Press releases
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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733 rows where state = "VA" and year = 2013 sorted by date descending
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| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/tim-in-the-news/give-virginia-the-gift-of-strong-ethics-laws | Give Virginia the gift of strong ethics laws | 2013-12-31 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Give Virginia the gift of strong ethics laws Washington Post Op-Ed Tuesday, December 31, 2013 The new year presents a superb opportunity to fix a major Virginia weakness: our lax ethical laws. Gov.-elect Terry McAuliffe and the state legislature have a clear chance to do something right, popular and necessary. They should strike immediately and achieve a legacy accomplishment early in 2014. The principal fix needed is a dramatic restructuring of gift laws. Under current law, anyone can give anything to an elected official so long as it is reported. If the gift is from a “friend,” it need not be reported. If the gift is to an official’s spouse or other family members, it need not be reported. Virginia’s wide-open rule is justified by a smug attitude: We can trust ourselves to do the right thing, and transparency is all that is needed to keep the system honest. But since the 2011 prosecution of former Newport News delegate Phil Hamilton for bribery and extortion, the revelation that advocates of uranium mining in the commonwealth flew legislators to France and the recent controversy around gifts to the family of Gov. Bob McDonnell, we can no longer pretend Virginia’s law makes sense. Gifts to elected officials can create a subconscious sense of gratitude in even the most upright public servants. And the public probably will perceive such gifts as creating improper influence, whether or not that happens. With no limit on the amount of such gifts and with the exceptions for friends and family so broad, Virginia’s system is all but guaranteed to create problems. Meanwhile, many people who advocate for important positions and perspectives cannot afford to give gifts to officials. This puts them at a disadvantage when compared with those who can. I served under the Virginia law for nearly 15 y… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/sens-warner-and-kaine-applaud-faas-selection-of-virginia-tech-proposal-to-test-unmanned-aircraft-systems | Sens. Warner and Kaine Applaud FAA’s Selection of Virginia Tech Proposal to Test Unmanned Aircraft Systems | 2013-12-30 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Sens. Warner and Kaine Applaud FAA’s Selection of Virginia Tech Proposal to Test Unmanned Aircraft Systems Region to be one of six U.S. sites chosen to test and research variety of UAS issues Monday, December 30, 2013 WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) released this statement today following the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) selection of Virginia Tech’s proposal to spearhead a regional research effort on the safest and most effective ways to incorporate Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the existing airspace. Virginia Tech’s proposal, one of six from across the country selected by the FAA today, includes a cooperative agreement to work with research institutions and facilities across Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey. “We want to congratulate Virginia Tech and its partners for this success. Virginia’s selection provides an opportunity for the mid-Atlantic region to become a major hub for UAS research and testing, leveraging the growing private sector interest in UAS as well as incorporating military and NASA assets across our region. That’s why we have long supported Virginia's selection, and have worked to highlight the strengths of a Virginia-Maryland-New Jersey partnership with the FAA,” Sens. Warner and Kaine said. “We hope this FAA research and testing also helps sort-out the legitimate public concerns about privacy and air safety as we move toward a safe and responsible integration of unmanned aircraft.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=0d57aa3a-821b-431a-acda-e3e1b79e1e93 | Sens. Warner & Kaine Applaud FAA Selection of VaTech Proposal on Unmanned Aircraft | 2013-12-30 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Mark Warner | W000805 | www.warner.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) released this statement today following the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) selection of Virginia Tech’s proposal to spearhead a regional research effort on the safest and most effective ways to incorporate Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the existing airspace. Virginia Tech’s proposal, one of six from across the country selected by the FAA today, includes a cooperative agreement to work with research institutions and facilities across Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey. “We want to congratulate Virginia Tech and its partners for this success. Virginia’s selection provides an opportunity for the mid-Atlantic region to become a major hub for UAS research and testing, leveraging the growing private sector interest in UAS as well as incorporating military and NASA assets across our region. That’s why we have long supported Virginia's selection, and have worked to highlight the strengths of a Virginia-Maryland-New Jersey partnership with the FAA,” Sens. Warner and Kaine said. “We hope this FAA research and testing also helps sort-out the legitimate public concerns about privacy and air safety as we move toward a safe and responsible integration of unmanned aircraft.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=a61cf7b4-5603-49bb-b0b0-9578e6756aa1 | Sen. Warner Calls for Hearing into Target Consumer Data Breach | 2013-12-30 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Mark Warner | W000805 | www.warner.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today requested a hearing by the Senate Banking Committee to examine whether companies and financial service providers are taking all actions necessary to safeguard consumer data and protect against fraud and identity theft, and whether stronger industry-wide cybersecurity standards are needed. In the wake of Target’s recent account data breach affecting some 40 million U.S. customers, Sen. Warner and Banking Committee colleague Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) wrote to Chairman Tim Johnson and Ranking Member Mike Crapo: “With our economy and financial sector becoming increasingly information-based and data-reliant, consumers depend on the companies and financial service providers with whom they do business to protect their sensitive information. As companies collect, store, and process ever-greater quantities of consumer data, they—and our regulators—must become even more vigilant against breaches and improper use.” Just days before Christmas, Target announced that a data breach occurred between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15, affecting about 40 million credit and debit card accounts, compromising customers' names, card information and security codes. Target has yet to disclose how the hackers penetrated its data security. The Warner/Menendez letter follows: December 30, 2013 The Honorable Tim Johnson Chairman Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Mike Crapo Ranking Member Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Washington, DC 20510 Dear Chairman Johnson and Ranking Member Crapo: We write to request that the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs hold a hearing as soon as reasonably possible regarding consumer financial data security. As you know, earlier this month, Target Corporation announced a data breach that affected roughly 40 million customer credit and debit card accounts – one of the largest such corporate security breaches in… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/tim-in-the-news/time-to-pass-a-farm-bill | Time To Pass A Farm Bill | 2013-12-28 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Time To Pass A Farm Bill Daily News-Record Op-Ed Saturday, December 28, 2013 As we give thanks this holiday season, it’s important to remember the family farms that produce the food we will enjoy with friends and relatives. But farmers’ hard work deserves more than recognition — Congress owes it to farmers here in the Valley and across the country to swiftly pass a final farm bill. Among all sectors of our economy, agriculture, the largest industry in Virginia, is unique for a simple reason — its output supports our very lives. The market may wax and wane, but we will always need food. A drought or a heavy flood means a bad year for the farmer, whose output is reduced, and a bad year for the consumer, who has to pay more for groceries. In any given year, the impact of unpredictable events on agriculture could send a domino effect of either prosperity or hardship through the economy. This inherent volatility means it is in everyone’s interest to ensure there is a stable, predictable market for agricultural goods. That is why farm bills have traditionally maintained a system of payments tailored to the varying needs of different regions and crops along with federal support for crop insurance premiums. Clear flaws in this system have emerged, such as direct payments to millionaires, or to property caretakers who aren’t even farmers but qualify for payments through legal loopholes. I’m pleased that along with other important reforms, both the Senate and House farm bills end direct payments, expand crop insurance, and restructure the commodity title. But that won’t help if we fail to pass a final bill — or if we pass another one-year extension. Whether it’s peanut and cotton farmers in Southside or poultry growers in the Valley, farmers deserve certainty from their government. That’s why … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=365063 | Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 12.23.13 | 2013-12-23 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | VA | Morgan Griffith | G000568 | morgangriffith.house.gov | legacy | Faith and Action People of faith often take bold action. The Christmas season is a time to both notice and highlight the large and small acts of faith that make a difference in this world. I can only note a few, as there are too many such actions to note them all. One of those taking bold action this year is Congressman Frank Wolf (VA-10), who has announced that he will be retiring after having served in the House of Representatives for 17 terms. Frank has worked hard throughout the years to advance justice, human rights, and religious freedom. He went on a secret mission to Tibet in 1997, traveling not as a Congressman but as a tourist with a home video camera. After returning to the United States, Frank said Tibetans were living “…under unspeakably brutal conditions in the dim shadow of international awareness. I want the world to know what is going on in Tibet.” He has continued this work in numerous ways. Frank has traveled throughout Asia and the Middle East advocating for religious minorities such as Coptic Christians, and also has persistently pushed to uncover the truth about the 2012 attack on the United States consulate in Benghazi, Libya. Frank is a diligent and tireless advocate for those who may otherwise be passed by. I wish the best to Frank as he continues working on the issues important to him and to his family as they begin the next chapter of their lives. Reverend Ralph Shelba Horton was another man of deep faith, and I was saddened to learn of his December 19 passing. Reverend Horton served the Lord as Senior Pastor of the Richlands Tabernacle since 1971, but he looked for opportunities outside of his own backyard to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was a man of God and a friend to many, and his influence went well beyond Tazewell County. To paraphrase a friend of mine, “Who knows how many souls are in heaven because of the work of Reverend Horton.” My thoughts and prayers to Reverend Horton’s loved ones at this time. But not all people of faith have 700,000 constituents or a… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=365076 | Ninth District Traveling Staff Office Hours for January | 2013-12-23 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | VA | Morgan Griffith | G000568 | morgangriffith.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Griffith’s Ninth District STAFF will be available at the following locations during the month of January. In the event of inclement weather (heavy snow, sleet, icy rain, etc.), traveling office hours may be rescheduled to avoid putting constituents at risk. Please contact the Christiansburg Office at 540-381-5671 or the Abingdon Office at 276-525-1405 with any questions or to confirm that traveling hours are still in effect. January 3, 2014 Martinsville: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm NCI Room 106 – Classroom Building 30 Franklin Street Martinsville, VA Lee County: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Lee County Sheriff’s Office Conference Room – Suite U101 33640 Main Street Jonesville, VA Norton: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Norton City Council Chambers 618 Virginia Avenue NW Norton, VA January 8, 2014 Radford: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Radford Public Library Meeting Room 30 West Main Street Radford, VA Pulaski County: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Pulaski County Library Meeting Room 60 3rd Street NW Pulaski, VA January 9, 2014 Grayson County: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Grayson County Administration Building Board of Supervisors Room – Suite 206 129 Davis Street Independence, VA Russell County: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Southwest Virginia Technology Development Center 141 Highland Drive Lebanon, VA Tazewell County: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Bluefield Town Hall – Council Chambers 112 Huffard Drive Bluefield, VA Galax: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Galax Municipal Building Conference Room 111 E. Main Street Galax, VA January 14, 2014 Giles County: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Pearisburg Town Hall 112 Tazewell Street Pearisburg, VA Salem: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Salem Library 28 East Main Street Salem, VA January 15, 2014 Henry County: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Bassett Historical Society 3964 Fairystone Parkway Bassett, VA Bland County: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Bland County Courthouse Admin. Office Room 2 612 Main Street Bland, VA Wythe County: 2:00 pm – 4:0… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140131154440/http://goodlatte.house.gov/press_releases/483 | GOODLATTE STATEMENT ON ICE'S REMOVAL NUMBERS | 2013-12-20 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | VA | Robert Goodlatte | G000289 | web.archive.org | legacy | GOODLATTE STATEMENT ON ICE'S REMOVAL NUMBERS WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released its removal numbers for Fiscal Year 2013, showing a decrease in the number of illegal immigrants and criminal aliens removed. Specifically, ICE removed roughly 369,000 individuals in FY 2013, which is a 41,000 decrease from the previous year, and the removal of criminal aliens decreased from 225,400 last year to 217,000 this year. Additionally, the removal of fugitives with final orders of deportation has decreased by over 40% and for repeat immigration violators it has dramatically declined by over 15%. Upon closer look, over 60% of the deportations claimed by ICE were actually removals of recent illegal border crossers who were apprehended by the Border Patrol and transferred briefly to ICE custody before removal. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte released the statement below on the removal numbers for FY 2013: “Today’s removal numbers from U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement is just more evidence that the Obama Administration refuses to enforce our immigration laws. Throughout the past five years, President Obama has sought to undermine and dismantle our immigration laws at every opportunity possible. And the results of this comprehensive plan are revealed in this year’s removal statistics: deportations are down and fewer criminals have been deported. And the Administration is padding its already meager removal numbers by including Border Patrol apprehensions. “The Administration’s fuzzy math undermines the integrity of our immigration system and puts our communities needlessly at risk. While the Obama Administration may gain applause from its political base for its inaction, they will ultimately lose in the court of public opinion. Our immigration laws do need to be refo… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140131155404/http://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/sens-warner-and-kaine-applaud-nomination-of-hannah-lauck-to-eastern-district-court-of-virginia | Sens. Warner and Kaine Applaud Nomination of Hannah Lauck to Eastern District Court of Virginia | 2013-12-20 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | web.archive.org | legacy | Sens. Warner and Kaine Applaud Nomination of Hannah Lauck to Eastern District Court of Virginia Friday, December 20, 2013 WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine released the following statement on the White House nomination of Hannah Lauck to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia: “Judge Lauck has an exemplary record as a prosecutor and a magistrate judge, and I was pleased to support her nomination to the federal bench,” Sen. Warner said. “I was proud to recommend Hannah for this position and am pleased the President has chosen to nominate her,” said Sen. Kaine “Hannah’s many years of experience in the Eastern District – both as a Magistrate Judge and an Assistant U.S. Attorney has prepared her well for this post. I look forward to doing everything I can to ensure a smooth confirmation process for her in the Senate.” Lauck has been a United States Magistrate Judge in the Eastern District of Virginia since 2005. Previously, she worked as a Supervising Attorney at Genworth Financial, Inc. from 2004 to 2005. From 1994 to 2004, she was an Assistant United States Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia. Judge Lauck worked in private practice at Anderson Kill Olick & Oshinsky from 1992 to 1994 and began her legal career as a law clerk for Judge James R. Spencer of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia from 1991 to 1992. She received her J.D. in 1991 from Yale Law School and her B.A. magna cum laude in 1986 from Wellesley College. # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=498 | Wittman Introduces Legislation to Protect Military Retirees | 2013-12-20 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | VA | Robert Wittman | W000804 | wittman.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) has introduced H.R. 3792 to repeal the provision in the Bipartisan Budget Act, H.J.Res. 59, affecting military retirees. I strongly believe that we cannot and should not balance the budget on the backs of the servicemembers who have given their all for our country. I was vehemently opposed to the provision in the Bipartisan Budget Act that cuts COLAs for military retirees, and today I have introduced H.R. 3792 to repeal that section. I have also written a letter to House Armed Services Committee Chairman McKeon, asking for his commitment to address this issue before it goes into effect at the end of 2014. Our retired servicemen and women who served our nation over 20 years deserve the pay and benefits they have earned. H.R. 3792 strikes Section 403 of H.J. Res. 59, which modifies the annual cost-of-living adjustment for working-age military retirees by making the adjustments equal to inflation minus one percent. This provision provides for an annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) of inflation (measured by the Consumer Price Index) less one percentage point for adjustments starting on December 1, 2015 until the retiree reaches age 62. There would be no alteration to the 2014 COLA. This change would be gradually phased in, with no change for the current year, a 0.25 percent decrease in December 2014, and a 0.5 percent decrease in December 2015. Under this provision, at age 62, the COLA would revert back to the full CPI adjustment. Wittman has also joined House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Jeff Miller in introducing 2 similar bills: 1) legislation that would strike Section 403 and therefore eliminate any cuts to COLAs attached to military retirement payments; and 2) legislation that would clarify and exempt all veterans who medically retire, those who receive Combat Related Specialty Compensation (CRSC), and those who receive Concurrent Receipt Pay (CRDP) from any impact of Section 403 on their disability pension. Congressman Rob Wittman represents the … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/kainehailspassageofdefensebill | Kaine Hails Final Passage of Defense Bill | 2013-12-20 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Kaine Hails Final Passage of Defense Bill Key provisions of Kaine’s first piece of legislation, the Troop Talent Act, will become law Friday, December 20, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today hailed final passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2014 – the annual defense bill that includes important provisions Kaine advocated for Virginia during committee markup of the legislation in June 2013. The measure was passed, 84-15. “With passage of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2014, I’m pleased we will be able to provide our nation’s military with budget certainty to maintain readiness, and our servicemembers with the support they deserve. Together with passage of a two-year budget agreement earlier this week, this legislation is a win for Virginia, authorizing full funding for our shipyards in Hampton Roads to continue producing and repairing aircraft carriers, submarines and surface ships. It also includes 36 historic reforms to tackle the serious and longstanding problem of sexual assault in the military. “I’m also proud that key provisions of the first piece of legislation I introduced, the Troop Talent Act, were included. Providing active duty servicemembers with the tools they need to more easily receive credentials for the skills they acquire through military training will now become law, greatly easing their transition to a civilian career. This is a small but important step to help whittle away at the unacceptably high rate of veterans’ unemployment – particularly among those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan - and I remain committed to exploring all avenues to address this issue.” The following list includes many of the provisions Kaine advocated for Virginia’s defense community that were included in the NDAA: Troop Talent Act Becomes Law: Key provisions of Kaine's first bill, the Troop Talent Act of 2013, were included in the authorization act, including the … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/senate-passes-key-provisions-of-kaines-first-bill-the-troop-talent-act | Senate Passes Key Provisions of Kaine's First Bill, the Troop Talent Act | 2013-12-20 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Senate Passes Key Provisions of Kaine's First Bill, the Troop Talent Act Legislation increases and streamlines credentialing for veterans Friday, December 20, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, the U.S. Senate passed key provisions of U.S. Senator Tim Kaine’s first bill, the Troop Talent Act of 2013, as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2014. Kaine secured inclusion of the provisions during committee markup of the legislation in June 2013. “I’m proud that key provisions of the first piece of legislation I introduced, the Troop Talent Act, were included in the 2014 defense bill that was passed with bipartisan support in the Senate,” Kaine said. “It will now be the law to provide active duty servicemembers with the tools they need to more easily receive credentials for the skills they acquire through military training, greatly easing their transition to a civilian career. This is a small but important step to help whittle away at the unacceptably high rate of veterans’ unemployment – particularly among those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan - and I remain committed to exploring all avenues to address this issue.” The Troop Talent Act provisions included in the 2014 NDAA are: 1) A requirement that information on civilian credentialing opportunities be made available to servicemembers at every stage of their military training 2) A requirement that information on military training and experience be provided, upon request, to civilian credentialing agencies and other approved entities In addition, Kaine secured inclusion of an amendment to NDAA that ensures Department of Defense educational programs be eligible for funding under the Title IV Higher Education Act. This provision will ensure DoD programs meet the same standards currently required for other educational federal funding, such as Pell Grants. The Troop Talent Act has received praise from editorial boards and veterans' groups, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, IA… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/sens-warner-collins-kaine-and-grassley-legislation-to-protect-military-whistleblowers-passes-congress- | Sens. Warner, Collins, Kaine & Grassley Legislation To Protect Military Whistleblowers Passes Congress | 2013-12-20 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Sens. Warner, Collins, Kaine & Grassley Legislation To Protect Military Whistleblowers Passes Congress ~ Bipartisan Military Whistleblower Protection Act will now go the President for his signature ~ Friday, December 20, 2013 WASHINGTON - Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) to strengthen military whistleblower protection laws to ensure those who report sexual assault and other misconduct are not further victimized by retaliation passed the Senate and will become law. The Military Whistleblower Protection Act was passed as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on a bipartisan 85-14 vote and will now go to the President for his signature. The Military Whistleblower Protection Act is supported by over 50 good government, public health and veterans organizations, including the Service Women’s Action Network, and leading whistleblower protection organizations including the Project on Government Oversight and the Government Accountability Project. “This legislation is an important first step toward better protecting our military men and women from misconduct, including sexual assault,” Sen. Warner said. “The Military Whistleblower Protection Act will encourage our service members to report fraud, waste and abuse and provide them with the retaliation-free working environment they deserve. Virginia has a strong military tradition and I am proud that this legislation will now become law." "Whistleblowers play a crucial role in Congressional efforts to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse and to help ensure the effectiveness of government programs. They provide crucial information that Congress needs to conduct proper oversight of the federal government," said Sen. Collins. "This amendment increases whistleblower protections for the military and encourages whistleblowers to report misconduct, especially as it relates to sexual assault. Our military men and wom… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=30af12c6-4486-4f27-bd6c-e7687e2d7ae0 | Bipartisan Military Whistleblower Protection Act Passes Congress | 2013-12-20 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Mark Warner | W000805 | www.warner.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON - Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) to strengthen military whistleblower protection laws to ensure those who report sexual assault and other misconduct are not further victimized by retaliation passed the Senate and will become law. The Military Whistleblower Protection Act was passed as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on a bipartisan 85-14 vote and will now go to the President for his signature. The Military Whistleblower Protection Act is supported by over 50 good government, public health and veterans organizations, including the Service Women’s Action Network, and leading whistleblower protection organizations including the Project on Government Oversight and the Government Accountability Project. “This legislation is an important first step toward better protecting our military men and women from misconduct, including sexual assault,” Sen. Warner said. “The Military Whistleblower Protection Act will encourage our service members to report fraud, waste and abuse and provide them with the retaliation-free working environment they deserve. Virginia has a strong military tradition and I am proud that this legislation will now become law." "Whistleblowers play a crucial role in Congressional efforts to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse and to help ensure the effectiveness of government programs. They provide crucial information that Congress needs to conduct proper oversight of the federal government," said Sen. Collins. "This amendment increases whistleblower protections for the military and encourages whistleblowers to report misconduct, especially as it relates to sexual assault. Our military men and women deserve a justice system that protects them while they serve our country." “With passage of the Military Whistleblower Protection Act, victims and witnesses of sexual assault and other serious crimes will now be better protected from retaliation," said Sen. Kaine. “Too many in… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=7c294b6b-faef-4177-aedd-7e660978eb3c | Sens. Warner & Kaine Statement On Nomination Of Hannah Lauck To U.S. Circuit Court For The Eastern District Of Virginia | 2013-12-20 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Mark Warner | W000805 | www.warner.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine released the following statement on the White House nomination of Hannah Lauck to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia: “Judge Lauck has an exemplary record as a prosecutor and a magistrate judge, and I was pleased to support her nomination to the federal bench,” Sen. Warner said. “I was proud to recommend Hannah for this position and am pleased the President has chosen to nominate her,” said Sen. Kaine “Hannah’s many years of experience in the Eastern District – both as a Magistrate Judge and an Assistant U.S. Attorney has prepared her well for this post. I look forward to doing everything I can to ensure a smooth confirmation process for her in the Senate.” Lauck has been a United States Magistrate Judge in the Eastern District of Virginia since 2005. Previously, she worked as a Supervising Attorney at Genworth Financial, Inc. from 2004 to 2005. From 1994 to 2004, she was an Assistant United States Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia. Judge Lauck worked in private practice at Anderson Kill Olick & Oshinsky from 1992 to 1994 and began her legal career as a law clerk for Judge James R. Spencer of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia from 1991 to 1992. She received her J.D. in 1991 from Yale Law School and her B.A. magna cum laude in 1986 from Wellesley College. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=497 | Wittman Statement on the Retirement of Representative Frank Wolf | 2013-12-19 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | VA | Robert Wittman | W000804 | wittman.house.gov | legacy | Wittman Statement on the Retirement of Representative Frank Wolf f t # e Washington, D.C., December 19, 2013 Washington, D.C. Representative Rob Wittman (VA-01) released the following statement upon the announcement of Rep. Frank Wolf's (VA-10) upcoming retirement at the end of the 113th Congress, after 34 years of service: Virginia has been well-served by a man who has truly dedicated himself to the Virginia way: selfless service to his community and his country. The news today is bittersweet, as Frank's work can never be replicated; I know he will continue to do great things for the causes he cares about the most. He has been a true friend and mentor to me during my time in Congress. I have enjoyed working with him on the issues important to Virginians, and commend his 34 years of service to our Commonwealth, and to our nation. Frank Wolf is a true statesman and we will be forever grateful for his tremendous service. Congressman Rob Wittman represents the First District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee where he is the Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee. # # # f t # e | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/sens-warner-and-kaine-lead-senate-majority-in-effort-to-allow-rollovers-for-fsa-accounts | Sens. Warner and Kaine Lead Senate Majority In Effort To Allow Rollovers For FSA Accounts | 2013-12-19 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Sens. Warner and Kaine Lead Senate Majority In Effort To Allow Rollovers For FSA Accounts Thursday, December 19, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, joined by their Senate colleagues Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD), led an effort in the Senate urging Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Kathleen Archuleta to allow federal workers the opportunity to take advantage of the new Treasury/IRS rule allowing a $500 rollover of unused health Flexible Savings Accounts (FSA) funds towards out-of-pocket health care costs and help keep families and consumers in control of their health care decisions. The letter received the support of all 53 Senate Democrats and two Independents and follows a notable change by the Department of the Treasury on October 31that gives employers a choice to roll over their employees’ FSA fund to the following year, or provide a grace period to use available funds in the following year. “It is unreasonable to expect health FSA participants to accurately forecast their out-of-pocket medical expenses a year in advance, and it is unfair to penalize them at the end of the plan year should their estimates prove to be inaccurate,” the Senators wrote in their letter. According to OPM’s own data, in 2012, 30,940 federal employees – nearly 10 percent of participating employees -- forfeited an average of $392 each in contributions because of the “use-or-lose” rule. The Senators noted that the U.S. Treasury and IRS have recognized the value of providing a rollover option for employees nationwide. “We urge you to provide this benefit to federal employees without delay,” they added. A copy of the letter can be found here and below. Director Katherine Archuleta U.S. Office of Personnel Management 1900 E Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20415 Dear Director Archuleta: We write to urge you to modify the “use-or-lose” rule for Health Flexible Spending Arrangements available to federal employees through the FSAF… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/statement-on-white-house-response- | Statement on White House Response on Hardship Exemption | 2013-12-19 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Statement on White House Response on Hardship Exemption Thursday, December 19, 2013 WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) released the following joint statement after Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that some individuals who had their health plans cancelled will be automatically eligible for a hardship exemption that allows them to purchase a catastrophic plan on the health insurance marketplace. The Senators raised the issue in a joint letter to Secretary Sebelius on Dec. 19th. In addition, Secretary Sebelius today announced that the Administration has established a dedicated hotline for consumers with cancelled plans at 1-866-837-0677: “We are pleased that the Administration appears to have responded to the concerns we’ve raised. As a result, this clarifies an option that will help those consumers who have had their plans cancelled this year transition more smoothly into the marketplace. We will closely monitor how the Administration implements this option, and we remain committed to proposing responsible solutions.” The Senators’ letter to Secretary Sebelius is available here. Secretary Sebelius’s response 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=1f5bcea7-7b11-41d9-87d1-1d07c8996947 | Statement of Sens. Warner, King, Shaheen, Landrieu, Heitkamp and Kaine on White House Response on Hardship Exemption | 2013-12-19 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Mark Warner | W000805 | www.warner.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) released the following joint statement after Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that some individuals who had their health plans cancelled will be automatically eligible for a hardship exemption that allows them to purchase a catastrophic plan on the health insurance marketplace. The Senators raised the issue in a joint letter to Secretary Sebelius on Dec. 19th. In addition, Secretary Sebelius today announced that the Administration has established a dedicated hotline for consumers with cancelled plans at 1-866-837-0677: “We are pleased that the Administration appears to have responded to the concerns we’ve raised. As a result, this clarifies an option that will help those consumers who have had their plans cancelled transition more smoothly into the marketplace. We will closely monitor how the Administration implements this option, and we remain committed to proposing responsible solutions.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=672 | Federal, State, Local Leaders Support GSA/Springfield Site for FBI HQ | 2013-12-18 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Gerald Connolly | C001078 | connolly.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Gerry Connolly joined Federal, State, and local leaders at a December press conference to show unified, bipartisan support for locating the new FBI headquarters at the GSA site in Springfield, VA. Read more. share: f t Congressman Gerry Connolly joined Governor-elect Terry McAuliffe, Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, Congressmen Jim Moran and Frank Wolf, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Jim Cheng representing Governor Bob McDonnell, state Senator George Barker, Delegate Vivian Watts, and Fairfax County Supervisor Jeff McKay at a December press conference to show unified, bipartisan support for locating the new FBI headquarters at the GSA site in Springfield, VA. “We're going to win this on the merits, not on politics,” Connolly said. “We had a number of sites under consideration in Virginia, but we put our parochial interests aside to support the best site for Northern Virginia and for our national security. The GSA site in Springfield meets the FBI’s mission-critical needs.” Connolly also cited the proximity of the FBI’s training facility in Quantico and other locations in Virginia housing federal anti-terrorism offices. “The FBI plays a key role in fighting terrorism,” he said. “Interaction with other agencies is critical.”Governor-elect McAuliffe cited the need to diversify Virginia’s economy and he said, The FBI headquarters means jobs.” Senator Warner cited the proximity of the site to transportation including Metrorail, VRE, buses, and I-95. Senator Kaine and Congressman Moran both cited the unity of Virginia officials behind the Springfield site. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-applauds-committee-action-on-bill-to-create-special-envoy-for-religious-minorities-in-the-middle-east | Kaine Applauds Committee Action On Bill To Create Special Envoy For Religious Minorities In The Middle East | 2013-12-18 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Kaine Applauds Committee Action On Bill To Create Special Envoy For Religious Minorities In The Middle East Kaine, Chairman of Middle East Subcommittee, cites growing religious persecution across region Wednesday, December 18, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern, Southern and Central Asian Affairs, today applauded committee action on the Near East and South Central Asia Religious Freedom Act of 2013, of which he is a co-sponsor. The bill, introduced by Senators Roy Blunt, Carl Levin and Bob Casey cites growing instances of religious persecution in the Middle East and calls for the creation of a special envoy within the State Department to bring attention to the problem and advocate for religious liberty in the region. It is similar to a House bill sponsored by fellow Virginian, Congressman Frank Wolf, a longtime advocate for religious freedom around the world. “I was glad to join my Senate colleagues and Virginia Congressman Frank Wolf in promoting the appointment of a full-time special envoy for religious minorities in the Middle East. I’m pleased that the Foreign Relations Committee has recognized the importance of this priority by advancing this legislation today,” said Kaine. “The recent story about the likely kidnapping of Catholic nuns in Syria is just the latest example of an escalating epidemic of religious persecution in the Middle East,” Kaine said, referencing the alleged kidnapping of 12 Lebanese and Syrian Greek Orthodox nuns from the Syrian village of Maaloula earlier this month. “Attacks on Christians, Jews, Baha'I, Ahmadiyya Muslims and other religious minorities are occurring with greater frequency.” “The Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom, passed by the Virginia General Assembly in 1787, became the model for our constitutional protection of religious freedom for all,” Kaine continued. “The United States can and should play a key role in exposing these human rights vio… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-with-passage-of-budget-achieved-two-of-my-highest-priorities-for-first-year | Kaine: With Passage Of Budget, Achieved Two Of My Highest Priorities For First Year | 2013-12-18 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Kaine: With Passage Of Budget, Achieved Two Of My Highest Priorities For First Year Wednesday, December 18, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the bipartisan Budget Conference Committee, released the following statement after the Senate voted to pass the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013, 64-36. “With Senate passage of a two-year budget agreement tonight, I’m proud to say that we’ve achieved two of my highest priorities for my first year in office – getting a budget agreement through the House and Senate and offsetting the worst effects of sequestration that have disproportionately impacted Virginia. During the opening meeting of the Budget Conference Committee last month, I called on my fellow conferees to ‘surprise the cynics.’ I’m so glad we did. “Over the past 11 months, I witnessed the impact of budget uncertainty and sequestration by visiting military installations, private shipyards, research universities and early childhood educations centers across the Commonwealth. With passage of this compromise budget deal, we’ll replace $63 billion in non-strategic sequester cuts and prevent another government shutdown, restoring much-needed certainty to these Virginians, and to our economy as a whole. It also allows appropriators to write full bills that will give the Department of Defense more flexibility to plan for the future and allow the Navy to continue its critical shipbuilding and repair work. “There are provisions in the compromise that I do not support, including a reduction in the cost of living increase (COLA) for certain military pensions. That’s why I co-sponsored legislation this week to replace the $6 billion in cuts by closing a corporate tax loophole that companies use to avoid paying U.S. taxes. I’m hopeful we will be able to undo these changes before they take effect in 2015 and I’ll work in the Senate Armed Services Committee to do so. “There is more work to be done to replace the remaining non-strategic sequestration cuts and addre… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/senators-warner-and-kaine-introduce-military-retirement-restoration-act | Senators Warner & Kaine Introduce Military Retirement Restoration Act | 2013-12-18 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Senators Warner & Kaine Introduce Military Retirement Restoration Act Will repeal and replace proposed cuts to military retiree benefits Wednesday, December 18, 2013 WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced legislation to repeal and replace the proposed $6 billion cut to military pensions included in the Bipartisan Budget Act. The compromise budget agreement, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives last week and is scheduled for a Senate vote today, would cut $6 billion over 10 years by reducing cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for working-age military retirees by 1 percent beginning in January 2015. The Military Retirement Restoration Act would replace this provision with new legislation that could raise as much as $6.6 billion over ten years by preventing companies from avoiding U.S. taxes through the use of foreign tax havens. “While the changes to military pension COLA increases may look insignificant to some, this is real money to a lot of families,” Sen. Warner said. “Virginians have served with honor in our military for generations, and I want to assure our servicemen and women that there is ample time to undo these changes before they take effect. I remain committed to pursuing a comprehensive deficit reduction package, but we should not unfairly single out our military families.” “The Senate worked hard to pass a budget last March that did not contain reductions in COLA for military pensions because it was not the way we felt we should be dealing with the budget,” said Sen. Kaine. “It’s my hope that we’ll be able to undo these changes before they take effect in 2015. I’m proud to support this legislation and look forward to further reviewing the provision in the Armed Services Committee early next year, as Chairman Carl Levin has signaled.” A bill summary and text are copied below. Summary Military Retirement Restoration Act - The Military Retirement Restoration Act would replace the cuts to milita… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=fe38dcb7-1313-4d7f-8303-9af78ce40635 | Statement of Sen. Warner on passage of Bipartisan Budget Agreement | 2013-12-18 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Mark Warner | W000805 | www.warner.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), a member of the House-Senate Budget Conference Committee, made the following comments in a floor speech prior to this afternoon’s Senate passage of the Bipartisan Budget Agreement, which the Senator supported. The legislation passed by a vote of 64 to 36. “My hope is this afternoon we'll vote on a budget agreement for two years that is not as grand or as comprehensive as I would have liked. But we'll demonstrate to the American people that up here perhaps we have to crawl before we can walk before we can run… [This bipartisan compromise] says for at least the balance of this fiscal year and for the next, let's take the threat of another shutdown … and unprecedented furloughs off the table. Let's not relax our focus on deficit reduction. Let's not add to the debt. Let's actually do a little bit more, about $20 billion more, in deficit reduction, but let's show that our institutions can actually put country ahead of partisan interests. “Now, in this compromise, not everyone got what they wanted. I would have argued strongly that the ‘big enchilada’ remains, how do we really take on in a major way that $17 trillion debt that clicks up about $4 billion a night? And that means both political parties have to give on their sacred cows. It means we've got to generate additional revenues through meaningful reform of a completely disastrous tax code, and, yes, it means for folks on my side, we’ve got to make sure that the promise of Medicare and Social Security and other entitlements are here 20 and 30 years from now. But some of those challenges will have to be put off to another day. There are many of us in this body, on both sides of the aisle, who may have a chance to surprise some folks next year in laying out some specific ideas on how we can move to that bigger bargain. But we should not underestimate what we do today. “I've spent a longer time in business than I have in elective office, and what this country is yearning for, what consumers are yearning for, what… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=671 | Connolly Statement on the Retirement of Rep. Frank Wolf | 2013-12-17 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Gerald Connolly | C001078 | connolly.house.gov | legacy | Connolly Statement on the Retirement of Rep. Frank Wolf f t # e Washington, DC, December 17, 2013 Congressman Gerry Connolly issued the following statement today following the announcement by Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA) that he will be retiring from the U.S. House of Representatives at the end of his 34th year in Congress and will not seek an 18th term in 2014. Read more. share: f t Rep. Connolly Statement on Retirement of Rep. Frank WolfCongressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA) issued the following statement today following the announcement by Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA) that he will be retiring from the U.S. House of Representatives at the end of his 34th year in Congress and will not seek an 18th term in 2014.“It has been an honor and privilege to work with Congressman Frank Wolf, both as a member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and the last five years in Congress,” Congressman Gerry Connolly said. “Frank has been a leader on Rail to Dulles, a tireless champion of federal workers, a partner in gang prevention, and a passionate advocate for human rights around the world. Congress and Northern Virginia will forever be grateful for his service." f t # e | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140131154818/http://goodlatte.house.gov/press_releases/481 | GOODLATTE WELCOMES AREVA INVESTMENT IN LYNCHBURG | 2013-12-17 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | VA | Robert Goodlatte | G000289 | web.archive.org | legacy | GOODLATTE WELCOMES AREVA INVESTMENT IN LYNCHBURG WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bob Goodlatte released the following statement after attending the announcement that AREVA, Inc. will invest $26.3 million in its operations in the Lynchburg region: “We are very fortunate that AREVA has decided to continue to build its presence in the Hill City. Today’s news of a $26.3 million investment further solidifies AREVA’s deep commitment to serving the nuclear power industry and helping to drive economic growth in Central Virginia. The designation of the operations in Lynchburg and Campbell County as the company’s Operational Center of Excellence for Nuclear Products and Services is a clear signal that AREVA will continue to be a leader in meeting the needs of the nuclear industry by providing cutting-edge, reliable services. The nuclear industry is integral to this region’s economic strength, and I look forward to continue working with AREVA as they move forward with this investment.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140131155132/http://goodlatte.house.gov/press_releases/482 | GOODLATTE STATEMENT ON RETIREMENT OF CONGRESSMAN FRANK WOLF | 2013-12-17 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | VA | Robert Goodlatte | G000289 | web.archive.org | legacy | GOODLATTE STATEMENT ON RETIREMENT OF CONGRESSMAN FRANK WOLF WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bob Goodlatte released the following statement after Congressman Frank Wolf (VA-10) announced that he will not seek reelection in 2014: “It has been a great honor to work with Frank Wolf throughout my time in Congress. Frank has diligently served the people of the 10th District for over three decades. During this time, he has been a strong advocate for human rights, passionately speaking out for those without a voice. We have also worked on numerous issues together, including preservation of historic battlefields, immigration enforcement, addressing human rights issues in the Sudan, and ensuring there are federal law enforcement resources in the northern Shenandoah Valley to protect our communities. “Frank’s wisdom and spirit will certainly be missed in the House of Representatives. I wish him the best of luck in his retirement and thank him for his distinguished service to our nation and the Commonwealth.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-retirement-of-congressman-frank-wolf | Kaine Statement On Retirement Of Congressman Frank Wolf | 2013-12-17 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Kaine Statement On Retirement Of Congressman Frank Wolf Tuesday, December 17, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement on Congressman Frank Wolf’s announcement that he will retire after 17 terms in Congress: “For more than 30 years, Frank Wolf has exemplified the best in public service through his dedication to the people of Virginia’s 10th District. Frank’s passion has also extended to the global stage through his leadership on the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission and longtime support for religious freedom around the world – an effort that has inspired me to take up the cause of religious freedom in my own work on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “It’s been a sincere honor to work with him this past year, as well as during my time as Governor. His leadership of Virginia’s congressional delegation and his service to the people of Northern Virginia will truly be missed.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/on-senate-floor-kaine-calls-for-passage-of-bipartisan-budget-act-of-2013 | On Senate Floor, Kaine Calls For Passage Of Bipartisan Budget Act Of 2013 | 2013-12-17 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | On Senate Floor, Kaine Calls For Passage Of Bipartisan Budget Act Of 2013 Tuesday, December 17, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Speaking on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Budget Conference Committee, called for Senate passage of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 that reverses many of the across-the-board sequester cuts that have disproportionately impacted Virginia and restores certainty to the U.S. economy, as well as families and businesses across the Commonwealth. Since taking office last January, Kaine has consistently called for a return to normal budget order and relief from sequestration. “I gave my first speech on the Senate floor in February to urge my colleagues to avoid sequester and in the months since I have visited Virginia shipyards, research universities, early childhood education centers and seen the effects that sequester has on Virginians, on Americans and on our economy,” said Kaine. “What we've done with this budget deal is take a step back to regular budgetary order to give certainty to the economy. Under the agreement, defense cuts of an additional $20 billion that were scheduled to take effect in January will not go into effect and we will find ways to restore funding and avert sequester cuts to non-defense accounts as well.” Kaine acknowledged that he does not support certain provisions in the deal that were added in order to find compromise with the House, including a reduction in the cost of living increase (COLA) for certain military pensions – a measure that was not included in the Senate Budget he voted for in March. “An additional weakness is the way we’ve dealt with the cost of living increase for military retirees pre-age 62 who are not disabled. I don’t agree with that compromise provision,” said Kaine. “All the senators currently in the chamber worked so hard to pass a budget in March that did not contain that provision because it was not the way we felt we should be dealing with the budget.” "I am pleased that C… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=392e81e9-d79e-4e5e-b12a-8db4a8498c1f | Statement of U.S. Sen. Warner on Retirement of Rep. Frank Wolf | 2013-12-17 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Mark Warner | W000805 | www.warner.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) issued this statement following today’s announcement by U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10th) that he will retire after 17 terms in Congress: “Frank Wolf has been a true friend, and a great partner, both when I served as Virginia Governor and since I’ve joined Congress. He is a tireless and leading advocate for religious freedom around the world. “We have worked closely together on Northern Virginia transportation issues, and partnered in consecutive sessions of Congress on bipartisan legislation that would encourage the on-shoring of jobs back to Virginia which have moved overseas in recent years. Frank has also been a passionate advocate and reliable ally in my ongoing efforts to find common ground on issues surrounding our nation’s deficits and debt. “Congressman Wolf’s dedication in over 17 terms in Congress, and his exceptionally high level of service to the constituents he proudly represents in Virginia’s 10th District, will remain a model for all of us who serve.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=97479778-9566-4b67-ba3b-e9547cce3369 | Sens. Warner & Kaine Introduce Military Retirement Restoration Act | 2013-12-17 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Mark Warner | W000805 | www.warner.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced legislation to repeal and replace the proposed $6 billion cut to military pensions included in the Bipartisan Budget Act. The compromise budget agreement, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives last week and is scheduled for a Senate vote today, would cut $6 billion over 10 years by reducing cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for working-age military retirees by 1 percent beginning in January 2015. The Military Retirement Restoration Act would replace this provision with new legislation that could raise as much as $6.6 billion over ten years by preventing companies from avoiding U.S. taxes through the use of foreign tax havens. “While the changes to military pension COLA increases may look insignificant to some, this is real money to a lot of families,” Sen. Warner said. “Virginians have served with honor in our military for generations, and I want to assure our servicemen and women that there is ample time to undo these changes before they take effect. I remain committed to pursuing a comprehensive deficit reduction package, but we should not unfairly single out our military families.” “The Senate worked hard to pass a budget last March that did not contain reductions in COLA for military pensions because it was not the way we felt we should be dealing with the budget,” said Sen. Kaine. “It’s my hope that we’ll be able to undo these changes before they take effect in 2015. I’m proud to support this legislation and look forward to further reviewing the provision in the Armed Services Committee early next year, as Chairman Carl Levin has signaled.” A bill summary and text is copied below. Summary Military Retirement Restoration Act - The Military Retirement Restoration Act would replace the cuts to military retiree benefits from the Bipartisan Budget Act by preventing companies from avoiding U.S. taxes by abusing tax havens. Repeal the provision in the Bipartisan Budget Act (Section 403) that modifies the annual c… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364610 | Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 12.16.13 | 2013-12-16 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | VA | Morgan Griffith | G000568 | morgangriffith.house.gov | legacy | The ADAPT Act, Fire Hydrants, and the NSA The ADAPT Act Regular readers of this column are aware of my ongoing efforts to improve the quality and safety of our health care system and increase patient choice and control. We have numerous bills that have been introduced, and that the various committees are working on. Among those committees that are working on improvements to our health care systems is the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, on which I serve. Among my efforts are the bipartisan Drug Quality and Security Act (H.R. 3089) to clarify oversight of the compounding drug manufacturing system (which was signed into law) and the Patient Choice Act (H.R. 2090), bipartisan legislation to speed up Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of drugs and give certain patients the option to buy new, innovative, experimental drugs and therapies at their own expense. Last week, I joined with several of my colleagues, Democrats and Republicans, in introducing H.R. 3742, the Antibiotic Development to Advance Patient Treatment (ADAPT) Act. The ADAPT Act seeks to advance drug development with the end goal of combating the growing public health threat of “superbugs,” which are resistant to antibiotics. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or drug-resistant Salmonella are examples of these superbugs. I believe strongly, when battling deadly diseases, patients and their physicians need more choices. Our nation boasts an array of entities that are working hard to develop new treatments and therapies. The ADAPT Act is a critical next step in working to address antibiotic resistance. This bill develops a new, accelerated pathway for antibiotics and antifungals in limited and specific patient populations. It will further innovation and ultimately will provide new, antibiotic options in the fight against superbugs. I will continue working with my colleagues to improve our health care system and increase the options and control you and your loved ones have over treatment. Further, I will keep you upda… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/commonwealth-connection/virginia-grown | Virginia Grown | 2013-12-16 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Monday, December 16, 2013 Virginia Grown by Gwen Mason, Regional Director Each of us who lives or works in Virginia treasures some wonderful, edible part of the Commonwealth’s history and culture. From Smithfield ham, to Chesapeake Bay oysters, Winchester apples, Rockingham and Augusta Counties’ milk and dairy products, Highland County beef, and red and white wine from vineyards across Virginia, the Commonwealth provides a bounty of nutritious, tasty sustenance. Agriculture is the dominant industry in the Shenandoah Valley. Representing Senator Kaine as his Regional Director from Roanoke on “down the Valley” to Shenandoah County, I know that agricultural issues are key to the prosperity and growth of this region. Last week I attended the Virginia “Farm to Table” 2013 Conference held at Blue Ridge Community College. The conference was jointly sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and Virginia Cooperative Extension at Virginia Tech. With support from 30 other organizations, more than 200 attendees from across the state learned about farming techniques that improve social well-being and strengthen the economy. We all want to know where our food comes from. Locally grown organic food and sustainable agricultural practices are now important components of the Valley’s economic growth. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is a key partner to communities throughout the Shenandoah Valley, with personnel dedicated to rural development, natural resources conservation, and farm service. Knowing how close the partnership is between the USDA and Virginia farms, it is not surprising that the bywords of the Farm to Table conference were “collaboration, conservation, and community.” The most unforgettable aspect of the conference was the delicious, locally grown lunch catered by Harrisonburg’s wonderful organic restaurant, A Bowl of Good. … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/tim-in-the-news/tim-kaine-lessons-from-40-years-as-a-richmond-public-schools-parent | Lessons from 40 years as a Richmond Public Schools parent | 2013-12-15 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Anne and I are now empty-nesters. Combined, our three kids spent 40 school years in the Richmond Public Schools. While we both interact with the school system in our professional lives, we’ve learned even more from back-to-school nights, parent-teacher conferences, attending school events and pulling crumpled notes to parents out of our kids’ backpacks. The lessons learned as parents have made me think about what works and what doesn’t work in Pre-K-12 education. Here are seven changes I’d like to see: It’s about the individual! Most policy debate these days seems to be about charter schools or high-stakes testing. But I’m convinced that the most important reform has been under our noses since 1975, when legislation was passed to guarantee children with diagnosed disabilities receive individualized learning plans tailored to meet their specific needs. Each child brings a mix of strengths and challenges to the classroom. Let’s use the insight gained through advances in educating kids with disabilities to leverage new technologies and teaching methods that can individualize learning for each child. Early childhood education works My daughter was able to attend a year of high-quality pre-K in our city schools. This experience made me a believer, and it’s one of the reasons why I greatly expanded pre-K for at-risk 4 year olds when I was governor. The research is powerful — if you invest in high-quality programs that coordinate with K-12 curricula and have mandatory teacher standards, the gains from early education are lasting. It’s also important that we focus on coordinating investments made in early childhood programs — such as Head Start — to ensure we are effectively using our funding, eliminating any waste and bolstering the structure of our education system. Simplify elementary education By the time Virginians graduate from high school, they have taken at least 35 state-mandated tests in addition to all the classroom testing that good teachers require. This over-testing phenomenon is particularly acute… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364405 | Information on the Budget Agreement and Our Military | 2013-12-13 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | VA | Morgan Griffith | G000568 | morgangriffith.house.gov | legacy | “There is much misinformation making its way around the Internet about the contents of the budget agreement that the House passed last night. The budget agreement negotiated between the House and the Senate stops most of the military cuts that were soon to hit the Commonwealth as a result of the sequester. A George Mason University study estimates that the full sequestration’s defense cuts would have resulted in Virginia losing 136,191 jobs. George Mason University has also estimated that the full defense spending cuts in the sequester would have resulted in the Commonwealth losing 65,000 small business jobs. “Further, it is important to note that this agreement does not impact pensions for disabled military retirees or those over the age of 62. What it does in fact do is reduce the potential cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase for working-age military retirees by 1 percentage point less than the increase in consumer prices. This would be gradually phased in over three years. This gradual phase-in means that the potential December 2014 COLA would be reduced by .25 percent, the potential December 2015 COLA would be reduced by .5 percent, and the full change would take place with the potential December 2016 COLA. “Again, this budget agreement is a compromise. If I had it my way, this agreement would be different. But the Democrats are in control of the Senate. President Obama and Senate Democrats have refused to take serious action to reduce our debt and our deficits, and this agreement is not a complete solution to the problem. But it is a step in the right direction. It contains lower spending levels than in previously-passed House budgets commonly known as the Ryan plan, and would reduce the deficit by $23 billion. This agreement represents the first budget passed by Congress since I was sworn in to the serve Virginia’s Ninth District. “I am ready and willing to continue the fight for additional reforms, leading to a balanced budget and further reductions in our debt and deficit.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=495 | Wittman Applauds House Passage of 2014 National Defense Authorization Act, Calls on Senate to Approve | 2013-12-13 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | VA | Robert Wittman | W000804 | wittman.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1) applauded House passage of the Fiscal Year 2014 National Defense Authorization Act Thursday evening, after original House passage in June. The House has certainly done its job in moving this critical legislation through in a timely manner, Wittman said. It is now up to the Senate to pass this bill that is vital for the men and women of our armed forces, and for our nation's security. With so many important initiatives lagging, the House has shown true leadership and put aside partisan differences to pass this bill which goes far toward addressing the damaging impacts of sequestration on our national security and, perhaps most importantly, our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who serve this nation. Wittman highlighted critical portions of the FY14 NDAA, specifically: Allocates nearly $3 billion readiness dollars across all three components Active, Guard, and Reserve providing needed funds for critical programs including the flying hour program, facilities maintenance and sustainment, depot maintenance, and combat support forces equipment and sustainment; Boosts DOD's ability to respond to future crises like Benghazi by adding $75 million for unfunded requirements such as the expansion of the Marine Security Guard program at our diplomatic posts and the establishment of a Crisis Response unit; Prohibits DOD from initiating another round of BRAC at this time to ensure appropriate focus on the withdrawal from Afghanistan and a well-informed assessment of our nation's defense strategy moving forward; Provides for $11 billion dollars of MILCON for urgently needed base infrastructure improvements; and Reauthorizes 1.5 million acres of public land for training range access to ensure our forces have the ability to train the way we expect them to fight. Wittman continued, As we work to complete this bill, we need to be mindful that our highest constitutional duty is to provide for a common defense. That starts with ensuring the men and women who volunteer to wear the uniform and … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364350 | Griffith Statement on House-Senate Budget Compromise | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | VA | Morgan Griffith | G000568 | morgangriffith.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement after voting in favor of the bipartisan, bicameral budget compromise. It passed by a vote of 332-94. “This budget agreement is a compromise. It is not perfect, nor does not contain everything I would like, but it is on the right track. This budget keeps with spending levels in previously passed House budgets commonly known as the Ryan plan, and this will be the first time since I was elected to the House of Representatives that Congress – both the House and the Senate – has passed a budget. This agreement could have been stronger. But in light of the fact that the Senate is controlled by Democrats, this is the best deal possible. Both the Democrats and the Republicans worked together to reach this compromise. Neither political party loved the bill. As I learned in the House of Delegates, when both sides don’t love a compromise bill, it is probably a fair compromise. “This compromise bill included a three month extension of programs to help our rural hospitals and seniors, specifically the Sustainable Growth Rate fix and Medicare dependent and low-volume hospital programs. “I remain of the belief that out-of-control federal spending must be checked in order to avoid further burdening future generations of Americans with excessive debt, and will continue working to decrease our deficits and our debt. “While this budget is not perfect, I commend Chairman Paul Ryan for his work on this agreement.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=669 | Connolly Votes for Bipartisan Budget Agreement Passed by House | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Gerald Connolly | C001078 | connolly.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Gerry Connolly voted with a majority of House members today to pass the bipartisan budget deal. Statement follows. share: f t Congressman Gerry Connolly voted with a majority of House members today to pass the bipartisan budget deal. Calling it a “hold your nose and vote yes” vote, Connolly cited his concern about another cut in benefits for new federal employees after they have already contributed $114 billion to deficit reduction as a result of a 3-year pay freeze, a reduction in retirement benefits for new hires, and lost pay as a result of furloughs.“Thankfully, we were able to beat back the worst proposals to further encroach on their benefits, and I believe this bipartisan deal will minimize the prospect of additional furloughs,” Connolly said. He vowed to continue fighting efforts by Republicans in Congress to impose further cuts on federal workers.“The budget plan is by no means a perfect deal, but both sides have made concessions so that we may avert a repeat of the disastrous government shutdown and begin to restore some of the draconian cuts caused by sequestration,” he said.Looking forward, Connolly said, “Congress faces many more serious challenges in the coming weeks and months, including the need to raise the debt ceiling, renew long-term transportation funding, and reform our broken immigration system. Perhaps this bipartisan breakthrough will provide the model we need to avoid the “my-way-or-the-highway” shutdown brand of politics that has characterized the Republican philosophy of governance for the last three years.”Connolly’s full statement follows:Congressman Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11th)Statement regarding the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.J.Res. 59 – Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 December 12, 2013This bipartisan budget agreement represents some modicum of compromise, something that has been sorely lacking in this Congress. It is by no means a perfect deal, but both sides have made concessions so that we… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=670 | Connolly Votes for Bipartisan Budget Agreement Passed by House | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Gerald Connolly | C001078 | connolly.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Gerry Connolly voted with a majority of House members today to pass the bipartisan budget deal. Statement follows. share: f t Congressman Gerry Connolly voted with a majority of House members today to pass the bipartisan budget agreement. Calling it a “hold your nose and vote yes” vote, Connolly cited his concern about another cut in benefits for new federal employees after they have already contributed $114 billion to deficit reduction as a result of a 3-year pay freeze, a reduction in retirement benefits for new hires, and lost pay as a result of furloughs.“Thankfully, we were able to beat back the worst proposals to further encroach on their benefits, and I believe this bipartisan deal will minimize the prospect of additional furloughs,” Connolly said. He vowed to continue fighting efforts by Republicans in Congress to impose further cuts on federal workers.“The budget plan is by no means a perfect deal, but both sides have made concessions so that we may avert a repeat of the disastrous government shutdown and begin to restore some of the draconian cuts caused by sequestration,” he said.Looking forward, Connolly said, “Congress faces many more serious challenges in the coming weeks and months, including the need to raise the debt ceiling, renew long-term transportation funding, and reform our broken immigration system. Perhaps this bipartisan breakthrough will provide the model we need to avoid the “my-way-or-the-highway” shutdown brand of politics that has characterized the Republican philosophy of governance for the last three years.”Connolly’s full statement follows:Congressman Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11th)Statement regarding the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.J.Res. 59 – Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 December 12, 2013This bipartisan budget agreement represents some modicum of compromise, something that has been sorely lacking in this Congress. It is by no means a perfect deal, but both sides have made concessions so th… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140131154714/http://goodlatte.house.gov/press_releases/479 | HOUSE RFS REFORM LEADERS APPLAUD SENATE REFORM BILL | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | VA | Robert Goodlatte | G000289 | web.archive.org | legacy | HOUSE RFS REFORM LEADERS APPLAUD SENATE REFORM BILL WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reps. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Steve Womack (R-AR) released the following statement today in support of the Corn Ethanol Mandate Elimination Act, which was introduced in the Senate today by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Tom Coburn (R-OK): “The Senate joined the House in calling for reform of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) today. The corn ethanol mandate has increased volatility in the corn markets and diverted corn from food and feed uses to fuel production. We have seen costs increase for not only farmers and food producers throughout the nation, but also consumers who purchase these products. Higher volumes of corn ethanol in fuel have also wreaked havoc on small engines, destroying chainsaws, boat motors, and other equipment. We applaud the efforts of Senators Feinstein and Coburn to eliminate this mandate, which is also a provision included in our House bill, the RFS Reform Act (H.R. 1462). We are hopeful that the introduction of this bill in the Senate will help to further propel the growing momentum in the Congress to reform the RFS.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140131154733/http://goodlatte.house.gov/press_releases/480 | GOODLATTE STATEMENT ON BUDGET DEAL | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | VA | Robert Goodlatte | G000289 | web.archive.org | legacy | GOODLATTE STATEMENT ON BUDGET DEAL WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bob Goodlatte released the following statement after voting in support of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives this evening by a vote of 332-94: “Tonight’s vote represents the product of hard-fought negotiations between Republicans in the House and Democrats in the Senate. While greater spending cuts moving forward will be required to put our nation back on a path toward fiscal responsibility, this budget deal is a small step towards meaningful deficit reduction. This budget deal lays the groundwork for a federal budget that reduces spending, makes small entitlement reforms, does not raise taxes, ensures military readiness, and restores Congress’ authority to determine how federal tax dollars are spent through the appropriations process. I would have preferred to vote for a continuing resolution at lower levels, but unfortunately there were not the necessary 218 votes for such a measure. This budget deal has advantages, however. By returning to a regular appropriations process, we can bring up each appropriations bill separately, and will no longer cede the power of the purse to unelected bureaucrats. Continuing resolutions provide no opportunity to change or update policies and spending levels. This budget deal lets Members of Congress offer amendments to scrutinize and reform every government program – for example, this would include an amendment I have offered in the past to stop the Environmental Protection Agency’s costly regulatory overreach in the Chesapeake Bay. “Our nation has a President and a Senate who are unwilling to do what really needs to be done to put our fiscal house back in order. They have made it nearly impossible to make meaningful spending reforms and are totally unwilling to address entitlement spending head-on, which represents more than two-thirds of federal spending and continues to add to our debt at an unsustainable rate. … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=494 | Wittman: "Deal is better than no deal, but work remains" | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | VA | Robert Wittman | W000804 | wittman.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1) today voted in favor of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013, which passed the House 332-94. This deal is better than no deal, but work remains to get our nation's spending under control and properly managed, Wittman said. In recent weeks, I led numerous briefings to educate Members on the effects of sequester cuts to our nation's military. Members learned the devastating effects of these cuts on training and equipping those who serve our nation in uniform. It is the Constitutional duty of the Congress to provide for our nation's defense, and this bill restores some of the indiscriminate cuts decimating our nation's defense budget. In my mind, it does not go far enough, but some is better than none in this case. Our nation's defense leaders support this measure. I have fought for the restoration of funds for our military's readiness and am pleased to support the partial restoration of cuts and will continue to work to that end. I am also pleased this bill does not target our current federal employees, who often find themselves in the middle of political debate. Though I do not agree with every line in this legislation, I must support the overall goal of moving the ball forward while ensuring we reduce the deficit without raising taxes. The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 would set overall discretionary spending for the remainder of fiscal year 2014. It restores some of the funding cuts from sequestration for defense, a key provision for Wittman. The sequester relief is fully offset by savings elsewhere in the budget. "Importantly, this bill also sets a path forward to a return to regular order for passing legislation related to federal spending. I have long-advocated for Congress to do its job, rather than kicking the can down the road again and again. The American people deserve a thorough debate on these critical issues. This agreement will put appropriators on track to bring legislation with detailed spending plans for federal agencies to the floor by the second week of January. Congr… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-highlights-story-of-odu-student-from-staunton-at-press-conference-on-aca-benefits-for-children-with-pre-existing-conditions | Kaine Highlights Story Of ODU Student From Staunton At Press Conference On ACA Benefits For Children With Pre-Existing Conditions | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Kaine Highlights Story Of ODU Student From Staunton At Press Conference On ACA Benefits For Children With Pre-Existing Conditions Thursday, December 12, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. – At a press conference on Capitol Hill today to highlight how the Affordable Care Act ensures up to 17 million children across the country, including 438,000 in Virginia, with pre-existing conditions are guaranteed health insurance, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine highlighted the story of Ashleigh Campbell, an 18-year-old Old Dominion University student from Staunton who was born with congenital heart disease and other serious medical conditions. “Ashleigh was born with a number of very serious health conditions,” said Kaine. “She has been lucky enough to have insurance through her parents and excellent medical care at the University of Virginia. But she was always concerned about where she would go if she ever lost that protection or when it came time for her to get her own health insurance plan.” Kaine explained that while he supports reforms to improve the Affordable Care Act, he strongly opposes efforts to repeal the legislation, which has protected children and young adults like Ashleigh by preventing insurers from denying them health coverage. “This is a profoundly important moral issue,” said Kaine. “We’re going to work to reform anything that needs to be fixed- that’s what legislators do, more than pass new laws what we do is work on improving existing laws…Of all the reasons to support the ACA, there is no reason more powerful than the ban on discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions.” Kaine concluded his speech by sharing a quote from Ashleigh. “I want people to stop looking at the politics. People like me can’t survive without health care. I wish more people would understand. It would be almost impossible for me to get health insurance without this protection.” Ashleigh said. Prior to the Affordable Care Act, in the vast majority of states, insurance companies in the individual… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/tim-in-the-news/local-lawmakers-hope-to-blunt-sequestration-hit | Local lawmakers hope to blunt sequestration hit | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Local lawmakers hope to blunt sequestration hit By: Bill Bartel Thursday, December 12, 2013 Members of South Hampton Roads' congressional delegation said Wednesday they support a federal budget deal that would reduce the impact of automatic defense cuts over the next two years and salvage lucrative Navy ship repair work that employs thousands in the region. A day after House and Senate negotiators announced a compromise plan that, if approved, would avoid another government shutdown in January, local Democratic and Republican lawmakers voiced support for the plan. None were happy with all details, but they agreed the measure would avoid deeper damage to Virginia's federally dependent economy and could spark more compromise on other issues. U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine said the compromise "will avoid the foolishness of furloughs and shutdowns and brinkmanship that have characterized way too much of the congressional approach to budgeting over the last number of years." "This a good step," U.S. Sen. Mark Warner told the Virginia Chamber of Commerce during a Capitol Hill luncheon, noting that the proposal offers partial relief from the threat of automatic spending cuts, known as sequestration. "In many ways, Virginia is ground zero for the sequester," he told business executives. U.S. Rep. Randy Forbes, who has expressed alarm that defense spending has been cut too deeply for several years, told the lunch crowd he supports the compromise but said it doesn't allay his concerns. "I don't really think it's a step forward," the Chesapeake Republican said. "I think it's an inch forward, but it's much better to inch forward than a deepening spiral downward.... The good thing about this compromise is it stops the hemorrhaging that we've seen in n… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=668 | Connolly Statement on H.R. 2019 | 2013-12-11 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Gerald Connolly | C001078 | connolly.house.gov | legacy | Connolly Statement on H.R. 2019 f t # e Washington, DC, December 11, 2013 Congressman Connolly released the following statement on H.R. 2019. Read more. share: f t Today House Republicans forced a vote on the cynically misnamed “Kids First Research Act.” The bill purports to increase funding for pediatric research by transferring $12.6 million from the public financing for party nominating conventions. That might sound substantial if it weren’t designed to mask the fact that House Republicans have slashed NIH funding by $4.2 billion in the last three years. In fact, their most recent budget proposal would have cut NIH funding by another 20%. It’s one of the most cynical acts I’ve seen in a Congress and reminds me of what my friend, humorist Jim Boren, used to say, “If you’re going to be a phony, at least be sincere about it.” f t # e | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/tim-in-the-news/defense-bill-would-help-vets-turn-skills-into-jobs | Defense bill would help vets turn skills into jobs | 2013-12-11 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Defense bill would help vets turn skills into jobs By: Maggie Severns Wednesday, December 11, 2013 A young program designed to help members of the military transfer their skills from service into the workforce could get a boost from the National Defense Authorization Act, which Congress is working to pass before the end of the year. A pilot program allows service members to earn credentials for in-demand jobs in fields in which they may already have specialized skills from their time in the military, such as health care support and aircraft mechanics. Credentials for service members currently in the pilot programs are issued either by the military or an outside party. The current NDAA bill would put quality measures into place in an effort to prevent fraudulent or useless credentials from entering the market, chiefly by requiring credentialing institutions to comply with Title IV of the Higher Education Act. “For many in the private sector this could be a very lucrative business if it’s done right,” said Steve Gonzalez, assistant director at the American Legion. Part of the expansion was originally proposed in a bill called the Troop Talent Act introduced earlier this year by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and backed strongly by veterans groups such as the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. The bill earned 99 cosponsors in the House and 18 in the Senate. The bill would also require the military to make more information about credentialing programs available to service members. “These provisions will help ensure servicemembers are provided with the guidance and information they need to translate their military skills into a civilian career, as well as give them peace of mind,” Kaine spokeswo… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/tim-in-the-news/kaine-rigell-press-case-for-budget-compromise | Kaine, Rigell press case for budget compromise | 2013-12-11 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Kaine, Rigell press case for budget compromise By: Dave Ress Wednesday, December 11, 2013 Lawmakers in Washington have heard a fair amount about a couple of Norfolk-based Navy captains recently – and likely will continue to in the next couple days as they decide whether to approve a budget compromise hammered out this week, Sen. Tim Kaine admits. "I've mentioned them a lot," Kaine said Wednesday. He said he's been making a case for a budget compromise by repeating comments they made to him during a recent visit to Norfolk about how much they and their sailors rely on civilian Defense Department staff and the workers at BAE Systems Ship Repair. His point is that government shutdowns that furlough civilian DoD staff and across-the-board spending cuts that hit defense contractors also hurt men and women in uniform. He's hoping that word leads Congress to approve the compromise reached by the budget conference committee this week. Rep. Scott Rigell, R-Virginia Beach, has been doing much the same. He stood up when the GOP House caucus gathered Wednesday morning to relay what sailors from admirals to master chiefs have been telling him about how a lack of a real budget is hurting the nation's defense. "I've got colleagues, maybe they come from a place where there's not much military presence, or no bases, and I think it is part of my job to help them understand what we see in Hampton Roads," he said. Rigell and Kaine agree that relying on continuing resolutions – the short-term agreements that say the government can continue spending what it had been spending – instead of actually writing a budget harms the military's ability to plan. And the automatic across-the-board budget cuts, which Washingtonians call sequester, can be devast… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/tim-in-the-news/kaine-says-budget-deal-will-help-virginias-economy | Kaine says budget deal will help Virginia’s economy | 2013-12-11 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Kaine says budget deal will help Virginia’s economy By: Michael Sluss Wednesday, December 11, 2013 U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine said today that the budget agreement struck by House and Senate negotiators will boost Virginia’s economy by averting another round of automatic defense cuts and removing the prospect of another federal government shutdown. “A two-year budget deal means we’re not going to be doing that kind of brinksmanship,” Kaine said in a telephone interview .”That is going to have a positive effect on the Virginia economy.” Kaine and fellow Virginia Democrat Mark Warner were on the bipartisan conference committee that struck the deal with House negotiators. The agreement would fund federal agencies through October 2015 and replace automatic defense and discretionary spending cuts with targeted reductions and some fee increases. It also would restore some budget normalcy in a Congress that has lurched from one fiscal crisis to another over the last three years. “I liked the fact the we got a deal and I like the fact that we stretched it and got a two-year deal,” Kaine said. “I like the fact that we’ve replaced $63 billion of sequester cuts over two years with more targeted cuts and some revenues through fees. The across-the-board cuts make no sense. You should make cuts and all decisions based on priority judgments and performance data rather than across the board.” Kaine noted that the conference committee agreed to a fiscal 2014 spending level of $1.012 trillion, splitting the difference between the House and Senate proposals. And like most compromises, Kaine found some things in the deal he doesn’t like. The compromise makes adjustments to military retirement benefits and will require new civilian federal employees to con… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=7f7789b9-ea84-4147-b08b-45205440caae | Warner Leads Bipartisan Group in Introducing Bill to Exempt Volunteer First Responders from Healthcare Mandate | 2013-12-11 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Mark Warner | W000805 | www.warner.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON -- U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) led a group of Senators in introducing bipartisan legislation to ensure volunteer firefighters and other first responders can continue protecting communities that rely on them. The Protect Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act, which is cosponsored by Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV), Pat Toomey (R-PA), Angus King (I-ME), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Mark Begich (D-AK), amends the Affordable Care Act to make it clear that volunteer emergency service workers are not required to be counted as full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) for purposes of healthcare coverage. Companion legislation has been introduced in the House by Rep. Lou Barletta (R-PA-11). Some volunteer firefighters are nominally paid, and most volunteer first responders have other full-time employment. Many emergency response agencies do not have the resources to provide pay or benefits to volunteers, nor do most volunteer first responders expect to receive compensation or health coverage as a result of their volunteer public service. An estimated 48,000 volunteer firefighters serve across Virginia and an estimated 454 volunteer EMT's, according to the Virginia Department of Fire Programs the Virginia Department of Health, respectively. “Properly distinguishing between full-time, paid emergency responders and volunteers is necessary if we want to protect essential emergency response agencies that keep our communities safe and protect over one-third of the U.S. population,” Sen. Warner said. “I’ve said all along that there will be issues that arise with health care reform and we should deal with them in a bipartisan manner. I am proud to offer this legislation to protect those who protect us.” “We all know that the main goal of the Affordable Care Act is to provide all Americans with accessible and affordable health care coverage,” Sen. Manchin said. “However, we also know that there have been many missteps and unintentional consequences during the implementation of this law. Due to a technical er… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140131154839/http://goodlatte.house.gov/press_releases/478 | GOODLATTE REFLECTS ON LEGACY OF NELSON MANDELA | 2013-12-10 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | VA | Robert Goodlatte | G000289 | web.archive.org | legacy | GOODLATTE REFLECTS ON LEGACY OF NELSON MANDELA WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Bob Goodlatte released the following statement as leaders across the nation gathered in South Africa today for a Memorial Service for Former South African President Nelson Mandela: “Today leaders from across the globe, citizens of South Africa, and those in nations throughout the world came together to honor the memory of Nelson Mandela and celebrate a life that has truly made a mark on history. “In President Mandela’s 95 years he faced many hardships and injustices. Yet, he turned these struggles into great steps forward in bringing justice and equality to South Africa. “And it is only fitting that today’s Memorial Service was marked by skies heavy with rain – a symbol of blessing. President Mandela was a true man of the people and a source of inspiration and hope. His life was certainly a blessing to many. “The world changed tremendously in his lifetime, and his impact will not be forgotten. While I never had the good fortune to meet President Mandela, I think he would agree that we must continue to stand watch over the principles of freedom and democracy for which he fought. “As the world continues to mourn the loss of this great leader, my prayers remain with the Mandela family and the people of South Africa.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/grassley-kaine-introduce-bill-to-improve-sibling-connections-in-child-welfare-system | Grassley, Kaine Introduce Bill to Improve Sibling Connections in Child Welfare System | 2013-12-10 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Grassley, Kaine Introduce Bill to Improve Sibling Connections in Child Welfare System Tuesday, December 10, 2013 WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia today introduced legislation to improve sibling connections in the child welfare system. “Child welfare experts tell you and common sense tells you children benefit when they’re kept together and have strong relationships,” Grassley said. “Our bill removes barriers to federal law that prevent families of siblings from knowing when a child is placed in foster care or siblings from losing ties when parental rights are terminated. This will help maintain sibling relationships and in turn help the kids.” “Ensuring that children in the child welfare system remain connected to their siblings provides them with continuity and support,” said Kaine. “My wife Anne is a longtime advocate for foster children and during my term as Governor we successfully strengthened permanent family connections for older children in foster care through the ‘For Keeps’ initiative and increased funding to recruit more foster and adoptive parents. Today I’m proud to introduce the Sibling Connections Act that will keep brothers and sisters together and result in fewer emotional and behavioral problems down the line." Grassley and Kaine said the Grassley-authored Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 made great strides to improve child welfare but several obstacles impede sibling relationships. The Sibling Connections Act introduced today follows the example of at least five states, including Iowa, that have passed legislation or regulation that recognizes the parents of siblings as “relatives” for foster care placement. That means the parents of a child’s siblings are notified when the child enters foster care, allowing the adult guardians to try to maintain the sibling relationships. Also, the Grassley-Kaine bill would correct the current situation in which siblings lose their st… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-budget-deal- | Kaine Statement On Budget Deal | 2013-12-10 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Kaine Statement On Budget Deal Tuesday, December 10, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the bipartisan Budget Conference Committee, released the following statement on the budget deal reached today: “Ever since I took office last January, I made it a mission to do everything I could to replace the across-the-board sequester cuts that have so severely hurt Virginia and return to normal budgetary order. I even delivered my maiden floor speech last February on the urgent need to find compromise and avert sequestration. Tonight, I’m pleased that after passing a Senate budget for the first time in four years and going to conference with the House, a deal has been reached. “I’m disappointed that reductions in the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for military retirees and cuts to federal employee benefits were included. But the deal goes a long way toward alleviating the most harmful effects of sequestration next year – cuts that have disproportionately impacted federal employees and the defense community – and restoring basic economic certainty to businesses and families across the Commonwealth. It also ensures we won’t suffer another damaging government shutdown next month that would have resulted in more negative consequences for federal employees. “The two-year, bipartisan agreement will relieve $63 billion of sequester cuts for 2014 and 2015. It will also avert additional defense cuts – including $20 billion in cuts that were set to take effect in January 2014 – and replace non-defense cuts over the next two years. We’ve also given appropriators the certainty they need to write full appropriations bills – a significant step toward ending the dangerous pattern of stopgap, governing-by-crisis measures that have plagued the budgeting process in recent years. “While I’m still examining the details of the deal, I am pleased a spirit of compromise and cooperation prevailed.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-confirmation-of-patricia-millett-to-dc-circuit | Kaine Statement On Confirmation Of Patricia Millett To D.C. Circuit | 2013-12-10 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Kaine Statement On Confirmation Of Patricia Millett To D.C. Circuit Tuesday, December 10, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement after the Senate voted to confirm the nomination of Patricia Millett, of Alexandria, Virginia, to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit: “With Pattie Millett's confirmation to the D.C. Circuit, the court gains a supremely qualified jurist with a strong record of bipartisan public service under both Democratic and Republican administrations. Pattie’s career has prepared her well for this post and I was honored to introduce her at her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. On top of her impressive career and educational experience, Pattie is a proud military spouse who will represent the unique perspective of military families.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363856 | Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 12.9.13 | 2013-12-09 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | VA | Morgan Griffith | G000568 | morgangriffith.house.gov | legacy | On My Christmas List… Last week, I introduced the EPA MACT (Maximum Achievable Contraction of Technocrats) Act, which would cut the EPA’s workforce by a reasonable 15 percent over a realistic three- to four-year period. Regular readers of this column are aware that I am not the EPA’s biggest fan. However, I do want clean air and clean water, and I will give some credit where it is due. In the past, the EPA has introduced some reasonable regulations in seeking to fulfill its mission of “protect[ing] human health and the environment,” and to this day it continues overseeing some important programs. In my view, for example, this includes EPA grant programs that help provide underserved areas with clean water. But I believe the EPA is going too far. According to a Washington TV channel (FOX 5 DC), EPA regulations on newer-model, heavy-duty diesel vehicles (including ambulances and fire trucks) must have an emission control system that would shut the vehicle down in order to “regenerate.” FOX 5 reported that “the drivers of the rigs and the people who manage them have to stay on top of the warning lights to make sure they don't ever approach the shut down level.” In an actual case in the nation’s capital, FOX 5 DC says a shooting victim in cardiac arrest was being transported via ambulance to a hospital when “the indicator lights on the emission control system suddenly and unexpectedly jumped from a warning to shut down in a matter of seconds, and as the engine died, [the driver] was able to pull the rig to the side of the road.” A second ambulance arrived minutes later, but the victim was ultimately pronounced dead at the hospital. EPA says that they essentially fixed the issue in 2012, but Harold Boer, head of the Fire Apparatus Manufacturing Association, told the Washington Post, “the waiver does not fully exempt emergency vehicles and instead allows them to be retrofitted so there is more time between regeneration stops.” He also said that few cities request that their vehicles be retrofitted as it doe… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/commonwealth-connection/lessons-learned-from-40-school-years | Lessons Learned From 40 School Years | 2013-12-09 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Monday, December 9, 2013 Lessons Learned From 40 School Years by Tim Kaine This article was posted on November 27 by Tom Segal in the Education Week blog, Reimagining K-12. My wife Anne and I are now empty-nesters. Our daughter just left home for college, joining two older brothers out in the wide world. We are experiencing many emotions--pride in our three kids, hope that we've given them the character skills to negotiate life's ups and downs, melancholia over the passage of time, and curiosity about how we'll manage the shift to a kid-free house after 23 years. Earlier this summer, it also dawned on me that Anne and I are done with our journey through American public education. Our kids all went to Richmond Public Schools (RPS). They attended neighborhood elementary schools, neighborhood and magnet middle schools, and magnet high schools. My youngest even spent a year in our state's recently initiated Pre-K program. They've spent a combined total of 40 years in public pre-K/12 classrooms. I've worked hard as a public official on educational issues like early childhood programs, career and technical education, and curricular reform. When I was Richmond's mayor, I visited a city school every Tuesday morning. When I was lieutenant governor and governor, I visited at least one school in every one of Virginia's 134 cities and counties. And my wife Anne has interacted intimately with kids and the school system during her career as a juvenile court judge and foster care reform advocate. And yet, despite our professional involvement, our real knowledge of public education comes from back-to-school nights, parent-teacher conferences, helping with homework, pulling crumpled notes to parents out of backpacks, attending plays, band concerts, dance recitals, sporting events, and the countless other interactions that involved parents have with their kids' schools. So, what have we learned? Let's s… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/tim-in-the-news/navy-is-still-vital-in-the-middle-east-kaine-says | Navy is still vital in the Middle East, Kaine says | 2013-12-08 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Navy is still vital in the Middle East, Kaine says By: Bill Bartel Sunday, December 8, 2013 The Navy's presence in the Middle East isn't going to diminish any time soon even with the war in Afghanistan winding down, U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine said Friday. Speaking from Manama, Bahrain, where he is attending an international security conference, Kaine said the Navy's 5th Fleet has a vital role in protecting sea lanes for commerce. "The transit of oil and other goods through the Strait of Hormuz are going to continue to be very critical," he said in a conference call with reporters. "The Navy will be here in a very significant way," said Kaine, who had lunch with sailors aboard the San Jacinto, a Norfolk-based guided missile cruiser. "... There would be no strategic reason for us to be reducing presence here." However, he said, some "non-strategic factors" - including automatic defense budget cuts and Congress's inability to approve a budget - could affect military operations. "That's the asterisk right now." The Virginia Democrat is a member of a House-Senate committee attempting to negotiate a budget deal. The committee's leaders are attempting to draft a proposal to bring before both chambers before the House's scheduled adjournment Friday. Kaine, who also serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said his message at the annual Manama Dialogue - a meeting of Middle Eastern nations and their allies - is that the U.S. role in the region is becoming less military-oriented. "We are in a time of transition," he said. "The attack of 9/11 gave us a very focused kind of lens through which to view our foreign policy responses... and that was fighting terrorism." The U.S. is working on a broader foreign policy, Kaine said, that focus… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/tim-in-the-news/us-not-abandoning-afghanistan-kaine-tells-regional-leaders | U.S. not abandoning Afghanistan, Kaine tells regional leaders | 2013-12-07 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | U.S. not abandoning Afghanistan, Kaine tells regional leaders By: Markus Schmidt Saturday, December 7, 2013 Sen. Timothy M. Kaine, D-Va., assured political leaders and diplomats at a security summit in Bahrain Friday that the United States has no plans to abandon the Middle East and connecting regions, despite a significant reduction of forces in Iraq and President Barack Obama’s vow to end combat operations in Afghanistan after 2014. “We are not withdrawing from the region and we are not rebalancing somewhere else,” Kaine said in a phone interview from Manama, the capital and largest city of Bahrain. Kaine said the U.S. is open to negotiate a continuation of an American military presence in Afghanistan beyond 2014. “We think that will be helpful to the country. We’ve seen such tremendous gains and we want to continue to be there providing training and assisting. But the question is if Afghanistan wants us to do it or not, that’s for them to decide,” he said. The Obama administration last month reiterated its position that there may be no residual force in Afghanistan after 2014 unless President Hamid Karzai signs a new security agreement with the U.S. According to a statement released by the administration in November, National Security Adviser Susan Rice told Karzai that, “without a prompt signature, the U.S. would have no choice but to initiate planning for a post-2014 future in which there would be no U.S. or NATO troop presence in Afghanistan.” Kaine traveled to Bahrain Thursday to visit the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. Fifth Fleet. On Friday, he participated in a panel discussion at the 2013 Manama Dialogue, an annual security summit hosted by the Institute for International Strategic Studies. Kaine said he pla… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363727 | Griffith Statement on Virginia Tech President Announcement | 2013-12-06 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | VA | Morgan Griffith | G000568 | morgangriffith.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) today issued the following statement on the announcement that Dr. Timothy Sands will be serving as the next president of Virginia Tech beginning in June of 2014: “Virginia Tech is an exceptional university and a wonderful, tight-knit community that in recent years has experienced days of difficulty as well as periods of significant growth and development. To Dr. Timothy Sands, I extend my sincere congratulations. I look forward to working with him, and to Virginia Tech’s continued success under his leadership. “Also, I would be remiss if I did not thank Dr. Charles Steger for his service and dedication to the Hokie Nation.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140131154807/http://goodlatte.house.gov/press_releases/477 | GOODLATTE STATEMENT ON VIRGINIA TECH PRESIDENT ANNOUNCEMENT | 2013-12-06 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | VA | Robert Goodlatte | G000289 | web.archive.org | legacy | GOODLATTE STATEMENT ON VIRGINIA TECH PRESIDENT ANNOUNCEMENT WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bob Goodlatte released this statement following the announcement that Dr. Timothy Sands will become the next president of Virginia Tech, effective June 1, 2014: “Virginia Tech has long been a leader in higher education, promoting the motto Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) throughout the Commonwealth and across the globe. As this new chapter for Virginia Tech begins, Dr. Sands’ experience in higher education will help to guide Virginia Tech’s mission and continue their long tradition of success in innovation, research, and academic excellence. Virginia Tech grew tremendously under the leadership of Dr. Charles Steger. I have enjoyed working with him over the years, and I thank him for his dedicated service to the Virginia Tech community. I wish Dr. Sands the best of luck in his new position. Go Hokies!” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-joins-31-us-senators-to-urge-reauthorization-of-key-unemployment-insurance-program | Kaine Joins 31 U.S. Senators to Urge Reauthorization of Key Unemployment Insurance Program | 2013-12-06 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Kaine Joins 31 U.S. Senators to Urge Reauthorization of Key Unemployment Insurance Program Friday, December 6, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. – In an effort to prevent more than 1.3 million long-term unemployed workers from losing their unemployment insurance at the end of December -- and millions more from having no benefits after their initial 26 weeks of unemployment insurance (UI) are exhausted during the course of 2014 – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine joined 31 U.S. Senators to send a letter urging Congress to preserve federal unemployment insurance for another year. With just 23 days before federal UI benefits are set to expire, the Senators wrote: “We are writing to urge the continuation of federal support for unemployment insurance, a critical component of our ongoing recovery and a lifeline to millions of Americans as they search for work in this challenging economy. As it stands now, a few days after the holiday season ends, unemployment insurance will abruptly terminate, cutting off support for 1.3 million Americans.” The unemployment insurance system is a partnership between the federal government and state governments that provides a temporary weekly benefit to qualified workers who lose their job and are seeking work. The amount of that benefit is based in part on a worker’s past earnings. The extended federal UI program was signed into law in June 2008 by President George W. Bush, when the national unemployment rate was 5.6% and the average duration of jobless insurance was 17.1 weeks. It has been reauthorized by Congress a number of times since as America seeks to emerge from the greatest economic recession since the Great Depression. Today, the national unemployment rate is 7% and the average duration of UI benefits is 36.1 weeks, which is much longer than the 26 weeks of unemployment coverage that most states provide. According to the non-partisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), the long-term unemployment rate is falling, but it's still at 2.6%, whic… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/photos-kaine-meets-with-virginians-serving-with-fifth-fleet-tours-norfolk-based-uss-san-jacinto-in-bahrain | Photos: Kaine Meets With Virginians Serving With Fifth Fleet, Tours Norfolk-Based USS San Jacinto In Bahrain | 2013-12-06 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Photos: Kaine Meets With Virginians Serving With Fifth Fleet, Tours Norfolk-Based USS San Jacinto In Bahrain Friday, December 6, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, during a visit to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. Fifth Fleet (NAVCENT) in Bahrain, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine toured the Norfolk-based USS San Jacinto and met with Virginians serving with the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces. “I had the chance to board and visit the crew of the USS San Jacinto which deployed out of Norfolk a few months back when the Harry S. Truman deployed. They’re in dock here in Bahrain and I had a chance to visit with them and have lunch with a number of Virginians who serve in the Navy and a couple of folks in the Marines as well,” said Kaine. "I talked with them about a range of issues, from the bigger picture security challenges facing the region, to how come traffic is still so bad in Hampton Roads. Any time I have a chance to spend time with those who serve and especially those from Virginia who serve, I always walk away with a sense of pride and admiration.” While in Bahrain, Kaine is participating in the 2013 Manama Dialogue, the International Institute for Strategic Studies’ 9th annual regional security conference. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/tim-in-the-news/kaine-navy-has-long-term-role-in-gulf | Kaine: Navy has long-term role in Gulf | 2013-12-06 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Kaine: Navy has long-term role in Gulf By: Dave Ress Friday, December 6, 2013 Sailors from Hampton Roads are likely to keep steaming east to the Persian Gulf for some time to come, playing a critical role in keep sea lanes open through the Strait of Hormuz that links the oil-rich area to the rest of the world, Sen. Tim Kaine said Friday, during a break in a visit to the region. Kaine, chairman of the Senate subcommittee that focuses on the Middle East and South Asia, spoke after visiting with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and Fifth Fleet in Bahrain. "I think the Navy will be here in a significant way," he said. He said the intensity of the naval effort probably will not diminish any time soon. "We're doing a better job with energy independence, but even if we get to energy independence by 2020, disrupting oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz would have a significant negative impact on the global economy," he said. The effect of that on the United States would be severe, he added. But Kaine said while strategic needs dictate a continuing U.S. Navy presence in the Gulf, one thing that could force a pullback was "this foolish sequestration — that's the asterisk right now." During his visit in Bahrain, Kaine visited the Norfolk-based USS San Jacinto and met with Virginian sailors and Marines stationed there, sharing lunch and fielding questions from them. The very first question he got was about the federal budget impasse and whether the conference committee he serves on can hit a Dec. 13 deadline for reaching a compromise to avoid another government shutdown. Kaine said he is still optimistic that the committee will come up with a plan for 2014, and possibly for 2015 as well. He said Navy brass in Bahrain said they're … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363603 | Griffith Statement on Life of Nelson Mandela | 2013-12-05 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | VA | Morgan Griffith | G000568 | morgangriffith.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) released the following statement after learning of the passing of former South African President Nelson Mandela: “I am saddened that the world has lost one of its great leaders. Nelson Mandela was a leader of courage who led South Africa after apartheid. While he could have done like so many other leaders in emerging nations have done and created a country where he became a president or ruler for life, he did not turn his back on the principles of representative government. Nelson Mandela’s journey is over on this earth, but his ‘Long Walk to Freedom’ will never be forgotten. “My condolences are extended to his family, his loved ones, and the people of South Africa.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=667 | Connolly & Moran Oppose GOP Budget Plan to Cut Federal Workers' Retirement | 2013-12-05 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Gerald Connolly | C001078 | connolly.house.gov | legacy | Connolly & Moran Oppose GOP Budget Plan to Cut Federal Workers' Retirement f t # e Washington, DC, December 5, 2013 Representatives Gerry Connolly and Jim Moran said today that they will oppose a budget deal that makes unfair and indiscriminate cuts to federal employee pay or retirement benefits. Read more. share: f t Representatives Gerry Connolly and Jim Moran said today that they will oppose a budget deal that makes unfair and indiscriminate cuts to federal employee pay or retirement benefits. Numerous reports have indicated that Republican negotiators are demanding a reduction in federal employee retirement benefits in an attempt to offset sequestration cuts.The two Virginia Democrats released the following statement:“No other group has been asked to make the same sacrifice as our federal workforce. To date, they have contributed $114 billion to deficit reduction, endured a 3-year pay freeze, had retirement benefits reduced for new hires, lived through a 16-day shutdown, and lost pay as a result of furloughs. Per capita, that’s nearly $50,000 per employee - far more than any other American has been asked to contribute towards deficit reduction.“Enough is enough. Congress must find a budget deal that protects federal employees, removes sequester level spending caps, and finally acknowledges the value of federal service.” f t # e | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20131210180841/http://goodlatte.house.gov:80/press_releases/476 | HOUSE PASSES INNOVATION ACT TO MAKE REFORMS TO OUR PATENT SYSTEM | 2013-12-05 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | VA | Robert Goodlatte | G000289 | web.archive.org | legacy | HOUSE PASSES INNOVATION ACT TO MAKE REFORMS TO OUR PATENT SYSTEM WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House of Representatives today approved H.R. 3309, the Innovation Act by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 325-91. This bipartisan bill takes steps to combat the ever increasing problem of abusive patent litigation. House Judiciary Committee Chairman and chief sponsor of the Innovation Act Bob Goodlatte applauded the bill’s passage: “In recent years, we have seen an exponential increase in the use of weak or poorly-granted patents by so-called patent trolls to file numerous patent infringement lawsuits against American businesses with the hopes of securing a quick payday. Everyone from independent inventors, to start-ups, to mid and large sized businesses face this constant threat. “The enactment of the Innovation Act is something I consider central to U.S. competiveness, job creation, and our nation’s future economic security. The bipartisan legislation takes meaningful steps to address the abusive practices that have damaged our patent system and resulted in significant economic harm to our nation. I am encouraged by the overwhelming support the Innovation Act received in the House and I look forward to working with the Senate to see that patent litigation reform legislation is signed into law.” Background on the Innovation Act: • Requires plaintiffs to disclose who the owner of a patent is before litigation, so that it is clear who the real parties behind the litigation are. This will ensure that Patent Trolls cannot hide behind a web of shell companies to avoid accountability for bringing frivolous litigation. • Requires plaintiffs to actually explain why they are suing a company in their court pleadings. • Requires courts to make decisions about whether a patent is valid or invalid early in the litigation process so that Patent Trolls cannot drag patent cases on for years based on invalid claims. This prevents … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140131154715/http://goodlatte.house.gov/press_releases/475 | GOODLATTE TESTIFIES AT EPA HEARING ON ETHANOL MANDATE | 2013-12-05 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | VA | Robert Goodlatte | G000289 | web.archive.org | legacy | GOODLATTE TESTIFIES AT EPA HEARING ON ETHANOL MANDATE WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bob Goodlatte testified today at the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) hearing on the proposed volume requirements of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for calendar year 2014. Congressman Goodlatte was joined by Congressman Peter Welch (D-VT) who also supports reform of the RFS. Congressmen Goodlatte and Welch, along with Congressmen Jim Costa (D-CA) and Steve Womack (R-AR), recently led a letter signed by 169 Members of the House of Representatives to the EPA Administrator requesting a reduction of RFS levels. Congressman Goodlatte’s full testimony, as prepared, is below: It is my pleasure to join you all today. Since the Renewable Fuel Standard was dramatically expanded in 2007, we saw, almost immediately, the market distorting effects of the RFS on our economy. EPA has the tools to ease this market distortion fueled by the RFS. Members of Congress have asked several times for EPA to use your authority to lower the RFS. Last year we experienced one of the worst droughts in our nation’s history, severely impacting the corn supply. Livestock and food producers were confronted with corn prices as high as $8 a bushel due to the drought and requirements of the RFS. Last year livestock producers were not just left with the concern of price, but also legitimate concerns over having enough corn to feed their animals and fear that livestock herds would shrink. EPA partially acknowledged these concerns. In response to the waiver request, EPA’s own analysis said that a waiver last year would have provided relief of over $80 million to the pork industry in Virginia and North Carolina. Yet action was not taken. This year we are grateful to not be experiencing a drought that compounds the market distorting effect of the RFS, but we are still confronted with the detrimental effects of the RFS. The imposition of the 2014 volumes now threatens to cause economic and environmental… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-passing-of-nelson-mandela | Kaine Statement On Passing Of Nelson Mandela | 2013-12-05 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Kaine Statement On Passing Of Nelson Mandela Thursday, December 5, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement on the passing of former South African President Nelson Mandela: "The world has lost a great leader and advocate for equality with the loss of President Mandela but his legacy lives on in a democratic and free South Africa. I join millions across the globe in mourning his passing and hope his life will continue to inspire new generations of leaders to fight for more inclusive and just societies." ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-kaine-announce-1-million-grant-to-improve-water-quality-in-wise-county | Warner, Kaine Announce $1 Million Grant To Improve Water Quality In Wise County | 2013-12-05 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Warner, Kaine Announce $1 Million Grant To Improve Water Quality In Wise County Thursday, December 5, 2013 WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced today that Virginia has received a $1 million grant from the Department of Agriculture to improve water quality in Wise County. The $1 million grant, combined with a $276,000 loan, will help fund a public sewer system in the communities of Osaka and Roda, which have faced public health issues and environmental concerns due to direct sewage discharge into streams. The project will serve 73 households in Wise County. “Expanding access to clean, reliable public water supplies has been a priority of mine since I served as Governor, when we extended access to more than 70,000 Virginians while also making record investments in Virginia’s Water Quality Improvement Fund,” Sen. Warner said. “This is a welcome and significant step to promote public health and support improved water quality in Wise County.” “It’s critical for public health and quality of life that every Virginia community can depend on reliable water and wastewater infrastructure,” said Kaine. "I am pleased with this major new investment in Southwest Virginia, and I am committed to supporting these essential infrastructure needs even in tight budgetary times, particularly in rural communities." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=4b086f22-f572-4d27-9fb3-7e0a83f2074a | Statement on the death of Nelson Mandela | 2013-12-05 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Mark Warner | W000805 | www.warner.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner released the following statement: "So sad to hear the news about Nelson Mandela. Few people in history have represented such a positive, lifelong force for change. Rest in peace." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=5bda471f-3c63-4a14-8df8-2add0ab1f4ab | Warner, Kaine Announce $1 Million Grant To Improve Water Quality In Wise County | 2013-12-05 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Mark Warner | W000805 | www.warner.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced today that Virginia has received a $1 million grant from the Department of Agriculture to improve water quality in Wise County. The $1 million grant, combined with a $276,000 loan, will help fund a public sewer system in the communities of Osaka and Roda, which have faced public health issues and environmental concerns due to direct sewage discharge into streams. The project will serve 73 households in Wise County. “Expanding access to clean, reliable public water supplies has been a priority of mine since I served as Governor, when we extended access to more than 70,000 Virginians while also making record investments in Virginia’s Water Quality Improvement Fund,” Sen. Warner said. “This is a welcome and significant step to promote public health and support improved water quality in Wise County.” “It’s critical for public health and quality of life that every Virginia community can depend on reliable water and wastewater infrastructure,” said Kaine. "I am pleased with this major new investment in Southwest Virginia, and I am committed to supporting these essential infrastructure needs even in tight budgetary times, particularly in rural communities." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363414 | Griffith Introduces EPA MACT Act | 2013-12-04 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | VA | Morgan Griffith | G000568 | morgangriffith.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) yesterday introduced the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Maximum Achievable Contraction of Technocrats (MACT) Act, H.R. 3641. More than nine out of every ten EPA employees were considered “non-essential” and were furloughed during the recent partial government shutdown. Griffith’s EPA MACT Act would require the EPA Administrator to reduce the EPA’s workforce by 15 percent within three years. It also allows the EPA Administrator to have an additional (4th) year if she deemed it necessary to achieve the goal. After introducing the EPA MACT Act, Griffith issued the following statement: “This is the time of year when folks make their Christmas lists, or lay out their hopes and aspirations for the new year. The overwhelming majority of citizens of the Ninth District of Virginia would welcome the inclusion of the EPA MACT Act on their wish lists. It may be asking a lot of Santa for this bill to become law, but the economy of the Ninth District and our people can’t take any more job-killing, unreasonable EPA regulations. “Many in my area and in coal communities across the nation may wish for the complete elimination of the EPA, but the EPA MACT Act is a more balanced approach. It recognizes that the EPA has put forward some reasonable regulations in the past, and that the agency ought to have the resources in order to be able to continue enforcing those reasonable regulations. Our environment and our communities are better because of earlier actions. Further, the EPA oversees some important programs, such as the grant programs that provide clean water to underserved areas. “But, for example, should fire hydrants be subject to EPA drinking water regulations that exempt shower valves and bathtub faucets? My kids often will get a drink from the shower or bathtub faucet, but have never had a drink from a fire hydrant. Do you know many people who regularly drink from a fire hydrant? I don’t. But in October, EPA issued guidance saying that fire hydrants installed afte… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-discusses-high-tech-manufacturing-and-workforce-development-in-roanoke | Kaine Discusses High-Tech Manufacturing And Workforce Development In Roanoke | 2013-12-03 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Kaine Discusses High-Tech Manufacturing And Workforce Development In Roanoke Tuesday, December 3, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine visited high-tech manufacturing facility PlasticsOne Inc. to learn about the growth of manufacturing in the Roanoke Valley and discuss the importance of developing a talented workforce to meet the needs of a 21st century global economy. While at the facility, Kaine tested the ORIGOSafeTM product, a cell phone dock that aims to reduce distracted driving collisions and enhance road safety by limiting drivers to hands-free functions and disabling handheld cell phone features behind the wheel, including text messaging. ORIGOSafeTM components are manufactured by three Roanoke Valley companies and assembled at ORIGO’s™ headquarters in Roanoke. During the tour, Kaine spoke with PlasticsOne Inc. employees and members of the manufacturing community about ways to improve local workforce development programs and equip the next generation of workers with the necessary skills to remain competitive. Kaine also discussed the importance of strengthening career and technical training as well as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in the Commonwealth. "American manufacturing is becoming much more technologically sophisticated and we're seeing shortages of people with technical backgrounds," said Kaine. "When I was Governor we worked on creating a technical diploma you could get in high school focusing on career and technical education and I look forward to working on similar legislation at the federal level. There are so many technical jobs that produce a great living, but students don't always receive the information that would allow them to choose those career fields." Kaine recently wrote an op-ed on the importance of investing in early childhood education programs and cited the positive impact such programs have had on the competitiveness of Virginia’s workforce. Since July, Kaine has also visited Dublin, B… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/tim-in-the-news/focus-on-high-tech-manufacturing-and-homegrown-jobs-as-kaine-visits-roanoke-valley | Focus on high-tech manufacturing and homegrown jobs as Kaine visits Roanoke Valley | 2013-12-03 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Focus on high-tech manufacturing and homegrown jobs as Kaine visits Roanoke Valley By: Joe Dashiell Tuesday, December 3, 2013 First, he turned the key and nothing happened. But once Senator Tim Kaine placed the cell phone in the ORIGOsafe docking station, he was able to start the car. The ignition interlock system designed by ORIGO doesn't prevent drivers from making or taking a call, but it keeps the phone out of their hands. It's a simple solution, the company says, for parents concerned about teenage drivers, or a company with a fleet of vehicles on the road. Kaine took a closer look at the technology Tuesday during a visit to the Roanoke Valley, and ORIGO wasn't the only company in the spotlight. Kaine visited PlasticsOne where components of the device are manufactured. He spoke with executives of Keltech which makes the circuit boards, and leaders of Corrugated Container Corporation, which produces the packaging. The Roanoke Valley companies, Kaine said, prove that American manufacturing is alive and well. "We still do manufacturing with the best of them," Kaine told WDBJ7, "and PlasticsOne and ORIGO here are producing a really innovative product that's unique in the world, that's one of a kind. And it's a really important safety solution. " ORIGO founder Clay Skelton says the military and many federal agencies could benefit from using his solution for distracted driving, and he's hopeful Kaine's support will help to open doors for the technology. He also believes the Virginia General Assembly should tighten state laws that target texting while driving, so that police officers can pull over a car, if they simply see a phone in the driver's hand. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/tim-in-the-news/roanoke-co-company-hopes-to-end-distracted-driving | Roanoke Co. Company Hopes to End Distracted Driving | 2013-12-03 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Roanoke Co. Company Hopes to End Distracted Driving By: David Tate Tuesday, December 3, 2013 A Roanoke County company thinks they have solved a problem that kills thousands of Americans every year: distracted driving. Just three years old, Origo attributes its success to local partners and key legislation pushed by then Governor Tim Kaine. There is no shortage of stories involving distracted driving. If the folks behind Origo have their way, it'll be a thing of the past. Senator Tim Kaine came to Roanoke County to get an idea about a new homegrown product inspired by his legislation making it illegal to text and drive. The legislation passed in 2009. Clay Skelton says his invention, called OrigoSafe, is an easy way to prevent thousands of deaths every year. "It's a long time coming and needs to have more teeth in Virginia and the rest of the country and to give the troopers and the sheriff's and the police what they need to enforce that law," Skelton said. "If you can solve that problem... look, you are helping quality of life. Very, very powerful for the economy, you're helping businesses that rely on driving but you're also creating jobs right here in Roanoke," said Senator Kaine. While Senator Kaine's legislation put OrigoSafe on the drawing board, Skelton's dream was also contingent on different industries. He needed an electronics company, a plastics company, and a packaging company to back him. "The first place I looked was on the internet and around the world: Who can mold this plastic? Who can make this circuit board... whatever," Skelton said. The more Skelton researched, the more he realized the three industries he needed were already in the Roanoke Valley. "Before you go looking in another state or another countr… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363126 | Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 12.2.13 | 2013-12-02 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | VA | Morgan Griffith | G000568 | morgangriffith.house.gov | legacy | Bipartisan Bill I Worked On Signed Into Law Last week, President Obama signed into law the Drug Quality and Security Act. This win for common sense came after investigations into last fall’s fungal meningitis outbreak tied to tainted injections prepared by Massachusetts’ New England Compounding Center (NECC). Traditional compounding pharmacies are overseen by State boards of pharmacy. They tend to be small mom-and-pop operations, and make custom medications based on a doctor’s order. The NECC had long ago stopped operating as a traditional compounding pharmacy. Instead, the NECC was engaged in large-volume drug manufacturing without proper prescriptions. The NECC claimed that they were exempt from oversight by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which typically regulates the manufacturers of medicines. Despite the NECC’s claim, I believe that the FDA clearly had the authority they needed to have regulated the NECC and prevented the fungal meningitis outbreak. Despite having received complaints from multiple States about the NECC, the FDA did not step in to investigate NECC for illegal manufacturing or share this important information with other States. My colleague, Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), recently wrote that the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy in 2011 identified issues with the NECC, having determined that the drugs being distributed in Colorado lacked proper prescriptions. She continued, “Our state board issued a cease-and-desist order to the NECC, and notified the Massachusetts Board as well. But that was all it could do; ultimately, it was not enough to stop the NECC's actions and prevent the tragic outbreak that swept across the nation a year later.” Because of this oversight failure, the NECC is reported as having shipped more than 17,600 doses of the tainted steroid injection. FDA investigators later uncovered bacteria and mold at the NECC. But more than 750 people throughout the United States were stricken with fungal meningitis resulting from these injections. Nationwide, 64 people were … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140131154753/http://goodlatte.house.gov/press_releases/474 | HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TO HOLD HEARING ON THE PRESIDENT'S CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY TO ENFORCE LAWS | 2013-12-02 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | VA | Robert Goodlatte | G000289 | web.archive.org | legacy | HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TO HOLD HEARING ON THE PRESIDENT'S CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY TO ENFORCE LAWS WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday at 10:00 a.m., the House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on “The President’s Constitutional Duty to Faithfully Execute the Laws.” Throughout President Obama’s tenure, we’ve witnessed a pattern: when the President disagrees with laws, he circumvents them. Now with Obamacare, President Obama is rewriting his own law, even though the law doesn’t provide him the authority to do so. The Constitution is clear: it is Congress’ duty to write our laws and once they are enacted it is the President’s responsibility to enforce them. Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution declares that the President “shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed.” However, President Obama has failed on several occasions to enforce Acts of Congress that he disagrees with for policy reasons. The President has also stretched his regulatory authority to enact policies refused by Congress. Tomorrow’s hearing will specifically focus on Obamacare: the employer mandate delay, waiver for non-compliant health plans, and contraceptive mandate that violates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. It will also address the President’s decision to ignore enforcement of our immigration and federal drug laws. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte released the statement below on tomorrow’s hearing: “President Obama has blatantly disregarded the Constitution’s mandate to faithfully execute the laws. He has changed key provisions in Obamacare without congressional approval, failed to enforce our immigration and drug laws, and ignored his Constitutional duties for the sake of politics. It is apparent that the President’s vested interest is not in the protected liberties of the American people, but in the advancement of his own agenda and interests.” Witnesses for tomorrow’s hearing include: • Mr. Michael F. Cannon, Director of Health Policy Studies, Cato Inst… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-discusses-efforts-to-end-sequester-at-bae-in-norfolk | Kaine Discusses Efforts To End Sequester At BAE In Norfolk | 2013-12-02 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Kaine Discusses Efforts To End Sequester At BAE In Norfolk Monday, December 2, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Armed Services Committee and the Budget Conference Committee, visited BAE Systems Ship Repair in Norfolk today to meet with shipyard workers and tour the facility. During the tour, Kaine learned more about the toll sequestration has taken on the ship repair industry, putting both the nation’s security and the regional economy at risk. Throughout the tour, Kaine spoke with BAE employees and shared the latest on his efforts to replace the across-the-board sequester cuts and restore budget certainty for BAE and other companies in the region. As one of 29 conferees on the Budget Conference Committee, Kaine is working to resolve differences between the House and Senate 2014 budgets before December 13. “My role on the Budget Conference Committee is to come up with a deal that replaces as much of the sequester cuts as we can,” Kaine said at the conclusion of the tour. “The uncertainty over ship repair contracts puts many important jobs across the region at risk. We're working hard to meet our December 13 deadline and I'm optimistic we will get a deal to replace as many of these harmful across-the-board cuts as we can. And if there are areas where we cannot replace them all, we can restructure them to make them less painful.” Since passage of the Senate budget in March 2013, Kaine has consistently called for a budget conference between the House and Senate in hopes of returning to normal budgetary order and replacing the damaging sequester cuts that have severely impacted Virginia. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/tim-in-the-news/a-very-personal-reflect-on-school-from-sen-kaine | A very personal reflect on school from Sen. Kaine | 2013-11-29 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | “One of our children needed an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for one year -- focused attention during that year solved a speech deficit,” Kaine remembers. “So, the natural question is, why don't we personalize learning for every student? Shouldn't we strive for an educational model that involves individualized education for all? We don't live in a 'one size fits all' world and our education system should reflect that.” It’s not as daunting to teach child-by-child as you might think, either. Kaine himself tried, working at a small vocational school in El Progreso, Honduras in 1980-81. “When I arrived, a fine carpenter was teaching the boys … He would give students projects that were too easy or too hard,” Kaine writes. Kaine worked up a list of about 60 projects for the kids, arranged fromeasiest to hardest and “Within a few months, the kids were all working on different projects, but developing at their own pace in a way that was simple for a single teacher to administer.” Kaine also writes that his daughter’s experience in Virignia’s Pre-K program convinced him of the importance of early childhood education – a view that Virginians from across the political spectrum have come to agree on, from Kaine himself to Republican former Gov. George Allen, who kicked off the state effort, and now the state Chamber of Commerce, as it unveiled its Blueprint Virginia proposals for the state's economic development at a conference in Williamsburg last week. “My children have all attended schools subject to high stakes tests pursuant to the Virginia Standards of Learning that were adopted in the 1990s as a forerunner of the federal No Child Left Behind law,” Kaine continues. “Unlike some who dismiss the idea of tests out of hand, or shake their fists at federal involvement, I see value in having standards and having periodic assessments … But there are serious problems," he writes. One is that tests make a minimum standard the benchmark of success, rather than anything more ambitious. Another is a tendency … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363022 | Ninth District Traveling Staff Office Hours for December | 2013-11-27 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | VA | Morgan Griffith | G000568 | morgangriffith.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Griffith’s Ninth District STAFF will be available at the following locations during the month of December. In the event of inclement weather (heavy snow, sleet, icy rain, etc.), traveling office hours may be rescheduled to avoid putting constituents at risk. Please contact the Christiansburg Office at 540-381-5671 or the Abingdon Office at 276-525-1405 with any questions or to confirm that traveling hours are still in effect. December 4, 2013 Smyth County: 10:00am – 12:00pm Town Council Chambers 138 West Main Street Marion, VA Covington: 10:00am – 12:00pm Covington City Hall City Hall Conference Room 333 W. Locust Street Covington, VA Craig County: 2:00pm – 4:00pm Craig County Administration Building 108 Court Street New Castle, VA Bristol: 2:00pm – 4:00pm Bristol VA Public Library Upstairs Conference Room 701 Goode Street Bristol, VA December 6, 2013 Martinsville: 11:00am – 1:00pm NCI Room 106 – Classroom Building 30 Franklin Street Martinsville, VA Scott County: 10:00am – 12:00pm Community Services Building Community Room 190 Beech Street Gate City, VA Norton: 2:00pm – 4:00pm Norton City Council Chambers 618 Virginia Avenue NW Norton, VA December 11, 2013 Radford: 10:00am – 12:00pm Radford Public Library Meeting Room 30 West Main Street Radford, VA Pulaski County: 2:00pm – 4:00pm Pulaski County Library Meeting Room 60 3rd Street NW Pulaski, VA December 12, 2013 Grayson County: 10:00am – 12:00pm Grayson County Administration Building Board of Supervisors Room Suite 206 129 Davis Street Independence, VA Russell County: 10:00am – 12:00pm Southwest Virginia Technology Development Center 141 Highland Drive Lebanon, VA Tazewell County: 2:00pm – 4:00pm Bluefield Town Hall – Council Chambers 112 Huffard Drive Bluefield, VA Galax: 2:00pm – 4:00pm Galax Municipal Building Conference Room 111 E. Main Street Gala… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/tim-in-the-news/lessons-learned-from-40-school-years | Lessons Learned from 40 School Years | 2013-11-27 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Lessons Learned from 40 School Years Guest post by Tim Kaine, senator and former governor of Virginia. By: Tom Segal Wednesday, November 27, 2013 Guest post by Tim Kaine, senator and former governor of Virginia. Tom's note: Inarguably, there is no single sector of the economy that influences the rest quite as directly and profoundly as K-12 education. This is the sector that prepares our future generations of leaders, innovators, producers, consumers, mothers, fathers, and citizens. As taxpayers, we all play a role in financing the K-12 education system, but a select few possess the power to heavily influence where those funds are allocated and how that system is constructed. As such, I thought it might be a valuable exercise to give these folks at the top of the public policy food chain a place to voice their education-related opinions (edpinions?), a place to recall their own observations of the K-12 education system, so that you, the loyal reader, might better understand the experiences and beliefs that are at the core of our national (and global) progress. Amazingly, somebody with legitimate influence agreed with me. With that, allow me to present the following words from Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) on the things he has learned as a parent, consumer, and participant within the K-12 education system. Many thanks to Sen. Kaine and his team for facilitating this blog post. Sen. Kaine, the floor is yours: My wife Anne and I are now empty-nesters. Our daughter just left home for college, joining two older brothers out in the wide world. We are experiencing many emotions--pride in our three kids, hope that we've given them the character skills to negotiate life's ups and downs, melancholia over the pa… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-kaine-call-on-administration-for-sustained-ceo-leadership-to-fix-healthcaregov | Warner, Kaine Call on Administration for Sustained CEO Leadership to Fix Healthcare.Gov | 2013-11-26 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Warner, Kaine Call on Administration for Sustained CEO Leadership to Fix Healthcare.Gov As technical problems with healthcare website continue, Senators urge President to swiftly appoint leadership to oversee fixes through 2015 enrollment period Tuesday, November 26, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. – As Americans continue to experience technical difficulties with federal and state health insurance enrollment, U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine joined a coalition of Senators in calling on President Obama to quickly appoint a long-term replacement for Jeffrey Zients, who is departing to become director of the National Economic Council on January 2, to oversee the technical repair of healthcare.gov. In a letter delivered to the Administration today, the Senators called on President Obama to appoint an individual who would report directly to the president and be “empowered with the authority to ensure that healthcare.gov is fixed quickly, completely, and permanently.” “While we cannot go backward and correct mistakes made, we must now work together to fix the law so that it works for all Americans,” the letter read. The Senators continued, “A project of this size and scope demands the sustained leadership and day-to-day management of a chief executive officer – someone whose sole responsibility would be an unrelenting focus on healthcare.gov and who has experience overseeing large and complex consumer-facing technology projects.” “Sustaining the steady management focus that this position has already brought to the project would go a long way toward earning back the trust jeopardized by last month’s deeply flawed rollout,” the Senators added. The full text of the Senators’ letter is below: November 25, 2013 President Barack Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President: As supporters of the Affordable Care Act, we have been deeply disappointed and frustrated with the many problems surrounding the law’s rollout, incl… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/tim-in-the-news/va-senators-hope-for-plan-to-delay-some-defense-cuts | Va. senators hope for plan to delay some defense cuts | 2013-11-26 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Va. senators hope for plan to delay some defense cuts By: Bill Bartel Tuesday, November 26, 2013 Virginia's two U.S. senators predicted Monday that a committee attempting to reach a budget deal and avoid another government shutdown may be able to provide relief from some automatic defense cuts - but not all of them. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine aren't expecting the panel to draft a long-range plan to address deficit and spending issues, but they hope to see a one- or two-year budget that gives some certainty to federal spending. The two Democrats are part of the 29-member House and Senate committee formed in October, in the wake of the government shutdown, tasked with drafting an annual budget. Congress approved a temporary spending plan to reopen the government after the 16-day shutdown. The bipartisan group has until mid-December to draft a plan for the consideration of the entire Congress before Jan. 15, when the government runs out of money. "The 'big deal' is probably not going to happen this time," Warner said in a radio interview in Charlottesville. "What may happen - and what I hope will happen - is we at least get a budget for the rest of this year and maybe next year and get rid of the worst parts of sequestration." Sequestration, a mandatory, decadelong reduction of $1.2 trillion from defense and domestic programs that began earlier this year, will likely not be stopped entirely but could be slowed, the senators predicted. If no changes are made, the Pentagon is required to cut $52 billion over the next 11 months. The defense cuts are particularly worrisome for many in Hampton Roads, where the Navy has said it would have to scale back ship repairs and other contract work and curtail some military operations. Kaine… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=71b782a2-8b03-4cc1-8d0a-65537b3d001c | Warner, Kaine Call on Administration for Sustained CEO Leadership to Fix Healthcare.Gov | 2013-11-26 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | VA | Mark Warner | W000805 | www.warner.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – As Americans continue to experience technical difficulties with federal and state health insurance enrollment, U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine joined a coalition of Senators in calling on President Obama to quickly appoint a long-term replacement for Jeffrey Zients, who is departing to become director of the National Economic Council on January 2, to oversee the technical repair of healthcare.gov. In a letter delivered to the Administration today, the Senators called on President Obama to appoint an individual who would report directly to the president and be “empowered with the authority to ensure that healthcare.gov is fixed quickly, completely, and permanently.” “While we cannot go backward and correct mistakes made, we must now work together to fix the law so that it works for all Americans,” the letter read. The Senators continued, “A project of this size and scope demands the sustained leadership and day-to-day management of a chief executive officer – someone whose sole responsibility would be an unrelenting focus on healthcare.gov and who has experience overseeing large and complex consumer-facing technology projects.” “Sustaining the steady management focus that this position has already brought to the project would go a long way toward earning back the trust jeopardized by last month’s deeply flawed rollout,” the Senators added. The full text of the Senators’ letter is below: November 25, 2013 President Barack Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President: As supporters of the Affordable Care Act, we have been deeply disappointed and frustrated with the many problems surrounding the law’s rollout, including the initial failure of the healthcare.gov website. These early missteps are all the more unfortunate because of the potential benefits of the Affordable Care Act. An effective implementation of this law would mean that millions of Americans would no longer be denied coverage because of pre-existing c… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=362866 | Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 11.25.13 | 2013-11-25 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | VA | Morgan Griffith | G000568 | morgangriffith.house.gov | legacy | Many children are taught that America’s First Thanksgiving took place in 1621 at Massachusetts’ Plymouth Plantation. But it is Virginia, and not the Bay State, that has the right to claim ownership of the First English settlement Thanksgiving. In 1619 – around a year before the pilgrims even arrived at Plymouth – a group of English colonists arrived at Berkeley Plantation and established the Thanksgiving tradition. In accordance with instructions sent by the London Company, upon arriving at Berkeley, Captain John Woodlief and fellow colonists prayed*: “We ordain that this day of our ship's arrival, at the place assigned for plantacon, [meaning plantation], in the land of Virginia, shall be yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God.” Of course, it is true that the colony at Plymouth held a three-day festival to celebrate their safe travels, a successful growing season, and the assistance of the Native Americans. The relationship between these new settlers and the Native Americans did not end with this meal. Obviously, Native Americans and European settlers would engage in numerous wars, acts of treachery, and atrocities, but when our nation was threatened from powers across the seas, Native Americans were proud to defend these United States. As written in the Washington Post, “During the dark, early days of World War II, American military commanders were desperate for a code that could not be cracked by the Japanese. “The solution rested in the obscure languages spoken by Native American tribes, unfathomable to the Japanese. Native American code talkers, as they became known, were able to transmit messages quickly and securely, giving American forces a critical edge.” The first recorded use of code talkers as a part of our Armed Forces was in October of 1918. They thwarted our enemies, using their native language to communicate securely and secretly. According to the Defense Department, more than 400 code talkers served during World War I and World War II. Navaj… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140131155059/http://goodlatte.house.gov/press_releases/473 | GOODLATTE & ESHOO NAMED 2014 CO-CHAIRS OF FIRST CONGRESSIONAL APP COMPETITION | 2013-11-25 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | VA | Robert Goodlatte | G000289 | web.archive.org | legacy | GOODLATTE & ESHOO NAMED 2014 CO-CHAIRS OF FIRST CONGRESSIONAL APP COMPETITION WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reps. Bob Goodlatte and Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.) released the statements below after the House Administration Committee appointed them as Co-chairs of the first ever House Academic Competition to promote innovation in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). “Because of your established leadership in this field, the Committee appoints you as co-chairs for the 2014 STEM Competition,” the Committee wrote to Goodlatte and Eshoo. As Co-chairs of the Congressional Internet Caucus, Goodlatte and Eshoo have been at the forefront of promoting education and innovation in the STEM fields, making them ideal candidates to lead the 2014 competition. The first competition will be formally launched in February 2014 and will be an app competition for high school students in participating Congressional districts. “The demand for students educated in engineering and technology continues to rise in the United States but part of the challenge is how to engage students in these subjects and further the understanding of these valuable skills,” said Goodlatte, who is also Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. “The House Academic Competition is a great opportunity to promote these fields which are driving American innovation. I look forward to working with my Co-Chair Anna Eshoo to oversee this competition which will help to build a workforce equipped with science, technology, engineering and math skills.” “I’m thrilled to be leading such an extraordinary opportunity for our nation’s youth and to help foster interest in science, technology, engineering, and math education,” said Eshoo, who also serves as Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Communications and Technology Subcommittee. “According to the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, the next decade will bring approximately 8.5 million STEM job opportunities, but during… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-nuclear-deal-with-iran | Kaine Statement on Nuclear Deal with Iran | 2013-11-24 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Kaine Statement on Nuclear Deal with Iran Sunday, November 24, 2013 HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs, released the following statement from the 2013 Halifax International Security Forum on the first step agreement reached on Iran’s nuclear program. Kaine is leading a U.S. Congressional delegation to the forum with Senator John McCain: “As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s death, I recall his wise commencement speech delivered at American University in June of 1963. He spoke of the hard work of peace-making during the midst of disarmament talks with the Soviet Union. Many challenged the talks and whether there was any possibility of working toward peace with an enemy. But President Kennedy reminded us that ‘we can reduce tension without relaxing our guard’ and advocated the need for nations to take concrete steps along a path to total disarmament. “I look forward to reviewing the P5+1 (United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, China + Germany) first stage deal with Iran in the coming days. We will not tolerate an Iran with nuclear weapons because that will make the region – and the world – dramatically less safe. If this interim deal reduces stockpiles of enriched uranium to levels appropriate only for civilian use, halts uranium enrichment above dangerous levels, reduces technology that can be used to enhance enrichment, and imposes intrusive daily inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency that can give the world immediate warning if Iran plans to move toward nuclear weapons, it will be an important trust building step toward our ultimate goal. “This deal could bring us closer to a world less threatened by weapons of mass destruction. We should now press forward to do even more in pursuit of peace.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/tim-in-the-news/starting-strong-the-case-for-pre-k | Starting strong: The case for pre-K | 2013-11-23 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Starting strong: The case for pre-K Virginian-Pilot Op-Ed Saturday, November 23, 2013 With our daughter now in college, my wife Anne and I have reached the end of our journey through Virginia public education. As a parent I have learned many lessons from my children's combined total of 40 years in public pre-K through 12 classrooms, and one of the most significant is the importance of early childhood education programs. Virginia started a modest early childhood education program after my two sons had already entered elementary school. My daughter, however, was just the right age to experience the program. And while my boys had a good experience with high-quality private child-care programs, the positive impact that a public, comprehensive pre-K year had on my daughter made me a true believer in the power of early childhood education. I don't have to look far outside my own home to see the other ways expanding early childhood education has made an impact. Virginia is a perfect example of how investments in education will ensure that we have a skilled workforce ready to compete in a global economy. As governor, I had to make tough decisions to invest in early childhood education programs while cutting nearly $6 billion in spending to balance the budget during a recession. Even in a time of tough cuts, I worked with legislators, educators and business leaders to expand the Virginia Preschool Initiative, improving the quality of pre-K programs and increasing the number of children they served by 40 percent. Last week, I was proud to join eight of my U.S. Senate colleagues in introducing legislation to expand access to high-quality early education programs for children all over the country. This legislation, the "Strong Start for America's Children Act," is a 10-year federal-state partnersh… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=666 | Congressman Connolly Named Tech Champion of the Year | 2013-11-22 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | VA | Gerald Connolly | C001078 | connolly.house.gov | legacy | Connolly was named "Tech Champion of the Year" Thursday night at an awards ceremony featuring leaders from the federal and private sector information technology community. Read more. share: f t Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA) received the Tech Champion of the Year award, presented by Fedscoop CEO Goldy KamaliCongressman Gerry Connolly was named “Tech Champion of the Year” Thursday night at an awards ceremony featuring leaders from the federal and private sector information technology community.Connolly (D-VA) was the sole recipient of Fedscoop’s Tech Champion award. The award recognized Connolly “as a leader whose passion for tech made us all think out of the box.” Connolly and winners of the Fedscoop 50 awards were selected by a voting process that involved members of the public and private sector IT community and the general public.As Congressman for Virginia’s 11th District, Connolly represents the heart of the technology community on the East Coast. He represents tens of thousands of federal IT contracting employees and federal workers who live in the district.As a senior member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Government Operations, Connolly has been a leading voice on IT issues in Congress since taking office in 2009. His background working for two IT companies and his tenure as Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors gave Connolly a unique understanding of federal IT issues which has helped him drive legislation in Congress on the issues impacting IT inside and outside the federal government.This year, Connolly and House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA) coauthored a major federal IT reform bill – the Federal IT Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) – which would overhaul federal IT procurement, increase transparency, efficiency, and management of federal IT, and save taxpayer dollars. The legislation has already passed the U.S. House of Representatives and… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20131210102409/http://goodlatte.house.gov/press_releases/472 | GOODLATTE: HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TO HOLD HEARING ON ASYLUM ABUSE | 2013-11-22 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | VA | Robert Goodlatte | G000289 | web.archive.org | legacy | GOODLATTE: HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TO HOLD HEARING ON ASYLUM ABUSE WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House Judiciary Committee today announced that it will hold a hearing on our nation’s asylum laws by the end of the year. According to an internal Customs and Border Protection document obtained by the House Judiciary Committee, and as reported by the Washington Times today, many people claiming a “credible fear” of persecution at our ports of entry have a direct or indirect association with drug trafficking and other illegal activity such as human smuggling. Since there are intelligence gaps and loopholes in the system, the asylum process – which was designed to help innocent victims of persecution – is being abused by individuals who would otherwise be subjects of interest or subjects of criminal investigations. Once these unscrupulous individuals falsely claim a “credible fear” of persecution, there is virtually no investigation by U.S. authorities. Because the Obama Administration refuses to detain most of them, criminals and those who pose national security threats are then able to live and work in the U.S. for many years before their cases are ever heard by immigration judges. Below is a joint statement from House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee Chairman Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), and Congressman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), a fellow Judiciary Committee member who is also chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, on this upcoming hearing. “It’s outrageous that members of Mexican drug cartels and others involved in illicit activity are so easily able to exploit our asylum laws and live in the U.S. virtually undetected. Our asylum laws are in place to help individuals who are facing truly serious persecution in their countries. However, dangerous criminals are gaming the system by claiming they have a ‘credible fear’ of persecution when often they’ve been the perpetrators of violenc… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/advisory-senators-john-mccain-and-tim-kaine-to-lead-us-delegation-to-the-halifax-international-security-forum | Advisory: Senators John McCain And Tim Kaine To Lead U.S. Delegation To The Halifax International Security Forum | 2013-11-22 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Advisory: Senators John McCain And Tim Kaine To Lead U.S. Delegation To The Halifax International Security Forum Friday, November 22, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) will lead the U.S. Congressional delegation to the 2013 Halifax International Security Forum and hold a press conference at 4:00 p.m. AST tomorrow, Saturday, November 23, 2013. Other members of the delegation include Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16). Delegation members will also participate in Halifax Forum panel discussions. PRESS CONFERENCE – SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2013 WHO: U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) U.S. Delegation Members WHAT: Press Conference WHEN: 4:00 p.m. AST – Saturday, November 23, 2013 WHERE: Halifax International Security Conference Harbour Room A The Westin Nova Scotian 1181 Hollis Street Halifax, NS B3H 2P6, Canada *Watch livestream of the press conference at http://www.halifaxtheforum.org. HALIFAX FORUM PANEL DISCUSSIONS – SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2013 WHO: Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) WHAT: Panel Discussion: Bloody Autocracy, Religious Kleptocracy, Unstable Democracy: In Search of Better Choices for the Middle East (and Beyond) WHEN: 8:30 a.m. AST – Saturday, November 23, 2013 WHERE: Halifax International Security Conference The Westin Nova Scotian 1181 Hollis Street Halifax, NS B3H 2P6, Canada *Watch livestream of the panel at http://www.halifaxtheforum.org. WHO: Senator John McCain (R-AZ) WHAT: Panel Discussion: If Democracies Won't, Alternatives Will: Reviving Global Responsibility WHEN: 10:15 a.m. AST – Saturday, November 23, 2… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/tim-in-the-news/political-doubt-poses-risk-to-honduras-battered-by-coup-and-violence | Political Doubt Poses Risk to Honduras, Battered by Coup and Violence | 2013-11-22 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Political Doubt Poses Risk to Honduras, Battered by Coup and Violence By: Elisabeth Malkin Friday, November 22, 2013 TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — When police officers arrived last week after the murder of Felipe Nery Aguilar and his daughter Gladys, they seized on what appeared to be a clue: a childish scribble on a broken television set. A message from local gangs, the officers figured, demanding protection money, known here as a “war tax.” Case closed. But for the victims’ family, the explanation made no sense. A second daughter, Rosa Alba Aguilar, 35, agonized over why anybody would kill a 73-year-old fruit seller. “It was just pure evil,” Ms. Aguilar said. Nobody was extorting her father. It was one of his grandchildren who had scrawled over the television screen. “The police come here asking stupidities,” she said. “What are the laws for?” That question is at the center of elections on Sunday, when Hondurans will choose a new president four years after a coup expelled a previous one. The rule of law, which was never sturdy to start with, has all but evaporated since then. The coup upended the political landscape here, and the outcome of the vote in one of Latin America’s poorest and most unequal countries is unpredictable. Honduras’s fraying social fabric may not withstand a new bout of political uncertainty. Drug traffickers and street gangs act unimpeded as the National Police look the other way, or even run their own criminal rackets. Dozens of human rights activists, journalists, lawyers, and peasant and labor leaders have been killed. The country is believed to have the highest peacetime murder rate in the world. The combustible mix of drugs, gangs, arms and impunity has created a “very violent element” that will “kill an… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/tim-in-the-news/senators-introduce-bill-to-add-acreage-to-petersburg-national-battlefield | Senators introduce bill to add acreage to Petersburg National Battlefield | 2013-11-22 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Senators introduce bill to add acreage to Petersburg National Battlefield By: Louis Llovio Friday, November 22, 2013 Virginia’s two U.S. senators are looking to secure more than 7,000 acres for the Petersburg National Battlefield, an addition that would make it the largest Civil War battlefield in the country. U.S. Sens. Timothy M. Kaine and Mark R. Warner, both Democrats, have introduced legislation that would allow the U.S. National Park Service to acquire the land. The bill would allow the secretary of the Interior to obtain the land “from willing sellers only, by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, exchange or transfer.” The bill also allows for a small land transfer between Fort Lee and the battlefield. In 2011, Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., and Rep. J. Randy Forbes, R-4th, introduced similar legislation that failed to gain traction. “This legislation will preserve the story of one of the Civil War’s most decisive engagements, the Siege of Petersburg, while aiding the local economy and boosting regional historic tourism,” Kaine said in a statement Wednesday. Warner noted that the battlefield “draws visitors from all across the country and adds $11 million annually into the Petersburg economy.” The park is currently about 2,500 acres. In 2005, the National Park Service recommended modifying the Petersburg National Battlefield to include 7,238 acres “of significant core battlefield land,” according to Warner’s office. That includes the site of 18 major battles during the Civil War that are in danger of being lost to development. “These sites are not currently protected within the National Battlefield and have been identified by the Civil War Trust as one of the most endangered group of historic battlefields in… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/joint-statement-by-us-sens-warner-and-kaine-on-the-sccs-finding-on-continuation-of-existing-health-policies | Joint Statement By U.S. Sens. Warner & Kaine On the SCC’s Finding On Continuation Of Existing Health Policies | 2013-11-21 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Joint Statement By U.S. Sens. Warner & Kaine On the SCC’s Finding On Continuation Of Existing Health Policies Thursday, November 21, 2013 WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) released this statement following the announcement by the Virginia State Corporation Commission’s Bureau of Insurance approving renewal of existing health insurance plans in the individual and small business markets, allowing policyholders to continue existing coverage through the end of 2014. In a letter to the SCC last week, Sens. Warner and Kaine urged state regulators to take action to help those Virginians who had concerns about the loss of their existing health coverage: “This determination by the State Corporation Commission is welcome news to those Virginians who recently have seen their existing healthcare plans cancelled by insurance carriers,” Sens. Warner and Kaine said in a joint statement. “We strongly support the SCC’s decision encouraging insurers to provide the option of extending transitional coverage through the end of next year. This action will help smooth the transition to the new system. We appreciate the prompt analysis and decision by the Bureau of Insurance. We remain committed to working together to see that the implementation of the Affordable Care Act works more effectively for Virginia families, small businesses and employers." ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-joins-19-senators-in-bipartisan-effort-to-grant-temporary-protected-status-to-filipinos-in-wake-of-typhoon-haiyan | Kaine Joins 19 Senators In Bipartisan Effort To Grant Temporary Protected Status To Filipinos In Wake Of Typhoon Haiyan | 2013-11-21 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Kaine Joins 19 Senators In Bipartisan Effort To Grant Temporary Protected Status To Filipinos In Wake Of Typhoon Haiyan Thursday, November 21, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine joined 19 of his Senate colleagues in calling on President Obama’s administration to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Filipino nationals currently residing in the United States and to consider additional avenues of relief for certain Filipinos with U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family members in the U.S. TPS is granted to foreign nationals who cannot safely return to their native country. “Typhoon Haiyan has wrought unparalleled destruction and tragic loss of life in the Philippines,” the Senators wrote. “Victims of Typhoon Haiyan clearly meet the eligibility requirements for TPS, and we urge you to extend this designation as soon as possible. The United States has demonstrated its commitment to assisting the Philippines with the recovery effort through foreign aid, military assistance and relief supplies, but we must alsoassist the victims’ families in whatever way possible.” A complete copy of the letter is available here. The letter was also signed by Senators Robert Menendez (D–NJ), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), John McCain (R-AZ), Harry Reid (D-NV), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY),Chris Coons (D-DL), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Dean Heller (R-NV), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Cory Booker (D-NJ). Currently, the United States grants Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan, and Syria. As the program is designed, TPS would only be available to Filipinos already living in the United States who pass a background check and meet related eligibility requirements. Below is the full letter. The Honorable Rand Beers Acting Secretary Departme… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-praises-passage-of-bipartisan-battlefield-protection-bill-out-of-committee | Kaine Praises Passage Of Bipartisan Battlefield Protection Bill Out Of Committee | 2013-11-21 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Kaine Praises Passage Of Bipartisan Battlefield Protection Bill Out Of Committee Thursday, November 21, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act, a bill introduced by U.S. Senator Tim Kaine to preserve historical battlegrounds, was passed out of the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee on a voice vote. "Committee passage of this bipartisan bill is an important step toward preserving our nation's battlefields for future generations to enjoy," said Kaine. "This legislation will benefit Virginia and all states that are home to historic battlegrounds by boosting tourism, supporting local economies, and maintaining battlefields as living reminders of American history." In May, Kaine introduced the American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act with Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS), along with 13 other cosponsors – seven Democrats, five Republicans, and one independent. This legislation reauthorizes the National Park Service’s American Battlefield Protection Program, which offers competitive federal grants to match non-federal and private donations to preserve Civil War battlefields. The bill extends the program, which expired last month, for five more years at the current $10 million funding level and also makes Revolutionary War and War of 1812 sites eligible for these grants. Additionally, this week Kaine joined Senator Mark Warner to introduce a bill authorizing the expansion of Petersburg National Battlefield, making it the largest Civil War battlefield in the nation. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-senate-rules-change-to-end-gridlock | Kaine Statement On Senate Rules Change To End Gridlock | 2013-11-21 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Kaine Statement On Senate Rules Change To End Gridlock Thursday, November 21, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement today after voting to ensure judicial nominees get an up-or-down vote on confirmation by eliminating the filibuster on all judicial nominations other than Supreme Court nominees: “Today I joined a majority of my Senate colleagues in taking an important step to ensure highly-qualified, non-controversial judicial nominees, including Virginia’s own Pattie Millett, are given the up-or-down vote they deserve. “What we have witnessed in the Senate in recent months is unprecedented. The only explanation for blocking the consideration of a nominee like Ms. Millett – a military spouse who has served under both Democratic and Republican Solicitor Generals, has argued more cases before the Supreme Court and circuit courts than all but a handful of attorneys and is uniformly praised by bar groups – is that Republicans have committed to pursuing a strategy of nullifying the law to achieve their goals. Their decision to block four highly-qualified nominees to the D.C. Circuit since I took office eleven months ago – three in the last three weeks alone – is proof that the goal was to nullify the law that says the D.C. Circuit has eleven judges. “Today’s rules change will end this unprecedented abuse of the filibuster and allow us to begin to break through the gridlock that has frustrated Virginians and prevented us from tackling so many important issues facing our country.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/sens-warner-collins-kaine-and-grassley-introduce-legislation-to-protect-military-whistleblowers | Sens. Warner, Collins, Kaine & Grassley Introduce Legislation To Protect Military Whistleblowers | 2013-11-21 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | Sens. Warner, Collins, Kaine & Grassley Introduce Legislation To Protect Military Whistleblowers Military Whistleblower Protection Act will ensure victims of sexual assault and other misconduct are protected from retaliation Thursday, November 21, 2013 WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced proposals today to strengthen military whistleblower protection laws to ensure those who are courageous enough to report sexual assault and other misconduct are not further victimized by retaliation. The Military Whistleblower Protection Act is supported by over 50 good government, public health and veterans organizations, including the Service Women’s Action Network, the Project on Government Oversight and the Government Accountability Project. “I am proud to offer this bipartisan legislation to protect our military whistleblowers, who serve our country bravely and deserve our respect and protection,” Sen. Warner said. “Improving the military’s whistleblower system is an important step toward encouraging whistleblowers to report fraud, waste, and other misconduct, especially sexual assault. Our military men and women should trust that our justice system will protect them and provide an environment free of retaliation.” “Whistleblowers play a crucial role in Congressional efforts to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse and to help ensure the effectiveness of government programs. They provide crucial information that Congress needs to conduct proper oversight of the federal government,” said Sen. Collins. “This amendment increases whistleblower protections for the military and encourages whistleblowers to report misconduct, especially as it relates to sexual assault. Our military men and women deserve a justice system that protects them while they serve our country.” “To effectively combat sexual assault and other serious misconduct in the military, we must create an environment where whistl… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/state-department-diplomatic-security-training-needs-are-best-met-using-fort-pickett-facility- | State Department: Diplomatic Security Training Needs Are Best Met Using Fort Pickett Facility | 2013-11-21 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | State Department: Diplomatic Security Training Needs Are Best Met Using Fort Pickett Facility Thursday, November 21, 2013 Washington, D.C. – Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) released a letter today from the U.S. Department of State detailing how Fort Pickett, Virginia remains the most suitable location for a Foreign Affairs Security Training Center (FASTC), which provides critical training for U.S. diplomatic personnel serving in high-risk environments abroad. In response to a November 5 letter from Senator Kaine and Congressman Forbes to Secretary of State John Kerry requesting a status update on the potential placement of a FASTC at Fort Pickett, the Department noted that the important missions conducted at a FASTC “are best addressed using the Fort Pickett location.” Furthermore, the State Department revised its original proposal and now estimates that the cost of locating a FASTC at Fort Pickett has been reduced to $461 million. “We are so pleased that the State Department continues to believe that Fort Pickett is the ideal location for its security training,” said Senator Kaine and Congressman Forbes. “As the 2012 tragedy in Benghazi and more recent threats to a number of U.S. embassies around the world have underscored, there are few missions more important than providing the men and women who represent our country abroad with the training they need to successfully promote U.S. interests and return home safely. A FASTC at Fort Pickett is well-suited to meet this need for years to come.” In 2008, the State Department informed Congress of the need for one consolidated training facility to improve efficiency, decrease operating costs, and provide diplomats and other personnel with necessary training before serving in some of the most high-threat, high-risk countries in the world. Studies to determine the best site for such a facility were conducted in 2011 and 2012 and Fort Pickett has consistently shown to be the ideal location for … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.kaine.senate.gov/tim-in-the-news/a-battlefield-bill-that-wasnt-a-battle-kaines-historic-site-bill-wins-committee-approval | A battlefield bill that wasn't a battle; Kaine's historic site bill wins committee approval | 2013-11-21 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | VA | Tim Kaine | K000384 | www.kaine.senate.gov | legacy | A battlefield bill that wasn't a battle; Kaine's historic site bill wins committee approval By: Dave Ress Thursday, November 21, 2013 Some Washington legislation that hasn’t been a battle? The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee has given the nod – on a voice vote, no less – to Sen. Tim Kaine’s amendments to the American Battlefield Protection Program. Kaine’s bill will make Revolutionary War and War of 1812 sites eligible for the National Park Service program that has long focused on preserving Civil War battlefields. It extends the program for another five years, at the current $10 million funding level for federal grants to match state and private donations to purchase and preserve battlefields at risk of being lost to development. Kaine joined up with Sen Thad Cochran, R-Miss., to introduce the bill. Seven Democrats, five Republicans and one independent signed up as co-sponsors. Voice vote, sponsors from both sides (all three sides?) of the aisle. Hmm … almost sounds like a Revolutionary idea doesn’t it? Or as shocking as when the British burned Washington in the War of 1812? ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=9715abb8-2dc5-4197-bffa-fbfc175a8969 | Joint Statement by Sens. Warner & Kaine on SCC Finding on Transitional Health Coverage | 2013-11-21 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | VA | Mark Warner | W000805 | www.warner.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) released this statement following the announcement by the Virginia State Corporation Commission’s Bureau of Insurance approving renewal of existing health insurance plans in the individual and small business markets, allowing policyholders to continue existing coverage through the end of 2014. In a letter to the SCC last week, Sens. Warner and Kaine urged state regulators to take action to help those Virginians who had concerns about the loss of their existing health coverage: “This determination by the State Corporation Commission is welcome news to those Virginians who recently have seen their existing healthcare plans cancelled by insurance carriers,” Sens. Warner and Kaine said in a joint statement. “We strongly support the SCC’s decision encouraging insurers to provide the option of extending transitional coverage through the end of next year. This action will help smooth the transition to the new system. We appreciate the prompt analysis and decision by the Bureau of Insurance. We remain committed to working together to see that the implementation of the Affordable Care Act works more effectively for Virginia families, small businesses and employers." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |
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