Press Releases

The U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs today passed Sen. Mark R. Warner’s (D-VA) legislation to improve and expand federal fiscal accountability by unanimous voice vote.

Senator Warner joined a bipartisan group of Senate colleagues calling on the SEC to release crowdfunding rules required by passage of the JOBS Act in 2012.

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.

WASHINGTON – On Monday, May 6, 2013, the California State Senate unanimously passed legislation calling on Congress to pass, and the president to sign into law, Startup Act 3.0 – the strongest, most comprehensive jobs and high-skilled immigration reform bill on the table in Congress. U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Jerry Moran (R-KS), authors of Startup Act 3.0, lauded the passage as an important step toward breaking the log-jam of inaction in Washington.

Senators Warner (D-VA) and Rob Portman (R-OH) today introduced bipartisan legislation to improve and expand federal fiscal accountability. The legislation requires more standardized reporting of federal spending posted to a single website, allowing citizens and agencies to more easily identify improper payments, waste and fraud.

Senators Warner, Roy Blunt (R-MO), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Mark Pryor (D-AR), Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) today introduced bipartisan legislation to increase U.S. manufacturing, competiveness and export opportunities. The Building a Stronger America Act incorporates significant elements of Sen. Warner’s 2011 America Recruits legislation.

Senator Warner and Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME), members of the Select Committee on Intelligence and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today called the revised cyber security legislation a step in the right direction.The Senators also welcomed a commitment from Majority Leader Harry Reid to allow an open amendment process on the floor of the Senate.

Senators Warner and Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) today re-introduced the Radio Spectrum Inventory Act, legislation to help make more spectrum available to meet the growing demand for wireless broadband and other radio-based services.

A bipartisan group of senators today introduced a Senate resolution calling on the U.S. government to reinforce its commitment to Internet freedom by opposing international efforts to cede greater Internet regulatory power to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

Senator Warner today successfully amended the 2012 Farm Bill to provide new tools to extend high-speed Internet service to rural America. The amendment effectively targets loans and grants to unserved and underserved rural communities, and it also creates new metrics to improve accountability for taxpayers.

Senator Warner announced today that two of his proposals to promote more rapid and cost-effective expansion of broadband networks will be advanced through an Executive Order to be signed by the President.

Senators Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) today introduced bipartisan legislation, Startup Act 2.0, to help jumpstart the economy through the creation and growth of new businesses and jobs. It is based upon research showing that for close to three decades, companies less than five years old have created almost all of the net new jobs in America.

Senator Warner today introduced bipartisan legislation that would update regulatory and tax policies to encourage entrepreneurs and innovators to launch new companies, creating jobs and broadening economic opportunities. Today's initiative builds upon bipartisan legislation Senator Warner introduced last week that is designed to make it easier for growing companies to access investment capital.

Senators Amy Klobuchar and Mark Warner introduced legislation to promote more rapid and cost-effective expansion of broadband networks that carry high-speed, high-capacity communications. The Broadband Conduit Deployment Act of 2011 would bring common sense and efficiency to the broadband deployment process by requiring certain federal transportation projects to include the simultaneous installation of underground broadband conduits.

U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved a $1.5 million grant to the Scott County Telephone Cooperative (SCTC) to build out its network in order to provide high speed internet service in the previously unserved Flat Top/Sandy Ridge area of Scott County.

Senators Warner and John Kerry sent a letter today to the Federal Communications Commission urging reform of the Universal Service Fund in order to better deploy broadband service across the country.

U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) and Mark Warner (D-Virginia) today introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen technical resources and expertise at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The legislation would allow Commissioners to appoint a technical staff member and require the National Academy of Sciences to launch a study and examine the technical policy decision-making process and the availability of technical personnel at the FCC.

U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) introduced a bill today to promote broadband deployment by improving the process for future federal wireless spectrum auctions. “Demand for mobile devices and services are expected to skyrocket over the next 5 to 10 years,” Senator Warner said. “This bill is one element of our strategy to make better use of spectrum - a finite resource - and keep America on the cutting-edge of wireless technology."

U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) and Mark R. Warner (D-VA) introduced legislation requiring the installation of small wireless base stations in all publicly accessible federal buildings in order to increase wireless coverage and free up essential commercial network capacity.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Jim Webb announced today that Virginia has received a combined $26 million in federal grants for three regional projects that will expand rural broadband access, creating hundreds of jobs and providing a platform for additional economic activity and job creation. The U.S. Department of Commerce grants target rural and economically distressed areas with low rates of broadband accessibility.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and George LeMieux (R-FL) successfully amended the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 during today’s Senate Commerce Committee meeting to include an amendment that will promote long-term job growth and boost the economic competitiveness of the United States. The amendment also is co-sponsored by Senators Tom Udall (D-NM) and Mark Begich (D-AK).

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.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Jim Webb today announced $24 million in federal stimulus funding for two projects that will “jump-start” Virginia’s transition to expanded use of healthcare information technology (HIT) and electronic health records (EHR). These grants will help Virginia medical professionals as they work to implement and use HIT to lower consumer health care costs, minimize redundant paperwork and reduce medical errors.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner and Representatives Tom Perriello and Rick Boucher today announced two grants totaling more than $21.5 million to expand broadband Internet infrastructure in Virginia. The grants, awarded through the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), will support the deployment of broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas, enhance and expand public computer centers, and encourage sustainable adoption of broadband service. These investments will help bridge the technological divide, boost economic growth and create jobs.

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner of Virginia and Charles E. Schumer of New York announced today that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has investigations underway into automated telephone “robocalls” that pitch bogus car warranties. Schumer and Warner said they themselves have both received these calls in recent weeks.

Press Releases

Expands transparency and accountability for federal spending, allows taxpayers and policymakers to follow the money

Nov 06 2013

Oct 21 2013

~ Broad, bipartisan legislation incorporates two Warner amendments ~

Jun 10 2013

May 09 2013

~ Expands transparency, accountability for federal agency spending ~ Allows taxpayers, policymakers to track spending at single website ~

Sep 21 2012

~ Job creation package includes Warner’s on-shoring proposal ~

Aug 02 2012

Senators continue their call for a full and open debate on the Senate floor

Jul 27 2012

Jul 25 2012

Jun 27 2012

~ Targets loans & grants to underserved regions, enacts metrics to track progress~

Jun 20 2012

~ Initiatives will reduce cost of installing broadband, save taxpayer dollars, and help Virginia businesses stay competitive ~

Jun 13 2012

~ Bipartisan ‘Startup Act 2.0’ addresses tax & regulatory policies, STEM visas and R&D ~

May 22 2012

~ Bipartisan legislation targets talent, capital and university R&D ~

Dec 08 2011

Legislation would reduce cost of installing broadband, give businesses tools they need to create jobs and stay competitive in the global economy

Dec 05 2011

~ Funds will allow free broadband services for the Flat Top/Sandy Ridge Volunteer Fire Department and a new community center ~

Aug 22 2011

Jul 05 2011

Mar 17 2011

~ Bill also promotes broadband deployment ~

Mar 09 2011

Bill would require federal buildings to install small wireless base stations to free up commercial network capacity

Dec 03 2010

Grants will provide high-speed, affordable broadband and create jobs

Aug 19 2010

Amendment to COMPETES Act requires 10-year competitiveness plan

Jul 22 2010

Jun 29 2010

~ Grants will assist Va. health providers switch to electronic records, exchange health information ~

Feb 12 2010

Feb 08 2010

~ 300,000 Complaints Nationwide Over Automated Calls Warning “Your Car Warranty Has Expired” ~

May 12 2009