url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1222,Dem: Trump's 'bromance' with Putin has clouded his views on Russia,2017-12-26,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Gerald Connolly,C001078,connolly.house.gov,,,legacy,"John BowdenDemocratic Rep. Gerald Connolly (VA) on Tuesday accused President Trump of harboring a ""bromance"" with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which the lawmaker says has clouded Trump's vision on Russia. In an interview with ""The Lead"" on CNN, Connolly told host Jim Sciutto that a recent decision from the Trump administration to sell lethal weaponry to Ukraine amid the country's conflict with pro-Russian separatists came despite Trump's ""inexplicable"" soft spot for Putin. ""I think that the machinery of the United States government, the defense machinery, the foreign policy machinery has never wavered in understanding that Russia is an adversary and a threat to western values and our own democratic system,"" Connolly said Tuesday. ""[But] I think the president has a lot of trouble getting that in his head because of his own personal conflicts and his own personal needs and relationships with Russians, Russian oligarchs who financed part of his enterprise and his inexplicable admiration, bromance, for Vladimir Putin,"" added Connolly. ""So I think in some ways were doing this despite the president."" The Trump administration announced earlier this month that it would sell more than $80 billion of lethal weaponry to Ukraine's military, including anti-tank missiles and sniper rifle systems. Connolly said he believed the president was ""reluctant"" to sign off on the policy, which was seen as a shift in U.S. policy in Ukraine from the Obama administration. ""I think he is a very reluctant signatory to the recent national strategic policy that was announced, Connolly said. Republicans in Congress praised the Trump administration for the decision last week, including some who have been critical of Trump in the past such as Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tenn.). Im pleased the administration approved the sale of defensive lethal arms to Ukraine, Corker said in a statement. This decision was supported by Congress in legislation that became law three years ago and reflects our countrys longstanding commitment to Ukraine in the face of ongoing Russian aggression. http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/366523-dem-trumps-bromance-with-putin-has-clouded-his-views-on-russia",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1223,Congressmen Want Federal Employee Pay Cuts Taken Off the Table,2017-12-26,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Gerald Connolly,C001078,connolly.house.gov,,,legacy,"Ian Smith Four Congressmen recently sent a letter to House leaders saying they do not want pay cuts for federal employees to be used to fund increased discretionary spending caused by lifting sequestration spending caps.The letter was sent by Congressmen Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Steny Hoyer (D-MD), and Elijah Cummings (D-MD), lawmakers who all represent areas with a high percentage of constituents who work for the federal government. The Congressmen said in their letter that federal employees have already had their pay frozen and endured a partial government shutdown in 2013. They also expressed their displeasure with the recent tax cut legislation, which is the impetus for the letter. The Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 requires that all new legislation changing taxes, fees, or mandatory expenditures, taken together, must not increase projected deficits, according to a description of the law. Under the terms of that act, the recent tax cuts must be offset by reductions in government spending, and the Congressmen do not want any reductions in federal workers pay or benefits to be the source of any potential spending cuts. https://www.fedsmith.com/2017/12/26/congressman-want-federal-employee-pay-cuts-taken-off-table/",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kaine-warner-scott-booker-blunt-applaud-approval-of-commission-to,"Kaine, Warner, Scott, Booker & Blunt Applaud Approval of Commission to Recognize 400 Years of African American History",2017-12-22,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Robert Scott,S000185,bobbyscott.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA) applauded final Senate passage of their bipartisan 400 Years of African American History Commission Act legislation establishing a National Park Service commission to commemorate the 400th anniversary in 2019 of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans into English Colonial America, marking the beginning of a new African American culture. The bill now heads to the Presidents desk for signature. Scott, Congressmen Don Beyer and Congressmen G. K. Butterfield, former Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, led the introduction of similar legislation that passed the House of Representatives this Congress. This commission will be charged with recognizing and highlighting the resilience and cultural contributions of Africans and African Americans over 400 years. In August 1619, some twenty enslaved Africans were brought ashore in an English-built, Dutch flag privateer at Point Comfort, Virginia, on the site of what is now Fort Monroe National Monument in the City of Hampton. Similar commissions have been established to commemorate Americas English roots through the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, Virginia, as well as its Hispanic roots through the 450thanniversary of the founding of St. Augustine, Florida. This commission will be tasked with telling 400 years of the African American story. It is a story of achievement and beauty, poets and presidents, pain and degradation, triumph over adversity, and sometimes adversity following triumph. This story must be told in full to enrich our understanding of who we are as a country. I look forward to working with everyone involved commemorate the uniqueness and resilience of African American culture from 1619 to 2019 and beyond, Kaine said. The commission members will have a huge responsibility in faithfully documenting the African American experience the journey, the arrival, and the individual strength and resilience as African Americans shaped our nations heritage, Warner said. This work can serve as a testimonial to the lessons in racial diversity and inclusion we have learned as a country, and help to shine a bright light on lessons we still need to learn. The history of Virginia and our nation cannot be fully understood or appreciated without learning about the first Africans who arrived at Point Comfort, Virginia in 1619. The commission established by the 400 Years of African-American History Commission Act will be charged with the important task of planning, developing and implementing a series of programs and activities throughout 2019 that fully tells the story of African Americans, their contributions to the fabric of our nation, and their resilience over the last 400 years. I applaud Senator Kaine for his vision, leadership and hard work on this legislation, and I look forward to President Trump signing this bill, Scott said. We would not be the nation we are today without the innumerable contributions African Americans have made over the past 400 years. America is a stronger, better nation when all of our citizens learn, understand, and appreciate our history. The creation of the 400 Years of African American History Commission provides us the opportunity to honor African American culture and educate current and future generations about the impact it has had on our nation, Blunt said. Black history is American history, and this commission will honor, reveal and pay respect to the rich experiences, lives, accomplishments and discoveries as well as the atrocities, the struggle and the terror that have shaped the past 400 years of our history as Americans, said Booker. The story of Black history in America is a story of profound struggle matched with profound purpose and of extraordinary hardship matched with extraordinary courage. As we learn more about this story, we will learn more about the ongoing struggle to fulfill the promise of justice and equality for all Americans. The bill is supported by the National NAACP, National Urban League and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1219,Connolly-Raskin-Cummings Lead 95 Members of Congress in Urging House Leadership Not To Use Federal Employees for Government Funding Offset,2017-12-22,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Gerald Connolly,C001078,connolly.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Representatives Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Ranking Member Elijah Cummings (D-MD) led 95 members of Congress in urging Speaker Paul Ryan and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to oppose any further cuts to federal employee pay and benefits to offset increased discretionary spending. Enough is enough. The federal workforce should be thanked for their honorable service, not treated like a piggy bank, said Connolly, Raskin and Cummings. Since 2011, federal employees have had their pay frozen three times (2011, 2012, 2013), three years of reduced pay increases (2014, 2015, 2016), unpaid furlough days from the 2013 sequestration, and two increases in retirement contributions for new employees (2013, 2014), the members of Congress wrote. While we agree that a long-term bipartisan budget agreement to lift the devastating sequestration caps is necessary, to finance such an agreement on the backs of middle class federal employees who have dedicated their lives to serving our nation would be wrong under any circumstances, they added. We respectfully request you explore other avenues to offset the cost of lifting the caps. The letter was signed by Representatives Hoyer, Connolly, Raskin, Barragan, Beyer, Bishop (GA), Blumenauer, Bonamici, Boyle, Brown, Carbajal, Carson, Cicilline, Clay, Cleaver, Costa, Courtney, Crist, Cummings, Davis (CA), Davis (IL), DeFazio, DeGette, Delaney, DeSaulnier, Deutch, Dingell, Doyle, Engel, Espaillat, Evans, Foster, Fudge, Gabbard, Gallego, Hanabusa, Higgins, Jackson Lee, Jayapal, Keating, Khanna, Kilmer, Kildee, Lawrence, Lee (CA), Levin, Lewis, Lipinski, Lofgren, Lowenthal, Lynch, Maloney, Matsui, McCollum, McEachin, McGovern, McNerney, Meng, Murphy (FL), Nadler, Napolitano, Nolan, Norcross, Norton, O'Halleran, Pallone, Perlmutter, Peters, Plaskett, Pocan, Price, Roybal-Allard, Ruppersberger, Rush, Ryan (OH), Sablan, Sanchez, Sarbanes, Schakowsky, Schrader, Scott (GA), Scott (VA), Serrano, Shea-Porter, Sires, Smith, Takano, Titus, Vargas, Visclosky, Watson Coleman, Welch, Wilson, Yarmuth. The full letter follows and is available here. December 22, 2017 The Honorable Paul Ryan Speaker U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Nancy Pelosi Minority Leader U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 Dear Speaker Ryan and Leader Pelosi, We are writing to strongly urge you to oppose any further cuts to federal employee pay and benefits to offset increased discretionary spending caused by the lifting of the FY 2018 and FY 2019 sequester spending caps on defense and domestic appropriations. As you are aware, federal employees and retirees have had their pay and benefits cut by $182 billion since 2011. Time and time again, they have been asked to sacrifice in the name of deficit reduction. Enough is enough. Since 2011, federal employees have had their pay frozen three times (2011, 2012, 2013), three years of reduced pay increases (2014, 2015, 2016), unpaid furlough days from the 2013 sequestration, and two increases in retirement contributions for new employees (2013, 2014). While we agree that a long-term bipartisan budget agreement to lift the devastating sequestration caps is necessary, to finance such an agreement on the backs of middle class federal employees who have dedicated their lives to serving our nation would be wrong under any circumstances. But to do so, immediately after passing an unpaid-for tax cut that will explode the federal deficit and disproportionately benefit the wealthiest Americans would be a slap in the face to the hardworking Americans who care for our veterans, process our Social Security checks, and protect our national parks. Therefore, as you work toward an agreement to lift the sequestration caps for FY 2018 and FY 2019, we respectfully request you explore other avenues to offset the cost of lifting the caps. Federal employees and retirees have already done their part. It is time to find other ways to reduce the deficit. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mceachin.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mceachin-suffolk-distribute-food-speak-about-bill-eliminate-food-deserts,"Rep. McEachin in Suffolk to Distribute Food, Speak about Bill to Eliminate Food Deserts",2017-12-22,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,A. McEachin,M001200,mceachin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Suffolk, Va. Today, Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) distributed food at the East End Baptist Church food pantry and spoke about the bill that he co-introduced in Congress, the Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act (HFAAA). This bipartisan bill would establish a new tax credit and grant program to stimulate investment and healthy nutrition options in food deserts. Every person, regardless of where he or she lives, deserves reasonable access to nutritious food. I co-introduced this bill to help the thousands of families in my congressional district who live in areas where food access is a problem, said Congressman Donald McEachin. The Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act would incentivize nonprofit organizations and grocery stores to support successful food partnerships like the one we saw today. This bill gets us closer to achieving our goal of eliminating food deserts. Congressman Donald McEachin is committed to addressing hunger, and food insecurity felt across the 4th Congressional District, and across the country. For so many Americans with limited financial resources, putting healthy food on the table is a challenge. Sometimes our food pantry partner network is a familys immediate option for consistently accessing fresh fruits, vegetables and protein, said Ruth Jones Nichols, CEO of the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore. The bill co-sponsored by Representative McEachin will expand the work of our Foodbank and pantry partners by bringing more markets or grocery stores into neighborhoods so families can experience increased access to nutritious, affordable food. We are thrilled to be here today with Rep. McEachin and our friends from the Foodbank said Yvonne Green, Food Pantry Director of the East End Baptist Church. We couldnt exist without the food we receive from the Foodbank, and this bill will help them provide more fresh food to organizations like us. This bill was also introduced in the United States Senate by Senator Mark Warner. If signed into law, the HFAAA will incentivize food service providers such as grocers, retailers, and nonprofits to help eradicate food deserts. CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS ### Contact: Jamitress Bowden (202) 306-0546",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-and-goodlatte-applaud-final-passage-of-bill-to-lift-restrictions-on-rockingham-county-land,Kaine & Goodlatte Applaud Final Passage Of Bill To Lift Restrictions On Rockingham County Land,2017-12-22,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Kaine & Goodlatte Applaud Final Passage Of Bill To Lift Restrictions On Rockingham County Land Friday, December 22, 2017 Bill has passed House & Senate, heads to Presidents desk for signature WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Representative Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) applauded final Senate passage of their legislation today to lift deed restrictions on property used for the Plains Area Daycare Center in Rockingham County. The bill passed the House of Representatives in July and now heads to the Presidents desk for signature. The Plains Area Daycare Center has served families in Rockingham County for more than two decades, and passage of this bill will ensure the day care center can continue to offer affordable, high-quality services to families in the community, Kaine said. Lifting the federal restrictions on this land in Rockingham County will allow the Plains Area Daycare Center to reach its full potential and help ensure that more children and more of the community will be served. Passage of this bill is a long time coming, and I am pleased to see it become a reality, Goodlatte said. The Plains Area Daycare Center in Broadway, VA, has provided affordable childcare for 25 years and currently provides care for 94 children, many of whom are from low-income families. The Centers building is in need of repair and maintenance but has encountered hurdles in securing financing due to the propertys complex legal status as former federal land conveyed to Rockingham County and leased to the Center. This legislation will remove the federal land use restrictions for the building site, ensuring that routine repairs can take place without further delay in the future. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-warner-scott-booker-and-blunt-applaud-approval-of-commission-to-recognize-400-years-of-african-american-history,"Kaine, Warner, Scott, Booker & Blunt Applaud Approval Of Commission To Recognize 400 Years Of African American History",2017-12-22,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Kaine, Warner, Scott, Booker & Blunt Applaud Approval Of Commission To Recognize 400 Years Of African American History Friday, December 22, 2017 2019 Marks 400 Years Since Arrival of First Africans into English Colonial America by way of Point Comfort, Virginia WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA) applauded final Senate passage of their bipartisan 400 Years of African American History Commission Act legislation establishing a National Park Service commission to commemorate the 400th anniversary in 2019 of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans into English Colonial America, marking the beginning of a new African American culture. The bill now heads to the Presidents desk for signature. Scott, Congressmen Don Beyer and Congressmen G. K. Butterfield, former Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, led the introduction of similar legislation that passed the House of Representatives this Congress. This commission will be charged with recognizing and highlighting the resilience and cultural contributions of Africans and African Americans over 400 years. In August 1619, some twenty enslaved Africans were brought ashore in an English-built, Dutch flag privateer at Point Comfort, Virginia, on the site of what is now Fort Monroe National Monument in the City of Hampton. Similar commissions have been established to commemorate Americas English roots through the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, Virginia, as well as its Hispanic roots through the 450th anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine, Florida. This commission will be tasked with telling 400 years of the African American story. It is a story of achievement and beauty, poets and presidents, pain and degradation, triumph over adversity, and sometimes adversity following triumph. This story must be told in full to enrich our understanding of who we are as a country. I look forward to working with everyone involved to commemorate the uniqueness and resilience of African American culture from 1619 to 2019 and beyond, Kaine said. The commission members will have a huge responsibility in faithfully documenting the African American experience the journey, the arrival, and the individual strength and resilience as African Americans shaped our nations heritage, Warner said. This work can serve as a testimonial to the lessons in racial diversity and inclusion we have learned as a country, and help to shine a bright light on lessons we still need to learn. The history of Virginia and our nation cannot be fully understood or appreciated without learning about the first Africans who arrived at Point Comfort, Virginia in 1619. The commission established by the 400 Years of African-American History Commission Act will be charged with the important task of planning, developing and implementing a series of programs and activities throughout 2019 that fully tells the story of African Americans, their contributions to the fabric of our nation, and their resilience over the last 400 years. I applaud Senator Kaine for his vision, leadership and hard work on this legislation, and I look forward to President Trump signing this bill, Scott said. We would not be the nation we are today without the innumerable contributions African Americans have made over the past 400 years. America is a stronger, better nation when all of our citizens learn, understand, and appreciate our history. The creation of the 400 Years of African American History Commission provides us the opportunity to honor African American culture and educate current and future generations about the impact it has had on our nation, Blunt said. Black history is American history, and this commission will honor, reveal and pay respect to the rich experiences, lives, accomplishments and discoveries as well as the atrocities, the struggle and the terror that have shaped the past 400 years of our history as Americans, said Booker. The story of Black history in America is a story of profound struggle matched with profound purpose and of extraordinary hardship matched with extraordinary courage. As we learn more about this story, we will learn more about the ongoing struggle to fulfill the promise of justice and equality for all Americans. The bill is supported by the National NAACP, National Urban League and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-kaine-manchin-brown-and-casey-urge-secretary-acosta-to-protect-miners-safety-and-health,"Warner, Kaine, Manchin, Brown, And Casey Urge Secretary Acosta To Protect Miners Safety And Health",2017-12-22,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Warner, Kaine, Manchin, Brown, And Casey Urge Secretary Acosta To Protect Miners Safety And Health Friday, December 22, 2017 Washington, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Warner (D-VA) and Bob Casey (D-PA) sent a letter to the Secretary of the Department of Labor (DOL), Alexander Acosta, urging him to keep the Respirable Dust Rule to protect mine safety and miners health. This letter comes after the rule was included in the Unified Agenda for re-examination. The Senators said in part: Given this increase in black lung disease and the devastating impact that this disease has on coal miners and their families, we believe that it is critical that we maintain this rule. Claims that the Respirable Dust Rule is unnecessary, imposes a costly burden, or provides little to no benefit to society ignore the fact that it can take up to a decade or longer for simple black lung disease to develop. We are also keenly aware that the rate of black lung disease fell after Congress passed the Coal Act of 1969 and that comprehensive evidence that this rule has been effective will not be fully available until 2026 at the earliest. We should not abandon our coal miners three short years after the rule went into effect. Read the full letter below or click here: Dear Secretary Acosta, On December 14, 2017, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) published its fall Unified Agenda and Regulatory Plan, a semiannual list of federal regulatory and deregulatory actions. We write to express our concerns regarding the decision to list several rules under the purview of the Mine Safety Health Administration (MSHA) for re-examination in the Unified Agenda. These rules are meant to protect the health and safety of our nations coal miners. The Trump Administration has made clear its commitment to reducing regulatory burdens. We agree that unnecessary, outdated, or duplicative regulations should be examined for elimination or modification. However, we believe that worker safety is of the utmost importance and we unequivocally oppose rolling back the Respirable Dust Rule (the rule) which is meant to protect the safety, health, and in effect the livelihood of our coal miners. In particular, the rule, which took effect in 2014, was promulgated by MSHA in an effort to reduce occupational lung diseases - namely coal workers pneumoconiosis (CWP), commonly known as black lung disease. Black lung disease is a common but preventable disease that has plagued coal miners in Appalachia for decades. The impacts of black lung disease are debilitating and, in the most serious cases, fatal. In 2010, the Secretary of Labor, acting under the authority of the Federal Mine Safety Health Act of 1977, proposed the rule. The rule lowers the acceptable threshold for concentrations of respirable coal mine dust with the goal of making the air that miners breathe in coal mines less toxic. The final rule decreased the dust limits from 2.0 milligrams per cubic meter to an improved level of 1.5 milligrams per cubic meter. Unfortunately, recent research, most notably a report from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), has indicated the prevalence of black lung in Appalachian coalfields is worse than previously thought. Furthermore, black lung clinics in Appalachia report that younger coal miners are being diagnosed with the disease at increasing rates. Given this increase in black lung disease and the devastating impact that this disease has on coal miners and their families, we believe that it is critical that we maintain this rule. Claims that the Respirable Dust Rule is unnecessary, imposes a costly burden, or provides little to no benefit to society ignore the fact that it can take up to a decade or longer for simple black lung disease to develop. We are also keenly aware that the rate of black lung disease fell after Congress passed the Coal Act of 1969 and that comprehensive evidence that this rule has been effective will not be fully available until 2026 at the earliest. We should not abandon our coal miners three short years after the rule went into effect. In short, we believe in worker safety first and foremost. MSHAs mission is a critical one for the safety and health of our nations miners and the Respirable Dust Rule is vital to ensuring that MSHA succeeds in that mission. We urge you to retain the Respirable Dust Rule and prevent the unnecessary erosion of vital mine safety and health standards. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/12/warner-kaine-manchin-brown-and-casey-urge-secretary-acosta-to-protect-miners-safety-and-health,"Warner, Kaine, Manchin, Brown, and Casey Urge Secretary Acosta to Protect Miners Safety and Health",2017-12-22,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Mark Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Warner (D-VA) and Bob Casey (D-PA) sent a letter to the Secretary of the Department of Labor (DOL), Alexander Acosta, urging him to keep the Respirable Dust Rule to protect mine safety and miners health. This letter comes after the rule was included in the Unified Agenda for re-examination. The Senators said in part: Given this increase in black lung disease and the devastating impact that this disease has on coal miners and their families, we believe that it is critical that we maintain this rule. Claims that the Respirable Dust Rule is unnecessary, imposes a costly burden, or provides little to no benefit to society ignore the fact that it can take up to a decade or longer for simple black lung disease to develop. We are also keenly aware that the rate of black lung disease fell after Congress passed the Coal Act of 1969 and that comprehensive evidence that this rule has been effective will not be fully available until 2026 at the earliest. We should not abandon our coal miners three short years after the rule went into effect. Read the full letter below orclick here: Dear Secretary Acosta, On December 14, 2017, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) published its fall Unified Agenda and Regulatory Plan, a semiannual list of federal regulatory and deregulatory actions. We write to express our concerns regarding the decision to list several rules under the purview of the Mine Safety Health Administration (MSHA) for re-examination in the Unified Agenda. These rules are meant to protect the health and safety of our nations coal miners. The Trump Administration has made clear its commitment to reducing regulatory burdens. We agree that unnecessary, outdated, or duplicative regulations should be examined for elimination or modification. However, we believe that worker safety is of the utmost importance and we unequivocally oppose rolling back the Respirable Dust Rule (the rule) which is meant to protect the safety, health, and in effect the livelihood of our coal miners. In particular, the rule, which took effect in 2014, was promulgated by MSHA in an effort to reduce occupational lung diseases - namely coal workers pneumoconiosis (CWP), commonly known as black lung disease. Black lung disease is a common but preventable disease that has plagued coal miners in Appalachia for decades. The impacts of black lung disease are debilitating and, in the most serious cases, fatal. In 2010, the Secretary of Labor, acting under the authority of the Federal Mine Safety Health Act of 1977, proposed the rule. The rule lowers the acceptable threshold for concentrations of respirable coal mine dust with the goal of making the air that miners breathe in coal mines less toxic. The final rule decreased the dust limits from 2.0 milligrams per cubic meter to an improved level of 1.5 milligrams per cubic meter. Unfortunately, recent research, most notably a report from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), has indicated the prevalence of black lung in Appalachian coalfields is worse than previously thought. Furthermore, black lung clinics in Appalachia report that younger coal miners are being diagnosed with the disease at increasing rates. Given this increase in black lung disease and the devastating impact that this disease has on coal miners and their families, we believe that it is critical that we maintain this rule. Claims that the Respirable Dust Rule is unnecessary, imposes a costly burden, or provides little to no benefit to society ignore the fact that it can take up to a decade or longer for simple black lung disease to develop. We are also keenly aware that the rate of black lung disease fell after Congress passed the Coal Act of 1969 and that comprehensive evidence that this rule has been effective will not be fully available until 2026 at the earliest. We should not abandon our coal miners three short years after the rule went into effect. In short, we believe in worker safety first and foremost. MSHAs mission is a critical one for the safety and health of our nations miners and the Respirable Dust Rule is vital to ensuring that MSHA succeeds in that mission. We urge you to retain the Respirable Dust Rule and prevent the unnecessary erosion of vital mine safety and health standards. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/12/warner-kaine-scott-booker-blunt-applaud-approval-of-commission-to-recognize-400-years-of-african-american-history,"Warner, Kaine, Scott, Booker & Blunt Applaud Approval of Commission to Recognize 400 Years of African American History",2017-12-22,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Mark Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA) applauded final Senate passage of their bipartisan400 Years of African American History Commission Act legislation establishing a National Park Service commission to commemorate the 400thanniversary in 2019 of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans into English Colonial America, marking the beginning of a new African American culture. The bill now heads to the Presidents desk for signature. Scott, Congressmen Don Beyer and Congressmen G. K. Butterfield, former Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, led the introduction of similar legislation that passed the House of Representatives this Congress. This commission will be charged with recognizing and highlighting the resilience and cultural contributions of Africans and African Americans over 400 years. In August 1619, some twenty enslaved Africans were brought ashore in an English-built, Dutch flag privateer at Point Comfort, Virginia, on the site of what is now Fort Monroe National Monument in the City of Hampton. Similar commissions have been established to commemorate Americas English roots through the 400thanniversary of the founding of Jamestown, Virginia, as well as its Hispanic roots through the 450thanniversary of the founding of St. Augustine, Florida. The commission members will have a huge responsibility in faithfully documenting the African American experience the journey, the arrival, and the individual strength and resilience as African Americans shaped our nations heritage,Warner said.This work can serve as a testimonial to the lessons in racial diversity and inclusion we have learned as a country, and help to shine a bright light on lessons we still need to learn. This commission will be tasked with telling 400 years of the African American story. It is a story of achievement and beauty, poets and presidents, pain and degradation, triumph over adversity, and sometimes adversity following triumph. This story must be told in full to enrich our understanding of who we are as a country. I look forward to working with everyone involved commemorate the uniqueness and resilience of African American culture from 1619 to 2019 and beyond,Kaine said. The history of Virginia and our nation cannot be fully understood or appreciated without learning about the first Africans who arrived at Point Comfort, Virginia in 1619. The commission established by the 400 Years of African-American History Commission Act will be charged with the important task of planning, developing and implementing a series of programs and activities throughout 2019 that fully tells the story of African Americans, their contributions to the fabric of our nation, and their resilience over the last 400 years. I applaud Senator Kaine for his vision, leadership and hard work on this legislation, and I look forward to President Trump signing this bill,Scott said. We would not be the nation we are today without the innumerable contributions African Americans have made over the past 400 years. America is a stronger, better nation when all of our citizens learn, understand, and appreciate our history. The creation of the 400 Years of African American History Commission provides us the opportunity to honor African American culture and educate current and future generations about the impact it has had on our nation,Blunt said. Black history is American history, and this commission will honor, reveal and pay respect to the rich experiences, lives, accomplishments and discoveries as well as the atrocities, the struggle and the terror that have shaped the past 400 years of our history as Americans,said Booker.The story of Black history in America is a story of profound struggle matched with profound purpose and of extraordinary hardship matched with extraordinary courage. As we learn more about this story, we will learn more about the ongoing struggle to fulfill the promise of justice and equality for all Americans. The bill is supported by the National NAACP, National Urban League and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1218,Connolly Leads Letter to Secretary Tillerson Raising Concerns About State Department's New Mission,2017-12-21,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Gerald Connolly,C001078,connolly.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA) led 15 members of Congress in sending a letter to Secretary Tillerson concerning his recent comments regarding a new mission statement for the State Department. The letter was signed by House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Eliot Engel, and Representatives Bera, Bass, Boyle, Castro, Cicilline, Deutch, Frankel, Keating, Kelly, Lieu, Meeks, Sires, Titus and Torres. We write to express our profound concern regarding the State Departments new mission statement that undermines the independence of the U.S. Agency for International Development from the Department of State, wrote the members. During a town hall on December 12, 2017, Secretary Tillerson announced the new mission statement for State and USAID, saying: The U.S. Department of State advances the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity, by leading Americas foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance. Under the auspices of the Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development supports Americas foreign policy by leading the U.S. governments international development and humanitarian efforts through partnerships and investments that save lives, reduce poverty, and help people progress beyond assistance. However, the following day, the Secretary told House Foreign Affairs Committee members that there was no intention to merge State and USAID. Again, on September 26, 2017, in response to questioning by Congressman Connolly, Deputy Secretary Sullivan said, There is no intention to merge USAID into the State Department. At a time of unprecedented global challenges to security and stability, we need to invest fully in all the tools of U.S. national security, including development, diplomacy, and defense, the members wrote. We should be elevating the work of USAID and the role of the USAID Administrator at the national security table. This mission statement does the opposite, the members added. Coupled with a decimated budget for development and a 100 percent vacancy rate for Deputy and Assistant Administrator positions at USAID, these actions endanger U.S. national security. We urge you to invest fully in USAIDs financial and human resources, and reaffirm its role as an independent agency critical to U.S. national security. The full letter follows and is available here. The Honorable Rex W. Tillerson Secretary, U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20520 Dear Secretary Tillerson: We write to express our profound concern regarding the State Departments new mission statement that undermines the independence of the U.S. Agency for International Development from the Department of State. At a recent town hall on December 12, you shared a new mission statement for State and USAID: The U.S. Department of State advances the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity, by leading Americas foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance. Under the auspices of the Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development supports Americas foreign policy by leading the U.S. governments international development and humanitarian efforts through partnershipsand investments that save lives, reduce poverty, and help people progress beyond assistance. At a December 13, 2017 meeting with Members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, you reassured Members that there was no intention to merge State and USAID. Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan expressed the same sentiment on September 26, 2017 during his testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on the State Departments redesign efforts. At that hearing, Mr. Connolly asked: Do you believe that USAID should be folded into the Department of State, or is that still an open question? In response, Deputy Secretary Sullivan said: No, it is not an open questionthere is no intention to merge USAID into the State Department. Furthermore, he said that the role of USAID should be enhanced, made more effective and more efficient. Despite these assurances, State and USAIDs new mission statement reflects movement in the wrong direction, toward a disempowered USAID and one that does not recognize USAIDs traditional role in promoting justice and democracy. At a time of unprecedented global challenges to security and stability, we need to invest fully in all the tools of U.S. national security, including development, diplomacy, and defense. We should be elevating the work of USAID and the role of the USAID Administrator at the national security table. When just, democratic institutions around the world are threatened by the actions of countries like China and Russia, the United States should support our partners in countering this nefarious influence. This mission statement does the opposite. Coupled with a decimated budget for development and a 100 percent vacancy rate for Deputy and Assistant Administrator positions at USAID, these actions endanger U.S. national security. We urge you to invest fully in USAIDs financial and human resources, and reaffirm its role as an independent agency critical to U.S. national security. Best Regards,",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mceachin.house.gov/media/press-releases/mceachin-announces-3-million-grant-eda,McEachin Announces $3+ Million Grant from EDA,2017-12-21,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,A. McEachin,M001200,mceachin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Richmond, Va.Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) is pleased to announce a grant award of over $3 million dollars from Economic Development Administration to assist in funding the construction of the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing Apprentice Academy in Prince George: I am so pleased to see these resources for Prince George that will allow the Center to increase classroom space, administrative areas and create a high bay training area. These improvements will be an asset to the community and will increase the skillset of the local workforce. ### Contact: Jamitress Bowden (202) 225-6365",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-release-of-senate-data-on-harassment,Kaine Statement On Release Of Senate Data On Harassment,2017-12-21,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Kaine Statement On Release Of Senate Data On Harassment Thursday, December 21, 2017 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement on the Senate Rules and Appropriations Committees releasing data on harassment claims and settlements in the Senate: I appreciate that theSenate Rules Committeedid the right thing today by heeding calls to release this data. This is the first step toward a more transparent reporting system for harassment in Congress to hold people accountable for their actions. Earlier this month, Kaine wrote to the Senate Office of Compliance (OOC) requesting information on the number of sexual harassment claims filed against Senators, members of their personal staff, and committee staff, along with the amount of monetary settlements that were reached in harassment cases. After the OOC declined Kaines request, Kaine called on the Senate to release the data. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-vote-to-keep-the-government-funded-avoid-shutdown,"Kaine Statement On Vote To Keep The Government Funded, Avoid Shutdown",2017-12-21,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Kaine Statement On Vote To Keep The Government Funded, Avoid Shutdown Thursday, December 21, 2017 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement following the House and Senate passage of a short-term government funding bill: Today Congress passed a short-term spending bill to keep government open, avoiding pain and anxiety for hundreds of thousands of federal employees, veterans and military families living in Virginia, and millions who rely on Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, Pell Grants, special education, the Affordable Care Act and other critical government services. Despite President Trump rooting for a shutdown, we found a short-term solution that avoided brinkmanship. But we havent finished our work because we need to find a full year budget deal by January 19th that does much morereauthorization of the CHIP program, permanent protection for Dreamers, and enhanced funding for health care, the VA and opioid treatment. I thank the dedicated Virginians who stand with us to make sure this critical work gets done. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-and-kaine-recommend-two-for-vacancy-on-us-district-court-for-the-eastern-district-of-virginia,Warner & Kaine Recommend Two For Vacancy On U.S. District Court For The Eastern District Of Virginia,2017-12-21,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Warner & Kaine Recommend Two For Vacancy On U.S. District Court For The Eastern District Of Virginia Thursday, December 21, 2017 WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) sent a letter to the White House recommending Patricia Tolliver Giles and Judge Rossie David Alston, Jr. to fill the vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District following the retirement of Judge Gerald Lee. Giles and Alston both were recommended by an independent panel of attorneys from across the Commonwealth selected by Sens. Warner and Kaine to interview qualified applicants. Giles is currently an assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, and Alston has served as a judge of the Court of Appeals of Virginia since 2009. Under his tenure, Judge Lee served with great distinction on the bench and in the legal community. While presiding over a court with one of the busiest dockets in the country, Judge Lee tirelessly mentored youths in the community and fostered the careers of generations of lawyers from the minority Bar,wrote the Senators.Consistent with these values, we believe both Ms. Giles and Judge Alston would continue Judge Lees legacyUltimately, we believe either of these individuals would serve in the judiciary with great distinction and we are honored to recommend them to you. The White House will now nominate one individual to be considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The nomination is subject to confirmation by the full Senate. The full text of todays letter appears below. The Honorable Donald J. Trump President of the United States The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President, We are pleased to recommend Ms. Patricia Tolliver Giles and Judge Rossie David Alston, Jr. for the vacancy in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia left vacant by Judge Gerald Bruce Lee, who retired in September. Under his tenure, Judge Lee served with great distinction on the bench and in the legal community. While presiding over a court with one of the busiest dockets in the country, Judge Lee tirelessly mentored youths in the community and fostered the careers of generations of lawyers from the minority Bar. Consistent with these values, we believe both Ms. Giles and Judge Alston would continue Judge Lees legacy. As Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, Ms. Giles serves on the Major Crimes Unit, where she has risen to prosecute some of the most serious cases in the office, including prosecution of MS-13 gang members for capital murder of a federal witness. Our advisory panel and various Bar Associations in the Commonwealth found her record most impressive. Key members of the Virginia Bar also spoke highly of Judge Alston, who first joined the Commonwealth bench in 1998 and received an appointment to the Virginia Court of Appeals in 2009. He has also devoted significant time to the legal community, where he is an active member of various Bar associations, including the Old Dominion Bar. As a Distinguished Adjunct Professor at the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, he has taught courses in trial advocacy, criminal courts, and professional development. On Friday nights, Judge Alston changes his judicial robe for referee stripes to officiate Virginia high school football games. Ultimately, we believe either of these individuals would serve in the judiciary with great distinction and we are honored to recommend them to you. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/12/warner-kaine-recommend-two-for-vacancy-on-u-s-district-court-for-the-eastern-district-of-virginia,Warner & Kaine Recommend Two for Vacancy On U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia,2017-12-21,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Mark Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) sent a letter to the White House recommending Patricia Tolliver Giles and Judge Rossie David Alston, Jr. to fill the vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District following the retirement of Judge Gerald Lee. Giles and Alston both were recommended by an independent panel of attorneys from across the Commonwealth selected by Sens. Warner and Kaine to interview qualified applicants. Giles is currently an assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, and Alston has served as a judge of the Court of Appeals of Virginia since 2009. Under his tenure, Judge Lee served with great distinction on the bench and in the legal community. While presiding over a court with one of the busiest dockets in the country, Judge Lee tirelessly mentored youths in the community and fostered the careers of generations of lawyers from the minority Bar,wrote the Senators.Consistent with these values, we believe both Ms. Giles and Judge Alston would continue Judge Lees legacyUltimately, we believe either of these individuals would serve in the judiciary with great distinction and we are honored to recommend them to you. The White House will now nominate one individual to be considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The nomination is subject to confirmation by the full Senate. The full text of todays letter appears below. The Honorable Donald J. Trump President of the United States The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President, We are pleased to recommend Ms. Patricia Tolliver Giles and Judge Rossie David Alston, Jr. for the vacancy in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia left vacant by Judge Gerald Bruce Lee, who retired in September. Under his tenure, Judge Lee served with great distinction on the bench and in the legal community. While presiding over a court with one of the busiest dockets in the country, Judge Lee tirelessly mentored youths in the community and fostered the careers of generations of lawyers from the minority Bar. Consistent with these values, we believe both Ms. Giles and Judge Alston would continue Judge Lees legacy. As Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, Ms. Giles serves on the Major Crimes Unit, where she has risen to prosecute some of the most serious cases in the office, including prosecution of MS-13 gang members for capital murder of a federal witness. Our advisory panel and various Bar Associations in the Commonwealth found her record most impressive. Key members of the Virginia Bar also spoke highly of Judge Alston, who first joined the Commonwealth bench in 1998 and received an appointment to the Virginia Court of Appeals in 2009. He has also devoted significant time to the legal community, where he is an active member of various Bar associations, including the Old Dominion Bar. As a Distinguished Adjunct Professor at the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, he has taught courses in trial advocacy, criminal courts, and professional development. On Friday nights, Judge Alston changes his judicial robe for referee stripes to officiate Virginia high school football games. Ultimately, we believe either of these individuals would serve in the judiciary with great distinction and we are honored to recommend them to you. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=707,"Beyer and Wittman Introduce Bill To Protect Federal Workers, With Government Shutdown Looming Amid Budget Uncertainty",2017-12-20,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Donald Beyer,B001292,beyer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) and Rob Wittman (R-VA) today introduced bipartisan legislation to protect federal employees pay in the event of a government shutdown. The Federal Employee Retroactive Pay Act would guarantee back pay for all furloughed workers if Congress and the White House are unable to come to a funding agreement. We absolutely do not want to see a shutdown of the federal government, but if it comes we must act to protect federal workers from the consequences, said Rep. Beyer. If the government shuts down due to Congress failure to pass a budget, the effects on civil servants, who need to support their families, would be disastrous without this bill. We cannot allow that to happen. A shutdown would temporarily suspend paychecks for federal employees, and retroactive pay for federal workers must be approved by Congress. The Beyer-Wittman legislation would guarantee that no federal employees would lose pay if a government shutdown occurs. ""Federal employees should not suffer because Congress refuses to end its govern by crisis mentality,"" Rep. Wittman said. ""Preparing the retroactive pay legislation sends a signal to our federal workers that they won't be forgotten in the unfortunate event of a shutdown. While this legislation minimizes the impacts of funding uncertainty, my focus remains on returning Congress to a regular schedule of budgeting and passing appropriations bills."" Together the two Virginia Congressmen represent nearly 120,000 federal employees. The National Treasury Employees Union applauds Rep. Beyer and Rep. Wittman for introducing this legislation, said NTEU National President Tony Reardon. They recognize that frontline federal employees should not lose pay in the event of a shutdown of the federal government. These employees do not control the funding of the federal government and should not suffer when that funding runs out. I hope we do not get to the shutdown stage but I support this effort to protect the federal workforce. Funding for the federal government is set to expire at midnight on Friday, December 22. ""AFGE would like to thank Congressman Beyer (D-VA) and Congressman Wittman (R-VA) for introducing the Federal Employee Retroactive Pay Fairness Act, said American Federation of Government Employees National President J. David Cox. Federal employees are hardworking public servants who are dedicated to providing quality public services. Federal employees and their families should not be forced to go without pay when they are not allowed to do their jobs because Congress cannot pass a funding measure. Too many Americansveterans, seniors, and other hardworking people rely on services provided by the federal government. In a government shutdown, it is the American people who pay the price. In addition to Reps. Beyer and Wittman, the bill has 25 bipartisan cosponsors. Text of the legislation can be viewed here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-on-ed-s-latest-action-to-harm-defrauded-students,Scott Statement on EDs Latest Action to Harm Defrauded Students,2017-12-20,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Robert Scott,S000185,bobbyscott.house.gov,,,legacy,"As originally released by the Committee on Education and the Workforce, Democrats WASHINGTON D.C. Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Department of Education (ED) announced a new process for assessing and awarding borrowers defense to repayment claims submitted by former students of the now-closed Corinthian Colleges. Todays action by the Department of Education will short-change thousands of students defrauded by the now-defunct Corinthian Colleges, Inc. By structuring financial relief according to earnings in comparison to other career programs, Secretary DeVos is implementing an unjust system. It is nonsensical for defrauded students who earn 49 percent of what they should be earning to receive full relief from their loan debt, while students earning just one percentage point more are relieved of only half of the debt. No student should be forced to repay any of the loans incurred to attend an institution found to have provided a worthless education. It makes even less sense that many of the defrauded students who submitted their claims before the Trump administration took office received full relief regardless of earnings. By December of last year, the Obama administration had processed more than 28,000 claims and provided $558 million in relief to defrauded Corinthian students. The Trump administration has failed to act, allowing the backlog of unprocessed claims to explode. So much so, that the Departments own Office of the Inspector General recently chastised its failure to act on claims in a timely fashion. Instead of using the system already in-place, Secretary DeVos has chosen to reinvent the wheel. As a result, student borrowers will pay the price. The mechanism now being used by the Department to determine relief for students, earnings derived from the Gainful Employment rule (GE), is particularly troubling. Despite being finalized in 2014, the Secretary has used questionable pretenses to delay GE implementation. It is inconsistent to suggest that the 2014 GE rule is not a good measure of program quality, yet still using that same rules rate calculations to now deny loan relief to borrowers. I urge Secretary DeVos to revisit this process. In the meantime, I offer the same advice I gave Secretary King in 2016: A strong group discharge process must be transparent and speedy to help students gain closure from the deceptive and predatory practices they faced. To expedite these claims, the Department should add a rebuttable presumption that students are entitled to full relief. The time, complexity, and expense necessary to determine exactly what relief is due adds insult to the injury these students experienced. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wittman-scott-lead-letter-in-support-of-block-buy-for-aircraft-carriers,"Wittman, Scott Lead Letter in Support of Block Buy for Aircraft Carriers in FY19",2017-12-20,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Robert Scott,S000185,bobbyscott.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON D.C. Representatives Rob Wittman (R-VA), Bobby Scott (D-VA), Bradley Byrne (R-AL), and Joe Courtney (D-CT), were joined by 127 Representatives in sending a letter to Department of Defense Secretary James Mattis supporting a block buy of two Ford-class aircraft carriers in FY2019. A dual procurement allows the Navy to build to a fleet of 12 aircraft carriers more quickly as prescribed by the FY18 National Defense Authorization Act which established that the Navy should maintain 355 ships, including 12 aircraft carriers, Rep. Wittman said. A dual buy would be beneficial to both the taxpayers and our maritime industrial base as it shows that Congress is committed to the thousands of workers who work each day to build and maintain aircraft carriers. As Chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee I fully back this provision, and I thank my colleagues for supporting this national security priority. Dual procurement allows our Navy to have the capabilities it needs to protect and defend this nations national security. A dual buy would provide predictability and sustainability to the shipbuilding industry. A more reliable procurement process will bring great benefits to the Navys shipbuilding programs, and save taxpayers money, Rep. Scott said. If we are going to build a 355 Ship Navy, then we need to be smart and innovative in how we procure new vessels, Rep. Byrne said. An obvious step in the right direction would be a block buy for the Ford-class aircraft carriers. I am pleased so many of our House colleagues joined us in making this strong recommendation to the Pentagon, and I look forward to continue working in a bipartisan fashion to build a strong and fully capable naval fleet. I was proud to help author this years National Defense Authorization Act which made it a national policy to pursue a 355-ship Navy, Rep. Courtney said. However, this will be a challenging undertaking and we have to be smart about looking for ways to streamline acquisitions and provide predictability to the industrial base. Purchasing ships and submarines in block buys has done just that, while providing significant savings to the taxpayer. If a similar arrangement would provide significant savings as we continue to modernize our carrier fleet, I would strongly encourage DOD to request the appropriate authorities in 2019. In addition to Wittman, Scott, Byrne, and Courtney, the letter was signed by Reps. Michael J. Conaway, Morgan Griffith, Bob Gibbs, Derek Kilmer, Duncan Hunter, Mike Rogers, Hank Johnson, Donald McEachin, Steve Chabot, Don Norcross, David G. Valadao, Gerald E. Connolly, Scott Desjarlais, John Rutherford, Scott Peters, Mike Turner, Robert Brady, Walter Jones, Sanford D. Bishop, Scott Taylor, Peter King, Ann Wagner, Mike Gallagher, Marc Veasey, Seth Moulton, Luke Messer, Susan Davis, Elise Stefanik, Marcy Kaptur, Bob Goodlatte, Ruben Gallego, Mario Diaz-Balart, Sam Johnson, Donald S. Beyer Jr., Brad Wenstrup, Dave Brat, Ryan Costello, Jacky Rosen, Jim Langevin, John Culberson, Vicky Hartzler, Ed Royce, Rick Larsen, Al Lawson, Madeleine Z. Bordallo, Tom Cole , Jackie Walorski, John Larson, Gregory W. Meeks, Richard E. Neal, Colleen Hanabusa, Adam Smith, Denny Heck, Anthony Brown, Eric Swalwell, Martha Roby, David P. Joyce, Bill Flores, Ralph Abraham, Adam Kinzinger, Trent Kelly, Steve Knight, Richard Hudson, Rosa L. DeLauro, Joe Wilson, Clay Higgins, Marcia Fudge, Joyce Beatty, Gwen Moore, Dave Reichert, Tom Garrett, Tom OHalleran, Daniel Lipinski, Stephanie Murphy, Elizabeth H. Esty, Brendan F. Boyle, Doug Lamborn, Pete Olson, Tim Ryan, Salud O. Carbajal, Mike Kelly, Bill Shuster, Jimmy Panetta, Keith J. Rothfus, Rick Crawford, Suzan DelBene, Dan Newhouse, Mike Coffman, Thomas R. Suozzi, David B. McKinley, P.E., John Carter, Lloyd Smucker, Austin Scott, Ed Perlmutter, Evan Jenkins, Brian Babin, Rob Woodall, Andy Harris, M.D., Dina Titus, Jim Himes, Juan Vargas, Barbara Comstock, Karen Handel, Kyrsten Sinema, Steve Stivers, Glenn GT Thompson, Charlie Crist, Bennie Thompson, Earl L. ""Buddy"" Carter, Sean Patrick Maloney, Brian Fitzpatrick, Liz Cheney, Paul D. Tonko, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Jim Banks, Frank LoBiondo, G. K. Butterfield, Garret Graves, Darrell E. Issa, Jaime Herrera Beutler, Pramila Jayapal, Ralph Norman, Tim Walz, Steven M. Palazzo, Gregg Harper, Pete Aguilar, and Lucille Roybal-Allard. The letter reads in full: Dear Secretary Mattis, As you continue preparation of the fiscal year 2019 Budget Request for the Department of Defense, we are writing to express our interest in a dual procurement of Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers in the upcoming fiscal year. Over the last several months, both the Department of the Navy and industry have conducted analysis to determine the feasibility of dual procurement of CVN 80 (the future USS Enterprise) and the yet to be named CVN 81. We understand that initial cost savings estimates of $2.5 billion could be attained from a dual ship procurement when compared to single ship procurement with no additional future funding required beyond current Navy plans. We applaud the Department's willingness to examine smarter and better acquisition approaches that serve the interests of both our warfighters and taxpayers. Accordingly, if the Department of Defense concludes that these savings are attainable, we encourage the Navy to seek appropriate authorities to execute this dual procurement approach in the fiscal year 2019 budget request. In addition to the potential cost savings, a dual procurement of aircraft carriers would enable the Department of the Navy to reach and maintain a fleet of twelve aircraft carriers more quickly than current plans. Our nation's carrier fleet is deployed worldwide and is extremely busy, with three of eleven carriers deployed and as many as seven carriers underway in recent weeks. Dual procurement of aircraft carriers will enable the Navy to better meet future combatant commander requests for aircraft carrier presence worldwide. Finally, a dual procurement of aircraft carriers would send a strong signal to the shipbuilding industrial base about our national resolve to reach a 350+ ship fleet. With the massive consolidation of the shipbuilding industrial base over the last 25 years, the approximately 3000 remaining aircraft carrier suppliers nationwide will benefit greatly from the predictability and stability of the workload. Furthermore, we expect this approach will enable shipbuilding suppliers to create efficiencies and invest in their own businesses and therefore benefit other Navy shipbuilding programs as well. In closing, given the potential savings available to the taxpayer, the benefit to our Navy from additional aircraft carrier force structure, and the predictability and stability to the shipbuilding industrial base, we believe the dual procurement of Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers in fiscal year 2019 should be considered. Therefore, we urge the Department to conclude its analysis of potential savings and, if validated, request all applicable authorities in the upcoming budget request for dual aircraft carrier procurement. Thank you for your consideration and your service to our country. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/12/statement-on-senate-passage-of-gop-tax-bill,Statement on Senate Passage of GOP Tax Bill,2017-12-20,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Mark Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), a member of the Senate Finance and Budget Committees, issued the below statement after the Senate voted along party lines 51-48 to approve the budget-busting GOP plan to cut taxes for corporations and the richest Americans: This is the worst piece of legislation we have passed since I arrived in the Senate. Nonpartisan analyses released yesterday confirm the final Trump-Republican tax bill will hike taxes on millions of middle-class Americans in order to pay for massive cuts for corporations and the wealthiest Americans. By 2027, under the Trump-Republican tax bill, families earning under $75,000 wouldpay morein taxes than they do today while the top 1 percent would enjoy the largest tax breaks, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT). And the Tax Policy Centerestimatedthat 53 percent of American householdswill face tax hikes in 2027 while the top 0.1 percent of taxpayers will get an average tax cut of nearly $200,000. The top one percent of taxpayers are expected to receive 83 percent of tax benefits. On top of this, the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budgetestimatedthat the true cost of the final, unpaid-for GOP tax bill is roughly $2.5trillion, adding to our $20 trillion national debt. The bill now heads back to the House of Representatives, where it is expected to pass and be sent to the President for his signature without a single Democratic vote. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/12/warner-draws-red-lines-on-firing-special-counsel-pardoning-witnesses-or-interfering-in-the-mueller-investigation,"Warner Draws Red Lines on Firing Special Counsel, Pardoning Witnesses, or Interfering in the Mueller Investigation",2017-12-20,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Mark Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Today U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate to warn of threats to Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election and highlight the constitutional crisis that would likely ensue if the President were to interfere in the Mueller probe. In recent weeks, a growing chorus of voices in Congress, the media, and the White House have begun pushing a coordinated narrative undermining the credibility of the Special Counsels investigation and the FBI itself. Sen. Warner today responded to these troubling signs that the President may be considering firing Mr. Mueller or top FBI/DOJ brass, pardoning potential witnesses, or otherwise interfering in Muellers investigation. Sen. Warner called on Senators from both parties tomake a clear and unambiguous statement: that any attempt by this President to remove Special Counsel Mueller from his position, or to pardon key witnesses in an effort to shield them from accountability or shut down the investigation, would be a gross abuse of power and a flagrant violation of Executive branch responsibilities and authorities. He continued:These are red lines, and we simply cannot allow them to be crossed. Senator Warnersremarks asprepared for delivery follow: Mr. President I rise today concerned about threats to the Special Counsels critical investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election. Over the last several weeks, a growing chorus of irresponsible and reckless voices have called for President Trump to shut down Special Counsel Muellers investigation. At first, these calls came from the fringes of our political discourse those who would refuse to put our country and our security before base political instincts. Earlier this year, many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle were right to push back on those misdirected calls and urge that the Special Counsel be allowed to do his job without interference. However, in recent weeks, those voices seem to be growing in stridency and in volume. Just this weekend, one major news organization suggested that Special Counsel Mueller could be involved in a coup against this President. One senior advisor at the White House has now outrageously alleged, The fix was in against Donald Trump from the beginning. These statements are reckless. They are inappropriate. And they are extremely worrying. They are also at odds with the Presidents own lawyers, who have pledged to cooperate with the Special Counsel. Beyond being irresponsible, the seemingly coordinated nature of these claims should alarm us all particularly since, in recent days, these baseless accusations have been repeated by several members of the House of Representatives. I believe it is up to every member of this institution, Republican or Democrat, to make a clear and unambiguous statement: thatanyattempt by this President to remove Special Counsel Mueller from his position, or to pardon key witnesses in an effort to shield them from accountability or shut down the investigation, would be a gross abuse of power and a flagrant violation of Executive branch responsibilities and authorities. These are red lines, and we simply cannot allow them to be crossed. Lets remember why Special Counsel Mueller was appointed in the first place and why it remains so critical that he be permitted to finish his job, without obstruction. Recall, last spring, we were all reeling from a series of confounding actions by this President, beginning with the firing of FBI Director Jim Comey on May 9, 2017. Mr. Comey was fired just two months after publicly revealing the FBIs ongoing investigation of the Trump campaign, and as we would find out later after several attempts by this President to improperly influence Director Comey. Try to put yourself back into those dangerous days. Director Comeys dismissal was met with confusion and widespread condemnation. We needed a stabilizing action from our nations law enforcement leadership. We needed some certainty that the facts would be found and brought to light regardless of what they were. Eight days after Mr. Comeys firing, Trump appointee and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointed Robert Mueller to oversee the investigation into any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump and any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation. His appointment reassured Americans that there would be a full and thorough law enforcement investigation. The announcement was met with support on both sides of the aisle and received nearly universal praise. In fact, many of the same people who are attacking him today praised Mr. Muellers appointment just months ago. Indeed, there is much to praise. The fact is that Robert Mueller has impeccable credentials as a man of the law. He has assembled a team that includes some of the nations best investigators, and he is leading this investigation with the professionalism that it deserves. Mr. Mueller is a decorated Vietnam War veteran and a lifelong Republican, appointed to his current role by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, also a Republican. In fact, all of the major players to date in this investigation former Director Comey, current FBI Director Wray, Rosenstein, and even Attorney General Sessions, who has recused himself are all Republicans. The charges of Democratic political bias are baseless, given the makeup of the leadership team. In recent weeks, much has been made of some political opinions expressed by an FBI agent during the election last year. This specious line of argument conveniently ignores the fact that, as soon as Mr. Mueller learned about those comments, he immediately removed the agent in question from the investigation. If anything, this incident only adds to Mr. Muellers credibility as a fair and independent investigator. Mr. President, I stand here as the Vice Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee. We are in the midst of our own investigation into the Russian incursion, and Im proud of the way Chairman Burr and our Committee members have taken on this difficult task. Weve made tremendous progress in uncovering the facts of Russian interference in our elections. Our Committees work helped expose a dark underbelly of disinformation on our social media platforms. We have successfully pressed for the full accounting of Russian cyber efforts to target our state election systems. And, despite the initial denials ofanyRussian contacts during the election, this Committees efforts have helped uncover numerous and troubling high-level engagements between the Trump campaign and Russian affiliates many of which have only been revealed in recent months. Weve got some work to do yet. But, this Committee has gone out of its way to ensure continued bipartisan backing for this effort, and Im committed to seeing this through. However, it should be very clear that our Committee cannot and will not stand as a substitute for Mr. Muellers investigation. As Chairman Burr and I have noted on numerous occasions, the FBI is responsible for determining any criminal activities related to this inquiry. As such, Mueller has already moved to indict two individuals and has negotiated two additional guilty pleas. This is an investigative path reserved solely for law enforcement, and it is essential that it be permitted to go on unimpeded. The country no doubt remains severely divided on the question of the last election; however, the national security threat facing us today should demand that we rise above the partisan differences. No matter the political divide, surely each of us and all Americans should want to know the truth of what happened during last years election. And, no doubt, we all want to know as quickly as possible. The President has long called the investigation into Russian meddling into the 2016 election a witch hunt, and he has done much to discredit the Intelligence Communitys unanimous assessment of Russian interference in our election. The failure of this White House to lead a whole-of-government approach to prevent this type of election interference in the future either by Russia or some other adversary defies understanding. The Presidents refusal to accept the Intelligence Communitys assessment and his blatant disregard for ensuring Russia never again infiltrates our election process has been unnerving and cause for significant concern. In recent days, the President has said he is not considering removing Special Counsel Mueller. But the Presidents track record on this front is a source of concern. Im certain many of my colleagues believed that he wouldnt possibly fire Mr. Comey, either. Firing Mr. Mueller or any of the top brass involved in this investigation would not only call into question this Administrations commitment to the truth and the rule of law. It also has the potential to provoke a constitutional crisis. In the United States of America, no one is above the law. Not even the President. Congress must make clear to the President that firing the Special Counsel, or interfering with his investigation by issuing pardons of essential witnesses, is unacceptable, and would have immediate and significant consequences. I hope my concerns are unfounded, but there are troubling signs. It is critical that we as elected officials, and as citizens, speak up against these threats nowbefore it is too late. Thank you, Mr. President. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=705,Beyer on Passage of GOP Tax Bill: Those Who Voted for This Monstrosity Will Be Held Accountable,2017-12-19,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Donald Beyer,B001292,beyer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Don Beyer today issued the following statement upon passage of H.R. 1, the GOP bill to cut taxes for the wealthy: One month ago, when the House passed an early version of this bill, I asked how any of my colleagues could vote for legislation that will raise taxes on millions of middle class Americans in order to fund tax cuts for the wealthy, and yet still manages to explode the deficit? Today the Republican majority somehow passed an even worse bill. The tax bill just passed by the House would raise taxes on 86 million households over the next decade, according to a nonpartisan estimate, while 83 percent of the benefits go to the wealthiest 1 percent. They specifically lowered rates for the highest bracket and exempted multi-millionaires from the estate tax, while making the meager cuts for the middle class temporary. They have also included attacks on the Affordable Care Act which will kick an estimated 13 million Americans off their health insurance and lead to higher premiums for working families. At its core, this bill is an immoral redistribution of wealth towards the richest among us at a cost of trillions of dollars, and I believe that those who voted for this monstrosity will be held accountable. The tax bill, H.R. 1, passed today over bipartisan opposition without receiving a single Democratic vote. Congress budgetary scorekeeper, the Congressional Budget Office, estimated that its effective repeal of a key piece of the Affordable Care Act will lead to 13 million more uninsured Americans by 2027. The nonpartisan Tax Policy Center estimated that the legislation will lead to tax increases on 86 million households by 2027 while giving 83 percent of its cuts to the wealthiest 1 percent of the country.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-on-house-passage-of-gop-tax-scam,Scott Statement on House Passage of GOP Tax Scam,2017-12-19,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Robert Scott,S000185,bobbyscott.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the Conference Report to accompany H.R.1 GOP Tax bill, with only Republican votes: This tax bill, which adds $1.5 trillion to the deficit over the next decade, is deeply irresponsible. The Tax Policy Center has confirmed that the final version of the bill is even more generous to the wealthiest Americans while harming even more middle class families. More than half of middle-class families will get a tax increase, while 83% of the tax cuts go to the top 1% of Americans. We know from experience that tax cuts do not pay for themselves, and we also know that this bill will do nothing to simplify the tax code. This tax scam is another giveaway to the wealthy at the expense of hardworking families. The only opportunity the middle class will have with this tax plan are the opportunities to lose access to affordable healthcare, lose investments in education, and lose the Social Security and Medicare benefits they worked so hard for. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1216,Connolly Statement on GOP Tax Plan,2017-12-19,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Gerald Connolly,C001078,connolly.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA) released the following statement on the GOP tax plan: The tax plan before us today would be a disaster for Northern Virginia. The GOP plan caps the state and local income deduction. It caps the mortgage interest deduction. And it phases out the medical cost deduction. Our district, where 50 percent of tax filers claim a SALT deduction, is one of the top congressional districts in the nation affected by this change, and 75 percent of our districts SALT claimants are in the middle income tax brackets. 144,000 of my constituents claim the mortgage interest deduction, for an average savings of $2,946. These changes would be a devastating double whammy to Northern Virginia families. This bill falls far short of our values. It would raise taxes on tens of millions of middle class Americans in order to finance permanent tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations. By 2027, the Tax Policy Foundation projects more than half of households would face a tax increase. It explodes the deficit by nearly $1.5 trillion. And the conference report adds a devastating attack on the American healthcare system by repealing the individual mandate, leaving 13 million more Americans uninsured. Congress had a real opportunity to pursue bipartisan revenue neutral tax reform that would lower corporate rates and benefit the middle class. As a leader of the New Democrat Coalition, I have written on several occasions to Speaker Ryan and Chairman Brady asking them to partner with us on a tax reform plan that would simplify the tax code, create revenue for infrastructure, and provide middle class tax relief. Instead, the majority has ignored these repeated overtures and rushed through a partisan tax plan that asks working families, veterans, and low-income seniors to pay higher tax rates than the wealthiest Americans and largest corporations. Thats simply unconscionable.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mceachin.house.gov/media/press-releases/mceachin-statement-gop-tax-bill-conference-report,McEachin Statement on GOP Tax Bill Conference Report,2017-12-19,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,A. McEachin,M001200,mceachin.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTONCongressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) issued this statement following his vote against giving the wealthiest one percent a tax break at the expense of more than 80 million American families: Unfortunately, the vast majority of my Republican colleagues placed their allegiance to their wealthy donors and their party ahead of the more than 80 million hardworking American families who will pay higher taxes under this bill. This bill will rob average Americans to benefit the wealthiest Americans and large corporations. Moreover, it will increase the deficit all while leaving infrastructure, education, healthcare, and many other critical priorities severely underfunded and at risk. In many ways, the conference report on H.R. 1 is worse than the original bills passed in the House and the Senate. Americans will suffer through the long-term consequences of this bill for years to come. I am disappointed, disgusted and dismayed in the legislation that Congressional Republicans passed. ### Contact: Jamitress Bowden (202) 225-6365",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-the-electoral-crisis-in-honduras,Kaine Statement On The Electoral Crisis In Honduras,2017-12-19,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Kaine Statement On The Electoral Crisis In Honduras Tuesday, December 19, 2017 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement today on the electoral crisis in Honduras: It is unfortunate that such an important democratic election in Honduras continues to be shrouded in uncertainty and confusion. The Honduran people deserve an electoral process that is credible and transparent, and I trust the Organization of American States (OAS) assessment that this process has failed to meet that standard. The many irregularities, recorded by unbiased OAS observers on the ground, call into doubt the results announced by the Higher Electoral Commission on December 17. Given the OASs leadership role in the hemisphere, I support their call for a new general election. I also remain concerned by widespread reports of violence and human rights abuses in the wake of the election, and call on the government to investigate and address these claims. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/12/statement-of-u-s-sen-mark-r-warner-on-banking-committee-vote-against-export-import-bank-nominee-scott-garrett,Statement of U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner on Banking Committee Vote Against Export-import Bank Nominee Scott Garrett,2017-12-19,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Mark Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, issued the below statement following the committees bipartisan 10-13 vote against former Rep. Scott Garretts nomination to lead the U.S. Export-Import Bank, followed by broad bipartisan support for other Ex-Im Bank board nominees: For decades, the Export-Import Bank has served as a job-creating tool for U.S. manufacturers and exporters, helping finance over $138 billion in exports across the country including support for more than 80 companies in Virginia and supporting hundreds of thousands of middle class jobs. In order for U.S. manufacturers to compete in a global economy, we need a fully functional Ex-Im Bank. Without it, U.S. companies are at a major disadvantage against their foreign counterparts. But Rep. Garretts long record of attacking and undermining the Export-Import Bank mean that he is not fit to lead it. Todays bipartisan vote against his nomination is a strong signal to the Trump Administration that it should withdraw this nomination and put forward a qualified nominee who understands the important role the Ex-Im Bank plays in leveling the playing field for U.S. companies overseas. Establishing a quorum for the Banks board is long overdue, and I am encouraged that the rest of the board nominees were able to be approved by the Banking Committee on a bipartisan basis. I hope that they will soon be confirmed by the whole Senate so that the Ex-Im Bank can fulfill its important responsibilities to support American manufacturers in selling their products around the world. The Ex-Im Bank has not had a board quorum since 2015, after Senate Republicans blocked two bipartisan nominees to the Ex-Im Board that were put forward by President Barack Obama. Without a full quorum, Ex-Im can only authorize loans under $10 million, which make up only around 15 percent of the Banks total business. Since 2013, the U.S. Export-Import Bank has helped financemore than $1 billion in exports from nearly 80 Virginia companies, more than half of them small businesses. Sen. Warner has been a longtime supporterof Ex-Im,introducinglegislation to reauthorize its operations and increase its spending authority following a historic lapse in Congressional approval in July 2015.Since the Banks reauthorization, he hascalledfor the confirmation of qualified nominees to lead a fully functional Ex-Im. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-joins-resolution-to-reverse-fccs-rollback-of-net-neutrality-protections,Kaine Joins Resolution To Reverse FCC's Rollback Of Net Neutrality Protections,2017-12-18,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Kaine Joins Resolution To Reverse FCC's Rollback Of Net Neutrality Protections Monday, December 18, 2017 WASHINGTON D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) joined Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) to co-sponsor a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to reverse the Federal Communications Commissions (FCCs) repeal of net neutrality rules. Last week, the FCC gutted the 2015 Open Internet Order, which prohibits internet service providers from blocking, slowing down or speeding up internet traffic based on how much they get paid. The FCCs ruling could stifle innovation and lead to increased costs for consumers and a decreased web experience for countless Americans. The Trump Administrations decision to repeal net neutrality rules takes power away from consumers and hands it to large telecomm companies, allowing them to control the flow of information on the Internet, Kaine said. Passing our Congressional Review Act resolution would restore these rules and ensure the internet remains a free and open resource. The resolution of disapproval would reverse the FCCs decision and fully restore the Open Internet Order. CRA resolutions allow Congress to overturn regulatory actions at federal agencies with a simple majority vote in both chambers.In accordance with the CRA, the Senators will formally introduce the resolution once the rule is submitted to both houses of Congress and published in the federal register. In his first four months in office, President Trump signed 14 CRA resolutions to nullify rules issued by the previous Administration. Prior to that, the CRA was invoked just once during the 107th Congress to reverse a rule by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. A copy of the CRA can be foundHERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-on-false-allegation,Scott Statement on False Allegation,2017-12-15,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Robert Scott,S000185,bobbyscott.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement: Today, a former Congressional Black Caucus Foundation fellow, backed by a Republican operative known for dabbling in outlandish conspiracy theories, falsely alleged an act of sexual harassment against me. I absolutely deny this allegation of misconduct. I have never sexually harassed anyone in my 25 years of service in the United States Congress, or in my 40 years of public service, or at any other time. Sexual harassment and assault are serious issues deserving of critical attention and review. No one should be subjected to sexual harassment or be treated unfairly. I have fought to promote and ensure that in my political and professional life and I live by it personally. The recent national discussion about sexual harassment is valued and important to our work to continue to make the workplace free from harassment and discrimination. False allegations will squander this momentous opportunity for dialogue on meaningful change in the workplace. I am confident that this false allegation will be seen for what it is when the facts are adequately reviewed. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1215,Connolly-Katko Introduce EARNED Act,2017-12-15,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Gerald Connolly,C001078,connolly.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Representatives Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and John Katko (R-NY) introduced the Education Assistance to Realign New Eligibilities for Dependents (EARNED) Act, bipartisan legislation that would add an additional category of servicemembers eligible to transfer entitlement to post-9/11 educational assistance. Currently, the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 allows certain servicemembers to transfer all or some of their unused education benefits to their spouse or dependent children. The EARNED Act would expand that eligibility to any active duty or retired member of the Armed Forces who has at least 20 years of active-duty service, including at least 90 days of such service after September 10, 2001. There is no greater responsibility in Congress than to make sure that we take care of those who put on the uniform, both during and after active duty service, said Congressman Connolly. The EARNED Act builds on the successful 9/11 GI bill, by ensuring these brave servicemembers have the option to pass along their education benefits to their loved ones. It is a clear win-win. We have another tool for retaining talent and ensuring a strong military, and it allows us to uphold our promise to veterans who have served so honorably. Our veterans have made countless sacrifices to protect, defend, and serve this great nation. They answered a call of duty that only the bravest men and women are willing to answer, and we need to do everything we can to help them and their families, said Congressman Katko. This legislation adds an additional transferability option under the Post 9/11 GI Bill that would allow servicemembers to transfer all or some of their unused benefits to spouses or dependent children. The ability to transfer education benefits has traditionally been used as a retention tool. Servicemembers with six years of service can transfer their education benefits if they commit to four years of additional service. Additionally, servicemembers with ten years of service, who are precluded from committing to four additional years, can transfer if they agree to serve the maximum amount of time allowed by policy or statute. The EARNED Act would recognize that individuals who have served twenty years have made a sufficient contribution and deserve the ability to transfer their education benefits to dependents. This legislation would still incentivize additional service, but would also allow veterans who have served twenty years to provide education opportunities to their children. Text of the legislation is available here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mceachin.house.gov/media/press-releases/lawmakers-urge-us-trade-representative-prioritize-jobs-america,Lawmakers Urge U.S. Trade Representative to Prioritize Jobs in America,2017-12-15,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,A. McEachin,M001200,mceachin.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) and Congressman John Lewis (GA-05) led fellow lawmakers on a letter to the U.S. Trade Representative, Robert E. Lighthizer, urging him to prioritize jobs for hardworking Americans as he renegotiates the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Twenty-four years ago, I opposed NAFTA because I was concerned about a race to the bottom in the pursuit of a profit. Unfortunately, many good, livable-wage jobs in Metro Atlanta moved overseas during this unprecedented era of free trade, said Rep. John Lewis. We know firsthand that there are persistent attempts to offshore United States jobs and pay the lowest possible wages. For these reasons, any meaningful deal must safeguard American jobs and include protections for workers in the United States and around the world. The United States needs to seek strong, enforceable labor standards in a renegotiated NAFTA. Too many American workers have lost well-paying, middle-class jobs because other countries have lower wages and fewer workplace protections, said Rep. Donald McEachin. Current policy creates incentives for companies like Mondelz to offshore jobs to Mexico and elsewhere, adversely affecting countless families and communities. Instead of rewarding offshoring, we need to encourage domestic investments that strengthen our economy and grow the middle class. Some large companies have developed a pattern of shifting thousands of good-paying jobs away from hardworking Americans to countries, such as Mexico, with lower wage and labor standards than the United States of America. While another country with weaker employment standards can be seen as an incentive for corporations, this developing pattern directly impacts middle-class American families. Preserving U.S.-based, livable-wage jobs is critical to the long-term health of both the American middle class and our broader economy. Cities like Richmond, VA; Atlanta, GA; Fairlawn, NJ; Chicago, IL; and Portland, OR all of which host Mondelz production facilities can ill afford further offshoring. Yet, current policies incentivize that outcome, wrote the Members of Congress. We know that the American worker can compete with anyone in the world but that competition needs to be fair. NAFTA renegotiations offer a unique opportunity to help create the level playing field that Americans need and deserve. This letter was also signed by Representatives Dan Lipinski (IL-03), Bobby Rush (IL-01), and Bill Pascrell (NJ-09). Full letter text is available here and below. ### Contacts: (McEachin) Jamitress Bowden 202-225-6365 (Lewis) Michael Collins 202-225-3801 Dear Ambassador Lighthizer: As you continue to re-negotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), we urge you to seek strong, enforceable labor standards that raise wages in Mexico and reduce incentives for offshoring; encourage domestic investment; and support well-paying American jobs. Irrespective of its overall impact, NAFTA has displaced nearly 700,000 American workers, while trade deficits, in general, have cost the U.S. economy 5 million manufacturing jobs. For every one of those workers, and for their families, NAFTA produced a potentially wrenching, life-altering change. In turn, those changes have greatly affected surrounding communities especially in places where the local economy was built on manufacturing. As you know, these trends are ongoing. For example, since 2014 Mondelz International has increasingly shifted production work from the United States to Mexico, where wages are far lower and labor standards weaker. This change has destroyed roughly a thousand middle class jobs at facilities across the country; one plant, in Philadelphia, has closed entirely. Five other facilities, and roughly 1,800 jobs, remain directly at risk. In turn, those facilities and positions support up to 7,000 additional jobs in the surrounding communities. Preserving U.S.-based, livable-wage jobs is critical to the long-term health of both the American middle class and our broader economy. Cities like Richmond, VA; Atlanta, GA; Fairlawn, NJ; Chicago, IL; and Portland, OR all of which host Mondelz production facilities can ill afford further offshoring. Yet, current policies incentivize that outcome. We know that the American worker can compete with anyone in the world but that competition needs to be fair. NAFTA re-negotiations offer a unique opportunity to help create the level playing field that Americans need and deserve. In your opening remarks at the first round of re-negotiations, you stated that the United States cannot ignore the lost manufacturing jobs, the businesses that have closed or moved because of incentives intended or not in the current agreement. Changing those incentives should be a key priority as negotiations continue. Your effort to re-negotiate NAFTA can only be considered successful if the new agreement creates strong standards that prevent employers in other countries from exploiting and underpaying workers or cutting corners in ways that our own laws forbid and if you show the will to enforce those standards. We are confident that these changes and continued action will prevent future outsourcing, bring back jobs, lift wages, and strengthen the middle class to the lasting benefit of our economy and our country. As always, thank you for your attention to our concerns on this grave matter. We look forward to your response. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mceachin.house.gov/media/press-releases/mceachin-kaine-murphy-colleagues-ask-devos-answers-disciplinary-protections,"McEachin, Kaine, Murphy & Colleagues Ask DeVos For Answers on Disciplinary Protections for Minority Students",2017-12-15,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,A. McEachin,M001200,mceachin.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Today, Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04), Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Chris Murphy (D-CT), both members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, joined 15 Senators and 36 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives in sending a letter to Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos asking her not to revoke or modify school discipline guidelines, following press reports that suggest she is considering a repeal of the protections. In January 2014, the Department of Education under President Obama released school discipline guidelines to assist states, districts, and schools to develop and implement practices that address the tendencies of school discipline policies to disproportionately negatively impact African American students and students with disabilities. These guidelines are not mandatory and only provide guidance to schools. Recent press reports have suggested that the Department of Education under Secretary DeVos is considering revoking these guidelines. We write to express our support for efforts to improve school climate and address the persistent, disproportionate impact of exclusionary and aversive discipline practices on groups of historically marginalized students, such as students of color. We strongly urge you to maintain guidance on discipline and compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin, the legislators said. The senators and representatives raised that statistics indicate that minority students across the country are suspended and disciplined at much higher rates than their white peers. In the 2013-14 school year, approximately 2.8 million students received one or more out of school suspensions from public schools according to the biennial Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC). The CRDC also showed that African-American students were almost four times as likely to be suspended and nearly twice as likely to be expelled compared to white students, and students with disabilities were more than twice as likely to be subjected to exclusionary discipline measures than students without disabilities, the legislators said. They also reference a 2017 Legal Aid Justice Center study which notes that while African American students make up only 23 percent of public school enrollment, they account for 60 percent of suspensions nearly four times the rate of white students in Virginia. The legislators concluded by asking DeVos to confirm that she will not revoke or modify the guidelines, whose only purpose is to protect students from discrimination, While we hope recent reporting that the Department is considering revoking or modifying this critical guidance on school discipline is inaccurate, by January 5, 2018, we request that you confirm your Department will not be revoking or modifying this critical guidance for upholding the civil rights of students under Title VI. The letter is supported by the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. Full letter text is available here and below. ### (McEachin) Jamitress Bowden 202-225-6365 (Kaine) Sarah Peck 202-228-1174 (Murphy) Laura Maloney 202-228-1056 Dear Secretary DeVos, We write to express our support for efforts to improve school climate and address the persistent, disproportionate impact of exclusionary and aversive discipline practices on groups of historically marginalized students, such as students of color. We strongly urge you to maintain guidance on discipline and compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin. This guidance is crucial to ensuring that all students receive a safe, equitable, and high-quality education as well as helping schools and other recipients of federal financial assistance understand their obligations to develop and administer discipline policies in a nondiscriminatory manner. In January 2014, the Department of Education and the Department of Justice jointly released a school discipline guidance package to assist states, districts, and schools to develop and implement practices and strategies to enhance school climates and that ensure discipline policies and practices comply with federal civil rights law. These documents equip educators with a set of tools to support student success in an environment free from discrimination. The Departments issued this guidance package in response to well-documented excessive and disproportionate use of suspension and expulsion. In the 2013-14 school year, approximately 2.8 million students received one or more out of school suspensions from public schools according to the biennial Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC). The CRDC also showed that African-American students were almost four times as likely to be suspended and nearly twice as likely to be expelled compared to white students, and students with disabilities were more than twice as likely to be subjected to exclusionary discipline measures compared to students without disabilities. A statewide study by the Council of State Governments and Public Policy Research Institute, Breaking Schools Rules, further demonstrates the pervasiveness of exclusionary discipline practices for all students, while underscoring the particularly acute impact for vulnerable subgroups of students. According to the study, in Texas, which enrolls more than 10-percent of the nations public school students, more than half of all students were suspended or expelled at least once between 7th and 12th grade, while only 3 percent of disciplinary actions were for conduct for which state law mandates suspensions and expulsions. The study found significant racial disparities within discretionary disciplinary actions: African-American students had a 31 percent higher likelihood of a school discretionary action, compared to otherwise identical white and Hispanic students. Meanwhile, nearly three-quarters of the students who qualified for special education services [] were suspended or expelled at least once. These disparate discipline practices can have severe academic consequences. According to the report nearly a third of students who were suspended or expelled repeated a grade at least once, while 10 percent dropped out. A 2017 study by the Legal Aid Justice Center found similar results in Virginia. While African-American students make up only 23 percent of public school enrollment in the Commonwealth, they account for nearly 60 percent of short-term suspensions -- with a suspension rate of nearly four times their white peers. These numbers are even starker when examining African-American male students with disabilities, who were nearly twenty times more likely to be suspended than white female students without disabilities. The 2014 school discipline guidance package recognized these staggering disparities and provided educators with more effective alternatives that keep children in school and ensure a safe learning environment for everyone. The 2014 school discipline guidance supports states in meeting their obligations under the Every Student Succeeds Act. State educational agencies are now statutorily required to describe in their state plan how they will support local education agencies (LEAs) to improve school conditions for student learning including through reducing (i) incidences of bullying and harassment; (ii) the overuse of discipline practices that remove students from the classroom; and (iii) the use of aversive behavioral interventions that compromise student health and safety (Sec. 1111(g)(1)(C)). ESSA also encourages schools implementing a Title I schoolwide program to include implementation of a schoolwide tiered model to prevent and address problem behavior as a strategy to meet the needs of all students in their required plans (Sec. 1114(b)(7)(A)(iii)(III)). While we hope recent reporting that the Department of Education is considering revoking or modifying this critical guidance on school discipline is inaccurate, we request that by January 5, 2018 you confirm your Department will not be revoking or modifying this critical guidance for upholding the civil rights of students under Title VI. Part of the stated mission of the Department of Education is fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access. It is our opinion that the discipline guidance is fundamental to meeting this mission. We hope you will not undermine this mission by revoking or modifying the discipline guidance released in January 2014. Thank you for your attention to this critical issue. We look forward to your response. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-joins-bipartisan-bill-to-protect-children-from-lead-exposure,Kaine Joins Bipartisan Bill To Protect Children From Lead Exposure,2017-12-15,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Kaine Joins Bipartisan Bill To Protect Children From Lead Exposure Friday, December 15, 2017 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) is co-sponsoring the Lead-Safe Housing for Kids Act of 2017,which would require the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to adopt prevention measures and update its lead regulations to protect children from the risk of lead exposure. Since the enactment of federal lead policies in the 1990s, lead poisoning rates have fallen dramatically. However, lead poisoning risk continues to fall disproportionally on minority children that live in federally subsidized housing because of outdated and ineffective federal laws and regulations. This bill will help ensure the Department of Housing and Urban Development is operating by the highest standard to protect children from the risks of lead exposure, Kaine said. Children should never have to live in housing where they are endangered by harmful toxins. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calls for a public health intervention when a childs blood level is 5 g/dL (micrograms of lead per deciliter). Under previous HUD regulations, however, intervention to reduce lead hazards in a home was not required until the amount of lead in a child was four times as high 20 g/dL. Earlier this year, HUD finalized a rule updating its definition of lead poisoning with the CDCs definition of elevated blood lead level in children and established more comprehensive testing and evaluation procedures for housing occupied by children poisoned by lead. While HUD made much needed improvements to its regulatory scheme, the regulations continue to allow children to be exposed to and poisoned by lead before any intervention is triggered. TheLead-Safe Housing for Kids Act of 2017would ensure safe, affordable housing by reducing the threat of lead exposure and lead poisoning of children in federally-assisted housing by adopting primary prevention measures to protect children in low-income housing, including: Prohibiting the use of visual assessments for low-income housing constructed prior to 1978 and require the use of risk assessments or a more accurate evaluation tool to identify lead hazards before a family moves into the home; Providing a process for families to relocate on an emergency basis, without penalty or the loss of assistance, if a lead hazard is identified in the home and the landlord fails to control the hazard within 30 days of being notified of the presence of lead; and Requiring landlords to disclose the presence of lead if lead hazards are found in the home. Kaine and Senator Mark Warner have been leaders in efforts to boost investment in infrastructure repairs to protect against harmful toxins. In September, Kaine and Warner secured federal funding for Virginia Tech through HUDs Office of Lead Hazard and Healthy Homes Technical Studies to study the performance of household water filters for removing lead from drinking water. Last year, Warner and Kaine pushed for the passage of the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act(WRDA) to authorize $10.6 billion in water infrastructure projects across the nation, including a package of measures to address the drinking water crisis in Flint, Michigan. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-murphy-mceachin-and-colleagues-ask-devos-for-answers-on-disciplinary-protections-for-minority-students,"Kaine, Murphy, McEachin & Colleagues Ask DeVos For Answers On Disciplinary Protections For Minority Students",2017-12-15,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Kaine, Murphy, McEachin & Colleagues Ask DeVos For Answers On Disciplinary Protections For Minority Students Friday, December 15, 2017 Bicameral legislators ask Devos to confirm or deny reports of Department walking back school discipline guidelines WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Chris Murphy (D-CT), both members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Congressman A. Donald McEachin (D-VA) joined 15 Senators and 36 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives in sending a letter to Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos asking her not to revoke or modify school discipline guidelines, following press reports that suggest she is considering a repeal of the protections. In January 2014, the Department of Education under President Obama released school discipline guidelines to assist states, districts, and schools to develop and implement practices that address the tendencies of school discipline policies to disproportionately negatively impact African American students and students with disabilities. These guidelines are not mandatory and only provide guidance to schools. Recent press reports have suggested that the Department of Education under Secretary DeVos is considering revoking these guidelines. We write to express our support for efforts to improve school climate and address the persistent, disproportionate impact of exclusionary and aversive discipline practices on groups of historically marginalized students, such as students of color. We strongly urge you to maintain guidance on discipline and compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin, the legislators said. The senators and representatives raised that statistics indicate that minority students across the country are suspended and disciplined at much higher rates than their white peers. In the 2013-14 school year, approximately 2.8 million students received one or more out of school suspensions from public schools according to the biennial Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC). The CRDC also showed that African-American students were almost four times as likely to be suspended and nearly twice as likely to be expelled compared to white students, and students with disabilities were more than twice as likely to be subjected to exclusionary discipline measures than students without disabilities, the legislators said. They also reference a 2017 Legal Aid Justice Center study which notes that while African American students make up only 23 percent of public school enrollment, they account for 60 percent of suspensions nearly four times the rate of white students in Virginia. The legislators concluded by asking DeVos to confirm that she will not revoke or modify the guidelines, whose only purpose is to protect students from discrimination, While we hope recent reporting that the Department is considering revoking or modifying this critical guidance on school discipline is inaccurate, by January 5, 2018, we request that you confirm your Department will not be revoking or modifying this critical guidance for upholding the civil rights of students under Title VI. The letter is supported by the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. Full text of the letter is below. A copy of the letter is available here. Dear Secretary DeVos, We write to express our support for efforts to improve school climate and address the persistent, disproportionate impact of exclusionary and aversive discipline practices on groups of historically marginalized students, such as students of color. We strongly urge you to maintain guidance on discipline and compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin. This guidance is crucial to ensuring that all students receive a safe, equitable, and high-quality education as well as helping schools and other recipients of federal financial assistance understand their obligations to develop and administer discipline policies in a nondiscriminatory manner. In January 2014, the Department of Education and the Department of Justice jointly released a school discipline guidance package to assist states, districts, and schools to develop and implement practices and strategies to enhance school climates and that ensure discipline policies and practices comply with federal civil rights law. These documents equip educators with a set of tools to support student success in an environment free from discrimination. The Departments issued this guidance package in response to well-documented excessive and disproportionate use of suspension and expulsion. In the 2013-14 school year, approximately 2.8 million students received one or more out of school suspensions from public schools according to the biennial Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC). The CRDC also showed that African-American students were almost four times as likely to be suspended and nearly twice as likely to be expelled compared to white students, and students with disabilities were more than twice as likely to be subjected to exclusionary discipline measures compared to students without disabilities. A statewide study by the Council of State Governments and Public Policy Research Institute, Breaking Schools Rules, further demonstrates the pervasiveness of exclusionary discipline practices for all students, while underscoring the particularly acute impact for vulnerable subgroups of students. According to the study, in Texas, which enrolls more than 10-percent of the nations public school students, more than half of all students were suspended or expelled at least once between 7th and 12th grade, while only 3 percent of disciplinary actions were for conduct for which state law mandates suspensions and expulsions. The study found significant racial disparities within discretionary disciplinary actions: African-American students had a 31 percent higher likelihood of a school discretionary action, compared to otherwise identical white and Hispanic students. Meanwhile, nearly three-quarters of the students who qualified for special education services [] were suspended or expelled at least once. These disparate discipline practices can have severe academic consequences. According to the report nearly a third of students who were suspended or expelled repeated a grade at least once, while 10 percent dropped out. A 2017 study by the Legal Aid Justice Center found similar results in Virginia. While African-American students make up only 23 percent of public school enrollment in the Commonwealth, they account for nearly 60 percent of short-term suspensions -- with a suspension rate of nearly four times their white peers. These numbers are even starker when examining African-American male students with disabilities, who were nearly twenty times more likely to be suspended than white female students without disabilities. The 2014 school discipline guidance package recognized these staggering disparities and provided educators with more effective alternatives that keep children in school and ensure a safe learning environment for everyone. The 2014 school discipline guidance supports states in meeting their obligations under the Every Student Succeeds Act. State educational agencies are now statutorily required to describe in their state plan how they will support local education agencies (LEAs) to improve school conditions for student learning including through reducing (i) incidences of bullying and harassment; (ii) the overuse of discipline practices that remove students from the classroom; and (iii) the use of aversive behavioral interventions that compromise student health and safety (Sec. 1111(g)(1)(C)). ESSA also encourages schools implementing a Title I schoolwide program to include implementation of a schoolwide tiered model to prevent and address problem behavior as a strategy to meet the needs of all students in their required plans (Sec. 1114(b)(7)(A)(iii)(III)). While we hope recent reporting that the Department of Education is considering revoking or modifying this critical guidance on school discipline is inaccurate, we request that by January 5, 2018 you confirm your Department will not be revoking or modifying this critical guidance for upholding the civil rights of students under Title VI. Part of the stated mission of the Department of Education is fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access. It is our opinion that the discipline guidance is fundamental to meeting this mission. We hope you will not undermine this mission by revoking or modifying the discipline guidance released in January 2014. Thank you for your attention to this critical issue. We look forward to your response. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/representatives-introduce-bill-designating-national-centers-of,Representatives Introduce Bill Designating National Centers of Excellence in Coastal Flood Research and Education,2017-12-14,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Robert Scott,S000185,bobbyscott.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Scott Taylor, joined by Virginia Reps. Bobby Scott (VA-03) and Rob Wittman (VA-01), introduced the National Centers of Excellence in Coastal Flood Research and Education Act. This legislation designates public colleges and universities that provide research, data, and recommendations on the scientific, economic, policy, and risk analysis of coastal flooding as National Centers of Excellence in Coast Flood Research and Education. Specifically, the bill instructs the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to designate and identify such centers as sources for expert advice and guidance for Federal agencies engaged in coastal flooding research and education issues and projects.   “Sea level rise poses a significant threat to coastal regions and communities, especially coastal Virginia,” said Congressman Scott Taylor. “Our Commonwealth has the highest concentration of DoD coastal facilities and commercial port facilities in the nation that are at risk from sea level rise. Hampton Roads is home to thousands of federal employees, contractors, and military personnel, representing the second largest population center at risk from sea level rise impact. Providing a national designation for institutions that offer quality research and analysis, such as Old Dominion University, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, and the Virginia Coastal Policy Center at the College of William and Mary, is the first step toward combatting the potentially devastating effects of sea level rise on our communities, infrastructure, and military capabilities.” “Dramatic sea level rise poses significant risk to Virginians, and I am proud to work on this bipartisan legislation with Reps. Taylor and Wittman,” said Congressman BobbyScott. “Virginia communities are some of the most vulnerable areas in the country in regards to the rising sea level. We must take this threat seriously. Virginia’s population, economy, military, and infrastructure are all at risk if we do not act. Our universities and colleges stand on the forefront of scientific and academic innovation with the potential to stem the tide of sea level rise, and this legislation is a promising step towards making sure that their expertise is listened to and respected.”  “Hampton Roads and Coastal Virginia currently face challenges associated with rising sea levels and a sinking coastal plain – leading to costly and impactful repetitive flooding. As Virginia, and Hampton Roads specifically, is the east coast epicenter of military activity, I want to make sure our Department of Defense and Virginia installations have the tools they need to complete their mission in the face of coastal flooding. Designating these research institutions as “Centers of Excellence” will allow for ongoing studies and collaborations to model recurrent flooding and sea level rise and examine options for enhancing mission resiliency at impacted military installations and protecting coastal communities,” stated Congressman Rob Wittman. As a condition of designation as a National Center of Excellence, the public college or university must agree to collaborate on Federal flood-related issues with federal agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) on best practices on regional, state, and locally specific flooding and flood related issues. The Administrator of NOAA will submit an annual report to Congress and the President detailing the findings and applicable information from the National Centers of Excellence, and make the report available to the public in an easily accessible electronic format on the NOAA website.  ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-condemns-action-to-seek-delay-of-rule-addressing-inequities-in,Scott Condemns Action to Seek Delay of Rule Addressing Inequities in Special Education,2017-12-14,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Robert Scott,S000185,bobbyscott.house.gov,,,legacy,"As originally released by the Committee on the Education and the Workforce, Democrats  WASHINGTON D.C. – Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Education (Department) intends to seek a comment period for a delay of the Equity in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) rule, which addresses disproportionate identification, placement, and disciplinary treatment of students of color in special education. “I am deeply disappointed by the Department’s efforts to propose a delay of the rule that addresses widespread disparities in the treatment of students of color with disabilities. This is particularly upsetting as we recently celebrated the 42nd anniversary of IDEA, which recognized the rights of students with disabilities to be educated in public schools in the least restrictive environment. “Despite clear evidence of pervasive and significant disproportionality, as documented by a 2013 GAO report, less than three percent of school districts nationwide are working to eliminate, reduce, and prevent these disparities. Failure to address these disparities continues to jeopardize educational opportunity for millions of children of color. “When Congress reauthorized the IDEA in 2004, my colleagues and I sought to correct this egregious wrong by requiring states, for the first time, to identify districts with gross disparities and direct federal resources to address these inequities. We knew then, just as we know now, that African American students are over-identified for special education services, placed in more restrictive settings, and disciplined at higher rates. Combatting this persistent problem is crucial to dismantling the ‘School-to-Prison Pipeline’ and helping students of color with disabilities achieve their full potential. Clearly, leaving the disproportionality provision unregulated has left states and school districts without the tools necessary to implement the law’s requirements. “Any effort to delay this rule, or remove it entirely, works against the fundamental goals of IDEA. Too many states and districts have failed to uphold their responsibility to address the deeply embedded inequities in special education in the identification, placement, and discipline of students of color. As I continue oversight on this issue at the federal level, I urge states to continue their efforts to address this national crisis. I also remain committed to holding the Department accountable for the civil rights of all students by ensuring critical protections for students with disabilities remain in place.” ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-on-repeal-of-net-neutrality-protections,Scott Statement on Repeal of Net Neutrality Protections,2017-12-14,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Robert Scott,S000185,bobbyscott.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to dismantle Title II net neutrality protections: “Today’s decision by the FCC will radically alter the internet as we know it and is another example of the Trump Administration siding with the wealthy and corporations instead of working families. Repealing net neutrality protections will only benefit the largest internet service providers at the expense of tech companies and consumers nationwide. Congress should immediately take action to restore Title II of the Communications Act and ensure that internet providers cannot discriminate or stifle innovation or free expression. The internet has become fundamental to almost every aspect of society, and we must ensure it remains free and open.”   # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mceachin.house.gov/media/press-releases/mceachin-wittman-lead-virginia-delegation-letter-secretary-spencer,"McEachin, Wittman Lead Virginia Delegation on Letter to Secretary Spencer",2017-12-14,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,A. McEachin,M001200,mceachin.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – The entire Virginia Delegation, led by Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) and Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01), joined together to send a letter to the Secretary of the Navy, Richard Spencer, regarding the Navy’s role in the widening of the Thimble Shoals Channel in Hampton Roads that supports operations of both the Port of Virginia and Naval Station Norfolk. Naval Station Norfolk is the world's largest naval base, supporting 75 ships and 134 aircraft alongside 14 piers and 11 aircraft hangars and the Port of Virginia is the fifth largest commercial port in the nation and among the fastest growing on the U.S. East Coast. House Report 114-537, which accompanied the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, encouraged the Navy to work with the Port of Virginia on this important issue and requested the Navy keep Congress updated on the changes in commercial traffic volume and patterns at the Port of Virginia, as well as the potential impact on the Navy's operations. “Growth in trade and the expanded Panama Canal means that these larger ships are calling U.S. ports more frequently. Those ships are up to 1,200 feet in length and 160 feet in breadth, which is 235 feet longer and 54 feet wider than the previous class of Panamax vessels – and larger than the newest class of aircraft carriers. Accommodating these ships requires deeper and wider channels, to include Thimble Shoal Channel that support Naval Station Norfolk and the Port of Virginia,” the Delegation wrote. Under current conditions, the transit of an ULCV results in U.S. Coast Guard restrictions of one-way traffic through the channel. On November 8, 2017, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers published a draft report recommending that the Thimble Shoal Channel be widened from 1,000 to 1,200 feet to create meeting areas for vessel traffic on either side of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel; additional modeling continues to investigate widening the channel up to 1,400 feet. “The focus to make the Norfolk Harbor and its channels wider, deeper and safer has multiple benefits to the many users of this growing commercial and strategic maritime asset,” said John F. Reinhart, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority. “Success in this effort would create the U.S. East Coast’s deepest harbor and allow for the safe, unimpeded, two-way flow of Navy ships, ultra-large container vessels and other commercial maritime traffic. This project holds significant value for both naval readiness and our national economy. We are grateful for the effort and consideration given to this project by Congressman Wittman, Congressman McEachin and the entire Virginia Congressional Delegation.” The Delegation requested that the Navy play a part in the process of widening of the Thimble Shoal Channel. Under current proposals under consideration by the Army Corps of Engineers, widening of the channel may not be complete until 2027. The Delegation believes that continued port congestion could impact commerce as well as Navy operations and readiness; while coordination and business rules can lessen the impact, the only long-term and sustainable solution is to widen the channel. Additional Virginia Delegation members signing the letter include, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, and U.S. Reps. Scott Taylor (VA-2), Bobby Scott (VA-3), Tom Garrett, Jr. (VA-5), Bob Goodlatte (VA-6), Dave Brat (VA-7), Don Beyer (VA-8), H. Morgan Griffith (VA-9), Barbara Comstock (VA-10), and Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11). Full letter text is here and below. ### Contact: Jamitress Bowden (202) 225-6365",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-and-warner-call-for-block-buy-of-future-aircraft-carriers,Kaine & Warner Call For Block Buy Of Future Aircraft Carriers,2017-12-14,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Kaine & Warner Call For Block Buy Of Future Aircraft Carriers Thursday, December 14, 2017 Wicker, Kaine, Lead Bipartisan Call, Citing Potential Savings for Taxpayers WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), were joined today by Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) and 14 Senators in sending a letter to Department of Defense Secretary James Mattis expressing their support for the Pentagon’s pursuit to block buy two Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers in FY2019. “Committing to a block-buy for the newest generation of aircraft carriers would save us both time and money while offering much needed stability to our shipbuilders in Hampton Roads and suppliers across the Commonwealth as they build the ships to meet our nation’s national security needs,” Kaine said. “It is critical that we ensure tomorrow’s Navy has the next-generation of warships necessary to meet challenges around the world, and this procurement strategy will ensure that our flexible force continues to be ready and agile.” “It is the official policy of the United States government – and in the interest of our national security – to meet the Navy’s requirement for 355 ships,” Wicker said. “That requirement includes having a total of 12 aircraft carriers, which are the centerpieces of American power on the seas.  Attaining this goal is going to require better procurement strategies and use of taxpayer dollars. Secretary Mattis has my full support to move forward with a block buy for the next two Ford-class carriers.” In addition to Wicker, Kaine, and Warner, the letter was signed by Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Patty Murray (D-WA), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Luther Strange (R-AL), and Thom Tillis (R-NC). The letter reads in full: Dear Secretary Mattis, As you continue preparation of the Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request for the Department of Defense, we write to express our support for the block buy of Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers.  It is our understanding that the Navy and industry have been evaluating the feasibility of block-buy for CVN-80 and CVN-81, as well as the potential cost savings from such a procurement strategy.  We applaud the Department of Defense’s efforts to examine smarter and more efficient acquisition approaches and would actively support the Department’s pursuit of a block buy of Ford-class aircraft carriers in Fiscal Year 2019. Previous block-buys have yielded savings of several percent of the total cost of the ships when compared to annual procurements, which could be in excess of $1 billion for two Ford-class carriers. Total savings could grow to something closer to $2 billion if the procurement intervals between the ships are additionally shortened from five-year centers to three- or four-year centers, which would be consistent with the Navy's goal of achieving and maintaining the 12-carrier force called for in the Navy's 355-ship requirement. In light of the increased budgetary demands placed on the Department, we believe that revisiting a proven acquisition method, one that could be executed without reducing funding for other vital shipbuilding programs, is not only warranted, but a sound investment.  As recent events in the Pacific have shown, our nation's carrier fleet is under considerable demand, with 3 of 11 deployed and 7 of 11 carriers underway in recent weeks.  A block-buy of Ford-class will help the Navy achieve its objective of 12 carriers that better meets combatant commander requirements and readiness goals to sustain worldwide operations.  Additionally, a block-buy would continue to signal to the shipbuilding industrial base about our nation’s resolve to field a 355-ship fleet.  Over the past 25 years, our shipbuilding industrial base has undergone a massive consolidation.  The community, which used to tap into more than 17,000 suppliers now relies on fewer than 3,000 across the country. These remaining suppliers would significantly benefit from the predictability and stability of a known future workload.  We believe the stability offered by a block-buy approach would enable suppliers to develop greater efficiencies and invest in their own businesses, which would further benefit other Navy shipbuilding programs as well. At the forefront of today’s Navy is the Nimitz class carrier and Virginia-class submarine, both of which are successful products of block-buy type initiatives.  As we look to the next 50 years, we believe a wise investment of our precious defense dollars would be in the time-proven acquisition method of block-buy for our next generation of aircraft carrier. Thank you for your consideration and service to our country. Click here to view a copy of the signed letter. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/12/warner-kaine-call-for-block-buy-of-future-aircraft-carriers,Warner & Kaine Call for Block Buy of Future Aircraft Carriers,2017-12-14,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Mark Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), were joined today by Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) and 14 Senators in sending a letter to Department of Defense Secretary James Mattis expressing their support for the Pentagon’s pursuit to block buy two Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers in FY2019. “Committing to a block-buy for the newest generation of aircraft carriers would save us both time and money while offering much needed stability to our shipbuilders in Hampton Roads and suppliers across the Commonwealth as they build the ships to meet our nation’s national security needs,”Kaine said. “It is critical that we ensure tomorrow’s Navy has the next-generation of warships necessary to meet challenges around the world, and this procurement strategy will ensure that our flexible force continues to be ready and agile.” “It is the official policy of the United States government – and in the interest of our national security – to meet the Navy’s requirement for 355 ships,”Wicker said. “That requirement includes having a total of 12 aircraft carriers, which are the centerpieces of American power on the seas.  Attaining this goal is going to require better procurement strategies and use of taxpayer dollars. Secretary Mattis has my full support to move forward with a block buy for the next two Ford-class carriers.”  In addition to Wicker, Kaine, and Warner, the letter was signed by Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Patty Murray (D-WA), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Luther Strange (R-AL), and Thom Tillis (R-NC).  The letter reads in full:   Dear Secretary Mattis, As you continue preparation of the Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request for the Department of Defense, we write to express our support for the block buy of Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers.  It is our understanding that the Navy and industry have been evaluating the feasibility of block-buy for CVN-80 and CVN-81, as well as the potential cost savings from such a procurement strategy.  We applaud the Department of Defense’s efforts to examine smarter and more efficient acquisition approaches and would actively support the Department’s pursuit of a block buy of Ford-class aircraft carriers in Fiscal Year 2019. Previous block-buys have yielded savings of several percent of the total cost of the ships when compared to annual procurements, which could be in excess of $1 billion for two Ford-class carriers. Total savings could grow to something closer to $2 billion if the procurement intervals between the ships are additionally shortened from five-year centers to three- or four-year centers, which would be consistent with the Navy's goal of achieving and maintaining the 12-carrier force called for in the Navy's 355-ship requirement. In light of the increased budgetary demands placed on the Department, we believe that revisiting a proven acquisition method, one that could be executed without reducing funding for other vital shipbuilding programs, is not only warranted, but a sound investment.  As recent events in the Pacific have shown, our nation's carrier fleet is under considerable demand, with 3 of 11 deployed and 7 of 11 carriers underway in recent weeks.  A block-buy of Ford-class will help the Navy achieve its objective of 12 carriers that better meets combatant commander requirements and readiness goals to sustain worldwide operations.  Additionally, a block-buy would continue to signal to the shipbuilding industrial base about our nation’s resolve to field a 355-ship fleet.  Over the past 25 years, our shipbuilding industrial base has undergone a massive consolidation.  The community, which used to tap into more than 17,000 suppliers now relies on fewer than 3,000 across the country. These remaining suppliers would significantly benefit from the predictability and stability of a known future workload.  We believe the stability offered by a block-buy approach would enable suppliers to develop greater efficiencies and invest in their own businesses, which would further benefit other Navy shipbuilding programs as well. At the forefront of today’s Navy is the Nimitz class carrier and Virginia-class submarine, both of which are successful products of block-buy type initiatives.  As we look to the next 50 years, we believe a wise investment of our precious defense dollars would be in the time-proven acquisition method of block-buy for our next generation of aircraft carrier. Thank you for your consideration and service to our country.  Click here to view a copy of the signed letter.   # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/12/warner-on-senate-floor-pass-the-dream-act-now,Warner on Senate Floor: Pass the DREAM Act Now,2017-12-14,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Mark Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube Flickr",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1212,"Connolly, Scott, Beyer and McEachin Urge Congressional Leadership to Reauthorize CHIP",2017-12-13,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Gerald Connolly,C001078,connolly.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Virginia Congressmen Gerry Connolly, Bobby Scott, Don Beyer and A. Donald McEachin sent a letter to congressional leadership urging them to immediately bring up bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The CHIP program, which historically has been a bipartisan effort, provides insurance to more than 66,000 children and 1,100 pregnant women in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Earlier this week, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffee began to notify families of the lack of CHIP funding. ""Further inaction is immoral and needless,"" the Members wrote.  ""CHIP has always received overwhelming bipartisan support. In fact, Senators Orrin Hatch and Ron Wyden reached a bipartisan deal to reauthorize CHIP for five years in September, and the Senate Finance Committee has already acted on this bill. We implore you to take up this bill, or a similar bipartisan reauthorization immediately."" The full letter follows and is available here. Dear Majority Leader McConnell, Minority Leader Schumer, Speaker Ryan and Leader Pelosi: In the Commonwealth of Virginia 66,000 children and 1,100 pregnant women rely on the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). In Fiscal Years 2016-2017 in Virginia, CHIP covered 218,190 immunizations, 221,309 well-child checkups, 21,430 glasses and contact lenses, and 326,567 dental visits. CHIP is an indispensable partner to Virginia in securing a healthy future for our children. As you are aware, CHIP’s authorization expired on September 30th, and now Virginia will run out of funds in January 2018 if CHIP is not reauthorized. Governor Terry McAuliffe has been forced to notify families this week that Congress has yet to reauthorize CHIP and to prepare other options – which for some children and their families simply may not exist. Linda Nablo, chief deputy director at Virginia’s Department of Medical Assistance Services has said “most families, their children will go without insurance.” Further inaction is immoral and needless. CHIP has always received overwhelming bipartisan support. In fact, Senators Orrin Hatch and Ron Wyden reached a bipartisan deal to reauthorize CHIP for five years in September, and the Senate Finance Committee has already acted on this bill. We implore you to take up this bill, or a similar bipartisan reauthorization immediately. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mceachin.house.gov/media/press-releases/mceachin-statement-passing-former-hopewell-mayor-curtis-harris,McEachin Statement on the Passing of former Hopewell Mayor Curtis Harris,2017-12-13,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,A. McEachin,M001200,mceachin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Hopewell, Va. – Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) issued this statement following the passing of former Hopewell Mayor Curtis Harris: “I am filled with sadness at the passing of Rev. Curtis Harris. We lost a great man of faith who fought for the greater good on behalf of those who faced injustice and discrimination in his community, and across the country. Many in our community knew him as the strong and fearless leader that he was. Today and forever we shall honor the leadership of the renowned civil rights leader and pastor who was determined to make the changes we needed in our community. We will forever remember the life and legacy of Rev. Mayor Curtis Harris. My family and I pray for his family’s healing during this tough time.” ### Contact: Jamitress Bowden (202) 225-6365",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mceachin.house.gov/media/press-releases/virginia-congressmen-urge-congressional-leadership-fund-chip,Virginia Congressmen Urge Congressional Leadership to Fund CHIP,2017-12-13,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,A. McEachin,M001200,mceachin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) joined Congressmen Don Beyer (VA-08), Gerry Connolly (VA-11), and Bobby Scott (VA-03) on a letter to congressional leadership on the immediate need for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) funding following Governor McAuliffe's letter sent earlier this to families informing them of the lack of funding. “Virginia children are at risk because Congress continues to fail to fund CHIP,” said Congressman Donald McEachin. “I join my colleagues to call on congressional leaders in the House and the Senate to bring forward a bill that would fund the CHIP program for five years because children need health care. These families deserve better than what is happening because of the Republicans' inaction.” In the Commonwealth of Virginia, 66,000 children and 1,100 pregnant women rely on the CHIP. This program has historically received bipartisan support. “CHIP’s authorization expired on September 30th, and now Virginia will run out of funds in January 2018 if CHIP is not reauthorized,” wrote the Members of Congress. “Governor Terry McAuliffe has been forced to notify families this week that Congress has yet to reauthorize CHIP and to prepare other options – which for some children and their families simply may not exist. Linda Nablo, chief deputy director at Virginia’s Department of Medical Assistance Services has said “most families, their children will go without insurance.” Full letter text is available here and below. ###   Dear Majority Leader McConnell, Minority Leader Schumer, Speaker Ryan and Leader Pelosi: In the Commonwealth of Virginia 66,000 children and 1,100 pregnant women rely on the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). In Fiscal Years 2016-2017 in Virginia, CHIP covered 218,190 immunizations, 221,309 well-child checkups, 21,430 glasses and contact lenses, and 326,567 dental visits. CHIP is an indispensable partner to Virginia in securing a healthy future for our children. As you are aware, CHIP’s authorization expired on September 30th, and now Virginia will run out of funds in January 2018 if CHIP is not reauthorized. Governor Terry McAuliffe has been forced to notify families this week that Congress has yet to reauthorize CHIP and to prepare other options – which for some children and their families simply may not exist. Linda Nablo, chief deputy director at Virginia’s Department of Medical Assistance Services has said “most families, their children will go without insurance.” Further inaction is immoral and needless. CHIP has always received overwhelming bipartisan support. In fact, Senators Orrin Hatch and Ron Wyden reached a bipartisan deal to reauthorize CHIP for five years in September, and the Senate Finance Committee has already acted on this bill. We implore you to take up this bill, or a similar bipartisan reauthorization immediately. Sincerely,   Contact: Jamitress Bowden (202) 225-6365",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-calls-for-fcc-to-delay-tomorrows-net-neutrality-vote-consider-impact-on-rural-students,"Kaine Calls For FCC To Delay Tomorrow's Net Neutrality Vote, Consider Impact On Rural Students",2017-12-13,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Kaine Calls For FCC To Delay Tomorrow's Net Neutrality Vote, Consider Impact On Rural Students Wednesday, December 13, 2017 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, joined Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and 20 of their colleagues in a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman (FCC) Ajit Pai urging him to delay the proposed vote tomorrow that would dismantle existing net neutrality rules until he specifically addresses the impacts on students and schools—specifically those in rural or low-income communities. Kaine is a strong supporter of a free, fair, and open internet, which provides our nation’s students in P-12 and higher education with opportunities to learn and succeed. He opposes the Trump Administration’s proposal to dismantle net neutrality rules and has raised concern over thousands of fake comments the FCC received on the proposal that inaccurately reflect the public opinion on this vital issue. “By overturning the Commission’s current rules that preserve net neutrality and prevent internet service providers (ISPs) from blocking, throttling, or otherwise privileging lawful content, we fear that the Draft Order could harm our nation’s students and schools—especially those in rural and low-income communities,” wrote the Senators. “We urge you to delay this monumental decision to dismantle net neutrality until you have fully examined the Draft Order’s impact on our nation’s students and their ability to learn.” Allowing internet service providers to limit access and increase costs could widen the digital divide for students in rural and low-income areas, where their only access to the internet may be at a resource-constrained school or a public library. This decision could also hinder teachers’ and students’ ability to access educational materials from around the globe and make it more difficult for students with disabilities and English learners to receive a high-quality education. On December 14, the Commission is expected to vote along party lines in favor of Chairman Pai’s proposal, which will roll back the FCC’s current net neutrality rules and give more power to internet service providers (ISPs). In addition to Senators Kaine and Murray, the letter was signed by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Jack Reed (D-RI), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Al Franken (D-MN), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). Full text of letter below and PDF HERE.  December 12, 2017   The Honorable Ajit Pai Chairman Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street Southwest Washington, DC 20554 Dear Chairman Pai: We write today regarding your draft order—the Restoring Internet Freedom Order (“the Draft Order”) —and its potential impacts on students, schools, and institutions of higher education. By overturning the Commission’s current rules that preserve net neutrality and prevent internet service providers (ISPs) from blocking, throttling, or otherwise privileging lawful content, we fear that the Draft Order could harm our nation’s students and schools—especially those in rural and low-income communities. We urge you to delay this monumental decision to dismantle net neutrality until you have fully examined the Draft Order’s impact on our nation’s students and their ability to learn. In the past four years, P-12 schools have made enormous strides in improving access to high-speed connectivity for all students. In 2013, 40 million students were in schools not meeting the 100 kbps per student threshold. By 2017, only 6.5 million students were in schools not meeting this goal—narrowing this gap by 84 percent.[1] From early childhood education through higher education and workforce training, students need access to high-speed internet in order to learn and make the most of their educational experience. The Draft Order runs counter to our national goal of affordable, high-speed internet for all students. By rolling back the FCC’s current prohibitions against blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization, the Draft Order could lead to a tiered and compartmentalized internet, and whose characteristic openness is limited to those students, schools, and institutions who can afford it. Beyond that, the Draft Order threatens to impede innovation that has taken place within the educational sphere, including when it comes to access to high-quality online coursework. Our nation’s P-12 education system increasingly relies on an open internet to improve equity and access to high-quality content and instruction. Teachers depend on the internet to collaborate with colleagues and to access educational materials from around the globe. Entrepreneurs and educators alike have been able to develop high-quality educational technologies that support state standards and equip schools and teachers to personalize instruction. These technologies, which include educational apps and online coursework, help students learn valuable research and internet safety skills, and expand access to a high-quality education for students with disabilities and English learners. By allowing ISPs to limit access and increase costs, the Draft Order could threaten educational equity and exacerbate the digital divide.  Rural schools could be particularly harmed by the potential effects of the Draft Order. One recent analysis shows that the 77 percent of the schools that lack high-speed fiber connections are in rural communities.[2] Despite the Draft Order’s claim that the Commission’s current rules have stifled investment in internet infrastructure and rural communities, independent studies have found that such investments by ISPs have largely remained stable[3] and in some cases have increased in underserved areas.[4] The Draft Order would neither protect fiscally-strapped schools and school districts from aggressive ISP pricing practices, nor would it guarantee any additional investment in underserved areas. Institutions of higher education rely on an open internet to carry out both their educational and research missions. For instance, online coursework has grown significantly over the past decade: as of the fall of 2015, more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course, representing about 30 percent of enrollments, compared to less than 10 percent in the fall of 2002.[5] Should the Draft Order be adopted, video lectures and online learning resources that are essential to institutions of higher education may be rendered unavailable by ISPs that decide to block them or otherwise privilege a competing resource. Additionally, basic research, which today more than ever relies upon frequent exchange of massive data sets online, could be severely impacted by a tiered and tolled internet. The Association of Research Libraries has stated that “if our institutions had to pay a fee in order to access these connections or download these digital files, it wouldn't happen.”[6] Resource-constrained public institutions of higher education, the biggest users of online coursework, which remain funded nearly $9 billion below their per-student levels before the Great Recession, would particularly feel these constraints.[7] The Draft Order may also disproportionately impact students whose only adequate connection to the internet is the one inside their classroom. Even in 2017, far too many students lack access to a reliable, high-speed internet connection outside their classrooms—at home or off-campus. According to a 2015 Pew Research Center analysis, approximately 5 million households with school-age children did not have high-speed internet at home.[8] This analysis found that households with annual incomes under $50,000 were more than three times as likely to lack a high-speed connection than those with incomes over $50,000; nearly 40 percent of households with annual incomes under $25,000—165 percent of full-time federal minimum wage[9]—did not have a high-speed connection.[10] Coupled with the Commission’s recent modifications to the Lifeline program and proposed changes to the critical Universal Service Fund’s Schools and Libraries Program (“E-Rate”) program, implementation of the Draft Order could further deepen the “digital divide,” effectively limiting or outright denying internet access to the students who need it most. In summary, we are deeply concerned about the Draft Order’s impact on our nation’s education system. Subsequently, we ask that you delay your planned vote to roll back net neutrality and forever change the landscape of the internet until you can satisfactorily answer the following questions: ·       The Draft Order fails to make a single mention of ‘student’ or ‘students’ in its 210 pages; to what extent did the Commission contemplate the Draft Order’s impact on students and the programs, schools, and institutions of higher education that they attend? ·       What tangible and enforceable guarantees does the Draft Order provide for schools and institutions of higher education in rural areas, which face substantial barriers to accessing a high-speed internet connection? o   What evidence does the Commission have that the Draft Order will provide superior connectivity over the regulatory regime currently in place? ·       How will the Draft Order affect the E-Rate program, including the progress made in such program since the 2014 modernization order? ·       Paragraph 256 of the Draft Order “reject[s] the contrary argument ISPs will engage in ‘virtual redlining’ because, as discussed, paid prioritization is likely to lead to increased network investment and lower costs to end users, particularly benefitting those on the wrong side of the digital divide.”[11] o   What steps will the Commission take to ensure that ISPs do not engage in such behavior and that issues associated with the “digital divide” and the “homework gap” are not being actively exacerbated by the regulatory framework envisioned by the Draft Order? We thank you for your consideration of these pressing issues. We look forward to your swift and detailed response. ###   [7] Allen, I. Elaine, Ph.D., and Jeff Seaman, Ph.D. ""Distance Education Enrollment Report 2017."" May 2017. https://onlinelearningsurvey.com/reports/digtiallearningcompassenrollment2017.pdf, 4. Mitchell, Michael, Michael Leachman, and Kathleen Masterson. ""A Lost Decade in Higher Education Funding."" August 23, 2017. https://www.cbpp.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/2017_higher_ed_8-22-17_final.pdf, 2.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=703,Safe Climate Caucus Co-Chairs Statement and Resolution on the Two-Year Anniversary of the Paris Climate Agreement,2017-12-12,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Donald Beyer,B001292,beyer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Safe Climate Caucus Co-Chairs’ Statement and Resolution on the Two-Year Anniversary of the Paris Climate Agreement f t # e Washington, December 12, 2017 Reps. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) and Don Beyer (D-VA), co-chairs of the Congressional Safe Climate Caucus, today issued the following statement on their introduction of a resolution celebrating the second anniversary of the signing of the Paris Climate Agreement:    “Two years after the signing of the Paris Climate Agreement, climate change remains a huge threat to the planet and the human race, but Donald Trump isn’t taking that threat seriously. The Paris Climate Agreement represents the best opportunity for the global community to prevent climate change’s devastating impacts on our communities, our economies, and our environment. This anniversary is a stark reminder of the direction the Trump Administration has chosen: a path abandoned, leadership abdicated, and work unfinished.    “We cannot let one politically-motivated decision rooted in ignorance detour us from the task at hand. Every other country in the world has indicated their support for the Paris Agreement, and we are seeing tremendous strides being made on the local and state levels to reduce carbon pollution and enhance climate resiliency. On the two-year anniversary of this monumental accord, the Safe Climate Caucus will continue pushing for action on climate.”   The resolution, cosponsored by 22 members of the Safe Climate Caucus, urges the Trump Administration not to withdraw from the Paris Agreement.  It also supports global efforts to keep warming under 2 degrees Celsius, efforts to protect vulnerable populations from the impacts of climate change, and policies at the Federal, State, and local level that promote reductions in carbon pollution. Text of the resolution can be viewed here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-joins-gililbrand-to-co-sponsor-me-too-bill,Kaine Joins Gililbrand To Co-Sponsor 'Me Too' Bill,2017-12-12,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Kaine Joins Gililbrand To Co-Sponsor 'Me Too' Bill Tuesday, December 12, 2017 WASHINGTON – D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) joined Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) as a cosponsor of the Member and Employee Training and Oversight on Congress Act (ME TOO Act), introduced in response to recent sexual harassment allegations in Congress and revelations that the Congressional Accountability Act (CAA) process places an unfair burden on victims. The bill would reform the CAA to eliminate the mandatory steps that must be exhausted before an employee of the legislative branch can sue in federal district court and implement other provisions to expand protections and update policies at the Office of Compliance (OOC). Last week, Senator Kaine sent a letter to the Senate Office of Compliance (OOC) requesting information on the number of sexual harassment claims filed against Senators, members of their personal staff, and committee staff, along with the amount of monetary settlements that were reached in harassment cases. In the letter, Kaine wrote that he will publicly release any information he receives to help determine the scope of the problem and develop solutions.  “I’m proud to join Senator Gillibrand on this bill that makes it easier for survivors of sexual harassment and assault to come forward, and know they will be heard,” Kaine said. “This bill would get rid of needless roadblocks to ensure instances of sexual harassment and assault are handled quickly and that there’s real accountability.” The proposed reforms under the ME TOO Act would allow a complainant to sue in federal district court sooner because the bill would eliminate the mandatory counseling and mediation provisions of the CAA. The bill eliminates confidentiality requirements from the claims process while establishing a confidential advisor to provide guidance to victims of harassment about the process. Further, the bill authorizes the OOC General Counsel to conduct interviews and gather evidence in pursuit of these claims. The bill also proposes to expand coverage to interns, fellows, and detailees, which remains ambiguous under the CAA. It further takes into consideration that victims of harassment may want to work remotely while their claim is considered to avoid further retaliation or unwanted attention from the accused. Finally, the bill mandates annual training and implements a tracking system to add transparency and accountability to the process. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-annual-defense-bill-becoming-law,Kaine Statement On Annual Defense Bill Becoming Law,2017-12-12,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Kaine Statement On Annual Defense Bill Becoming Law Tuesday, December 12, 2017 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after President Trump signed the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes numerous provisions he championed to benefit Virginia’s shipbuilding industry, defense community, servicemembers, and their families. Kaine helped write the legislation along with his colleagues on the Armed Services Committee, led by U.S. Senator John McCain. “I’m proud of the bipartisan work we put into the annual defense bill, which will bolster the work of our defense community in Virginia and the future of our cyber infrastructure nationwide. We locked in an additional $10 billion in funding for the Navy, which is critical to Hampton Roads and our shipbuilders, and we committed our nation to taking steps to address military spouse unemployment. It is now critical that appropriators get to work to ensure that the plan we’ve laid out to keep our country safe and secure receives the appropriate funding levels to make it a reality.” The following list includes many of the programs and provisions Kaine advocated for that were included in the final bill, which will directly affect Virginia’s defense industry: Supports Shipbuilding:  Funds the procurement of USS John F Kennedy (CVN-79) and USS Enterprise (CVN-80), and the refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) of USS George Washington (CVN 73) and USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). The bill also provides an additional $450 million for procurement of either a third Virginia-class submarine or to expand the submarine industrial base in preparation for the Columbia-class submarine program. The bill also authorizes over $9 billion in ship depot maintenance and operations support. Supports Servicemembers and Military Families:  Funds a 2.4% pay raise for servicemembers and requires the Department of Defense (DoD) to begin evaluating a process to assist military spouses with transferring professional licenses and credentials across state lines. Kaine heard from military spouses about this issue in Hampton this spring. After hearing the concerns of constituents and military family advocacy groups, Kaine worked to include a provision in the bill that would authorize hospice care services for TRICARE beneficiaries under the age of 21.  The NDAA also includes an amendment by Kaine that directs the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to discover new areas of cooperation on suicide prevention. Builds on Kaine’s  Work to Improve Credentialing for Servicemembers: Requires DoD to update Congress on its progress toward implementing veterans’ credentialing provisions championed by Kaine in previous defense bills, which will reduce veterans’ unemployment by ensuring that servicemembers receive high-quality accredited credentials for a more successful transition to civilian employment. DoD Cyber Scholarship Program Act: Includes key provisions of Kaine’s bill, the DoD Cyber Scholarship Program Act, which would boost the cybersecurity workforce by reinvigorating a DoD cyber scholarship program that was threatened by sequestration cuts and directing five percent of scholarships toward community college students.  DoD has not previously awarded scholarships to community college students; expanding the program to these students will broaden the talent pool and fill key cyber workforce gaps at DoD.  There are  fifty-two, two-year institutions that would qualify for scholarships, including four in Virginia: Danville Community College, Lord Fairfax Community College, Northern Virginia Community College, and Tidewater Community College. National Science Foundation’s Cyber Scholarship Program: Includes a Kaine amendment to enhance the cybersecurity workforce pipeline by improving and expanding the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) CyberCorps: Scholarship-for-Service Program, which awards grants and scholarships to students in exchange for government service in cybersecurity roles. The bill’s key provisions would expand scholarships to community colleges, increase resources for K-12 cyber education, improve cyber teacher recruitment, and boost much-needed support for critical infrastructure at risk of cyberattacks.   Boosts Ability to Deter Russia: Includes a Kaine provision that would direct the Minerva Research Initiative, DoD’s social science research program, to expand research on the social forces behind information warfare.  Citing the Director of National Intelligence’s report on Russia’s hacking operation during the 2016 election, the bill directs Minerva to fund research on ways to identify and counter fake media, misinformation, and other technical aspects of information operations.  The NDAA also increases the strength of U.S. partnerships with European Allies by stabilizing funding for the European Deterrence Initiative and improves cooperation with European forces to help respond to Russian military aggression. Puts Committee on Record Against Sequestration: Includes an amendment demonstrating the Committee’s support for the unconditional repeal of the Budget Control Act. Authorizes Military Construction (MILCON): Authorizes over $350 million in critical military construction projects throughout the Commonwealth including Dam Neck, Portsmouth, Yorktown, Ft. Belvoir and Joint Base Langley-Eustis. No BRAC Round: The Senate did not take up Senator McCain’s Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) proposal and Rejected DoD proposals for a new BRAC round. Marine Corps War Memorial: Kaine proposed an amendment to authorize the National Park Service to construct a permanent restroom facility at the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, VA. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=700,"Beyer, Dingell, Grijalva, 100+ House Democrats Urge Preservation of Endangered Species Act",2017-12-11,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Donald Beyer,B001292,beyer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Reps. Don Beyer (VA), Debbie Dingell (MI), and Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ) today led 104 House Democrats in a letter to House Leadership urging the removal of harmful provisions attached to the final spending legislation for FY 18 that would weaken the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Representatives wrote in response to the FY 18 Interior/EPA bill, passed out of the Appropriations Committee, which contained several riders attacking endangered species conservation and removing protections for imperiled species, including wolves and sage grouse. The Representatives wrote: “We write to express our great concern over a number of harmful provisions in H.R. 3354 – the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018 (“Make America Secure and Prosperous Act, 2018”) – that would undermine endangered species conservation and threaten one of our country’s most important wildlife conservation laws – the Endangered Species Act. We urge you to ensure that these controversial and far-reaching provisions are not included in final spending legislation for FY 2018. “We urge you to use your positions of leadership to uphold our nation’s legacy of protecting our natural heritage for future generations of Americans and reject the inclusion of any of these attacks on the Endangered Species Act and wildlife in any final bill to fund the federal government.” The Representatives went on to note that one amendment in the legislation would void federal protections for bears and wolves on national preserves in Alaska. This would weaken the National Park Service’s ability to prevent unsportsmanlike hunting practices – such as baiting, trapping, and “denning” – on lands under its own jurisdiction. A signed copy of the letter is available here, and full text follows below. Rep. Beyer has been a vocal defender of wildlife and endangered species since he was elected to the House of Representatives, where he serves on the Natural Resources Committee, and has introduced legislation to protect marine life and biodiversity. Dear Speaker Ryan and Minority Leader Pelosi: We write to express our great concern over a number of harmful provisions in H.R. 3354 – the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018 (“Make America Secure and Prosperous Act, 2018”) – that would undermine endangered species conservation and threaten one of our country’s most important wildlife conservation laws – the Endangered Species Act. We urge you to ensure that these controversial and far-reaching provisions are not included in final spending legislation for FY 2018. The appropriations process has become a perennial magnet for provisions and amendments that seek to make significant changes to U.S. environmental policies. Rather than taking their policy proposals to the appropriate authorizing committees, many members have instead opted to insert them into appropriations bills, often without full consideration by Congress. These misguided efforts weigh down the important process to fund the federal government. We object to these policy provisions – especially those provisions that threaten American’s air, water, wildlife, and public lands. This letter focuses on the seven provisions currently in H.R. 3354 aimed at weakening the Endangered Species Act – a law that continues to serve as our nation’s most effective law in protecting wildlife in danger of extinction. We also strongly oppose a provision that would block implementation of critical rules developed by the National Park Service to regulate non-subsistence hunting in Alaska national preserves. When Congress passed the Endangered Species Act with near-unanimous consent, species were struggling to survive in the face of unmitigated human-caused threats to their existence. Since the Endangered Species Act was enacted, many of these species have rebounded over the course of just a few decades, including the bald eagle, the brown pelican and the humpback whale. Ninety-nine percent of species that have been listed under the Endangered Species Act have escaped the final fate of extinction, and many are once again thriving. We have a moral responsibility to continue to be good stewards of our environment and protect our natural resources for future generations. That translates into maintaining a strong federal Endangered Species Act that relies on sound science to guide decision-making. Polling shows that 90 percent of American voters support the Endangered Species Act and 71 percent believe scientists should make decisions about how to protect imperiled species, not politicians. Nevertheless, the underlying FY 2018 Interior/EPA bill that passed out of the Appropriations Committee contained three riders that undermine endangered species conservation by singling out certain imperiled species and denying them the protections of the Endangered Species Act. One would continue for a fourth year a rider that prevents the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) from taking any steps to list the sage-grouse under the Endangered Species Act.  In September 2015, FWS determined that the greater sage-grouse was not warranted for listing under the Endangered Species Act, citing an unprecedented landscape-scale planning process as reducing threats to sage grouse - plans that will almost certainly be weakened under a new process initiated by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke.  This amendment would prevent an ESA listing for the sage-grouse, even if it declines closer to extinction. Another would block Endangered Species Act protections for wolves in the Midwest, reaffirm a court decision that delisted wolves in Wyoming, and obstruct citizens’ ability to go to court to challenge these delistings. Still another provision would go so far as to defund recovery measures for gray wolves throughout the entire continental United States, even though wolves currently inhabit only 15 percent of their historic range. This same provision would also block all spending on recovery efforts for the Mexican gray wolves, even though there are just 113 individual animals left in the United States and 35 in Mexico. The job of restoring wolves to still-suitable habitat across the United States – as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has done for other wide-ranging species like the bald eagle – is far from done. The bill only got worse on the floor, when 3 additional riders that would undermine the Endangered Species Act and harm threatened and endangered species conservation were added to the bill. Finally, Representative Don Young added an amendment that would void a federal rule conserving bears and wolves on national preserves in Alaska. If this language is enacted, the National Park Service would not be able to prevent unsportsmanlike hunting practices on lands under its own jurisdiction, including spotlighting denning bears and cubs as they hibernate.  We urge you to use your positions of leadership to uphold our nation’s legacy of protecting our natural heritage for future generations of Americans and reject the inclusion of any of these attacks on the Endangered Species Act and wildlife in any final bill to fund the federal government. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-and-kaine-statement-on-potential-loss-of-chip-coverage-for-virginia-families,Warner & Kaine Statement On Potential Loss Of CHIP Coverage For Virginia Families,2017-12-11,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Warner & Kaine Statement On Potential Loss Of CHIP Coverage For Virginia Families Monday, December 11, 2017 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine released the following statement after the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) announced they will begin to notify families tomorrow who have one or more family members enrolled in the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) that they will lose coverage on January 31st if Congress does not pass a bipartisan CHIP reauthorization bill: “Today is a scary day for a lot of families in Virginia, and it was completely preventable. We asked Senator McConnell multiple times to help us support the 66,000 children and 1,100 pregnant women in Virginia who receive their health care through the CHIP program, but Republican leadership still hasn't brought it forward for a vote. There is a bipartisan bill on the table, and it’s critical that we pass it before Congress leaves for the holidays so we can give some peace of mind to Virginia parents who are worried about whether their children will have health insurance in the new year.”  Warner and Kaine have urged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to immediately pass bipartisan legislation to reauthorize CHIP, with letters in October and December. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/12/gov-mcauliffe-and-sen-warner-launch-va4e-virginia-is-for-entrepreneurs-initiative,Gov. Mcauliffe and Sen. Warner Launch VA4E Virginia is for Entrepreneurs Initiative,2017-12-11,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Mark Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"ALEXANDRIA – Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe and U.S. Sen. Mark Warner today announced the launch of the Virginia is for Entrepreneurs (VA4E) initiative, an effort to better match entrepreneurs with potential investors across regions, backgrounds and industries. VA4E’s first initiative will feature a standardized online application to better link entrepreneurs with more than 50 equity firms and potential funders to help launch or grow their Virginia-based businesses.   Partners in the network include universities ranging from Virginia Tech to the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, angel investment groups such as 757 Angels and Shenandoah Valley Angel Investors, venture funds including Revolution and Village Capital, and statewide organizations including the Center for Innovative Technology. “The Commonwealth has long been home to innovators and entrepreneurs who make up the backbone of our new Virginia economy,” said Governor McAuliffe. “That’s why it’s so important that we continue to expand our support for promising new ventures. The Virginia is for Entrepreneurs initiative will open new doors for local start-ups by increasing access to the capital they need to thrive and create good-paying jobs.” “While Virginia boasts a number of innovative communities and ecosystems across the Commonwealth, a consistent problem has been connecting promising entrepreneurs with capital available to support their vision,” Sen. Warner said. “As part of a broader effort to strengthen the connective tissue between Virginia’s startup communities, this tool will help founders evaluate their product fit and maturity, and connect them with venture and angel investors across the Commonwealth.”   “Whether you're an agriculture entrepreneur in Abingdon or a cyber-security entrepreneur in Arlington, if you've got a great idea and work hard, you should be able to succeed,"" said Ross Baird, the founder of venture firm Village Capital and one of the organizers of the VA4E initiative. “Today, too often the best ideas don't even get the opportunity to start because of who they are or where they come from. Virginia is for Entrepreneurs is testing ideas statewide to fix that.”  The pilot initiative announced today, the online application, was successfully tested by more than 200 entrepreneurs and investors statewide at the TomTom Festival in Charlottesville and by the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council.   The initiative will help build strategic sectors in Virginia. For example, one of the initial areas of focus for the investment portfolio will be a state-led pilot program to promote the growth of early stage unmanned aerial systems companies, which has been identified as a cornerstone industry for Virginia’s 21st Century economy. For more information, please contact Ross Baird, ross@vilcap.com; Paul Hirschbiel, phirschbiel@edencapital.net; or visit va4e.org.    ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/12/warner-kaine-statement-on-potential-loss-of-chip-coverage-for-virginia-families,Warner & Kaine Statement on Potential Loss of CHIP Coverage for Virginia Families,2017-12-11,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Mark Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine released the following statement after the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) announced they will begin to notify families tomorrow who have one or more family members enrolled in the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) that they will lose coverage on January 31st if Congress does not pass a bipartisan CHIP reauthorization bill:  “Today is a scary day for a lot of families in Virginia, and it was completely preventable. We asked Senator McConnell multiple times to help us support the 66,000 children and 1,100 pregnant women in Virginia who receive their health care through the CHIP program, but Republican leadership still hasn't brought it forward for a vote. There is a bipartisan bill on the table, and it’s critical that we pass it before Congress leaves for the holidays so we can give some peace of mind to Virginia parents who are worried about whether their children will have health insurance in the new year.” Warner and Kaine have urged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to immediately pass bipartisan legislation to reauthorize CHIP, with letters in October and December.  ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-on-november-jobs-report-0,Scott Statement on November Jobs Report,2017-12-08,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Robert Scott,S000185,bobbyscott.house.gov,,,legacy,"As originally released by the Committee on Education and the Workforce, Democrats WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 228,000 jobs in November, with the unemployment rate at 4.1 percent.  “Today's jobs report shows that our economic recovery remains stable, but our work in Congress is far from over. The reality is too many working people and families are still struggling to make ends meet because of stagnant wages. This is particularly relevant as Congressional Republicans are attempting to push through a tax plan that will cost $1.5 trillion. “The Republican tax bill gives massive tax cuts to corporations and families with multi-million dollar estates, while the rest of the legislation imposes a net tax increase on everybody else. Instead of giving away hundreds of billions of dollars to the wealthy few, Congress should invest in infrastructure and education, which would create a better future and millions of good-paying jobs. The choice to provide tax cuts for corporations and the rich instead of making investments in the future of our country threatens our country's long-term economic stability."" # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1208,Virginia Delegation Demands Trump Administration Extend Open Enrollment,2017-12-07,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Gerald Connolly,C001078,connolly.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Congressman Gerry Connolly (VA-11) joined Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, Congressman Tom Garrett (VA-5), and other bipartisan members of the Virginia delegation in sending a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Acting Secretary Eric Hargan asking him to extend the open enrollment period for consumers buying health insurance through the Affordable Care Act individual market in light of premium increases in Charlottesville and across Virginia. Earlier this year, the Trump Administration announced that the open enrollment period would be cut in half. Last month, a Kaiser Family Foundation review found that Albermarle County will have the largest increase in premiums in the country. “We write to ask that you extend the open enrollment period for consumers seeking health insurance through the individual Marketplaces until January 31, 2018. This extension will allow consumers to take into account the effects of any possible market stabilization legislation on their premiums before making any coverage decisions for themselves and their families,” the letter said. The delegation highlighted other factors causing instability in the marketplace that have added to the premium increases and pain felt by Virginia families. A longer open enrollment period would give Congress the necessary time to pass bipartisan market stabilization measures. These proposals could help reduce the cost of insurance by impacting the medical loss ratio calculation from insurers at the end of the year or including provisions for potential rebates. These bills, however, would not change base premium rates. “There are multiple bipartisan legislative proposals meant to address these issues, along with several that have yet to be introduced. The shortened open enrollment period means it is unlikely these proposals will be taken into consideration before enrollment closes on December 15th. Families deserve to know how much these programs will affect their premiums before they decide which insurance policy to purchase. Lowered premiums through rebates could encourage more individuals to purchase insurance or select a more comprehensive plan,” the letter continued. The delegation concluded, “An extended enrollment period will allow these families to take these factors into consideration as they make decisions on which coverage to select for themselves and their families.” Virginia Delegation members signing the letter also include U.S. Reps. Bobby Scott (VA-3), A. Donald McEachin (VA-4), Don Beyer (VA-8), and Barbara Comstock (VA-10). The full text of the letter follows and is available here: Dear Acting Secretary Hargan: We write to ask that you extend the open enrollment period for consumers seeking health insurance through the individual Marketplaces until January 31, 2018. This extension will allow consumers to take into account the effects of any possible market stabilization legislation on their premiums before making any coverage decisions for themselves and their families. Earlier this year your department announced that the open enrollment period would be from November 1st to December 15th. This window is significantly shorter than those in the past and comes at a time when many consumers across the country face substantial premium increases and a reduced number of choices for coverage. There is unprecedented volatility in the market stemming in part to substantial changes involving the Cost Sharing Reduction (CSR) payments to insurers and now a possible repeal of the individual mandate. Dramatic premium increases are causing overwhelming financial distress for our constituents. According to an analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation, residents of Charlottesville and Albemarle County, Virginia are facing the largest premium increases in the country. Families who depend on the Affordable Care Act for their coverage will, in some cases, have their premiums triple next year. Health insurance plans that were affordable just last year are now out of reach for those middle income families who are unable to rely on subsidies. There are multiple bipartisan legislative proposals meant to address these issues, along with several that have yet to be introduced. The shortened open enrollment period means it is unlikely these proposals will be taken into consideration before enrollment closes on December 15th. Families deserve to know how much these programs will affect their premiums before they decide which insurance policy to purchase. Lowered premiums through rebates could encourage more individuals to purchase insurance or select a more comprehensive plan. The shortened enrollment period precludes many individuals currently set to be automatically reenrolled in their current plans on December 16th from making informed decisions in a changing marketplace. Given the ongoing volatility in the market, many of these individuals could be eligible for more comprehensive plans at the same or lower prices. An extended enrollment period will allow these families to take these factors into consideration as they make decisions on which coverage to select for themselves and their families. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mceachin.house.gov/media/press-releases/mceachin-statement-east-end-post-office-church-hill,McEachin Statement on the East End Post Office in Church Hill,2017-12-07,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,A. McEachin,M001200,mceachin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Richmond, Va. – Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) issued this statement on the status of the East End post office located in Church Hill: “I am pleased to report that progress is being made on the East End post office in Church Hill. Mr. Bilder, the building owner, informed my team that repairs on the facility are virtually completed. Following the update, I reached out to representatives of the United States Postal Service (USPS) to request their official opening date for this critical post office location in the 4th Congressional District. I received this response to the inquiry: ‘At present, a timeframe for reopening of the East End Post Office has not been determined. The Postal Service is in the process of completing an assessment and review of repairs. The Postal Service regrets any inconvenience to its customers and will work to restore operations as soon as possible.’ “This response frustrated me because of the lack of specificity. I will continue to work with USPS to get the post office open and fully functioning as soon as possible. I remain committed to the need for a high-quality neighborhood post office in Church Hill.” Background: As promised, Congressman McEachin has stayed in contact with both the owner of the post office building in Church Hill and with representatives of the United States Postal Service. ### Contact: Jamitress Bowden (202) 225-6365",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-calls-for-public-release-of-senates-sexual-harassment-claims-and-settlements,Kaine Calls For Public Release Of Senate's Sexual Harassment Claims & Settlements,2017-12-07,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Kaine Calls For Public Release Of Senate's Sexual Harassment Claims & Settlements Thursday, December 7, 2017 WASHINGTON, D.C.  – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine sent a letter to the Senate Office of Compliance (OOC) this week requesting information on the number of sexual harassment claims filed against Senators, members of their personal staff, and committee staff, along with the amount of monetary settlements that were reached in harassment cases. In the letter, Kaine wrote that he will publicly release any information he receives to help determine the scope of the problem and develop solutions. The information requested by Kaine would not breach any confidentiality agreement between the parties or reveal the identities of the survivors and the accused. His letter comes on the heels of reports of sexual harassment claims settled using taxpayer dollars in the House of Representatives and asks for full transparency in the Senate as Congress grapples with solutions to this widespread issue. “This pervasive problem continues to serve as a barrier to ensure true gender equality. At a more personal level, it signals the failure of our society to guarantee even the basic safety and dignity of our colleagues, classmates, friends, family, and neighbors,” Kaine wrote. “Indeed, how we respond establishes the standard for others. A lax or indifferent response, marked only by symbolic changes, signals that we consider the issue a low priority. But a strong response that seeks to establish true accountability will hopefully encourage others to follow,” Kaine continued. “The right response, however, requires disclosure of the extent of the problem and information about the resolutions the parties reached.” The full text of the letter appears below. A copy of the letter is available here. Susan Tsui Grundmann, Executive Director Office of Compliance John Adams Building 110 2nd Street SE, Room LA 200 Washington, DC 20540-1999 December 6, 2017 Dear Ms. Tsui Grundmann, We are alarmed by reports that Members of Congress and their staffs have often settled accusations of sexual harassment under the Congressional Accountability Act, which has been criticized for a lack of transparency. To be sure, Congress is only one of the many institutions that has come under scrutiny for unacceptable behavior that includes sexism, sexual harassment, and sexual assault. This pervasive problem continues to serve as a barrier to ensure true gender equality. At a more personal level, it signals the failure of our society to guarantee even the basic safety and dignity of our colleagues, classmates, friends, family, and neighbors. While individuals, corporations, and industries alike have started to reexamine the policies and cultures that enable this behavior, our response as leaders of the country’s democratic institutions has far wider consequences. Indeed, how we respond establishes the standard for others. A lax or indifferent response, marked only by symbolic changes, signals that we consider the issue a low priority. But a strong response that seeks to establish true accountability will hopefully encourage others to follow. The right response, however, requires disclosure of the extent of the problem and information about the resolutions the parties reached. While your office publishes some data about the number and types of complaints it receives, that information can only be helpful within the right context. Accordingly, we seek information about how much this issue has affected the U.S. Senate. Specifically, we request the following information, which should not breach any confidentiality agreement between the parties or the identities of the survivors and the accused: The number of sexual harassment claims filed under the Congressional Accountability Act between 2007 and 2017 against a) individual Members of the U.S. Senate, their personal staffs, and, committee staff; The number of claims against Members of the U.S. Senate and their personal and/or committee staffs that ended in some form of resolution; and If resolved by monetary settlement, the total paid to resolve such claims. In the interest of transparency, I plan to publicly disclose this information because I believe it will provide some insight into the scope of the problem and help determine solutions for preventing and addressing future incidents. Admittedly, the challenges we face to resolve these widespread problems appears daunting, as each successive week reveals another leader, celebrity, or media personality accused of reprehensible behavior. Viewing the data behind the problem, however, will shed light on the issue and help us develop solutions to combat sexual harassment and ensure true accountability. We trust that you can provide that information. Thank you for your time and attention to this request.  Sincerely, TIM KAINE ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-senator-frankens-resignation,Kaine Statement On Senator Franken's Resignation,2017-12-07,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Kaine Statement On Senator Franken's Resignation Thursday, December 7, 2017 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement on Senator Al Franken’s decision to resign: “I told Senator Franken yesterday I believed he needed to step aside because the behavior described by multiple women is just wrong. Senator Franken made the right decision today, but the Senate has more work to do -- starting with releasing information about claims and settlements against Senators and their staffs, and fixing broken policies to foster safe work environments and ensure harassers are held accountable for their actions.” This week, Kaine sent a letter to the Senate Office of Compliance (OOC) requesting information on the number of sexual harassment claims filed against Senators, members of their personal staff, and committee staff, along with the amount of monetary settlements that were reached in harassment cases. In the letter, Kaine wrote that he will publicly release any information he receives to help determine the scope of the problem and develop solutions.  ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/12/kaine-warner-garrett-members-of-delegation-ask-trump-administration-to-extend-open-enrollment-in-light-of-premium-increases-in-virginia,"Kaine, Warner, Garrett & Members of Delegation Ask Trump Administration to Extend Open Enrollment in Light of Premium Increases in Virginia",2017-12-07,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Mark Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, bipartisan members of the Virginia delegation led by U.S. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner and Congressman Tom Garrett (VA-5) sent a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Acting Secretary Eric Hargan asking him to extend the open enrollment period for consumers buying health insurance through the Affordable Care Act individual market in light of premium increases in Charlottesville and across Virginia. Earlier this year, the Trump Administration announced that the open enrollment period would be cut in half. Last week, Kaine, Warner and Garrett met with families from Charlottesville facing large premiums increases who expressed support for an extended open enrollment period. Last month, a Kaiser Family Foundation review found that Albermarle County will have the largest increase in premiums in the country. “We write to ask that you extend the open enrollment period for consumers seeking health insurance through the individual Marketplaces until January 31, 2018. This extension will allow consumers to take into account the effects of any possible market stabilization legislation on their premiums before making any coverage decisions for themselves and their families,” the letter said. The delegation highlighted other factors causing instability in the marketplace that have added to the premium increases and pain felt by Virginia families. A longer open enrollment period would give Congress the necessary time to pass bipartisan market stabilization measures. These proposals could help reduce the cost of insurance by impacting the medical loss ratio calculation from insurers at the end of the year or including provisions for potential rebates. These bills, however, would not change base premium rates. “There are multiple bipartisan legislative proposals meant to address these issues, along with several that have yet to be introduced. The shortened open enrollment period means it is unlikely these proposals will be taken into consideration before enrollment closes on December 15th.  Families deserve to know how much these programs will affect their premiums before they decide which insurance policy to purchase. Lowered premiums through rebates could encourage more individuals to purchase insurance or select a more comprehensive plan,” the letter continued. Warner and Kaine also mentioned that a shortened open enrollment period limits the amount of information many individuals set to be automatically reenrolled in their current plans have.  The delegation concluded, “An extended enrollment period will allow these families to take these factors into consideration as they make decisions on which coverage to select for themselves and their families.” Virginia Delegation members signing the letter also include U.S. Reps. Bobby Scott (VA-3), A. Donald McEachin (VA-4), Don Beyer (VA-8), Barbara Comstock (VA-10), and Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11).   The full text of the letter appears below.   Dear Acting Secretary Hargan: We write to ask that you extend the open enrollment period for consumers seeking health insurance through the individual Marketplaces until January 31, 2018. This extension will allow consumers to take into account the effects of any possible market stabilization legislation on their premiums before making any coverage decisions for themselves and their families.  Earlier this year your department announced that the open enrollment period would be from November 1st to December 15th. This window is significantly shorter than those in the past and comes at a time when many consumers across the country face substantial premium increases and a reduced number of choices for coverage. There is unprecedented volatility in the market stemming in part to substantial changes involving the Cost Sharing Reduction (CSR) payments to insurers and now a possible repeal of the individual mandate.  Dramatic premium increases are causing overwhelming financial distress for our constituents. According to an analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation, residents of Charlottesville and Albemarle County, Virginia are facing the largest premium increases in the country. Families who depend on the Affordable Care Act for their coverage will, in some cases, have their premiums triple next year. Health insurance plans that were affordable just last year are now out of reach for those middle income families who are unable to rely on subsidies. There are multiple bipartisan legislative proposals meant to address these issues, along with several that have yet to be introduced. The shortened open enrollment period means it is unlikely these proposals will be taken into consideration before enrollment closes on December 15th.  Families deserve to know how much these programs will affect their premiums before they decide which insurance policy to purchase. Lowered premiums through rebates could encourage more individuals to purchase insurance or select a more comprehensive plan. The shortened enrollment period precludes many individuals currently set to be automatically reenrolled in their current plans on December 16th from making informed decisions in a changing marketplace. Given the ongoing volatility in the market, many of these individuals could be eligible for more comprehensive plans at the same or lower prices. An extended enrollment period will allow these families to take these factors into consideration as they make decisions on which coverage to select for themselves and their families.      Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/12/statement-of-sen-mark-r-warner-on-resignation-of-senator-al-franken,Statement of Sen. Mark R. Warner on Resignation of Senator Al Franken,2017-12-07,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Mark Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the below statement on Senator Al Franken's announcement of his resignation: “The allegations against Sen. Franken were disturbing, and he made the correct decision today. We still have a lot of work to do to address the problem of sexual harassment and misconduct in the workplace.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/12/warner-kaine-push-congress-to-immediately-reauthorize-chip-in-government-funding-bill,Warner & Kaine Push Congress to Immediately Reauthorize Chip in Government Funding Bill,2017-12-07,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Mark Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) today urged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to immediately pass bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which provides health care coverage for 128,000 children in Virginia, by including it in any upcoming government funding legislation. The CHIP program is set to run out of funding on January 31st if Congress fails to reauthorize the program, and if no action is taken, Governor Terry McAuliffe and the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services will be forced to notify families in the coming days of their impending loss of health care coverage. This is the second letter to McConnell from Warner and Kaine urging passage of CHIP.  “We write again to emphasize our support for the prompt reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). We ask that you include bipartisan legislation reauthorizing CHIP in any upcoming funding legislation. Prompt reauthorization of this program is necessary to protect the health of thousands of Virginia children and families,” Sens. Warner and Kaine told Leader McConnell in a letter sent today. Previously, Sens. Warner and Kaine wrote to Leader McConnell in October, asking to expedite a vote on the CHIP reauthorization. The Senators have yet to receive a response to the earlier letter. “On September 18th, Senators Hatch and Wyden introduced the Keeping Kids Insurance Dependable and Secure (KIDS) Act. This bill represents a bipartisan compromise that will extend CHIP for five years. We wrote you on October 26, 2017, after you had failed to schedule a vote for three weeks, requesting bipartisan legislation reauthorizing CHIP be brought to the floor as soon as possible. It has been more than nine weeks since funding for this essential program expired,” wrote the Senators today. Added the Senators, “It is imperative that Congress act quickly to end the uncertainty around health care coverage for thousands of Virginia children. The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services is preparing to notify families of the impending loss of coverage. As such, we request that a full CHIP reauthorization be included in the next available legislative vehicle, so we can prevent letters from going out in Virginia that will unnecessarily frighten parents whose children are in CHIP. On January 31, 2018, Virginia will have insufficient funds to continue the program, and thousands of children in our state would be at risk of losing health care coverage. We can, and must, put an end to this uncertainty.” View full text of the letter below and PDF can be found here.    Dear Leader McConnell,  We write again to emphasize our support for the prompt reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). We ask that you include bipartisan legislation reauthorizing CHIP in any upcoming funding legislation. Prompt reauthorization of this program is necessary to protect the health of thousands of Virginia children and families.  CHIP has been essential to guaranteeing that the children in our state can access health coverage. In FY 2017, Virginia received $285.9 million from CHIP. Between Virginia’s separate CHIP program, the Family Access to Medical Insurance Security, and CHIP-funded Medicaid, our state provides coverage for nearly 128,000 children. This includes 66,000 children on CHIP alone. This coverage includes doctor visits, hospital care, prescription medicines, eyeglasses, immunizations, and regular check-ups for kids under 18 years old with minimal cost sharing and without premiums. Since 2009, dental coverage has also been included in the program. On September 18th, Senators Hatch and Wyden introduced the Keeping Kids Insurance Dependable and Secure (KIDS) Act. This bill represents a bipartisan compromise that will extend CHIP for five years. We wrote you on October 26, 2017, after you had failed to schedule a vote for three weeks, requesting bipartisan legislation reauthorizing CHIP be brought to the floor as soon as possible. It has been more than nine weeks since funding for this essential program expired. It is imperative that Congress act quickly to end the uncertainty around health care coverage for thousands of Virginia children. The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services is preparing to notify families of the impending loss of coverage. As such, we request that a full CHIP reauthorization be included in the next available legislative vehicle, so we can prevent letters from going out in Virginia that will unnecessarily frighten parents whose children are in CHIP. On January 31, 2018, Virginia will have insufficient funds to continue the program, and thousands of children in our state would be at risk of losing health care coverage. We can, and must, put an end to this uncertainty. We remain committed to urging you to bring the KIDS Act to the floor quickly and include offsets acceptable to both sides. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Sincerely,   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-committee-democrats-introduce-bill-to-protect-freedom-to-join,"Scott, Committee Democrats Introduce Bill to Protect Freedom to Join Unions",2017-12-06,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Robert Scott,S000185,bobbyscott.house.gov,,,legacy,"As originally released by the Committee on Education and the Workforce, Democrats WASHINGTON, D.C. – TODAY, Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), ranking member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, along with Congressman Mark Takano (CA-41), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, Congressman Gregorio Sablan (MP-AL), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11), and Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) introduced H.R. 4548, the Workplace Action for a Growing Economy Act of 2017, or the WAGE Act. “For too long, employers have used illegal tactics to fight back against union organizing drives – tactics like threatening workers and firing them for union activity,” said Congressman Scott (VA-03). “They have gotten away with it because the National Labor Relations Act – the law protecting workers’ right to organize – leaves workers with insufficient recourse. The WAGE Act changes that by creating meaningful penalties to prevent employers from violating the right to organize, by strengthening remedies for workers who suffer retaliation for exercising their rights, and by guaranteeing the right to seek relief in federal court.” “Strengthening workers’ ability to join a union and collectively bargain for pay and benefits is critical to restoring America’s middle class, which has been hallowed out by decades of anti-worker policies,” said Congressman Takano (CA-41). “This legislation is a step toward fixing the rules of the economy, which have left so many American workers behind.” “When working Americans are empowered to collectively bargain with their employers over wages and conditions of employment, wage growth can be linked to gains in productivity,” said Congressman Sablan (MP-AL). “By safeguarding workers’ freedom to join unions and negotiate with their employers, the WAGE Act protects workers’ abilities to share in the wealth they create.” “If you value the 40-hour, 5-day work week, child labor laws, family and medical leave, pensions, workplace safety policies, and fair wages—you can thank a union,” said Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11). “I am proud to partner with my colleagues in this effort to strengthen unions, which will continue to help all our nation’s workers.” “I worked for decades as an electrician and I know firsthand that having a voice in the workplace leads to higher wages and fairer working conditions,” said Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01). “Unfortunately, the penalties for bad actors who break labor organizing laws are slaps on the wrist. It’s time we stand up for hardworking Americans by creating meaningful consequences to denying someone a fair day’s pay for a hard day’s work.” America’s working people are more productive than ever, yet they are not receiving their fair share of the wealth they create. Research shows that the decline in union density has contributed to wage stagnation and the erosion of the middle class. The freedom to join a union and collectively bargain is critical to reversing this trend and boosting stagnant wages. The WAGE Act deters employers from violating the National Labor Relations Act when workers exercise their rights to join unions. It does so by requiring civil penalties for serious violations, strengthening remedies for workers who have been unlawfully discharged, and empowering workers with the right to seek relief in federal court—similar to rights guaranteed under other civil rights and employment laws. The WAGE Act protects the freedom to join a union by: Increasing transparency by requiring employers to post notices of workers’ rights under the NLRA. Creating penalties to prevent violations of workers’ rights to join unions or engage in collective action. Strengthening remedies for workers who suffer retaliation for exercising their rights under the NLRA. Expanding coverage of the NLRA to prevent workers from being denied their legal recourse. Streamlining the process for workers to organize a union and negotiate a first contract. FACT SHEET: The WAGE Act of 2017 SECTION-BY-SECTION: The WAGE Act of 2017 BILL TEXT: The WAGE Act of 2017",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-on-impeachment-resolution,Scott Statement on Impeachment Resolution,2017-12-06,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Robert Scott,S000185,bobbyscott.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after he voted to table Congressman Al Green’s (TX-09) resolution calling for the impeachment of President Trump: “This President has made statements and taken actions that approve of those who preach hatred and division while promoting policies that would imperil our democracy, weaken our economy, and undermine our national security.  Legitimate questions have been raised about his fitness to lead our nation.  At this time, Congressional committees are investigating the President’s actions before and after he took the oath of office.  The special counsel’s investigation is progressing as well and we should allow Robert Mueller to complete his investigation.  Then, if sufficient evidence exists, the House will be in a position to consider impeachment. “Congress currently owes it to the American people to address overdue priorities, including improving the lives of hard-working Americans and defeating Republicans’ assault on working families and defeat their tax scam and efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. We must focus on working across the aisle to fund the government and reauthorize the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).” # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/top-democrats-urge-departments-to-rescind-harmful-actions-taking-away,Top Democrats Urge Departments to Rescind Harmful Actions Taking Away Coverage for Preventive Services for Women,2017-12-06,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Robert Scott,S000185,bobbyscott.house.gov,,,legacy,"As originally released by the Committee on Education and the Workforce, Democrats WASHINGTON, D.C. – Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03), Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard Neal (MA-01), and Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone Jr. (NJ-06) sent a letter to Health and Human Services Acting Secretary Eric Hargan, Department of Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta, and Department of the Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to share their comments on the Interim Final Rules (IFRs) that allow employers and institutions of higher education to use their religious or moral beliefs to deny coverage of preventive services for women. “In crafting the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a core tenant was the belief that access to comprehensive care, including preventive care services and essential health benefits, would improve the lives and health of the American people. Proponents of the ACA recognized that expanding access to preventive care could result in lower costs and better health outcomes,” the Members wrote. “Contraception coverage was then, and continues to be, a critical aspect of this overarching goal. Eviscerating this guarantee by giving employers and institutions of higher education carte blanche to opt out is contrary to the intent of Congress.” The members are gravely concerned that the IFRs will undo the progress made by the ACA, which ensures that women have coverage for a comprehensive set of preventive health services without any out-of-pocket costs. These sweeping new rules represent an unacceptable and unjustified attack on a basic health care service on which millions of women across the country rely. The full text of the letter is enclosed below: Dear Acting Secretary Hargan, Secretary Acosta, and Secretary Mnuchin: We write to share our comments on the Interim Final Rules (IFRs) regarding coverage of certain preventive services for women. As the Ranking Members of the Committees of jurisdiction, we are gravely concerned that the IFRs will undo the progress made by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which ensures that women have coverage for a comprehensive set of preventive health services without any out-of-pocket costs. These sweeping new rules represent an unacceptable and unjustified attack on a basic health care service on which millions of women across the country rely. Before the ACA’s enactment, basic preventive services were often not fully covered by most insurance plans.  Women in particular struggled to access needed preventive services and were more likely than men to forego preventive care due to costs.  Recognizing this inequity, the ACA guaranteed that women have access to all necessary “preventive care and screenings,” including the full range of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved contraceptive methods, without copayments or any other any cost sharing requirements. The women’s preventive services guarantee was a dramatic step forward for women’s health. As a result, more than 62 million women now have coverage for contraception and other preventive services, without having to pay a deductible, co-payment, or coinsurance.  Some women now have coverage for contraception for the first time, and women are increasingly likely to choose long-acting, more effective methods of birth control that may have prohibitively higher upfront costs without coverage.  The importance of coverage for contraception in narrowing the coverage gap for women has been repeatedly affirmed, including when these preventive services were first identified by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), and most recently in December 2016 by the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative. The recommendations of each of these expert panels were adopted by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  Contraceptive coverage is essential for women to not only avoid unintended pregnancy and space pregnancies effectively for optimal birth outcomes and maternal health, but also as a critical preventive health tool that should be treated like any other preventive health service. Women have a fundamental right to determine the number, timing, and spacing of their pregnancies. Contraceptive coverage and access is essential to women’s equality and treating this care differently from other preventive services is unjustified and discriminatory. We are dismayed that the administration is now attempting to roll back the advances made to women’s health under the guise of religious liberty by providing broad exemptions for employers or institutions of higher learning that claim to have a religious or moral objection. The IFRs state that the Departments are seeking to issue these rules “to better balance the Government's interest in ensuring coverage for contraceptive and sterilization services in relation to the Government’s interests…to provide conscience protections for individuals and entities with sincerely held religious beliefs in certain health care contexts.”  However, there is no doubt that the IFRs are dramatically imbalanced in their approach, by giving employers and institutions of higher education carte blanche to use their religious or moral beliefs to deny fundamental health services to women. In creating these sweeping exemptions that block contraceptive coverage for women and discriminate against them, the IFRs violate a number of constitutional and statutory provisions, including the Administrative Procedure Act, the Establishment Clause as well as the equal protection and due process guarantees of the U.S. Constitution, and the nondiscrimination provision of the ACA (Section 1557).  The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment limits the government’s ability to create an exemption from generally applicable laws for religious or moral beliefs. The constitutional requirement is straightforward: “an accommodation must be measured so that it does not override other significant interests,”  “impose unjustified burdens on other[s],” or have a “detrimental effect on any third party.”  The exemptions in the IFRs clearly impose burdens on others: it compels employees and students who need coverage for contraceptives to pay the substantial costs themselves (if they are able) or else to forego that essential health care altogether. The IFR that specifically contains an exemption for moral beliefs does not change this Establishment Clause analysis. It is clear from the IFRs that the moral exemption is effectively just a religious exemption by another name. According to the moral exemption IFR, the scope of the exemption for moral convictions is based on Welsh v. United States.  In Welsh,  the Supreme Court held that a religious exemption must be provided equally to those who hold moral beliefs that are akin to religious beliefs. Again, the Constitution does not permit exemptions for religious or moral beliefs that result in discrimination or harm to others. Therefore, both IFRs fail the constitutional do-no-harm test.  Further, the Departments’ invocation of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) in defense of the IFRs is misguided. Under RFRA, Congress required that government action may only substantially burden a person’s exercise of religion if it is in the furtherance of a compelling government interest, and is the least restrictive means to achieve that interest.  It is clear that the government indeed has a compelling interest in ensuring that patients have unencumbered access to the health care they need and that women are not discriminated against in health care by being forced to pay more than men. Indeed, in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., five Supreme Court justices found that the government has this compelling interest.  As Justice Kennedy made clear in his concurring opinion, requiring health plans to provide contraceptive coverage “serves the Government’s compelling interest in providing insurance coverage that is necessary to protect the health of female employees, coverage that is significantly costlier than for a male employee.”  However, the IFRs would shift this cost back to women by allowing virtually any employer, along with institutions of higher education, to claim a religious or moral objection to providing contraceptive coverage. RFRA was never intended to allow religion to supersede rights or legal obligations; RFRA was intended to provide heightened—but not unlimited—protection for religious exercise. The misapplication of RFRA improperly dilutes its original, solemn purpose to protect sincerely-held religious beliefs and opens the door to further erosion of civil rights, under the guise of religious freedom. Additionally, we remind the Departments that most recently in Zubik v. Burwell, the Supreme Court explicitly instructed the federal government and the parties to the case to find a solution that would ensure women have access to seamless contraceptive coverage.  Not only do the IFRs fail to do this, they completely run afoul of the Court’s instructed approach that would “ensur[e] that women covered by petitioners’ health plans ‘receive full and equal health coverage, including contraceptive coverage.’” Finally, and perhaps most importantly, as Members of Congress who served during the passage of the ACA, we can provide clarity on the Congressional intent behind the preventive services requirement. While the IFRs list other statutes that include a religious or moral exemption, we note that Congress did not include such an exemption in the ACA.  In fact, the inclusion of the women’s preventive services provision, often referred to as the Women’s Health Amendment, signals that Congress considered coverage for the preventive health services unique to women as paramount. In crafting the ACA, a core tenant was the belief that access to comprehensive care, including preventive care services and essential health benefits, would improve the lives and health of the American people. Proponents of the ACA recognized that expanding access to preventive care could result in lower costs and better health outcomes. Contraception coverage was then, and continues to be, a critical aspect of this overarching goal. Eviscerating this guarantee by giving employers and institutions of higher education carte blanche to opt out is contrary to the intent of Congress. It is our responsibility to uphold the delicate balance between freedom of religion and civil rights. The IFRs as published do not accomplish this goal, and we urge the administration to rescind these harmful rules. Sincerely, Bobby Scott (VA-03), Ranking Member, House Committee on Education and the Workforce Richard Neal (MA-01), Ranking Member, House Committee on Ways and Means Frank Pallone Jr. (NJ-06), Ranking Member, House Committee on Energy and Commerce   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1206,Connolly Statement on President Trumps Jerusalem Announcement,2017-12-06,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Gerald Connolly,C001078,connolly.house.gov,,,legacy,"Connolly Statement on President Trump’s Jerusalem Announcement f t # e Washington, December 6, 2017 Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement on President Trump’s Jerusalem announcement today: “When President Jimmy Carter sat down at the negotiating table with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at Camp David in 1978, he reiterated that Jerusalem’s final status would not be decided unilaterally. Every successive U.S. administration since then has upheld that approach. With President Trump’s announcement today, he has abandoned that commitment and it is incumbent on his Administration to explain to the world how this decision brings us closer to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.” ### f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mceachin.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-mceachin-announced-2017-congressional-app-challenge-winners,Congressman McEachin Announced 2017 Congressional App Challenge Winners,2017-12-06,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,A. McEachin,M001200,mceachin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Richmond, Va. – Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) kicked-off Computer Science Education Week by announcing the winners of the 4th Congressional District’s 2017 Congressional App Challenge – Alex Dunn and Sean Jackson. Alex and Sean are students of Salem Church Middle School in Chesterfield. They were selected as the 2017 winners for their app challenge submission, “Inspire Meme.” “Alex and Sean’s work is a wonderful example of how computer science skills can make a positive change in our communities,” said Congressman Donald McEachin. “They were inspired by their school's kindness initiative and designed an app to spread kindness in their academic community. I am proud of their accomplishments.” The winners of the Congressional App Challenge will represent the 4th Congressional District at the federal level as their work will be on display in the United States Capitol. A panel of five judges selected the “Inspire Meme” app as the winning submission.  CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS ### Contact: Jamitress Bowden (202) 225-6365",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mceachin.house.gov/media/press-releases/mceachin-statement-passage-republican-bill-force-national-concealed-carry-laws,McEachin Statement on Passage of Republican Bill to Force a National Concealed Carry Laws,2017-12-06,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,A. McEachin,M001200,mceachin.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) issued this statement following his vote against H.R. 38 – the Right to Carry Reciprocity Act: “Today's vote on Right to Carry Reciprocity could make the weakest state concealed carry rule reign as the law of the land and jeopardize the safety of millions. I stand committed to fighting for comprehensive gun reform in Congress just as I did during my time in the General Assembly. Innocent men, women, and children deserve more than what House Republicans offered them today. We should be identifying and addressing our present gun violence problems instead of weakening states' laws.” ### Contact: Jamitress Bowden (202) 225-6365",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-trump-announcement-on-jerusalem,Kaine Statement On Trump Announcement On Jerusalem,2017-12-06,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Kaine Statement On Trump Announcement On Jerusalem Wednesday, December 6, 2017 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement today following President Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the United States Embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem: “Meaningful progress towards an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal has been stalled for years. While I hope that dynamic will change, I am very concerned that President Trump's announcement will further s‎et back efforts to achieve a two-state solution. I support ‎the longstanding U.S. policy that Jerusalem's permanent status needs to be decided by the parties in final peace negotiations. The reaction we see across the world is troubling, including from important allies of Israel, and suggests that this announcement could have destabilizing consequences for a region already rife with tensions. I am worried about the impact of this decision on the safety of U.S. personnel overseas and have raised my concerns with the State Department to ensure sufficient security measures are in place at all U.S. Embassies and Consulates.” ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-warner-garrett-and-members-of-delegation-ask-trump-administration-to-extend-open-enrollment-in-light-of-premium-increases-in-virginia,"Kaine, Warner, Garrett & Members Of Delegation Ask Trump Administration To Extend Open Enrollment In Light Of Premium Increases In Virginia",2017-12-06,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Kaine, Warner, Garrett & Members Of Delegation Ask Trump Administration To Extend Open Enrollment In Light Of Premium Increases In Virginia Wednesday, December 6, 2017 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, bipartisan members of the Virginia delegation led by U.S. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner and Congressman Tom Garrett (VA-5) sent a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Acting Secretary Eric Hargan asking him to extend the open enrollment period for consumers buying health insurance through the Affordable Care Act individual market in light of premium increases in Charlottesville and across Virginia. Earlier this year, the Trump Administration announced that the open enrollment period would be cut in half. Last week, Kaine, Warner and Garrett met with families from Charlottesville facing large premiums increases who expressed support for an extended open enrollment period. Last month, a Kaiser Family Foundation review found that Albermarle County will have the largest increase in premiums in the country. “We write to ask that you extend the open enrollment period for consumers seeking health insurance through the individual Marketplaces until January 31, 2018. This extension will allow consumers to take into account the effects of any possible market stabilization legislation on their premiums before making any coverage decisions for themselves and their families,” the letter said. The delegation highlighted other factors causing instability in the marketplace that have added to the premium increases and pain felt by Virginia families. A longer open enrollment period would give Congress the necessary time to pass bipartisan market stabilization measures. These proposals could help reduce the cost of insurance by impacting the medical loss ratio calculation from insurers at the end of the year or including provisions for potential rebates. These bills, however, would not change base premium rates. “There are multiple bipartisan legislative proposals meant to address these issues, along with several that have yet to be introduced. The shortened open enrollment period means it is unlikely these proposals will be taken into consideration before enrollment closes on December 15th.  Families deserve to know how much these programs will affect their premiums before they decide which insurance policy to purchase. Lowered premiums through rebates could encourage more individuals to purchase insurance or select a more comprehensive plan,” the letter continued. Warner and Kaine also mentioned that a shortened open enrollment period limits the amount of information many individuals set to be automatically reenrolled in their current plans have. The delegation concluded, “An extended enrollment period will allow these families to take these factors into consideration as they make decisions on which coverage to select for themselves and their families.” Virginia Delegation members signing the letter also include U.S. Reps. Bobby Scott (VA-3), A. Donald McEachin (VA-4), Don Beyer (VA-8), Barbara Comstock (VA-10), and Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11). The full text of the letter appears below. Dear Acting Secretary Hargan: We write to ask that you extend the open enrollment period for consumers seeking health insurance through the individual Marketplaces until January 31, 2018. This extension will allow consumers to take into account the effects of any possible market stabilization legislation on their premiums before making any coverage decisions for themselves and their families. Earlier this year your department announced that the open enrollment period would be from November 1st to December 15th. This window is significantly shorter than those in the past and comes at a time when many consumers across the country face substantial premium increases and a reduced number of choices for coverage. There is unprecedented volatility in the market stemming in part to substantial changes involving the Cost Sharing Reduction (CSR) payments to insurers and now a possible repeal of the individual mandate.  Dramatic premium increases are causing overwhelming financial distress for our constituents. According to an analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation, residents of Charlottesville and Albemarle County, Virginia are facing the largest premium increases in the country. Families who depend on the Affordable Care Act for their coverage will, in some cases, have their premiums triple next year. Health insurance plans that were affordable just last year are now out of reach for those middle income families who are unable to rely on subsidies. There are multiple bipartisan legislative proposals meant to address these issues, along with several that have yet to be introduced. The shortened open enrollment period means it is unlikely these proposals will be taken into consideration before enrollment closes on December 15th.  Families deserve to know how much these programs will affect their premiums before they decide which insurance policy to purchase. Lowered premiums through rebates could encourage more individuals to purchase insurance or select a more comprehensive plan. The shortened enrollment period precludes many individuals currently set to be automatically reenrolled in their current plans on December 16th from making informed decisions in a changing marketplace. Given the ongoing volatility in the market, many of these individuals could be eligible for more comprehensive plans at the same or lower prices. An extended enrollment period will allow these families to take these factors into consideration as they make decisions on which coverage to select for themselves and their families. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-and-kaine-push-congress-to-immediately-reauthorize-chip-in-government-funding-bill-,Warner & Kaine Push Congress To immediately Reauthorize CHIP In Government Funding Bill,2017-12-06,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Warner & Kaine Push Congress To immediately Reauthorize CHIP In Government Funding Bill Wednesday, December 6, 2017 ~ With deadline looming for McAuliffe to send letters to CHIP families, Warner & Kaine urge Senate leadership to protect health care for 128,000 Virginia children ~ WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) today urged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to immediately pass bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which provides health care coverage for 128,000 children in Virginia, by including it in any upcoming government funding legislation. The CHIP program is set to run out of funding on January 31st if Congress fails to reauthorize the program, and if no action is taken, Governor Terry McAuliffe and the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services will be forced to notify families in the coming days of their impending loss of health care coverage. This is the second letter to McConnell from Warner and Kaine urging passage of CHIP. “We write again to emphasize our support for the prompt reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). We ask that you include bipartisan legislation reauthorizing CHIP in any upcoming funding legislation. Prompt reauthorization of this program is necessary to protect the health of thousands of Virginia children and families,” Sens. Warner and Kaine told Leader McConnell in a letter sent today. Previously, Sens. Warner and Kaine wrote to Leader McConnell in October, asking to expedite a vote on the CHIP reauthorization. The Senators have yet to receive a response to the earlier letter. “On September 18th, Senators Hatch and Wyden introduced the Keeping Kids Insurance Dependable and Secure (KIDS) Act. This bill represents a bipartisan compromise that will extend CHIP for five years. We wrote you on October 26, 2017, after you had failed to schedule a vote for three weeks, requesting bipartisan legislation reauthorizing CHIP be brought to the floor as soon as possible. It has been more than nine weeks since funding for this essential program expired,” wrote the Senators today. Added the Senators, “It is imperative that Congress act quickly to end the uncertainty around health care coverage for thousands of Virginia children. The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services is preparing to notify families of the impending loss of coverage. As such, we request that a full CHIP reauthorization be included in the next available legislative vehicle, so we can prevent letters from going out in Virginia that will unnecessarily frighten parents whose children are in CHIP. On January 31, 2018, Virginia will have insufficient funds to continue the program, and thousands of children in our state would be at risk of losing health care coverage. We can, and must, put an end to this uncertainty.” View full text of the letter below and PDF can be found here. Dear Leader McConnell, We write again to emphasize our support for the prompt reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). We ask that you include bipartisan legislation reauthorizing CHIP in any upcoming funding legislation. Prompt reauthorization of this program is necessary to protect the health of thousands of Virginia children and families. CHIP has been essential to guaranteeing that the children in our state can access health coverage. In FY 2017, Virginia received $285.9 million from CHIP. Between Virginia’s separate CHIP program, the Family Access to Medical Insurance Security, and CHIP-funded Medicaid, our state provides coverage for nearly 128,000 children. This includes 66,000 children on CHIP alone. This coverage includes doctor visits, hospital care, prescription medicines, eyeglasses, immunizations, and regular check-ups for kids under 18 years old with minimal cost sharing and without premiums. Since 2009, dental coverage has also been included in the program. On September 18th, Senators Hatch and Wyden introduced the Keeping Kids Insurance Dependable and Secure (KIDS) Act. This bill represents a bipartisan compromise that will extend CHIP for five years. We wrote you on October 26, 2017, after you had failed to schedule a vote for three weeks, requesting bipartisan legislation reauthorizing CHIP be brought to the floor as soon as possible. It has been more than nine weeks since funding for this essential program expired. It is imperative that Congress act quickly to end the uncertainty around health care coverage for thousands of Virginia children. The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services is preparing to notify families of the impending loss of coverage. As such, we request that a full CHIP reauthorization be included in the next available legislative vehicle, so we can prevent letters from going out in Virginia that will unnecessarily frighten parents whose children are in CHIP. On January 31, 2018, Virginia will have insufficient funds to continue the program, and thousands of children in our state would be at risk of losing health care coverage. We can, and must, put an end to this uncertainty. We remain committed to urging you to bring the KIDS Act to the floor quickly and include offsets acceptable to both sides. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/12/statement-of-u-s-sen-mark-r-warner-on-trump-administration-decision-to-recognize-jerusalem-as-capital-of-israel,Statement of U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner on Trump Administration Decision to Recognize Jerusalem as Capital of Israel,2017-12-06,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Mark Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement regarding the President’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and direct the State Department to begin the process to move the U.S. embassy:    “The President’s decision today to move the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital comes at the wrong time and unnecessarily inflames the region. This announcement upends long-standing U.S. policy and international agreements that the status of Jerusalem should be determined as part of a peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinians, not unilaterally. “I have been, and remain a strong and consistent ally of Israel. The relationship between our countries is unique – defined by close friendship, strategic cooperation and mutual respect. As Vice Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, I fear the administration’s decision at this time will alienate key partners in the Middle East, fuel growing anti-American sentiment, and put U.S. diplomatic and security personnel at risk in the region and beyond. I further remain concerned that it undermines the ability to broker a peace settlement between the Israelis and Palestinians, and undercuts Israel’s security by placing overwhelming pressures on Israeli-Palestinian security coordination.” ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-on-resignation-of-rep-conyers,Scott Statement on Retirement of Rep. Conyers,2017-12-05,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Robert Scott,S000185,bobbyscott.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (MI-13) announced he would be retiring from Congress: “As Dean of the House and founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, John Conyers has served in Congress for more than fifty years and shaped some of the most consequential legislation of the last half century. However, the tremendous impact of someone’s legacy does not excuse credible allegations of harassment or discrimination. Last week, the House of Representatives unanimously voted to mandate sexual harassment and discrimination training for Members and staff. That is a good first step, but Congress must ensure greater transparency and accountability for the Office of Compliance. As we continue this important national discussion about sexual harassment, we must ensure that everyone is held accountable for credible allegations.” # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1205,Connolly Leads Bipartisan Letter to President Trump in Support of Pay Parity for Federal Employees,2017-12-05,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Gerald Connolly,C001078,connolly.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Congressman Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA) led a bipartisan group of 12 Members of Congress in sending a letter to President Trump urging him to match the 2018 pay increase for civilian federal employees to the raise given to service men and women in the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act. Currently, members of the military are set to receive a 2.4 percent pay increase, compared to the 1.9 percent increase for civilian federal workers detailed in President Trump’s August, 2017 alternative pay plan.“The federal workforce is a dedicated group of individuals who are critical to the day-to-day functions of the federal government,” wrote the Representatives. “Without them, social security benefits would not be delivered, tainted foods would remain on grocery store shelves, and our national parks would not be open for visitors to enjoy. We feel strongly that federal employees are an asset to the federal government and deserve parity with respect to pay increases for the military and for civilian employees.” “Our federal employees have dedicated their lives and careers in service to the American people,” said Congressman Connolly. “Yet far too often their sacrifice and dedication go unnoticed – met with shutdowns, furloughs, and pay freezes instead of gratitude, support, and advocacy. We must do better. All federal employees – civilian and military alike – deserve a pay increase worthy of their selfless commitment to the betterment of the American public.” “Thank you, Rep. Gerry Connolly, for once again showing a strong dedication to the public servants who keep our country running,” said American Federation of Government Employees National President J. David Cox Sr. “The men and women who have dedicated their careers to serving America deserve pay parity with the military. We hope that President Trump sees how important pay parity is to those who protect our borders, inspect our food, care for our veterans, and process our Social Security benefits and will support Rep. Connolly in giving federal employees the pay parity they deserve.” In addition to Rep. Connolly, the letter is signed by: Rep. Steny H. Hoyer; Rep. Elijah E. Cummings; Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton; Rep. Tom Cole; Rep. David B. McKinley; Rep. Peter T. King; Rep. Donald S. Beyer, Jr.; Rep. Barbara Comstock; Rep Anthony G. Brown; Rep. Brian K. Fitzpatrick; Rep. Jamie Raskin. The full text of the letter follows and is available here: The Honorable Donald J. Trump The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President: Included in the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is a 2.4 percent pay increase for our service men and women. As in previous years, we support the biggest pay increase possible for our military members. We also want to note that with very few exceptions there has been parity with respect to pay raises for military and civilian federal employees. In August, you issued an alternative pay plan for civilian federal employees, giving them a 1.9 percent pay raise in 2018. We respectfully urge you to revise the alternative pay plan and issue a 2.4 percent pay increase for all federal workers, including civilian workers. The federal workforce is a dedicated group of individuals who are critical to the day-to-day functions of the federal government. We should not take them for granted. Without them, social security benefits would not be delivered, tainted foods would remain on grocery store shelves, and our national parks would not be open for visitors to enjoy. Unfortunately, federal workers are often vilified and their pay and benefits are constantly under attack. Over the last six years, federal employees have contributed nearly $200 billion to deficit reduction. They have also had to endure pay freezes, hiring freezes, lost salaries as a result of sequestration-related furloughs, and higher pension contributions. Most recently, they are reporting to work each day under the uncertainty of whether their positions will still remain after the Administration’s reorganization efforts. We feel strongly that federal employees are an asset to the federal government and deserve parity with respect to pay increases for the military and for civilian employees. We believe this is crucial to recruiting and retaining the talent necessary for an innovative and effective federal workforce. We hope you will agree and use your authority to increase civilian pay by 2.4 percent in 2018. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1209,A government shutdown could halt military death benefits again,2017-12-05,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Gerald Connolly,C001078,connolly.house.gov,,,legacy,"Claudia Grisales As the threat of a federal government shutdown rises, Gold Star families could be among those who pay the price.During a shutdown, a death benefit program for servicemembers that includes an immediate $100,000 payment to each military family could come to a halt. Other payments also could stop in a shutdown: funds that cover funeral, burial and related travel expenses as well as a temporary housing allowance in cases involving active-duty servicemembers. It happened four years ago. A government shutdown stopped payments for the families. In October 2013, the families of four soldiers who were killed in combat in Afghanistan didn’t see the death benefits for days, forcing them to alter plans to meet the bodies of their slain relatives at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. Such incidents triggered an angry backlash from the military and their supporters as well as congressional promises to rectify the concern. But there’s been no legislation since to fix it, and as a result, supporters of Gold Star families are worried about a repeat of such ordeals. “Having been in the middle of this during the last shutdown, it’s another way we keep slapping these people in the face,” said Ken Fisher, chairman and CEO of his family’s nonprofit, the Fisher House Foundation. “These death benefits and gratuities should be safeguarded during political squabbles and disagreements. Haven’t these families been through enough?” During the 16-day shutdown of 2013, an estimated 30 families lost relatives serving in the military and were impacted by the gap in coverage. Since that time, legislation to make the payments permanent and immune to Capitol Hill funding fights has failed to gain much traction. Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., has sponsored the legislation, the Families of Fallen Servicemembers First Act, during every congressional term since the 2013 shutdown, but bill has languished in the committee stage. Each year, however, the plan has grown in support, going from 8 cosponsors in 2013 to 108 this year. “What happened during the 2013 shutdown was shameful and must never happen again,” Connolly said in a statement. “We must never again fail to uphold our sacred compact with grieving military families. With the near quarterly threats of a government shutdown, enacting the Families of Fallen Servicemembers First Act is more important than ever.” One challenge potentially hurting the bill’s success could be a cost estimate. In 2013, the Congressional Budget Office, which evaluates and estimates the cost of legislation, gave a similar plan a $150 million price tag. Supporters of a permanent fix have said the estimate is too high, and seems to assume the government would remain in shutdown mode in perpetuity, said Keith Humphrey of Kansas, a Navy veteran and father-in-law to a fallen Marine Corps servicemember. Humphrey’s family received their benefit immediately, but he was angered when he heard of the 2013 cases and it inspired him to get involved. Humphrey has made it his life mission to rectify the gap in coverage. He said he has sent out thousands of emails since 2013 to state and federal lawmakers, among others, pushing for the legislation. While the shutdown doesn’t impact insurance-related death payments – such as ones from the Servicemember’s Group Life Insurance program – those funds can take weeks to reach families, Humphrey said, making a timely death benefit crucial. “What crushed me during the shutdown was knowing those families weren’t getting money,” said Humphrey, who twice ran unsuccessfully for the Kansas state senate. “Some had to wait to bury their kid.” In November 2009, Humphrey lost his son-in-law, Marine Corps Sgt. Michael Martins, who was killed in a motorcycle crash near his base at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego. Within two days, Humphrey’s daughter received the $100,000 payment, which helped ease some of the initial panic of planning her husband’s funeral, among other demands. She was also able to use the money to fly Martins’ friends from his unit to the funeral. “You’ve got a lot of things you’ve got to do quick,” Humphrey said. “Your breadwinner is gone. The last thing you want to do is worry how you are going to pay for stuff.” In Kansas, Humphrey saw quick success, where the state in 2013 enacted a law to cover such benefits when the federal government can’t during a shutdown. He’s since pushed for the federal government to follow suit. This year, Humphrey has helped Connolly’s legislation reach 108 cosponsors – about one-quarter of the House. “I don’t want to give up. I’m still pushing to make something happen, to make a change,” said Humphrey, who still wears a copy of Martins’ dog tags. “After Mike died, I wanted to turn it into some positive effect. It was a life-changing event. I have to find a way to reverse the grief.” More than halfway through the October 2013 shutdown, the Pentagon had struck a deal with Fisher House to provide the benefits to families of the fallen as a contractor. “I am offended, outraged, and embarrassed that the government shutdown had prevented the Department of Defense from fulfilling this most sacred responsibility in a timely manner,” Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said in a statement at the time. “In the days before the shutdown, we warned Congress and the American people that DOD would not have the legal authority to make these payments during a lapse in appropriations.” In the end, the Fisher House issued payments of $25,000 to about 30 Gold Star families who lost members of the military in combat, training or other incidents during the shutdown, Fisher said. The nonprofit, which provides temporary housing all over the world for military families in need, such as people with a servicemember who is hospitalized, raised a large portion of that money privately. “We have to learn from our mistakes. Too often history repeats itself and we need to make sure that is not the case,” Fisher said. “It’s not just about making sure the death benefits are paid, it’s honoring the sacrifices these people have made.” https://www.stripes.com/news/a-government-shutdown-could-halt-military-death-benefits-again-1.500926",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mceachin.house.gov/media/press-releases/mceachin-statement-gops-tax-scam,McEachin Statement on GOP's Tax Scam,2017-12-05,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,A. McEachin,M001200,mceachin.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) issued this statement on his opposition to House Republicans’ tax bill (H.R. 1): “I voted against sending this bill to conference because the only place we should send this bill is to the garbage. “Republicans want to continue robbing the American people, raising taxes on millions of hardworking middle-class families to fund massive tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans and large corporations.  Lying to the American people and citing phony ‘trickle-down economics’ to justify this rushed, indefensible plan is irresponsible and will bear long-term consequences for our country. As is, this bill will blow an enormous hole in the federal budget leaving infrastructure, education, healthcare, and many other priorities severely underfunded and at risk.” ### Contact: Jamitress Bowden (202) 225-6365",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-kaine-join-44-senators-urging-president-trump-to-swiftly-nominate-aggressive-head-of-consumer-watchdog,"Warner, Kaine Join 44 Senators Urging President Trump To Swiftly Nominate Aggressive Head Of Consumer Watchdog",2017-12-05,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Warner, Kaine Join 44 Senators Urging President Trump To Swiftly Nominate Aggressive Head Of Consumer Watchdog Tuesday, December 5, 2017 ~ Express concern over White House appointment of Mick Mulvaney as part-time acting CFPB director ~ WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) joined 44 Senators in a letter urging President Trump to follow the law and swiftly nominate a permanent director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) who will put working families ahead of Wall Street. In their letter, the senators cited the CFPB’s much-needed “aggressive enforcement and supervision,” which has resulted in $12 billion in relief to 29 million American consumers who were cheated by financial companies. The senators also expressed serious concerns with the White House installing Budget Director Mick Mulvaney as part-time acting director on November 24th. Mulvaney has a clear record opposing the CFPB, calling it a “sick joke,” and has sought to abolish it. In his first act as part-time acting director, Mulvaney moved to freeze the payments to working Americans who’ve been cheated. “Assigning leadership of the CFPB to someone who already has a full-time job reporting to the White House and who does not believe in the CFPB’s mission jeopardizes the agency’s independence and effectiveness,” the senators wrote.  “We urge you to nominate a CFPB Director who will bring to the job both bipartisan support and a track record of being tough on Wall Street. Following the Dodd-Frank succession provision and nominating a Director who will fight for consumers allows the CFPB to continue its work without political interference.” The full text of the letter is below and available here. The Honorable Donald J. Trump President The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear President Trump, After the 2008 financial crisis wiped out trillions of dollars of wealth and the jobs of millions of Americans, Congress passed important financial reforms and created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), an independent watchdog to protect people from financial scams.[1] Through aggressive enforcement and supervision, CFPB actions have resulted in $12 billion in relief for more than 29 million American consumers who were cheated by financial companies.[2] The CFPB has taken almost 200 enforcement actions: against mortgage schemes that rip off struggling borrowers, against predatory financial firms that set up shop next to military bases to target servicemembers, against scam for-profit schools that take advantage of veterans’ benefits, and against companies that train their employees to trap consumers in debt.[3] These are the enforcement results that the National Fraternal Order of Police and a bipartisan group of state attorneys general expected when they endorsed Rich Cordray’s nomination and said he would be “an effective partner in combating fraud and other illegal schemes[.]”[4] His nomination passed the Senate with 66 votes, including 12 Republicans.[5] In a 2016 campaign speech, you said “…[T]his election is a choice between taking our government back from the special interests, or surrendering our last scrap of independence to their total and complete control.”[6] Polling shows that the vast majority of Americans agree that the CFPB has been doing great work holding special interests accountable. 74% of Americans -- Republicans and Democrats -- approve of the CFPB’s mission and 55% of Republicans who voted for you believe that the CFPB should be left alone to do its work or even be given expanded authority to do more.[7] Assigning leadership of the CFPB to someone who already has a full-time job reporting to the White House and who does not believe in the CFPB’s mission jeopardizes the agency’s independence and effectiveness. We urge you to nominate a CFPB Director who will bring to the job both bipartisan support and a track record of being tough on big banks and other financial firms that rip off consumers. Following the Dodd-Frank succession provision and nominating a Director who will fight for consumers allows the CFPB to continue its work without political interference. Please stand up for American military service members and veterans, students, seniors and workers. Sincerely,  ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/12/warner-kaine-join-44-senators-urging-president-trump-to-swiftly-nominate-aggressive-head-of-consumer-watchdog,"Warner, Kaine Join 44 Senators Urging President Trump to Swiftly Nominate Aggressive Head of Consumer Watchdog",2017-12-05,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Mark Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) joined 44 Senators in a letter urging President Trump to follow the law and swiftly nominate a permanent director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) who will put working families ahead of Wall Street. In their letter, the senators cited the CFPB’s much-needed “aggressive enforcement and supervision,” which has resulted in $12 billion in relief to 29 million American consumers who were cheated by financial companies. The senators also expressed serious concerns with the White House installing Budget Director Mick Mulvaney as part-time acting director on November 24th. Mulvaney has a clear record opposing the CFPB, calling it a “sick joke,” and has sought to abolish it. In his first act as part-time acting director, Mulvaney moved to freeze the payments to working Americans who’ve been cheated. “Assigning leadership of the CFPB to someone who already has a full-time job reporting to the White House and who does not believe in the CFPB’s mission jeopardizes the agency’s independence and effectiveness,” the senators wrote.  “We urge you to nominate a CFPB Director who will bring to the job both bipartisan support and a track record of being tough on Wall Street. Following the Dodd-Frank succession provision and nominating a Director who will fight for consumers allows the CFPB to continue its work without political interference.” The full text of the letter is below and available here.   The Honorable Donald J. Trump President The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20500   Dear President Trump, After the 2008 financial crisis wiped out trillions of dollars of wealth and the jobs of millions of Americans, Congress passed important financial reforms and created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), an independent watchdog to protect people from financial scams.[1] Through aggressive enforcement and supervision, CFPB actions have resulted in $12 billion in relief for more than 29 million American consumers who were cheated by financial companies.[2] The CFPB has taken almost 200 enforcement actions: against mortgage schemes that rip off struggling borrowers, against predatory financial firms that set up shop next to military bases to target servicemembers, against scam for-profit schools that take advantage of veterans’ benefits, and against companies that train their employees to trap consumers in debt.[3] These are the enforcement results that the National Fraternal Order of Police and a bipartisan group of state attorneys general expected when they endorsed Rich Cordray’s nomination and said he would be “an effective partner in combating fraud and other illegal schemes[.]”[4] His nomination passed the Senate with 66 votes, including 12 Republicans.[5] In a 2016 campaign speech, you said “…[T]his election is a choice between taking our government back from the special interests, or surrendering our last scrap of independence to their total and complete control.”[6] Polling shows that the vast majority of Americans agree that the CFPB has been doing great work holding special interests accountable. 74% of Americans -- Republicans and Democrats -- approve of the CFPB’s mission and 55% of Republicans who voted for you believe that the CFPB should be left alone to do its work or even be given expanded authority to do more.[7] Assigning leadership of the CFPB to someone who already has a full-time job reporting to the White House and who does not believe in the CFPB’s mission jeopardizes the agency’s independence and effectiveness. We urge you to nominate a CFPB Director who will bring to the job both bipartisan support and a track record of being tough on big banks and other financial firms that rip off consumers. Following the Dodd-Frank succession provision and nominating a Director who will fight for consumers allows the CFPB to continue its work without political interference. Please stand up for American military service members and veterans, students, seniors and workers. Sincerely,  ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mceachin.house.gov/media/press-releases/mceachin-announces-860000-local-community-health-center,"McEachin Announces $860,000+ for Local Community Health Center",2017-12-04,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,A. McEachin,M001200,mceachin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Richmond, Va. – Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) announced that Vernon J. Harris Medical and Dental Center was awarded an $869,291.00 grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency housed in the Department of Health and Human Services. HRSA is the primary federal agency for improving health care to people who are geographically isolated, economically or medically vulnerable. “Many families and children in our community will be able to benefit from this grant. I am pleased to see additional funding support the communities’ medicinal needs,” said Congressman Donald McEachin. ### Contact: Jamitress Bowden (202) 225-6365",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-joins-bipartisan-bill-to-restrict-flow-of-fentanyl,Kaine Joins Bipartisan Bill To Restrict Flow Of Fentanyl,2017-12-04,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Kaine Joins Bipartisan Bill To Restrict Flow Of Fentanyl Monday, December 4, 2017 Legislation would provide Customs and Protection the latest in chemical screening devices and scientific support to halt the flow of drugs into the United States  WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee joined a bipartisan bill to help halt the flow of illicit fentanyl from Mexico, China and other nations around the world into the United States. The International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response by Detecting Incoming Contraband with Technology (INTERDICT) Act would provide U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) tools such as hi-tech chemical screening devices to help detect and interdict fentanyl and other illicit synthetic opioids. “The INTERDICT Act is an important step in combatting the opioid crisis by restricting the flow of illicit fentanyl that is trafficked into the United States,” Kaine said. “The bill would ensure that U.S. Customs and Border Protection has the resources necessary to intercept and block the unlawful importation of fentanyl.” Drug overdoses have been the leading cause of unnatural death across Virginia since 2013. Last year, more than 75% of fatal drug overdoses in Virginia were a result of opioid overdose. Specifically, the INTERDICT Act: Ensures that CBP will have additional portable chemical screening devices available at ports of entry and mail and express consignment facilities, and additional fixed chemical screening devices available in CBP laboratories. Provides CBP with sufficient resources, personnel, and facilities – including scientists available during all operational hours – to interpret screening test results from the field.   Authorizes – based on CBP guidance – the appropriation of $15 million for hundreds of new screening devices, laboratory equipment, facilities, and personnel for support during all operational hours. A copy of the International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response by Detecting Incoming Contraband with Technology (INTERDICT) Act can be found HERE.  ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-the-presidential-election-in-honduras,Kaine Statement On The Presidential Election In Honduras,2017-12-04,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Kaine Statement On The Presidential Election In Honduras Monday, December 4, 2017 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement today on the situation in Honduras: “I am deeply concerned about the many irregularities, technical issues and disputes that have arisen in the aftermath of the November 26 elections in Honduras. It is critical to maintain calm and for the vote counting to be concluded in a fully transparent and credible manner, without interference.  I encourage all Honduran officials and political party leaders to demonstrate a commitment to the democratic process, and to ensure that the will of the Honduran people will be respected.” ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-kaine-urge-fcc-chairman-pai-to-delay-vote-rolling-back-net-neutrality,"Warner, Kaine Urge FCC Chairman Pai To Delay Vote Rolling Back Net Neutrality",2017-12-04,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Warner, Kaine Urge FCC Chairman Pai To Delay Vote Rolling Back Net Neutrality Monday, December 4, 2017 ~ Letter follows reports that “bots” may have filed hundreds of thousands of comments to FCC during net neutrality policymaking process ~ WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) urged Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai to delay a planned December 14th vote to roll back net neutrality rules until an investigation can be completed into reports that internet “bots” – automated computer programs designed to pose as people – filed hundreds of thousands of comments to the FCC during the net neutrality policymaking process. “A free and open Internet is vital to ensuring a level playing field online, and we believe that your proposed action may be based on an incomplete understanding of the public record in this proceeding,” the Senators wrote in a letter to Chairman Pai. “In fact, there is good reason to believe that the record may be replete with fake or fraudulent comments, suggesting that your proposal is fundamentally flawed.” “Without additional information about the alleged anomalies surrounding the public record, the FCC cannot conduct a thorough and fair evaluation of the public’s views on this topic, and should not move forward with a vote on December 14, 2017,” the Senators continued. “The FCC must invest its time and resources into obtaining a more accurate picture of the record as understanding that record is essential to reaching a defensible resolution to this proceeding,” the Senators concluded. In addition to Sens. Warner and Kaine, the letter was signed by Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ed Markey (D-MA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Patty Murray (D-WA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jack Reed (D-RI), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Angus King (I-ME), Al Franken (D-MN), and Cory Booker (D-NJ). The full text of the letter appears below. A copy of the letter is available here. December 4, 2017 The Honorable Ajit Pai Chairman Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street Southwest Washington, DC 20554 Dear Chairman Pai: We are deeply concerned by your recently released proposal to roll back critical consumer protections by dismantling the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) current net neutrality rules. A free and open Internet is vital to ensuring a level playing field online, and we believe that your proposed action may be based on an incomplete understanding of the public record in this proceeding. In fact, there is good reason to believe that the record may be replete with fake or fraudulent comments, suggesting that your proposal is fundamentally flawed. To this end, we request a thorough investigation by the FCC into reports that bots may have interfered with this proceeding by filing hundreds of thousands of comments. Furthermore, an additional 50,000 consumer complaints seem to have been excluded from the public record in this proceeding, according to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests filed by the National Hispanic Media Coalition.  Without additional information about the alleged anomalies surrounding the public record, the FCC cannot conduct a thorough and fair evaluation of the public’s views on this topic, and should not move forward with a vote on December 14, 2017.  New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has spent the past six months conducting an investigation into the fraudulent comments, and found that “hundreds of thousands” of comments may have impersonated New York residents, a violation of state law. He further asserts that the FCC has not cooperated with requests for additional data and information. Data scientist Jeff Kao has also run an analysis of the public record, and estimates that over a million comments filed in support of repealing net neutrality may have been fake. These reports raise serious concerns as to whether the record the FCC is currently relying on has been tampered with and merits the full attention of, and investigation by, the FCC before votes on this item are cast. A transparent and open process is vitally important to how the FCC functions. The FCC must invest its time and resources into obtaining a more accurate picture of the record as understanding that record is essential to reaching a defensible resolution to this proceeding.  As a result, we are requesting that you delay your planned vote on this item until you can conduct a thorough review of the state of the record and provide Congress with greater assurance of its accuracy and completeness.  Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/12/warner-kaine-urge-fcc-chairman-pai-to-delay-vote-rolling-back-net-neutrality,"Warner, Kaine Urge FCC Chairman Pai to Delay Vote Rolling Back Net Neutrality",2017-12-04,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Mark Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) urged Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai to delay a planned December 14th vote to roll back net neutrality rules until an investigation can be completed into reports that internet “bots” – automated computer programs designed to pose as people – filed hundreds of thousands of comments to the FCC during the net neutrality policymaking process. “A free and open Internet is vital to ensuring a level playing field online, and we believe that your proposed action may be based on an incomplete understanding of the public record in this proceeding,” the Senators wrote in a letter to Chairman Pai. “In fact, there is good reason to believe that the record may be replete with fake or fraudulent comments, suggesting that your proposal is fundamentally flawed.” “Without additional information about the alleged anomalies surrounding the public record, the FCC cannot conduct a thorough and fair evaluation of the public’s views on this topic, and should not move forward with a vote on December 14, 2017,” the Senators continued. “The FCC must invest its time and resources into obtaining a more accurate picture of the record as understanding that record is essential to reaching a defensible resolution to this proceeding,” the Senators concluded. In addition to Sens. Warner and Kaine, the letter was signed by Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ed Markey (D-MA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Patty Murray (D-WA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jack Reed (D-RI), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Angus King (I-ME), Al Franken (D-MN), and Cory Booker (D-NJ).  The full text of the letter appears below. A copy of the letter is available here.   December 4, 2017   The Honorable Ajit Pai Chairman Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street Southwest Washington, DC 20554   Dear Chairman Pai:   We are deeply concerned by your recently released proposal to roll back critical consumer protections by dismantling the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) current net neutrality rules. A free and open Internet is vital to ensuring a level playing field online, and we believe that your proposed action may be based on an incomplete understanding of the public record in this proceeding. In fact, there is good reason to believe that the record may be replete with fake or fraudulent comments, suggesting that your proposal is fundamentally flawed.   To this end, we request a thorough investigation by the FCC into reports that bots may have interfered with this proceeding by filing hundreds of thousands of comments. Furthermore, an additional 50,000 consumer complaints seem to have been excluded from the public record in this proceeding, according to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests filed by the National Hispanic Media Coalition.  Without additional information about the alleged anomalies surrounding the public record, the FCC cannot conduct a thorough and fair evaluation of the public’s views on this topic, and should not move forward with a vote on December 14, 2017.    New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has spent the past six months conducting an investigation into the fraudulent comments, and found that “hundreds of thousands” of comments may have impersonated New York residents, a violation of state law. He further asserts that the FCC has not cooperated with requests for additional data and information. Data scientist Jeff Kao has also run an analysis of the public record, and estimates that over a million comments filed in support of repealing net neutrality may have been fake. These reports raise serious concerns as to whether the record the FCC is currently relying on has been tampered with and merits the full attention of, and investigation by, the FCC before votes on this item are cast.    A transparent and open process is vitally important to how the FCC functions. The FCC must invest its time and resources into obtaining a more accurate picture of the record as understanding that record is essential to reaching a defensible resolution to this proceeding.  As a result, we are requesting that you delay your planned vote on this item until you can conduct a thorough review of the state of the record and provide Congress with greater assurance of its accuracy and completeness.     Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.   Sincerely,     ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-passage-of-republican-tax-bill,Kaine Statement On Passage Of Republican Tax Bill,2017-12-02,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Kaine Statement On Passage Of Republican Tax Bill Saturday, December 2, 2017 Video: Kaine speaks about his middle-class tax relief amendment  WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement on tonight’s partisan vote to pass the Republican tax bill: “For months, I’ve tried to convince Republicans to work with us on a tax reform bill that would actually put middle-class families and small businesses in Virginia first. Instead, they jammed through a bad bill that will raise taxes on millions of working Americans, explode the deficit, and raise health care premiums. Tonight we gave Republicans multiple opportunities to give more of the benefits to the middle class instead of big corporations and the super wealthy, but they rejected every single one. The Senate let down the people we serve today, and if this becomes law the American public will be stuck with the painful consequences for years to come.” Kaine introduced an amendment to the tax reform bill to provide long-term middle class tax relief and drastically reduce the amount the bill adds to the deficit by cutting big giveaways to top earners. Republicans blocked the amendment. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=696,Northern Virginia Delegation & DC Congresswoman Announce Long Awaited Breakthrough To Repair Arlington Memorial Bridge,2017-12-01,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Donald Beyer,B001292,beyer.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Reps. Don Beyer and Gerry Connolly (both D-VA) and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), along with Virginia’s two Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, today announced that after years of effort by the Senators and House members, the National Park Service (NPS) has approved $227 million to initiate a long-awaited contract to fully repair and rehabilitate Arlington Memorial Bridge. The 85-year-old bridge, owned and maintained by NPS, is a vital daily route connecting Arlington, Virginia and the District of Columbia.   The Virginia and D.C. delegations, with support of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, played a decisive role in successfully advocating for a federal FASTLANE project grant, as well as secured additional appropriations to launch the Memorial Bridge rehabilitation project in January. Construction will begin in the fall of 2018, with the project being completed in 2021, giving the bridge a lifespan of an additional 85 to 100 years. During construction, at least three lanes of traffic will remain open at all times to allow for continued use of the span. Identifying the remaining required funds allows the NPS to save $35 million in costs by completing the project in one phase rather than two, and will allow the project to be finished 18 months sooner than previously estimated. “After years of work to secure funding to fix Arlington Memorial Bridge, today’s announcement gives us hope that the bridge will remain safe and serviceable into the 22nd century,” Rep. Beyer said. “Our tour of the bridge and press conference in 2015 crystalized the dire need for this funding. Since then I have worked together with my colleagues in Congress, leaders from Virginia and the District, and two Administrations to secure the money for these structural repairs. This truly is great news, and I thank everyone whose efforts brought us here.” Rep. Beyer hosted a press conference next to Memorial Bridge in 2015 with the regional delegation and members of President Obama’s Cabinet to call attention to the urgent need for funding to repair key surface infrastructure. He has been a consistent advocate since taking office for funds to fix the bridge, over which thousands of his Northern Virginia constituents commute every day. In 2016 he and his colleagues in Congress supported an application for a grant which successfully secured $90 million to fund the first round of repairs. “It is hard to overstate the importance of this progress on a key transportation project for this region,” Sen. Warner said. “It required the combined efforts of all of us from the national capital region – those of us serving in both houses of Congress, as well as the District government, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Transportation Department. These partnerships allowed the Park Service to design an innovative project that will save money and time for  the region’s commuters and visitors.”    “Arlington Memorial Bridge is among the nation’s most deteriorated bridges, and I’m extremely proud that after years of hard work, the National Park Service has committed full funding for rehabilitation of the bridge. This is a huge win for Northern Virginia commuters, as well as visitors to the nation’s capital,” Sen. Kaine said. “As we celebrate this good news, we should also redouble our efforts to pass a major infrastructure bill so other aging bridges don’t degrade to such a terrible condition in the first place.” ""This is a victory for Northern Virginia commuters and the effort to improve our nation’s ailing infrastructure,” Rep. Connolly said. “I am pleased the National Park Service stepped up to the plate to address this uniquely federal transportation challenge. Communities across the country deserve this kind of good news about their old and failing infrastructure.” “As Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, I could not be more delighted that the National Park Service has secured full funding to repair a critical priority, the iconic Memorial Bridge, with significant cost and time savings,” Rep. Norton said.  “When I visited the bridge before construction, I saw firsthand how it was barely standing, and why traffic has to be rerouted, bringing even more traffic congestion on both sides of the river.  With full funding rather than the phased dollars we already secured, we can finally break ground.” The Memorial Bridge, which carries 68,000 vehicles daily between Washington, D.C. and Arlington, Va., was originally opened in 1932 with a 75-year design life. It is now structurally deficient, having never undergone a major rehabilitation. As a result a 10-ton load limit remains in effect, and large vehicles, including trucks and buses, are prohibited from crossing. Without a major overhaul, it has been expected that the Bridge would have to be closed to vehicular traffic beginning in 2021. However, NPS has an annual budget of just $20 million for transportation projects across all its assets in the National Capital Region. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments has previously estimated that closing the Memorial Bridge could cost local governments $75 million per year in transportation outlays alone. Moreover, transit studies suggest that traffic from the bridge would spill over onto other area bridges, particularly the 14th Street Bridge and Roosevelt Bridge, further exacerbating congested roadways in Northern Virginia and Washington, DC. Last year, the region’s congressional delegation was instrumental in securing $90 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation for Phase 1 of the reconstruction of the Arlington Memorial Bridge, with NPS providing an additional $60 million in matching funds. At the time, NPS estimated that more than $100 million in additional funding would be needed in order to bring the Memorial Bridge into a state of good repair. Due to years of chronic underfunding, NPS has been forced to defer billions of dollars in necessary maintenance on transportation infrastructure such as Memorial Bridge, as well as other facilities it operates, like visitor centers, rest stops, trails and campgrounds. In March, Sen. Warner and Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) announced legislation, the National Park Service Legacy Act, to address the maintenance backlog at the National Park Service, which is currently more than $11 billion, and Sen. Kaine is one of a dozen bipartisan co-sponsors who have signed on to support the effort.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1203,NoVa Delegation & D.C. Congresswoman Announce Long Awaited Breakthrough To Repair Arlington Memorial,2017-12-01,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Gerald Connolly,C001078,connolly.house.gov,,,legacy,"Virginia’s two Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, along with U.S. Reps. Don Beyer and Gerry Connolly and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) , today announced that after years of effort by the Senators and House members, the National Park Service (NPS) has approved $227 million to initiate a long-awaited contract to fully repair and rehabilitate Arlington Memorial Bridge. The 85-year-old bridge, owned and maintained by NPS, is a vital daily route connecting Arlington, Virginia and the District of Columbia. The Virginia and D.C. delegations, with support of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, played a decisive role in successfully advocating for a federal FASTLANE project grant, as well as secured additional appropriations to launch the Memorial Bridge rehabilitation project in January. Construction will begin in the fall of 2018, with the project being completed in 2021, giving the bridge a lifespan of an additional 85 to 100 years. During construction, at least three lanes of traffic will remain open at all times to allow for continued use of the span. Identifying the remaining required funds allows the NPS to save $35 million in costs by completing the project in one phase rather than two, and will allow the project to be finished 18 months sooner than previously estimated. “It is hard to overstate the importance of this progress on a key transportation project for this region,” Sen. Warner said. “It required the combined efforts of all of us from the national capital region – those of us serving in both houses of Congress, as well as the District government, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Transportation Department. These partnerships allowed the Park Service to design an innovative project that will save money and time for the region’s commuters and visitors.” “Arlington Memorial Bridge is among the nation’s most deteriorated bridges, and I’m extremely proud that after years of hard work, the National Park Service has committed full funding for rehabilitation of the bridge. This is a huge win for Northern Virginia commuters, as well as visitors to the nation’s capital,” Sen. Kaine said. “As we celebrate this good news, we should also redouble our efforts to pass a major infrastructure bill so other aging bridges don’t degrade to such a terrible condition in the first place.” “After years of work to secure funding to fix Arlington Memorial Bridge, today’s announcement gives us hope that the bridge will remain safe and serviceable into the 22nd century,” Rep. Beyer said. “Our tour of the bridge and press conference in 2015 crystalized the dire need for this funding. Since then I have worked together with my colleagues in Congress, leaders from Virginia and the District, and two Administrations to secure the money for these structural repairs. This truly is great news, and I thank everyone whose efforts brought us here.” ""This is a victory for Northern Virginia commuters and the effort to improve our nation’s ailing infrastructure,” Rep. Connolly said. “I am pleased the National Park Service stepped up to the plate to address this uniquely federal transportation challenge. Communities across the country deserve this kind of good news about their old and failing infrastructure.” “As Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, I could not be more delighted that the National Park Service has secured full funding to repair a critical priority, the iconic Memorial Bridge, with significant cost and time savings,” Rep. Norton said. “When I visited the bridge before construction, I saw firsthand how it was barely standing, and why traffic has to be rerouted, bringing even more traffic congestion on both sides of the river. With full funding rather than the phased dollars we already secured, we can finally break ground.” The Memorial Bridge, which carries 68,000 vehicles daily between Washington, D.C. and Arlington, Va., was originally opened in 1932 with a 75-year design life. It is now structurally deficient, having never undergone a major rehabilitation. As a result a 10-ton load limit remains in effect, and large vehicles, including trucks and buses, are prohibited from crossing. Without a major overhaul, it has been expected that the Bridge would have to be closed to vehicular traffic beginning in 2021. However, NPS has an annual budget of just $20 million for transportation projects across all its assets in the National Capital Region. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments has previously estimated that closing the Memorial Bridge could cost local governments $75 million per year in transportation outlays alone. Moreover, transit studies suggest that traffic from the bridge would spill over onto other area bridges, particularly the 14th Street Bridge and Roosevelt Bridge, further exacerbating congested roadways in Northern Virginia and Washington, DC. Last year, the region’s congressional delegation was instrumental in securing $90 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation for Phase 1 of the reconstruction of the Arlington Memorial Bridge, with NPS providing an additional $60 million in matching funds. At the time, NPS estimated that more than $100 million in additional funding would be needed in order to bring the Memorial Bridge into a state of good repair. Due to years of chronic underfunding, NPS has been forced to defer billions of dollars in necessary maintenance on transportation infrastructure such as Memorial Bridge, as well as other facilities it operates, like visitor centers, rest stops, trails and campgrounds. In March, Sen. Warner and Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) announced legislation, the National Park Service Legacy Act, to address the maintenance backlog at the National Park Service, which is currently more than $11 billion, and Sen. Kaine is one of a dozen bipartisan co-sponsors who have signed on to support the effort. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mceachin.house.gov/media/press-releases/mceachin-announces-600000-usda-grant-virginia-state-university,"McEachin Announces $600,000 USDA Grant for Virginia State University",2017-12-01,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,A. McEachin,M001200,mceachin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Petersburg, Va. – Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) announced a $600,000 grant award for Virginia State University (VSU). The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded VSU with this competitive grant to support outreach, training, and technical assistance projects for socially disadvantaged and veteran beginning farmers and ranchers in Virginia. “Virginia State University is helping our local farmers and ranchers by providing them with the skills and tools needed to operate a stellar farm as a business,” said Congressman Donald McEachin. “I am happy to see funds support a crucial program in our community. I hope that VSU’s work in this area will help increase the number of farmers who can help us end food insecurity in the 4th Congressional District.” Last month, Congressman McEachin co-introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Healthy Food Access for all Americans Act (HFAAA) to increase access to fresh produce available in low-income and rural areas of America. ### Contact: Jamitress Bowden (202) 225-6365",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/northern-virginia-delegation-and-dc-congresswoman-announce-long-awaited-breakthrough-to-repair-arlington-memorial-bridge,Northern Virginia Delegation & D.C. Congresswoman Announce Long Awaited Breakthrough To Repair Arlington Memorial Bridge,2017-12-01,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Northern Virginia Delegation & D.C. Congresswoman Announce Long Awaited Breakthrough To Repair Arlington Memorial Bridge Friday, December 1, 2017 ~ National Park Service secures funding, streamlines timeline for repairs ~ WASHINGTON – Virginia’s two Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, along with U.S. Reps. Don Beyer and Gerry Connolly (both D-VA) and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) , today announced that after years of effort by the Senators and House members, the National Park Service (NPS) has approved $227 million to initiate a long-awaited contract to fully repair and rehabilitate Arlington Memorial Bridge. The 85-year-old bridge, owned and maintained by NPS, is a vital daily route connecting Arlington, Virginia and the District of Columbia.   The Virginia and D.C. delegations, with support of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, played a decisive role in successfully advocating for a federal FASTLANE project grant, as well as secured additional appropriations to launch the Memorial Bridge rehabilitation project in January. Construction will begin in the fall of 2018, with the project being completed in 2021, giving the bridge a lifespan of an additional 85 to 100 years. During construction, at least three lanes of traffic will remain open at all times to allow for continued use of the span. Identifying the remaining required funds allows the NPS to save $35 million in costs by completing the project in one phase rather than two, and will allow the project to be finished 18 months sooner than previously estimated.   “It is hard to overstate the importance of this progress on a key transportation project for this region,” Sen. Warner said. “It required the combined efforts of all of us from the national capital region – those of us serving in both houses of Congress, as well as the District government, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Transportation Department. These partnerships allowed the Park Service to design an innovative project that will save money and time for  the region’s commuters and visitors.”    “Arlington Memorial Bridge is among the nation’s most deteriorated bridges, and I’m extremely proud that after years of hard work, the National Park Service has committed full funding for rehabilitation of the bridge. This is a huge win for Northern Virginia commuters, as well as visitors to the nation’s capital,” Sen. Kaine said. “As we celebrate this good news, we should also redouble our efforts to pass a major infrastructure bill so other aging bridges don’t degrade to such a terrible condition in the first place.” “After years of work to secure funding to fix Arlington Memorial Bridge, today’s announcement gives us hope that the bridge will remain safe and serviceable into the 22nd century,” Rep. Beyer said. “Our tour of the bridge and press conference in 2015 crystalized the dire need for this funding. Since then I have worked together with my colleagues in Congress, leaders from Virginia and the District, and two Administrations to secure the money for these structural repairs. This truly is great news, and I thank everyone whose efforts brought us here.” ""This is a victory for Northern Virginia commuters and the effort to improve our nation’s ailing infrastructure,” Rep. Connolly said. “I am pleased the National Park Service stepped up to the plate to address this uniquely federal transportation challenge. Communities across the country deserve this kind of good news about their old and failing infrastructure.” “As Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, I could not be more delighted that the National Park Service has secured full funding to repair a critical priority, the iconic Memorial Bridge, with significant cost and time savings,” Rep. Norton said.  “When I visited the bridge before construction, I saw firsthand how it was barely standing, and why traffic has to be rerouted, bringing even more traffic congestion on both sides of the river.  With full funding rather than the phased dollars we already secured, we can finally break ground.” The Memorial Bridge, which carries 68,000 vehicles daily between Washington, D.C. and Arlington, Va., was originally opened in 1932 with a 75-year design life. It is now structurally deficient, having never undergone a major rehabilitation. As a result a 10-ton load limit remains in effect, and large vehicles, including trucks and buses, are prohibited from crossing. Without a major overhaul, it has been expected that the Bridge would have to be closed to vehicular traffic beginning in 2021. However, NPS has an annual budget of just $20 million for transportation projects across all its assets in the National Capital Region. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments has previously estimated that closing the Memorial Bridge could cost local governments $75 million per year in transportation outlays alone. Moreover, transit studies suggest that traffic from the bridge would spill over onto other area bridges, particularly the 14th Street Bridge and Roosevelt Bridge, further exacerbating congested roadways in Northern Virginia and Washington, DC. Last year, the region’s congressional delegation was instrumental in securing $90 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation for Phase 1 of the reconstruction of the Arlington Memorial Bridge, with NPS providing an additional $60 million in matching funds. At the time, NPS estimated that more than $100 million in additional funding would be needed in order to bring the Memorial Bridge into a state of good repair. Due to years of chronic underfunding, NPS has been forced to defer billions of dollars in necessary maintenance on transportation infrastructure such as Memorial Bridge, as well as other facilities it operates, like visitor centers, rest stops, trails and campgrounds. In March, Sen. Warner and Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) announced legislation, the National Park Service Legacy Act, to address the maintenance backlog at the National Park Service, which is currently more than $11 billion, and Sen. Kaine is one of a dozen bipartisan co-sponsors who have signed on to support the effort. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/12/northern-virginia-delegation-dc-congresswoman-announce-long-awaited-breakthrough-to-repair-arlington-memorial-bridge,Northern Virginia Delegation & DC Congresswoman Announce Long Awaited Breakthrough to Repair Arlington Memorial Bridge,2017-12-01,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Mark Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Virginia’s two Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, along with U.S. Reps. Don Beyer and Gerry Connolly (both D-VA) and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) , today announced that after years of effort by the Senators and House members, the National Park Service (NPS) has approved $227 million to initiate a long-awaited contract to fully repair and rehabilitate Arlington Memorial Bridge. The 85-year-old bridge, owned and maintained by NPS, is a vital daily route connecting Arlington, Virginia and the District of Columbia.   The Virginia and D.C. delegations, with support of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, played a decisive role in successfully advocating for a federal FASTLANE project grant, as well as secured additional appropriations to launch the Memorial Bridge rehabilitation project in January. Construction will begin in the fall of 2018, with the project being completed in 2021, giving the bridge a lifespan of an additional 85 to 100 years. During construction, at least three lanes of traffic will remain open at all times to allow for continued use of the span. Identifying the remaining required funds allows the NPS to save $35 million in costs by completing the project in one phase rather than two, and will allow the project to be finished 18 months sooner than previously estimated. “It is hard to overstate the importance of this progress on a key transportation project for this region,” Sen. Warner said. “It required the combined efforts of all of us from the national capital region – those of us serving in both houses of Congress, as well as the District government, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Transportation Department. These partnerships allowed the Park Service to design an innovative project that will save money and time for  the region’s commuters and visitors.”    “Arlington Memorial Bridge is among the nation’s most deteriorated bridges, and I’m extremely proud that after years of hard work, the National Park Service has committed full funding for rehabilitation of the bridge. This is a huge win for Northern Virginia commuters, as well as visitors to the nation’s capital,” Sen. Kaine said. “As we celebrate this good news, we should also redouble our efforts to pass a major infrastructure bill so other aging bridges don’t degrade to such a terrible condition in the first place.” “After years of work to secure funding to fix Arlington Memorial Bridge, today’s announcement gives us hope that the bridge will remain safe and serviceable into the 22nd century,” Rep. Beyer said. “Our tour of the bridge and press conference in 2015 crystalized the dire need for this funding. Since then I have worked together with my colleagues in Congress, leaders from Virginia and the District, and two Administrations to secure the money for these structural repairs. This truly is great news, and I thank everyone whose efforts brought us here.” ""This is a victory for Northern Virginia commuters and the effort to improve our nation’s ailing infrastructure,” Rep. Connolly said. “I am pleased the National Park Service stepped up to the plate to address this uniquely federal transportation challenge. Communities across the country deserve this kind of good news about their old and failing infrastructure.” “As Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, I could not be more delighted that the National Park Service has secured full funding to repair a critical priority, the iconic Memorial Bridge, with significant cost and time savings,” Rep. Norton said.  “When I visited the bridge before construction, I saw firsthand how it was barely standing, and why traffic has to be rerouted, bringing even more traffic congestion on both sides of the river.  With full funding rather than the phased dollars we already secured, we can finally break ground.” The Memorial Bridge, which carries 68,000 vehicles daily between Washington, D.C. and Arlington, Va., was originally opened in 1932 with a 75-year design life. It is now structurally deficient, having never undergone a major rehabilitation. As a result a 10-ton load limit remains in effect, and large vehicles, including trucks and buses, are prohibited from crossing. Without a major overhaul, it has been expected that the Bridge would have to be closed to vehicular traffic beginning in 2021. However, NPS has an annual budget of just $20 million for transportation projects across all its assets in the National Capital Region. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments has previously estimated that closing the Memorial Bridge could cost local governments $75 million per year in transportation outlays alone. Moreover, transit studies suggest that traffic from the bridge would spill over onto other area bridges, particularly the 14th Street Bridge and Roosevelt Bridge, further exacerbating congested roadways in Northern Virginia and Washington, DC. Last year, the region’s congressional delegation was instrumental in securing $90 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation for Phase 1 of the reconstruction of the Arlington Memorial Bridge, with NPS providing an additional $60 million in matching funds. At the time, NPS estimated that more than $100 million in additional funding would be needed in order to bring the Memorial Bridge into a state of good repair. Due to years of chronic underfunding, NPS has been forced to defer billions of dollars in necessary maintenance on transportation infrastructure such as Memorial Bridge, as well as other facilities it operates, like visitor centers, rest stops, trails and campgrounds. In March, Sen. Warner and Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) announced legislation, the National Park Service Legacy Act, to address the maintenance backlog at the National Park Service, which is currently more than $11 billion, and Sen. Kaine is one of a dozen bipartisan co-sponsors who have signed on to support the effort. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/12/statement-of-u-s-sen-mark-r-warner,Statement of U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner on Flynn Guilty Plea,2017-12-01,2017,2017-12,Democrat,House,VA,Mark Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement on the guilty plea by former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn:   “The Special Counsel’s probe has found illegal behavior stretching into the senior most levels of the White House. Mike Flynn has pled guilty to criminal conduct, while he was serving as National Security Adviser to the President of the United States, involving his contact with Russian officials. This follows the guilty plea of a Trump campaign aide; charges against a Trump campaign manager; and charges against a key aide to the Trump campaign and transition. “This guilty plea also comes on the heels of a new report about the President’s efforts to silence the independent, bipartisan Senate investigation into ties between Trump associates and Russia. It is part of an alarming pattern in which the President has already fired the FBI Director; pressured the Attorney General and top U.S. intelligence officials to interfere with an ongoing investigation; and contemplated issuing pardons for his associates or firing the special counsel, according to numerous press reports. Members of Congress from both parties must make clear that those actions would be fundamentally unacceptable and incompatible with the rule of law. “The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence takes seriously our responsibility to continue a thorough, bipartisan probe that follows the facts wherever they may lead.” ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=695,"Beyer, 20 House Democrats Press Stephen Miller On Russia Disclosures Following Papadopoulos Revelations",2017-11-30,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,VA,Donald Beyer,B001292,beyer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Don Beyer today led 20 House Democrats in seeking answers from Senior White House Advisor Stephen Miller about his knowledge of Russian meetings and contacts during the 2016 presidential campaign. Their inquiry came after a series of news reports revealed that Miller, then a senior aide on Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, was alerted to Russian offers of assistance to that campaign by his subordinate George Papadopoulos, who later pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about Russian meetings and contacts. The Representatives wrote: “We write with questions about your role in attempts to coordinate action between the Trump campaign and Russian government officials or operatives during the 2016 presidential election. These questions arise from recent admissions of Trump campaign foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos, who pleaded guilty earlier this year to lying to the FBI about his meetings and contacts with Russian government officials… “…We also share grave concerns about any official in the White House with a position of influence over national security who knew about, or even participated in, covert arrangements designed to help a foreign adversary of the United States subvert our democratic elections processes.” The Representatives went on to note that Miller remains a senior figure in the Trump White House with a security clearance and access to sensitive classified information. They asked Miller to outline any knowledge he had of Russian offers of assistance to the Trump campaign, and steps that he took after learning of such offers, including notification of his superiors. They also asked whether Miller properly disclosed all meetings and contacts with Russian officials on his Standard Form 86 (SF-86). Rep. Beyer’s April letter calling for suspension of Senior White House Advisor Jared Kushner’s security clearance pending investigation of myriad omissions on his SF-86 was followed by a June letter seeking revocation of that clearance. He also led Democrats in raising concerns about Senior White House Advisor Ivanka Trump’s security clearance in a July letter to the FBI, and called for revocation of her clearance in October after massive discrepancies in her ethics disclosures emerged. The letter was signed by Democratic Representatives Jerrold Nadler (NY), Ted Lieu (CA), Jamie Raskin (MD), Peter Welch (VT), Zoe Lofgren (CA), Keith Ellison (MN), Pramila Jayapal (WA), Marcy Kaptur (OH), Debbie Wasserman-Shultz (FL), Nydia Velazquez (NY), Dina Titus (NV), Lloyd Doggett (TX), Yvette Clarke (NY), Steve Cohen (TN), Tim Walz (MN), Grace Napolitano (CA), Ruben Gallego (AZ), Betty McCollum (MN), Bonnie Watson-Coleman (NJ), and Donald Payne Jr. (NJ). Text of the letter follows below. Stephen Miller Senior Advisor to the President The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC, 20500 Dear Mr. Miller: We write with questions about your role in attempts to coordinate action between the Trump campaign and Russian government officials or operatives during the 2016 presidential election. These questions arise from recent admissions of Trump campaign foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos, who pleaded guilty earlier this year to lying to the FBI about his meetings and contacts with Russian government officials. Mr. Papadopoulos attested in court filings that he had written to a “senior policy adviser” on the Trump campaign that then-candidate Donald Trump had been extended an “open invitation” from Vladimir Putin to visit Russia. The New York Times recently identified you as that senior policy adviser. Mr. Papadopoulos also attested in court documents that he met with a Maltese professor, Joseph Mifsud, who told him that the Russians had “dirt” on Hillary Clinton, which he specified to mean “thousands of e-mails.” This exchange occurred weeks after the initial hack of Clinton campaign e-mails, which were later published by Wikileaks, e-mails which the CIA assessed were provided to Wikileaks by the Russian government. Unlike Mr. Papadopoulos and many of the other Trump campaign officials whose names have been linked to this investigation, you now serve in the White House as a member of the President’s senior staff, with a security clearance and ongoing access to vital US intelligence. We therefore seek your prompt answers to the following questions: 1.      Were you aware that George Papadopoulos had received credible offers of assistance, on behalf of the Trump campaign, from the Russian government? When did you learn of them, and what actions did you take to notify your superiors in the Trump campaign? 2.      Did you encourage Papadopoulous’ attempts to coordinate information sharing between the Kremlin and the Trump campaign, with regard to Clinton campaign emails or any other matter? 3.      Did you properly disclose any offer of assistance, meeting, or other relationship with any Russian officials into which you entered—either prior to or during the 2016 presidential campaign—on  your Standard Form 86 when you applied for a security clearance during the transition period? We respect the investigation being conducted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller and for the multiple investigations currently underway in House and Senate committees. We also share grave concerns about any official in the White House with a position of influence over national security who knew about, or even participated in, covert arrangements designed to help a foreign adversary of the United States subvert our democratic elections processes. Repeated failures by your White House colleague, Jared Kushner, and former employer, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, to properly disclose their meetings and contacts with Russian officials have only increased the need for vigorous oversight into ethics and security disclosures by other senior officials in this Administration. We thank you for your timely attention to this critical matter. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-butterfield-lee-unveil-new-report-on-diversity-in-the-tech,"Scott, Butterfield, Lee Unveil New Report on Diversity in the Tech",2017-11-30,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,VA,Robert Scott,S000185,bobbyscott.house.gov,,,legacy,"As originally released by the Committee on Education and the Workforce, Democrats WASHINGTON D.C.  – TODAY, Bobby Scott (VA-03), ranking member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce was joined by Reps. G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) and Barbara Lee (CA-09) to release a Government Accountability Office report entitled, “Diversity in the Technology Sector: Federal Agencies Could Improve Oversight of Equal Employment Opportunity Requirements.” The report found that the environment and access to these opportunities have not improved in more than a decade, for women, Black and Hispanic workers, and that there remains a persistent lack of racial, ethnic, and gender diversity in the technology workforce. “I was compelled to request this report from the GAO in 2015 after reviewing the startling lack of racial and gender diversity and the many documented reports of the hostile racial and gender environment in the tech sector,” said Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03). “The fact is there is bias in the recruitment, hiring and retention of Black, Hispanic and women workers in the tech sector. Decades of research show diversity is good for innovation and for the economic bottom line. Diversity and inclusion must not be treated as an aspiration; it is the law.”       This report confirms that the glass ceiling for women and people of color has yet to be cracked within the leading technology companies. This is also true for Asian, Hispanic, and Black workers, who hold low levels of representation at senior positions relative to roles serving as the pipeline for those positions. Moreover, in the past decade, within the leading technology companies, Black workers have actually lost ground across the spectrum of jobs from senior management to mid-level management to professionals to technicians. “This GAO report is disappointing but not surprising,” said Congressman Butterfield (NC-01), Co-Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Diversity Task Force.  “The findings reinforce what we have known for some time- that when it comes to diversity and inclusion of African Americans, the tech industry has gone from making some progress toward losing ground.  The Congressional Black Caucus is determined to move the needle toward full parity in the tech sector, and expect less talk from the industry and better results.” Technology firms have explained away their poor workforce diversity performance by claiming it is simply a pipeline problem; however, the evidence does not support this claim. Hispanic workers earned ten percent, and Black workers seven percent, of Bachelors and Masters in technology degrees, yet they represent a total of five percent or less of the professionals and mid-level managers in the leading technology companies. “By 2020 1.4 million new jobs will be available in the tech industry. If current trends persist, communities of color will continue to be locked out of these opportunities. That simply must change. I am pleased that Ranking Member Bobby Scott pressed for this vital report to hold the federal government accountable for its role in bringing diversity and inclusion to the tech sector,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee ( CA-09), Co-Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Diversity Task Force. “Last month I visited the nation’s foremost tech companies in Silicon Valley and witnessed the stunning reversal they have made concerning diversity and inclusion. As we continue to press for racial parity within the tech industry, this new report will be an important tool to drive tech companies to be more transparent with their employee data, fully disaggregate their diversity data and establish robust goals to advance equity in tech.” To help reverse this disturbing trend, the Members of Congress support the GAO’s recommendation for the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) to require federal contractors to disaggregate the racial and ethnic data. This would help companies to detect and address underrepresentation of particular minority groups. OFCCP must also assess the diversity among tech sector subcontractors, given the widespread use of subcontracts in that sector. FACT SHEET: GAO Diversity in Tech Diversity Report REPORT: Diversity in the Technology Sector: Federal Agencies Could Improve Oversight of Equal Employment Opportunity Requirements   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-takano-brown-murray-introduce-bill-to-expand-overtime-pay-for,"Scott, Takano, Brown, Murray Introduce Bill To Expand Overtime Pay For Millions Of Workers",2017-11-30,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,VA,Robert Scott,S000185,bobbyscott.house.gov,,,legacy,"As originally released by the Committee on Education and the Workforce, Democrats WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Patty Murray (D-WA), along with U.S. Reps. Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Mark Takano (D-CA), today introduced legislation to make at least four million American workers newly eligible for overtime pay when they work more than 40 hours a week, providing economic security to millions of working families.     The Restoring Overtime Pay Act would increase the overtime salary level from $23,660 per year to $48,412 per year, making at least four million workers newly eligible for overtime pay. This bill codifies the Obama Administration’s 2016 overtime rule, which would have strengthened overtime protections for millions of workers. However, an August 2017 ruling out of a federal district court in Texas has prevented the rule from being enforced. The Trump Administration has signaled it is considering lowering the overtime salary level. This means, compared to the 2016 rule, fewer workers would get the pay they have earned. Due to this uncertainty, Brown, Murray, Scott and Takano have introduced to bill to finally increase the outdated salary level.  “In order to ensure that our economy works for all working people and not just the wealthy few, workers must be paid for every hour they spend on the job,”said Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03). “This means ensuring that low- and mid-wage salaried workers are not forced to work overtime without additional pay. Unfortunately, the Trump Administration’s Department of Labor has indicated they will not support a robust salary level that ensures adequate protections. The Restoring Overtime Pay Act will guarantee that more salaried workers get much-deserved compensation for every hour they spend on the job.” “This legislation is based on a simple principle: America’s workers deserve to be paid for all of the hours they work,” said Congressman Mark Takano (CA-41). “It is unacceptable for middle-class employees to be working 50- and 60-hour weeks without receiving the pay or time with their families that they earned. After four decades without a meaningful update to the overtime rule or a meaningful raise for middle-class workers, the time for modest tweaks to the overtime rule passed a long time ago. This is a moment for bold action on behalf of working families, and that’s what this legislation would deliver.” “People who work 50 or 60 hours a week should be paid the wages they’ve earned. Period,” said Senator Brown (D-OH), who introduced the legislation as part of his plan to restore the value of work in America. “When we don’t pay workers what they’ve earned, it drives down the value of work. Let’s make sure workers are paid for every hour they put in.”  “Millions of Americans work more than 40 hours a week and are still unable to support their families or join the middle class,” said Senator Patty Murray (D-WA). “To help working families get ahead, we must build our economy from the middle out, not the top down. So while the Trump Administration continues to undermine protections for workers, I’m proud to introduce the Restoring Overtime Pay Act to provide a much-needed update to our nation’s overtime rules and give millions of families the financial security they need.”  The Restoring Overtime Pay Act strengthens overtime protections by attaching the salary level to the 40th percentile of wages in the lowest wage census region. The bill also requires automatic updates every three years to ensure the level remains in line with the changes in our economy. This means that if the bill were enacted today, the salary level would increase from $23,660 per year to $48,412 per year, making at least four million workers newly eligible for overtime.  The level for overtime pay is out-of-date and does not support working families who are struggling to make ends meet. Only full-time, salaried workers who currently earn $455 or less per week or $23,660 annually are automatically guaranteed overtime pay when working over 40 hours per week. Under the Restoring Overtime Pay Act, full-time, salaried workers will be paid for every hour they spend on the job.  ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-on-the-42nd-idea-anniversary,Scott Statement on the 42nd IDEA Anniversary,2017-11-29,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,VA,Robert Scott,S000185,bobbyscott.house.gov,,,legacy,"As originally released by the Committee on Education and the Workforce, Democrats WASHINGTON D.C. – Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement in recognition of the 42nd anniversary of the landmark PL 94-142, now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). “Following the Brown v. Board of Education decision in 1954, parents of students with disabilities pointed out that separate settings for students with disabilities were, and continue to be, unequal and discriminatory. Twenty-one years later, in 1975, Congress recognized the rights of students with disabilities to be educated in public schools in the least restrictive environment. “IDEA opened the doors of schools to students with disabilities, and we have made great strides in educating students with disabilities since the historic law. However, we still have hurdles to overcome, such as the disproportionate representation of students of color in special education. Despite these challenges, IDEA aims to guarantee students with disabilities access to a free, appropriate public education. That’s why I am pleased that the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the IDEA’s intent of Congress by affirming meaningful educational benefit from school in the Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District decision. “Congress must ensure that adequate funding is available to schools to realize that goal. And too, Secretary DeVos must ensure that the law protects the civil rights of students with disabilities and provides them with quality education to advance to college or a career. On this anniversary, I encourage Secretary DeVos to build on IDEA’s progress since 1975 and continue to fight for all students to have a high-quality, equitable education in the least restrictive environment.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/11/warner-wyden-rubio-introduce-legislation-to-empower-students-as-consumers-and-showcase-new-privacy-protecting-technology,"Warner, Wyden, Rubio Introduce Legislation to Empower Students as Consumers and Showcase New Privacy-Protecting Technology",2017-11-29,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,VA,Mark Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – With the cost of college at an all-time high, U.S. Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced today updated legislation to provide critical information to help students, families, policymakers and taxpayers better understand the costs and outcomes associated with higher education. The bipartisan Student Right to Know Before You Go Act makes data available to prospective college students about schools’ graduation rates, debt levels, how much graduates can expect to earn and other critical education and workforce-related measures of success. Importantly, under the bill, these outcome measures would be available and broken down by individual institution and program of study. The bill also protects student privacy by requiring the use of privacy-enhancing technologies that encrypt and protect the data that are used to produce this consumer information for students and families. “For college-bound students, choosing where to enroll and what to study are critical choices. Yet students and their families don’t have access to all the information they need to know whether they are making a smart investment,” said Sen. Warner. “Students’ choices of school and program have a host of real-world implications, including on their earning potential, likelihood to graduate, and accumulated student loan debt. This legislation does more to protect student privacy, while making meaningful, contextualized information readily accessible to students as they make key decisions about their futures.” “Deciding where to go to college shouldn’t be based on guesswork,” said Sen. Wyden. “The Know Before You Go Act puts the power back in students’ and families’ hands by giving them the opportunity to make the best possible choices for themselves about where to spend their hard-earned dollars. Our updated, bipartisan bill empowers students and families without forcing tradeoffs that sacrifice individual privacy or data security.” “A college education is one of the most important investments that many students and families will make in their lifetime,” said Sen. Rubio. “Students could benefit from a comprehensive system detailing the projected costs and financial outcomes of the school and area of study the student is planning to pursue – before they take out thousands of dollars in student loans. The Student Right to Know Before You Go Act could help American families make better informed and more cost-effective higher education decisions.” Currently, prospective students make costly and critical decisions about furthering their education based on information that is often inadequate, inaccurate or both. For example, many states try to publish similar information, but the data typically only looks at first-time, full-time students or students who remain in the same state after college. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Education makes available to the public a small slice of institutional data through its College Navigator. The updated bill requires the use of secure multiparty computation (MPC), an advanced encryption technique, to generate statistical data based on student information from colleges and universities as well as loan and income information from government agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Department of Education. The process ensures the protection of the underlying data, so no entity is forced to “give up” sensitive information in a form that is accessible to others. Sen. Warner has introduced several bills to improve transparency, accountability, and affordability in higher education, and help borrowers better manage their student loan debts. The Dynamic Student Loan Repayment Act would make income-based repayment the default option for borrowers. The Employer Participation in Repayment Act would allow employers to apply pre-tax income to help their employees with student loan payments. Finally, the Empowering Students Through Enhanced Financial Counseling Act would promote financial literacy by providing students who are recipients of federal financial aid with comprehensive counseling services. Reps. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), Scott Peters (D-CA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Andre Carson (D-IN) have introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives. Sen. Warner previously cosponsored legislation by the same name in the 113th and 114th Congresses.  The bill text can be found here. A summary and chart of the bill’s key provisions can be found here. A section-by-section summary of the bill can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mceachin.house.gov/media/press-releases/mceachin-urged-secretary-zinke-abandon-proposed-nps-fee-hikes,McEachin Urged Secretary Zinke to Abandon Proposed NPS Fee Hikes,2017-11-27,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,VA,A. McEachin,M001200,mceachin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Richmond, Va. – Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) wrote a letter to Secretary Zinke cautioning him that increasing park entrance fees could price American families out of access to our shared public lands and parks. “Your plan – nearly doubling or tripling entrance fees at some of the nation’s most loved and picturesque parks during their busiest months – will limit access to our shared public lands, and it will hurt the economies of surrounding communities,” wrote Congressman Donald McEachin. “As you know, the National Park System (NPS) was created to preserve and protect national treasures so that all Americans could enjoy them in perpetuity. The proposed rate increases directly contradict that mission, putting a visit to these parks beyond the means of countless families.” Earlier this month, Congressman McEachin signed a letter with more than 85 colleagues challenging Secretary Zinke about the misguided proposal. “Our parks belong to everyone, and these new, exorbitant fees are irreconcilable with your Department’s stated mission of improving access to our public lands,” said Congressman McEachin. Last month the National Park Service announced entrance fee increases at 17 national parks, including the Commonwealth’s Shenandoah National Park. Congressman McEachin submitted the enclosed letter to the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website during the public comment period on this topic. Full letter text is available here and below. ### Contact: Jamitress Bowden (202) 225-6365   The Honorable Ryan Zinke Secretary, Department of Interior 1849 C Street NW Washington, D.C. 20240 Dear Secretary Zinke: Last month, you published a request for information and comments on proposed per-vehicle and per-visitor fee increases at seventeen of our premiere national parks, including the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park. In response, I joined dozens of my colleagues in sending you a letter opposing that proposal. Your plan – nearly doubling or tripling entrance fees at some of nation’s most loved and picturesque parks during their busiest months – will limit access to our shared public lands, and it will hurt the economies of surrounding communities. As you know, the National Park System (NPS) was created to preserve and protect national treasures so that all Americans could enjoy them in perpetuity. The proposed rate increases directly contradict that mission, putting a visit to these parks beyond the means of countless families. In particular, a disproportionate number of low-to-moderate-income families, young people, and families of color would essentially be priced out of access to the public lands that their tax dollars help maintain. For example, a parent working a minimum-wage job would have to spend more than a day’s pay to get his or her family into these parks. Our parks belong to everyone and these new, exorbitant fees are irreconcilable with your Department’s stated mission of improving access to our public lands. The proposed change would also be an economic disaster for gateway regions – the communities within a 60-mile radius of a national park. In 2016, our national parks attracted a record 331 million visits – a 7.7% increase from 2015 – and trip-related spending produced considerable economic benefits.[1] Last year, visitors spent as much as $18.4 billion in these gateway regions; their spending resulted in “318 thousand jobs, $12 billion in labor income, $19.9 billion in value added, and $34.9 billion in economic output.”[2] Many of these communities lack the economic diversification of more developed areas; any fall-off in visits will inflict severe and immediate pain. Instead of creating a new barrier to entry, we should be encouraging more people to visit both our parks and the surrounding regions. America’s parks must remain open and accessible for all. I urge you to not to adopt the proposed fee hikes. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/11/sen-warner-questions-uber-ceo-on-handling-of-data-breach-presses-company-on-decision-to-conceal-breach-from-drivers-consumers,"Sen. Warner Questions Uber CEO On Handling of Data Breach, Presses Company on Decision to Conceal Breach from Drivers, Consumers",2017-11-27,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,VA,Mark Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance and Investment, today pressed Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi on the company’s recent disclosure that hackers accessed the personal information of 57 million users last year.  Uber paid the hackers $100,000 to pledge to destroy the data – which included the names and driver’s license numbers of 600,000 drivers, and names, phone numbers, and email addresses of millions of riders – and did not disclose the hack to regulators or users until last week. Warner posed the following questions to Khosrowshahi:  According to reports, Uber’s systems were breached after the attackers discovered log-in credentials to an AWS account used to handle payments. Why weren’t more robust access management mechanisms, including strong multi-factor authentication, enabled to prevent unauthorized access to passenger and driver data? Who conducted the initial investigation for Uber that successfully identified the hackers? What “assurances” were provided by the hackers to prove they did, in fact, delete the compromised data?  Unlike ransomware payments, in which payment is made to recover or regain access to inaccessible data or systems, it appears the motivation behind this payment was principally to prevent the public or authorities from learning of the breach. What rationale was provided by senior executives for covering up this breach? Uber has alleged that it was required to provide information relating to the breach and subsequent cover-up to prospective investors. Can you explain why Uber chose not to disclose the breach to drivers and users prior to, or at least at the same time as, a prospective investor? Reports indicate that Uber successfully “tracked down the hackers and pushed them to sign nondisclosure agreements.” While some information necessary to accomplish this could certainly have been gleaned from traditional digital forensic tools, these reports – combined with Uber’s past pattern of conduct – raise serious questions about how Uber was able to track down the criminals who breached Uber’s systems and blackmailed the company, and whether these actions might have constituted violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. As you know, no private right exists for companies to “hack back” those who compromise their systems. In the process of tracking down these hackers, did Uber or any authorized party acting on its behalf engage in unauthorized access of third party systems? Uber’s decision to identify the responsible parties and commit them to a non-disclosure agreement thwarts law enforcement’s ability to bring criminal hackers to justice. To the extent Uber had lawfully acquired information enabling it to identify the hackers who had compromised its systems, ensure they would abide by agreements to delete the data and not to disclose the breach, and transfer them $100,000, it conceivably had enough information at hand to assist law enforcement in the apprehension of these criminals. Why did Uber choose not to provide relevant forensic information to law enforcement and has this information been provided to law enforcement in the last week? Sen. Warner is a former technology executive and the co-founder of the Senate’s bipartisan Cybersecurity Caucus. Sen. Warner is working to finalize bipartisan legislation to create a comprehensive, nationwide and uniform data breach standard, requiring timelier consumer notification for breaches of financial data and other sensitive information, and setting national data-protection standards for companies handling sensitive personal information.  A PDF of the signed letter is available here.     ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/11/statement-of-sen-mark-r-warner-on-fcc,Statement of Sen. Mark R. Warner on FCC's Net Neutrality Repeal Plan,2017-11-24,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,VA,Mark Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the below statement on the Federal Communications Commission's plan to repeal net neutrality rules: “The FCC Chairman has decided to move forward to repeal net neutrality rules without any plan in place to uphold longstanding open internet principles supported by both Democratic and Republican Administrations. I am deeply concerned that the FCC’s current plan would amount to a green light for potential anti-competitive practices by certain internet service providers, with the Chairman signaling the Commission’s unwillingness to protect consumers and small businesses from potential abuse.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mceachin.house.gov/media/press-releases/mceachin-statement-thanksgiving-day,McEachin Statement on Thanksgiving Day,2017-11-23,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,VA,A. McEachin,M001200,mceachin.house.gov,,,legacy,"RICHMOND - Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) issued this statement in observance of Thanksgiving Day: “On this day we take time to appreciate our loved ones, blessings, and continued progress. Though we have experienced tough times in 2017 when our values and principles were challenged, we still have much to be thankful for such as our brave servicemembers and all the people who have committed to the vision of a better America. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve the 4th Congressional District, and hope that all of my constituents have a safe and happy Thanksgiving Day with their loved ones.” ### Contact: Jamitress Bowden (202) 306-0546",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mceachin.house.gov/media/press-releases/mceachin-announces-133000-housing-grant,"McEachin Announces $133,000 Housing Grant",2017-11-22,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,VA,A. McEachin,M001200,mceachin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Petersburg, Va. – Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) announced an award that will benefit his constituents within the Fourth Congressional District. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded $133,040 to Petersburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority to prevent terminations due to insufficient funding, that is, shortfall funding. “I am excited and pleased to see these monies come into the district,” said Congressman Donald McEachin. “Ensuring that people have decent housing must be a priority. I am pleased to be able to announce resources that will improve lives and make a difference.” ### Contact: Jamitress Bowden (202) 225-6365",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-kaine-announce-more-than-2-million-for-infrastructure-in-hampton-roads-damaged-by-hurricane-matthew-,"Warner, Kaine Announce More Than $2 Million For Infrastructure In Hampton Roads Damaged By Hurricane Matthew",2017-11-22,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,VA,Tim Kaine,K000384,www.kaine.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Warner, Kaine Announce More Than $2 Million For Infrastructure In Hampton Roads Damaged By Hurricane Matthew Wednesday, November 22, 2017 ~ Funds will help repair or reconstruct federal highways, roads, and land damaged by the storm ~ WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced today that communities in Hampton Roads will receive $2,201,300 from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to provide assistance in repairing or reconstructing federal roads and land damaged by Hurricane Matthew. The October 2016 storm brought torrential rains, high winds, coastal flooding and road closures across Hampton Roads due to washouts and flooding. “These funds will give communities in Hampton Roads needed resources to continue repairs to area roads damaged by the storm so they can be brought back to a safe and suitable condition,” the Senators said. The first grant of $2,000,000 will go to the Virginia Department of Transportation to help with the repair or reconstruction of federal-aid highways and roads on federal lands in Southampton County and the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Norfolk that suffered serious damage or catastrophic failures as a result of the storm. The second grant of $201,300 will go to the Virginia Fish and Wildlife Service to do similar repairs in the cities of Virginia Beach, Suffolk, and Gates. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/11/warner-kaine-announce-more-than-2-million-for-infrastructure-in-hrva-damaged-by-hurricane-matthew,"Warner, Kaine Announce More Than $2 Million for Infrastructure in HRVA Damaged by Hurricane Matthew",2017-11-22,2017,2017-11,Democrat,House,VA,Mark Warner,W000805,www.warner.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced today that communities in Hampton Roads will receive $2,201,300 from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to provide assistance in repairing or reconstructing federal roads and land damaged by Hurricane Matthew. The October 2016 storm brought torrential rains, high winds, coastal flooding and road closures across Hampton Roads due to washouts and flooding. “These funds will give communities in Hampton Roads needed resources to continue repairs to area roads damaged by the storm so they can be brought back to a safe and suitable condition,” the Senators said. The first grant of $2,000,000 will go to the Virginia Department of Transportation to help with the repair or reconstruction of federal-aid highways and roads on federal lands in Southampton County and the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Norfolk that suffered serious damage or catastrophic failures as a result of the storm. The second grant of $201,300 will go to the Virginia Fish and Wildlife Service to do similar repairs in the cities of Virginia Beach, Suffolk, and Gates.  ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z