Press Releases
WASHINGTON – Today, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the following statement on Donald Trump’s election as President of the United States:
“Americans made their choice, and while it wasn’t my favored candidate, I respect the democratic process and the outcome of this election. In the years to come, I am committed to working with President-elect Trump to get things done for Virginians, just as I did during his first term. Despite losing our majority, I will use my power in the Senate to push for progress – fighting to expand opportunity for the middle class, invest in national security priorities, protect democracy, expand access to reproductive care, and make housing and child care more affordable. I urge all who are disheartened or frightened by this outcome to spend the next four years organizing, building consensus, and fighting for a brighter future for our communities. Today, tomorrow, and every single day, I will be your partner in building a safer, stronger, and more prosperous Virginia.”
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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $9,460,000 in federal funding for Carroll and Rockbridge counties to expand high-speed internet access for residents and businesses. The funding is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Community Connect Program that provides financial assistance to increase broadband services in rural communities where service is limited.
“High-speed internet allows Virginians to access more educational, health care, and economic opportunities, which is why we’ve worked hard to expand internet access during our time as governors and senators,” said the senators. “We’re glad to see this federal funding headed to Carroll and Rockbridge counties to build broadband infrastructure. We will continue working to ensure families and businesses across the Commonwealth can access the internet.”
The funding is broken down as follows:
- $5,000,000 for Citizens Telephone Cooperative in Carroll County to build a fiber-to-the-premises system that will benefit 1,838 residents and 22 businesses in the area. Residents will be able to access free internet for at least two years at the Dugspur Community Center.
- $4,460,000 for BARC Electric Cooperative in Rockbridge County to build a fiber-to-the-premises system that will benefit 816 residents and four businesses in the area. Residents will be able to access free internet for at least two years at the Lake Robertson Recreational Area.
Warner and Kaine have long fought to expand broadband access across the Commonwealth. They have worked to secure significant funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to deploy broadband infrastructure across Virginia and make internet access more affordable for Virginians, including through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Warner and Kaine secured significant funding for broadband through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the December 2020 government funding bill that included COVID relief, and the American Rescue Plan Act.
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WASHINGTON – With just five days until the election, Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today issued a special message to Virginians, urging them to remain level-headed in the lead up to the election and the days after – especially in the face of surging election disinformation, conspiracy theories, and false videos generated or altered with artificial intelligence.
On the broad feeling of uncertainty plaguing 69 percent of Americans who report feeling anxious or frustrated about the election, Sen. Warner said:
“I think we’re all going to be tested. Because what’s more important than whatever candidate you’re supporting, is making sure that we have faith in our system. I have been blessed to have been your governor and your senator. I have faith in our democracy, I have faith in the integrity of the literally thousands of folks who give their time and volunteer at our polling locations.” (2:21)
On the likely outcome that the election will not be immediately called on election night, Sen. Warner said:
“If your election is not called right away on Tuesday night – even if it doesn’t appear to be that close – there are reasons. Rules have changed. Certain jurisdictions are hand-counting ballots now. That just takes a lot more time. Just because it takes a while to have an election called doesn’t mean there’s anything nefarious or bad going on.” (1:58). He continued, “This is not going to end in Virginia when our polls close at 7 o’clock on Tuesday, or later in the evening as later states close. We’re probably not going to have a declared winner on Tuesday night. I think we just all got to be prepared for that, and have a little patience with a system that has served us well.” (9:25)
On the barrage of disinformation and artificial videos targeting Americans, Sen. Warner said:
“It’s going to be a tense time. Please don’t jump to conclusions. As we all tell our kids: just because you see it on the internet, does not mean it’s true. And if you see some story or conspiracy that seems so outrageous, take a deep breath, take a moment, and check other news sites to see if that story is being repeated or if it may just be a one-off.” (3:04). He continued, “If it comes from a meme or a TikTok video, chances are that may not be accurate. We all need to recognize that these next few days and the hours and days after the election are going to be some of the most critical time, I think, in recent history.” (1:34)
On efforts to cast doubt on the integrity of our election, Sen. Warner said:
“I’ve said this many times as Chairman of the Intelligence Committee: there are other nations – China, Iran and Russia in particular – who want to interfere in our elections. They may have a candidate choice, but at the end of the day, what they mostly want to do is undermine our confidence in our system. In two years, we’ll be celebrating the 250th anniversary of our nation. Our democracy has stood up to the test of time, but over these next few days, it may be tested again. At the end of the day, I want to count on my fellow Virginians. We’ll get to a fair result. Whether your candidate wins or loses, we’ll make sure the process is fair, that the votes are counted fairly, and I again implore you, if you see crazy stuff, don’t take rash action.” (3:31)
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Warner, Kaine, and Scott Applaud $380 Million in Inflation Reduction Act Funding for the Port of Virginia
Oct 29 2024
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and U.S. Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA-03) announced $380,000,000 in federal funding for the Port of Virginia to accelerate its plan to become carbon-neutral by 2040. Warner, Kaine, and Scott advocated for this funding and sent a letter of support for this grant. The funding was awarded through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports Program, which was made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act that the members helped pass.
“The Port of Virginia is one of the largest and busiest ports on the eastern seaboard, and it’s critical to Virginia’s economy and offshore wind industry. As the Port of Virginia continues to grow thanks to investments we’re making, we must also ensure we’re reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which result in negative health and environmental impacts for our communities,” said the lawmakers. “That’s why we’re thrilled that this federal funding, which was made possible by theInflation Reduction Act we supported, will accelerate the Port’s efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 and further cement Virginia’s place as a leader in clean energy.”
The Inflation Reduction Act made historic investments to support clean energy projects. It included clean energy tax credits that have incentivized a series of corporate investments in Virginia, including:
- A $681 million investment by LS GreenLink to build a state-of-the-art facility to manufacture high-voltage subsea cables used for offshore wind farms inChesapeake, which will create over 330 jobs in Virginia.
- An investment of over $400 million by Topsoe to build a new manufacturing facility in Chesterfield County, which will create at least 150 new jobs in Virginia.
- An investment of $208 million by Mack and Volvo Trucks—in addition to a federal grant award of over $208 million for the company—to sustain 7,900 union jobs and create 295 new jobs in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Volvo Trucks is the second largest employer in the New River Valley, sustaining 3,600 jobs in Dublin, including 3,200 United Automobile Workers (UAW) jobs. In September 2024, Warner and Kaine visited Volvo’s New River Valley plant to celebrate the investment.
Today’s announcement builds on other transformational investments made to the Port of Virginia by the Biden-Harris administration with the backing of Warner, Kaine, and Scott. That includes $225.4 million to fully fund the Norfolk Harbor Deepening and Widening Project, which will improve navigation and expand capacity by deepening and widening Norfolk Harbor’s shipping channels, allowing for two-way traffic in and out of the harbor. Of this amount, $141.7 million was made available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and $83.7 million was provided through the Fiscal Year 2022 omnibus appropriations bill.
The Port also previously received $20 million in federal funding from the Department of Transportation for improvements to Portsmouth Marine Terminal that will allow it to serve as a staging area to support the manufacturing and movement of offshore wind goods to support the 2.6 gigawatt Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind commercial project and other commercial offshore wind projects up-and-down the East Coast. Warner, Kaine, and Scott led a Virginia Congressional Delegation letter to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg in support of the Port’s application for that funding.
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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $13,317,000 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation to expand and secure rail service across Virginia. This funding was made possible by the bipartisan infrastructure law, landmark legislation championed by both senators.
“Thanks to the bipartisan infrastructure law, we’re unlocking investments in rail across the Commonwealth, which create jobs, cut costs, and give you the freedom to get where you need to go,” said the senators. “These investments will build on our work expanding funding for Amtrak and addressing rail bottlenecks across the country, creating a future where passenger rail is more affordable, reliable, and accessible for all Virginians, including folks in communities like Bedford.”
The funding is broken down as follows:
- $6,000,000 for the Buckingham Branch Railroad Company to replace old rail tracks and ties across central Virginia. The project will make freight rail service more resilient, efficient, and secure and reduce the risk of derailments by resurfacing approximately 83 miles of track and seven grade crossings.
- $5,836,000 for the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority to improve the Richmond Staples Mill Amtrak Station by upgrading two platforms, adding one platform canopy, and promoting accessibility. This will make the station ADA compliant and will create a better and safer passenger experience. It will also support Staples Mill’s addition of 10 Amtrak trains per day, rapidly scaling up the number of passenger rail options available to Richmonders.
- $1,481,000 for the Town of Bedford to develop plans for a new intercity passenger rail station. This funding will allow for initial engineering and environmental work on the proposed station, which could connect Bedford to passenger rail service for the first time in several decades.
The funding is made possible by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program, which is supported by several recent government spending bills and the bipartisan infrastructure law, all of which were strongly supported by the senators.
Warner and Kaine have consistently supported and led efforts to expand passenger rail across the Commonwealth. Sens. Warner and Kaine advocated directly for the funding for Staples Mill Station and Bedford. In 2021, Warner and Kaine wrote and passed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which has brought over $8.4 billion in federal funding to Virginia for hundreds of projects. In December 2023, Sens. Warner and Kaine announced $500,000, also courtesy of the infrastructure law, to explore the possibility of creating an infill stop in Bedford. Last week, the senators broke ground on the Long Bridge Project, a major effort to invest in rail in Virginia by easing one of the worst rail bottlenecks in America while creating 36,000 jobs.
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