Press Releases
I am extremely disappointed in FEMA’s denial of Virginia’s request for disaster assistance. It is hard to explain how Virginia families and businesses do not qualify for disaster aid when that designation was granted to similar communities in other states which saw what appears to be the same level of damage from this same storm system.
Senator Warner today introduced legislation that increases federal fiscal transparency and accountability by establishing a single web-based platform to allow taxpayers and policymakers to more easily track all federal spending. The Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (DATA) is a Senate version of legislation introduced earlier this week in the House.
Today the full Virginia delegation applauded the announcement by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus that the USS Arlington will be commissioned at the Norfolk Naval Base in Norfolk, Virginia. The announcement follows a letter sent by the delegation last week to Secretary Mabus over concerns the USS Arlington would be commissioned outside the Commonwealth.
I think we should end the subsidy for corn-based ethanol, but I could not support the way in which Senator Coburn’s amendment was brought to the floor for a vote. The Senate will have another opportunity to vote on this issue next week in a process that follows long-established procedures of the Senate, and I will vote to phase-out the ethanol subsidy.
U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA-10) today announced a bipartisan legislative push to encourage the creation of new manufacturing jobs here in America, strengthen worker training and industry certification programs, and expand U.S. exports.
Senator Warner embeds U.S. debt clock on website
Jun 06 2011
Senator Warner, a leader in bipartisan Senate efforts to craft a comprehensive plan to reduce budget deficits and the national debt, added a clock to the homepage of his Senate website today that allows constituents to view the escalating national debt in real time.
Senator Warner is urging the Pentagon to delay the transfer of 6,400 defense workers to Alexandria’s Mark Center until traffic issues can be sorted-out. The DoD employees are being relocated from a region served by Metro to an already-congested area that has limited access to mass transit, and the additional traffic is likely to simply add to the frustrations of 200,000 daily commuters in the I395/Seminary Road area.
Moran, Connolly, Webb, Warner Urge Secretary Gates for Year Delay in Mark Center Plan
Lawmakers cite flawed Army study of transportation impacts
Jun 01 2011
Representatives Jim Moran, Gerry Connolly and Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner wrote Secretary of Defense Robert Gates expressing concern with the recently submitted Army Transportation Plan for the implementation of BRAC Recommendation #133 at Fort Belvoir-Mark Center, Virginia.
Governor Bob McDonnell, Virginia U.S. Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner, and Rep. Bob Goodlatte (VA-06) sent a joint letter on May 19th to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder regarding the United States Department of Justice’s antitrust lawsuit challenging George’s Inc.’s acquisition of Tyson Foods Inc.’s poultry processing facilities in Harrisonburg.
Senator Warner today announced that the U.S. Department of Defense has approved $20 million for transportation improvements around Mark Center in Alexandria, which will see an influx of an additional 6,400 civilian and military personnel as a result of the 2005 BRAC round.
Senator Warner (D-VA), a member of a group of six Senators who have been working toward a bipartisan solution to the nation’s deficits and debt, released this statement following the President’s speech today: “The only way we will move past partisanship and gridlock to solve our nation’s fiscal challenges is to leave our partisan hats behind and work in good faith to craft a responsible agreement.
Virginia, Maryland Senators introduce legislation to guarantee pay for federal workers
~ Bill ensures retroactive pay for all involuntarily furloughed federal employees ~
Apr 08 2011
Senators Mark Warner (D-VA), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) Benjamin Cardin (D-MD) and Jim Webb (D-VA) filed legislation today that would ensure that federal workers receive retroactive pay for the duration of a potential government shutdown.
Senate adopts Warner, Coburn amendment to cut $5 billion in program overlap and waste
~Today’s 64-36 vote will trigger action on savings identified in recent GAO report ~
Apr 07 2011
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Tom Coburn (R-OK) successfully amended Senate legislation today directing the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to find at least $5 billion in savings identified in a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on reducing government duplication.
Senators Warner (D-VA) and Tom Coburn (R-OK) have introduced bipartisan legislation directing the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to find at least $5 billion in savings identified in a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on reducing government duplication.
Budget Task Force holds hearing on gov't duplication & inefficiency
~ Task force hears from GAO's Dodaro, former White House Chief of Staff Podesta ~
Apr 04 2011
U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), chairman of the Senate Budget Committee's bipartisan Task Force on Government Performance, convened a hearing today on duplicative and inefficient federal programs that included testimony from GAO Comptroller General Gene Dodaro, Center for American Progress president and former Clinton White House chief of staff John Podesta, and former Bush Administration Associate OMB Director Robert Shea. Video and other materials from today’s hearing are available here.
Sen. Mark Warner files legislation ending unofficial VIP "reservations" of Arlington National Cemetery gravesites
~ Legislation requires a full audit, mandates fairness and consistency on gravesite decisions for military families ~
Mar 31 2011
U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today filed legislation that would end the improper and unofficial system of "reserved" gravesites for VIPs at Arlington National Cemetery. In addition, Senator Warner's legislation directs the U.S. Army to fully investigate -- and report back to Congress within 180 days -- on the number of plots that may have been set aside in violation of a 1962 Army policy which clearly states that Arlington National Cemetery plots must be provided to any qualified military veteran, without regard to rank or status.
Senator Warner today filed legislation that would end the improper and unofficial system of "reserved" gravesites for VIPs at Arlington National Cemetery. In addition, Senator Warner's legislation directs the U.S. Army to fully investigate -- and report back to Congress within 180 days -- on the number of plots that may have been set aside in violation of a 1962 Army policy which clearly states that Arlington National Cemetery plots must be provided to any qualified military veteran, without regard to rank or status.
Senator Warner calls on drug company to roll-back dramatic pricehike on prenatal drug
~ $10-$20 weekly injections to prevent premature births will now cost $1,500 each ~
Mar 30 2011
U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner today called on Ohio-based K-V Pharmaceutical to voluntarily roll-back its dramatic increase in the price of a drug used to prevent premature labor for women in high-risk pregnancies. The prenatal progesterone treatment, which had been priced between $10 and $20 per weekly injection when compounded and dispensed by pharmacies, now will be sold under the brand name Makena at a cost of $1,500 per week.
Sens. Snowe, Warner Introduce Legislation to Enhance Technical Resources and Expertise at FCC
Mar 17 2011
U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) and Mark Warner (D-Virginia) today introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen technical resources and expertise at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The legislation would allow Commissioners to appoint a technical staff member and require the National Academy of Sciences to launch a study and examine the technical policy decision-making process and the availability of technical personnel at the FCC.
Senate Budget Task Force holds hearing on government duplication & inefficiency
Task force hears from GAO's Dodaro, former White House Chief of Staff Podesta
Mar 16 2011
Senator Warner, chairman of the Senate Budget Committee's bipartisan Task Force on Government Performance, convened a hearing today on duplicative and inefficient federal programs that included testimony from GAO Comptroller General Gene Dodaro, Center for American Progress president and former Clinton White House chief of staff John Podesta, and former Bush Administration Associate OMB Director Robert Shea.
Senators Webb and Warner today commended President Obama’s nomination of Robert “Bobby” Mathieson to serve as United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Virginia. Recommended by Senators Webb and Warner last May, Mathieson would bring over three decades of local and state law enforcement experience to the federal post.
Senators Warner, Wicker introduce bill to improve future relocation of federal spectrum
~ Bill also promotes broadband deployment ~
Mar 09 2011
U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) introduced a bill today to promote broadband deployment by improving the process for future federal wireless spectrum auctions. “Demand for mobile devices and services are expected to skyrocket over the next 5 to 10 years,” Senator Warner said. “This bill is one element of our strategy to make better use of spectrum - a finite resource - and keep America on the cutting-edge of wireless technology."
Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner today announced the inclusion of $27.4 million for the expansion of Craney Island in the President’s budget request for Fiscal Year 2012. In September 2010, the Senators wrote the Administration to request funding for Craney Island in the President’s budget.
It has been inspiring to see people across the Middle East demand more freedom and opportunity from their rulers. All of us are horrified, however, by the brutal response of the Qaddafi regime in Libya.
Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner reintroduced the Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act to recognize six of Virginia’s Native American tribes. Last year, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs approved a similar bill by Senators Webb and Warner, but it never received a full vote in the Senate.
