WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released this statement following today’s leadership vote by members of the Senate Democratic Caucus:

“I was one of the ‘no’ votes.  The message I heard on the campaign trail was that Virginians are frustrated with the dysfunction and gridlock that has become the status quo in Washington. That has to change. We need an open process where we debate and vote on the serious issues we face, and I have been encouraged by statements from both leaders that they are determined to make the United States Senate a functioning body once again.  The American people are demanding it; we owe them no less.”