Press Releases
VA, NC Senators to Introduce Bill to Preserve Blue Ridge Parkway
~Legislation would protect an additional 50,000 acres of land on Parkway’s 75th anniversary~
Jan 26 2010
WASHINGTON, D.C. – To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway, U.S. Senators Kay R. Hagan (D-NC), Richard Burr (R-NC), Jim Webb (D-VA), and Mark Warner (D-VA) are today introducing legislation authorizing the National Park Service (NPS) to acquire up to 50,000 acres of land surrounding the historic roadway. Congressmen Heath Shuler (D-NC), David Price (D-NC), Rick Boucher (D-VA), and Tom Perriello (D-VA) will introduce companion legislation in the House of Representatives. The Blue Ridge Parkway’s anniversary is being celebrated throughout 2010, and will culminate in September.
Statement on the re-nomination of Ben Bernanke
Jan 22 2010
U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner (D-VA), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, released the following statement today on the re-nomination of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke for a second term:
Statement on Massachusetts Special Election
Jan 20 2010
U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner released the following statement today on the special election result in Massachusetts.
Warner, Webb announce Labor Dept. TAA Certification for International Paper Employees
~ Program provides retraining, other assistance for employees impacted by paper mill shut-down ~
Dec 23 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Jim Webb announced today that the U.S. Department of Labor has approved Transition Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for employees of International Paper (IP) Co.’s paper mill in Franklin, Va. The mill, which employs about 1,100 people, began shutting-down operations in Franklin last month. The company has said it plans to complete its shut-down next spring.
Warner Co-Sponsors Bipartisan Fiscal Task Force Legislation
~ Legislation offers a path to bipartisan solutions to reform entitlement programs ~
Dec 10 2009
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner today signed-on as an original co-sponsor of new legislation to create a bipartisan fiscal task force to address the nation’s long-term budget crisis.
Eleven Freshman Senators Announce Health Amendments to Expand Innovation, Lower Cost
~ Package cuts red tape, speeds shift to value-over-volume ~
Dec 08 2009
WASHINGTON -- A group of eleven freshman U.S. Senators today introduced a package of amendments that will broaden and accelerate efforts to encourage innovation and lower costs for consumers across the U.S. health care system. The amendments have been endorsed by many of the nation’s leading business, consumer and health provider organizations.
Warner, Webb Announce Committee Approval of Chesapeake Bay Clean-Up Bill
~ Legislation strengthens NOAA’s data collection, resource management & public outreach ~
Nov 25 2009
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Jim Webb today announced approval by the Senate's Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee of the Chesapeake Bay Science, Education and Ecosystem Enhancement Act of 2009, which the Virginia lawmakers introduced earlier this year with Maryland Senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin to strengthen and enhance the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) role in the multi-state Chesapeake Bay clean-up effort.
Warner, Webb, Nye Urge IRS to Approve Tax Deduction for Drywall Homeowners
~ Casualty loss deduction would be significant for 80+ Virginia homeowners ~
Nov 25 2009
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Mark Warner, Jim Webb and Rep. Glenn Nye have joined members of Congress from two other states in urging the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to approve a tax deduction known as a "casualty loss" for homeowners in Virginia, Florida and Virginia who are dealing with the structural defects and health problems associated with contaminated drywall. Casualty loss deductions allow property owners to deduct from their taxes a portion of the decrease in value of the property following sudden or unexpected damage. The joint letter to the IRS is below.
Warner, Webb Announce Labor Dept. Assistance for Ex-International Paper Employees
~ Earlier lumber mill lay-offs separate from recent paper mill closure announcement ~
Nov 25 2009
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Jim Webb announced today that the U.S. Department of Labor has approved Transition Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for former employees of International Paper's (IP) lumber mill in Franklin. The mill, which employed about 120 people, closed early this summer because of a decline in product demand due to increased foreign imports. According to company officials, the mill produced pine lumber board and was not directly involved in the operations of IP's Franklin paper mill.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner (VA) released the following statement today prior to tonight’s vote to move the Senate health care bill to the floor for debate:
Warner Amendment Authorizes Study of Diagnosis, Treatment of Military Women with Combated-related Stress
~ Directs VA to examine gender differences in prevalence, treatment ~
Nov 17 2009
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner today successfully amended S.1407, a military construction and veterans appropriations bill, to include language directing the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to study how it addresses combat stress in women veterans. A final vote on S.1407 is expected later this afternoon.
Virginia Delegation Requests F-22 Briefing from Air Force, Stress Langley's Capacity & Facilities
Nov 12 2009
Washington, DC – Senators Jim Webb (D-VA) and Mark Warner (D-VA) and Representatives Glenn Nye (D-VA), Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Rob Wittman (R-VA) this week requested a Virginia delegation staff briefing on Air Force plans for future basing of the F-22 Raptor aircraft fleet. In a letter to the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, the Virginia lawmakers emphasized that Langley Air Force Base (LAFB) in Hampton is a “world-class installation” with the excess operational capacity to support increased numbers of the F-22.
Webb, Warner Introduce BRAC Measure to Study Growth, Address Traffic Congestion
Amendment aims to assist affected communities that lack funding, time to complete major transportation projects
Nov 06 2009
Washington, DC – Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner today introduced an appropriations measure that directs a transportation study of improvements needed to accommodate growth and traffic associated with the 2005 Defense Base Closure and Realignment (BRAC) program. The Senators’ amendment aims to address the lack of adequate funding and time for BRAC-affected communities to undergo needed transportation projects.
Virginia, Florida, Louisiana Senators Introduce Resolution Urging Mortgage Relief for Homeowners with Contaminated Drywall
~ Bipartisan measure builds on efforts to assist 1,300 homeowners in 26 states ~
Nov 04 2009
WASHINGTON – Senators Mark Warner and Jim Webb joined four of their Senate colleagues from Florida and Louisiana in introducing a Resolution today that urges banks and mortgage lenders to work with the estimated 1,300 homeowners in 26 states who are dealing with health and safety issues linked to the use of contaminated drywall, including at least 51 Virginia families, primarily in the southeastern region of the Commonwealth. The Resolution encourages banks and mortgage servicers to provide temporary forbearance on mortgage payments to help affected families afford the costs of alternative housing since many of their homes are uninhabitable.
Warner Convenes First Meeting of Bipartisan Task Force on Government Performance
~ Panel will advise ways to boost efficiency, save taxpayer dollars ~
Oct 29 2009
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today convened the first meeting of the U.S. Senate Budget Committee’s new Task Force on Government Performance. The bipartisan Task Force will examine the federal government’s management framework, recommend ways to improve the efficiency of federal programs and services, and identify potential taxpayer savings.
Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Jim Webb (D-VA) and Mark Warner (D-VA) today announced that the Department of Energy released nearly $15.7 million to Rappahannock Electric Cooperative in Fredericksburg for upgrades and improvements to spur Virginia’s transition to a smarter, stronger, more efficient and reliable electric system. The funds were made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Jim Webb and Mark R. Warner announced today that the U.S. Department of Treasury will award $29 million in bonds to American Municipal Power, Inc., for financing of a solar energy project in the City of Danville and Pittsylvania County. When completed, this solar project could provide up to six-megawatts of daily power for the regional transmission grid.
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner today was appointed Chair of the U.S. Senate Budget Committee’s new Task Force on Government Performance. Chairman Kent Conrad announced creation of the Task Force today, and asked Senator Warner to lead this examination of the federal government’s management framework and identify opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of federal programs and services.
Statement from Senator Warner on 'Doc-Fix'
Oct 21 2009
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner released the following statement today after voting against cloture for S.1776, the Medicare Physician Fairness Act of 2009:
Warner Urges Action to Revive Lending to Small Businesses
~Warner, 32 colleagues sign letter to the President~
Oct 21 2009
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner today led one-third of the members of the U.S. Senate in urging the Obama administration to support America's struggling small businesses by unlocking the credit lines typically offered by small, independent and community-based banks.
Webb, Warner, Scott, Nye Secure Funding to Initiate the Eastward Expansion of Norfolk's Craney Island
Inclusion of federal funds moves project into “construction” phase, making it eligible for future federal funds
Oct 01 2009
Washington, DC - Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner, and Congressmen Bobby Scott and Glenn Nye today announced the inclusion of $100,000 in the Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations bill to initiate the eastward expansion of Craney Island. Thursday’s inclusion of funds moves the project from the “planning” to “construction” phase, making it eligible for future federal funds.
Washington, DC —- Senators Jim Webb (D-VA) and Mark Warner (D-VA) today recommended John A. Gibney of Richmond for the judicial vacancy that exists in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. The Senators made their recommendation in a letter Wednesday to President Barack Obama. Mr. Gibney, a partner in the Richmond law firm Thompson-McMullan since 2003, has practiced law for more than three decades in state and federal courts in the Commonwealth.
Webb, Warner Secure Funds to Upgrade Two Wastewater Treatment Facilities in Va.’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed
~Warner Advocates for $1.2 Million to Retrofit Blue Plains Facility Serving Va., Md. and DC~
Sep 25 2009
Washington, DC – Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner supported final passage of the FY 2010 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which provides funding for the Department of Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, as well as the United States Forest Service. The measure passed last night on a bipartisan vote of 77 to 21, and will now go to conference committee with the House of Representatives.
Webb, Warner, Forbes, Nye, Scott & Wittman Urge Armed Services Committees to Strip $46.3 Million from Defense Budget for Dredging at Naval Station Mayport
~Virginia Lawmakers Cite Poor Policy, Fiscal Irresponsibility, and Lack of Strategic Justification~
Sep 18 2009
Washington, DC - In a joint letter to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner, and Congressmen Randy Forbes, Glenn Nye, Bobby Scott, and Rob Wittman urged the Committees not to authorize an appropriation of $46.3 million to dredge the channel and basin at Naval Station Mayport (NS Mayport), Florida in the final National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2010.
Washington, DC – Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner today supported final passage of the FY 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill which addresses a number of transportation and housing needs of the nation and the Commonwealth of Virginia. The bipartisan measure passed by a vote of 73 to 25 and will now go to conference committee with the House of Representatives.
