Press Releases
Sen. Warner: "The Sequester is Stupidity on Steroids"
Va. Senator chairs Budget Committee hearing on impact of sequester cuts
Jul 23 2013
U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today chaired a Senate Budget Committee hearing on the impact of sequester spending cuts on national security and the U.S. economy. Sen. Warner, who describes sequestration as “stupidity on steroids,” sought to highlight the disruptive and inefficient impact sequestration is having on small businesses that work with the Department of Defense.
Senator Warner Encouraged by TRICARE's Clarification on Autism Coverage for Military Families
Warner asked TRICARE to reconsider coverage limits for active-duty families
Jul 19 2013
U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today applauded the TRICARE military health insurance program for clarifying a controversial change in behavioral health care coverage for families with children who have developmental disabilities, including autism.
Sen. Warner Joins 15 Colleagues in Urging Greater Consumer Protection for Workers Paid with Payroll Cards
Senators call on consumer agencies to help protect workers from exorbitant fees
Jul 12 2013
U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) has joined 15 of his colleagues in calling for an investigation into the fees and practices associated with pre-paid “payroll cards,” cards some employers use to pay their employees instead of payroll checks or direct deposit
Sen. Warner and Colleagues Urge Investigation of Allegations that 'Debt Relief' Firms are Exploiting Students
Enforcement needed to stop private companies from profiting off students participating in free federal repayment programs
Jul 12 2013
U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Tom Harkin (D-IA) today joined with 20 of their Senate colleagues to call on federal officials to investigate allegations that so-called “debt relief” companies have been using deceptive practices to profit from students seeking assistance in repaying their college loans.
Sen. Warner: 'Our Dysfunction is Having Real Impacts on People'
Calls on Senate colleagues to advance budget negotiations with House
Jul 11 2013
U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today used a Senate floor speech to tell personal stories of Virginians impacted by federal employee furloughs and spending cuts mandated by the sequester.
Sens. Warner & Kaine Introduce Virginian Patricia Millett at Judicial Confirmation Hearing
Alexandrian nominated for D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals
Jul 10 2013
Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine today introduced Alexandria resident Patricia Millett at a confirmation hearing in support of her nomination to the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals. In their remarks, both Senators noted Millett’s extensive legal experience and public and community service.
Statement of Sen. Warner on Senate Passage of Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Bipartisan legislation passes by vote of 68-32
Jun 27 2013
Senator Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the following statement today on the Senate’s passage of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill.
Sens. Warner & Corker Lead Bipartisan Effort to Reform America's Broken Housing Finance System
Bill protects taxpayers, winds down Fannie & Freddie, preserves market liquidity
Jun 25 2013
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Bob Corker (R-TN) introduced bipartisan legislation today to strengthen America’s housing finance system by replacing the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac with a streamlined, privately-capitalized system that preserves market liquidity and protects taxpayers from bailouts during any future economic downturns
In 2008, the government sponsored enterprises (GSEs) Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were nationalized and given a $188 billion capital injection by taxpayers to stay afloat. Structural reform of the GSEs seemed obvious and imminent...Yet five years later, nothing has been done to address Fannie and Freddie. On Tuesday, we are introducing legislation to change that.
Sen. Warner Introduces Legislation Setting State Incentives to Encourage Greater Energy Productivity
Modeled on successful 'Race to the Top' education competition
Jun 20 2013
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today introduced legislation that would establish a competitive program of voluntary federal incentives that will encourage states to adopt strategies to improve energy productivity. When implemented, the program would lower energy bills for consumers, create jobs and increase American economic competitiveness.
Sens. Warner, Enzi Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support National Parks
Proceeds from commemorative coin minting will support park programs, preservation
Jun 20 2013
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Michael Enzi (R-WY) introduced bipartisan legislation to authorize the minting of coins to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the National Park Service (NPS). The proceeds from sales of the coins would be used by the National Park Foundation for park preservation and to provide programs and services to visitors.
Sen. Warner to Host 2nd Annual Virginia Leadership Summit
Co-hosted by Lt. Gov. Bolling, University of Richmond President Ed Ayers
Jun 19 2013
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) will host the second annual Virginia Leadership Summit on Saturday, June 22, 2013, at the University of Richmond. The nonpartisan Summit brings together graduates of Virginia’s leadership development programs for high-level conversations about challenges and opportunities for Virginia in education, workforce development, and job creation.
Sen. Warner, Udall Introduce Amendment to Encourage More Immigrant Entrepeneurs to Start U.S. Businesses
~ Amendment ensures visas are in reach for additional qualified entrepreneurs, startups ~
Jun 19 2013
Sens. Warner (D-VA) and Mark Udall (D-CO) introduced an amendment today to the immigration-reform bill before the U.S. Senate to encourage foreign entrepreneurs and highly skilled college graduates of U.S. universities to start businesses in the United States and create good-paying, middle-class jobs.
Sens. Warner, Kaine Announce Progress on Military Whistleblower Protection Legislation
Senate Armed Services Committee includes Warner & Kaine provisions in NDAA markup
Jun 14 2013
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) today announced that the Senate Armed Services Committee has incorporated their proposals to strengthen military whistleblower protection laws to ensure that victims of sexual assault and other misconduct are protected from retaliation.
Sen. Warner Urges Presidential Election Commission to Take Steps to Reduce Voting Wait Times
Senators call for public hearings in Virginia, Florida, and other states where voters endured hours-long delays
Jun 11 2013
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mark Warner (D-VA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chris Coons (D-DE) and Bill Nelson (D-FL) today sent a letter to the chairmen of the Presidential Commission on Election Administration, Robert F. Bauer and Benjamin L. Ginsberg, urging them to take strong steps to address the hours-long election lines that too many voters endured during the 2012 election. The Commission, a non-partisan panel created by the President earlier this year to promote more efficient elections, is set to have its first public meeting in Washington on June 21.
Sen. Warner Successfully Maintains Ches. Bay, Rural Broadband as Priorities in Farm Bill
~ Broad, bipartisan legislation incorporates two Warner amendments ~
Jun 10 2013
The Senate today voted in support of the bipartisan Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013, which will benefit Virginia farmers. The final bill included amendments sponsored by Sen. Warner that provide a strong foundation for restoring the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and tools to extend high-speed Internet service to rural America.
Sen. Warner to Lead Senate Commerce Panel with Oversight of Highway Safety, Rail, and Ports
Subcommittee will be key to Sen. Warner's infrastructure financing efforts
Jun 10 2013
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today was appointed chairman of a Senate Commerce Committee panel focused on safety, security, and infrastructure development of passenger and freight transportation by road, rail and at all U.S. ports.
Sen. Warner on GAO's Review of Performance.gov
Jun 06 2013
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the following statement regarding today’s Government Accountability Office (GAO) report entitled “Managing for Results: Leading Practices Should Guide the Continued Development of Performance.gov.”
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), issued a statement today following the President’s nomination of Patricia Millett, of Alexandria, VA, to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today issued a statement welcoming the announcement of Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement, or VOICE, on a neighborhood revitalization and affordable housing strategy that will help restore communities in Prince William County that were hardest-hit by the 2008 housing foreclosure crisis.
Sen Warner Asks Defense Secretary Hagel to Reconsider DoD School Closings, Teacher Furloughs
May 29 2013
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Kay Hagan (D-NC), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today asked U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to reconsider a decision to close schools and furlough almost 11,000 teachers at Department of Defense (DoD) operated schools for up to five days this fall as part of the Pentagon’s plan to comply with budget cuts required by the sequester.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) has introduced legislation to strengthen existing military whistleblower protection laws to ensure that victims of sexual assault and other misconduct are protected from retaliation after they report the alleged offenses. The Military Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2013 improves overall protections for military men and women who report any type of misconduct, requiring timelier investigations by the inspector general
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Jim Moran (D-08) joined Senators Tim Kaine and Mark R. Warner, Congressmen Rob Wittman (R-01), Bobby Scott (D-03), and Gerry Connolly (D-11), and members of Virginia tribes to announce legislation to grant federal recognition to six Virginia Native American tribes. The bill, the “Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Act” was introduced by Moran and Kaine in the House and Senate, respectively.
Sens. Warner & Kaine Submit Legislation to Expand Offshore Energy Leases
Senate proposal includes U.S. revenue sharing with Virginia
May 22 2013
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) today cosponsored the introduction of The Virginia Outer Continental Shelf Energy Production Act of 2013. The legislation would expand American offshore energy production with a revised five-year leasing plan, and provide revenue sharing
Sens. Warner & Portman Introduce Bipartisan DATA Act
Expands transparency and accountability for federal spending, allows taxpayers and policymakers to track spending
May 21 2013
Sens. Mark Warner and Rob Portman (R-OH) today introduced bipartisan legislation to improve and expand federal fiscal accountability. The legislation requires standardized reporting of federal spending to be posted to a single website.
