Press Releases

Sens. Warner, Warren Urge Action on Consumer Credit Reporting

Call for more transparency, accountability at credit reporting agencies

Feb 15 2013

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) today sent a letter to the heads of the Consumer Financial Protection Board (CFPB) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) urging them to take action to improve consumer credit reporting. Recent CFPB and FTC reports found that 20 percent of consumers could identify at least one error in a credit report issued by one of the three major credit reporting agencies and that more than five percent of consumers found significant errors. These mistakes could force consumers to pay more for insurance and loans, and could impact their access to security clearance.

Sen. Warner Introduces Startup Act 3.0

Bipartisan jobs and high-skilled immigration bill promotes creation & growth of new businesses

Feb 14 2013

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today introduced Startup Act 3.0, an updated version of a bipartisan jobs and high-skilled immigration plan to strengthen the economic recovery through the creation and growth of new businesses. Co-sponsors of Startup Act 3.0 include Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS), Chris Coons (D-DE) and Roy Blunt (R-MO). Startup 3.0 builds upon Startup 2.0, which was introduced in the last Congress.
"I was pleased the President began his speech with a strong call for a bipartisan grand bargain to continue to address our deficits and debt. A balanced plan that includes additional revenue, smarter spending cuts and responsible entitlement reform -- and avoids the self-inflcted wounds from sequester -- is a key component of any economic growth agenda."
“I’m proud to have cosponsored the Violence Against Women Act, which passed the Senate today on a strongly bipartisan vote of 78-22. In Virginia, this Act has doubled the resources available for prevention and intervention of sexual violence in communities and on campus."
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Chris Coons (D-Del.) urged President Obama to highlight startups and small businesses in his State of the Union address next Tuesday. In May 2012, Sens. Moran, Warner and Coons introduced legislation called the Startup Act 2.0 to jumpstart the economy through the creation and growth of new businesses.

Sen. Warner Invites Immigration Reform Advocate to State of the Union

College student Ambar Pinto of Fairfax attends NVCC

Feb 06 2013

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) announced today that his special guest at next Tuesday’s Presidential State of the Union address to a Joint Session of Congress will be immigration reform advocate Ambar Pinto, 19, of Fairfax County. Pinto, an undocumented immigrant from Bolivia, arrived in Virginia seven years ago, along with her parents and younger brother. She graduated from Fairfax High School, and currently is a sophomore majoring in international business at Northern Virginia Community College.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) issued the following statement upon today’s retirement announcement by U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA):

“Leadership is about taking risks when you don’t have to. That’s why I respect Saxby Chambliss for his willingness to partner with me and other members of what became known as the Gang of Six as we worked for bipartisan solutions on debt and deficits.

Sens. Warner, Kaine & Rep. Rigell Applaud Navy Selection of Wallops Facility for Alternate Landing Site

Carrier landing practice site will support mission of NAS Oceana

Jan 24 2013

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) and U.S. Rep. Scott Rigell (R-VA-2) announced today that the U.S. Navy has chosen the NASA Wallops Flight Facility on the Eastern Shore as an alternate site for limited practice landings for E-2 Hawkeye and C-2 Greyhound turbo-prop aircraft. Pilots based at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach will practice touch-and-go maneuvers using runways at the Wallops facility prior to deploying on aircraft carriers.

Senators Reintroduce the FAST Voting Act to Help States Improve their Elections

Legislation prompted in part by long lines, wait times in Virginia

Jan 24 2013

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mark Warner (D-Va.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) have reintroduced their legislation to make substantial improvements in the states’ administration of their elections and to make voting faster and more accessible to all voters. The Fair, Accurate, Secure and Timely (FAST) Voting Act would create a competitive grant program to encourage states to aggressively pursue election reform. The states that demonstrate the most comprehensive and promising reform plans will earn a greater portion of the grant funding.
After two wars over 10 years in which our enemies did not recognize a clear ‘front,’ it is appropriate that we recognize the realities of modern military combat. It is entirely appropriate to open front-line combat opportunities to American military women, who have repeatedly demonstrated their competence, bravery, and reliability serving our nation in times of war.

Sen. Warner Honors CIA Legends in Senate Floor Speech

~ Will reintroduce resolution designating Intelligence Professionals Day ~

Jan 23 2013

Sen. Warner, a member of the Senate’s Select Committee on Intelligence, today honored two Central Intelligence Agency veterans who played key roles in the 1994 arrest and espionage conviction of CIA spy Aldrich Ames on charges of spying for the Russians. Jeanne Vertefeuille of McLean, VA served at the CIA for more than 40 years and died on Dec. 29, 2012.
"The Sandy Hook shootings compel all of us to think anew about these issues, and I believe the status quo is not acceptable. Some of the President’s proposals are controversial, but there appears to be growing bipartisan consensus around improvements to the mental health system and broadening background checks."

Sen. Warner Invites Military Spouse to Inauguration

~ Sara Jane Arnett, winner of Heroes at Home Military Spouse award, will attend with son ~

Jan 16 2013

Sen. Warner has invited Sara Jane Arnett of Newport News, an Army spouse whose husband is deployed to Afghanistan, to be his special guest at the Presidential Inauguration in Washington. D.C. on Monday, Jan. 21, 2012. Arnett plans to attend the ceremony with her five-year-old son.

Sen. Warner to Introduce Bill Eliminating Outdated & Duplicative Agency Reports

~ OMB identifies 379 outdated or duplicative federal reports for potential elimination ~

Jan 09 2013

“Over the years, federal agencies have been instructed to expend considerable staff time and other resources producing thousands of reports, yet we never look back to see if these reporting requirements might be outdated, duplicative, or even relevant. If these reports are sitting on a shelf collecting dust, then it’s time for them to go."

Senate passes Webb, Warner resolution to honor service of U.S.S. Enterprise

~ Honors more than 100,000 current and former sailors who have served on the Enterprise ~

Jan 03 2013

The Senate today unanimously approved a resolution offered by Senators Jim Webb (D-VA) and Mark R. Warner (D-VA) commemorating the deactivation of U.S.S. Enterprise after 51 years of service and honoring the more than 100,000 current and former sailors and Marines who served aboard the aircraft carrier.

Successful Warner Amendment Results in Congressional Passage of Toxic Drywall Legislation

Directs CPSC to set content, labeling standards, and ID

Jan 02 2013

WASHINGTON – Bipartisan congressional legislation to help prevent toxic drywall from entering U.S. consumer markets has been adopted and sent to the President for his signature. The legislation, The Drywall Safety Act of 2012 (HR 4212), was introduced by U.S. Rep. Scott Rigell (R-VA-2nd) and adopted by the U.S. House last summer. An amendment offered by U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) resulted in Senate passage of the bill earlier this week, and the House endorsed the amended legislation last night on a 378-37 vote.
"The Senate has acted to avoid the immediate fiscal cliff, but this negotiated agreement does little to address our deficits and it does not raise enough revenue to put our country on a path to reduce our long-term debt.

In coming weeks, we still must reach agreement on steps to generate more revenues, make additional spending cuts, and strengthen and reform our entitlement programs so successful programs like Medicare and Social Security will still exist 30 years from now."
"My thoughts are with the Sandy Hook Elementary School students, teachers, their families and the first-responders who are dealing with this horrific tragedy. Virginians know too well how devastating a trauma like this can be, and that recovering and moving forward will take time. We're praying for all those in Newtown and across Connecticut."