Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine and U.S. Representative Jennifer McClellan released the following statement after Topsoe announced it will build a new manufacturing facility in Chesterfield County, Virginia thanks to nearly $136 million in tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which the lawmakers championed in 2022. Topsoe is a Danish company that manufactures solid oxide electrolyzer cells (SOEC), a crucial component for producing clean hydrogen. The project is expected to bring more than $400 million in investments and create at least 150 new jobs in Virginia. Warner, Kaine, and McClellan wrote a letter to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to advocate for the project’s application.

“The Inflation Reduction Act represented a bold step towards maintaining American leadership in manufacturing, creating the next generation of clean energy jobs, and combatting climate change,” said Warner. “I’m glad to see that vision executed in Chesterfield County with the announcement of a new Topsoe manufacturing facility. Thanks to tax credits from this landmark law, Virginia will continue to power our nation and lead the clean energy transition by creating good-paying manufacturing jobs across the Commonwealth.”

“I’m thrilled that Topsoe will be setting up a state-of-the-art facility in Chesterfield County to help manufacture clean energy components,” said Kaine. “This wouldn’t have been possible without the investments we made in the Inflation Reduction Act, which I was proud to have helped pass in the Senate by one vote. I look forward to seeing how this project will boost economic growth, create jobs, and help us build a clean energy future.”

“This new Topsoe facility in Chesterfield County will create hundreds of new jobs and stimulate millions of dollars in economic activity right here in Virginia’s Fourth,” said McClellan. “I will continue fighting with Senators Warner and Kaine to supercharge our transition to a clean-energy future and bring federal investments to our Commonwealth.”

“We are thrilled to announce our plans for a new state-of the art US facility that will manufacture Solid Oxide Electrolyzer Cell stacks (SOEC), the key element to the world’s most efficient electrolyzer technology for producing clean hydrogen,” said Roeland Baan, CEO of Topsoe. “Through legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act and strong support from individual states such as Virginia, the US government is helping to accelerate the clean energy transition. With our strong dedication to innovation, we will help the US achieve its goals of driving down the cost of clean hydrogen and delivering clean energy jobs.”

The IRA included a number of provisions and tax credits to incentivize investments in clean energy. Topsoe received a tax credit through the DOE’s Advanced Energy Project Credit (48C) program, which was expanded as part of the IRA. The 48C tax credit covers 30 percent of the amount invested in new or upgraded facilities that build renewable energy components. The IRA included a set-aside in the 48C program for coal communities, which Chesterfield qualified for due to the retirement of a nearby coal-fired electric generating unit.

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) released the following statement after a narrowly avoided crash between two aircraft at Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA):

“Today’s near crash at DCA is a horrifying example of why it’s crucial that we beat back efforts to undermine slot and perimeter rules for our capital region airports. DCA’s overburdened runway is already the busiest in the country—and we fear that adding more flights could put passenger safety at serious jeopardy. We are thankful there was no loss of life or injuries, but this close call is unacceptable and we must ensure even near misses never occur again. To state the obvious: passenger safety should be a higher priority than whether some lawmakers have a direct flight home from DCA.”

A visualization of the near miss is available here.

The near-miss underscores the urgent need to reject any changes to slot and perimeter rules, which govern the number of flights that can safely operate out of DCA and the distance of those flights. In February, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation voted to alter the current slot and perimeter rules to increase the number of flights in and out of DCA as part of the Senate version of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act.

The senators have repeatedly opposed changes to the slot and perimeter rules. In March, they sent a letter to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the Senate Commerce and House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee opposing any changes to the rules in the FAA reauthorization. They also penned an op-ed last June urging their colleagues to oppose changes to the rules.

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WASHINGTON – Today, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the following statement:

“Over the past two years, the US has spent only a tiny fraction of its defense budget to help Ukraine inflict enormous losses on Russia’s military, hold the line in the fight for democracy over autocracy, and thwart Putin’s ambitions to take over Ukraine. Despite the clear security interests in continuing this support, and the commitments we’ve made to both the Ukrainian people and our NATO allies, House Republicans have spent months delaying the renewal of this critical aid. The best time to do this would have been months ago. The second best time is right now. I urge the House to act swiftly to get this done and end this painful and embarrassing delay. Failing to do so would be a mistake of historic proportions.

“At the same time, the House also has the opportunity to take important steps to shore up our national security in other avenues. For years, I’ve been raising the alarm about the powerful national security threat posed by TikTok, and I strongly support their divestiture from a company legally required to do the bidding of the Chinese Communist Party. Amid deeply troubling and escalating violence across the Middle East, it’s also critical that we provide robust and desperately needed humanitarian aid in support of the millions of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, and continue supporting Israel’s security. I look forward to the House’s swift action on all these priorities and to championing their passage in the Senate.”

On February 13, 2024, the Senate passed a national security supplemental package to aid Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, and the Indo-Pacific with a bipartisan 70-29 margin.

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark Warner, Tim Kaine (both D-VA), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Bob Casey (D-PA), and John Fetterman (D-PA) released the following statement on the Department of Labor (DOL) Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) finalizing its proposal to amend current federal standards to better protect America’s miners from health hazards related to exposure to respirable crystalline silica, or silica dust.

“We applaud the Mine Safety and Health Administration for finalizing its rule to better protect our nation’s coal miners from exposure to silica dust. This rule will play an essential role in safeguarding miners from cancers, silicosis and black lung disease, especially in Appalachia where black lung cases have been rapidly increasing in recent years. For generations, our brave coal miners have risked their lives to power our nation to greatness, and we will continue working together in the Senate to advance commonsense rules like this one to protect the health and welfare of these heroes,” the Senators said.

“We're grateful for the Agency's initiative in implementing a rule to tackle the increasing incidence of silica-related lung diseases among both coal and metal non-metal miners. The resurgence of these diseases, particularly affecting younger miners in their 30s and 40s, underscores the urgency of this issue. This measure is vital for safeguarding miners' well-being not only in the short term but throughout their careers. The UMWA’s focus now shifts to ensuring mining companies are held accountable,” said United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) International President Cecil E. Roberts.

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WASHINGTON — Today, on the 17^th anniversary of the tragic shooting at Virginia Tech, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine introduced the Virginia Plan to Reduce Gun Violence Act, legislation to federally enact a series of commonsense gun violence prevention measures adopted by Virginia since 2020. The bill includes provisions to mandate reporting of lost and stolen firearms, prevent children from accessing firearms, and implement a one-handgun-a-month policy.

“On the 17th anniversary of Virginia’s deadliest mass shooting, I’m joining my friend Sen. Kaine in introducing the Virginia Plan, legislation to bring the commonsense gun violence measures Virginia has enacted to the rest of the country,” said Sen. Warner. “Too many Americans, families, and communities have been touched by gun violence. This bill can save lives and make our country safer.”

“17 years ago, 32 people tragically lost their lives at Virginia Tech. I was Virginia’s governor at the time, and I remember that day like it was yesterday—grieving with families, friends, and the Hokie community. Sadly, far too many communities throughout the United States know the pain of horrific gun violence,” said Sen. Kaine. “I’m proud of the steps the Commonwealth has taken in recent years to help keep Virginians safe, which is why I’m introducing this bill to build on our progress by implementing those commonsense measures on the national level. We must do more to ensure everyone can go to school, work, their place of worship, a grocery store, or concert without the terror of gun violence.”

The Virginia Plan to Reduce Gun Violence Act of 2024 would build on Virginia’s commonsense framework to reduce gun violence from 2020 and Lucia’s Law, which takes effect in Virginia on July 1, 2024, through the following provisions:

One-Handgun-a-Month: Limits purchases of handguns to one per month to curtail the stockpiling and trafficking of firearms, promoting domestic and international security.
Reporting of Lost or Stolen Firearms: Requires gun owners to report lost or stolen firearms to the appropriate state or local law enforcement agency within 48 hours. State and local law enforcement agencies would be directed to report data collected to the FBI’s National Crime Information Center.
Preventing Firearm Access to Minors: Promotes responsible gun ownership and safe storage practices by holding individuals liable for leaving a loaded, unsecured gun in the presence of a minor. This will prevent the most common cause of accidental shooting deaths among children.
Protection Order Prohibitions: Strengthens safeguards for victims of domestic violence by closing the “boyfriend loophole,” which currently allows abusive non-spousal partners to possess firearms, and expands firearm laws to prohibit persons convicted of stalking or subject to a domestic violence restraining order from possessing firearms.
Extreme Risk Protection Orders: Establishes a federal extreme risk protection order process to temporarily remove firearms from individuals who pose a high risk of harming themselves or others and incentivizes states to implement their own extreme risk protection laws and court protocols.
Lucia’s Law: Establishes criminal liability for a caregiver who gives a child in their care access to a firearm when they are aware that child poses a risk of violence to themselves or others.

Warner and Kaine have long-supported a comprehensive approach to curbing gun violence. In June 2022, Warner and Kaine helped pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, legislation that contains many provisions of the Virginia Plan, including improving background checks, strengthening safeguards for victims of domestic violence, and incentivizing states to implement their own Extreme Risk Protection Orders to remove firearms from individuals who pose a high risk of harming themselves or others. The Department of Justice issued a rule last week—which the senators applauded—to codify provisions outlined in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to close the gun show loophole, which permitted the sale of firearms online and at gun shows without background checks.

Full bill text is available here.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine announced $3,040,000 in federal funding for the Town of Leesburg to install new power generator systems for the town’s potable water pumping station and pollution control center. This funding will help ensure reliable access to water and continued wastewater and pollution management services during emergencies, including natural disasters and widespread power outages. The funding was awarded through the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which provides financial support to communities across the nation facing natural disasters and crises.

“Access to safe, reliable water and dependable wastewater management is a necessity,” said the senators. “We’re glad this funding will help ensure the people of Leesburg can maintain access to clean water during emergencies.”

The Town of Leesburg is receiving two grants from FEMA:

$2,850,000 to fund the installation of two new emergency backup power generator systems—one for the City’s Potable Water Pumping Station and another for its Environmental Pollution Control facility.
$190,000 to cover personnel and administrative costs related to the installation of the two generators.

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WASHINGTON —Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) applauded the release of a new rule by the U.S. Department of Justice to codify changes outlined in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which the senators helped pass, to close the gun show loophole that has permitted the sale of firearms online and at gun shows without background checks.

“When we passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, we secured long overdue, broadly popular provisions to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals,” said Sen. Warner. “I’m glad to see this law take another concrete step forward and close a loophole that allowed some individuals to attain firearms without a background check. This is another key step forward to preventing needless violence and making our communities safer, and I look forward to continuing to watch this law enact commonsense provisions that promote public safety and passing additional laws that address the tragic and deadly gun violence epidemic.”

“Virginia has a lot of scar tissue related to gun violence, and we have a responsibility to do all that we can to reduce the risk of future tragedies,” said Sen. Kaine. “Requiring background checks for purchasers of firearms is a commonsense step in the right direction, and I’m proud to have helped pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act that made this progress possible. I will continue to do all that I can to build on this move to make our communities safer.”

Warner and Kaine have long supported a comprehensive approach to curbing gun violence. They have introduced the Virginia Plan to Reduce Gun Violence—a bill based on commonsense measures adopted by Virginia, including the closure of the gun show loophole and other background check loopholes, better safeguards for victims of domestic violence, and incentives for states to implement Extreme Risk Protection Orders to remove firearms from individuals who pose a high risk of harming themselves or others. They are also cosponsors of legislation to ban assault weapons, and are consistent advocates for improved access to mental health services.

WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Jim Risch (R-ID) today announced the launch of the Senate Advanced Nuclear Caucus. The Senate Advanced Nuclear Caucus will amplify the critical role nuclear energy plays in the United States, explore emerging nuclear technologies, and promote the goals and priorities of the U.S. nuclear industry.

“Advancing the next generation of nuclear energy technology is critical to meeting U.S. and global energy demands. The U.S. has a rich history of leadership in the nuclear industry, and it is crucial that we maintain this competitive edge. I’m proud to launch the Advanced Nuclear Caucus with Senator Risch to promote the advancement of the U.S. nuclear energy industry,” said Sen. Warner.

“America must maintain its leadership in nuclear energy development. From lighting the first nuclear powered lightbulb to groundbreaking advanced reactor research, Idaho and the Idaho National Laboratory continue to play a crucial role in achieving this goal,” said Sen. Risch. “With Senator Warner, I am launching the Senate Advanced Nuclear Caucus to showcase the Gem State’s continued nuclear innovation and to expand opportunities for Congress to support nuclear research and development.”

The launch of the caucus is supported by multiple stakeholders.

“The near-term, commercial deployment of advanced nuclear technology is fundamental to providing the clean, reliable and resilient power needed to meet the nation’s energy and national security demands. The establishment of the Senate Advanced Nuclear Caucus is a testament to the benefits that nuclear power provides to the energy, technology, manufacturing and scientific communities. I thank senators Risch and Warner for their leadership,” said John Wagner, director, Idaho National Laboratory.

"A reliable, affordable, and safe clean energy grid is the foundation to our nation's energy independence, national security, and global energy leadership,” said Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) President and CEO Maria Korsnick. “Senator Mark Warner and Senator James Risch's bipartisan leadership in establishing the Senate Advanced NuclearCaucus demonstrates the growing recognition on the hill of nuclear's critical role in strengthening our nation's national security while meeting rapidly growing electricity needs now and in the future. We look forward to working with the caucus to help pave the way for the next generation of nuclear reactors."

“Virgina’s leadership in nuclear innovation dates back to April 1957, with the first connection of nuclear-generated electricity to the distribution grid in the U.S. at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. Today, Virginia boasts a compelling array of nuclear-supporting assets, including world-class port infrastructure, established nuclear services and fuel fabrication firms, nuclear shipbuilding, and nuclear power generation facilities. This broad capability positions Virginia as an industry leader, driving commercial generation, research & development, and defense applications of nuclear power. We sincerely appreciate Senator Warner's continued leadership on nuclear matters, and look forward to working with the Senate Advanced Nuclear Caucus to move Virginia forward with next-generation advanced reactors,” said April Wade, Executive Director of the Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium.

“Ten years ago, when Third Way was a lone voice in the wilderness advocating for American leadership on advanced nuclear innovation, our wildest dream was to have a robust private sector backed by government investment and bipartisan leadership in the US Senate,” said Senior Vice President of Third Way’s Climate and Energy Program, Josh Freed. “Today, that’s exactly where we are. The launch of the Senate Advanced Nuclear Caucus reinforces how committed the United States is to advanced nuclear as a key clean firm energy, economic, and security tool for our nation. We welcome their leadership and look forward to working closely with the Caucus.”

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WASHINGTON – Today, Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) along with U.S. Reps Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Diana DeGette (D-CO) introduced the PREVENT DIABETES Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would make diabetes prevention care for those on Medicare permanent and more accessible online in order to help address widespread disparities in access to diabetes care in medically underserved communities, including Black and Latino communities and rural areas.

“As the father of a Type 1 diabetic, I know how important consistent and reliable care is for patients’ health, but too many Virginians still struggle to get the care they deserve. This legislation will save lives by expanding access to diabetes prevention programs virtually,” said Sen. Warner.

“Too many South Carolinians in vulnerable communities are struggling to manage diabetes,” said Sen. Scott. “Our bill aims to expand access to life-saving healthcare options by opening the door to virtual suppliers. We can and must ensure everyone in the Palmetto State—regardless of race, background, or zip code—has the support they deserve to manage their healthcare needs.”

“It is often said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is certainly the case with patients who are at high risk for developing diabetes,” said Rep. Bilirakis. “Through enhanced education, seniors will be empowered with tools they can use to optimize their health, avoid costly complications, and enjoy a better quality of life. This commonsense legislation will facilitate improved patient outcomes and save taxpayer money.”

“Tens of millions of Americans live with either diabetes or prediabetes,” said Rep. DeGette, Co-Chair of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus. “Taking on diabetes requires a comprehensive approach to stopping type 2 diabetes before its onset. Our bill makes CDC-recognized diabetes prevention programs more accessible to Medicare beneficiaries at risk of diabetes, particularly those in rural areas and others who may not be able to attend an in-person diabetes prevention program. With a growing number of patients opting for virtual care, our PREVENT DIABETES Act will help more Americans learn about how they can avoid this disease.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is a higher prevalence of diabetes within minority populations. Diabetes affects 16.4% of Black adults, 14.9% percent of Asian adults, and 14.7% of Latino adults, compared to 11.9% of white adults. To expand access to diabetes prevention programs, the PREVENT DIABETES Act would make permanent the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP), which is currently a demonstration program. The MDPP leverages evidence-based interventions to prevent the full onset of Type 2 diabetes in at-risk Medicare beneficiaries. The legislation would also make the program more accessible by allowing virtual suppliers to participate.

In October 2019, Sens. Warner and Scott wrote to then-U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar urging him to expand the program by administrative action. The senators wrote another letter in April of 2020, requesting that beneficiaries be allowed to access the program via a virtual platform during the COVID-19 pandemic. HHS temporarily allowed individuals to access the program via a virtual platform, but this administrative change still excludes a number of providers and does not ensure long-term access to a virtual benefit.

As part of their efforts to craft a framework of solutions, Sens. Warner and Scott introduced the PREVENT DIABETES Act in 2020 and again in 2021. Companion legislation in the House of Representatives is led by Reps. Bilirakis and DeGette.

Full text of the bill is available here.

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $24,439,297 in federal funding for two resiliency projects in the Commonwealth. The funding, courtesy of the Department of Transportation Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation Program (PROTECT) Grant Program, was made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law the senators passed and will go towards efforts to mitigate damage from severe weather and flooding in Virginia Beach and throughout the Tidewater region.

“As severe weather events become more common, we’re glad to see this funding further shore up resilience efforts to protect residents, assist with evacuations, and address the frustration of flooded roads,” the senators said.

The funding is broken down as follows:

Virginia Beach will receive $19,012,917 in federal funding to address flooding issues on Pungo Ferry Road, a low-lying roadway that provides an east-west connection to several military installations, agricultural lands, and wildlife refuges. The project will raise a 1.5-mile of the roadway to make it passable during 100-year storm events, and will include paved, graded shoulders and bike paths.
Virginia's Tidewater and Chesapeake region will receive $5,426,380 to install a weather and traffic monitoring system that will facilitate emergency evacuations due to extreme weather events through the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Sens. Warner and Kaine have long-supported efforts to build coastal resilience and record flooding in Virginia’s coastal communities. Last year, the senators announced over $10 million in federal funding to combat the effects of severe flooding in coastal Virginia as well as $25 million to protect critical infrastructure from flooding in Virginia Beach. The senators also previously secured nearly $399 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for the Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Project, which will reduce and manage flooding in Norfolk through a system of surge barriers, tidal gates, floodwalls, levees, pump stations, and non-structural measures.

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WASHINGTON– Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine announced $10,251,613 in federal funding for Stafford County to improve the resiliency of Brooke Road. The funding was awarded through the Department of Transportation’s Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation Program (PROTECT) Grant Program, which was made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law the senators passed. The funding will help prevent flooding, which has frequently made Brooke Road impassable for extended periods of time. Over the past two years, concerns about the roadway prompted Stafford County supervisors and the Virginia Department of Transportation to implement temporary measures on Brooke Road, including an emergency-use-only connector.

“Recurring flooding is a continued safety hazard and inconvenience for drivers on Brooke Road, sometimes even leaving residents stuck in their homes,” said the senators. “We’re glad this funding will prevent this flooding and help Stafford County residents safely get to where they need to go and avoid delays.”

The funding will be used to re-align a 0.45 mile portion of Brooke Road (SR 608) from Loblolly Lane to Maplewood Drive, a vital transportation route that serves the eastern part of the county and includes access to a commuter rail station.

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and U.S. Reps. Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), Bobby Scott (D-VA-3), Rob Wittman (R-VA-01), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07), Bob Good (R-VA-05), and Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02) released the following statement regarding the United States Postal Service’s (USPS) Inspector General (IG) report on the Richmond Regional Processing and Distribution Center (RPDC) in Sandston. The USPS OIG audited the RPDC because the center is the first consolidated processing center in the country that was opened to centralize outgoing mail and package processing as part of USPS’s 10-year Delivering for America plan.

“It couldn’t be clearer that USPS has not been providing reliable service to Virginians, and we’ve been pressing for answers. This report pinpoints a number of issues, including a lack of coordination between USPS and staff at the Richmond Regional Processing and Distribution Center (RPDC). Going forward, USPS must provide more resources and clearer guidance to management and staff at RPDC, among other steps. We look forward to working with USPS to ensure that happens, the recommendations in the IG report are implemented, and mail delivery is timely for Virginians.”

The report highlights various issues on the local, regional, and national levels that have impacted service in Virginia and made 10 distinct recommendations to USPS for improvement. The issues range from egregious lack of attention to detail (pieces of mail falling off conveyor belts and being lost), to poor synchronizing between machines processing mail at the facility and the schedules of trucks transporting mail to and from the facility, to broader questions about whether the RPDC model is generating the cost savings and efficiency improvements this model has promised. Workforce shortages, including reducing the contracted drivers to operate delivery trucks when the in-house workforce was insufficient, have further strained USPS staff and increased overtime costs. Meanwhile, internal communication among headquarters, regional, and on-site local staff has been inadequate.

A full accounting of the problems that have impacted service and specific recommendations to address them are available here.

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $1,000,000 for the City of Richmond in order to create a nature park at Broad Rock Creek. The funding, courtesy of the National Park Service’s Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership, was made possible through the Great American Outdoors Act, which was authored and championed by Sen. Warner and Sen. Kaine.

Specifically, the funding will be used to renovate the area, repairing the Broad Rock Creek Park bridge, developing trails and building roads throughout the park, and adding park amenities including wayfinding, kiosks, benches, water fountains, restrooms, and trash cans.

“Virginia is home to some of the most beautiful natural lands in the country, but for too long we didn’t had the funding to preserve and improve these parks for recreational use. As one of the authors of the Great American Outdoors Act, I am thrilled to see this law continue to pay off more than four years later. These federal dollars will help restore and maintain Broad Rock Creek Park for Virginians to enjoy for many years to come,” said Sen. Warner.

“I’m thrilled Richmond is receiving this federal funding thanks to the Great American Outdoors Act, which I was proud to support as an original cosponsor and help pass,” said Sen. Kaine. “I’ve been to Broad Rock Creek many times, and I’m looking forward to seeing how this federal funding will improve the park so visitors can keep enjoying its magic.”

The years-long efforts by Sens. Warner and Kaine to provide relief to Virginia’s national parks culminated in the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act, which was signed into law in 2020. The legislation provided $9.5 billion over five years to the National Park Service, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Indian Education to address the deferred maintenance backlog at these agencies.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) released the following statement on the passing of former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut:

“I knew Joe Lieberman for forty years. I didn’t always agree with him politically, but I always had tremendous respect for his integrity and the depth of his thought and understanding on policy matters.

“My condolences go out to Hadassah and the entire Lieberman family at this time. May his memory be for a blessing.”

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WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined a group of Senate colleagues to urge the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to prioritize mental and physical health care resources for women veterans who experienced sexual trauma during their service. In a letter to the VA Secretary Denis R. McDonough, the senators urged the VA to remove unnecessary barriers to sexual assault resources and programming, including by increasing the utilization of existing Women Veterans Call Centers, training all health care staff to be well-versed in trauma-informed care, and expanding telehealth options.

An estimated 33% of women veterans experience Military Sexual Trauma (MST), a term used by the VA to refer to sexual assault or harassment that occurs during military service. These veterans are at an increased risk of developing a substance use disorder or experiencing suicidal ideations compared to veterans who do not have a history of MST.

“While the VA has made many improvements over the years, we are concerned that women veterans, specifically those who have experienced Military Sexual Trauma (MST), continue to face barriers to care,” the senators wrote. “While we commend the VA for providing free counseling and evidence-based treatment for women with MST, these services are clearly under-utilized, as only approximately half of female veterans with an MST history use VA healthcare.”

The senators continued, “Once enrolled in VA care, many women veterans with MST report needing to justify and explain their request for treatment to their provider. This experience causes undue stress and places an unnecessary burden on the veteran. To reduce the stigma of seeking care for MST, the VA must educate all providers about the high prevalence and complexities of MST. Staff at all levels of care should be well-versed in trauma-informed care, recognize the signs and symptoms of PTSD and MST, and understand how that impacts trust. This is especially important for women who report MST to military legal officials but experience significant secondary victimization, which often impairs later help-seeking in VA facilities.”

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Kaine is dedicated to supporting and expanding benefits for our veterans and servicemembers. To improve the care that women veterans receive and address gender disparities at the VA, Kaine introduced, alongside Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and John Boozman (R-AR), the Deborah Sampson Act. This legislation ensures that women veterans get equitable care and was signed into law in 2021. Kaine has also cosponsored the Vet Center Support Act to provide better identification, intervention, and care to veterans coping with mental health issues in underserved areas.

The letter was led by U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Patty Murray (D-WA) and signed by 30 senators in addition to Warner and Kaine.

The letter can be found below.

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Dear Secretary McDonough,

Thank you for your hard work and dedication to our nation and its veterans. While the VA has made many improvements over the years, we are concerned that women veterans, specifically those who have experienced Military Sexual Trauma (MST), continue to face barriers to care. Healthcare access for women veterans is a growing area of importance, as women veterans are expected to comprise 18% of the veteran community by 2040. To address this, the VA must increase engagement with women veterans and build trust by enforcing accountability. ¹

About one in three women veterans have experienced MST during their service in the military.² Veterans who have experienced MST may face difficulties with interpersonal relationships, have an increased risk of developing substance use disorder.³ These issues can significantly impact the veteran’s quality of life, make it difficult to successfully transition into civilian life, and increase their risk of suicide. In fact, a recent VA report found that suicide rates among women veterans jumped over 24 percent between 2020 and 2021.⁴ Women veterans with histories of MST, in particular, are at a 65 percent increased risk of suicidal ideations compared with women who have not.⁵

While we commend the VA for providing free counseling and evidence-based treatment for women with MST, these services are clearly under-utilized, as only approximately half of female veterans with an MST history use VA healthcare.⁶ To inform these women of their VA benefits, the VA should consider employing the Women Veterans Call Center (WVCC) to conduct additional outreach tailored to women veterans with MST. Specifically, the VA should look to inform veterans about Vet Centers, which provide essential services regardless of the nature of their discharge.⁷

Once enrolled in VA care, many women veterans with MST report needing to justify and explain their request for treatment to their provider. This experience causes undue stress and places an unnecessary burden on the veteran. To reduce the stigma of seeking care for MST, the VA must educate all providers about the high prevalence and complexities of MST. Staff at all levels of care should be well-versed in trauma-informed care, recognize the signs and symptoms of PTSD and MST, and understand how that impacts trust. This is especially important for women who report MST to military legal officials but experience significant secondary victimization, which often impairs later help-seeking in VA facilities.⁸

The environment in which veterans receive MST care may trigger post-traumatic stress symptoms.⁹ A large percentage of these women veterans anticipate harassment or associate harassment with VA facilities.¹⁰ Female-only waiting rooms for privacy, expanded VA telemedicine capabilities, and additional programming at Vet Centers for women would all work to create a more inclusive environment for women veterans.

Women veterans who have experienced MST already endure so many hardships – let’s work to eliminate any barriers to VA care so they can access the high-quality care that they deserve.

We ask that you answer the following questions:

What is the VA doing to reduce social stigmas that prevent veterans from accessing MST treatment?
Are women veterans who are ineligible for care at a VAMC informed of their eligibility for treatment at a Vet Center? If so, how are they informed?
What research is the VA currently conducting or planning to conduct to understand and prevent women veteran suicide, especially amongst younger and older veterans?
What additional resources and care are provided to women veterans who respond “yes” when being screened for MST?
Since launching the “Don’t Wait. Reach Out.” campaign in 2021, how many of the 2.8 million veterans who were made aware of the campaign and reached out for help were women?Sincerely,

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) applauded congressional passage of legislation to fund key parts of the government and avert a government shutdown. Today’s legislation funds major priorities across several federal departments, including the Departments of Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security, among others. This $1.2 trillion legislation, in conjunction with the partial funding bill that passed on March 8, will fully fund the government for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024.

“It took six months of delays, but today Congress managed to fully fund the government for Fiscal Year 2024,” said Sen. Warner. “I’m glad to finally see this legislation through the finish line and I look forward to seeing these federal dollars advance community projects all around Virginia. With our most basic duty now fulfilled, Congress must immediately set its sights on delivering a national security supplemental that provides critically needed assistance to Ukraine in its fight against Russian authoritarianism. Failing to do so would be a grave mistake with decades-long ramifications.”

“It’s frustrating that it took us this long to get here, but I’m glad Congress finally came together in a bipartisan way to fund the government and avoid a painful shutdown,” said Sen. Kaine. “I’m proud that this legislation includes many of the critical Virginian priorities I fought for—from supporting access to affordable child care and securing a pay raise for our servicemembers, to protecting our communities from fentanyl and fostering economic growth. I’m also looking forward to seeing how the funding in this bill for 40 community projects across Virginia will enhance public safety, health care services, and educational opportunities in the Commonwealth.”

As part of the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations process, members of Congress were able to work with the communities they represent to request funding for local community projects, otherwise known as congressionally directed spending, in a manner that promotes transparency and accountability. This process allows Congress to dedicate federal funding for specific projects in Virginia.

Through strong advocacy, the Senators secured funding in the spending bills for the following projects in Virginia:

For projects in Northern Virginia, click here.
For projects in Central Virginia, click here.
For projects in Southwest Virginia and Southside, click here.
For projects in the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
For projects in Hampton Roads, click here.
For projects that impact communities in multiple regions across the Commonwealth, click here.

The Senators also secured funding in the previous FY24 partial government funding package for an additional 105 CDS projects that will improve transportation, upgrade water infrastructure, support health care, and more. In total, through the FY24 appropriations process, the Senators secured over $178 million dollars that will directly benefit 145 CDS projects across the Commonwealth.

In addition, the budget bills include funding for the following Warner and Kaine priorities:

Providing for Servicemembers: The bill provides a military pay raise of 5.2 percent – the largest military pay raise in two decades. It also boosts the Basic Allowance for Housing by 5.4 percent and the Basic Needs Allowance by 1.7 percent to ensure that servicemembers and their families can put food on the table and afford quality housing.

Addressing the Child Care Crisis: Following vocal advocacy by Kaine, the bill includes $8.75 billion for the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG), which is an increase of $725 million from FY23 and $12.27 billion for Head Start, which is an increase of $275 million from FY23.

Strengthening Virginia’s Shipbuilding and Repair Industries: Provides more than $33 billion for the procurement of eight Navy ships, including two Virginia-class fast attack submarines and one Columbia-class ballistic submarine. It also provides $155 million for multi-use and parking facilities at shipyards to improve quality of life for sailors, $350 million in surface shipyard workforce and infrastructure improvements, and $13.7 billion for ongoing ship depot maintenance.

Investing in the Wellbeing of Sailors: Provides an additional $20 million for the Navy’s suicide prevention and response efforts.

Delivering for Miners: Provides $12.2 million for Black Lung clinics, which serve coal miners with job-related coal mine dust lung disease. The legislation also directs the U.S. Department of Labor to report on their efforts to improve the speed and quality of processing Black Lung Benefits claims. Sens. Warner and Kaine have called for improvements to the Black Lung Benefits program.

Improving Rural Health Care: The legislation urges Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to extend its temporary Low Wage Index Hospital Policy. Sen. Warner has been a longtime advocate for extending this policy, which allows hospitals in rural areas to compete for, and retain, high-quality staff by increasing reimbursements to hospitals in rural areas with lower overall wages.

Supporting Community Health Centers: Provides $1.86 billion for Community Health Centers that provide critical health care to our most vulnerable communities.

Helping Find a Cure for Pediatric Cancers: Provides $12.6 million to fund childhood cancer research through the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act, named after a child from Loudoun County who died from brain cancer in 2013.

Addressing Long COVID: Provides $13.5 million to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to conduct research to address patient-centered care for people living with Long COVID. This funding stems from Kaine’s bipartisan bill, the Long COVID Support Act.

Rural Health: Provides $5 million to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office of Rural Health to address health care and rural health needs. Kaine cosponsored the Rural Health Equity Act to establish the office in 2021.

Modernizing Public Health Infrastructure: Provides $175 million to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to modernize America’s public health data systems.

Supporting domestic production of personal protective equipment: Includes $10 million to the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response to advance development and production of medical countermeasures.

Assisting Virginians in Crisis: Provides $519.6 million for the 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline, an $18 million increase from FY23.

Supporting HBCUs and MSIs: Provides $908 million, an increase of $8 million over FY23 funding, to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).

Securing the Southern Border: Includes $1.6 billion for border management needs, including Border Patrol processing facilities, transportation requirements, migrant medical needs, and other related support costs, as well as $495 million for additional Border Patrol agents.

Addressing the Opioid and Fentanyl Crisis: Includes $457 million for the Office of National Drug Control Policy, including $299 million for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program (HIDTA), which provides assistance to federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States.

Safeguarding our Nation’s Capitol: Provides $792 million to hire up to 2,204 sworn officers and 636 civilian members of the Capitol Police.

Relief for Vulnerable Borrowers: Includes language directing the Department of Education to provide a briefing on implementation of the Joint Consolidation Loan Separation Act within 60 days of enactment. The legislation, authored and championed by Sen. Warner, provides much-needed relief for individuals who previously consolidated their student loan debt with a spouse and have no way of severing it, even in the event of domestic violence, economic abuse, or an unresponsive partner.

Expanding Economic Opportunity in Vulnerable Communities: Includes $324 million for the CDFI Fund, which serves mission-driven financial institutions that take a market-based approach to supporting economically disadvantaged communities. Sen. Warner, a former entrepreneur and co-chair of the Senate CDFI Caucus, has been a longtime champion in Congress for expanding access to capital. To combat the loss of economic opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sen. Warner authored legislation to make a record $12 billion investment in CDFIs and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) andsuccessfully fought to include it in the December 2021 COVID-19 relief package.

Restoring American Semiconductor Manufacturing: Includes $100 million, as specified in Sen. Warner’s CHIPS for America Act, for the Department of State’s International Technology Security and Innovation Fund to support the responsible and secure development of semiconductors, telecommunications, and other emerging technologies and their supply chains. Also includes $400 million for the America Defense Fund, as specified within the CHIPS for America Act, to advance defense priorities related to semiconductor manufacturing.

Staying on the Forefront of AI: Includes more than $1.9 billion to advance the Department of Defense’s adoption of artificial intelligence, including $10 million to accelerate the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer’s investments in autonomy.

Keeping our Commitment to our Afghan Allies: Supports an additional 12,000 Special Immigrant Visas for Afghans who risked their lives to support the U.S. during the war in Afghanistan.

Bolstering Global Deterrence: Doubles security cooperation funding for Taiwan up to $108 million, provides $300 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), and provides $228 million in support of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania through the Baltic Security Initiative.

Humanitarian Assistance: Includes $8.7 billion in humanitarian assistance to address historic levels of global displacement and broader impacts from Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Building a More Resilient Cyber Infrastructure: Includes $2.9 billion for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) for operations and support; procurement, construction, and improvements; and research and development.

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), a member of the Senate Finance Committee and co-chair of the Senate Cybersecurity Caucus, introduced the Health Care Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2024, legislation that would allow for advance and accelerated payments to health care providers in the event of a cyber incident, as long as they and their vendors meet minimum cybersecurity standards. The legislation follows a ransomware attack on Change Healthcare that has paralyzed billing services for providers nationwide, leaving many in danger of becoming financially insolvent.

“I’ve been sounding the alarm about cybersecurity in the health care sector for some time. It was only a matter of time before we saw a major attack that disrupted the ability to care for patients nationwide,” said Sen. Warner. “The recent hack of Change Healthcare is a reminder that the entire health care industry is vulnerable and needs to step up its game. This legislation would provide some important financial incentives for providers and vendors to do so.”

In rare situations, Medicare Part A providers (such as acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and other inpatient care facilities) and Part B suppliers (including physicians, nonphysician practitioners, durable medical equipment suppliers, and others who furnish outpatient services) can face cash flow challenges due to specified circumstances beyond their control (for instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic.) Since the 1980s, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has provided temporary financial relief to participants in these programs through Accelerated and Advance Payment (AAP) programs, during which these providers and suppliers receive advance payments from the federal government that are later recovered by withholding payment for subsequent claims.

The Health Care Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2024 would modify the existing Medicare Hospital Accelerated Payment Program and the Medicare Part B Advance Payment Program by:

Requiring the Secretary to determine if the need for payments results from a cyber incident;
If it does, requiring the health care provider receiving the payment to meet minimum cybersecurity standards, as determined by the Secretary, to be eligible; and
If a provider’s intermediary was the target of the incident, the intermediary must also meet minimum cybersecurity standards, as determined by the Secretary, for the provider to receive the payments.

These provisions would go into effect two years from the date of enactment. A copy of the bill text is available here.

In 2022, Sen. Warner authored “Cybersecurity is Patient Safety,” a policy options paper, outlining current cybersecurity threats facing health care providers and systems and offering for discussion a series of policy solutions to improve cybersecurity across the industry. Since publishing, Sen. Warner has launched the Health Care Cybersecurity Working Group with a bipartisan group of colleagues to examine and propose potential legislative solutions to strengthen cybersecurity in the health care and public health sector.

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WASHINGTON – Today, Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Vice Chairman Marco Rubio (R-FL), joined by Intel Committee members Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), James Risch (R-ID), Angus King (I-ME), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Bob Casey (D-PA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and James Lankford (R-OK), sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth detailing the need for the Department of Defense (DoD) and specifically the Army to ensure consistent, resilient power sources for critical missions and operations in remote environments, including areas like Guam.

“In light of the heightened energy needs of the Department of Defense (DoD) and growing threats from our adversaries, we write to urge DoD, and especially, the Department of the Army, to bolster the protection and resilience of our critical infrastructure. In particular, we encourage the Army to consider all energy supply sources, such as advanced civil nuclear technology, for critical mission demands and increased resilience for U.S. bases,” the senators wrote.

Highlighting the importance of securing U.S. leadership in the investment and deployment of nuclear energy and reactors, the senators stressed the need to counter the advancement of our foreign adversaries, including the People’s Republic of China.

“It is critical that the United States lead in the development and deployment of advanced nuclear reactors to secure our own critical infrastructure with resilient, continuous power, especially for DoD mission critical operations in remote and austere environments. The United States must also ensure, alongside our partners and allies, that our adversaries do not monopolize control of nuclear fuel supply chains and new nuclear technologies such as small modular reactors (SMRs) – where contracts can span sixty to one hundred years – to exert undue geopolitical and economic influence, set nefarious global standards around nuclear technology, and control supply chains for critical sources of energy,” they continued.

The senators asked that the DoD and Army continue to brief the Intelligence Committee on future energy deployment plans.

The senators concluded, “We encourage DoD, and the Army, to fulfill Congressional intent to explore deployment of secure, continuous, reliable power to critical infrastructure and mission critical operations. We request the Army to brief our staff on future deployment plans, including the Army’s pilot microreactor program, and the Army’s plans for expeditiously deploying SMRs to power larger installations and facilities. DoD and the Army will be important leaders in the coming decades in ensuring the energy security of the U.S. and our ability to outcompete our adversaries in advanced technology domains that underpin the U.S. defense enterprise.”

A copy of the letter is available here and below:

Dear Secretary Austin and Secretary Wormuth,

In light of the heightened energy needs of the Department of Defense (DoD) and growing threats from our adversaries, we write to urge DoD, and especially, the Department of the Army, to bolster the protection and resilience of our critical infrastructure. In particular, we encourage the Army to consider all energy supply sources, such as advanced civil nuclear technology, for critical mission demands and increased resilience for U.S. bases.

Our adversaries, namely the People’s Republic of China and Russia, have recognized the criticality of civil nuclear energy. As a result, they are investing vast state resources in developing and deploying the next generation of nuclear reactors while actively pursuing long-term global contracts for nuclear energy.

It is critical that the United States lead in the development and deployment of advanced nuclear reactors to secure our own critical infrastructure with resilient, continuous power, especially for DoD mission critical operations in remote and austere environments. The United States must also ensure, alongside our partners and allies, that our adversaries do not monopolize control of nuclear fuel supply chains and new nuclear technologies such as small modular reactors (SMRs) – where contracts can span sixty to one hundred years – to exert undue geopolitical and economic influence, set nefarious global standards around nuclear technology, and control supply chains for critical sources of energy.

The Fisal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) reflects substantial bipartisan support in Congress for advanced nuclear reactors. For example, the bill requires DoD to consider advanced civil nuclear technologies for certain facilities, including in Guam. The NDAA also provides support for DoD’s Project Pele, which is intended to design, build, and demonstrate a mobile nuclear microreactor on a military installation. Critically, the bill includes bipartisan legislation intended to secure a reliable domestic nuclear fuel supply chain for today’s nuclear reactors and advanced reactors.

We encourage DoD, and the Army, to fulfill Congressional intent to explore deployment of secure, continuous, reliable power to critical infrastructure and mission critical operations. We request the Army to brief our staff on future deployment plans, including the Army’s pilot microreactor program, and the Army’s plans for expeditiously deploying SMRs to power larger installations and facilities. DoD and the Army will be important leaders in the coming decades in ensuring the energy security of the U.S. and our ability to outcompete our adversaries in advanced technology domains that underpin the U.S. defense enterprise.

Thank you for your attention to this letter. We look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced their co-sponsorship of the Downpayment Toward Equity Act, legislation to address the growing concern around rising home prices, lack of access to home-buying assistance, and the widening wealth and homeownership gaps in Virginia and throughout the country. The bill would provide federal grants, administered through local entities, to aid first-generation homebuyers with qualifying expenses toward purchasing their first home—including downpayment costs, closing costs, and costs to reduce the rates of interest.

“Homeownership is one of the most powerful pathways to accumulate wealth, but first-generation homebuyers – predominantly people of color – still face steep obstacles to achieving it and punching their ticket to the middle class,” said Sen. Warner. “The Downpayment Toward Equity Act could serve as a powerful tool to level the playing field, close the racial wealth gap, and help more families achieve their American Dream.”

“I was a fair housing attorney in Richmond for nearly two decades, and I saw up close the impact that years of discriminatory housing policies had on families’ ability to purchase a home and benefit from the wealth building that comes from homeownership,” said Sen. Kaine. “While we’ve made significant progress in combating discriminatory policies since then, their lasting effects continue to be evident in the wide homeownership and wealth gaps that people of color face. The Downpayment Toward Equity Act would take a substantial step in addressing these gaps, by helping first-generation homebuyers overcome the disadvantages they face when trying to purchase a home.”

The Downpayment Toward Equity Act would administer grants of up to $20,000 to qualified first-generation homebuyers through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Additionally, HUD would have the ability to increase these grants for socially and economically disadvantaged homebuyers. States would receive 75% of the funds each year, distributed by population, median home prices, and racial disparities in homeownership, and the remaining 25% would be competitively awarded to CDFIs, MDIs, and other nonprofit, mission-driven entities that target services to minority and low-income populations.

Led by Sens. Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Laphonza Butler (D-CA), the bill is also currently co-sponsored by Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). Accompanying legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters and has received enthusiastic support from housing, homeownership, and racial equity organizations across the country, including the National Coalition for the Homeless, National Consumer Law Center, Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, Inc., Piedmont Housing Alliance in Charlottesville, VA, Habitat for Humanity International, Local Initiatives Support Corp., Mortgage Bankers Association, National Housing Conference, National NeighborWorks Association, National Fair Housing Alliance, National Association of Realtors, National Council of State Housing Agencies, National Coalition for the Homeless, National Consumer Law Center, and others.

Sens. Warner and Kaine are longtime supporters of initiatives to assist first-generation homebuyers. The senators introduced the L ow-Income First Time Homebuyers (LIFT) Act to establish a program to help first-time, first-generation homebuyers – predominantly Americans of color – build wealth much more rapidly. The LIFT Act will establish a program at HUD, in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, to sponsor low fixed-rate 20-year mortgages for first-time, first-generation homebuyers who have incomes equal to or less than 120 percent of their area median income to increase access to homeownership for millions of families.

Text of the Downpayment Toward Equity Act is available here.

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Washington – U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Mark Warner (D-VA) reintroduced the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act to protect horses from abusive show practices. Soring is a process by which horse trainers intentionally apply devices or caustic substances to horses’ limbs to make each step painful and force an exaggerated high-stepping gait (called the “Big Lick”) rewarded with higher marks in show rings. Although federal law prohibits soring, a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Inspector General (IG) report found that some horse trainers continue this inhumane practice.

“I support the humane treatment of all animals and the responsible training of horses," said Sen. Crapo. “Equestrian sports have implemented rules to ensure the welfare of the horses, but changes are needed to address loopholes that allow the continued suffering of sored horses. Soring is an inhumane practice and the PAST Act would finally end this horrible custom.”

“Horses are a quintessential part of Virginia’s culture and history, and they deserve comprehensive, enforceable protections from abuse of any sort,” said Sen. Warner. “I am proud to reintroduce the bipartisan PAST Act to strengthen protections against horse soring and crack down on the perpetrators of this disturbing abuse.”

The Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act would:

Eliminate self-policing by requiring the USDA to assign a licensed inspector if the show's management indicates intent to hire one. Licensed or accredited veterinarians, if available, would be given preference for these positions.

Prohibit the use of action devices and pads on specific horse breeds that have a history of being the primary victims of soring. Action devices, such as chains that rub up and down an already-sore leg, intensify the horse's pain when it moves so that the horse quickly jolts up its leg.

Increase consequences on individuals caught soring a horse, including raising the penalty from a misdemeanor to a felony, which is subject to up to three years' incarceration, increasing fines from $3,000 to $5,000 per violation, and permanently disqualifying three-time violators from participating in horse shows, exhibitions, sales or auctions.

In August 2023, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service proposed a rule to strengthen Horse Protection Act requirements and eliminate the use of horse soring at horse shows, exhibitions, sales and auctions.

“The AVMA strongly endorses the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act and is a longtime advocate for eliminating the cruel and inhumane practice of horse soring,” said Dr. Rena Carlson, Idaho veterinarian and president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. “The PAST Act would end the needless suffering of horses by providing enforcement mechanisms to preserve horse welfare. We thank Senators Warner and Crapo for their leadership on this critical issue facing the veterinary profession and urge Congress to swiftly pass the proposed legislation.”

“Soring is an abject cruelty, carried out on the backs of horses by those seeking to call themselves ‘grand champions,’” said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “The real losers here are the horses who have endured the ‘Big Lick’ for decades in spite of federal law meant to protect them. Fortunately, we have our own equine champions in Senators Crapo and Warner, leading the way by mobilizing half the Senate to demonstrate continued broad, bipartisan support for the PAST Act and encourage USDA to swiftly complete its rulemaking to fix weak regulations that have allowed this cruelty to persist.”

“The cruel practice of horse soring--inflicting pain and injury in horses’ legs and hooves to force them into an unnatural, high-stepping gait known as the “Big Lick” --has gone on for far too long while serial abusers have gamed the system and horses have suffered,” said Nancy Perry, senior vice president of ASPCA Government Relations. “The PAST Act, widely championed by humane advocates and the equine industry, received overwhelming support last Congress, and we are grateful to Senators Warner and Crapo for reintroducing this critical bill to finally end this abuse once and for all.”

“For many years, the American Association of Equine Practitioners has championed legislation to end this cruel practice, and the reintroduction of this important bill by Senator Crapo and Senator Warner to protect horses is vital,” said Dr. Katherine Garrett, 2024 American Association of Equine Practitioners president. “We now will work for passage along with our more than 9,000 equine veterinarian and student members and the industry.”

“On behalf of the American Horse Council (AHC) and its members, I offer Senator Mike Crapo and Senator Mark Warner our profound gratitude for their commitment and leadership in introducing the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act,” said Julie M. Broadway, president of American Horse Council & American Horse Council Foundation. “We hope that through their efforts, the 118th Congress will act and fulfill the promise and purpose of the Horse Protection Act which is to eliminate the horrific practice of soring. The current industry self-inspection model needs to be fixed as inspections by the USDA clearly and convincingly demonstrate that horses continue to be sored and mistreated. Adopting the PAST Act will restore public trust and confidence in competitions, auctions, and exhibitions featuring specific breeds of gaited horses."

“We commend Senators Crapo and Warner for their unwavering commitment to protecting Tennessee Walking Horses and related gaited breeds that have been victimized for the sake of winning awards and cash prizes,” said Dr. Joanna Grossman, equine program director for the Animal Welfare Institute. “Soring involves a wide range of abhorrent and cruel practices that have persisted for decades. The PAST Act includes desperately needed reforms that would build on the legacy of the Horse Protection Act. As this legislation enjoys broad bipartisan support, we urge Congress to pass the PAST Act quickly to protect horses from abuse.”

Crapo and Warner are joined in introducing the legislation by Senators Chuck Schumer (D-New York), Michael Bennet (D-Colorado), Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), Cory Booker (D-New Jersey), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Laphonza Butler (D-California), Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), Ben Cardin (D-Maryland), Robert Casey (D-Pennsylvania), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chris Coons (D-Delaware), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois), Dick Durbin (D-Illinois), John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York), Maggie Hassan (D-New Hampshire), Martin Heinrich (D-New Mexico), John Hickenlooper (D-Colorado), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Virginia), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), Edward Markey (D-Massachusetts), Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon), Chris Muphy (D-Connecticut), Patty Murray (D-Washington), Jon Ossof (D-Georgia), Alex Padilla (D-California), Gary Peters (D-Michigan), Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island), Jacky Rosen (D-Nevada), Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Arizona), Tina Smith (D-Minnesota), Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan), Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland), Raphael Warnock (D-Georgia), Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts), Peter Welch (D-Vermont), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island), Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), Bob Menendez (D-New Jersey) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin).

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure that eligible individuals leave prison with a valid form of government identification, and that ID is accepted by various components of the federal government. For people leaving prison, a valid form of ID is crucial, necessary to secure a job, obtain housing, and rejoin communities. Yet up to 48% of people leaving federal prison do so without any vital documents—no Social Security card, birth certificate, or state ID.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is currently rolling out a program to issue a photo ID release card to individuals exiting the prison system; however, there is no guarantee that this ID card would be widely accepted, or fulfill the requirements necessary to access federal benefits. This legislation would ensure that all eligible individuals receive a photo identification card, and that identification is accepted by various federal agencies.

“A valid form of ID is needed to secure housing, apply for jobs, and gain access to assistance programs that will ease the transition back into society,” said Sen. Warner. “I’m proud to introduce this legislation that will eliminate unnecessary hardships for individuals looking to restart their lives.”

“A valid form of ID is a critical first step for those looking for a fresh start and is necessary to become a productive member of society,” said Sen. Tillis. “This legislation requires the Federal Bureau of Prisons to issue a photo identification card to all incarcerated individuals, making the transition back to society easier and paving the way for a better future.”

Specifically, The BOP ID Act would:

Require the BOP to issue a photo identification card to all incarcerated individuals, except non-citizens, upon exiting the BOP facility;
Direct the BOP to create a system where BOP issued cards can be exchanged for state identification card;
Require federal agencies to accept release cards as proof of identification;
- Specifically requires that the ID be accepted as a valid form of identification for social safety net programs, like SNAP, TANF, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid and other programs administered/funded by the Departments of Health and Human Services, Education, Veterans Affairs, and Housing and Urban Development.
- Require acceptance of the ID for entry into federal buildings and for probation pretrial, and court services in federal and D.C. courts.

In the House of Representatives, Reps. David Trone (D-MD-06), Barry Moore (R-AL-02), Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04), and Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-01) have introduced companion legislation.

“MCCA firmly believes that ensuring formerly incarcerated individuals successfully reenter society is critical to preventing recidivism. This includes ensuring they have access to basic human necessities, like food, shelter, and healthcare, as well as economic opportunities to help support themselves and their families,” said Laura Cooper, MCCA Executive Director. “A lack of government-issued identification is a well-documented, significant barrier that can prohibit recently released individuals from being able to obtain the assistance that they need. The BOP Release Card ID Act of 2023 will address this issue by requiring BOP to provide each inmate with a photo ID card upon their release that can serve as the proof of identification needed to participate in federal benefit programs. On behalf of the Major Cities Chiefs Association’s membership, I would like to thank Senators Warner and Tillis for this critical legislation.”

“The Bureau of Prisons ID Act would help eliminate an obstacle faced by many people as they return to society after prison: the lack of proper ID. Under the bill, the bureau would provide federal ID cards to people as they leave prison and build a pathway to state identification. This simple step will enable people to access housing, healthcare, and social services — all of which require ID, and all of which are vital in the first months after leaving prison,” said Ames Grawert, senior counsel in the Justice Program at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law.

Text of the legislation is available here.

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Steve Daines (R-MT), members of the Senate Finance Committee, reintroduced legislation to improve orthotics and prosthetics care for seniors on Medicare. The Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act would strengthen Medicare patients’ access to quality orthotics and prosthetics by reducing fraud, expanding access to replacement devices, and removing burdensome regulations that disproportionally hurt orthotists and prosthetists.

“Seniors need quality orthotics and prosthetics care, but hurdles in the industry are making care less accessible while also burdening Medicare and providers,” said Sen. Warner. “This bipartisan legislation would alleviate issues across the orthotics and prosthetics industry so seniors don’t receive unusable devices and also cut unnecessary red tape for orthotists and prosthetists.”

“Many Montana seniors rely on orthopedic braces or prosthetics but unfortunately the risk of abuse within the Medicare system can stand in the way of quality care,” said Sen. Daines. “I’m glad to introduce this bipartisan bill to expand access to needed orthotics and prosthetics for our seniors and reduce waste and fraud in order to better serve Montana patients.”

Specifically, the Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act would:

Prevent fraud by prohibiting “drop shipping” of devices that patients should come in and be fitted for.
Exempt orthotists and prosthetists from more restrictive policies that apply to them but not other health care providers in order to sell non-fitted devices.
Ensure Medicare beneficiaries have timely access to a replacement device if a provider determines it’s necessary due to a change in the condition of the patient, the condition of the device, or if the cost of repair would be excessive.

The majority of orthotics and prosthetics are custom-fabricated or custom-fitted and require the expertise of a certified or licensed orthotist or prosthetist. However, Medicare currently reimburses the “drop shipment” (or direct-to-consumer shipping) of custom orthoses and prostheses directly to patients without the input of a medical professional, which leads to rampant waste and fraud as the delivered devices may not actually meet a patient’s needs. The Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act would prohibit that practice, potentially saving Medicare billions of dollars.

Additionally, Medicare regulations do not cover replacements for orthotics or prosthetics within the “reasonable use lifetime,” even if they are irreparably damaged or there has been a change in the condition of the patient. The bill would close that loophole, allowing coverage for replacements if the patient meets certain conditions. Finally, the bill implements a zero-cost regulatory fix that would allow certified orthotists and prosthetists to be exempted from sending patients to a provider with a competitive bidding license, removing an unnecessary barrier to care for patients and making sure orthotists and prosthetists aren’t subject to unnecessarily stringent requirements.

In the House of Representatives, Reps. Glenn Thompson (R-PA-15), Mike Thompson (D-CA-04), Brett Guthrie (R-KY-02), and Angie Craig (D-MN-02) have introduced companion legislation.

“The American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) applauds Senators Mark Warner and Steve Daines for their efforts in introducing the bipartisan Medicare O&P Patient-Centered Care Act in the Senate. For years, AOPA and its over 1,500 members representing both the facilities that treat individuals living with limb loss and limb difference and the manufacturers of orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) devices, have been advocating for Medicare to protect patients’ access to quality O&P clinical care. This legislation would do this while also addressing fraudulent practices that are costly to the Medicare system,” said Eve Lee, MBA CAE, AOPA Executive Director. “If passed, it will impact the lives of millions of Americans living with limb loss and limb difference. We appreciate Senator Warner and Daines’ continued commitment to the O&P profession and the patients its serves.”

“Senator Warner has been a longtime supporter of the O&P profession. The Virginia Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (VOPA) thanks him for continuing this support by once again introducing the Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act,” said Mike Malagari, CO, FAAOP, VOPA President. “Since 2007, VOPA has been advocating for the needs of the O&P facilities in Virginia and their patients. This legislation will go a long way in helping the facilities provide quality patient care to their patients. VOPA looks forward to working with Senator Warner to get this important legislation passed.”

“As Immediate Past President of Northwest Chapter of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (NWAAOP), representing over 400 orthotists and prosthetists spanning five states including Washington, Oregon, and Montana, we are incredibly grateful to Senator Daines’ for his continued support of the orthotic and prosthetic profession and the patients we serve,” said Ben Clark, CPO, NWAAOP Immediate Past President. “Senator Daines has been a primary co-sponsor of this legislation for the last two Congresses, dating back to 2021, and continues to advocate on our behalf. This legislation is key to preventing fraud and abuse and to make certain that patients are receiving the best quality interventions. NWAAOP looks forward to continuing our work with Senator Daines.”

Additionally, this bill has been endorsed by numerous organizations including the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association; American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists; American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics Board of Certification/Accreditation; National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics & Prosthetics; American Podiatric Medical Association; American Occupational Therapy Association; American Physical Therapy Association; American Society of Hand Therapists; Access Ready; ACCSES; Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; American Association on Health and Disability; American Cochlear Implant Alliance; American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine; American Music Therapy Association; American Occupational Therapy Association; American Physical Therapy Association; American Therapeutic Recreation Association; Amputee Coalition; Association of Rehabilitation Nurses; Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network; Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis; Center for Medicare Advocacy; Chris and Dana Reeve Foundation; Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation; Institute for Matching Person & Technology; Lakeshore Foundation; Medical Device Manufacturers Association; Miami Project to Cure Paralysis; Muscular Dystrophy Association; National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics; National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities; National Association of Rehabilitation Providers and Agencies; National Association of Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers; National Disability Rights Network; National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers; Paralyzed Veterans of America; RESNA; Simon Foundation for Continence; Spina Bifida Association; The Viscardi Center; United Cerebral Palsy; United Spinal Association; and VisionServe Alliance.

Text of the bill is available here.

###

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), alongside Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA-08), Ben Cline (R-VA-06), Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11), Morgan Griffith (R-VA-01), Jennifer Kiggans (R-VA-02), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), Bobby Scott (D-VA-03), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07), Jennifer Wexton (D-VA-10), and Rob Wittman (R-VA-01), wrote to the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to express their strong support for an implementation award for the Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing (APM) Tech Hub. Following APM’s initial designation as a Tech Hub, Virginia legislators and private partners have proposed nearly $300 million for the effort, with the General Assembly already passing $106 million in state-level support. Building on this robust non-federal commitment, the Virginia delegation is now pushing for a Phase 2 implementation award from the EDA, which would secure tens of millions in additional federal funding for the project to create high-paying jobs, onshore manufacturing, and protect supply chains and national security.

“Leveraged with commitments from the Commonwealth and private consortium members totaling nearly $300 million, a Tech Hubs implementation award would provide integral, continued resources needed to ensure the APM Tech Hub’s progress and a resilient, quality drug supply for our nation,” the lawmakers wrote.

In October 2023, the lawmakers announced that the APM Tech Hub was selected as one of 31 inaugural Tech Hubs that show potential for rapid growth in key technology sectors. Located in the Richmond-Petersburg region and led by the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM), the consortium aims to ensure that critical pharmaceuticals are manufactured in America by employing regional assets, scientific capabilities, and public and private investment to spur the growth, innovation, and sustainability of the U.S.-based pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.

Currently, Americans rely on overseas manufacturing for many critical medications, creating serious national security, supply chain, and quality regulation concerns. The requested investments would build on those passed by the Virginia General Assembly, a Build Back Better Regional Challenge award, and other public and private investments to continue to grow this industry across the Richmond-Peterburg region, revitalizing the economy and creating jobs while ensuring that Americans don’t rely on foreign nations for life-saving medications.

“If funded, CCAM’s APM Tech Hub proposal will help harness federal, state, and private resources to accelerate APM in the Commonwealth of Virginia to create a sustainable, globally competitive manufacturing hub within a decade. We strongly support this critical project for Virginia and our national security and respectfully request you give this application full and fair consideration,” the lawmakers continued.

The Tech Hubs Program, made possible by the CHIPS and Science Act, aims to strengthen U.S. economic and national security by investing in regions across the country that have the assets, resources, and potential to become globally competitive innovation centers focused on the technologies and industries of the future. Final announcements for the implementation awards are expected in summer 2024, when the EDA will select between five and 10 Designated Tech Hubs to receive approximately $40-70 million each.

A copy of the letter is available here and below:

Dear Assistant Secretary Castillo:

As you consider applications for Phase 2 of the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hubs) program, we write in strong support of the Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing (APM) Tech Hub proposal – located in the Richmond-Petersburg region of Virginia. Led by the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM), the APM Tech Hub proposal will ensure that essential pharmaceuticals are manufactured domestically by employing regional assets, scientific capabilities, and public and private investment to spur the growth, innovation, and sustainability of the U.S.-based pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.

The APM Tech Hub’s mission to address lifesaving and life-sustaining medicine access in the U.S. has been supported by recent federal investments, including a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) contract to manufacture a secure supply of quality active pharmaceutical ingredients and essential medicines for the nation, as well as an EDA Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC) award. Recently, the National Science Foundation also awarded members of the APM consortia a Regional Innovation Engine Development Award. Continued investment in manufacturing innovations and capabilities needed to re-shore pharmaceutical manufacturing, as outlined in the APM Tech Hub proposal, is necessary for the U.S. to maintain its position as a global leader in pharmaceuticals.

The APM Tech Hub application proposes seven component projects to invest in infrastructure, technology maturation, workforce development, and the strategy to realize sustainable Hub growth. These projects build on and complement prior investments in physical infrastructure necessary for advanced manufacturing by bolstering the Hub’s physical assets, while developing a strong pipeline for accelerated technology maturation to reach global leadership in the industry and an industry-led, competency-based workforce development program that is designed to be adaptive to ensure the workforce is prepared to operate at the leading edge of this industry.

Requested investments are designed to build upon the strong footprint in historically distressed areas in the Richmond and Petersburg region established in the BBBRC application, where the growth of this cluster will continue to help revitalize the regional economy and bring numerous high-paying jobs in this emerging industry.

Leveraged with commitments from the Commonwealth and private consortium members totaling nearly $300 million, a Tech Hubs implementation award would provide integral, continued resources needed to ensure the APM Tech Hub’s progress and a resilient, quality drug supply for our nation. The Hub will benefit from two proposed investments from Virginia’s General Assembly, including:

$90 million for “Virginia’s Research Triangle” that will launch a biotechnology, life sciences, and pharmaceutical manufacturing network to foster collaboration among three of the Commonwealth’s major existing university research institutions, laying the groundwork for startup innovation and commercialization that will fuel the APM Tech Hub. The Accelerator Component Project has been designed in partnership with the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation, where funds have been committed to entrepreneurial and ecosystem development efforts in alignment with the proposed Research Triangle.
$16 million for the Virginia Department of Health to establish a critical Opioid Overdose Reversal Agent Program, which aims to utilize the APM Tech Hub’s advanced pharmaceutical development and manufacturing campus in Petersburg.

Advanced manufacturing technologies reduce the time and cost of manufacturing, break down barriers to access to affordable health care, and lessen the environmental burden of this essential industry. Supported by federal and state investments, as well as a strong and growing coalition of partners, the APM Tech Hub proposal reimagines the manufacturing of medicines and is positioned to realize a sustainable, globally competitive APM Tech Hub within the coming decade that addresses urgent national security interests and critical unmet social needs.

If funded, CCAM’s APM Tech Hub proposal will help harness federal, state, and private resources to accelerate APM in the Commonwealth of Virginia to create a sustainable, globally competitive manufacturing hub within a decade. We strongly support this critical project for Virginia and our national security and respectfully request you give this application full and fair consideration.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to working with you to help carry out the Tech Hubs program and re-shore key industries in the U.S.

###

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-MD) sent a letter to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the Senate Commerce and House Transportation & Infrastructure Committees opposing any changes to the slot and perimeter rules, which govern the number of flights that can safely operate out of DCA and the distance of those flights, in the upcoming Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act. The senators warn that the proposed changes to the rules, which were included in the Senate’s version of the FAA reauthorization bill, would increase delays and cancellations and risk safety at DCA—which threatens current service reliability to 92 other inside-perimeter airports across the country. The senators go on to list the specific airports and communities where these changes could negatively affect direct service.

“As the House and Senate work toward a final FAA reauthorization bill, we urge you to reject any proposal to add additional flights at an overburdened DCA, which would negatively impact service and increase delays and cancelations for all passengers traveling to and from the airport,” wrote the senators.

“While these delays already impact service to the airports listed below, the addition of ten new flights at DCA will make the situation worse for those traveling to and from the airport, including those with direct service and those who rely on connecting flights,” the senators continued. “Additional beyond-the-perimeter flying at an already at-capacity DCA would adversely impact service at these airports with increased delays and cancelations, downgrading the operational performance of these routes and hurting the passenger experience, with no benefit to these communities that rely on regular, reliable service to and from DCA.”

The senators concluded, “It should go without saying that the safety of the flying public must be our primary focus, particularly as a number of high-profile incidents and near-misses have brought home in a concrete way the need to safeguard the complex and interconnected infrastructure that keeps the National Airspace System safe. Adding ten additional flights into an already overburdened airport is directly contrary to this goal.”

Acknowledging the physical limitations at DCA, Congress has since 1986 restricted the number of nonstop flights that can originate out of DCA to airports outside of a 1,250-mile perimeter, with Washington Dulles International (IAD) and Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) planned as the growth airports for the region’s aviation needs. However, in past FAA reauthorization bills, Congress has made changes to these rules that have disrupted the balance in this three-airport system by adding additional flights from Reagan to destinations outside the 1,250-mile perimeter. These changes in flight activity have produced significant stress on DCA’s facilities – from strained roadways and limited parking availability to overburdened baggage systems – and created frustrations for travelers, businesses, and local residents. Those changes have also prevented Dulles, whose size allows for larger planes to land and take off, from realizing its full potential as the primary long-haul flight destination for the Washington metropolitan area.

The senators have repeatedly opposed changes to the slot and perimeter rules. The senators sent a letter to the Senate Commerce Committee, which has responsibility for drafting legislation to reauthorize the FAA, strongly opposing any further changes at airports that serve residents of the National Capital Area. They also penned an op-ed last June urging their colleagues to oppose changes to the current slot and perimeter rules at DCA.

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

Dear Chair Cantwell, Chair Graves, Ranking Member Cruz, and Ranking Member Larsen:

Thank you for your work to produce a bipartisan Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization bill that focuses on improving aviation safety and the passenger experience. We share your strong concerns over the strains on our aviation system and the need to strengthen it, which is why we write to express our profound opposition to any changes to the slot and perimeter rules at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

As you know, in July 2023, the House strongly defeated, on a bipartisan basis, an amendment on the House floor that would have added 14 additional flights at DCA, which is already at capacity. Unfortunately, the Senate Commerce-approved FAA bill included in the manager’s amendment a provision that would add ten additional flights to DCA. As the House and Senate work toward a final FAA reauthorization bill, we urge you to reject any proposal to add additional flights at an overburdened DCA, which would negatively impact service and increase delays and cancelations for all passengers traveling to and from the airport.

That DCA is already overburdened is beyond dispute. The airport was designed to accommodate 15 million passengers, but this year, in part thanks to previous Congressional carve-outs to DCA’s slot and perimeter rules, it is on pace to serve 25 million. These ten million excess passengers have strained DCA’s resources, to the point that in 2022 it was reported that the airport has the third worst cancellation rate among our nation’s busiest airports. Today, 20-22 percent of flights into and out of the airport experience delays averaging 67 minutes. And landside congestion is, if anything, worse. As an illustrative example, consider that in 2022, during a single holiday weekend, more than 800 customers were turned away because DCA’s parking garages were completely full.

While these delays already impact service to the airports listed below, the addition of ten new flights at DCA will make the situation worse for those traveling to and from the airport, including those with direct service and those who rely on connecting flights. The ten new flights, which would be allowed to fly beyond DCA’s 1,250-mile perimeter, would mostly likely be flown by larger aircraft, with a correspondingly larger strain on DCA’s resources. This strain will be felt on land, as aircraft used for beyond-the-perimeter flights bring on average 70 additional passengers per flight, and it will be felt in the air, as larger aircraft require farther separation standards, slowing down the cadence of take-offs and landings. Additional beyond-the-perimeter flying at an already at-capacity DCA would adversely impact service at these airports with increased delays and cancelations, downgrading the operational performance of these routes and hurting the passenger experience, with no benefit to these communities that rely on regular, reliable service to and from DCA.

It should go without saying that the safety of the flying public must be our primary focus, particularly as a number of high-profile incidents and near-misses have brought home in a concrete way the need to safeguard the complex and interconnected infrastructure that keeps the National Airspace System safe. Adding ten additional flights into an already overburdened airport is directly contrary to this goal.

For the forgoing reasons, we urge you not to include any additional slots to DCA in the final FAA Reauthorization bill.

Sincerely,

###

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) introduced legislation to rename Lynchburg VA Clinic after Private First Class Desmond T. Doss, a highly revered Medal of Honor recipient from Lynchburg who saved dozens of lives in World War II.

“When his country called on him to serve, Lynchburg native Desmond Doss was able to square his deeply-held pacifist beliefs with the need to take a stand in a battle of good versus evil,” said Sen. Warner. “I’m proud to introduce this legislation today to honor Private First Class Doss, his service to our country, and the courage he displayed time and time again when he came to the aid of his fellow servicemembers.”

“I’m proud to introduce this bill to rename the Lynchburg community-based outpatient clinic after Private First Class Desmond T. Doss. This bill will honor the legacy of a courageous Army medic from Lynchburg who helped save the lives of 75 men during World War II,” said Sen. Kaine. “I urge my colleagues to join me in getting this bill across the finish line to commemorate his bravery and sacrifice.”

Born in Lynchburg, Virginia, Private First Class Doss was inducted into the Army in April of 1942 following the attack on Pearl Harbor. As a Seventh-Day Adventist, Private First Class Doss could have tried to refuse enlistment on grounds of being a conscientious objector. Instead, he enlisted as a self-described “conscientious cooperator,” going on to pursue medical roles in the Army.

While serving with his platoon in 1944 in Guam and the Philippines, he was awarded two Bronze Star Medals for exceptional valor in aiding wounded soldiers under fire. Later on, during the Battle of Okinawa, he saved the lives of 75 wounded infantrymen atop the area known by the 96th Division as the Maeda Escarpment or Hacksaw Ridge – an act of heroism that earned him a Medal of Honor, awarded by President Harry Truman. Private First Class Doss was wounded four times in Okinawa, and was evacuated on May 21, 1945, aboard the USS Mercy and was brought to Hawaii.

The legislation introduced by the Senators would rename the Lynchburg VA Clinic as the Private First Class Desmond T. Doss VA Clinic. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Bob Good (VA-05).

This legislative effort has the support of a number of veterans organizations and groups, including: the Lynchburg Area Veterans Council Inc.; Salem VA Medical Center; American Legion Post 16; Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 196; Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 1607; Marine Corps League Detachment 759; Military Order of the World Wars, Piedmont Chapter; Veterans of Foreign Wars, Desmond T. Doss Post 12179; the National Center for Healthy Veterans, Valor Farm; and Monument Terrace Troop Rally. It is also supported by Desmond T. Doss, Jr.

A copy of the bill text is available here.

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