project, a transformative initiative that will alleviate a major passenger and freight rail bottleneck between Virginia and Washington, DC. The announcement is the result of years of work by the senators, from passing the Long Bridge Act, which authorized critical land transfers that allowed construction of the project to move forward, to previous announcements of $20 million for the project. Additionally, the bipartisan infrastructure law represented the largest investment in passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak, and since its passage, Sens. Warner and Kaine have announced several seismic rail projects including $100 million for the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority to design and build the Franconia-Springfield Bypass, a historic $58 million investment in the Raleigh to Richmond (R2R) rail corridor, and the opening of the Silver Line Extension to Dulles International Airport. Sens. Warner and Kaine have also been longtime advocates for one of the routes proposed today, extending rail service all the way to Bristol. Sens. Warner and Kaine also advanced Amtrak service to Lynchburg, which in 2017 was extended to Roanoke.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:56:20Z"], ["https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6044", "Virginia Delegation Secures $729 Million for Transforming Rail In Virginia Phase 2 Projects", "2023-12-07", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Donald S. Beyer, Jr.", "B001292", "beyer.house.gov", "beyer", "https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "PHOTOS AND B-ROLL ARE AVAILABLE HERE\n\nToday, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, Governor Glenn Youngkin, and U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA-08), Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07), and Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04) held an event in Arlington to announce $729,000,000 in federal funding they secured for the Transforming Rail in Virginia (TRV) Phase 2 projects. The funding will support the completion of a new Long Bridge across the Potomac River to connect D.C. and Virginia, make improvements to L\u2019Enfant Station, and lay a third track along key sections of the corridor in Prince William, Stafford, and Spotsylvania Counties. This will help alleviate current bottlenecks, expand capacity, and improve reliability for Virginia commuters, travelers, and freight. The TRV projects will help expand Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express (VRE) rail services between D.C. and Raleigh, North Carolina. In addition to additional service to current destinations, these projects are also a necessary intermediate step for future passenger rail service for the New River Valley and Bristol. The funding was awarded through the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Warner, Kaine, Beyer, Connolly, and Spanberger helped pass in 2021.\n\n\u201cWe\u2019re thrilled we secured federal funding to support the construction of a new Long Bridge across the Potomac River and expand rail capacity and reliability in Virginia,\u201d said Senators Warner and Kaine. \u201cThis is another example of how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is improving transportation networks, reducing congestion, and supporting economic growth in communities across Virginia and the country.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis investment will help transform the rail system in Virginia, improving the flow of people and goods not only within the Commonwealth, but up and down the entire East Coast. I appreciate the collaboration between our senators, our congressional delegation, and our Secretary of Transportation to finalize the funding for this critical project this year and get this accomplished expeditiously. This project\u2019s impact on the Commonwealth cannot be overstated \u2014 it will ease congestion, make our supply chain more resilient, improve freight movement in and out of our world-class port, and boost local economies,\u201d said Governor Youngkin.\n\n\"The funding we announced today is a huge deal for Northern Virginia and the National Capital Region. This grant will support the completion of a new Long Bridge to connect Virginia and Washington, D.C., doubling capacity at a bottleneck for much of the freight rail traffic in the mid-Atlantic and bringing billions of dollars in projected economic benefits,\u201d said Representative Beyer. \u201cThanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which I was proud to help pass, this historic infrastructure investment will benefit Virginians by expanding rail capacity, enhancing connectivity, and promoting economic growth. This project is a fantastic example of the good we can do with smart investment and forward-thinking public policy.\u201d\n\n\u201cToday, we celebrate the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in action,\u201d said Representative Connolly. \u201cThis is an historic investment in our future and a transformative project for all Virginians that will reduce rail and road congestion, improve commutes, and increase our regional transportation capacity. I am proud to have helped secure this critical funding and I can\u2019t wait to see these federal dollars at work.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis federal investment is proof that the bipartisan infrastructure law is continuing to deliver for Virginia\u2019s communities,\u201d said Representative Spanberger. \u201cIn Congress, I\u2019ve had the honor of representing Virginians up and down the I-95 corridor. And for years, they have been calling for stronger investments in reliable passenger rail. On behalf of the hundreds of thousands of Virginians I serve, I look forward to seeing these major and historic improvements in action.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act continues to improve our Commonwealth\u2019s public transportation infrastructure and strengthen the capacity and resiliency of our passenger and freight rail network,\u201d said Representative McClellan. \u201cVirginia Democrats called on the Department of Transportation to support the Long Bridge Project. Today, we celebrate this robust federal funding, which will have profoundly beneficial impacts in Virginia.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis grant is great news for Virginians,\u201d said DJ Stadtler, Executive Director of Virginia Passenger Rail Authority. \u201cThe full funding of our Transforming Rail in Virginia Phase II projects, in particular, Long Bridge will result in a transformative increase in rail travel in the Commonwealth and along the East Coast. VPRA is grateful for the immense support we have received from our Virginia senators and Congressional delegation for this initiative. Their support has been immeasurable.\u201d\n\nThe existing Long Bridge is the most significant choke point along the East Coast. It\u2019s the only rail bridge connecting Virginia to D.C. and serves as the main rail connection between the Southeast and Northeast for passenger and freight rail. The Long Bridge expansion is estimated to contribute $1.1 billion annually to the national economy and support 17,750 jobs.\n\nSpecifically, the funding will be used for:\n\nLong Bridge Project: Design and construct a new Long Bridge between Arlington and D.C., including five rail bridges and two pedestrian/bicycle bridges. Once completed, the four-track corridor will allow for the separation of passenger and freight rail.\n\nL\u2019Enfant Fourth Track and Station Improvements: Construct approximately one mile of mainline track through and around L\u2019Enfant Plaza in D.C., VRE\u2019s busiest station, and make improvements to the existing station platform.\n\nNeabsco Creek to Woodbridge Third Track: Design and construct three miles of a third track in Prince William County.\n\nAquia Creek Third Track South: Design and construct approximately two miles of a third track in Stafford County.\n\nCrossroads Third Track: Design and construct approximately four miles of a third track in Spotsylvania County.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/committee-leaders-introduce-bipartisan-bill-strengthen-americas", "Committee Leaders Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen America\u2019s Workforce", "2023-12-07", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Robert C. \"Bobby\" Scott", "S000185", "bobbyscott.house.gov", "bobbyscott", "https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "As originally released by the Committee on Education and the Workforce, Democrats\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. \u201cBobby\u201d Scott (D-VA) and Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) introduced A Stronger Workforce for America Act. The bipartisan bill makes critical improvements to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) that will expand the skills development provided under the law, strengthen the relationship between employers and the workforce system, and put more Americans on the pathway to successful careers.\n\n\u201cFor far too long, we have left our workforce development system without the resources and tools it needs to connect workers with good-paying job opportunities and help employers access a pipeline of talented workers,\u201d said Ranking Member Scott. \u201cA Stronger Workforce for America Act delivers a long overdue update to the backbone of our workforce development system and will help ensure every American can benefit from our economic growth. The bill makes an array of key improvements to Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act programs, such as expanding and improving the quality of skills development, strengthening services for disconnected youth, and codifying grants to help individuals released from incarceration transition back to employment and sustainable careers. In short, this legislation is the next step we must take to build our economy from the bottom up and the middle out.\u201d\n\n\u201cAn effective workforce development system is critical to ensuring a strong economy and a skilled workforce. This bipartisan bill provides crucial updates to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act that will help employees compete in today\u2019s workforce, close the skills gap, provide accountability, and most importantly, facilitate the success of American workers,\u201d said Chairwoman Foxx.\n\nA Stronger Workforce for America Act:\n\nUpgrades the skills of American workers.\n\nDedicates 50 percent of the adult and dislocated worker funding toward upskilling workers through \u201cindividual training accounts\u201d (ITAs) and on-the-job learning while redirecting an existing funding stream toward ITAs for displaced workers.\n\nPrioritizes employer-led initiatives that equip workers with the skill sets to fill jobs in critical industries and help the currently employed workforce upskill to avoid displacement and advance their careers.\n\nDelivers greater efficiency and accountability to WIOA programs.\n\nStreamlines the \u201celigible training provider list\u201d to focus on outcomes and ensure eligible programs are aligned with the skill and hiring demands of employers.\n\nStrengthens and fully implements the performance accountability system in the law to hold states and local workforce boards accountable for achieving positive labor market outcomes for program participants.\n\nStrengthens pathways to economic opportunity.\n\nPlaces a greater emphasis on work-based learning for youth, codifies and strengthens a program to help individuals released from incarceration transition back to employment and access career pathways, and strengthens workforce education programs at community colleges that align with in-demand jobs.\n\nFuels innovation for a skills-based economy.\n\nEstablishes a demonstration authority to provide several states and local workforce boards the flexibility to reimagine their workforce system and innovate in pursuit of better outcomes.\n\nFacilitates skills-based hiring by validating workers\u2019 competencies gained through prior experience and authorizing state and local boards to provide technical assistance to employers on implementing skills-based hiring practices.\n\nClick here for a fact sheet.\n\nClick here for bill text.\n\nClick here for a bill summary.\n\nClick here for a section by section summary.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://mcclellan.house.gov/media/press-releases/mcclellan-opposes-harmful-vehicle-emissions-bill", "McClellan Opposes Harmful Vehicle Emissions Bill", "2023-12-07", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Jennifer L. McClellan", "M001227", "mcclellan.house.gov", "mcclellan", "https://mcclellan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Yesterday, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) voted against H.R. 4468, the so-called \u201cChoice in Automobile Retail Sales Act\u201d The Republican bill prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from finalizing its proposal to strengthen emissions standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles. Further, it would block EPA from ever finalizing any vehicle emissions standards that might \u201cresult in limited availability of new motor vehicles\u201d based on engine type.\n\n\u201cThe party that is actively trying to strip away Americans\u2019 personal freedoms and rights is disguising this anti-science, anti-climate legislation as protecting choice and personal freedom. That\u2019s rich,\u201d said Congresswoman McClellan. \u201cOnce again, House Republicans are putting polluters over people and prioritizing special interests over the health and well-being of Americans. This deeply harmful and irresponsible bill would undermine the EPA\u2019s ability to finalize proposed emissions standards and prevent the agency from taking future action to protect the public from dangerous air pollution.\u201d\n\nH.R. 4468 would:\n\nProhibit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator from finalizing the proposed rule on Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards beginning in Model Year 2027;\n\nBlock EPA from ever finalizing vehicle emissions standards that mandate the use of a specific technology or might \u201cresult in limited availability of new motor vehicles\u201d based on the type of engine; and\n\nDirect EPA to revise all past regulations to conform with the act.\n\nH.R. 4468 passed the House on a vote of 221 - 197. You can read the full bill text here.\n\nCongresswoman McClellan spoke in opposition to this bill on the House floor. Recently, Rep. McClellan applauded the EPA for its work to limit exposure to PFAS chemicals or \u201cforever chemicals.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/cardin-rubio-durbin-cassidy-lead-bipartisan-group-of-senators-in-joint-statement-on-the-maduro-regimes-harassment-of-democratic-opposition", "Kaine Joins Bipartisan Group of Senators in Joint Statement on the Maduro Regime\u2019s Harassment of Democratic Opposition", "2023-12-07", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine, Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Marco Rubio (R-FL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Alex Padilla (D-CA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Peter Welch (D-VT), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Laphonza Butler (D-CA) issued a joint, bipartisan statement condemning the Maduro regime for arresting democratic opposition leader Roberto Abdul and for issuing arrest warrants against other senior members of Venezuela\u2019s democratic opposition.\n\n\u201cWe are extremely concerned over recent arrest warrants issued by the Maduro regime against members of Mar\u00eda Corina Machado\u2019s political party and coalition. This brazen act is a clear violation of the spirit of the Barbados Agreement and another indication that the Maduro regime is not following through on its commitment to free and fair elections in 2024. Additionally, the blatant refusal to release political prisoners or American hostages, the continued arrest warrants against other key opposition leaders, and the petulant saber rattling against Guyana show that the Maduro regime, far from taking steps towards the meaningful return of democracy, is moving towards an even more brutal dictatorship. The U.S. and our democratic partners should respond accordingly using all diplomatic tools, including imposing select sanctions.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-secures-wins-in-bicameral-bipartisan-national-defense-bill", "Kaine Secures Wins in Bicameral, Bipartisan National Defense Bill", "2023-12-07", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and Chair of the SASC Subcommittee on Seapower, released the following statement after an agreement was reached between the Senate and House Armed Services Committees for the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill, which the full Senate voted to proceed on today, includes several provisions secured by Kaine to support Virginia\u2019s defense community. As a member of SASC, Kaine played a key role in shaping the legislation and served as a member of the conference committee working to reconcile differences between the House and Senate-passed versions of the bill.\n\n\u201cAs a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I\u2019m proud of the bipartisan, bicameral work we\u2019ve done to advance a defense bill that will protect our national security, strengthen our alliances, and support Virginia servicemembers, their families, and our robust defense community. The bill includes many provisions that I\u2019ve fought for, including a well-deserved pay raise for servicemembers and Defense Department personnel, resources to improve access to mental health services, and funding to improve military installations across Virginia. It also includes support to implement the Australia-U.K.-U.S. agreement and my bipartisan bills to address the fentanyl crisis and ensure no President can unilaterally withdraw from NATO. I\u2019m glad the Senate will debate the legislation on the Senate floor next week and urge my colleagues to pass this bill as soon as possible, so we can get it to the President\u2019s desk to be signed into law.\u201d\n\nKaine successfully secured the following provisions in the legislation:\n\nShipbuilding: Authorizes investments to help meet the congressionally mandated requirement to have 31 operational amphibious warfare ships for the Navy and Marine Corps, by restoring funding for LPD-33 and strengthening oversight of the Navy\u2019s shipbuilding plan. Improves acquisition processes, expands defense industrial base capacity, and supports workforce development initiatives.\n\nPay Raises: Authorizes a 5.2 percent pay raise for military servicemembers and the Department of Defense (DOD) civilian workforce. Requires a review of military pay rates to determine if the current basic pay table adequately compensates junior enlisted personnel in pay grades E-1 through E-4.\n\nNATO: Includes Kaine\u2019s bipartisan legislation with Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) to prevent any U.S. President from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO without congressional approval.\n\nDisrupt Fentanyl Trafficking Act: Includes Kaine\u2019s bipartisan bill with Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) to direct increased federal attention to fentanyl trafficking by utilizing Pentagon tools like counter-drug intelligence and involving Mexico as an active partner to combat the crisis and disrupt cartel activity in Mexico.\n\nAustralia and U.K. Partnership: Strengthens the United States\u2019 partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom in the implementation of the AUKUS agreement, in which the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia will share and collaborate on technologies crucial to the allies\u2019 long-term security. Because a significant portion of Virginia-class submarines are built in Hampton Roads, the AUKUS agreement creates opportunity for further job creation and economic growth in Hampton Roads.\n\nRecruitment: Establishes an Enlisted Training Corps demonstration program for the purpose of introducing community and junior college students to the military and preparing selected students for enlisted service in the Armed Forces.\n\nU.S. Posture in Indo-Pacific: Expands cooperation and engagement to ensure the Indo-Pacific remains free and open. Extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI), which enhances U.S. force posture, infrastructure, readiness, capacity, and capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region, through Fiscal Year 2024 and authorizes the full budget request for Fiscal Year 2024. Establishes the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness Initiative (IPMDA) to improve maritime security and boost information-sharing among partners in the region. Includes bipartisan legislation cosponsored by Kaine to increase coordination and boost cooperation with Pacific Island nations on emergency humanitarian response, law enforcement and maritime security activities, and counterintelligence.\n\nTaiwan: Establishes a comprehensive training, advising, and institutional capacity-building program for military forces of Taiwan. Improves U.S.-Taiwan cooperation related to military cybersecurity activities.\n\nSupport for Ukraine: Extends Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) through Fiscal Year 2027 and authorizes the full budget request in Fiscal Year 2024. Extends waivers for the streamlined acquisition of defense stocks related to Ukraine and authorizes additional munitions eligible for multiyear procurement contracts.\n\nServicemember Mental Health: Includes various provisions to strengthen and expand mental health care for servicemembers and dependents regardless of their location.\n\nAllows licensed Military and Family Life Counselors to provide non-medical counseling services outside of the state in which they are licensed.\n\nProvides career flexibility for the services\u2019 mental health workforce to increase retention.\n\nRequires a study in military treatment facilities on the efficacy of opioid alternatives for pain management department assessment on the rates of opioid prescriptions to servicemembers.\n\nMilitary Construction: Includes over $561 million for military construction (MILCON) in Virginia.\n\n$23M for Maritime Surveillance System Facility at Dam Neck Annex\n\n$57M for Child Development Center at Joint Expeditionary Base (JEB) Little Creek-Fort Story\n\n$37M for Water Treatment Plant at Marine Corps Base Quantico\n\n$157M for Child Development Center, MQ-25 Aircraft Facilities, and a submarine pier at Naval Station Norfolk\n\n$46M for weapons magazines at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown\n\n$81M for Drydock Saltwater System at Norfolk Naval Shipyard\n\n$25M for Defense Intelligence Agency headquarters annex at Fort Belvoir\n\n$61M for Special Operations Forces Seal Delivery Vehicle Team 2 Operations Support Facility at JEB Little Creek-Fort Story\n\n$30M for pedestrian access at the Pentagon\n\n$12M for Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar support facilities at Dam Neck\n\n$4M for an Equine Training Facility at Fort Belvoir\n\n$20M for an Aircraft Maintenance Hangar at Virginia Army National Guard\u2019s Army Aviation Support Facility in Sandston\n\n$4M to complete maintenance and readiness centers at Virginia Army National Guard\u2019s Roanoke Regional Readiness Center in Troutville\n\n$4M for the Army Reserve Center in Richmond\n\nMilitary Families:\n\nExpands servicemember eligibility to receive reimbursement for qualified spouse relicensing or business costs when the servicemember relocates as the result of reassignment or a transfer from active duty to the reserves\u2014making it easier for military spouses to continue their careers.\n\nMakes mental health care more accessible and affordable for beneficiaries in the active duty family members category and TRICARE Young Adult program, by waiving cost sharing requirements for the first three outpatient mental health visits each year.\n\nDirects a review and report on access to resources and services related to mental health for students of Department of Defense Education Activity Schools.\n\nMilitary Housing:\n\nImproves military housing for servicemembers E-6 and below without dependents whose ships are undergoing maintenance by providing the authority to allow these junior enlisted servicemembers to collect a Basic Housing Allowance (BAH) and not live aboard the ship.\n\nAuthorizes improvements to the quality and oversight of military enlisted barracks, including the replacement of substandard barracks.\n\nRequires that unaccompanied housing meets the same basic standards as all other military housing.\n\nImproves the calculation of BAH rates with respect to junior enlisted members, by delinking that calculation from specific housing types and provides additional flexibility to ensure equitable housing rates can be calculated in markets with limited housing inventory.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/photos/b-roll-virginia-delegation-secures-729-million-for-transforming-rail-in-virginia-phase-2-projects", "PHOTOS/B-ROLL: Virginia Delegation Secures $729 Million for Transforming Rail in Virginia Phase 2 Projects", "2023-12-07", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "PHOTOS AND B-ROLL ARE AVAILABLE HERE\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, Governor Glenn Youngkin, and U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA-08), Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07), and Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04) held an event in Arlington to announce $729,000,000 in federal funding they secured for the Transforming Rail in Virginia (TRV) Phase 2 projects. The funding will support the completion of a new Long Bridge across the Potomac River to connect D.C. and Virginia, make improvements to L\u2019Enfant Station, and lay a third track along key sections of the corridor in Prince William, Stafford, and Spotsylvania Counties. This will help alleviate current bottlenecks, expand capacity, and improve reliability for Virginia commuters, travelers, and freight. The TRV projects will help expand Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express (VRE) rail services between D.C. and Raleigh, North Carolina. In addition to additional service to current destinations, these projects are also a necessary intermediate step for future passenger rail service for the New River Valley and Bristol. The funding was awarded through the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Warner, Kaine, Beyer, Connolly, and Spanberger helped pass in 2021.\n\n\u201cWe\u2019re thrilled we secured federal funding to support the construction of a new Long Bridge across the Potomac River and expand rail capacity and reliability in Virginia,\u201d said Senators Warner and Kaine. \u201cThis is another example of how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is improving transportation networks, reducing congestion, and supporting economic growth in communities across Virginia and the country.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis investment will help transform the rail system in Virginia, improving the flow of people and goods not only within the Commonwealth, but up and down the entire East Coast. I appreciate the collaboration between our senators, our congressional delegation, and our Secretary of Transportation to finalize the funding for this critical project this year and get this accomplished expeditiously. This project\u2019s impact on the Commonwealth cannot be overstated \u2014 it will ease congestion, make our supply chain more resilient, improve freight movement in and out of our world-class port, and boost local economies,\u201d said Governor Youngkin.\n\n\"The funding we announced today is a huge deal for Northern Virginia and the National Capital Region. This grant will support the completion of a new Long Bridge to connect Virginia and Washington, D.C., doubling capacity at a bottleneck for much of the freight rail traffic in the mid-Atlantic and bringing billions of dollars in projected economic benefits,\u201d said Representative Beyer. \u201cThanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which I was proud to help pass, this historic infrastructure investment will benefit Virginians by expanding rail capacity, enhancing connectivity, and promoting economic growth. This project is a fantastic example of the good we can do with smart investment and forward-thinking public policy.\u201d\n\n\u201cToday, we celebrate the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in action,\u201d said Representative Connolly. \u201cThis is an historic investment in our future and a transformative project for all Virginians that will reduce rail and road congestion, improve commutes, and increase our regional transportation capacity. I am proud to have helped secure this critical funding and I can\u2019t wait to see these federal dollars at work.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis federal investment is proof that the bipartisan infrastructure law is continuing to deliver for Virginia\u2019s communities,\u201d said Representative Spanberger. \u201cIn Congress, I\u2019ve had the honor of representing Virginians up and down the I-95 corridor. And for years, they have been calling for stronger investments in reliable passenger rail. On behalf of the hundreds of thousands of Virginians I serve, I look forward to seeing these major and historic improvements in action.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act continues to improve our Commonwealth\u2019s public transportation infrastructure and strengthen the capacity and resiliency of our passenger and freight rail network,\u201d said Representative McClellan. \u201cVirginia Democrats called on the Department of Transportation to support the Long Bridge Project. Today, we celebrate this robust federal funding, which will have profoundly beneficial impacts in Virginia.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis grant is great news for Virginians,\u201d said DJ Stadtler, Executive Director of Virginia Passenger Rail Authority. \u201cThe full funding of our Transforming Rail in Virginia Phase II projects, in particular, Long Bridge will result in a transformative increase in rail travel in the Commonwealth and along the East Coast. VPRA is grateful for the immense support we have received from our Virginia senators and Congressional delegation for this initiative. Their support has been immeasurable.\u201d\n\nThe existing Long Bridge is the most significant choke point along the East Coast. It\u2019s the only rail bridge connecting Virginia to D.C. and serves as the main rail connection between the Southeast and Northeast for passenger and freight rail. The Long Bridge expansion is estimated to contribute $1.1 billion annually to the national economy and support 17,750 jobs.\n\nSpecifically, the funding will be used for:\n\nLong Bridge Project: Design and construct a new Long Bridge between Arlington and D.C., including five rail bridges and two pedestrian/bicycle bridges. Once completed, the four-track corridor will allow for the separation of passenger and freight rail.\n\nL\u2019Enfant Fourth Track and Station Improvements: Construct approximately one mile of mainline track through and around L\u2019Enfant Plaza in D.C., VRE\u2019s busiest station, and make improvements to the existing station platform.\n\nNeabsco Creek to Woodbridge Third Track: Design and construct three miles of a third track in Prince William County.\n\nAquia Creek Third Track South: Design and construct approximately two miles of a third track in Stafford County.\n\nCrossroads Third Track: Design and construct approximately four miles of a third track in Spotsylvania County.\n\nWarner, Kaine, Beyer, Connolly, Spanberger, and McClellan have been vocal advocates for the completion of the TRV Phase 2 projects and sent a letter in support of the project to Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg in October. Warner and Kaine successfully worked to pass the Long Bridge Act, which authorized critical land transfers that allowed construction of the project to move forward. Warner and Kaine previously secured $20 million in federal funding to create a new bicycle-pedestrian bridge that crosses the Potomac River between Long Bridge Park in Arlington and West Potomac Parks in D.C. Warner and Kaine also secured $100 million in federal funding to the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority to design and build the Franconia-Springfield Bypass, which will allow Amtrak and VRE trains to seamlessly cross over two freight rail tracks, preventing delays and expanding capacity for additional service. Warner and Kaine applauded $58 million in federal funding to support the construction of the Raleigh to Richmond (R2R) corridor, which will eventually result in new intercity passenger rail service between Raleigh and Richmond.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/van-hollen-durbin-kaine-schatz-and-colleagues-announce-amendment-requiring-that-use-of-us-supplemental-aid-comply-with-us-international-law", "Van Hollen, Durbin, Kaine, Schatz & Colleagues Announce Amendment Requiring that Use of U.S. Supplemental Aid Comply with U.S., International Law", "2023-12-07", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine, Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Dick Durbin, (D-IL), Brian Schatz (D-HI), as well as Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Peter Welch (D-VT), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tom Carper (D-DL), Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-NM), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Ed Markey (D-MA) announced that they are working on an amendment to require that the weapons received by any country under the proposed national security supplemental are used in accordance with U.S. law, international humanitarian law and the law of armed conflict.\n\nThe Senators\u2019 amendment also requires that the president report to the Congress on whether countries receiving military equipment paid for by American taxpayers meet that test and whether the use of U.S-supplied weapons comports with established presidential directives on arms transfers and Defense Department policies for reducing harm to civilians. And it would buttress current law that prohibits U.S. security assistance to any country that prevents or restricts U.S. humanitarian assistance to those in need, subject to a presidential waiver. The amendment does not apply to funds for air defense systems or other systems that the president determines will be used for strictly defensive purposes.\n\n\u201cU.S. taxpayer dollars have never come in the form of a blank check. It\u2019s critical that we hold all nations who receive our assistance to the same standards \u2013 and that includes ensuring the use of this assistance is in line with U.S. law, international humanitarian law, and the law of armed conflict. We must also insist that our partners cooperate with us in allowing the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Our amendment does all that and puts in place necessary reporting to Congress in order to track these measures. As we work to provide critical funding in the national security supplemental, I look forward to working with my colleagues to address these fundamental issues,\u201d said Senator Van Hollen.\n\n\u201cThe U.S. is an indispensable country in helping allied nations in times of conflict,\u201d said Senator Durbin. \u201cWith any such assistance, including supplemental packages, we have a responsibility to ensure the aid follows U.S. and international law. With this amendment, we are reinforcing that key point and our American values.\u201d\n\n\u201cU.S. assistance to our allies and partners has always come with the expectation that they will follow international laws of war,\u201d said Senator Kaine. \u201cThis global amendment reaffirms the need to protect innocent civilians caught in conflict zones and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to vulnerable populations. We must ensure that even as we stand with our partners and allies across the world, our support remains consistent with the core values and strong support for human rights expressed by the American people.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhenever we approve federal spending \u2013 whether it\u2019s for things like public housing and highway repairs or our own Defense Department\u2019s programs \u2013 we require detailed plans on exactly how the money will be used. We also expect to receive some form of reporting on it afterward. It should be no different for assistance funding we provide to allies around the world, including Israel. It\u2019s our responsibility to make sure the funding and weapons we provide are used in a manner that\u2019s consistent with international humanitarian law and American values,\u201d said Senator Schatz.\n\n\u201cWhen it comes to U.S. military aid to Israel, American support cannot be a blank check to a right-wing Netanyahu government that has demonstrated a gross disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians. U.S. military aid always includes conditions, and there is no exception, even for our allies,\u201d said Senator Warren.\n\n\u201cThe United States should never supply or sell weapons to any country without guarantees that they will be used in compliance with international law,\u201d said Senator Merkley. \u201cNo exceptions.\u201d\n\n\u201cEnsuring civilians are protected and have access to adequate humanitarian assistance resources during times of conflict should be our first priority. Also essential is guaranteeing that U.S. weapons and defense articles sent overseas are used in compliance with international law. Senator Van Hollen\u2019s amendment to the National Security and Supplemental Appropriations Act will further these goals. As we continue negotiations, I will keep advocating vigorously to the Biden Administration and Senate leadership for other changes to the legislation that address the accountability, ethicality, and transparency of arms sent abroad,\" said Senator Welch.\n\n\u201cOur country stands for freedom and democracy, and both are grounded in our firm belief that innocent civilians should never be the target of war. It\u2019s imperative that this commitment extends to ensuring our weapons are used only in accordance with U.S. law, international humanitarian law, and the law of armed conflict. I stand by Israel and I also join my colleagues in insisting on the clarity that Israel\u2019s enemy in Gaza is Hamas - not the children, not Palestinian civilians,\u201d said Senator Heinrich.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m glad to join my colleagues on this amendment, which reiterates that U.S. military assistance provided to our partners must be used in accordance with the law \u2013 particularly U.S. law and international humanitarian law,\u201d said Senator Carper. \u201cThese principles are always imperative, but especially as we support those working to defend democracy around the world.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis amendment will further ensure that American aid is used in accordance with international law and American values,\u201d said Senator Hirono. \u201cAs we support Israel\u2019s right to defend itself, we must continue working to create the conditions for a two-state solution and lasting peace in the region.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt is imperative that all assistance to Israel abide by U.S. and international law, prioritize the protection of civilians, assure the provision of desperately needed humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza, and align with a long-term vision for peace, security, and two-state diplomatic solution. I thank Senator Van Hollen and my colleagues for working together on this measure to ensure all military aid to countries within the supplemental package adheres to well-established, existing U.S. and international law and to require reporting to Congress on the use of such aid,\u201d said Senator Markey.\n\nThe Senators\u2019 amendment:\n\nRequires that the weapons received by any country under this bill are used in accordance with U.S. law, international humanitarian law and the law of armed conflict.\n\nRequires that the president obtain assurances that any country receiving weapons through this bill cooperate fully with U.S.-supported efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need, subject to a presidential waiver.\n\nRequires that the president report to the Congress within 30 days on whether each country receiving U.S. security assistance through this bill is:\n\nUsing U.S.-funded military equipment in accordance with:\n\nTheir intended purposes and U.S. end-use monitoring programs;\n\ninternational humanitarian law, the law of armed conflict, and U.S. law;\n\nthe President\u2019s 2023 Conventional Arms Transfer (CAT) Policy and the Defense Department\u2019s Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan (CHMR-AP);\n\nFully cooperating with U.S. efforts and U.S.-supported international efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to civilians\n\nClarifies that these provisions do not apply to funds for air defense systems or other systems that the president determines will be used for strictly defensive purposes.\n\nThe text of the amendment is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=CC27A572-D718-4F5C-AFC1-5943FE50D549", "Warner, Rounds, Reed, Romney Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Enforce Sanctions on Terrorist Organizations Like Hamas", "2023-12-07", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Mark R. Warner", "W000805", "www.warner.senate.gov", "warner", "https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Jack Reed (D-RI) and Mitt Romney (R-UT) today introduced bipartisan legislation to crack down on terrorist organizations like Hamas by applying sanctions to foreign parties that facilitate financial transactions with terrorists.\n\nCurrently, these sanctions are imposed only in limited circumstances, primarily on the terrorist group Hezbollah following passage of the Hizballah International Financing Prevention Act in 2015. The Terrorism Financing Prevention Act introduced today will expand this type of sanctions to cover all U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), including Hamas, and other foreign parties that are controlled by or act on behalf of those FTOs.\n\n\u201cThe Terrorism Financing Prevention Act will make sure that the Treasury Department has the tools necessary to enforce our sanctions against Hamas and other terror groups,\u201d said Sen. Warner. \u201cI\u2019m pleased to join Senators Rounds, Reed, and Romney in introducing this bipartisan legislation to improve our national security.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt is critical that the Department of the Treasury has the necessary counter-terrorism tools to combat modern threats,\u201d said Sen. Rounds. \u201cThe Terrorism Financing Prevention Act takes commonsense steps toward rooting out terrorism by sanctioning foreign financial institutions and foreign digital asset companies that assist them in committing these heinous acts. Cutting off funding for terrorist organizations at the source will save lives. I am pleased to co-lead this bipartisan legislation that takes decisive action to disrupt terrorist finance networks.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt is critical to bolster the Treasury Department\u2019s tools to protect our national and economic security. With this bill, we are forcing foreign financial institutions and foreign crypto firms to choose between doing business with terrorist organizations or maintaining access to the U.S. financial system,\u201d said Sen. Reed. \u201cWe must protect the integrity of our financial system from new and emerging threats from terrorist organizations, including Hamas that carried out the despicable attacks on Israel on October 7.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe October 7 attacks on Israel perpetrated by Hamas have made it more urgent and necessary for the U.S. to counter the role that cryptocurrency plays in the financing of terrorism. Our legislation would expand financial sanctions to cover all terrorist organizations\u2014including Hamas\u2014and it would equip the Treasury Department with additional resources to counter terrorism and address emerging threats involving digital assets,\u201d said Sen. Romney.\n\nUnder the terms of the Terrorism Financing Prevention Act, the U.S. Department of the Treasury is required to identify any foreign bank or foreign digital asset transaction facilitator that knowingly facilitates transactions with an FTO or related party. Once these actors are identified, the bill requires imposition of sanctions on them, restricting either their use of U.S. correspondent bank accounts (in the case of a bank), or barring their digital asset or other transactions with U.S. persons (in the case of a digital asset transaction facilitator).\n\nThe bill also contains a key provision from the Crypto-Asset National Security Enhancement and Enforcement (CANSEE) Act the senators previously introduced, giving FinCEN authority to restrict transactions with \u201cprimary money laundering concerns\u201d that do not involve a U.S. correspondent bank account. This provision will provide FinCEN with appropriate tools to address threats involving digital assets and non-traditional finance networks, just as they currently can where correspondent accounts are involved.\n\nThe Terrorism Financing Prevention Act also authorizes the resources the Treasury Department needs to carry out these programs.\n\nA copy of the full bill text is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:56:20Z"], ["https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=E817D5AC-FFF7-49C5-B083-D20E23479918", "Virginia Delegation Secures $729 Million for Transforming Rail in Virginia Phase 2 Projects", "2023-12-07", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Mark R. Warner", "W000805", "www.warner.senate.gov", "warner", "https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, Gov. Glenn Youngkin, and U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA-08), Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07), and Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04) held an event in Arlington to announce $729,000,000 in federal funding they secured for the Transforming Rail in Virginia (TRV) Phase 2 projects. The funding will support the completion of a new Long Bridge across the Potomac River to connect D.C. and Virginia, make improvements to L\u2019Enfant Station, and lay a third track along key sections of the corridor in Prince William, Stafford, and Spotsylvania Counties. This will help alleviate current bottlenecks, expand capacity, and improve reliability for Virginia commuters, travelers, and freight. The TRV projects will help expand Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express (VRE) rail services between D.C. and Raleigh, North Carolina. In addition to additional service to current destinations, these projects are also a necessary intermediate step for future passenger rail service for the New River Valley and Bristol. The funding was awarded through the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Warner, Kaine, Beyer, Connolly, and Spanberger helped pass in 2021.\n\n\u201cWe\u2019re thrilled we secured federal funding to support the construction of a new Long Bridge across the Potomac River and expand rail capacity and reliability in Virginia,\u201d said Sens. Warner and Kaine. \u201cThis is another example of how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is improving transportation networks, reducing congestion, and supporting economic growth in communities across Virginia and the country.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis investment will help transform the rail system in Virginia, improving the flow of people and goods not only within the Commonwealth, but up and down the entire East Coast. I appreciate the collaboration between our senators, our congressional delegation, and our Secretary of Transportation to finalize the funding for this critical project this year and get this accomplished expeditiously. This project\u2019s impact on the Commonwealth cannot be overstated \u2014 it will ease congestion, make our supply chain more resilient, improve freight movement in and out of our world-class port, and boost local economies,\u201d said Gov. Youngkin.\n\n\"The funding we announced today is a huge deal for Northern Virginia and the National Capital Region. This grant will support the completion of a new Long Bridge to connect Virginia and Washington, D.C., doubling capacity at a bottleneck for much of the freight rail traffic in the mid-Atlantic and bringing billions of dollars in projected economic benefits,\u201d said Rep. Beyer. \u201cThanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which I was proud to help pass, this historic infrastructure investment will benefit Virginians by expanding rail capacity, enhancing connectivity, and promoting economic growth. This project is a fantastic example of the good we can do with smart investment and forward-thinking public policy.\u201d\n\n\u201cToday, we celebrate the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in action,\u201d said Rep. Connolly. \u201cThis is an historic investment in our future and a transformative project for all Virginians that will reduce rail and road congestion, improve commutes, and increase our regional transportation capacity. I am proud to have helped secure this critical funding and I can\u2019t wait to see these federal dollars at work.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis federal investment is proof that the bipartisan infrastructure law is continuing to deliver for Virginia\u2019s communities,\u201d said Rep. Spanberger. \u201cIn Congress, I\u2019ve had the honor of representing Virginians up and down the I-95 corridor. And for years, they have been calling for stronger investments in reliable passenger rail. On behalf of the hundreds of thousands of Virginians I serve, I look forward to seeing these major and historic improvements in action.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act continues to improve our Commonwealth\u2019s public transportation infrastructure and strengthen the capacity and resiliency of our passenger and freight rail network,\u201d said Rep. McClellan. \u201cVirginia Democrats called on the Department of Transportation to support the Long Bridge Project. Today, we celebrate this robust federal funding, which will have profoundly beneficial impacts in Virginia.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis grant is great news for Virginians,\u201d said DJ Stadtler, Executive Director of Virginia Passenger Rail Authority. \u201cThe full funding of our Transforming Rail in Virginia Phase II projects, in particular, Long Bridge will result in a transformative increase in rail travel in the Commonwealth and along the East Coast. VPRA is grateful for the immense support we have received from our Virginia senators and Congressional delegation for this initiative. Their support has been immeasurable.\u201d\n\nThe existing Long Bridge is the most significant choke point along the East Coast. It\u2019s the only rail bridge connecting Virginia to D.C. and serves as the main rail connection between the Southeast and Northeast for passenger and freight rail. The Long Bridge expansion is estimated to contribute $1.1 billion annually to the national economy and support 17,750 jobs.\n\nSpecifically, the funding will be used for:\n\nLong Bridge Project: Design and construct a new Long Bridge between Arlington and D.C., including five rail bridges and two pedestrian/bicycle bridges. Once completed, the four-track corridor will allow for the separation of passenger and freight rail.\n\nL\u2019Enfant Fourth Track and Station Improvements: Construct approximately one mile of mainline track through and around L\u2019Enfant Plaza in D.C., VRE\u2019s busiest station, and make improvements to the existing station platform.\n\nNeabsco Creek to Woodbridge Third Track: Design and construct three miles of a third track in Prince William County.\n\nAquia Creek Third Track South: Design and construct approximately two miles of a third track in Stafford County.\n\nCrossroads Third Track: Design and construct approximately four miles of a third track in Spotsylvania County.\n\nSens. Warner, Kaine, Beyer, Connolly, Spanberger, and McClellan have been vocal advocates for the completion of the TRV Phase 2 projects and sent a letter in support of the project to Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg in October. Warner and Kaine successfully worked to pass the Long Bridge Act, which authorized critical land transfers that allowed construction of the project to move forward. Warner and Kaine previously secured $20,000,000 in federal funding to create a new bicycle-pedestrian bridge that crosses the Potomac River between Long Bridge Park in Arlington and West Potomac Parks in D.C. Warner and Kaine also secured $100 million in federal funding to the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority to design and build the Franconia-Springfield Bypass, which will allow Amtrak and VRE trains to seamlessly cross over two freight rail tracks, preventing delays and expanding capacity for additional service. Warner and Kaine applauded $58 million in federal funding to support the construction of the Raleigh to Richmond (R2R) corridor, which will eventually result in new intercity passenger rail service between Raleigh and Richmond.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:56:20Z"], ["https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6045", "DelBene, Whitehouse Introduce Bill to Boost Domestic Manufacturers, Tackle Climate Change", "2023-12-06", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Donald S. Beyer, Jr.", "B001292", "beyer.house.gov", "beyer", "https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) introduced legislation to make American companies more competitive in the global marketplace and address major sources of planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions by creating a carbon border adjustment. The legislation is cosponsored by Representatives Don Beyer (VA-08), Kathy Castor (FL-14), and Ami Bera (CA-06) and Senators Brian Schatz (HI) and Martin Heinrich (NM).\n\nAmerican manufacturers are less carbon-intensive than most foreign competitors. The U.S. economy is almost 50 percent less carbon intensive than the global average. The Chinese economy is over three times as carbon-intensive as the U.S., and India is nearly four times as carbon-intensive.\n\nThe Clean Competition Act would impose a carbon border adjustment on energy-intensive imports, while incentivizing decarbonization of domestic manufacturing. Starting in 2025, the adjustment would apply to energy intensive industries, including fossil fuels, refined petroleum products, petrochemicals, fertilizer, hydrogen, adipic acid, cement, iron and steel, aluminum, glass, pulp and paper, and ethanol. In 2027, it would be expanded to include imported finished goods that meet certain weight or value thresholds, such as cars.\n\nThe fee would be based on the weight of a particular good, beginning at $55 per ton, and increase over time. 75 percent of revenues raised would fund grants to help domestic industries invest in the new technologies necessary to reduce their carbon footprints. The remaining 25 percent would be used by the State Department to help developing countries decarbonize.\n\n\u201cFor too long, American industries producing goods in a less carbon-intensive way have been undercut by foreign competitors with dirtier production processes. Washington saw this firsthand with the closure of the Intalco aluminum smelter due to Chinese overproduction, which resulted in the loss of over 700 good-paying union jobs. To address the climate crisis while defending American industries, the Clean Competition Act would level the playing field by imposing a fee on imports from high-carbon producers,\u201d said DelBene. \u201cA carbon fee would incentivize industries from around the world to prioritize decarbonization and create a level playing field for American workers in these sectors.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmerican manufacturers doing the right thing on climate are often at a disadvantage compared to high-polluting foreign competitors,\u201d said Whitehouse. \u201cOur Clean Competition Act would give domestic companies a step up in the global marketplace while lowering carbon emissions at home and abroad, and ultimately steering the planet toward climate safety. There is bipartisan momentum for a carbon border adjustment in the Senate \u2013 this a solution endorsed by industry and experts across the political spectrum.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Clean Competition Act is a smart use of trade policy that would advance both our climate and economic agenda by incentivizing domestic energy-intensive industries to become more efficient and pushing for manufacturers overseas to do the same,\u201d said Beyer. \u201cI greatly appreciate the work of Rep. DelBene and Sen. Whitehouse on this important bill and look forward to advancing it through the legislative process.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs we work to reduce climate pollution and boost American jobs, we need a renewed focus on leveling the playing field for American goods and products that compete against products from countries that pollute and use unfair advantages. The Clean Competition Act is an important complement to the new wave of American manufacturing jobs boosted by the historic Inflation Reduction Act. American industries are leveraging a wide range of technologies to drive down industrial air pollution and achieve greater sustainability,\u201d said Castor. \u201cOur Clean Competition Act will help reward these innovations, strengthen America\u2019s industrial base, and protect us from unfair competition in the global marketplace while ensuring that China and other nations are doing their part to reduce pollution and environmental impacts.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmerican manufacturers often find themselves at a disadvantage when it comes to prioritizing environmentally responsible practices in comparison to competitors in other countries with less environmentally friendly approaches,\u201d said Bera. \u201cThe Clean Competition Act will help level the playing field for American companies with our trading partners while addressing the urgent threat of climate change. By introducing a carbon border adjustment that targets imports from the world\u2019s dirtiest polluters, we are incentivizing the transition of heavy industry towards the adoption of cleaner and more energy efficient practices and helping re-invest in American clean manufacturing here at home.\u201d\n\n\u201cManufacturing accounts for nearly one-quarter of U.S. climate pollution and is a rapidly growing sector globally. Reducing climate pollution is vital for a stable climate and healthy, thriving communities. The Clean Competition Act can create a race to the top among global competitors as part of a larger effort to move toward a low-carbon economy, while opening a dialogue about additional efforts needed to address local pollution impacts on frontline communities,\u201d said Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President for Political Affairs, Environmental Defense Fund.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-leads-opposition-extreme-gop-bill-jeopardizes-global-research", "Scott Leads Opposition to Extreme GOP Bill that Jeopardizes Global Research Partnerships", "2023-12-06", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Robert C. \"Bobby\" Scott", "S000185", "bobbyscott.house.gov", "bobbyscott", "https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "As originally released by the Committee on Education and the Workforce, Democrats\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Ranking Member Robert C. \u201cBobby Scott\u201d delivered the following remarks during today\u2019s House floor debate on House Republicans\u2019 DETERRENT Act (H.R. 5933).\n\n\u201cHistorically, collaborations with global partners\u2014and careful federal investments in research\u2014have enabled our colleges and universities to make bold, forward-thinking strides in health, science, and technology for people around the world.\n\n\u201cAdditionally, institutions have collaborated with the U.S. government to enhance our research by attracting and retaining researchers and scholars from across the world.\n\n\u201cThese partnerships help drive intellectual and campus diversity, strengthen the inner workings of our economy, and give us an undeniable competitive edge.\n\n\u201cInstitutions, however, must be transparent about resources they receive from foreign entities, particularly as the federal government invests nearly $30 billion annually in our higher education research and development efforts. And some colleges and universities, unfortunately, have not complied with all their responsibilities in those disclosures. Regrettably, H.R. 5933 does nothing to meaningfully protect research security at colleges and universities.\n\n\u201cFor example, colleges must report any gift from a representative of a \u201ccountry of concern\u201d no matter the value\u2014even a cup of coffee. The faculty\u2019s information is then shared in a publicly searchable database, regardless of whether the action was nefarious or not.\n\n\u201cThis is so excessive and burdensome\u2014to say nothing about the potential discriminatory effect\u2014that it would disincentivize universities from conducting critical research using collaborative partners from around the world.\n\n\u201cIt would force them to deviate from established compliance and reporting guidelines under Section 117 of the Higher Education Act.\n\n\u201cSchools are already grappling with recruiting and retaining students and scholars. And, if passed, H.R. 5933 would stall decades of innovative progress and jeopardize global research initiatives.\n\n\u201cStudents and faculties are already calling on Congress to improve our higher education system and address discrimination on campus. However, certain provisions in this bill would only exacerbate the ongoing culture wars that have consumed my colleagues in Congress.\n\n\u201cFor example, the legislation singles out partnerships with certain countries, targeting researchers based solely on their nationality.\n\n\u201cAnd as I\u2019ve said before, we can achieve accountability and compliance without contributing to anti-Asian, antisemitic, or Islamophobic animosity.\n\n\u201cI have offered a thoughtful alternative to improve Section 117 compliance and support institutions as they evaluate and implement their research integrity and foreign influence policies. And that alternative will be offered during the amendment process.\n\n\u201cThis amendment builds on the CHIPS and Science Act and the Presidential Memorandum on Government-Supported Research and Development National Security Policy guidelines. And specifically, it aligns reporting requirements with those of federal agencies and requires the Secretary of Education to go through negotiated rulemaking to address key implementation aspects of Section 117.\n\n\u201cWe must take targeted and thoughtful steps to protect our research and development initiatives without jeopardizing our global partnerships that will benefit us all.\u201d\n\nView Ranking Member Scott\u2019s floor remarks on YouTube.\n\nRead a fact sheet on H.R. 5933 here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-rubio-and-merkley-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-address-crimes-in-brazilian-amazon-strengthen-regional-stability", "Kaine, Rubio, and Merkley Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Address Crimes in Brazilian Amazon, Strengthen Regional Stability", "2023-12-06", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced the Strengthening the Rule of Law in the Brazilian Amazon Act, bipartisan legislation to address crimes committed by organized criminal and drug trafficking groups who are devastating communities in and around the Brazilian Amazon, upending rule of law, and accelerating environmental degradation and deforestation. The bill would provide the U.S. government with more resources to support U.S.-Brazil efforts to address these crimes and prioritize identifying investment opportunities for U.S. companies in the Brazilian Amazon. This would help promote regional stability across the Western Hemisphere.\n\n\u201cThe rise in environmental crimes and deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon is interconnected with the uptick in violence, displacement, and drug trafficking in the region and has direct consequences for our security here at home,\u201d said Kaine, Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere. \u201cThis bipartisan bill would support the United States\u2019 efforts to address these crimes, protect the environment and local communities, and improve the stability of the region.\u201d\n\n\u201cNarcotraffickers, smugglers, and our adversaries have used the Amazon as a base to weaken our national security interests and destabilize the entire region. Through this bill, the U.S. and Brazil will work together to crack down on illegal activity in this vital region,\u201d said Rubio, Ranking Member of the SFRC Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.\n\n\u201cThe Amazon provides sanctuary for countless wildlife, and the trees of this tropical forest support not only Brazil\u2019s environment, but the planet\u2019s lifeblood,\u201d said Merkley, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee. \u201cAs the impacts of climate chaos become deadlier and more frequent\u2014threatening our health, planet, and future\u2014the U.S. must support Brazil's efforts to stand against the criminal and often violent efforts driving deforestation and environmental degradation in the Brazilian Amazon.\u201d\n\nTackling environmental crimes and deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon is necessary to uphold the rule of law, protect the environment, and address rising violence and displacement in the region. In 2022, there were more than 8,000 violent deaths in the Brazilian Amazon.\n\nSpecifically, the Strengthening the Rule of Law in the Brazilian Amazon Act would:\n\nDirect the Secretary of State, in coordination with other U.S. federal agencies, to prioritize supporting Brazil\u2019s efforts to identify and disrupt transnational criminal networks committing environmental crimes.\n\nDirect the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to support local communities and vulnerable areas in the Brazilian Amazon.\n\nRecommend the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) place an individual in Brazil responsible for identifying sustainable economic opportunities for U.S. businesses in the Brazilian Amazon.\n\nRequire the Secretary of State to submit a report to Congress regarding drivers of deforestation and environmental degradation in the Brazilian Amazon.\n\nAdvise the United States to encourage international financial institutions to prioritize promoting sustainable development in the Amazon and oppose loans or programs that would exacerbate environmental crimes in the region.\n\nFull text of the bill is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-to-lead-bicameral-congressional-delegation-visits-to-guatemala-and-honduras-to-discuss-democracy-stability-migration-economic-growth-and-security", "Kaine to Lead Bicameral Congressional Delegation Visits to Guatemala and Honduras to Discuss Democracy, Stability, Migration, Economic Growth, and Security", "2023-12-06", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Later this week, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, who serves as Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere and previously worked as a missionary in Honduras, will lead a congressional delegation visiting Guatemala and Honduras to meet with elected officials, the private sector, and civil society leaders. Senator Kaine will be joined by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Laphonza Butler (D-CA) and U.S. Representatives Delia Ramirez (D-IL-3) and Norma Torres (D-CA-35). During their meetings, the lawmakers will discuss strategies to strengthen prosperity and security in the region and underscore the importance of democratic governance and the rule of law. Maintaining democracy and political stability in Central America is critical for U.S. national security and the security of our borders.\n\nThe congressional delegation\u2019s visit to Guatemala comes at a critical moment for the country\u2019s democracy amid ongoing protests following provocative actions by the Public Ministry (Guatemala\u2019s justice department), including the raiding of facilities holding electoral materials, opening of ballot boxes, and intimidation of peaceful protestors, among other brazen acts. The Public Ministry has also filed spurious charges against President-elect Bernardo Arevalo, Vice President-Elect Karin Herrera, and other officials and attempted to strip them of their pre-trial immunity. While President Alejandro Giammattei has publicly acknowledged Arevalo\u2019s electoral victory, the Public Ministry continues to systematically attempt to undermine the electoral transition and engage in targeted investigations against the president-elect's political party and other democracy defenders. In November, Senators Kaine, Durbin, Merkley, and Welch condemned those attacks on democracy in Guatemala, and underscored how those actions are destabilizing for the entire region.\n\nIn Honduras, the ruling party\u2019s decision to use a procedural workaround to unilaterally appoint their preferred candidate as interim Attorney General (AG) has similarly raised concerns about undermining the credibility of independent institutions. In November, Kaine spoke out about that undemocratic power grab, noting that \u201cunilaterally appointing an interim Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General undermines the confidence in Honduras\u2019 democratic institutions, especially after months of negotiation.\u201d In October, Kaine, Merkley, and Welch urged the U.S. Department of State to address corruption in Honduras and express their concerns regarding delays in the establishment of the International Commission Against Corruption and Immunity in Honduras (CICIH), which President Xiomara Castro pledged to create. Last year, Kaine outlined his strong support for CICIH ahead of a strategic dialogue between the United States and Honduras. In April, Kaine, Durbin, Ramirez and Torres called on the Biden Administration to continue protecting displaced Hondurans by redesignating Honduras for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).\n\nLast year, Kaine led a congressional delegation in visiting Costa Rica, Panama, and the Dominican Republic, which are all founding members of the Alliance for Development in Democracy (ADD), to discuss the lawmakers\u2019 support for the ADD, which is focused on strengthening democracy and promoting economic growth between their countries.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-kaine-introduce-legislation-to-rename-roanoke-federal-building-after-civil-rights-lawyer-reuben-lawson", "Warner, Kaine Introduce Legislation to Rename Roanoke Federal Building After Civil Rights Lawyer Reuben Lawson", "2023-12-06", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) introduced legislation to rename a federal building in Roanoke, VA the \u201cReuben E. Lawson Federal Building\u201d in honor of the life and legacy of civil rights lawyer Reuben Lawson. Today, December 6th, marks what would have been Lawson\u2019s 103rd birthday.\n\n\u201cReuben Lawson dedicated his life and career to fighting against segregation and paving the way for historic civil rights action,\u201d said the senators. \u201cWe are proud to introduce this legislation, which would ensure Mr. Lawson\u2019s relentless pursuit of social justice is cemented in Roanoke and remembered across Virginia.\u201d\n\nLawson graduated from Howard Law School in 1945 and spent his career in Roanoke, working closely with civil rights titan Oliver Hill. Lawson filed the first desegregation case in Southwest Virginia, which resulted in the admission of 13 African American students into Floyd County\u2019s high school, which until then had only admitted white students. Similar efforts then followed in Pulaski, Grayson, and Roanoke Counties. Lawson also played a key role in convincing the Roanoke City Council to defy Virginia\u2019s segregation law in 1961 and integrate Roanoke\u2019s Victory Stadium.\n\nIn September of this year, Sens. Warner and Kaine met with Roanoke attorney and former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia John Fishwick, Reverend Edward Burton, and members of the Roanoke community who have championed the effort to honor Mr. Lawson through renaming this Federal Building.\n\n\u201cReuben E. Lawson was a trailblazing civil rights attorney in Roanoke, Virginia,\u201d said former U.S. Attorney John Fishwick. \u201cHis legacy and fearlessness during a turbulent time of civil unrest throughout our country has long been overlooked, and naming Roanoke\u2019s federal building in his honor will give Mr. Lawson the recognition he deserves.\u201d\n\n\u201cI knew Reuben Lawson through our work in the Roanoke Chapter of the NAACP in the 1960s. Reuben was soft-spoken and easy to relate to, but worked tirelessly and enthusiastically to integrate the schools in our region through the courts. He led us in that day and time, and I am proud of the effort to honor his legacy,\u201d said Rev. Edward Burton.\n\n\u201cMr. Lawson deserves to be recognized for his contributions to ending Jim Crow. The Roanoke Branch NAACP has a shared history with Mr. Lawson and continues to advocate for justice as Mr. Lawson did those many years ago; we can think of no more deserving honor than naming the Federal Courthouse in Roanoke\u2014where Mr. Lawson valiantly fought segregationist policies\u2014after him. Mr. Lawson was truly Roanoke's own civil rights attorney, embodying not only the city, but the spirit of its diverse population,\u201d said Dr. Brenda L. Hale, President of the Roanoke Chapter of the NAACP.\n\nThe building is currently named after former Virginia Congressman and State Supreme Court Justice Richard H. Poff, who opposed integration and voted against the Civil Rights Acts of 1957, 1960, 1964 and 1968 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warren-kaine-hirono-blumenthal-murray-duckworth-urge-pentagon-to-implement-reforms-and-address-substandard-housing-conditions-for-military-families", "Warren, Kaine, Hirono, Blumenthal, Murray, Duckworth Urge Pentagon to Implement Reforms and Address Substandard Housing Conditions for Military Families", "2023-12-06", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), all members of the Senate Armed Services Committee Subcommittee on Personnel, Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee Subcommittee on Readiness, and Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin requesting information on the Department of Defense\u2019s (DoD) plans to address the unhealthy prevalence of mold, lead-based paint, and asbestos in housing for America\u2019s service members, as well as concerns regarding the distrust and confusion surrounding the formal dispute resolution process that military families can use to address disputes with the private housing companies.\n\n\u201cWe write in regard to concerning reports about asbestos, lead-based paint, and mold in military housing and DoD\u2019s implementation of the formal dispute resolution process available to tenants in privatized military housing,\u201d wrote the lawmakers. \u201cWe seek further information regarding steps that the Department of Defense are taking to address asbestos, lead-based paint, and mold in military housing units and improve implementation of the formal dispute resolution process.\u201d\n\nA 2023 Army Audit found that the Army\u2019s inspection program for asbestos and lead-based paint had failed to adequately ensure that homes were safe for families. The Army Audit Agency uncovered that 41 percent of the homes it reviewed \u201chad no documented survey identifying the home\u2019s asbestos risk areas.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are highly alarmed by the consistent failure of the Army housing office inspectors to properly assess these homes and protect service members and their families from the hazards of asbestos and lead-based paint,\u201d wrote the lawmakers.\n\nSimilarly, the DoD has failed to ensure that military families\u2019 homes are free of mold. A family living on Marine Corps Base in Hawaii experienced a variety of concerning health conditions from exposure to mold such as \u201chair loss, bluish-gray skin, heart palpitations, fatigue, worsening headaches, rashes, and stomach problems.\u201d The 2022 Blue Star Families Military Family Lifestyle Survey found that almost a quarter of military families had \u201cbeen exposed to environmental toxins\u201d in their homes, with a 2021 survey respondent indicating that, \u201c(i)t is almost as if the privatized housing office feels as though there will not be another large-scale inspection, so they just turn their blind eye to service members\u2019 complaints of black mold growing in their homes.\u201d\n\nTo address these problems, Congress established a formal dispute resolution process. However, the Government Accountability Office identified broader confusion among both military families and military housing officials on its implementation. Military families have also expressed concerns that they must agree to keeping any formal dispute resolution process confidential upon signing their lease, and the tendency for the process to favor the private housing companies.\n\n\u201cThe Department of Defense has a long way to go to fully implement reforms and restore military families\u2019 confidence,\u201d wrote the lawmakers. \u201cMilitary families should not be forced into a confidentiality clause if they choose to use the formal dispute resolution process to address unsafe housing conditions, and the Department needs to take steps to improve this process and protect service members and their families.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=013C0B2B-FAA8-411A-8761-2E545BD6972A", "Sen. Warner Kicks off the Holiday Season with Tree Trimming Party", "2023-12-06", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Mark R. Warner", "W000805", "www.warner.senate.gov", "warner", "https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD BROADCAST-QUALITY PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO FROM SEN. WARNER'S TREE DECORATION\n\nTHE NORTH POLE \u2013 U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and his Washington, D.C. staff are ready for Christmas! Today, Sen. Warner welcomed kindergarteners from Bel Air Elementary School in Woodbridge, VA to his Capitol Hill office to kick off the holiday season with carols, milk and cookies, and decoration of the office Christmas tree. This year\u2019s tree, a 12-foot Fraser fir, is from Mt. Rogers Tree Farm in Grayson County, Va.\n\nStudents helped Sen. Warner decorate his tree with handmade ornaments while serenading members of his staff with classic carols such as \u201cJingle Bells\u201d and \u201cRudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.\u201d\n\nSen. Warner has hosted students from across the Commonwealth to help him get in the holiday spirit nearly every year since taking office in 2009.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:56:20Z"], ["https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=5C315C1F-AF1B-4A2A-AAF3-31278B396EF6", "Warner, Kaine Introduce Legislation to Rename Roanoke Federal Building After Civil Rights Lawyer Reuben Lawson", "2023-12-06", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Mark R. Warner", "W000805", "www.warner.senate.gov", "warner", "https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) introduced legislation to rename a federal building in Roanoke, VA the \u201cReuben E. Lawson Federal Building\u201d in honor of the life and legacy of civil rights lawyer Reuben Lawson. Today, December 6th, marks what would have been Lawson\u2019s 103rd birthday.\n\n\u201cReuben Lawson dedicated his life and career to fighting against segregation and paving the way for historic civil rights action,\u201dsaid the senators. \u201cWe are proud to introduce this legislation, which would ensure Mr. Lawson\u2019s relentless pursuit of social justice is cemented in Roanoke and remembered across Virginia.\u201d\n\nLawson graduated from Howard Law School in 1945 and spent his career in Roanoke, working closely with civil rights titan Oliver Hill. Lawson filed the first desegregation case in Southwest Virginia, which resulted in the admission of 13 African American students into Floyd County\u2019s high school, which until then had only admitted white students. Similar efforts then followed in Pulaski, Grayson, and Roanoke Counties. Lawson also played a key role in convincing the Roanoke City Council to defy Virginia\u2019s segregation law in 1961 and integrate Roanoke\u2019s Victory Stadium.\n\nIn September of this year, Sens. Warner and Kaine met with Roanoke attorney and former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia John Fishwick, Reverend Edward Burton, and members of the Roanoke community who have championed the effort to honor Mr. Lawson through renaming this Federal Building.\n\n\u201cReuben E. Lawson was a trailblazing civil rights attorney in Roanoke, Virginia,\u201d said former U.S. Attorney John Fishwick. \u201cHis legacy and fearlessness during a turbulent time of civil unrest throughout our country has long been overlooked, and naming Roanoke\u2019s federal building in his honor will give Mr. Lawson the recognition he deserves.\u201d\n\n\u201cI knew Reuben Lawson through our work in the Roanoke Chapter of the NAACP in the 1960s. Reuben was soft-spoken and easy to relate to, but worked tirelessly and enthusiastically to integrate the schools in our region through the courts. He led us in that day and time, and I am proud of the effort to honor his legacy,\u201d said Rev. Edward Burton.\n\n\u201cMr. Lawson deserves to be recognized for his contributions to ending Jim Crow. The Roanoke Branch NAACP has a shared history with Mr. Lawson and continues to advocate for justice as Mr. Lawson did those many years ago; we can think of no more deserving honor than naming the Federal Courthouse in Roanoke\u2014where Mr. Lawson valiantly fought segregationist policies\u2014after him. Mr. Lawson was truly Roanoke's own civil rights attorney, embodying not only the city, but the spirit of its diverse population,\u201d said Dr. Brenda L. Hale, President of the Roanoke Chapter of the NAACP.\n\nThe building is currently named after former Virginia Congressman and State Supreme Court Justice Richard H. Poff, who opposed integration and voted against the Civil Rights Acts of 1957, 1960, 1964 and 1968 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:56:20Z"], ["https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=802CDD29-F260-40A7-81C8-C15DC0B2E142", "Sen. Warner on Failed Supplemental Vote", "2023-12-06", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Mark R. Warner", "W000805", "www.warner.senate.gov", "warner", "https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence issued a statement after the Senate failed to reach the 60 votes needed to move forward on a supplemental spending package to provide crucial aid to aid our allies and protect our national security:\n\n\u201cVladimir Putin\u2019s hopes for victory rest on the U.S. walking away from Ukraine. In 21 months, Ukraine has succeeded in decimating the military and morale of one of our chief geopolitical adversaries in Vladimir Putin\u2019s Russia without the loss of a single American or NATO soldier. We know from intelligence community assessments that Putin believes Ukraine will fall within just months without renewed U.S. support. Why, at this moment in time, would we prove Putin right?\n\n\u201cI believe Congress can and must pass a supplemental spending package that supports the fight for democracy in Ukraine, supplies our partner Israel, provides much-needed humanitarian aid to Gaza, and secures our border. But given the urgency of what\u2019s facing the Ukrainians this winter, we cannot afford to wait. Autocrats around the world, including President Xi, are watching.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:56:20Z"], ["https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6039", "Beyer Statement On Historic International Engagement Plan for Fusion Energy at COP28", "2023-12-05", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Donald S. Beyer, Jr.", "B001292", "beyer.house.gov", "beyer", "https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Fusion Energy Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives, today hailed Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry\u2019s announcement of a U.S. international engagement plan for fusion energy at COP28.\n\nBeyer said:\n\n\u201cI\u2019m thrilled that the U.S. delegation brought fusion to the global stage at COP28. This strategic plan would accelerate progress in fusion science and engineering by expanding access to experimental and test facilities, strategically foster cooperation and competition through robust intellectual property protections, adopt appropriate protections and incentives to safeguard against predatory economic practices, and strengthen a diverse and global workforce pipeline. I look forward to the expansion of international collaborative efforts in infrastructure and information-sharing that will address critical scientific and technological gaps, putting us on track toward a future where fusion provides power to the grid.\n\n\u201cBetween the Lawrence Livermore National Lab\u2019s success in achieving fusion ignition last December and again this summer, and our historic investments toward commercializing fusion energy through the Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program and the CHIPS & Science Act, there is no doubt that the U.S. has been the global leader in fusion energy. Fusion energy has the potential to be a transformational source of clean energy, and I will continue working with my colleagues in Congress to support the administration\u2019s fusion development efforts, help sustain the progress we\u2019ve already made, and work toward fulfilling the incredible promise which fusion energy offers.\u201d\n\nBeyer is the founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Fusion Energy Caucus. He was a leading governmental voice in celebrating the historic announcement of a net energy gain from a human-controlled fusion energy reaction late last year. He has continuously advocated for fusion energy research and funding as a long time member of the House Science Committee, with hiscolleagues in Congress, at the White House, in the pages of Scientific American, and elsewhere.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6046", "Bipartisan Fusion Caucus Leaders Applaud House Energy and Commerce Committee Passage of Landmark Fusion Energy Bill", "2023-12-05", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Donald S. Beyer, Jr.", "B001292", "beyer.house.gov", "beyer", "https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Congressional Fusion Energy Caucus Co-Chairs Lori Trahan (D-MA-03), Don Beyer (D-VA-08), Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN-03), and Jay Obernolte (R-CA-23) issued the following statement after the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed their bipartisan Fusion Energy Act:\n\n\u201cFusion energy has the tremendous potential to significantly lower energy costs for families, improve our electric grid, and strengthen our national security all while reducing our carbon footprint. American researchers and fusion energy companies need regulatory certainty to invest in and win the race to unlock commercial fusion energy. Passage of our bipartisan Fusion Energy Act today by the House Energy and Commerce Committee moves us one step closer to achieving that reality, and we look forward to working with our colleagues to pass this legislation on the House floor, advance it through the Senate, and see it signed into law.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/stefanik-scott-foxx-desaulnier-legislation-tackles-workforce-gaps", "Stefanik, Scott, Foxx, DeSaulnier Legislation Tackles Workforce Gaps", "2023-12-05", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Robert C. \"Bobby\" Scott", "S000185", "bobbyscott.house.gov", "bobbyscott", "https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "As originally released by the Committee on Education and the Workforce, Democrats\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Today, House Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. \u201cBobby\u201d Scott (D-VA), Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC), and Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee Ranking Member Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) introduced H.R. 6585, the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act. The legislation provides opportunities for students and workers looking to gain skills in high-demand fields by allowing Pell Grants to support students enrolled in high-quality, short-term workforce programs that will lead to career advancement.\n\n\u201cI am proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act to expand learning opportunities for the development of a skilled workforce. This bill will allow Pell Grants to be used for high-quality short-term programs that equip students to join our workforce immediately,\u201d said Congresswoman Stefanik. \u201cUnlocking skills and development opportunities will help connect workers with high-demand career fields in Upstate New York and the North Country.\u201d\n\n\u201cCurrently, you cannot use a Pell Grant for short-term training programs, like IT or welding courses. As a result, many adults cannot afford to attend or complete courses that will help them get good-paying jobs and compete in the modern economy. This is a disservice to our students, workers, and employers. The Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act will expand Pell Grant eligibility to high-quality, short-term training programs. By providing adults more opportunities to participate in quality training programs, Congress will ensure that more Americans have a pathway to the middle class, and businesses can hire the well-trained workers they need,\u201d said Ranking Member Scott.\n\n\u201cAmerica has always been a skills-based economy, so it\u2019s critical that we retool the Pell Grant to match the education needs of both students and employers,\u201d said Chairwoman Foxx. \u201cThe Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act achieves this goal by elevating skills-based programs, investing in upskilling, and promoting an education model tailored to workforce needs. This bill is a major win for students and workers, as well as employers who are desperately looking to fill in-demand jobs.\u201d\n\n\u201cBy making high-quality, short-term training programs Pell Grant eligible, we can connect low-income Americans with good-paying jobs and connect employers with the trained workforce they need,\u201d said Congressman DeSaulnier. \u201cThis legislation will give students and workers a chance to advance their careers and provide them the skills they need to succeed. I\u2019ve long supported policies to make programs that combine education and workforce training more accessible and I\u2019m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan legislation to establish Workforce Pell.\u201d\n\nThe Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act:\n\nHelps low-income students participate in short-term programs to move into a job quickly.\n\nCreates a quality assurance system for Workforce Pell Grant programs\u2014allowing any institution of higher education to participate as long as they meet all the requirements.\n\nGuarantees that program prices are aligned with economic value, so students and taxpayers receive a positive return on investment.\n\nEnsures programs provide students with relevant education and competencies necessary for employment in in-demand industries.\n\nOutlines a process for recognized accreditors to oversee Workforce Pell programs at the institutions they accredit and supports the on-ramp of new expert accreditors to oversee Workforce Pell programs, minimizing the time it will take to implement Workforce Pell fully.\n\nClick here for a fact sheet.\n\nClick here for bill text.\n\nClick here for a bill summary.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://mcclellan.house.gov/media/press-releases/mcclellan-applauds-passage-tranq-research-act", "McClellan Applauds Passage of TRANQ Research Act", "2023-12-05", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Jennifer L. McClellan", "M001227", "mcclellan.house.gov", "mcclellan", "https://mcclellan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Yesterday, the House considered and passed H.R. 1734, the TRANQ Research Act, as amended by the Senate. This bill was introduced by Research and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Mike Collins (R-GA) and Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo (D-CO). Earlier this year, Rep. McClellan was an original cosponsor of H.R. 1734 when it passed unanimously in the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. The bill now goes to President Biden's desk for signature.\n\nThe TRANQ Research Act directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to deepen its partnerships and strategically focus on the science needed to detect, identify, and better understand synthetic opioids. The usage of one particularly dangerous fentanyl analogue known as \u201ctranq\u201d is skyrocketing across the country and contributing to an ever-growing number of drug overdoses. Also known as the \u201cZombie Drug\u201d, tranq contains xylazine\u2014a veterinary tranquilizer\u2014 and has gruesome side effects, causing large wounds that won\u2019t heal, and is resistant to standard opioid overdose treatments.\n\n\u201cWith the growing concern surrounding fentanyl usage and a staggering rise in drug overdoses, it is crucial we continue to rally bipartisan support to address these issues. This epidemic cannot continue to be ignored,\u201d said Congresswoman McClellan. \u201cThe TRANQ Research Act helps develop our understanding of synthetic opioids and other harmful drugs by raising awareness of this ongoing issue and instructing the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to strengthen its research initiatives and partnerships. Addiction does not discriminate, so we must continue to provide support and resources for those who are struggling.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-the-lifting-of-many-of-senator-tubervilles-reckless-holds-on-military-promotions", "Kaine Statement on the Lifting of Many of Senator Tuberville\u2019s Reckless Holds on Military Promotions", "2023-12-05", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services (SASC) and Chair of the SASC Subcommittee on Seapower overseeing the Navy and Marine Corps, released the following statement regarding the lifting of many of Senator Tommy Tuberville\u2019s (R-AL) reckless holds on military promotions, which follows intense pressure by Kaine:\n\n\u201cI've been pushing Sen. Tuberville to lift this reckless hold on military promotions for months. I'm glad that more than 400 servicemembers will finally receive the promotions they've earned, but we must confirm all of them.\u201d\n\nKaine has been one of Congress\u2019 most forceful voices working to finally confirm these nominees and highlighting how the blockade hurts America\u2019s national security, military readiness, and military families. Last month, in recognition of Veterans Day and Military Day in the state of Alabama, Kaine held the Senate floor for over an hour in an effort to end the blockade. Kaine also spoke on the Senate floor various times to highlight how the blockade impacts servicemembers in Virginia and across the country. Additionally, Kaine railed against the blockade during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in September.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-warner-and-colleagues-urge-biden-administration-to-protect-virginia-jobs-remove-retaliatory-tariffs-on-whiskey-and-spirits", "Kaine, Warner and Colleagues Urge Biden Administration to Protect Virginia Jobs, Remove Retaliatory Tariffs on Whiskey and Spirits", "2023-12-05", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark R. Warner joined Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Todd Young (R-IN), Rand Paul (R-KY), and a bipartisan group of colleagues in a letter urging the Biden Administration to act quickly to protect the millions of U.S. jobs that rely on American whiskey and spirits producers by negotiating with the European Union (EU) to remove retaliatory tariffs that hurt these businesses in Virginia and across the country. In Virginia, the spirits industry supports 16,600 jobs and generates billions in economic activity, including over $1.7 billion in 2019. Without urgent action from the Biden Administration, the EU will implement a 50% tariff on American whiskey imports on January 1, 2024, and American and Virginia wine and other distilled spirits imports could see sharp tariff increases by 2026, hurting their businesses and jeopardizing jobs.\n\n\u201cWe write today to request an expedited agreement with the European Union (EU) to secure the permanent removal of retaliatory tariffs on spirits and wines,\u201d the senators wrote. \u201cWe are deeply concerned that a lack of a permanent solution risks the re-imposition of tariffs.\u201d\n\n\u201cSpirits have had a significant cultural impact in our country, and currently have a profound impact on the U.S. economy. In 2022 alone, U.S. distilled spirit exports reached $2.06 billion. But the impact of the retaliatory tariffs was devastating\u2026 Our belief is that the imposition of additional tariffs on this industry is detrimental,\u201d the senators concluded. \u201cThere are mutual benefits in finding a path forward, and our belief is that spirits and wines are a point where there can be consensus to limit the damage for all parties.\u201d\n\nRetaliatory tariffs by the EU have cost domestic sprits distillers and winemakers billions of dollars since 2018, and the U.S. needs a permanent solution to safeguard over 1.7 million production, distribution, and hospitality jobs that rely on the industry. The EU originally set the whiskey tariff at 25%, and following Kaine\u2019s push, the Biden Administration negotiated an agreement to suspend the tariff until 2024. Unless an agreement is reached before January 1, the tariff will be reimposed and doubled to 50%. The senators\u2019 bipartisan letter urges U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to negotiate a deal to permanently remove retaliatory tariffs on all American-made sprits and wines.\n\nThe letter was also signed by Senators Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Katie Britt (R-AL), Mike Braun (R-IN), Gary Peters (D-MI), and John Cornyn (R-TX).\n\nFull text of the letter is available here and below:\n\nDear Ambassador Tai,\n\nWe write today to request an expedited agreement with the European Union (EU) to secure the permanent removal of retaliatory tariffs on spirits and wines. While we applaud the Administration\u2019s efforts to suspend retaliatory tariffs for five-years on spirits and wines in the WTO Large Civil Aircraft Dispute and the two-year pause on American Whiskeys in the steel and aluminum dispute, we are deeply concerned that a lack of a permanent fix risks the re-imposition of tariffs. As of now, a 50 percent tariff is set to hit American Whiskeys on January 1, 2024.\n\nSpirits have had a significant cultural impact in our country, and currently have a profound impact on the U.S. economy. In 2022 alone, U.S. distilled spirit exports reached $2.06 billion. But the impact of the retaliatory tariffs was devastating. For the American Whiskey industry, exports decreased from $702 million to $440 million, a loss of 20 percent between 2018 and 2021. In 2022, American spirits exports rebounded over 2017 pre-tariff levels \u2013 the last full year before retaliatory tariffs \u2013 due in large part to the suspension of retaliatory tariffs. For many in the hospitality industry and others such as retailers, grocers, importers and distributors, many of which are small, locally-owned businesses, the impact was severe, compounded by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.\n\nWhile we understand that you continue to negotiate towards a deal to settle the dispute related to steel, we believe that the targeting of spirits is extraneous. Likewise, a permanent fix is needed as the two-year pause on American Whiskey tariffs is set to snapback soon.\n\nUnderstanding that tariffs are a \u2018tool in the toolbox\u2019 in negotiating a deal, the imposition of additional tariffs on this industry would be detrimental. There are mutual benefits in finding a path forward, and our belief is that spirits and wines are a point where there can be consensus to limit the damage for all parties.\n\nWe look forward to your support in finding a permanent fix for retaliatory tariffs on spirits and wines.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:34:08Z"], ["https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6038", "In Light of Inspector General Probe, Virginia Leaders Push For Pause On FBI Relocation", "2023-12-04", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Donald S. Beyer, Jr.", "B001292", "beyer.house.gov", "beyer", "https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA), and Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA), Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Jen Kiggans (R-VA), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), Bobby Scott (D-VA), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Jennifer Wexton (D-VA), and Rob Wittman (R-VA) have sent a letter to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget requesting that the FBI headquarters relocation process be paused in order to allow the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to properly investigate the site selection process.\n\nThe OIG review comes in response to a November 15 letter penned by the lawmakers, who requested that the Inspector General investigate significant concerns that the GSA site selection process was fouled by political interference and alleged impropriety \u2013 a concern echoed by the FBI Director himself.\n\n\u201cIt is vital that both GSA and the FBI fully cooperate and provide relevant information to the Inspector General\u2019s review, and that they allow time and space for investigatory efforts to reach a thorough conclusion,\u201d wrote the lawmakers. \u201cWe urge the Administration to pause efforts to advance this headquarters process, allowing for transparent and fair review.\u201d\n\nThey continued, \u201cFor more than a decade there has been a clear and shared understanding of the critical nature of this project. The decision bears significant impact on the law enforcement and national security missions of the FBI \u2013 GSA\u2019s client agency on this project. All of the parties involved, including GSA and the FBI, had previously stated publicly the need for a process that was fair, transparent, and determined by the merits of the prospective sites. In light of the objections from the FBI, there is concern that this standard was not met. This process must be paused to allow for a fair and transparent review to address these concerns.\u201d\n\nThe effort to relocate the FBI spans years of work and multiple presidential administrations. For months, the lawmakers have been making the case that Virginia is the best home for the FBI in part because of its diverse and developed workforce, proximity to critical national security facilities, and easy access to transit. Last month, after a flawed selection process that included last-minute changes to the selection criteria and allegations of political interference, a political appointee overruled the unanimous recommendation of a three-person panel of career experts and selected Greenbelt, Maryland as the site for the new FBI headquarters.\n\nA copy of the letter is available here and text is below.\n\nDear Director Young,\n\nWe write regarding the site selection process for a new Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) headquarters, led by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). On November 30, GSA\u2019s Office of Inspector General (OIG) confirmed that they were initiating an evaluation of the site selection to \u201cassess [GSA]\u2019s process and procedures for the site selection to relocate the FBI Headquarters.\u201d This review follows a November 15 letter[1] that we sent to OIG outlining our significant concerns with the site selection process, including credible allegations of impropriety and politicization.\n\nThe FBI Director, Christopher Wray, has raised strenuous objections to both the process and outcome of the GSA-administered site selection process. These concerns were brought directly and repeatedly to GSA throughout the agencies\u2019 deliberations. As Director Wray noted in a message to FBI personnel on November 9, following GSA\u2019s announced selection, \u201cour concerns about the process remain unresolved.\u201d[2] The nature of these concerns draws into question the integrity of a site selection process that demanded fairness and transparency, and they warrant thorough review.\n\nIt is vital that both GSA and the FBI fully cooperate and provide relevant information to the Inspector General\u2019s review, and that they allow time and space for investigatory efforts to reach a thorough conclusion. We urge the Administration to pause efforts to advance this headquarters process, allowing for transparent and fair review.\n\nFor more than a decade there has been a clear and shared understanding of the critical nature of this project. The decision bears significant impact on the law enforcement and national security missions of the FBI \u2013 GSA\u2019s client agency on this project. All of the parties involved, including GSA and the FBI, had previously stated publicly the need for a process that was fair, transparent, and determined by the merits of the prospective sites. In light of the objections from the FBI, there is concern that this standard was not met. This process must be paused to allow for a fair and transparent review to address these concerns.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6041", "Updated Beyer Statement On Negotiations For Ceasefire And Release Of Hostages", "2023-12-04", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Donald S. Beyer, Jr.", "B001292", "beyer.house.gov", "beyer", "https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) today issued the following updated statement on a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of Israeli hostages, and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians:\n\n\u201cI previously called for a ceasefire and strongly supported the recent agreement that allowed for a halt in fighting in Gaza, the release of Israeli hostages, and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians. I am deeply concerned and disappointed by the renewed outbreak of conflict, and urge an immediate return to negotiations.\n\n\"While those negotiations must necessarily focus on further hostage exchanges and the provision of humanitarian assistance, I believe they can and should be used to build a more durable ceasefire to secure the release of all hostages, a halt to attacks on Israel, the protection of civilian lives in Gaza, and an end to the appalling loss of life from this conflict.\n\n\"Ultimately, a ceasefire should pave the way for negotiations on a new political and security architecture for Gaza that allows Palestinians and Israelis to live in peace, security, and dignity. That is the objective American foreign policy should pursue.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bipartisan-group-house-members-introduces-bill-protect-older-workers", "Bipartisan Group of House Members Introduces Bill to Protect Older Workers from Age Discrimination", "2023-12-04", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Robert C. \"Bobby\" Scott", "S000185", "bobbyscott.house.gov", "bobbyscott", "https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "As originally released by the Committee on Education and the Workforce, Democrats\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. \u201cBobby\u201d Scott (VA-03), Representative Glenn Grothman (WI-06), Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee Ranking Member Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Workforce Protections Subcommittee Ranking Member Alma Adams (NC-12), and Representative Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02) introduced the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA), a bipartisan proposal to strengthen anti-discrimination protections for older workers.\n\nIn 2009, the Supreme Court\u2019s decision in Gross v. FBL Financial Services, Inc. weakened protections against age discrimination under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). Under Gross, plaintiffs seeking to prove age discrimination in employment are required to demonstrate that age was the decisive motivating factor for the employer\u2019s adverse action.\n\nPOWADA returns the legal standard for age discrimination claims to the pre-2009 evidentiary threshold,aligning the burden of proof with the same standards for proving discrimination based on based on race and national origin.\n\n\u201cEveryone\u2014regardless of their age\u2014should be able to go to work every day knowing that they are protected from discrimination. Unfortunately, age discrimination in the workplace is depriving older workers of opportunities and exposing them to long-term unemployment and severe financial hardship. More than a decade ago, the Supreme Court undermined protections for older workers by setting an unreasonable burden of proof for age discrimination claims. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act is a bipartisan bill that would finally restore the legal rights of older workers by ensuring that the burdens of proof in age discrimination claims are treated in the same manner as other discrimination claims,\u201d said Ranking Member Scott (VA-03).\n\n\u201cIn my mind, the one form of discrimination that is so widespread is age discrimination against older workers. This affects a whole generation of Americans. Countless people aged 50 and up get laid off at a time when they still have mortgages to pay and children to support, and they find it very difficult to find a job. Employers also let go of older individuals as companies look to avoid higher insurance costs. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act is a crucial bipartisan initiative that aims to restore legal safeguards for older workers by ensuring that age discrimination claims receive just as much credibility as other claims of workplace discrimination,\u201d said Grothman (WI-06).\n\n\u201cDiscrimination should never be tolerated in the workplace. Yet too often, older workers encounter discrimination on the job or when seeking employment. And when they do, they face barriers to proving their case because workers who experience age discrimination have to meet a higher burden of proof than people claiming discrimination based on race, national origin, or religion. That\u2019s wrong, and it\u2019s time for a remedy. I\u2019m co-leading the bipartisan Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act to restore protections for older workers and give them the ability to hold employers accountable for age discrimination,\u201d said Ranking Member Bonamici (OR-01).\n\n\u201cAll Americans, regardless of age, should be protected from discrimination in the workplace,\u201d said Congressman Fitzpatrick (PA-01). \u201cOur bipartisan Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act will ensure that age discrimination claims are subject to an appropriate burden of proof, and I am proud to join my colleagues on this legislation to protect workers.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe must stand strongly against all forms of discrimination, which includes discrimination against older Americans. Labor law must protect the dignity of all workers and recognize that discrimination against older Americans is discrimination all the same. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA) will ensure that older workers will be fairly treated in the job market, returning the legal standard for proving discrimination back to its original intent. Discrimination based on age has no place in our workforce,\u201d said Ranking Member Alma Adams (NC-12).\n\n\u201cIn America, we uphold the principle of individuals being judged on their abilities, free from discrimination. Everyone, regardless of their age, deserves that same freedom,\u201d said Congressman Van Drew (NJ-02). \u201cFor far too long, older workers have faced barriers to employment. This has not only kept capable individuals out of the workforce but has also forced many into unemployment and hardship. I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act to ensure that individuals in South Jersey, and nationwide, have equal opportunities to challenge discrimination, just as younger people do.\u201d\n\nPOWADA amends four laws\u2014the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Rehabilitation Act. A similar version of the bill was passed in the House with bipartisan support during the 117th Congress.\n\nRead the fact sheet for the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act here.\n\nRead the section-by-section summary of the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/light-inspector-general-probe-virginia-leaders-push-pause-fbi", "In Light of Inspector General Probe, Virginia Leaders Push for Pause on FBI Relocation", "2023-12-04", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Robert C. \"Bobby\" Scott", "S000185", "bobbyscott.house.gov", "bobbyscott", "https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA), and Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA), Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Jen Kiggans (R-VA), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), Bobby Scott (D-VA), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Jennifer Wexton (D-VA), and Rob Wittman (R-VA) have sent a letter to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget requesting that the FBI headquarters relocation process be paused in order to allow the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to properly investigate the site selection process.\n\nThe OIG review comes in response to a November 15 letter penned by the lawmakers, who requested that the Inspector General investigate significant concerns that the GSA site selection process was fouled by political interference and alleged impropriety \u2013 a concern echoed by the FBI Director himself.\n\n\u201cIt is vital that both GSA and the FBI fully cooperate and provide relevant information to the Inspector General\u2019s review, and that they allow time and space for investigatory efforts to reach a thorough conclusion,\u201d wrote the lawmakers. \u201cWe urge the Administration to pause efforts to advance this headquarters process, allowing for transparent and fair review.\u201d\n\nThey continued, \u201cFor more than a decade there has been a clear and shared understanding of the critical nature of this project. The decision bears significant impact on the law enforcement and national security missions of the FBI \u2013 GSA\u2019s client agency on this project. All of the parties involved, including GSA and the FBI, had previously stated publicly the need for a process that was fair, transparent, and determined by the merits of the prospective sites. In light of the objections from the FBI, there is concern that this standard was not met. This process must be paused to allow for a fair and transparent review to address these concerns.\u201d\n\nThe effort to relocate the FBI spans years of work and multiple presidential administrations. For months, the lawmakers have been making the case that Virginia is the best home for the FBI in part because of itsdiverse and developed workforce, proximity to critical national security facilities, and easy access to transit. Last month, after a flawed selection process that included last-minute changes to the selection criteria and allegations of political interference, a political appointee overruled the unanimous recommendation of a three-person panel of career experts and selected Greenbelt, Maryland as the site for the new FBI headquarters.\n\nA copy of the letter is available here and text is below.\n\nDear Director Young,\n\nWe write regarding the site selection process for a new Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) headquarters, led by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). On November 30, GSA\u2019s Office of Inspector General (OIG) confirmed that they were initiating an evaluation of the site selection to \u201cassess [GSA]\u2019s process and procedures for the site selection to relocate the FBI Headquarters.\u201d This review follows a November 15 letter[1] that we sent to OIG outlining our significant concerns with the site selection process, including credible allegations of impropriety and politicization.\n\nThe FBI Director, Christopher Wray, has raised strenuous objections to both the process and outcome of the GSA-administered site selection process. These concerns were brought directly and repeatedly to GSA throughout the agencies\u2019 deliberations. As Director Wray noted in a message to FBI personnel on November 9, following GSA\u2019s announced selection, \u201cour concerns about the process remain unresolved.\u201d[2] The nature of these concerns draws into question the integrity of a site selection process that demanded fairness and transparency, and they warrant thorough review.\n\nIt is vital that both GSA and the FBI fully cooperate and provide relevant information to the Inspector General\u2019s review, and that they allow time and space for investigatory efforts to reach a thorough conclusion. We urge the Administration to pause efforts to advance this headquarters process, allowing for transparent and fair review.\n\nFor more than a decade there has been a clear and shared understanding of the critical nature of this project. The decision bears significant impact on the law enforcement and national security missions of the FBI \u2013 GSA\u2019s client agency on this project. All of the parties involved, including GSA and the FBI, had previously stated publicly the need for a process that was fair, transparent, and determined by the merits of the prospective sites. In light of the objections from the FBI, there is concern that this standard was not met. This process must be paused to allow for a fair and transparent review to address these concerns.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/in-light-of-inspector-general-probe-virginia-leaders-push-for-pause-on-fbi-relocation", "In Light of Inspector General Probe, Virginia Leaders Push for Pause on FBI Relocation", "2023-12-04", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA), and Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA-8), Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11), Morgan Griffith (R-VA-9), Jen Kiggans (R-VA-2), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-4), Bobby Scott (D-VA-3), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-7), Jennifer Wexton (D-VA-10), and Rob Wittman (R-VA-1) have sent a letter to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget requesting that the FBI headquarters relocation process be paused in order to allow the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to properly investigate the site selection process.\n\nThe OIG review comes in response to a November 15 letter penned by the lawmakers, who requested that the Inspector General investigate significant concerns that the GSA site selection process was fouled by political interference and alleged impropriety \u2013 a concern echoed by the FBI Director himself.\n\n\u201cIt is vital that both GSA and the FBI fully cooperate and provide relevant information to the Inspector General\u2019s review, and that they allow time and space for investigatory efforts to reach a thorough conclusion,\u201d wrote the lawmakers. \u201cWe urge the Administration to pause efforts to advance this headquarters process, allowing for transparent and fair review.\u201d\n\nThey continued, \u201cFor more than a decade there has been a clear and shared understanding of the critical nature of this project. The decision bears significant impact on the law enforcement and national security missions of the FBI \u2013 GSA\u2019s client agency on this project. All of the parties involved, including GSA and the FBI, had previously stated publicly the need for a process that was fair, transparent, and determined by the merits of the prospective sites. In light of the objections from the FBI, there is concern that this standard was not met. This process must be paused to allow for a fair and transparent review to address these concerns.\u201d\n\nThe effort to relocate the FBI spans years of work and multiple presidential administrations. For months, the lawmakers have been making the case that Virginia is the best home for the FBI in part because of its diverse and developed workforce, proximity to critical national security facilities, and easy access to transit. Last month, after a flawed selection process that included last-minute changes to the selection criteria and allegations of political interference, a political appointee overruled the unanimous recommendation of a three-person panel of career experts and selected Greenbelt, Maryland as the site for the new FBI headquarters.\n\nA copy of the letter is available here and text is below.\n\nDear Director Young,\n\nWe write regarding the site selection process for a new Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) headquarters, led by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). On November 30, GSA\u2019s Office of Inspector General (OIG) confirmed that they were initiating an evaluation of the site selection to \u201cassess [GSA]\u2019s process and procedures for the site selection to relocate the FBI Headquarters.\u201d This review follows a November 15 letter that we sent to OIG outlining our significant concerns with the site selection process, including credible allegations of impropriety and politicization.\n\nThe FBI Director, Christopher Wray, has raised strenuous objections to both the process and outcome of the GSA-administered site selection process. These concerns were brought directly and repeatedly to GSA throughout the agencies\u2019 deliberations. As Director Wray noted in a message to FBI personnel on November 9, following GSA\u2019s announced selection, \u201cour concerns about the process remain unresolved.\u201d The nature of these concerns draws into question the integrity of a site selection process that demanded fairness and transparency, and they warrant thorough review.\n\nIt is vital that both GSA and the FBI fully cooperate and provide relevant information to the Inspector General\u2019s review, and that they allow time and space for investigatory efforts to reach a thorough conclusion. We urge the Administration to pause efforts to advance this headquarters process, allowing for transparent and fair review.\n\nFor more than a decade there has been a clear and shared understanding of the critical nature of this project. The decision bears significant impact on the law enforcement and national security missions of the FBI \u2013 GSA\u2019s client agency on this project. All of the parties involved, including GSA and the FBI, had previously stated publicly the need for a process that was fair, transparent, and determined by the merits of the prospective sites. In light of the objections from the FBI, there is concern that this standard was not met. This process must be paused to allow for a fair and transparent review to address these concerns.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/photos-and-video-kaine-celebrates-introduction-of-bipartisan-bill-to-support-virginias-seafood-industry", "PHOTOS AND VIDEO: Kaine Celebrates Introduction of Bipartisan Bill to Support Virginia\u2019s Seafood Industry", "2023-12-04", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", "kaine", "https://www.kaine.senate.gov/news", "scraper", "PHOTOS AND VIDEO AVAILABLE HERE\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today in Lottsburg, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine celebrated the introduction of his Save Our Seafood (SOS) Act, bipartisan legislation he introduced alongside Senator Mark Warner that would help seafood processors hire the seasonal workers they need in a timely manner.\n\n\u201cThe seafood industry is not just important to our economy, but important to who we are as Virginians. We want to make sure we keep you around for a very long time,\u201d Kaine said to seafood industry leaders. \u201cIt would be a shame if we got choked up because we couldn\u2019t solve this labor issue. So let\u2019s stay at the table together \u2013 we will make this happen.\u201d\n\n\u201cVirginia\u2019s seafood businesses rely on seasonal workers to keep their operations up and running. However, even in the best of circumstances, seafood processors struggle to find enough workers to meet demand,\u201d said Sen. Warner. \u201cThis legislation would exempt seasonal, non-immigrant workers in the seafood processing industry from the limits on H-2B visas, allowing processors to fully staff their operations during harvest season, avoid the frustrating uncertainty of the H-2B lottery, and focus on growing their businesses.\u201d\n\nThe Virginia seafood industry contributes over $1 billion to the Commonwealth\u2019s economy each year, supports over 7,000 jobs for Virginians, and generates $26 million in state tax revenue. Many of Virginia\u2019s seafood processors rely on workers from the H-2B visa program to harvest and process Virginia crabs and oysters in season, but processors annually struggle to get enough workers during the season when they are needed most. The SOS Act would permanently exempt seasonal, non-immigrant workers who work in seafood processing from the cap on H-2B visas, ensuring that processors have the workforce they need, when they need them to meet the increased demand at the start of the harvesting season.\n\nKaine and Warner have long supported Virginia\u2019s seafood industry. Earlier this year, the senators met with former Department of Labor (DOL) Secretary Marty Walsh to discuss workforce challenges for Virginia\u2019s seafood industry and urge DOL to consider reforms to the H-2B lottery to help seafood processors meet their seasonal labor needs. Kaine and Warner also successfully pushed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the release of additional H-2B visas to support Virginia\u2019s seafood industry.\n\nJoining Kaine and Warner in introducing the legislation are Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), John Kennedy (R-LA), and Thom Tillis (R-NC).\n\nFull text of the bill is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=1E0D6C04-AE36-49AE-8C1C-CAF92BDFBD4E", "In Light of Inspector General Probe, Virginia Leaders Push for Pause on FBI Relocation", "2023-12-04", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Mark R. Warner", "W000805", "www.warner.senate.gov", "warner", "https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA), and Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA), Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Jen Kiggans (R-VA), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), Bobby Scott (D-VA), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Jennifer Wexton (D-VA), and Rob Wittman (R-VA) have sent a letter to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget requesting that the FBI headquarters relocation process be paused in order to allow the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to properly investigate the site selection process.\n\nThe OIG review comes in response to a November 15 letter penned by the lawmakers, who requested that the Inspector General investigate significant concerns that the GSA site selection process was fouled by political interference and alleged impropriety \u2013 a concern echoed by the FBI Director himself.\n\n\u201cIt is vital that both GSA and the FBI fully cooperate and provide relevant information to the Inspector General\u2019s review, and that they allow time and space for investigatory efforts to reach a thorough conclusion,\u201d wrote the lawmakers. \u201cWe urge the Administration to pause efforts to advance this headquarters process, allowing for transparent and fair review.\u201d\n\nThey continued, \u201cFor more than a decade there has been a clear and shared understanding of the critical nature of this project. The decision bears significant impact on the law enforcement and national security missions of the FBI \u2013 GSA\u2019s client agency on this project. All of the parties involved, including GSA and the FBI, had previously stated publicly the need for a process that was fair, transparent, and determined by the merits of the prospective sites. In light of the objections from the FBI, there is concern that this standard was not met. This process must be paused to allow for a fair and transparent review to address these concerns.\u201d\n\nThe effort to relocate the FBI spans years of work and multiple presidential administrations. For months, the lawmakers have been making the case that Virginia is the best home for the FBI in part because of its diverse and developed workforce, proximity to critical national security facilities, and easy access to transit. Last month, after a flawed selection process that included last-minute changes to the selection criteria and allegations of political interference, a political appointee overruled the unanimous recommendation of a three-person panel of career experts and selected Greenbelt, Maryland as the site for the new FBI headquarters.\n\nA copy of the letter is available here and text is below.\n\nDear Director Young,\n\nWe write regarding the site selection process for a new Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) headquarters, led by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). On November 30, GSA\u2019s Office of Inspector General (OIG) confirmed that they were initiating an evaluation of the site selection to \u201cassess [GSA]\u2019s process and procedures for the site selection to relocate the FBI Headquarters.\u201d This review follows a November 15 letter that we sent to OIG outlining our significant concerns with the site selection process, including credible allegations of impropriety and politicization.\n\nThe FBI Director, Christopher Wray, has raised strenuous objections to both the process and outcome of the GSA-administered site selection process. These concerns were brought directly and repeatedly to GSA throughout the agencies\u2019 deliberations. As Director Wray noted in a message to FBI personnel on November 9, following GSA\u2019s announced selection, \u201cour concerns about the process remain unresolved.\u201d[2] The nature of these concerns draws into question the integrity of a site selection process that demanded fairness and transparency, and they warrant thorough review.\n\nIt is vital that both GSA and the FBI fully cooperate and provide relevant information to the Inspector General\u2019s review, and that they allow time and space for investigatory efforts to reach a thorough conclusion. We urge the Administration to pause efforts to advance this headquarters process, allowing for transparent and fair review.\n\nFor more than a decade there has been a clear and shared understanding of the critical nature of this project. The decision bears significant impact on the law enforcement and national security missions of the FBI \u2013 GSA\u2019s client agency on this project. All of the parties involved, including GSA and the FBI, had previously stated publicly the need for a process that was fair, transparent, and determined by the merits of the prospective sites. In light of the objections from the FBI, there is concern that this standard was not met. This process must be paused to allow for a fair and transparent review to address these concerns.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:56:20Z"], ["https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-santos-expulsion-vote", "Scott Statement on Santos Expulsion Vote", "2023-12-01", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Robert C. \"Bobby\" Scott", "S000185", "bobbyscott.house.gov", "bobbyscott", "https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement:\n\n\u201cThe findings of the Investigative Subcommittee\u2019s (ISC) report on Representative Santos highlights behavior that violates the public trust and demonstrates myriad ways he has disgraced himself and his office. He should have had the common decency to resign.\n\n\u201cIn a previous vote to expel Mr. Santos, I made it clear that despite his disgraceful behavior, he had a right to due process. The Ethics Committee\u2019s report to the full House concedes that it was not following the full process required by Committee and House Rules, which requires (1) the ISC to gather facts and bring formal charges through a Statement of Alleged Violations, (2) the Committee hold a fact-finding process, and (3) hold a sanctions hearing.\n\n\u201cThe ISC presented substantial evidence of wrongdoing. The Committee then decided to waive the fact-finding process, because it would conflict with the Department of Justice\u2019s criminal prosecution, and because Mr. Santos had not denied any of the allegations, despite being given ample opportunity to do so. The ISC did, however, make a recommendation for a sanction \u2013 a public condemnation. The full Committee then urged Members to read the report and \u2018take any action they deemed appropriate and necessary,\u2019 without indicating any reason to deviate from the ISC recommendation of a public condemnation.\n\n\u201cThe final vote on the Floor was complicated by Mr. Santos\u2019 totally incompetent response to the proceedings. According to the report, he failed to provide a meaningful response to the allegations, he publicly lied about his cooperation, and demonstrated ongoing disdain for his responsibility to comply with campaign and financial disclosure laws. There is also nothing in the record to suggest that he offered an alternative sanction, such as censure, instead of expulsion. Furthermore, the proceedings were complicated by the subjective reality that an overwhelming portion of the House, and in fact most of the public, just wanted him to leave, and only expulsion, rather than reprimand and censure, could achieve that objective. In the final analysis, we have to recognize that expelling a Member is one of the most serious and solemn actions Members can take and we have to recognize that precedent will be set. Unlike both prior cases of expulsion since the Civil War, Mr. Santos has not been convicted of a crime, and few of the allegations involve conduct that occurred during his service as a Member of Congress. And unlike the other cases, after the Committee reviewed and considered the evidence, it did not make a recommendation to expel him. For these reasons, I voted no.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 759, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"state\" = :p0 and \"year\" = :p1 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "VA", "p1": "2023"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=VA&year=2023", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 725, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=VA&year=2023&party=Democrat", "selected": false}, {"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 34, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=VA&year=2023&party=Republican", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=VA&year=2023", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 415, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=VA&year=2023&chamber=House", "selected": false}, {"value": "Senate", "label": "Senate", "count": 344, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=VA&year=2023&chamber=Senate", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=VA&year=2023", "results": [{"value": "VA", "label": "VA", "count": 759, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?year=2023", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=VA&year=2023", "results": [{"value": "2023", "label": "2023", "count": 759, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=VA", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2023-12-01,https~3A~2F~2Fbobbyscott~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Fscott-statement-santos-expulsion-vote", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=VA&year=2023&_next=2023-12-01%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fbobbyscott~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Fscott-statement-santos-expulsion-vote&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 683.3969098515809, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}