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993 rows where party = "Democrat", state = "VA" and year = 2015 sorted by date descending

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https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=577 Prince William Living: Connolly's Thoughts on Transportation Issues 2015-12-30 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Gerald Connolly C001078 connolly.house.gov     legacy Congressman Connolly shared his thoughts on transportation issues facing Prince William County, and efforts to begin the conversation on extending Metro to Prince William. Read more. share: f t Peter LineberryMetrorail service along the I-95 and I-66 corridors, extending south to Woodbridge and west to Manassas, might be the ultimate revitalization project for Prince William. County officials are clearly in favor of it. But how likely is it to happen, and in what time frame?Gerald “Gerry” Connolly represents Virginia’s Eleventh Congressional District, which encompasses most of Fairfax County and eastern Prince William, as well as part of the Route 66 corridor.  He graciously and exclusively shares his thoughts about Metro and related transportation issues with our online readers.“Community revitalization efforts can breathe new life into a neighborhood and its residents, whether it is as simple as sprucing up a store front or a more grand scale transformation that includes improving how people get to and from the places they want to go. Few things trigger such a visceral reaction in our region as traffic and the amount of time spent stuck in it, and I have spent most of my life in public office advocating for increased investments in transportation.“During my tenure on the [Fairfax] Board of Supervisors, and now in Congress, I have been proud to partner with Prince William County to advance improvements for interstates 95 and 66 and for expanding mass transit services. For example, the Recovery Act alone invested millions of dollars in Prince William to purchase new locomotives for VRE, new buses for PRTC, widen the Prince William County Parkway, and to make other road repairs across the county.“Based on my experience in local government, revitalization efforts that were paired with road and/or transit improvements proved to be the most successful, and, in some cases, those improvements fueled the revitalization itself. Just look at the success of the ne… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=575 NY Times: Americans Held Hostage in Iran Win Compensation 36 Years Later 2015-12-28 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Gerald Connolly C001078 connolly.house.gov     legacy After spending 444 days in captivity, and more than 30 years seeking restitution, the Americans taken hostage at the United States Embassy in Tehran in 1979 have finally won compensation. Read more. share: f t By DAVID M. HERSZENHORNAfter spending 444 days in captivity, and more than 30 years seeking restitution, the Americans taken hostage at the United States Embassy in Tehran in 1979 have finally won compensation.Buried in the huge spending bill signed into law last Friday are provisions that would give each of the 53 hostages or their estates up to $4.4 million. Victims of other state-sponsored terrorist attacks such as the 1998 American Embassy bombings in East Africa would also be eligible for benefits under the law.“I had to pull over to the side of the road, and I basically cried,” said Rodney V. Sickmann, who was a Marine sergeant working as a guard at the embassy in Tehran when he was seized along with the other Americans by a mob that overran the compound on Nov. 4, 1979. “It has been 36 years, one month, 14 days, obviously, until President Obama signed the actual bill, until Iran was held accountable,” he said.The law now stands to bring closure to an episode that riveted the nation and ruptured America’s ties with Iran. The very agreement that won the hostages’ release in 1981 barred them from seeking restitution. Their legal claims were repeatedly blocked in the courts, including an appeal denied by the Supreme Court. Congress tried but failed to pass laws granting them relief.But this year, vindication came in a decision that forced the Paris-based bank BNP Paribas to pay a $9 billion penalty for violating sanctions against Iran, Sudan and Cuba. Some of that money was suddenly available for victims of state-sponsored terrorism. Congress was also motivated by many members’ anger over the Iran nuclear accord.Some of the hostages were subject to physical and psychological torture during their long ordeal, and many regarded the thaw as frustra… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=576 Connolly Statement on Prime Minister Abe's Apology and Compensation Offer to South Korean "Comfort Women" Victims 2015-12-28 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Gerald Connolly C001078 connolly.house.gov     legacy Connolly Statement on Prime Minister Abe's Apology and Compensation Offer to South Korean "Comfort Women" Victims f t # e Washington, DC, December 28, 2015 Congressman Gerry Connolly, co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Korea, released the following statement in response to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's apology and compensation offer to South Korean "Comfort Women" victims. Read more. share: f t Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA), co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Korea, released the following statement in response to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s apology and compensation offer to South Korean “Comfort Women” victims:“I welcome the long overdue apology for the “Comfort Women” and hopefully the beginning of a new chapter in South Korea-Japan relations. The plight of the “Comfort Women” is a matter of historical record, and Prime Minister Abe’s actions today should help offer these women and their families the dignity and respect they deserve.”Congressman Connolly is co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Korea and a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and its Subcommittee on the Asia-Pacific. Connolly has supported legislation that called on the Government of Japan to accept responsibility for World War II era transgressions, namely the coercion of women into sexual slavery. The legislation also urged the Prime Minister to issue a public statement in his official capacity apologizing for the enslavement and trafficking of women. In 2014, Connolly wrote to the Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. to express his profound disappointment that the Government of Japan had conducted a review of a statement issued by Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono in 1993 acknowledging the coercion of “Comfort Women” into sexual se… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-retirement-of-congressman-robert-hurt Kaine Statement On Retirement Of Congressman Robert Hurt 2015-12-23 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy Kaine Statement On Retirement Of Congressman Robert Hurt Wednesday, December 23, 2015 RICHMOND, VA U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement today on Congressman Robert Hurts retirement: From his start in local politics on theChatham Town Council to his tenure in the General Assembly and three terms in Congress, Robert Hurt has made a strong mark on his community. I'm proud of our work across the aisle to help move projects like Commonwealth Crossing Business Center and Berry Hill Mega Park forward, and I'm grateful for his partnership as we continue to fight back against attempts to derail the construction of an embassy security training facility at Fort Pickett. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=5727dc51-80e9-4d86-ab7a-2b096c6c88da Statement of Sen. Warner on Today's Announcement by Rep. Hurt 2015-12-23 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the following statement on todays announcement by U.S. Rep. Robert Hurt (R-5th) that he will not seek reelection next year: I have respected and enjoyed working alongside Robert Hurt for 13 years. When Robert was a state delegate and I served as Virginia governor, we worked together to improve schools and strengthen the economy across southside. Today, as colleagues in Virginias congressional delegation, Rep. Hurt has been a strong partner and a reliable advocate for the people of the Fifth District and across Virginia. I thank him for his public service and offer my best wishes. # # # 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=574 WaPo: Washington region reaps the benefits of new congressional spending plan 2015-12-22 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Gerald Connolly C001078 connolly.house.gov     legacy area elected officials repeatedly sounded the alarm in recent years that the dysfunction and austerity ruling Congress were hurting the local economy to the point where it lagged behind the nation’s.Then details of a new $1.1 trillion omnibus spending package came down from Capitol Hill.The legislation, approved by the House and Senate last week, provides $557 million for a Department of Homeland Security campus in the District, $390 million toward an FBI campus, $154 million for improvements at Fort Meade, $150 million for Metro and $60 million for the Gaithersburg campus of the National Institute of Standards and Technology.The tax section of the agreement boosts the cap on the transit benefit for federal workers and makes it retroactive by a year. Federal employees also will keep a 1.3 percent raise that President Obama ordered in August.Money for budget items largely spent in the Washington area is also up. Nearly $24 billion more has been included in the budget for defense, $2 billion more for the National Institutes of Health, $132 million more for the Office of Personnel Management (including $21 million devoted to cybersecurity), and $133 million more for the Food and Drug Administration.That comes on the heels of a five-year transportation bill that included $6.2 billion for Virginia, $4.4 billion for Maryland and $268 million more for the District, an allocation that could advance infrastructure projects such as reconstruction of Arlington Memorial Bridge.“It is light years away from the pay freeze and federal government assault that has characterized federal budget spending for the past three years,” said Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (D-Va.). “Regionally, there’s even more, frankly, to crow about.”D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D) referred to Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) as a “bipartisan wizard” Friday on WAMU after the retiring senator landed the $390 million for a new FBI headquarters although the General Services Administration has not decided where it will be built.“I don’t know if I have ever see… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=284 Beyer Celebrates Federal Employee Measures in Omnibus 2015-12-18 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Donald Beyer B001292 beyer.house.gov     legacy There is finally some good news for federal employees in the omnibus spending bill passed by Congress this morning. The $1.1 trillion spending package included a pay raise for federal employees and our service members, as well as significant additional funding for the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), some of which is earmarked for cybersecurity. share: f t There is finally some good news for federal employees in the omnibus spending bill passed by Congress this morning. The $1.1 trillion spending package included a pay raise for federal employees and service members, as well as significant additional funding for the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), some of which is earmarked for cybersecurity. Federal employees suffered through enough with years of wage stagnation, furloughs and shutdowns, and, perhaps most egregiously, the theft of their personal information as a result of the OPM hacks, said Rep. Beyer. In addition to cybersecurity investments to prevent future breaches, this deal gives our federal workforce a modest 1.3 percent pay raise for the second year in a row. These efforts will help improve the recruitment and retention of federal employees to help our government grow the new American economy, Beyer added. The agreement provides $272 million for OPM and the OPM Inspector General, a $132 million increase over the previous year. The legislation also provides $21 million for critical upgrades to OPMs cybersecurity infrastructure and to ensure protections to prevent similar security breaches are installed. Individuals affected by the OPM data breaches will be provided with identity protection coverage for 10 years -- much more than the previous commitment -- and identity theft insurance in the amount of $5,000,000. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-on-fy16-omnibus Scott Statement on FY16 Omnibus 2015-12-18 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Robert Scott S000185 bobbyscott.house.gov     legacy As originally released by the Committee on Education and the Workforce, Democrats WASHINGTON, D.C. Ranking Member Robert C. Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on House passage of H.R. 2029, the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2016, which fully funds the federal government through September 30, 2016, provides a two year implementation delay of the excise tax on high-cost employer sponsored health insurance plans, makes important investments in students and does not hinder the Department of Labors ability to enforce rules that protect workers. The legislation passed the House by a vote of 316-113 (Roll Call No.705). Despite recent gains in our economy, too many working families are still struggling to make ends meet. With todays vote, the House has taken a significant step forward to help workers, students and families.The investments made in this bill are necessary to ensure our nations economic health and competitiveness. The bill provides substantial support for job training and apprenticeship programs, which are proven pathways to a sustainable career. I am pleased that some of the most egregious policy riders that were in early versions of the bill were ultimately removed. These provisions would have allowed interference with employee organizing, unsafe workplaces, unscrupulous retirement savings advice, discrimination and wage theft. This appropriations bill also includes significant increases in federal education programs, especially for those benefiting low-income students. These additional funds will help close resource and opportunity gaps at every level of our education system and will help make sure a high-quality education is within reach of every American child. While this bill provides adequate funding increases for programs that support students and workers, Congress must still rebalance its priorities to better ensure that hardworking American families have the opportunity to prosper. I am confident that by working together, we can increase investments in measures t… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=572 Connolly Statement in Support of the Bipartisan Omnibus Spending Bill 2015-12-18 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Gerald Connolly C001078 connolly.house.gov     legacy Congressman Connolly issued the following statement in support of the bipartisan Omnibus Spending Bill that avoids a government shutdown restores funding for our nation's defense and domestic priorities. Read more. share: f t Congressman Connolly issued the following statement in support of the bipartisan Omnibus Spending Bill:Passage of the omnibus spending bill delivers on the Bipartisan Budget Agreement I supported in late October to avert both a government shutdown and a historic default on our nation’s credit. This latest compromise restores critical funding for our nation’s defense and domestic priorities in a balanced fashion. Perhaps most important, it spares Northern Virginia from the harmful cuts of sequestration, which have served as a drag on our region’s economy.Residents and businesses across Northern Virginia stand to benefit significantly from this legislation, which will fund the federal government through Sept. 30, 2016. Of particular interest to our region, this omnibus bill will increase transportation investments by nearly $4 billion. I worked with the region’s congressional delegation to fend off attempts to cut the federal government’s $150 million contribution to Metro’s ongoing safety and capital improvements. We successfully restored the full funding. Reneging on that commitment would have caused a disastrous ripple effect across the region, jeopardizing the matching $150 million from Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. and threatening the progress needed to restore safety and confidence in Metro.In addition, this bipartisan bill ensures federal employees and members of our nation’s military receive a 1.3% pay raise next year. Federal funding for industry research and innovation will grow considerably under the new budgets for the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes for Health, and the departments of defense and energy, among others. Additional support is being sent to our state and local partners for law enforcement a… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=573 Iran Hostage Compensation Included in Omnibus Legislation 2015-12-18 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Gerald Connolly C001078 connolly.house.gov     legacy Congressman Gerry Connolly announced that compensation for victims and families of the 1979 Hostage Crisis was included in the final Omnibus spending package. Read more. share: f t Congressman Gerry Connolly announced that compensation for victims and families of the 1979 Hostage Crisis was included in the final Omnibus spending package.“For 444 days, the hostages endured brutal physical and mental abuse at the hands of their captors, and their families agonized over their fate,” said Rep. Connolly. “After more than three decades, compensation for the victims of the Iran Hostage Crisis and their families is long past due. I hope this action will help bring closure to the victims and their families.”The Omnibus bill includes language that would provide the following compensation levels:Hostages: 10,000/day the person was held hostageSpouses: $600,000 lump sumChildren: $600,000 lump sumThe 11th District of Virginia is home to at least one former hostage as well several children and spouses of hostages who would qualify for the compensation.To secure the release of the hostages, the Carter Administration agreed to the Algiers Accords, which barred the hostages from bringing claims against the government of Iran for its role in orchestrating the embassy takeover. The hostages remain the only victims of state-sponsored terrorism who cannot seek a judgment in U.S. courts.Earlier this year, Rep. Connolly joined Rep. Sean Duffy (R-WI) to introduce The Justice for Former American Hostages in Iran Act of 2015. This legislation would establish a compensation fund for the American hostages held in Iran in 1979with a compensation structure largely mirrored in the text of the Omnibus legislation. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/following-senate-passage-of-final-omnibus-appropriations-bill-warner-and-kaine-applaud-virginia-provisions- Following Senate Passage Of Final Omnibus Appropriations Bill, Warner & Kaine Applaud Virginia Provisions 2015-12-18 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy Following Senate Passage Of Final Omnibus Appropriations Bill, Warner & Kaine Applaud Virginia Provisions Friday, December 18, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine applauded Senate passage of the Fiscal Year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which provides discretionary funding for the entire federal government for the next fiscal year. The bipartisan budget deal helped pave the way for this legislation, which restores some of the most harmful sequester cuts and provides certainty to our military and to Virginia shipyards. It provides much-needed additional resources to improve cybersecurity across the federal government, including the Office of Personnel Management, and it gives the federal workforce and our federal retirees additional peace of mind of knowing that victims of the OPM hack can count on extended identity theft protection, Warner said. While the bipartisan package supports many programs and priorities which are important to Virginians, I remain concerned that this legislation does little to address our nations longer-term fiscal challenges. I certainly hope the spirit of bipartisanship displayed by passage of this imperfect budget bill will result in a more fiscally responsible approach to budget issues in the new year. Im pleased this bill addresses arbitrary budget caps set by sequestration, invests in Virginias shipbuilders so they have certainty and stability and lends a helping hand to middle- to low-income families trying to make ends meet. Additionally, this bill provides full funding for a Foreign Affairs Security Training Center (FASTC), which will be located at Fort Pickett, in recognition of the essential need to provide our diplomatic personnel the training they need to represent the United States in dangerous places overseas. Though this bill isnt perfect, I chose to support it because it funds programs that are critical to our nations security and success, and it will allow federal agencies to plan ahead. Most i… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-joins-20-democratic-senators-to-express-profound-concern-over-second-iranian-ballistic-missile-test-in-letter-to-president-obama Kaine Joins 20 Democratic Senators To Express Profound Concern Over Second Iranian Ballistic Missile Test In Letter To President Obama 2015-12-18 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy Kaine Joins 20 Democratic Senators To Express Profound Concern Over Second Iranian Ballistic Missile Test In Letter To President Obama Friday, December 18, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees,along with U.S. Senators Ben Cardin, Chuck Schumer, Richard Blumenthal, Chris Coons, Gary Peters, Michael Bennet, Ron Wyden, Jeanne Shaheen, Debbie Stabenow, Heidi Heitkamp, Bill Nelson, Ed Markey, Kirsten Gillibrand, Bob Casey, Mark Warner, Cory Booker, Maria Cantwell, Martin Heinrich, Barbara Mikulski, and Jeff Merkley expressed profound concern in a letter to President Obama regarding a second ballistic missile test conducted by Iran on November 21st. In the letter, the Senators write: We are deeply concerned by Irans continued violations of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1929 by testing a second ballistic missile on November 21, 2015If there are no consequences for this violation, Irans leaders will certainly also question the willingness of the international community to respond to violations of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and UN Security Council Resolution 2231. The letter sent to President Obama today by the 21 U.S. Senators appears below. Dear Mr. President: We are deeply concerned by Irans continued violations of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1929 by testing a second ballistic missile on November 21, 2015. Once again, the international community has an opportunity to demonstrate its resolve in the face of Iranian violations of its international obligations. On December 15, a panel of expert monitors working on behalf of the United Nations Security Council reported that, "On the basis of its analysis and findings the Panel concludes that the Emad launch on October 10this a violation by Iran of paragraph 9 of Security Council Resolution 1929." Unfortunately, some members of the UN Security Council failed to condemn this violation and failed to take steps colle… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=9abad7de-b0a4-42bd-80d8-0543f56ec09b Following Senate Passage of Final Omnibus Appropriations Bill, Warner & Kaine Applaud Virginia Priorities 2015-12-18 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine applauded Senate passage of the Fiscal Year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which provides discretionary funding for the entire federal government for the next fiscal year. The bipartisan budget deal helped pave the way for this legislation, which restores some of the most harmful sequester cuts and provides certainty to our military and to Virginia shipyards. It provides much-needed additional resources to improve cybersecurity across the federal government, including the Office of Personnel Management, and it gives the federal workforce and our federal retirees additional peace of mind of knowing that victims of the OPM hack can count on extended identity theft protection, Warner said. While the bipartisan package supports many programs and priorities which are important to Virginians, I remain concerned that this legislation does little to address our nations longer-term fiscal challenges. I certainly hope the spirit of bipartisanship displayed by passage of this imperfect budget bill will result in a more fiscally responsible approach to budget issues in the new year. Im pleased this bill addresses arbitrary budget caps set by sequestration, invests in Virginias shipbuilders so they have certainty and stability and lends a helping hand to middle- to low-income families trying to make ends meet. Additionally, this bill provides full funding for a Foreign Affairs Security Training Center (FASTC), which will be located at Fort Pickett, in recognition of the essential need to provide our diplomatic personnel the training they need to represent the United States in dangerous places overseas. Though this bill isnt perfect, I chose to support it because it funds programs that are critical to our nations security and success, and it will allow federal agencies to plan ahead. Most importantly, this is a compromise that will give budget certainty to families and businesses. The bipartisan character of this agreement will hopefully encourage more such coop… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=282 Beyer Statement on Unfunded Tax Cuts Package 2015-12-17 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Donald Beyer B001292 beyer.house.gov     legacy Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) released the following statement on his vote in opposition to the Tax Increase Prevention and Real Estate Investment Act: I voted against the tax extenders package because it was yet another unfunded tax cut. There are a number of provisions in the bill which I support, including the expanded Earned Income and Child Tax Credits (EITC, CTC), the Research and Development Tax Credit, and commuter benefits so important to federal workers in Northern Virginia. However, continuing to reduce our tax base without acknowledging the costs of doing so is simply unsustainable. As we have seen in recent decades, tax cuts which are not paid for ultimately lead to sharp cuts in government programs that are so important to my constituents in Northern Virginia. The erosion of the tax base, all the while insisting that economic growth will magically fix federal balance sheets, is the cornerstone of the Republican strategy to starve the beast. This will make it harder for us to build the government that Americans want and deserve. I cannot be a party to it. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=283 House Democrats Introduce Legislation Condemning Anti-Muslim Bigotry 2015-12-17 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Donald Beyer B001292 beyer.house.gov     legacy Following weeks of anti-Muslim bigotry and acts of hatred, Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D-DC), Joe Crowley (D-NY), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Mike Honda (D-CA), Keith Ellison (D-MN), and Andr Carson (D-IN), along with 63 original cosponsors, introduced legislation condemning violence, bigotry, and hateful rhetoric towards Muslim-Americans. share: f t Following weeks of anti-Muslim bigotry and acts of hatred, Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D-DC), Joe Crowley (D-NY), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Mike Honda (D-CA), Keith Ellison (D-MN), and Andr Carson (D-IN), along with 63 original cosponsors, introduced legislation condemning violence, bigotry, and hateful rhetoric towards Muslim-Americans. We must show that we will not tolerate this anti-Muslim discrimination and that those who propagate it do not represent the melting-pot America that we celebrate, said Rep. Don Beyer. These harmful words eventually lead to the very acts of violence many came to our country to escape in the first place. Its time Congress stood up to condemn these attacks which run contrary to American values. Americas highest ideals include our protections for religious liberty and the celebration of our differences. It is a mistake to lump millions of peaceful, liberty-loving Muslim Americans together with the brutal zealots who are working continuously to hijack their faith, said Rep. Marcy Kaptur. Anti-Muslim speeches and statements only serve to divide us and pit Americans against one another. Bigotry and the violence it perpetrates are not worthy of the legacy of generations who have fought and sacrificed to make America the nationthat it is today. As we see many Americans expressing their fears, their leaders at every level have a special obligation to lead, Congresswoman Norton said. The concerns of the American people about terrorism in civil society after Paris and San Bernardino are understandable, but embrac… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-on-permanent-tax-extenders-bill Scott Statement on Permanent Tax Extenders Bill 2015-12-17 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Robert Scott S000185 bobbyscott.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Robert C. Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on his No vote on the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (Roll Call No. 703): This tax extenders bill permanently extends enhancements to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC), which will help millions of working families stay out of poverty, help them offset the cost of childcare, and help them send their children to college. While I strongly support these and some of the business provisions, I voted against the bill because it is not paid for at this time but ultimately its cost of approximately $622 billion over the next decade will, of course, have to be paid for. Unfortunately, many of the people that will benefit from the provisions in the bill will be the first ones hurt when Congress pays for it. We witnessed this scenario soon after we passed the fiscal cliff deal in January 2013, which permanently extended most of the Bush-era tax cuts at a cost of $3.9 trillion. Within weeks of that vote, the House voted to increase student loan interest rates and to cut spending to the supplemental nutrition assistance program, seniors programs, education and many other vital functions of government. Congress even contemplated proposals to cut Social Security and increase the retirement age for Medicare. At the same time, we were unable to rationally deal with sequestration, which further cut spending to programs that help working families and continues to negatively disrupt the federal budget process. How we address the budget and the deficit is a matter of priorities. Congress must consider the cost of tax cuts in the context of other budget decisions and priorities. For example, proposals to offer two years of free community college or tuition free and debt free college, which range in cost from $60 billion to $750 billion, have been summarily dismissed as being too expensive. Yet it one fell swoop, we pass $622 billion in tax cuts. # # # 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=570 House Passes First Responders Passport Act 2015-12-17 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Gerald Connolly C001078 connolly.house.gov     legacy The House of Representatives passed the First Responders Passport Act of 2015 today. The legislation, cosponsored by Congressman Gerry Connolly, would waive passport fees for first responders deployed in the aftermath of international disasters. Read more. share: f t The House of Representatives passed theFirst Responders Passport Act of 2015 today. The legislation, cosponsored by Congressman Gerry Connolly, would waive passport fees for first responders deployed in the aftermath of international disasters.As part of the U.S. international disaster response, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) deploys Disaster Assistance Response Teams that comprise elite urban search and rescue teams, including Fairfax County’s Virginia Task Force 1. Physicians, canine handlers, structural engineers, technical search and rescue specialists, paramedics, and other personnel volunteer to serve on these teams and can be deployed abroad on a moment’s notice.The Fairfax Team has been deployed in recent years to disasters in Nepal, Japan, and Haiti.  Members of Task Force 1 are required to hold current passports and be able to deploy within a few hours. Under the bill, when those individuals renew their passports or new members of the teams require a passport, the passport fees would be waived.“These brave men and women provide relief and assistance at desperate times and serve as outstanding goodwill ambassadors for the U.S,” Connolly said.“This legislation recognizes the contribution our first responders make to international disaster response efforts by waiving the fees they would pay to obtain a U.S. passport,” said Rep. Connolly. “This is a small thanks for the sacrifice they and their families make when they are deployed abroad to work in dangerous and chaotic conditions.”Connolly’s full remarks follow:Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the First Responders Passport Act of 2015. This legislation recognizes the contribution our first responders make… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=571 Connolly Statement on House Passage of Tax Extenders Package 2015-12-17 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Gerald Connolly C001078 connolly.house.gov     legacy Connolly Statement on House Passage of Tax Extenders Package f t # e Washington, DC, December 17, 2015 Congressman Connolly released the following statement in support of the tax extenders package that passed the House on Thursday. Read more. share: f t Congressman Connolly released the following statement in support of the tax extenders package:“The tax extenders bill is an important victory for Northern Virginia and a step forward for the nation.  Like President Obama, I believe this package represents a bipartisan compromise that makes permanent a number of improvements to tax credits benefitting working and middle-class Americans, while encouraging U.S. companies to invest in innovation. But most importantly, it is a great deal for Northern Virginia.It permanently extends the Research and Development Tax Credit, critically important to the success of Northern Virginia’s high-tech industry, fostering innovation and American competitiveness. It invests in middle-class families by making permanent the Earned-Income Tax Credit, the enhanced child tax credit, and theAmerican Opportunity Tax credit to make college more affordable. It restores long-overdue transit benefit parity, putting money back in the pockets of transit riders and improving Metro’s financial outlook at a critical time for the system by offering an incentive for expanded ridership. It extends environmental and conservation tax credits necessary to develop a 21st century clean energy future. And it protects charitable donations that help community non-profits serve those in need. For all those reasons, I joined President Obama and 76 other Democrats in supporting this legislation.” f t # e 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/senators-press-administration-on-efforts-to-lower-prescription-drug-costs Senators Press Administration On Efforts To Lower Prescription Drug Costs 2015-12-17 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy Senators Press Administration On Efforts To Lower Prescription Drug Costs Thursday, December 17, 2015 WASHINGTON Today U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) wrote to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Acting Administrator Andrew Slavitt, seeking more information on the agencys efforts to inform consumers and health care providers about prescription drug costs and maximize CMS existing authorities to contain cost. In 2014 alone, spending on prescription drugs rose by 12.2%. Inevitably, these rising costs squeeze American household budgets as well as federal and state budgets, Medicare, Medicaid, and other public health care programs that use taxpayer dollars to pay for drugs, the Senators wrote. There are numerous reasons why patients and heath care payers are experiencing rising prescription drug costs, and the solutions are not simple. In todays letter, the Senators asked CMS for more information on how the agency expects to use its existing authority to improve transparency on drug pricing and bring down drug costs.They pose a series of questions about the existing authority of CMS to halt rising drug prices, along with understanding how the Department as a whole can leverage information to better assess the effectiveness of treatments and provide better information to consumers about their options. Questions include: How does CMS plan to leverage the authority of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) to examine the potential of alternative payment mechanisms, including examining methods to increase use of and access to competitive generic medications, and alternatives to the current ASP+6% model? A number of outside, independent organizations and researchers including the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) and the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) are assessing the comparative effectiveness of various treatments. How can CM… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-kaine-announce-27-million-in-housing-and-job-training-funding-for-norfolk Warner, Kaine Announce $2.7 Million In Housing & Job Training Funding For Norfolk 2015-12-17 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy Warner, Kaine Announce $2.7 Million In Housing & Job Training Funding For Norfolk Thursday, December 17, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine today announced that the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority will receive a $2.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funding made available by HUDs Jobs Plus Program will help Norfolk public housing residents find employment by providing tools and resources that will assist them in gaining job skills and increasing their earned income. These funds will allow the housing authority to connect low-income residents with employment, education, counseling and financial literacy services to help them get and keep good-paying jobs, said Warner. Empowering public housing residents with the tools and skills they need to reduce their dependence on public assistance and help them become financially independent will strengthen Norfolk for the long term. Todays announcement is great news for taxpayers, residents, employers, and the entire community. This funding will equip the Norfolk community with important resources to help families succeed in todays workforce. Were proud to join HUD in announcing this grant that will give residents the opportunity to move up the economic ladder, Kaine said. HUDs Jobs Plus Programaims to develop locally-based, job-driven approaches to increase earnings and advance employment outcomes through work readiness, employer linkages, job placement, educational advancement technology skills and financial literacy for residents of public housing. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=3839d4bc-e2ff-452e-ad0d-1e08600a9db0 Warner, Kaine Announce $2.7 Million in Housing & Job Training Funding for Norfolk 2015-12-17 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine today announced that the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority will receive a $2.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funding made available by HUDs Jobs Plus Program will help Norfolk public housing residents find employment by providing tools and resources that will assist them in gaining job skills and increasing their earned income. These funds will allow the housing authority to connect low-income residents with employment, education, counseling and financial literacy services to help them get and keep good-paying jobs, said Warner. Empowering public housing residents with the tools and skills they need to reduce their dependence on public assistance and help them become financially independent will strengthen Norfolk for the long term. Todays announcement is great news for taxpayers, residents, employers, and the entire community. This funding will equip the Norfolk community with important resources to help families succeed in todays workforce. Were proud to join HUD in announcing this grant that will give residents the opportunity to move up the economic ladder, Kaine said. HUDs Jobs Plus Programaims to develop locally-based, job-driven approaches to increase earnings and advance employment outcomes through work readiness, employer linkages, job placement, educational advancement technology skills and financial literacy for residents of public housing. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=5f4fd611-71ff-43be-84e3-564eeb2b3a39 Senators Press Administration on Efforts to Lower Prescription Drug Costs 2015-12-17 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Today U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) wrote to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Acting Administrator Andrew Slavitt, seeking more information on the agencys efforts to inform consumers and health care providers about prescription drug costs and maximize CMS existing authorities to contain cost. In 2014 alone, spending on prescription drugs rose by 12.2%. Inevitably, these rising costs squeeze American household budgets as well as federal and state budgets, Medicare, Medicaid, and other public health care programs that use taxpayer dollars to pay for drugs, the Senators wrote. There are numerous reasons why patients and heath care payers are experiencing rising prescription drug costs, and the solutions are not simple. In todays letter, the Senators asked CMS for more information on how the agency expects to use its existing authority to improve transparency on drug pricing and bring down drug costs.They pose a series of questions about the existing authority of CMS to halt rising drug prices, along with understanding how the Department as a whole can leverage information to better assess the effectiveness of treatments and provide better information to consumers about their options. Questions include: How does CMS plan to leverage the authority of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) to examine the potential of alternative payment mechanisms, including examining methods to increase use of and access to competitive generic medications, and alternatives to the current ASP+6% model? A number of outside, independent organizations and researchers including the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) and the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) are assessing the comparative effectiveness of various treatments. How can CMS use this information to improve beneficiary outcomes and lower program spending? Within the individual private insurance market, an incre… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=281 Beyer Joins Rep. Cicilline to Introduce Assault Weapons Ban Renewal 2015-12-16 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Donald Beyer B001292 beyer.house.gov     legacy Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) joined Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) and dozens of Democratic co-sponsors today to introduce the Assault Weapons Ban of 2015, which would renew the federal ban on military-style weapons and high-capacity magazines. President Bill Clinton signed the original ban into law, but Congress allowed it to expire in 2004 under the Bush Administration. share: f t Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) joined Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) and dozens of Democratic co-sponsors today to introduce the Assault Weapons Ban of 2015, which would renew the federal ban on military-style weapons and high-capacity magazines. President Bill Clinton signed the original ban into law, but Congress allowed it to expire in 2004 under the Bush Administration. Assault weapons are extremely dangerous in the wrong hands and have no place in civilian life, said Rep. Beyer. These types of military-grade weapons were designed to inflict mass casualties and belong in the hands of our military and law enforcement, not untrained civilians. In recent years, the frequency of mass shooting has increased by a factor of four. And more than half of all mass shooters who killed four or more people used an assault weapon. Thats because the sole purpose of an assault weapon is to kill as many people as quickly as possible, said Rep. Cicilline. It is absurd that we continue to allow military-style weapons to be bought and sold while mass shootings grow more common. This bill is an important first step that will restore some sanity to the way we treat guns in the United States. The bill would prohibit the sale, transfer, manufacturing, and importation of semiautomatic weapons and high-capacity ammunition feeding devices. It would also improve upon the current background check procedure by effectively closing the so-called Charleston loophole and requiring law enforcement notification anytime a background check is denied. Assault weapons were used in attacks last month in San Bernard… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=569 Connolly Statement on Restoration of the Full $150 Million Federal Contribution to Metro 2015-12-16 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Gerald Connolly C001078 connolly.house.gov     legacy Connolly Statement on Restoration of the Full $150 Million Federal Contribution to Metro f t # e Washington, DC, December 16, 2015 Rep. Connolly released the following statement on the restoration of the full $150 million federal contribution to Metro in the Omnibus legislation. Read more. share: f t Rep. Connolly released the following statement on restoration of the full $150 million federal contribution to Metro in the Omnibus Legislation:“I am pleased that the Omnibus legislation restores full funding of the federal government’s $150 million contribution to Metro’s ongoing safety and capital improvements. To renege on that commitment would cause a serious ripple effect throughout the region, jeopardizing the matching $150 million from Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. and threatening the progress needed to restore safety and confidence in Metro. The federal government remains the single biggest beneficiary of the Metro system and Congress should be doing more to invest in the transit system serving our nation’s capital.” f t # e 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-kaine-hail-breakthrough-on-perkins-student-loan-program Warner, Kaine Hail Breakthrough On Perkins Student Loan Program 2015-12-16 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy Warner, Kaine Hail Breakthrough On Perkins Student Loan Program Wednesday, December 16, 2015 WASHINGTON U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) welcomed legislation that passed the Senate this afternoon to renew the Federal Perkins Loan Program, a critical lifeline for 7,800 low-income college students in Virginia. Though the program had the support of a bipartisan majority of Senators, including Sens. Warner and Kaine, the Federal Perkins Loan Program lapsed on September 30, 2015, cutting off the ability for approximately 1,500 colleges and universities across the country to make low-interest loans to new borrowers and leaving 150,000 students who have just started college in the lurch. The Perkins program is essential to the college dreams of many first-generation and low-income students. While Congress works on reforming and streamlining our student aid system to make college more accessible and affordable, Perkins recipients in Virginia deserve some certainty and predictability for their financial planning, said Sen. Warner, who used student loans to become the first in his family to graduate college. Im pleased that the Senate has finally moved to restore some of that predictability, and I hope that the House of Representatives will quickly follow suit. Im pleased the Senate could come to an agreement on the reauthorization of the Federal Perkins Loan Program, which is critical to helping low-income students and their families find financial assistance to help afford a college education, Sen. Kaine said. The Federal Perkins Loan Program Extension Act of 2015 will extend the program for an additional two years for undergraduates and gives current graduate students one more year of eligibility. This bill isnt perfect, but it will help keep student loan debt low and manageable for many families in Virginia and provides them with certainty and predictability while Congress works to reauthorize the Higher Education Act." The Perkins Loan Program is the nations… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=30dc3828-c2c1-459a-b6e2-42945e917acd Warner, Kaine Hail Breakthrough on Perkins Student Loan Program 2015-12-16 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) welcomed legislation that passed the Senate this afternoon to renew the Federal Perkins Loan Program, a critical lifeline for 7,800 low-income college students in Virginia. Though the program had the support of a bipartisan majority of Senators, including Sens. Warner and Kaine, the Federal Perkins Loan Program lapsed on September 30, 2015, cutting off the ability for approximately 1,500 colleges and universities across the country to make low-interest loans to new borrowers and leaving 150,000 students who have just started college in the lurch. The Perkins program is essential to the college dreams of many first-generation and low-income students. While Congress works on reforming and streamlining our student aid system to make college more accessible and affordable, Perkins recipients in Virginia deserve some certainty and predictability for their financial planning, said Sen. Warner, who used student loans to become the first in his family to graduate college. Im pleased that the Senate has finally moved to restore some of that predictability, and I hope that the House of Representatives will quickly follow suit. Im pleased the Senate could come to an agreement on the reauthorization of the Federal Perkins Loan Program, which is critical to helping low-income students and their families find financial assistance to help afford a college education, Sen. Kaine said. The Federal Perkins Loan Program Extension Act of 2015 will extend the program for an additional two years for undergraduates and gives current graduate students one more year of eligibility. This bill isnt perfect, but it will help keep student loan debt low and manageable for many families in Virginia and provides them with certainty and predictability while Congress works to reauthorize the Higher Education Act." The Perkins Loan Program is the nations oldest federal student loan program, has existed with broad bipartisan support since 1958 and has provided more than $28 billion i… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=42df8034-d745-48c2-babb-ff37879e35bf Warner, Corker Applaud Inclusion of Jumpstart GSE Reform Provision in Omnibus 2015-12-16 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON U.S. Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Bob Corker (R-TN), members of the Senate Banking Committee, today applauded inclusion of aJumpstart GSE Reform Actprovision in the fiscal year 2016 omnibus appropriations bill. The provision, which would spur substantive and structural housing finance reform, would prohibit for at least two years the sale of Treasury-owned senior preferred shares in government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac without congressional approval. The appropriations bill also expresses the sense of Congress that it should pass and the President should sign into law legislation determining the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and that notwithstanding the expiration of subsection (b), the Secretary should not sell, transfer, relinquish, liquidate, divest, or otherwise dispose of any outstanding shares of senior preferred stock acquired pursuant to the Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement until such legislation is enacted. The inclusion of our Jumpstart GSE provision demonstrates the unmistakable intent of Congress that the Secretary of Treasury shall not re-IPO or otherwise divest the taxpayers' investment in Fannie and Freddie without full debate and clear direction from the peoples' elected representatives,said Sen. Warner.Homeownership is a fundamental part of the American Dream, and we remain committed to revamping the housing finance system to ensure affordable access while protecting taxpayers so they are never again on the hook for a bailout. Passage of this provision makes it clear that Congress who created mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the first place should ensure we do not return to the failed model of private gains and public losses that once forced taxpayers to write a $188 billion bailout check, said Sen. Corker. Recapitalizing and releasing these behemoth entities as they now exist is not in our nations interest. Today, we are putting to bed that misguided idea, but there is more work to be done. Fortunately, a lot of the hea… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=568 Connolly Statement on the Three-Year Anniversary of the Sandy Hook Tragedy 2015-12-15 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Gerald Connolly C001078 connolly.house.gov     legacy Congressman Connolly issued the following statement on the three-year anniversary of the Sandy Hook Tragedy. Read more. share: f t Congressman Connolly issued the following statement on the three-year anniversary of the Sandy Hook Tragedy:Three years ago today, a gunman shot his way into Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut with a Bushmaster semi-automatic rifle. Before his shooting spree was through he would methodically hunt down and kill 20 innocent children and 6 school faculty members inside the school.It was a scene that has been repeated too often in the United States, and just as often, the response to these senseless killings has been inaction on the issue of gun control. Despite the demonstrable evidence to the contrary, the NRA – the standard bearer for the gun lobby - would have you believe that there is simply nothing we can do to stem gun-related violence. The NRA opposes expanded background checks for gun purchases – something majorities of gun owners (85%) and NRA members (74%) support. The NRA opposes the CDC funding research on gun violence and its impact on public health despite the fact that more than 30,000 people die in gun related deaths each year – including 11,000 in confirmed homicides.The longtime ban on gun violence research was put into place through an amendment to an appropriations bill offered by Congressman Jay Dickey in 1996. Congressman Dickey now regrets instituting the ban and believes it should be undone.The gun lobby opposes safer gun purchases that keep guns out of the hands of people who would likely seek to injure and kill other people. And it continues to suppress investigations into the deadly role guns play in 30,000 annual fatalities.All while adhering to the orthodoxy that guns keep us safe. One would think the hypocrisy could go no further. One would be wrong.Republicans in Congress, at the bidding of the NRA and the gun lobby, are currently opposing a bill offered by one of their own Member… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/photos/original-walker-grant-school Original Walker-Grant School 2015-12-15 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy 9408 Grant Avenue, Suite 202 Manassas, VA 20110 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-and-kaine-applaud-senate-confirmation-of-boente_fishwick-as-us-attorneys-for-virginia Warner & Kaine Applaud Senate Confirmation of Boente & Fishwick as U.S. Attorneys for Virginia 2015-12-15 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy Warner & Kaine Applaud Senate Confirmation of Boente & Fishwick as U.S. Attorneys for Virginia Tuesday, December 15, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine today applauded the Senates confirmations of Dana J. Boente to serve as a United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia and John P. Fishwick, Jr. to serve as a United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia. Mr. Boente a 37-year veteran of the Justice Department and experienced trial lawyer is the current interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Mr. Fishwick currently a partner at LichtensteinFishwick PLC has extensive experience in the U.S. District Court as a criminal defense attorney and civil litigator. We are pleased that the Senate has confirmed two extraordinarily qualified individuals, Dana Boente and John Fishwick, to serve as U.S. Attorneys in the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia. Dana and John received widespread support across the Commonwealth, including from the Virginia State Bar and the American Bar Association. We are delighted our Senate colleagues unanimously supported their nominations today and are confident each will serve Virginia honorably, the Senators said. Warner and Kaine recommended Mr. Boente and Mr. Fishwick to the President in May. The White House nominated them in October and the Senate Judiciary Committee endorsed their nominations last week. The Eastern District has offices in Alexandria, Richmond, Newport News and Norfolk. The Western District has offices in Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Roanoke, Danville, Abingdon and Big Stone Gap. # # # 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/tim-in-the-news/kaine-touts-new-education-bill-at-fredericksburgs-original-walker-grant Kaine touts new education bill at Fredericksburg's Original Walker-Grant 2015-12-15 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy Kaine touts new education bill at Fredericksburg's Original Walker-Grant By: Robyn Sidersky Tuesday, December 15, 2015 Its not every day that a U.S. senator visits your school to bring a present. But Head Start students and staff members at Fredericksburgs Original WalkerGrant School enjoyed seeing Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine on Tuesday as he delivered news about a bill that will replace the federal No Child Left Behind legislation and help schools such as theirs. And the little ones gave Kaine gifts, too: ornaments to hang on his Christmas tree. Last week, President Barack Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act into law. Kaine, a Democrat who is the co-chair of the Senate Career & Technical Education, was instrumental in the bills formation. The former Virginia governor has been a longtime supporter of expanding early childhood education. One difference between the new bill and No Child Left Behind is that it will provide more children with access to high-quality preschool. In Fredericksburg, the Head Start and Virginia Preschool Initiative are at the Original WalkerGrant School, which is undergoing renovations that will improve the building and make room to add much of the Central Office staff. The building was constructed in the 1950s and little has changed since. For the first part of his visit, Kaine spoke to school administrators, teachers and parents about their program. He said Fredericksburg is unique because it has the Head Start and preschool initiative programs together. Thats on purpose, school officials said, and visitors would not be able to tell the difference between the classes. The biggest difference between the old and new bill is that ESSA gives states and school systems more auto… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/tim-in-the-news/speaker-ryan-expresses-support-for-isis-war-authorization Speaker Ryan expresses support for ISIS war authorization 2015-12-15 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy Speaker Ryan expresses support for ISIS war authorization By: Kristina Wong Tuesday, December 15, 2015 Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) on Tuesday expressed support for considering an authorization for the use of military force (AUMF) against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), even though he said President Obama can wage his military campaign without it. "I do believe we have legal authorization under the 2001 [AUMF]. I do also believe that it would be a good sign for American foreign policy to have a new one updating our AUMF to declare our mission with respect to ISIS," he said at a breakfast hosted by Politico. "I think that'd be good for putting America in an offensive posture," he added. The Obama administration maintains it has the authority it needs under the 2001 AUMF against al Qaeda in the Afghanistan War, but some lawmakers say it's a legal stretch and that Congress is abdicating its responsibility by not declaring war against ISIS. Ryan's remarks could signal hope for members who have been pressing to pass a new measure to authorize the U.S.'s military campaign against ISIS, which formally began last August. Reps. Scott Rigell (R-Va.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) last week introduced a war powers measure in the House as a companion bill to one introduced by Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.). "I think we have a new Speaker that's in part why I have renewed optimism that we can advance this now," Rigell told reporters last week. "I take Speaker Ryan at his word that the will of the House will be done, and so I think I really do believe that there is a building momentum on this matter," he added. Rigell and other proponents of passing an AUMF say the terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino should … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=32598f4d-ff6d-4ca1-a130-77d8e58b70da Warner, Kaine Applaud Senate Confirmation of Boente & Fishwick as U.S. Attorneys for Virginia 2015-12-15 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine today applauded the Senates confirmations of Dana J. Boente to serve as a United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia and John P. Fishwick, Jr. to serve as a United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia. Mr. Boente a 37-year veteran of the Justice Department and experienced trial lawyer is the current interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Mr. Fishwick currently a partner at LichtensteinFishwick PLC has extensive experience in the U.S. District Court as a criminal defense attorney and civil litigator. We are pleased that the Senate has confirmed two extraordinarily qualified individuals, Dana Boente and John Fishwick, to serve as U.S. Attorneys in the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia. Dana and John received widespread support across the Commonwealth, including from the Virginia State Bar and the American Bar Association. We are delighted our Senate colleagues unanimously supported their nominations today and are confident each will serve Virginia honorably,the Senators said. Warner and Kaine recommended Mr. Boente and Mr. Fishwick to the President in May. The White House nominated them in October and the Senate Judiciary Committee endorsed their nominations last week. The Eastern District has offices in Alexandria, Richmond, Newport News and Norfolk. The Western District has offices in Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Roanoke, Danville, Abingdon and Big Stone Gap. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/view/kaine-joins-morning-joe-to-discuss-war-authorization-and-commonsense-gun-safety-reforms- Kaine Joins Morning Joe To Discuss War Authorization & Commonsense Gun Safety Reforms 2015-12-14 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy Live in-studio with the crew from MSNBC's Morning Joe, U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) discussed his efforts to have Congress debate and vote on the war against ISIL. Kaine also talked about commonsense steps Congress should take to improve the visa waiver program and prevent suspected terrorists from obtaining guns. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/view/kaine-joins-new-day-to-discuss-his-continued-push-for-war-authorization- Kaine Joins New Day To Discuss His Continued Push For War Authorization 2015-12-14 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) joined CNN New Day to discuss his continued efforts to urge Congress to debate and vote on a war authorization against ISIL. For over 17 months, Kaine has been a leading voice in calling for a bipartisan authorization of force that can help shape and define the U.S. mission versus ISIL. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=6d8cac59-6a64-4d7c-8254-b807967671c2 Sen. Warner Applauds FAA for Finalizing Registration Requirements for Recreational Drone Use 2015-12-14 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the following statement applauding the Department of Transportations (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for releasing a streamlined and user-friendly web-based aircraft registration process for owners of small unmanned aircraft (UAS): I am pleased to see that the FAA has moved forward with a final registration rule for UAS. At a time when we could see as many as 700,000 UAS, or drones, sold during this holiday season, it is important that consumer UAS operators act safely and responsibly. Registration of these systems, along with a modest fee, will promote safety and help reinforce with the public that safe operation in the national airspace is critical to harnessing the potential for economic development and technological advancement that drones bring. Registration, along with education and training, is an important step in deterring reckless behavior. However, our focus needs to remain on finalizing comprehensive rules governing safe integration of UAS, including for commercial purposes, into the national airspace. I urge the FAA to finalize those comprehensive rules as soon as possible so that the United States stays globally competitive in fully embracing the potential this new technology brings. In October, Sen. Warner praised the FAA for their announcement that it will expand the Pathfinder Program a public-private partnership to explore ways for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to operate safely in the U.S. to include sensitive airport airspace, a move Sen. Warner called for last March. Sen. Warner has long advocated for the testing and development of UAS technology, having worked with his Virginia and Maryland colleagues to urge federal officials to select the mid-Atlantic region to host a UAS test range for researching the safest and most effective ways to incorporate UAS into the existing airspace. The UAS test site at Virginia Tech one of six such sites across the country became operational last year. More information about th… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/tim-in-the-news/sen-tim-kaine-discusses-major-topics-in-education-with-students-around-virginia Sen. Tim Kaine discusses major topics in education with students around Virginia 2015-12-13 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy Sen. Tim Kaine discusses major topics in education with students around Virginia By: Chris Hogan Sunday, December 13, 2015 On Dec. 4, U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) held a conference call during which he fielded questions from representatives of college newspapers around the state. Kaine, the former governor of Virginia, spoke for nearly an hour, first explaining his work in the various congressional committees hes involved with and then addressing questions about his stance on events taking place in Virginia and around the world. Following the call, The Breeze got reaction from some students on campus. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act Kaine was first asked how he felt about the recent changes in a rewrite of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which would provide more funding for music and arts curricula in public schools. One of the weaknesses of the ESEA and the Virginia Educational Initiatives beginning back in the mid-90s to focus on curriculum standards was that there was sort of a definition of what a core curriculum was, and it was usually social studies, science, English and math and it really gave some school districts an incentive to since the testing was kind of high-stakes and a lot was on the line really downgrade arts, music and physical education, Kaine said. Emily Lewis, a freshman biology major, recalled her experience with her school district, Cherry Hill Public Schools in New Jersey, attempting to downgrade its music and arts program. My junior year they were thinking about cutting [funding for music and arts], Lewis said. Lewis said she and her classmates had to petition to keep the funding and even then some cuts were made. The Senates rewrite of the act changes this. In previous versions… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/tim-in-the-news/tim-kaine-us-senator-examines-political-powers Tim Kaine: U.S. senator examines political powers 2015-12-13 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy Tim Kaine: U.S. senator examines political powers By: Jim Nolan Sunday, December 13, 2015 He may be prominent on the national stage, but Tim Kaine's political and personal roots run deep in Richmond. The U.S. senator started in politics in 1994 as a city councilman representing the Ginter Park neighborhood where he still lives and where he raised three children with wife Anne Holton, Virginia's secretary of education and daughter of former Gov. A. Linwood Holton Jr. Kaine subsequently served as Richmond mayor before being elected lieutenant governor in 2001 and governor in 2005. A confidant of President Barack Obama and one of the first governors to endorse Obama's successful run for president in 2008, Kaine was named chairman of the Democratic National Committee in 2009. He left that post and a teaching job at the University of Richmond in 2011 after deciding to run for Senate when Jim Webb opted against seeking re-election. Since his Senate election, Kaine has plunged into national and international politics, serving on the influential Armed Services, Foreign Relations and Budget committees. He spent much of his time over the past year wrestling with colleagues on the issues of war authorization and diplomacy as it relates to the Iran nuclear deal and the threat of the Islamic State group in the Middle East. Kaine said the idea that Congress wants to be meaningfully involved to block a president's constitutional powers on diplomacy on issues such as the Iran deal but is willing to let a president do anything on war "just sends such a horrible message." He added that "the complexity and long-term nature of the threat (of the Islamic State) is one in which we need to be involved." Kaine has also been active on the … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/tim-in-the-news/education-bill-includes-provision-to-fund-k-12-education-on-safe-relationships Education bill includes provision to fund K-12 education on safe relationships 2015-12-11 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy Education bill includes provision to fund K-12 education on safe relationships By: Chris Suarez Friday, December 11, 2015 Provisions of U.S. Sen. Timothy M. Kaines Teach Safe Relationships Act were signed into law this week as a rider on the Every Student Succeeds Act, making public funds available for elementary and secondary school instruction about sexual assault and safe relationships. Packaged within the bill that replaces the No Child Left Behind Act, the provisions open Title IV funds for grants that encourage instruction and training on safe relationship behavior among teenagers and young adults. The former Virginia governors bill was first introduced in February with Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo. I believe it will help prevent sexual assault, not just on college campuses, but for anybody in the 16 to 24 age range, who are most vulnerable, Kaine said. Kaine said he met with University of Virginia students after Rolling Stone published a 9,000-word article about sexual assaults at universities across the country, primarily using UVa as an example of rape culture that exists on college campuses. Although the story was later discredited by authorities and a Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism report, Kaine said Wednesday that many of the storys statistics were correct. Earlier this year, Kaine said the Justice Department estimated 290,000 Americans each year are victims of rape or sexual assault. Advocates suggest the number of victimizations is higher because many incidents go unreported. According to the FBI, 116,645 rapes were reported to police in 2014. The Bureau of Justice Statistics in August said the rate of intimate partner violence which includes crimes committed by current or forme… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/tim-in-the-news/tim-kaine-on-showdown Tim Kaine on 'Showdown' 2015-12-11 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy [The Wall Street Journal]asked 50 peoplefrom Gillian Anderson to Nell Zinkto name their favorite books of 2015. My reading highlights are a new book, a recent book and an old classic. Wil HaygoodsShowdownis a fast-paced telling of how President Lyndon B. Johnson schemed to nominate Thurgood Marshall to the Supreme Courtrunning straight into the teeth of the segregationists running the Senate Judiciary Committee. Expect deft portraits of Marshall and all the major players. Orlando FigessThe Crimean Waris a masterly argument that this 1850s conflict was the first truly modern war with global superpower politics, industrialized killing, religious tension and intense coverage by international journalists. This book was especially enlightening given Vladimir Putins annexation of Crimea and rising tensions between Russia and Turkey. Finally, Martin Scorsese has filmed Shusaku EndosSilence: This 1966 novel about the Jesuit missionaries who first evangelized Japan is one of my all-time favoritescombining a moving presentation of a vanished world with a hard, postnuclear attitude toward faith and doubt, cruelty and suffering. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/warner-kaine-brat-scott-applaud-final-passage-of-bill-naming-mcguire-va Warner, Kaine, Brat, Scott Applaud Final Passage of Bill Naming McGuire V.A. Medical Center Arboretum in Honor of Phyllis Galanti 2015-12-10 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Robert Scott S000185 bobbyscott.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. The U.S. Senate today joined the House of Representatives in passing bipartisan legislation that honors the late Phyllis Galantis service to Americas military men and women and their families by naming the outdoor arboretum at Richmonds McGuire VA Medical Center The Phyllis Galanti Memorial Arboretum. The legislation, sponsored by Sens. Mark R. Warner, Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and John McCain (R-AZ) in the Senate, along with Reps. Dave Brat (R-VA-7),Bobby Scott (D-VA-3) and Sam Johnson (R-TX-3)in the House, now heads to the Presidents desk to be signed into law. Mrs. Galanti, of Richmond, who passed away in April 2014 at the age of 73, became a national advocate for the estimated 600 American POWs when her husband, Lt. Cmdr. Paul Galanti, was shot down over North Vietnam on June 17, 1966. During her husbands 2,432 day incarceration in a Vietnamese POW camp, Phyllis Galanti advocated for humane treatment and release of American POWs, serving as national chairman of the National League of Families and Friends of POWs and MIAs in Southeastern Asia. The legislation honors Phyllis Galanti by naming an existing outdoor arboretum at the McGuire VA Medical Center in her honor. The arboretum will feature gardens, walkways and benches in her honor, including the addition of appropriate signage. Phyllis Galantis story is a tremendous testament to what is possible through unselfish service to others. We were pleased to work together to permanently honor Phyllis Galanti in a way that will allow us to continue to share her story of perseverance and patriotism for years to come, the Virginia members said. Designating such a beautiful space in her name - one that will be enjoyed by generations of servicemembers and their families to come - is a fitting tribute to her decades of service to Virginia and our country. Her role in fighting on behalf of all of our POWs and MIAs reminds us that our military families also sacrifice for our country. The text of the legislation is available here. # # # 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=280 Beyer, Wittman Prepare Legislation to Protect Federal Workers 2015-12-10 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Donald Beyer B001292 beyer.house.gov     legacy With the clock ticking on the federal government's fiscal calendar, Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) and Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA) are preparing legislation to protect federal employees from a government shutdown. The Federal Employee Retroactive Pay Fairness Act would guarantee back pay for all furloughed workers in the event of a shutdown. share: f t With the clock ticking on the federal government's fiscal calendar, Congressman Don Beyer(D-VA) and Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA) are preparing legislation to protect federal employees from a government shutdown. The Federal Employee Retroactive Pay Fairness Act would guarantee back pay for all furloughed workers in the event of a shutdown. For the third time this year, Congressional dysfunction threatens the livelihood of federal workers carrying out our country's vital missions, said Rep. Beyer. It's inexcusable to play politics with their pay and their family's well-being. I hope my House colleagues recognize the hardship these funding battles cause hard-working American families. Federal employee pay is suspended in the event of a funding lapse or government shutdown. Retroactive pay for all essential and non-essential federal workers must be approved by Congress. There has to be consistency and certainty in government funding for our federal employees to effectively carry out the important work that they do every day to make the U.S. a better, safer place, Rep. Wittman said. This culture of stagnation that plagues the budget process in Washington and makes the well-being of federal employees contingent on unrelated policy measures has to end. I've said before, and I will say again that this recurring cycle of governing by crisis has to give way to long-term vision and resolve. Congressman Beyer's 8th District and Congressman Wittman's 1st District are home to approximately 120,000 federal employees combined. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-and-kaine-praise-unanimous-committee-approval-of-nominations-for-two-us-attorneys-for-virginia Warner & Kaine Praise Unanimous Committee Approval of Nominations for Two U.S. Attorneys for Virginia 2015-12-10 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy Warner & Kaine Praise Unanimous Committee Approval of Nominations for Two U.S. Attorneys for Virginia Thursday, December 10, 2015 WASHINGTON U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) released the following statement on todays Senate Judiciary Committee unanimous passage of the nominations of Dana J. Boente to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia and John P. Fishwick, Jr., to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia: Mr. Boentes long career as a prosecutor and current position as Acting U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District makes him exceptionally well-qualified to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District. Mr. Boente has extensive experience in a variety of cases involving national security, public corruption, and financial fraud cases. We're encouraged by this step in the process. The full Senate should waste no time in bringing this well qualified nominee up for a vote, Sens. Warner and Kaine said in the joint statement. Having practiced law for over 30 years in Western Virginia, John Fishwick has extensive experience in civil and criminal proceedings, fighting against injustice and for the people he represents. Mr. Fishwick is highly respected by his colleagues and has been elected or appointed to a number of leadership positions in legal organizations, Sens. Warner and Kaine said. We are pleased to urge our Senate colleagues to support his nomination to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Western District, and will press Senate leadership for a vote as soon as possible. The Eastern District has offices in Alexandria, Richmond, Newport News and Norfolk. The Western District has offices in Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Roanoke, Danville, Abingdon and Big Stone Gap. Dana J. Boente has served in the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Virginia since 2000.Currently, Boente serves as the Acting U.S. Attorney, a position he has held since 2013 and from 2008 to 2009, as well as First Assistant… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=5f2d6a6c-8193-4958-8068-674ee631c5aa Warner, Kaine, Brat, Scott Applaud Final Passage of Bill Naming McGuire V-A Medical Center Arboretum in Honor of Phyllis Galanti 2015-12-10 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON The U.S. Senate today joined the House of Representatives in passing bipartisan legislation that honors the late Phyllis Galantis service to Americas military men and women and their families by naming the outdoor arboretum at Richmonds McGuire VA Medical Center The Phyllis Galanti Memorial Arboretum. The legislation, sponsored by Sens. Mark R. Warner, Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and John McCain (R-AZ) in the Senate, along with Reps. Dave Brat (R-VA-7),Bobby Scott (D-VA-3) and Sam Johnson (R-TX-3)in the House, now heads to the Presidents desk to be signed into law. Mrs. Galanti, of Richmond, who passed away in April 2014 at the age of 73, became a national advocate for the estimated 600 American POWs when her husband, Lt. Cmdr. Paul Galanti, was shot down over North Vietnam on June 17, 1966. During her husbands 2,432 day incarceration in a Vietnamese POW camp, Phyllis Galanti advocated for humane treatment and release of American POWs, serving as national chairman of the National League of Families and Friends of POWs and MIAs in Southeastern Asia. The legislation honors Phyllis Galanti by naming an existing outdoor arboretum at the McGuire VA Medical Center in her honor. The arboretum will feature gardens, walkways and benches in her honor, including the addition of appropriate signage. Phyllis Galantis story is a tremendous testament to what is possible through unselfish service to others. We were pleased to work together to permanently honor Phyllis Galanti in a way that will allow us to continue to share her story of perseverance and patriotism for years to come, the Virginia members said. Designating such a beautiful space in her name - one that will be enjoyed by generations of servicemembers and their families to come - is a fitting tribute to her decades of service to Virginia and our country. Her role in fighting on behalf of all of our POWs and MIAs reminds us that our military families also sacrifice for our country. The text of the legislation is available here?. # # # 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=e509e849-fee9-419e-86d4-5d0bf279ef52 Warner & Kaine Praise Unanimous Committee Approval of Nominations for Two U.S. Attorneys for Virginia 2015-12-10 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) released the following statement on todays Senate Judiciary Committee unanimous passage of the nominations of Dana J. Boente to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia and John P. Fishwick, Jr., to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia: Mr. Boentes long career as a prosecutor and current position as Acting U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District makes him exceptionally well-qualified to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District. Mr. Boente has extensive experience in a variety of cases involving national security, public corruption, and financial fraud cases. We're encouraged by this step in the process. The full Senate should waste no time in bringing this well qualified nominee up for a vote, Sens. Warner and Kaine said in the joint statement. Having practiced law for over 30 years in Western Virginia, John Fishwick has extensive experience in civil and criminal proceedings, fighting against injustice and for the people he represents. Mr. Fishwick is highly respected by his colleagues and has been elected or appointed to a number of leadership positions in legal organizations, Sens. Warner and Kaine said. We are pleased to urge our Senate colleagues to support his nomination to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Western District, and will press Senate leadership for a vote as soon as possible. The Eastern District has offices in Alexandria, Richmond, Newport News and Norfolk. The Western District has offices in Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Roanoke, Danville, Abingdon and Big Stone Gap. Dana J. Boente has served in the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Virginia since 2000.Currently, Boente serves as the Acting U.S. Attorney, a position he has held since 2013 and from 2008 to 2009, as well as First Assistant U.S. Attorney, a position he has held since 2007.While at the U.S. Attorneys Office, he served as the Interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana from Dece… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/air-force-selects-langley-for-new-cyber-squadron Air Force Selects Langley for New Cyber Squadron 2015-12-09 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Robert Scott S000185 bobbyscott.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today the Air National Guard chose Joint Base Langley-Eustis (JBLE) for an Air Force Cyber Operations Squadron. Virginias bipartisan delegation, including Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and U.S Reps. Scott Rigell (R-VA-2), Bobby Scott (D-VA-3), Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11), Rob Wittman (R-VA-1), and Randy Forbes (R-VA-4), has advocated to locate the cyber facility at JBLE since December 2014. We were very pleased to hear that the Air National Guard chose Joint Base Langley-Eustis for an Air Force Cyber Operations Squadron, the Virginia delegation said. Cybersecurity is one of the greatest challenges we face as a nation, and this mission will play a critical role in responding to threats and protecting the integrity of our networks and cyber systems. This decision is a testament to Virginias strong record in cyber capabilities, including top defense and technology companies, research institutions, and a highly skilled workforce. We are proud to host this critical mission. In the months leading up to the decision, the Virginia delegation sent two bipartisan letters to the Air National Guard advocating for Virginia as a location for the cyber squadron.Virginia is home to 9 higher-education institutions recognized by NSA and DoD as centers of academic excellence. As the members wrote in a April 29 letter: Virginia and Hampton Roads are home to the top defense and technology companies in the country many of which are already supporting the cyber mission for national security. The decision to build this capability is in keeping with a DOD-wide focus on enhancing cybersecurity, one of America's most important national security concerns. This new mission brings private sector experience together with public service by leveraging the civilian experiences of the people who make up its units. # # # 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-on-senate-passage-of-bipartisan-bill-to-fix-no-child Scott Statement on Senate Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Fix No Child Left Behind 2015-12-09 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Robert Scott S000185 bobbyscott.house.gov     legacy As originally released by the Committee on Education and the Workforce, Democrats WASHINGTON, D.C. Ranking Member Robert C. Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on the 85-12 passage of S.1177, the Every Student Succeeds Act a bill to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and replace No Child Left Behind: I commend Senator Alexander, Senator Murray, Chairman Kline and our respective staff for their earnest and diligent work to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and replace No Child Left Behind. The Every Student Succeeds Act brings our education system into the 21st century and will make a positive difference in the lives of our nations students by giving every student an equal chance to succeed. Today we have a bill that is truly worthy of the Presidents signature. A good bill that is better than current law, and better than whats happening in many states under waivers. We were able to work together to advance student-centered policy solutions that both fulfill the ESEA's civil rights legacy and move public education forward. # # # FACT SHEET S. 1177, EVERY STUDENT SUCCEEDS ACT The Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 affirms the principles of Brown v. Board of Education, which held that it is doubtful that any child may reasonably be expected to succeed in life if he is denied the opportunity of an education, and that such an opportunity is a right which must be made available to all on equal terms. It also honors the intent of the original Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) by building on past reauthorizations of the law while addressing the key challenges presented by the most recent authorization of ESEA, No Child Left Behind. The Every Student Succeeds Act: Puts in place assessment, accountability, and improvement systems that will close achievement gaps with evidence-based strategies that meet the unique needs of students and schools. Requires states to set high standards for all children, including by capping participation of stu… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=566 Meadows, Connolly Fraud Prevention Bill Passes Committee 2015-12-09 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Gerald Connolly C001078 connolly.house.gov     legacy Today, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee advanced H.R. 4180 the Fraud Reduction and Analytics Act of 2015, bipartisan legislation introduced by Government Operations Subcommittee Chairman Mark Meadows (R-NC) and Ranking Member Gerry Connolly (D-VA) to combat fraud at federal agencies and save American taxpayer dollars. Read more. share: f t Today, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee advanced H.R. 4180 the Fraud Reduction and Analytics Act of 2015, bipartisan legislation introduced by Government Operations Subcommittee Chairman Mark Meadows (R-NC) and Ranking Member Gerry Connolly (D-VA) to combat fraud at federal agencies and save American taxpayer dollars.The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has reported nearly $125 billion in improper payments just last year, much of which is the result of individuals deliberately defrauding federal agencies. The Fraud Reduction and Analytics Act of 2015 would require the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Comptroller General to establish government-wide guidelines for agencies to monitor, detect, and combat fraud in real-time, rather than relying on end-of-year audits.The bill also calls for the creation of a working group tasked with building multi-agency data channels to fight fraud with the power of big data.“The fight against fraud and improper payments is a long-standing challenge transcending Presidential administrations and affecting all federal agencies,” said Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Ranking Member of the Oversight Subcommittee for Government Operations. “Our committee has investigated this issue in-depth, and when it comes to rooting out fraud, we would be wise to heed Benjamin Franklin’s famous axiom that, ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.’”“Detecting, preventing, and eliminating fraud within our federal agencies is an important bipartisan issue that will save taxpayer dollars. Federal agencies must be pro-active, not reactive in their an… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=567 Air Force Selects Langley for New Cyber Squadron 2015-12-09 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Gerald Connolly C001078 connolly.house.gov     legacy Today the Air National Guard chose Joint Base Langley-Eustis (JBLE) for an Air Force Cyber Operations Squadron. Virginia's bipartisan delegation, including Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and U.S Reps. Scott Rigell (R-VA-2), Bobby Scott (D-VA-3), Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11), Rob Wittman (R-VA-1), and Randy Forbes (R-VA-4), has advocated to locate the cyber facility at JBLE since December 2014. Read more. share: f t Today the Air National Guard chose Joint Base Langley-Eustis (JBLE) for an Air Force Cyber Operations Squadron. Virginia’s bipartisan delegation, including Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and U.S Reps. Scott Rigell (R-VA-2), Bobby Scott (D-VA-3), Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11), Rob Wittman (R-VA-1), and Randy Forbes (R-VA-4), has advocated to locate the cyber facility at JBLE since December 2014. “We were very pleased to hear that the Air National Guard chose Joint Base Langley-Eustis for an Air Force Cyber Operations Squadron,” the Virginia delegation said. “Cybersecurity is one of the greatest challenges we face as a nation, and this mission will play a critical role in responding to threats and protecting the integrity of our networks and cyber systems.  This decision is a testament to Virginia’s strong record in cyber capabilities, including top defense and technology companies, research institutions, and a highly skilled workforce. We are proud to host this critical mission.” In the months leading up to the decision, the Virginia delegation sent two bipartisan letters to the Air National Guard advocating for Virginia as a location for the cyber squadron. Virginia is home to 9 higher-education institutions recognized by NSA and DoD as centers of academic excellence.  As the members wrote in a April 29 letter: “Virginia and Hampton Roads are home to the top defense and technology companies in the country – many of which are already supporting the cyber mission for national security.”The decision to build this capability… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/air-force-selects-langley-for-new-cyber-squadron Air Force Selects Langley For New Cyber Squadron 2015-12-09 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy Air Force Selects Langley For New Cyber Squadron Wednesday, December 9, 2015 WASHINGTON Today the Air National Guard chose Joint Base Langley-Eustis (JBLE) for an Air Force Cyber Operations Squadron. Virginias bipartisan delegation, including Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and U.S Reps. Scott Rigell (R-VA-2), Bobby Scott (D-VA-3), Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11), Rob Wittman (R-VA-1), and Randy Forbes (R-VA-4), has advocated to locate the cyber facility at JBLE since December 2014. We were very pleased to hear that the Air National Guard chose Joint Base Langley-Eustis for an Air Force Cyber Operations Squadron, the Virginia delegation said. Cybersecurity is one of the greatest challenges we face as a nation, and this mission will play a critical role in responding to threats and protecting the integrity of our networks and cyber systems. This decision is a testament to Virginias strong record in cyber capabilities, including top defense and technology companies, research institutions, and a highly skilled workforce. We are proud to host this critical mission. In the months leading up to the decision, the Virginia delegation sent two bipartisan letters to the Air National Guard advocating for Virginia as a location for the cyber squadron.Virginia is home to 9 higher-education institutions recognized by NSA and DoD as centers of academic excellence. As the members wrote in a April 29 letter: Virginia and Hampton Roads are home to the top defense and technology companies in the country many of which are already supporting the cyber mission for national security. The decision to build this capability is in keeping with a DOD-wide focus on enhancing cybersecurity, one of America's most important national security concerns. This new mission brings private sector experience together with public service by leveraging the civilian experiences of the people who make up its units. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-applauds-final-passage-of-every-student-succeeds-act Kaine Applauds Final Passage Of Every Student Succeeds Act 2015-12-09 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy Kaine Applauds Final Passage Of Every Student Succeeds Act Wednesday, December 9, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine praised passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which passed the Senate 85-12 today following House passage of the legislation last week. In a speech on the Senate floor yesterday, Kaine applauded the inclusion of key provisions he authored to help prevent sexual assault and strengthen career and technical education (CTE) in schools across the country. The ESSA, which will replace No Child Left Behind, now heads to the Presidents desk to be signed into law. I would like to applaud Senators Murray and Alexander for reaching across the aisle and working with their committee colleagues to fix a long-expired and broken law. Education is key to both individual success and our countrys economic success, and this bill gives parents, schools, districts and states the flexibility to close achievement gaps, Kaine said. Im pleased that the bill will allow elementary and secondary schools for the first time to use Title IV funds for instruction and training on safe relationship behavior among students. I believe it will help prevent sexual assault, not just on college campuses, but for anybody in the 16-24 age range who are most vulnerable. ESSA also includes my provisions to improve access to K-12 career and technical education (CTE) programs. CTE is an important pathway for students to prepare for the workforce by integrating practical applied purposes with work-based knowledge and a hands-on learning experience. A key provision of the Teach Safe Relationships Act, legislation Kaine introduced with U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill last February, was included in the final bill. For the first time, elementary and secondary schools will be allowed to use Title IV education funding specifically for instruction and training on safe relationship behavior among students. The idea for the legislation came out of a December 2014 meeting Kaine had at t… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-urges-dod-to-rescind-policy-preventing-sikhs-from-serving-in-the-military Kaine Urges DOD To Rescind Policy Preventing Sikhs From Serving In The Military 2015-12-09 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy Kaine Urges DOD To Rescind Policy Preventing Sikhs From Serving In The Military Wednesday, December 9, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, calling on the Department of Defense (DoD) to repeal a dress and appearance policy that prevents practicing Sikhs from serving in the military. Under current DoD policy, implemented in 1988, members of the Sikh faith are unable to serve in the military unless they abandon their articles of faithnamely maintaining unshorn hair, beards, and wearing a turban, Kaine wrote. While I appreciate the importance of military protocol and understand the importance of unit cohesion, I do not believe that any American should have to choose between his or her religion and service to country." Thousands of American soldiers and officers already receive grooming and uniform accommodations for reasons other than religion. In June of this year, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia held that a Sikhs individual readiness is not diminished any more than the readiness of servicemembers who receive non-religious grooming and uniform accommodations. Kaine previously urged Secretary Carters predecessor, Chuck Hagel, to modify DoDs policy to allow practicing Sikhs to serve in 2013 and 2014. Full Text of Senator Kaines Letter: December 9, 2015 The Honorable Ashton Carter Secretary of Defense Department of Defense 10000 Defense Pentagon Washington, D.C. 20301-1000 Dear Secretary Carter: I write you to express my concern about a Department of Defense (DoD) policy that affects a group of religious constituents that is an important population in Virginia. Under current DoD policy, implemented in 1988, members of the Sikh faith are unable to serve in the military unless they abandon their articles of faithnamely maintaining unshorn hair, beards, and wearing a turban. While I appreciate the importance of military protocol and understand the importance of unit cohesion, … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=aa73206e-c306-438a-9dba-cdcc540a688b Congress Sends K-12 Education Reform Bill to President's Desk 2015-12-09 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON The U.S. Senate today joined the House of Representatives in passing the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), bipartisan legislation that overhauls the No Child Left Behind Act by enacting reforms to ensure all students have access to a high-quality education. The bipartisan legislation includes a number of provisions championed by Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), which will improve school efficiency and expand access to dual and concurrent enrollment programs for high school students. ESSA, which passed the Senate by a vote of 85-12, now goes to the White House, and the President has indicated he will sign it into law. Every child deserves a high-quality education, regardless of where they live or how much money their parents make. That means it is vitally important to do all we can to make sure we target public resources in the smartest, most effective way possible, said Sen. Warner. Im pleased that this significant reform legislation includes initiatives I have championed since I was Virginias Governor to make sure that federal education dollars are allocated into the classroom instead of toward administrative, back office operations. In addition, this legislation reflects efforts to give states and schools the tools they need to prepare students for success from early learning all the way into the workforce. The Every Student Succeeds Act is an investment in our nations economic future, and Im pleased to have played a role in strengthening this bipartisan legislation. The legislation includes an amendment based on a program Sen. Warner pioneered as Governor of Virginia (2002-6) giving school districts access to important fiscal tools that help identify and eliminate unnecessary administrative costs, so that more money can be redirected back into the classroom. Then-Gov. Warner pioneered efficiency reviews as a voluntary option for Virginias public schools in 2003, and the concept was codified into state law in 2005. To date, more than 40 Virginia public schooldivisions have undergone these independent … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=ac0f5284-a3ae-4060-a50d-16f162c917f8 Warner Praises Committee Passage of Bill to Fast Track Disposal of Excess Federal Real Property 2015-12-09 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) praised Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee passage of the bipartisan the Federal Asset Sale and Transfer Act to reduce the federal governments inventory and maintenance of unneeded real properties. The legislation, introduced by Sen. Warner along with Sens. Ron Johnson (R-WI), Rob Portman (R-OH), Roy Blunt (R-MO) and James Lankford (R-OK), includes large portions of Sens. Warner and Blunts Civilian Property Realignment Act, which was introduced in the 114th and 113th Congresses. Too many federal properties are unneeded and underused. We need to take a businesslike approach to carefully review federal real estate holdings and look for opportunities to downsize, Sen. Warner said. By aggressively looking for ways to consolidate and sell these federal properties, we can save taxpayers billions of dollars by reducing maintenance and operations costs for years to come. The Federal Asset Sale and Transfer Act requires that at least $500 million in unneeded properties be disposed of in the initial phase of sales and creates a process to cut through the bureaucratic red tape that prevents agencies from disposing of excess property in a timely and effective manner. Proceeds generated from these sales will be re-invested to carry out more property disposals, resulting in savings in operations and maintenance. At the end of the 6-year process, remaining funds will be returned to the Treasury to reduce the deficit. Full text of the bill can be found here. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=deeb1517-43f8-4a6e-92ac-55fad6476c8d Air Force Selects Langley for New Cyber Squadron 2015-12-09 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Today the Air National Guard chose Joint Base Langley-Eustis (JBLE) for an Air Force Cyber Operations Squadron. Virginias bipartisan delegation, including Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and U.S Reps. Scott Rigell (R-VA-2), Bobby Scott (D-VA-3), Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11), Rob Wittman (R-VA-1), and Randy Forbes (R-VA-4), has advocated to locate the cyber facility at JBLE since December 2014. We were very pleased to hear that the Air National Guard chose Joint Base Langley-Eustis for an Air Force Cyber Operations Squadron, the Virginia delegation said. Cybersecurity is one of the greatest challenges we face as a nation, and this mission will play a critical role in responding to threats and protecting the integrity of our networks and cyber systems. This decision is a testament to Virginias strong record in cyber capabilities, including top defense and technology companies, research institutions, and a highly skilled workforce. We are proud to host this critical mission. In the months leading up to the decision, the Virginia delegation sent two bipartisan letters to the Air National Guard advocating for Virginia as a location for the cyber squadron.Virginia is home to 9 higher-education institutions recognized by NSA and DoD as centers of academic excellence. As the members wrote in a April 29 letter: Virginia and Hampton Roads are home to the top defense and technology companies in the country many of which are already supporting the cyber mission for national security. The decision to build this capability is in keeping with a DOD-wide focus on enhancing cybersecurity, one of America's most important national security concerns. This new mission brings private sector experience together with public service by leveraging the civilian experiences of the people who make up its units. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=565 Poe, Connolly Foreign Aid Transparency and Accountability Act Passes House 2015-12-08 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Gerald Connolly C001078 connolly.house.gov     legacy Today, the House passed the bipartisan Foreign Aid Transparency and Accountability Act. The legislation will increase public oversight over foreign aid by requiring federal agencies show both where taxpayer money is spent around the world and how effective that aid has been. Read more. share: f t Reps. Ted Poe (R-TX) and Gerry Connolly (D-VA) released the following statement following the House passage of the bipartisan Foreign Aid Transparency and Accountability Act (HR 3766). This legislation will increase public oversight over foreign aid by requiring federal agencies show both where taxpayer money is spent around the world and how effective that aid has been.Since the passage of the Foreign Aid Act in 1961, foreign aid programs have grown and spread across 12 federal departments, 22 agencies, and almost 60 offices – many of which have no monitoring and evaluation procedures in place.In 2011, the Administration launched “The Foreign Aid Dashboard,” a public, online resource that allows users to examine foreign aid in an accessible and easy-to-understand format. Nevertheless, by its own admission, the site is incomplete, with information posted from only 10 of the 22 federal agencies that administer aid. Without a statutory requirement to maintain the data, any Administration can just as easily take down the website or continue to post incomplete information.The “Foreign Aid Transparency and Accountability Act” addresses both of these problems. First, it would require the President to establish guidelines on measurable goals, performance metrics, and monitoring and evaluation plans for all foreign aid programs. Second, it would increase aid transparency by codifying what is currently being done through the Foreign Assistance Dashboard and increasing the amount of information required to be posted online, including actual expenditures and evaluations.“It is time to modernize and reform the outdated foreign aid program”, said Rep. Poe.  “Under the curren… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-durbin-and-leahy-join-national-faith-leaders-to-call-for-courage-over-cowardice-in-the-face-of-global-refugee-crisis- Kaine, Durbin And Leahy Join National Faith Leaders To Call For Courage Over Cowardice In The Face Of Global Refugee Crisis 2015-12-08 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy Kaine, Durbin And Leahy Join National Faith Leaders To Call For Courage Over Cowardice In The Face Of Global Refugee Crisis Tuesday, December 8, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine, Dick Durbin and Patrick Leahy joined national faith leaders to respond to the latest attempts to vilify refugees in the United States and call on lawmakers to engage in smart, moral policymaking over reactionary fear-mongering. As the Book of Job tells us, challenges in life are a test of whether we will be true to our principles, or whether well abandon them in the face of adversity," Kaine said. "In the debate over refugees, we cannot abandon the core principles that we stand for as a nation. Refugees are not our enemies. ISIL is our enemy. Instead of labeling innocent women and orphans as foreign enemies and making it harder for them to seek refuge in our country, Congress should finally declare war on our true enemy by passing an authorization of force against ISIL." ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/view/kaine-gives-floor-speech-supporting-every-student-succeeds-act Kaine Gives Floor Speech Supporting Every Student Succeeds Act 2015-12-08 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy Kaine Gives Floor Speech Supporting Every Student Succeeds Act U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) spoke on the Senate floor to discuss his support for the Every Student Succeeds Act. Kaine applauded the inclusion of key provisions he authored to help prevent sexual assault and strengthen career and technical education (CTE) in schools across the country. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/view/kaine-refugees-are-not-our-enemies-time-to-declare-war-on-the-true-enemy-isil Kaine: Refugees Are Not Our Enemies, Time To Declare War On The True Enemy: ISIL 2015-12-08 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy Kaine: Refugees Are Not Our Enemies, Time To Declare War On The True Enemy: ISIL U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) joined faith leaders, Sens. Durbin and Leahy today at a press conference calling for smart and moral refugee policies and to respond to attempts by some to vilify refugees in the United States. Kaine also reiterated the pressing need for Congress to authorize war against ISIL. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=a176e975-d148-448a-ba6c-df41c1fc1d3d Sen. Warner Joins Bipartisan Sentencing Reform Effort 2015-12-08 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) announced today that he signed on to the bipartisan Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act, comprehensive legislation that grants judges greater sentencing flexibility for certain low-level drug offenders and establishes recidivism reduction programs, while also targeting violent criminals. The bipartisan group, led by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), includes 28 senators 15 Democrats and 13 Republicans. Im committed to working with this bipartisan group to get this bill through Congress to guarantee that everyone has access to justice, Sen. Warner said. This legislation represents a step in the right direction towards reforming our criminal justice system and better protecting Virginia communities from violent criminals. Ensuring that every punishment matches the crime will reduce over-incarceration and prison overcrowding, strengthen families, and save taxpayer dollars. The proposal narrows the scope of mandatory minimum prison sentences to focus on the most serious drug offenders and violent criminals, while broadening and establishing new outlets for individuals with minimal non-felony criminal histories to avoid mandatory minimum sentences under current law.The bill also reduces certain mandatory minimums, providing judges with greater discretion when determining appropriate sentences, and preserves cooperation incentives to aid law enforcement in tracking down kingpins. In addition to reducing prison terms for certain offenders through sentencing reform, qualifying inmates can earn reduced sentences through recidivism reduction programs. According to an August 2015 study released by the nonpartisan Pew Charitable Trusts, federal sentencing laws enacted in the 1980s and 1990s have resulted in explosive growth in the federal prison population, which held nearly 800 percent more inmates in 2013 than it did in 1980. According to Pew, this growth in the prison population has driven a similar surge in taxpayer spending: from 1980 to 2013, federa… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/reid-hirono-kaine-urge-president-to-expedite-program-to-reunite-families-of-filipino-wwii-veterans Reid, Hirono, Kaine Urge President To Expedite Program To Reunite Families Of Filipino WWII Veterans 2015-12-07 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy Reid, Hirono, Kaine Urge President To Expedite Program To Reunite Families Of Filipino WWII Veterans Monday, December 7, 2015 Washington, D.C. Senators Harry Reid, Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) urged President Obama to quickly implement the Administrations newly proposed parole program to reunite Filipino World War II veterans with their family members. In July, after years of advocacy from Senator Hirono and others, the Obama Administration recommended that the Department of Homeland Security create a parole program to allow certain family members of Filipino World War II veterans to come to the United States to provide support and care to their aging Filipino veteran family members who are U.S. citizens or Legal Permanent Residents. However, the Administration has not yet announced important details about eligibility and the application process. These brave Filipino veterans made incredible sacrifices for the United States, and we must do everything in our power to ensure their service is properly recognized. I applaud the Administrations proposed parole program to reunite veterans with their families and urge the Administration to do so as quickly as possible, said Senator Reid. As the thousands of remaining Filipino World War II veterans grow older, we must also ensure that their spouses and children can care for them and their widows in the United States. No service member should be prevented from reuniting with their families, and time is running out to right this wrong. I am proud to represent more than 100,000 Filipino-Americans in Nevada and I know the contributions they have made to our country. We owe it to these veterans to make sure they can be with their loved ones. President Obamas initial announcement this summer was a relief to Filipino World War II veterans and their families who have waited decades to be reunited, and to those of us who fought for years to end the visa backlog, said Senator Hirono. The Administration is doing the right thin… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-kaine-announce-15-million-in-federal-funding-to-help-virginians-on-public-assistance-become-self-sufficient Warner, Kaine Announce $1.5 Million in Federal Funding to Help Virginians on Public Assistance Become Self-Sufficient 2015-12-07 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy Warner, Kaine Announce $1.5 Million in Federal Funding to Help Virginians on Public Assistance Become Self-Sufficient Monday, December 7, 2015 WASHINGTON U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) today announced that 18 Virginia localities will receive more than $1.5 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funding will help Virginia families who receive federal housing vouchers and public housing residents reduce their dependency on welfare assistance and rental subsidies, by providing tools and resources that will assist them in gaining job skills and increasing their earned income. These funds will empower Virginia families by providing educational opportunities, job training, and counseling to help them reduce dependence on public assistance programs, said Sen. Warner. Helping people gain the skills necessary to become self-sufficient isnt just better for taxpayers, it also strengthens our communities for the long term. Providing Americans with the resources to succeed in todays workforce is critical for a strong economy and helps families keep food on the table, Sen. Kaine said. I applaud the Department of Housing and Urban Development for taking this approach to spurring economic activity. These grants will give Virginians the opportunity to increase their income and move up the economic ladder. The following Virginia communities will receive funding from HUDs Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program: Alexandria Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $69,000 Bristol Redevelopment and Housing Authority: $41,843 Chesapeake Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $162,030 Danville Redevelopment and Housing Authority: $23,636 Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority: $138,000 Hampton Redevelopment and Housing Authority: $50,813 Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority: $24,019 Hopewell Redevelopment and Housing Authority: $69,000 County of Loudoun: $67,326 Newport News Redevelopm… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=20bbdb28-68d1-4a51-ab1d-05c6415f0ae2 Warner, Kaine Announce $1.5 Million in Federal Funds to Help Virginians on Public Assistance Become Self-Sufficient 2015-12-07 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) today announced that 18 Virginia localities will receive more than $1.5 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funding will help Virginia families who receive federal housing vouchers and public housing residents reduce their dependency on welfare assistance and rental subsidies, by providing tools and resources that will assist them in gaining job skills and increasing their earned income. These funds will empower Virginia families by providing educational opportunities, job training, and counseling to help them reduce dependence on public assistance programs, said Sen. Warner. Helping people gain the skills necessary to become self-sufficient isnt just better for taxpayers, it also strengthens our communities for the long term. Providing Americans with the resources to succeed in todays workforce is critical for a strong economy and helps families keep food on the table, Sen. Kaine said. I applaud the Department of Housing and Urban Development for taking this approach to spurring economic activity. These grants will give Virginians the opportunity to increase their income and move up the economic ladder. The following Virginia communities will receive funding from HUDs Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program: Alexandria Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $69,000 Bristol Redevelopment and Housing Authority: $41,843 Chesapeake Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $162,030 Danville Redevelopment and Housing Authority: $23,636 Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority: $138,000 Hampton Redevelopment and Housing Authority: $50,813 Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority: $24,019 Hopewell Redevelopment and Housing Authority: $69,000 County of Loudoun: $67,326 Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority: $148,068 Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority: $332,175 Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority: $196,272 Richmond Redevelopment and H… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-president-obamas-address-to-the-nation- Kaine Statement On President Obama's Address To The Nation 2015-12-06 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy Kaine Statement On President Obama's Address To The Nation Sunday, December 6, 2015 HARRISONBURG, VA U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, released the following statement on the Presidents address to the nation this evening: Tonight President Obama laid out a comprehensive strategy for defeating ISIL and unequivocally called on Congress to finally vote to authorize the use of military force against the terrorist group. The President stated that such a measure would demonstrate that the American people are united and committed to this fight. I urge leaders in the House and Senate to move consideration of an ISIL-specific Authorization for the Use of Military Force to the top of the legislative agenda. I introduced an authorization to use military force against ISIL in September 2014. It received a favorable vote in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last December, but Congress refused to act by year-end. In June, Senator Jeff Flake and I introduced a new bipartisan war authorization but Congress has remained on the sidelines. The events of recent weeks demonstrate that Congress can no longer ignore this threat. More than 3500 American troops are serving in the battle against ISIL far from home. American troops, hostages and civilians have now been killed in this war. The national legislatures of Germany, England, France and Russia have stepped up to debate and vote on military action to counter this threat. Congress should now do the same in order to show our allies and our troops that we are unified in resolve against ISIL. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=279 Beyer, Van Hollen Amendment Signed Into Law 2015-12-04 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Donald Beyer B001292 beyer.house.gov     legacy December 4, 2015 (Washington, DC) President Barack Obama signed legislation into law today introduced by Representative Don Beyer (D-VA) and Representative Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) to give local governments regulation authority of towing companies share: f t President Barack Obama signed legislation into law today introduced by Representative Don Beyer (D-VA) and Representative Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) to give local governments regulation authority of towing companies. The language was included as an amendment to the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation (FAST) Act passed in the Senate last night. Northern Virginians are well aware of the financial pain and frustration a few predatory towing operators can cause, said Congressman Beyer. Now that our bill is law, local governments have new tools at their disposal to curb these practices and protect vulnerable consumers. Passage of this law is a victory for communities in Maryland and across the country that have struggled to control the outrageous, predatory tactics used by some towing companies, said Congressman Van Hollen. Local jurisdictions will now have the unambiguous authority to end egregious fees, ban the practice of spotting, mandate proper signage, and strike the proper balance based on the needs of their consumers and businesses. Im proud to have worked with Congressman Beyer to get this bill to the Presidents desk. In 1994, Congress inadvertently preempted the ability of state and local governments to regulate the towing industry. Since then, confusing restrictions and conflicting court rulings left local governments unable to fully protect consumers from predatory towing practices. Earlier this year, Congressmen Beyer and Van Hollen introduced the State and Local Predatory Towing Enforcement Act to restore full authority for regulating non-consensual tows. The bill was unanimously passed as an amendment to the House version of the Highway reauthorization President Obama will sign into la… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=563 Connolly Statement on House Passage of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act: 2015-12-04 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Gerald Connolly C001078 connolly.house.gov     legacy Congressman Connolly released the following statement in support of the 5-year, $305 billion highway transportation bill that passed the House on Thursday. Read more. share: f t Connolly Statement on House passage of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act:It’s been more than a decade since Congress passed a long-term transportation funding bill, which has served as a major roadblock for economic growth and resulted in crumbling roads and bridges across the Commonwealth. Representing Northern Virginia, which has the nation’s worst congestion, I was pleased to serve on the joint House-Senate conference committee that negotiated this final compromise.The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (or FAST) Act will increase federal investments in roads, bridges, mass transit, and safety programs. Over the next five years, it will provide nearly $480 million in additional funding for local road and highway projects in Virginia. It will provide nearly $52 million in additional mass transit support, which is particularly important to regions like ours in providing commuters with more transportation choices.It also directs the Secretary of Transportation to provide safety oversight for Metro in the wake of a series of shocking accidents over the past year, one of which resulted in the tragic death of a Virginia resident. I and other members of the National Capital Region’s congressional delegation have been working with the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Transit Administration to provide additional oversight for Metro. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, on which I serve as Ranking Member of the Government Operations Subcommittee, held two hearings on Metro’s operations earlier this year.I was pleased to see the bill expand federal financing opportunities for smaller road and transit projects, particularly transit oriented development projects, under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=564 Connolly Urges Speaker Ryan to Reject Attempts to Block Refugee Program in Omnibus Bill 2015-12-04 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Gerald Connolly C001078 connolly.house.gov     legacy Representatives Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Jared Polis (D-CO) led more than 70 members of Congress in sending a letter to Speaker Paul Ryan urging him to reject attempts to block the acceptance of refugees and calling on him to increase funds in the end-of-year Omnibus spending bill to ensure a thorough and expeditious refugee vetting process. Read more. share: f t Today, Representatives Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Jared Polis (D-CO) led more than 70 members of Congress in sending a letter to Speaker Paul Ryan urging him to reject attempts to block the acceptance of refugees and calling on him to increase funds in the end-of-year Omnibus spending bill to ensure a thorough and expeditious refugee vetting process.Noting the United States’ obligation to respond to the Syrian refugee crisis, Connolly called on Speaker Ryan to “reject attempts to use the critical year-end spending legislation to block the acceptance of refugees, including attempts to defund critical accounts or efforts to make it harder for refugees of a certain religion to seek sanctuary in the United States.”Connolly, who has called for the Obama Administration to resettle a minimum of 100,000 Syrian refugees by the end of 2016 and has been critical of the current 18-24 month timeline to process refugee applications, urged Speaker Ryan to fulfill America’s obligation to refugees who are fleeing violence. “We have the resources, expertise, and moral tradition to do much more than what we are currently doing,” said Rep. Connolly.The letter has been endorsed by: the Alliance for Citizenship, American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, America's Voice Education Fund, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-AAJC, Brave New Films, Bread for the World, Center for Applied Linguistics, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Refugee & Immigration Ministries, Church World Service, Conference of Major Superiors of Men, Council on American-Islamic Relations, Franciscan Action Network, Friends Committee on N… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/sens-warner-and-kaine-sign-amicus-brief-filed-with_us-supreme-court-supporting-immigration-executive-actions Sens. Warner & Kaine Sign Amicus Brief Filed with U.S. Supreme Court Supporting Immigration Executive Actions 2015-12-04 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy Sens. Warner & Kaine Sign Amicus Brief Filed with U.S. Supreme Court Supporting Immigration Executive Actions Friday, December 4, 2015 WASHINGTON U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) joined 216 members of Congress in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of the Presidents November 2014 executive actions on immigration. The amicus brief encourages the Court to review the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals decision in United States v. Texas, et al., which blocked the Secretary of Homeland Security from implementing the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) program and expanding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. We are confident that the Supreme Court will support President Obamas decision to use the authority granted by Congress to set enforcement priorities and focus our limited resources on threats to national security and public safety, not hard-working families, said Sens. Warner and Kaine today. President Obama took executive action after extensive legal analysis by the Department of Justice. DAPA and the expansion of DACA will ensure that families will not be torn apart because of Congress refusal to address our broken immigration system. In 2013, the Senate voted 68-32 to approve bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform legislation to allow undocumented immigrants to come out of the shadows, support their families, pay taxes and contribute to the economy. However, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives failed to act on the bill. The amicus brief outlines the imperative of implementing the DAPA and expanded DACA programs, urging the Supreme Court to reverse the decision by the Fifth Circuit and vacate the preliminary injunction blocking the new programs from being carried out. The brief makes the case, from the perspective of 218 Members of Congress, that DAPA and expanded DACA are consistent with Congressional intent and the Executives longstandin… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=55ed5299-5f18-4724-8ffe-bd6b2fb2871f Warner & Kaine File Amicus Brief in U.S. Supreme Court Case for Immigration Executive Actions 2015-12-04 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) joined 216 members of Congress in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of the Presidents November 2014 executive actions on immigration. The amicus brief encourages the Court to review the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals decision in United States v. Texas, et al., which blocked the Secretary of Homeland Security from implementing the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) program and expanding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. We are confident that the Supreme Court will support President Obamas decision to use the authority granted by Congress to set enforcement priorities and focus our limited resources on threats to national security and public safety, not hard-working families, said Sens. Warner and Kaine today. President Obama took executive action after extensive legal analysis by the Department of Justice. DAPA and the expansion of DACA will ensure that families will not be torn apart because of Congress refusal to address our broken immigration system. In 2013, the Senate voted 68-32 to approve bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform legislation to allow undocumented immigrants to come out of the shadows, support their families, pay taxes and contribute to the economy. However, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives failed to act on the bill. The amicus brief outlines the imperative of implementing the DAPA and expanded DACA programs, urging the Supreme Court to reverse the decision by the Fifth Circuit and vacate the preliminary injunction blocking the new programs from being carried out. The brief makes the case, from the perspective of 218 Members of Congress, that DAPA and expanded DACA are consistent with Congressional intent and the Executives longstanding legal authority to establish national immigration enforcement priorities and exercise discretion in the enforcement of our immigration laws. As stated in the brief: Congress ha… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-on-mass-shooting-in-san-bernardino-california Scott Statement on Mass Shooting in San Bernardino, California 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Robert Scott S000185 bobbyscott.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on the mass shooting inSan Bernardino, California: My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and the survivors of yesterdays horrific mass shooting in California. While information about the shooters and their motive is still not entirely clear, Congress has a moral obligation to do something to address our nations gun violence epidemic. These tragedies have become far too common in our country and Congress must review every available proposal to determine what steps can be taken to reduce future incidences of gun violence. Obviously one single approach to ending gun violence will not be effective. What is needed is a comprehensive, evidence-based set of policy proposals that will help keep our communities safe from gun violence. The House Democratic Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, of which I serve as a vice chair, has put forward several proposals that would go a long way in achieving these goals. These proposals include reinstating and strengthening the assault weapons ban, reducing the size of magazines, implementing universal background checks, cracking down on illegal-gun trafficking and straw-purchasing, improving our mental-health system, and implementing comprehensive, community based violence prevention and intervention programs. Action on these items should be our top priority. # # # 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-british-parliament-vote-to-authorize-airstrikes-against-isil-in-syria- Kaine Statement On British Parliament Vote To Authorize Airstrikes Against ISIL In Syria 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy Kaine Statement On British Parliament Vote To Authorize Airstrikes Against ISIL In Syria Thursday, December 3, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, released the following statement today: Yesterday, after many hours of public debate, the British Parliament voted to authorize airstrikes against ISIL in Syria. And in the coming weeks, the German Parliament is expected to debate this important issue as well. We welcome the increased support of some of our strongest European allies in this fight, particularly as a show of unity and resolve following the recent horrific attacks in Paris, Lebanon, and Egypt. I applaud the elected representatives of the United Kingdom and Germany for not shying away from a vote on war an act of leadership that stands in stark contrast to our own legislative branch. Meanwhile, nearly 17 months since the U.S. initiated airstrikes against ISIL without authorization from Congress, Defense Secretary Ash Carter came to Capitol Hill this week to announce that additional Special Operations Forces would be deployed to Iraq and Syria to conduct raids against ISIL, yet another escalation following the Administrations announcement in October that it was sending 50 troops into Syria, and further still from the original mission announced by President Obama in August 2014 to protect American personnel and prevent Iraqi civilians from imminent slaughter. With a vote in Parliament, the United Kingdom has demonstrated that it is committed to defeating ISIL while sending an important message of support to our coalition partners and British troops. I once again urge my colleagues in Congress to recognize the importance of a debate and vote on this war - for the American people, as well as our standing among allies around the world - by taking up a new authorization of force against a brutal enemy that is not going away anytime soon. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/sens-warner-and-kaine-compromise-highway-bill-returns-62-billion-to-virginia- Sens. Warner & Kaine: Compromise Highway Bill Returns $6.2 Billion to Virginia 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy Sens. Warner & Kaine: Compromise Highway Bill Returns $6.2 Billion to Virginia Thursday, December 3, 2015 WASHINGTON U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine voted for the FAST Act, a bipartisan House-Senate agreement on highway and transit funding which returns $6.2 billion in federal transportation funding to Virginia over the next five years. Congress has not passed a transportation funding bill lasting longer than two years since 2005, and the five-year FAST Act will give states, transportation planners and contractors the time and certainty needed to make desperately-needed improvements to our infrastructure. In addition, the legislation renews the charter of the Export-Import Bank, which expired on July 1, for another four years. Between 2007 and 2015, the Export-Import Bank helped businesses from every corner of Virginia export $2 billion worth of goods and services. I am disappointed in several of the choices that were made in paying for this highway and transit legislation, yet I remain a strong supporter of additional investments in our transportation systems, Sen. Warner said. This compromise package addresses many of Virginias critical transportation and mass transit priorities, and I will continue efforts in Congress to return to the more responsible approach of asking those who use and benefit from our transportation system to fund its upkeep. I supported the transportation bill the Senate passed tonight, the FAST Act, because it provides something we havent had in years higher investment in Americas transportation infrastructure and the long-term certainty of a five-year bill. This investment will generate returns for the economy and commuters by saving gasoline not burned, work productivity not lost, and family time not missed from idling in traffic or waiting for delayed trains, said Sen. Kaine. I was pleased that several amendments advocated by Senator Warner and me were included strengthening federal safety oversight authority over WMATA, … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/view/on-morning-joe-kaine-reacts-to-tragedy-in-san-bernardino-and-discusses-us-mission-vs-isil On Morning Joe: Kaine Reacts To Tragedy In San Bernardino & Discusses U.S. Mission Vs ISIL 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy On Morning Joe: Kaine Reacts To Tragedy In San Bernardino & Discusses U.S. Mission Vs ISIL On Morning Joe, U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) reacted to the mass shooting in San Bernardino, California by calling on Congress to stop being bystanders and finally take action to pass gun safety legislation. Kaine also discussed the British Parliament's vote to authorize airstrikes in Syria and highlighted the stark contrast with Congress's unwillingness to hold its own debate and vote on the war against ISIL. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=4590b5d1-28cc-4a64-a44e-1eff0ecb512e Warner Supports Compromise Federal Highway & Transit Funding Legislation 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine voted for the FAST Act, a bipartisan House-Senate agreement on highway and transit funding which returns $6.2 billion in federal transportation funding to Virginia over the next five years. Congress has not passed a transportation funding bill lasting longer than two years since 2005, and the five-year FAST Act will give states, transportation planners and contractors the time and certainty needed to make desperately-needed improvements to our infrastructure. In addition, the legislation renews the charter of the Export-Import Bank, which expired on July 1, for another four years. Between 2007 and 2015, the Export-Import Bank helped businesses from every corner of Virginia export $2 billion worth of goods and services. I am disappointed in several of the choices that were made in paying for this highway and transit legislation, yet I remain a strong supporter of additional investments in our transportation systems, Sen. Warner said. This compromise package addresses many of Virginias critical transportation and mass transit priorities, and I will continue efforts in Congress to return to the more responsible approach of asking those who use and benefit from our transportation system to fund its upkeep. I supported the transportation bill the Senate passed tonight, the FAST Act, because it provides something we havent had in years higher investment in Americas transportation infrastructure and the long-term certainty of a five-year bill. This investment will generate returns for the economy and commuters by saving gasoline not burned, work productivity not lost, and family time not missed from idling in traffic or waiting for delayed trains, said Sen. Kaine. I was pleased that several amendments advocated by Senator Warner and me were included strengthening federal safety oversight authority over WMATA, requiring federal members of the WMATA board to be appointed by the Department of Transportation and creating a new investment source for nationally … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=4825e63a-394b-4907-815b-1da9239ced57 Statement of Sen. Warner 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy Due to a prior commitment, I regret I was not present to vote on six amendments to H.R. 3762, the Budget Reconciliation Act. Had I been present, I would have voted yes on S.Amdt. #2908 (Manchin-Toomey expanded background checks) and S.Amdt. #2910 (denying firearms to suspected terrorists). I strongly support these commonsense gun safety proposals. In addition, I would have supported S.Amdt. #2892, Sen. Shaheens funding for mental illness & substance abuse services, and S.Amdt. #2907, Sen. Bennets proposal to improving access to care at the Veterans Administration. However, I would have voted no on S.Amdt. #2912 (Cornyn side-by-side to #2910), S.Amdt. #2914 (Grassley side-by-side to #2908), and S.Amdt. #2899 (Paul refugee resettlement). 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=278 Beyer, Ellison, Crowley Invite House Colleagues to Dar Al-Hijrah Prayer Services 2015-12-02 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Donald Beyer B001292 beyer.house.gov     legacy Nearly two weeks after a local Northern Virginia Mosque, Dar Al-Hijrah, was attacked with Molotov cocktails and a hoax bomb, Congressmen Don Beyer (D-VA), Keith Ellison (D-MN), and Joe Crowley (D-NY) wrote their House colleagues urging them to visit the Falls Church mosque to participate in Friday prayers this week. share: f t Nearly two weeks after a local Northern Virginia Mosque, Dar Al-Hijrah, was attacked with Molotov cocktails and a hoax bomb, Congressmen Don Beyer (D-VA), Keith Ellison (D-MN), and Joe Crowley (D-NY) wrote their House colleagues urging them to visit the Falls Church mosque to participate in Friday prayers this week. Intolerance and hatred have no place in American society, said Rep. Beyer. We are a diverse nation of immigrants whose shared cultural heritage is one of openness and inclusion. We must celebrate this diverse thread of our cultural cloth, not tear it apart. Imam Johari Abdul-Malik, Outreach Director for the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center, said, Many in our community feel under siege in recent weeks. Women taking their children to school have been heckled by passersby, and we experienced two incidences of hate violence. It is with the support of good neighbors like Congressmen Beyer, Ellison, and Crowley that we carry on knowing that our future will be brighter." Their visits comes on the heels of numerous reports over the past few weeks of anti-Muslim acts of hatred throughout the country, including in Northern Virginia, Texas, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Arizona. Beyer will participate in Friday prayers at Dar al-Hijrah (3159 Row Street, Falls Church, Virginia 22044) at 12:15 PM. Following the service, he will join Imam Johari Abdul-Malik to speak with reporters and the public. Rep. Ellison will celebrate Friday prayers at his local mosque in Minnesota. The recent attack on the mosque in Falls Church is an attack on the core American value of freedom of religion. We must all stand together and condemn these … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/floor-statements/conference-report-on-s-1177-student-success-act CONFERENCE REPORT ON S. 1177, EVERY STUDENT SUCCEEDS ACT 2015-12-02 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Robert Scott S000185 bobbyscott.house.gov     legacy Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to endorse the conference report on S. 1177, the Every Student Succeeds Act. We have certainly come a long way since we were on the floor debating H.R. 5, the Student Success Act, earlier this year. I had sincere objections to much that was found in H.R. 5, but thanks to the commitment to work together to try to fashion a decent bill with ChairmanKlineand our counterparts in the Senate, SenatorAlexanderand SenatorMurray, along with the many long nights from our respective staffs, we found a way to produce a conference report that balances the desire for more localized decisionmaking with the need for Federal oversight to ensure equity for underserved students. This conference report is the embodiment of what we can do when we work together in Washington--a workable compromise that does not force either side to desert its core beliefs. Mr. Speaker, the modern Federal role in elementary and secondary education began with the promise in Brown v. Board of Education when a unanimous Supreme Court held that, in 1954, ``it is doubtful that any child may reasonably be expected to succeed in life if he is denied the opportunity of an education'' and that ``such an opportunity is a right which must be made available to all on equal terms.'' Yet, despite the Brown decision, our education system has remained fundamentally unequal. That inequality is virtually guaranteed by the fact that we fund education basically by the real estate tax, guaranteeing that wealthier areas will have more funds than low-income areas. Across the Nation, gaps in equity persist. These gaps made it impossible to realize the opportunity of an education to all on equal terms because too many schools lacked the basic resources necessary for success. Too many schools failed children year after year. And these gaps disproportionately affected the politically disconnected: those in poverty, racial minorities, students with disabilities, and English language learners. This was unacceptable. In 1965, Congres… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-on-passage-of-bipartisan-bill-to-fix-no-child-left Scott Statement on Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Fix No Child Left Behind 2015-12-02 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Robert Scott S000185 bobbyscott.house.gov     legacy As originally released by the Committee on Education and the Workforce, Democrats WASHINGTON, D.C. Ranking Member Robert C. Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on the 359-64 passage of S.1177, the Every Student Succeeds Act a bill to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and replace No Child Left Behind: Todays bipartisan vote to reauthorize the ESEA affirms the principles of Brown v. Board of Education, which held that it is doubtful that any child may reasonably be expected to succeed in life if he is denied the opportunity of an education, and that such an opportunity is a right which must be made available to all on equal terms. Fifty years ago, Congress originally passed ESEA to help make that right a reality, and throughout this process, Democrats ensured that the Every Student Succeeds Act truly honored the civil rights legacy of the law. Todays vote is also an embodiment of what we can achieve here in Washington a workable compromise that does not force either side to desert its core beliefs. This agreement ensures that when achievement gaps are found, meaningful action will be taken to intervene and support the needs of students. It ensures that funds will continue to be directed to communities most in need and it give teachers and schools the resources they need to support all students. The Every Student Succeeds Act brings our education system into the 21st century, and will make a positive difference in the lives of our nations students by giving every student an equal chance to succeed. I look forward to the vote by the Senate that will send President Obama a bill that is indeed worthy of his signature. # # # FACT SHEET S. 1177, EVERY STUDENT SUCCEEDS ACT The Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 lives up to the promises of Brown v. Board of Education and the intent of the original Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) by building on past reauthorizations of the law while addressing the key challenges presented by the most recent authorization of ESEA, N… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=562 Olson, Connolly Introduce the Cardiac Arrest Survival Act 2015-12-02 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Gerald Connolly C001078 connolly.house.gov     legacy Legislation will help increase the survival rate from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) by eliminating the threat of frivolous lawsuits through development of a nationally uniform baseline of protection for persons who use an automatic external defibrillator (AED) while attempting to save a life during a medical emergency. Read more. share: f t Representatives Pete Olson (R-TX)  and Gerry Connolly (D-VA) today acted to help save lives impacted by sudden cardiac arrest by introducing H.R. 4152, the Cardiac Arrest Survival Act. This bill will help increase the survival rate from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) by eliminating the threat of frivolous lawsuits through development of a nationally uniform baseline of protection for persons who use an automatic external defibrillator (AED) while attempting to save a life during a medical emergency.“Access to AEDs is critical to saving lives during a cardiac emergency,” said Rep. Gerry Connolly. “As Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors I made it a priority that County buildings and schools deploy this lifesaving technology, and that staff have the knowledge and training to use these tools effectively. This legislation will ensure we don’t allow fear of liability or a patchwork of differing protections across the states to prevent an individual or business from taking all necessary measures to save a life.”“In a cardiac emergency, defibrillation is the best defense and quick use of AEDs can save lives,” Rep. Pete Olson said.  “The threat of unnecessary lawsuits on AED users should never stand in the way of providing emergency medical assistance. This common sense solution provides peace of mind by removing this threat and will encourage greater deployment of AEDs in public and private establishments. Wider use of AEDs will reduce response times and could save an additional 36,000 lives per year."Dr. Jonathan Reiner, professor of medicine at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences & Director of Cardi… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/commonwealth-connection/refugees-are-not-foreign-enemies_-the-enemy-is-isil Refugees are not Foreign Enemies - the Enemy is ISIL 2015-12-01 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy Tuesday, December 1, 2015 Refugees are not Foreign Enemies - the Enemy is ISIL by Sen. Tim Kaine Full transcript of Senator Kaines remarks on the Senate floor Mr. President, I rise today to talk about the American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act of 2015, which was an act passed by the House shortly before we recessed for Thanksgiving. An act dealing with the refugee crisis from Syria and Iraq. And it's an act that is sort of pending before the body now as we try to decide whether to take up the House bill or take up the topic of the House bill as part of other deliberations we're engaged in. First, I think everyone in this body and everyone in the House acknowledges the security needs of America in this challenging time as we're engaged in a battle against ISIL and, as we have seen in recent weeks the reach of ISIL, whether it's a passenger aircraft in Sinai, a neighborhood in southern Beirut or multiple neighborhoods in Paris, ISIL's threat is expanding and mutating, and we have to take those security concerns seriously. I applaud the work that has already been done to try to make sure that the vetting process for refugees that enter the United States is pretty intense. Four million refugees have left Syria during the course of the Syrian civil war. Of those four million who have left and registered with the U.N. after a fairly extensive review process, the U.N. has referred 20,000 to the United States for possible consideration to be refugees, and of those 20,000, after an 18-month vetting process, we have allowed approximately 2,000 into the United States. So the vetting process for refugees is pretty intense. If we can make it better, we need to do that, but it is already fairly significant. I also applaud efforts that the Administration announced yesterday and that other colleagues including, Mr. President [Sen. Flake], you and others are working on to take the visa waiver pro… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/senate-passes-bipartisan-bill-to-assist_eugenics-victims-with-state-compensation-payments Senate Passes Bipartisan Bill to Assist Eugenics Victims with State Compensation Payments 2015-12-01 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy Senate Passes Bipartisan Bill to Assist Eugenics Victims with State Compensation Payments Tuesday, December 1, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) today announced that the Senate unanimously passed the bipartisan Treatment of Certain Payments in Eugenics Compensation Act, excluding payments from state eugenics compensation programs from consideration in determining federal benefits. Without this legislation, many eugenics victims who receive compensation payments from states, including Virginia and North Carolina, could see their federal benefits reduced or even have their eligibility eliminated. The legislation, which passed the Senate unanimously on Monday night, will help assist living eugenics victims receiving compensation payments by excluding their payments from being used in determining eligibility for, or the amount of, federal public benefits such as Medicaid, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, Supplemental Security Income, and Social Security disability payments. Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tom Carper (D-DE), and Richard Burr (R-NC) are original co-sponsors of the legislation. In 2002, then-Governor Warner formally apologized for Virginias decision to forcibly sterilize nearly 7,500 Virginians between 1924 and 1979. His apology was the first by the governor of any of the more than 30 states that conducted eugenics sterilizations on a combined 60,000 citizens. Gov. Warners act coincided with the 75th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Courts Buck v. Bell decision upholding Virginia's eugenics sterilization law. Earlier this year, Virginia became the second state to pass legislation compensating the victims of a state-run eugenics program. Virginia will award $25,000 to each individual who was involuntarily sterilized and was still alive as of February 1, 2015. This shameful period in Virginias history is thankfully in the past, but there are still living victims who are suffering from its dark legacy, said Sen. Warner.… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/view/kaine-refugees-are-not-foreign-enemies_-the-enemy-is-isil Kaine: Refugees are not Foreign Enemies - the Enemy is ISIL 2015-12-01 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy In remarks on the Senate floor, U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) spoke on the Syrian refugee crisis and the pressing need for a vote in Congress on a new authorization for the use of military force against ISIL. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=19dc9a52-bafb-43ae-98aa-4dad1e91d34a Senate Passes Warner, Kaine Bill to Assist Eugenics Victims with State Compensation Payments 2015-12-01 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) today announced that the Senate unanimously passed the bipartisan Treatment of Certain Payments in Eugenics Compensation Act, excluding payments from state eugenics compensation programs from consideration in determining federal benefits. Without this legislation, many eugenics victims who receive compensation payments from states, including Virginia and North Carolina, could see their federal benefits reduced or even have their eligibility eliminated. The legislation, which passed the Senate unanimously on Monday night, will help assist living eugenics victims receiving compensation payments by excluding their payments from being used in determining eligibility for, or the amount of, federal public benefits such as Medicaid, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, Supplemental Security Income, and Social Security disability payments. Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tom Carper (D-DE), and Richard Burr (R-NC) are original co-sponsors of the legislation. In 2002, then-Governor Warner formally apologized for Virginias decision to forcibly sterilize nearly 7,500 Virginians between 1924 and 1979. His apology was the first by the governor of any of the more than 30 states that conducted eugenics sterilizations on a combined 60,000 citizens. Gov. Warners act coincided with the 75th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Courts Buck v. Bell decision upholding Virginia's eugenics sterilization law. Earlier this year, Virginia became the second state to pass legislation compensating the victims of a state-run eugenics program. Virginia will award $25,000 to each individual who was involuntarily sterilized and was still alive as of February 1, 2015. This shameful period in Virginias history is thankfully in the past, but there are still living victims who are suffering from its dark legacy, said Sen. Warner. Receiving just compensation for this horrible injustice should not unintentionally prevent victims from receiving federal assistance theyre entitled to. I… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=530cbcc9-f3e3-4ce4-88df-c5d86f8446fd Warner, V-A Secretary McDonald Thank Virginia Technology Leaders for Pro Bono Efforts to Fix the V-A Health Care System 2015-12-01 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today at the U.S. Capitol, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) was joined by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (V-A) Secretary Robert McDonald to thank the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) for donating their time and expertise to improve the V-As health care system following a nationwide crisis of veterans access to medical care. At the request of Sen. Warner, the NVTC assessed the scheduling and workflow challenges at V-A facilities and recommended practical solutions focusing on people, processes, technology, and performance. Today, Sen. Warner congratulated the NVTC member companies and leadership team and the V-A for taking major steps towards ensuring veterans have access to the medical care they deserve. I want to thank the Northern Virginia Technology Council for offering their expertise to the V-A. I also want to thank V-A leadership for welcoming this excellent team and working with them to make these recommendations a reality, Sen. Warner said. This was a great collaboration between the private sector and the Department of Veterans Affairs that didnt cost taxpayers a dime. We couldnt be more thrilled. I also want to thank our V-A colleagues who demonstrated that open mind and that wiliness to learn to change. Its great to see all of you here today celebrating this, which I hope will be the first of many times that we celebrate public private partnerships in order to help V-A better serve veterans, Secretary McDonald said at the event. We want to be very thankful of all the companies in the room for your time and generosity It was all pro bono work. Your ideas, your innovation, all of that has been a great help to us, but it also has been an inspiration for what we can achieve when we are willing to partner with the private sector. The Northern Virginia Technology Council is made up of the countrys most well respected and innovative technology companies, and we have a very long and proud association with military veterans. When Senator Warner called and asked us to help with… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=89b9b986-074e-4d28-ac8d-2a5a7feb159b U.S. Sen. Mark Warner Cosponsors Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Visa Waiver Program 2015-12-01 2015 2015-12 Democrat House VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) joined a bipartisan group of 15 senators today in introducing legislation to strengthen the security of the Visa Waiver Program to help prevent terrorists from entering the United States. Sen. Warner, a member of the Senates Select Committee on Intelligence, joined Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Dan Coats (R-IN), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Jon Tester (D-MT), Angus King (I-ME), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) in introducing the bipartisan legislation. I first raised concerns one year ago about the holes in our Visa Waiver Program, which allows citizens of 38 partner countries to enter the U.S. relatively hassle-free, and remain for up to 90 days. Ten million people from those visa waiver countries travel to Turkey every year, the vast majority as tourists, but we know at least some of them have travelled on without getting their passports stamped to train with ISIS in Syria and Iraq, Sen. Warner said. Unless we take immediate steps to tighten-up the Visa Waiver Program, these individuals could exploit vulnerabilities and then enter the United States without a visa and do us harm. Our bipartisan legislation strengthens the program by requiring the collection of additional information from travelers before they arrive, and requiring participating countries to share valuable information and intelligence with us. Gaps in the security of the Visa Waiver Program must be addressed as soon as possible, Sen. Warner said. Added Sen. Warner, Last year, more than 20 million travelers to this country 60 percent of all foreign visitors to the U.S. entered through the Visa Waiver Program. While here, they generated nearly $200 billion for our economy, supporting nearly 1 million American jobs. Ending this program would be a victory for the terrorists, whose goal is to inflict economic damage and restrict freedom of m… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/floor-statements/congressional-black-caucus-special-order-hour CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS SPECIAL ORDER HOUR 2015-11-30 2015 2015-11 Democrat House VA Robert Scott S000185 bobbyscott.house.gov     legacy Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from Illinois and the gentleman from New Jersey for organizing this Special Order tonight. It takes a lot of work and a lot of time to organize these efforts, and I want to thank them both for the time and effort that they have put into this. We have heard a lot about what the Congressional Black Caucus has done over the years. There are two areas that I have been personally involved in with the CBC effort in the areas of education and criminal justice reform. On both we have worked hard and achieved bipartisan support. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which is a civil rights bill, makes sure that the admonition in Brown v. Board of Education becomes a reality. It says that no child shall reasonably be expected to succeed in life if denied the opportunity of an education and such an opportunity must be made available to all on equal terms. That is what the Brown decision held. But we know that we don't have equal education in America because wefund it primarily through the real estate tax, guaranteeing that wealthy areas will have more resources for education than low-income areas. So 50 years ago we passed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which provides funding directed primarily to help the challenges in educating low-income children particularly in concentrated areas of poverty. No Child Left Behind a few years ago added to that by making sure that we ascertained whether or not there are achievement gaps in certain groups and requires action to be taken to solve those achievement gaps. This week we should reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to ensure that the needs of all children are addressed. That legislation has just come out of conference. It came out of conference with an overwhelming--almost unanimous--vote, a bipartisan vote. So we look forward to the continuation of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Mr. Speaker, the next area that we are going to be working on is the Higher Education … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/key-provisions-of-kaines-teach-safe-relationships-act-and-cte-bills-included-in-final-education-bill Key Provisions Of Kaine’s Teach Safe Relationships Act & Cte Bills Included In Final Education Bill 2015-11-30 2015 2015-11 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy Key Provisions Of Kaines Teach Safe Relationships Act & Cte Bills Included In Final Education Bill Monday, November 30, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. Following todays announcement of the final conference report on the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to replace No Child Left Behind, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine welcomed the bills inclusion of key provisions he authored to help prevent sexual assault and strengthen career and technical education (CTE) in schools across the country. A key provision of the Teach Safe Relationships Act, legislation Kaine introduced with U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill last February, was included in the final bill. For the first time, elementary and secondary schools will be allowed to use Title IV education funding specifically for instruction and training on safe relationship behavior among students. Numerous CTE provisions Kaine authored were also included in the bill, including amendments to expand career counseling, modernize high schools with work-based learning opportunities and designate CTE as a part of a well-rounded education along with traditional subjects including English, math and science. This final compromise bill will help ensure access to high-quality education for all students and take steps to close the achievement gaps that persist in our education system, said Kaine. My provisions to improve access to K-12 career and technical education programs will help students build skills that prepare them for in-demand career industries ranging from computer coding to welding. Im very pleased that the conference committee recognized the importance of teaching safe relationship behavior to help prevent sexual assault and dating violence. I had hoped that the final conference bill would require that public high school health education courses address this important public safety issue which disproportionately affects 16-24 year old young adults. Instead, the conference report allows schools to use federal Title IV monies to instruct students abou… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-brat-to-volunteer-at-central-virginia-food-bank Scott & Brat to Volunteer at Central Virginia Food Bank 2015-11-24 2015 2015-11 Democrat House VA Robert Scott S000185 bobbyscott.house.gov     legacy RICHMOND, VA Tomorrow, Congressman Robert C. Bobby Scott (VA-3) and Congressman Dave Brat (VA-7) will join other volunteers at the Central Virginia Food Bank to help accept, sort, and pack food donations for the holiday season. WHO: Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-3) Congressman Dave Brat (VA-7) WHAT: Volunteer Event at the Central Virginia Food Bank WHERE: FeedMores Central Virginia Food Bank 1415 Rhoadmiller Street Richmond, VA 23220 WHEN: Wednesday, November 25, 2015 11:00 a.m. # # # 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=561 WaPo: Airport workers hope to get Thanksgiving travelers' attention 2015-11-24 2015 2015-11 Democrat House VA Gerald Connolly C001078 connolly.house.gov     legacy On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, one of the busiest travel days of the year, workers at 15 major U.S. airports are planning a day of fasting, vigils and rallies, aiming to galvanize the traveling public's support for their fight for better wages. Read more. share: f t Luz LazoOn the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, one of the busiest travel days of the year, workers at 15 major U.S. airports are planning a day of fasting, vigils and rallies, aiming to galvanize the traveling public’s support for their fight for better wages.The workers— a mix of cleaners, baggage handlers, wheelchair attendants and security officers— will wear buttons that say “Ask Me Why I’m Fasting” and pass out petitions and flyers illustrating their campaign for a $15-per-hour minimum wage, the Service Employees International Union said.Besides pushing for $15 minimum hourly wages, the workers want health care, sick leave, retirement benefits and job protections. They’re also protesting threats against their efforts to unionize.Last week, as many as 2,000 workers went on strike at seven major hubs, including New York’s Kennedy and LaGuardia airports. The walkout didn’t disrupt air travel, but workers and union leaders say they are planning to step up their efforts as the busy holiday season takes off.  Their goal is to put pressure on airports, airlines and, most importantly, the contractors that hire the workers.“These used to be good jobs 20 years ago, but with subcontracting the jobs have really gone down,”  said Valarie Long, executive vice president of SEIU International. “Some people are making as little as $7.25 an hour, some less because they are considered tipped employees. It is clear that something needs to change and the workers are going to use this holiday season to make sure that the public knows this.”The 24-hour fast, along with vigils and rallies, are being organized at San Francisco, Portland, Ore., Chicago O’Hare, Cleveland, Columbus, Minneapolis, Denver, Boston, N… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=558 Connolly Statement on the Syrian Refugee Crisis 2015-11-20 2015 2015-11 Democrat House VA Gerald Connolly C001078 connolly.house.gov     legacy Today, there are currently more refugees, asylum-seekers, and internally displaced persons – nearly 60 million – that at any time since World War II. The President has announced plans to increase the refugee quota for 2016 and accept 10,000 Syrian refugees. While I am supportive of that effort, the magnitude of this crisis demands America do more. Read more. share: f t (Connolly testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on the need for America to remain a welcoming nation, live up to our American values, and resist divisive, hateful rhetoric.) It is a false choice to say that we can either accept Syrian refugees or we can be safe from terrorism. We can and must do both. We are the United States of America. We have the resources, expertise, and moral tradition to do much more than what we are currently doing. In the aftermath of terrorist attacks in Paris and Beirut, the American public is, understandably, shaken and demands reassurance that our refugee program is based on a robust and stringent vetting process.   That doesn’t mean, however, that we can turn our backs on refugees who need American assistance. Today, there are currently more refugees, asylum-seekers, and internally displaced persons – nearly 60 million – than at any time since World War II. The President has announced plans to increase the refugee quota for 2016 and accept 10,000 Syrian refugees. While I am supportive of that effort, the magnitude of this crisis demands America do more.To date, the number of Syrian refugees that the United States has resettled since the start of the Syrian Civil War is approximately 2,000. That is clearly insufficient in light of the current crisis. In September, I sent a letter to the President urging the Administration to do more and resettle a minimum of 100,000 Syrian refugees by the end of 2016. To meet this moral imperative, however, Congress must be an active partner.I heard directly from Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh John… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-kaine-announce-nearly-12-million-in-usda-funding-for-community-buildings-and-first-responders-in-virginia- Warner, Kaine Announce Nearly $1.2 Million In USDA Funding For Community Buildings & First Responders In Virginia 2015-11-20 2015 2015-11 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy Warner, Kaine Announce Nearly $1.2 Million In USDA Funding For Community Buildings & First Responders In Virginia Friday, November 20, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $1,191,500 in funding throughout Virginia to improve community facilities and support first-responders. Todays funding was made available through USDAs Community Facilities Loans and Grants Program. This federal funding will help improve essential community facilities and will ensure that Virginias first responders have the tools they need to keep our communities safe, said Warner and Kaine. The following entities will receive funding from USDAs loans and grants program: Grayson County EDA will receive $50,000 in grants for police vehicles and $710,000 in loans for fire rescue and public safety; Dickenson County IDA will receive $50,000 in grants for court security equipment and $65,000 in loans for improvements to public buildings; Town of Honaker will receive $50,000 in grants for police vehicles; Dante Rescue Squad, Inc. will receive $50,000 for an ambulance and equipment; City of Eagle River will receive $47,000 in grants to purchase a police car and equipment; Duffield Volunteer Fire & Rescue Squads, Inc. for $45,000 for an ambulance; St. Marys Health Wagon, Inc. will receive $30,000 in grants for SUVs & trailers used for mobile health services and $10,000 in loans for health care; Town of Clintwood Police Department will receive $37,500 in grants for police vehicles; Town of Clintwood Fire Department will receive $21,700 in grants for fire department equipment; Town of Cape Charles will receive $25,300 in loans for fire, rescue and public safety. The Community Facilities Loans and Grants Program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-on-syrian-iraqi-refugee-bill Scott Statement on Syrian & Iraqi Refugee Bill 2015-11-19 2015 2015-11 Democrat House VA Robert Scott S000185 bobbyscott.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Robert C. Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on his opposition to H.R. 4038, the American SAFE Act of 2015, which would effectively stop the admission of properly vetted Syrian and Iraqi refugees into the United States: Our nation continues to stand with the people of France in the wake of last weeks horrific terrorist attacks in Paris, and we must be vigilant in ensuring that a similar attack does not happen on our shores. Unfortunately, the bill considered in the House of Representatives today preys on the fear of the American people and would unjustly shut out the most vulnerable Syrians and Iraqis fleeing from the unimaginable violence overrunning their countries. In contrast to the refugees entering Europe, refugees who are resettled in the United States go through a rigorous, multi-agency, multi-step vetting process that can take 18 to 24 months, during which time the refugee seeking resettlement is required to remain in a refugee camp. The overwhelming majority of those that make it through the process are women and children, survivors of violence and torture, and those with severe medical conditions. I am not convinced that the current vetting process is insufficient, but if improvements need to be made, Congress should first hold hearings and thoroughly review the process before bringing a bill to the floor merely because it is politically advantageous. There is also inconclusive evidence that the attackers in Paris were refugees. The authenticity of a Syrian passport found near the body of one of the suicide bombers is disputed, and the evidence gathered so far indicates that all the identified attackers were French and Belgian nationals. As for refugees in the United States, of the two million refugees welcomed into our country since 1990, including hundreds of thousands from the Middle East, not one has committed an act of terrorism on American soil. So denying refuge to women and children, survivors of violence and torture, and those with severe medical c… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/view/kaine-and-flake-discuss-their-bipartisan-aumf-push-on-morning-joe- Kaine & Flake Discuss Their Bipartisan AUMF Push On Morning Joe 2015-11-19 2015 2015-11 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ), both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined the crew of Morning Joe to discuss their push for a debate and vote on war authorization in the Senate. In June, the senators introduced a bipartisan Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF). 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/view/kaine-reiterates-need-for-congressional-authorization-on-war-vs-isil- Kaine Reiterates Need For Congressional Authorization On War Vs ISIL 2015-11-19 2015 2015-11 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine joined Good Morning Washington to discuss his continued push for Congress to vote on the war against ISIL. Kaine said Congress is quick to criticize the current U.S. strategy, but is still afraid to hold a debate to authorize, stop or refine the administration's actions. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=559 Connolly Appointed to Surface Transportation Conference Committee 2015-11-18 2015 2015-11 Democrat House VA Gerald Connolly C001078 connolly.house.gov     legacy Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi has appointed Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA) as a conferee to the Surface Transportation Conference Committee. The bipartisan, bicameral committee is tasked with reconciling differences between the House and Senate Highway Transportation bills before the looming Dec. 4 deadline. Read more. share: f t Last night, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi appointed Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA) as a conferee to the Surface Transportation Conference Committee. The bipartisan, bicameral committee is tasked with reconciling differences between the House and Senate Highway Transportation bills before the looming Dec. 4 deadline.The Surface Transportation Conference Committee held their first meeting today. In his testimony, Connolly said, “This conference committee on the reauthorization of federal highway, transit, and safety programs represents an important milestone for Congress. After 5 extensions of the most recent authorization, and the 36th short-term extension since 2009, we are close to realizing what our state and local partners have been demanding, a long-term transportation funding bill.”Connolly added, “I represent Northern Virginia, which has the dubious honor of having the nation’s worst congestion. Across Virginia, nearly every mode of transportation will be negatively affected unless we take action.”Connolly noted that more than half of next year’s road and transit projects in Virginia are to be funded in part with federal dollars. “Failure to replenish the Trust Fund could mean 149 bridge replacements would be put on hold, 175 aging buses and train cars would not be replaced, 350 other projects would grind to a halt, and more than 43,000 jobs in Virginia and other states that supply labor and materials would be lost,” he said.Prior to this summer’s temporary extension, Virginia Gov. McAuliffe said that a lapse in the Highway Trust Fund would affect 350-400 projects in Virginia and cost the state more than $1 billio… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-syrian-refugee-resettlement-program Kaine Statement on Syrian Refugee Resettlement Program 2015-11-18 2015 2015-11 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy Kaine Statement on Syrian Refugee Resettlement Program Wednesday, November 18, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees, released the following statement today: The horrific attacks in Paris and Beirut last week - and a direct threat to Washington soon after - are a grim reminder that ISIL is not going away. Our national security and the safety of the American people will always be my top priority, and I continue to believe a Congressional vote to authorize the U.S. mission against ISIL would speak volumes both to our enemies, as well as those we have deployed overseas to fight against them. And of course we must have the toughest screening process possible in terms of refugees coming here. But I worry that calls to end or pause our refugee resettlement program are misguided. The fact is that refugees are currently subject to the absolute highest level of security checks of any category of traveler coming to the U.S. - with special criteria in place for those coming from Syria on top of the normal procedures. Getting admitted as a refugee generally takes more than a year and a half and involves signoff from numerous agencies including the National Counterterrorism Center, the CIA, the FBI, Homeland Security, the State Department and the Department of Defense. Bottom line its not easy to come into our country as a refugee, at all. But the notion of no Syrian can ever come here is antithetical to our values especially when the innocent civilians and families seeking refuge in our country are fleeing the very violence and terror we saw in France and Lebanon that they experience every day in Syria. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-kaine-announce-more-than-144000-in-usda-funding-to-bring-locally-grown-food-to-virginia-schools Warner, Kaine Announce More Than $144,000 In USDA Funding To Bring Locally-Grown Food To Virginia Schools 2015-11-18 2015 2015-11 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy Warner, Kaine Announce More Than $144,000 In USDA Funding To Bring Locally-Grown Food To Virginia Schools Wednesday, November 18, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $144,581 in grant funding to communities in Virginia to improve and expand access to locally-grown foods. Todays funding made available through the USDAs Farm to School Grant Program will connect child nutrition programs with local farmers and ranchers in Virginia, increasing access to fresh and healthy foods. These grants will strengthen local economies by increasing access to affordable, fresh and healthy food options for children across Virginia. Expanding access to locally grown food in Virginia schools not only provides children with nutritious meals, which enhances learning, but also supports Virginias local food producers, Sen. Warner said. Todays funding will help put fresh, locally-grown food in Virginias school cafeterias, Kaine said. By connecting Virginia farmers with school nutrition programs, we can help boost the agriculture industry and ensure our children are receiving healthy meals that are essential to good nutrition. Under todays announcement, the following groups will receive funding: City Schoolyard Garden in Charlottesville, Virginia will receive $99,620 in funding to serve nutritious food from local growers within the Charlottesville school system. Funding will also be used to train school kitchen staff, integrate local food into classroom learning, and share best-practices with neighboring school systems; and, Loudoun County Public Schools in Ashburn, Virginia will receive $44,961 in funding to start a program in five elementary schools that aims to increase awareness of the benefits of fresh foods and to form new partnerships with local farmers. USDAs Farm to School Grants help increase local foods served through child nutrition programs, teach children about food an… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=b6d033b7-30ff-4244-a31e-75eaea59b878 Warner, Kaine Announce More than $144,000 in USDA Funding to Bring Locally-Grown Food to Virginia Schools 2015-11-18 2015 2015-11 Democrat House VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $144,581 in grant funding to communities in Virginia to improve and expand access to locally-grown foods. Todays funding made available through the USDAs Farm to School Grant Program will connect child nutrition programs with local farmers and ranchers in Virginia, increasing access to fresh and healthy foods. These grants will strengthen local economies by increasing access to affordable, fresh and healthy food options for children across Virginia. Expanding access to locally grown food in Virginia schools not only provides children with nutritious meals, which enhances learning, but also supports Virginias local food producers, Sen. Warner said. Todays funding will help put fresh, locally-grown food in Virginias school cafeterias, Kaine said. By connecting Virginia farmers with school nutrition programs, we can help boost the agriculture industry and ensure our children are receiving healthy meals that are essential to good nutrition. Under todays announcement, the following groups will receive funding: City Schoolyard Garden in Charlottesville, Virginia will receive $99,620 in funding to serve nutritious food from local growers within the Charlottesville school system. Funding will also be used to train school kitchen staff, integrate local food into classroom learning, and share best-practices with neighboring school systems; and, Loudoun County Public Schools in Ashburn, Virginia will receive $44,961 in funding to start a program in five elementary schools that aims to increase awareness of the benefits of fresh foods and to form new partnerships with local farmers. USDAs Farm to School Grants help increase local foods served through child nutrition programs, teach children about food and agriculture through garden and classroom education, and develop schools and farmers capacities to participate in farm-to-school programs. The funds are available to school… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/floor-statements/tribal-labor-sovereignty-act-of-2015 TRIBAL LABOR SOVEREIGNTY ACT OF 2015 2015-11-17 2015 2015-11 Democrat House VA Robert Scott S000185 bobbyscott.house.gov     legacy Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2015, legislation that would strip employees of protections afforded under the National Labor Relations Act at any enterprise owned by an Indian tribe and located on Indian lands. At issue are two solemn and deeply-rooted principles: one, the right of Indian tribes to possess as distinct independent political communities retaining their original rights in matters of local self-government; and, two, the rights of workers to organize, bargain collectively, and engage in concerted activities for their mutual aid and protection. Rather than attempting to reconcile these two competing principles, H.R. 4511 chooses sovereignty for some over the longstanding rights of others. This bill strips hundreds of thousands of workers of their voice in tribal-owned workplaces such as casinos, hotels, and mines. It should be noted that some 600,000 workers are employed in tribal casinos, but fully 75 percent are not members of tribes. This legislation would jettison a carefully drawn balance between tribal sovereignty and workers' rights that was adopted in 2004 by a Republican-led NLRB. That decision, known as the San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino, restricted the jurisdiction of the NLRB if it touches on the exclusive rights of self-governance in purely intramural matters or aggregated rights guaranteed under treaties. Furthermore, the NLRB stated that it would also take into account and accommodate the unique status of Indians in their society and legal culture in deciding NLRB jurisdiction. The San Manuel decision has been upheld in every appeals court where it has been challenged, and it is based on legal precepts that have been upheld by appellate courts over 30 years. The courts have also noted that the tribal casinos are commercial enterprises, not government agencies like the Department of Education, serving predominantly non-tribal clients and hiring predominantly non-tribal members to operate. By depriving these workers of th… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=277 Virginia, DC Members Meet With Metro GM Paul Wiedefeld 2015-11-17 2015 2015-11 Democrat House VA Donald Beyer B001292 beyer.house.gov     legacy Virginia delegation colleagues Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), and Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) joined Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC) to meet with incoming Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld today. share: f t Virginia delegation colleagues Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), and Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) joined Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC) to meet with incoming Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld today. Paul Wiedefeld's has the right prioritiessafety and security, reliability, and fiscal responsibilityand he has the background and experience to bring them all to WMATA as a General Manager, said Congresswoman Norton. I stressed to Mr. Wiedefeld the need for WMATA to embrace safety oversight by the Federal Transit Administration and get both WMATA's safety and fiscal house in order to stop the loss of riders. If Congress is to be helpful to the new General Manager, we must focus on restoring the full $150 million in annual capital safety funding for WMATA in the omnibus appropriations bill to match the $150 million the region's three jurisdictions have allocated. Metro is in need of a top-to-bottom overhaul that addresses safety, governance, workforce, financial, and operational issues, all of which are inextricably linked, said Rep. Connolly. It will be a very difficult task to reverse the stunning decline of Metro and restore a culture of safety, competence, and confidence. I and other members of the Virginia delegation expressed our full support to Mr. Wiedefeld in that endeavor. We need him to be successful. More than 750,000 people in the national capital region ride Metro every day. Mr. Wiedefeld has an important challenge before him, and we stand poised to help. We communicated that, as well as our hopes and expectations of a safe, reliable future for Metro at today's meeting, said Rep. Beyer. Metro's new General Manager Paul Wiedefeld has many challenges before him and he has our su… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z

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