Press Releases
Senate Finance Committee Passes Bipartisan Bill to Protect the Pensions & Health Benefits of Retired Miners & their Families
‘Miners Protection Act’ will shore up the 1974 UMWA pension plan, which is in danger of running out of money
Sep 21 2016
‘Miners Protection Act’ will shore up the 1974 UMWA pension plan, which is in danger of running out of money.
Sen. Warner Joins Bipartisan Call for Action for Retired Miners
Legislation would ensure the federal government honors the obligation to provide pension and health benefits to retired miners
Sep 14 2016
Legislation would ensure the federal government honors the obligation to provide pension and health benefits to retired miners
Sen. Warner Celebrates Virginia Tech-Google UAS Test Delivery Partnership
Google’s ‘Project Wing’ will deliver food using unmanned aerial vehicles during research flights at Virginia Tech
Sep 08 2016
Sen. Warner celebrated the announcement that Virginia Tech Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership and Project Wing will deliver food using unmanned aerial vehicles during research flights this fall at Virginia Tech.
Warner, Kaine Announce Nearly $3 Million to Help Coal Miners in Southwest Virginia
Funds will help communities that have historically relied on the coal economy adapt to the changing energy landscape
Aug 24 2016
Sens. Warner and Kaine announced that ARC has awarded nearly $3 million to Southwest Virginia to create and train workers for jobs in new sectors of the region’s economy.
Retired Virginia Coal Miners Travel to Washington, Call on Congress to Protect Health & Pension Plan
Mar 01 2016
Two retired coal miners from Southwest Virginia were in Washington today to call on Congress to strengthen a United Mineworkers Union health and pension fund that’s almost out of money after several recent coal company bankruptcies.
Warner, Kaine Announce Carroll & Grayson Counties Designated as High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas
Jan 14 2016
"I’m pleased that Carroll and Grayson counties have been chosen to receive federal dollars to strengthen community-based efforts to prevent drug use and overdose deaths, expand access to treat those who need it, and support Virginians in recovery."
Warner, Kaine Announce $275,000 in Funding for Economic Development in Southwest Virginia
Oct 15 2015
Senators Warner and Kaine announced that the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded $275,000 in grant funding to Friends of Southwest Virginia in Abingdon, Virginia to promote and support tourism, outdoor recreation and entrepreneurial activities in Southwest Virginia.
“We’re very pleased that Bristol and Harrisonburg have been awarded federal funds to advance public safety and crime prevention. Senator Kaine and I will continue to work to make sure Virginia communities have the resources they need to apply new personnel to issues related to violent crime, school safety, and building trust within the community.”
Warner Applauds Success of FAA-Approved Drone Delivery of Medical Supplies
Free health clinic in Wise County received first-ever federally-approved drone delivery of pharmaceuticals and other medical supplies
Jul 17 2015
Today, some underserved Virginia patients were among the first to be officially helped by drone delivery to a medical clinic in Wise County.
Warner, Kaine, Manchin, Capito Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Secure Coal Miners' Pensions & Benefits
The ‘Miners Protection Act’ ensures the promise of lifetime health care and pensions to retired miners and their families
Jul 07 2015
Sens. Warner, Kaine, Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) introduced the Miners Protection Act. This bipartisan legislation would ensure that the federal government and coal operators honor their obligation of lifetime pensions and health benefits to retired miners and their families who are facing uncertainty as a result of the financial crisis and corporate bankruptcies.
“I congratulate President Kyle for her 30 years of leadership in the public and private sectors, and wish her the best in whatever her next chapter might bring."
Sen. Warner's Provision to Protect Rural Broadband Included in Passage of Farm Bill
Bipartisan legislation passes Senate, now goes to President for signature
Feb 04 2014
The U.S. Senate today passed the bipartisan Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2014, which includes U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner’s (D-VA) provision to protect federal funding to expand access to rural broadband.
U.S. Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) today applauded passage of the Fiscal Year 2014 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which provides discretionary funding for the federal government through the end of the fiscal year.
Sen. Warner Applauds Decision to Exempt Tobacco Payments from Harmful Sequestration Cuts
~ USDA responds to Warner concerns over effect of cuts to final TTPP payment on Virginia small farmers ~
Jan 07 2014
Sen. Warner applauded today’s decision by the USDA to exempt the final Tobacco Transition Payment Program payment from across-the-board sequestration spending cuts.
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced today that Virginia has received a $1 million grant from the Department of Agriculture to improve water quality in Wise County. The $1 million grant, combined with a $276,000 loan, will help fund a public sewer system in the communities of Osaka and Roda, which have faced public health issues and environmental concerns due to direct sewage discharge into streams. The project will serve 73 households in Wise County.
“Expanding access to clean, reliable public water supplies has been a priority of mine since I served as Governor, when we extended access to more than 70,000 Virginians while also making record investments in Virginia’s Water Quality Improvement Fund,” Sen. Warner said. “This is a welcome and significant step to promote public health and support improved water quality in Wise County.”
“It’s critical for public health and quality of life that every Virginia community can depend on reliable water and wastewater infrastructure,” said Kaine. "I am pleased with this major new investment in Southwest Virginia, and I am committed to supporting these essential infrastructure needs even in tight budgetary times, particularly in rural communities."
Sen. Warner Promotes Southwest Virginia's Creative Cultural Economy
~ Speaks at Conference in Abingdon, Opens Rhythm & Roots in Bristol ~
Sep 20 2013
Regional marketing approaches such as “The Crooked Road,” “‘Round the Mountain,” and the new “Appalachian Spring” initiative provide significant opportunities to highlight Southwest Virginia’s rich musical heritage, diverse artistic culture, and unique natural assets, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) said today.
Sen. Warner Successfully Maintains Ches. Bay, Rural Broadband as Priorities in Farm Bill
~ Broad, bipartisan legislation incorporates two Warner amendments ~
Jun 10 2013
The Senate today voted in support of the bipartisan Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013, which will benefit Virginia farmers. The final bill included amendments sponsored by Sen. Warner that provide a strong foundation for restoring the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and tools to extend high-speed Internet service to rural America.
Sen. Warner announces $815,000 rural jobs grants for Southwest Virginia
~ Competitive grant will support Friends of Southwest Virginia regional initiative ~
Aug 01 2012
Senator Warner today announced that Southwest Virginia’s ‘Round the Mountain (RTM) artisan network has been awarded a competitive grant of $815,000 from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Appalachian Regional Commission.
“On this fifth anniversary, I join the entire Virginia Tech community in pausing to reflect upon and celebrate the lives that were lost and those that have been forever changed. We salute the strength and resilience of the entire Hokie community, and we celebrate Tech’s positive and continuing commitment to public service as an appropriate way to honor all of those who were touched by the April 16th tragedy."
Webb, Warner announce $148 million in public safety funds for Virginia
Federal grants help fund state, local law enforcement as well as public safety organizations
Oct 15 2010
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner today announced $148 million in federal grants to Virginia agencies, municipalities, and public safety organizations. The 296 U.S. Department of Justice grants support public safety projects across the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Sens. Webb and Warner announce $3 million in Department of Transportation grants to four VA. regional airports
Grants will improve runways, promote airport safety
Aug 04 2010
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Jim Webb (D-VA) and Mark Warner (D-VA) announced today that Virginia has received nearly $3 million in grants to upgrade runways and increase airport safety at four regional airports in Virginia.
Webb, Warner and Boucher announce $1.2 million investment
In nursing, technological education in Southwest Virginia
Jul 30 2010
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner today announced that a network of three community colleges will share a $1.2 million federal grant to provide nursing education in new technologies to nursing students in Southwest Virginia. Virginia Highlands Community College (VHCC) in Abingdon is leading the consortium, called the Virginia Appalachian Tricollege Nursing Program (VATNP), which also includes Southwest Virginia Community College (SVCC) and Mountain Empire Community College (MECC). The grant money will be used to strengthen the education and preparation of the nursing workforce in Southwest Virginia leading to higher quality care for the medically underserved population of the rural Appalachia.
Sens. Webb and Warner announce $5.5 million in transportation grants to seven Va. regional airports
Grants will extend or repave runways, purchase snow removal and other safety equipment
Jul 29 2010
WASHINGTON -- Sens. Jim Webb (D-VA) and Mark Warner (D-VA) announced today that Virginia has received nearly $5.5 million in grants to upgrade runways and purchase safety equipment at seven regional airports in Virginia. The U.S. Department of Transportation grants are for use in projects intended to enhance safety and bring airports up to Federal Aviation Administration standards. The projects include renovating runways and, in some cases, purchasing new firefighting or snow removal equipment.
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner today announced that a network of community colleges, workforce investment boards and health care providers in 29 western Virginia localities will share a $4.7 million federal grant to provide job training in health care information technology. Virginia Highlands Community College in Abingdon is leading this regional effort, called the Western Virginia Health Information Technology Education (HITE) Initiative. The program will create and or expand regional training programs to provide Virginians with skills and the required credentials to be able to work in the health care industry’s transition to electronic medical records.
Webb and Warner Recommend Judge Michael Urbanski of Roanoke for Western District Federal Judgeship
Jun 29 2010
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Jim Webb and Mark R. Warner today recommended that President Obama nominate Judge Michael Urbanski of Roanoke to serve as a U.S. District Judge for the U.S. District Court of the Western District of Virginia.
