Press Releases
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.
“I am pleased that the Senate overwhelmingly confirmed John Kerry as Secretary of State today. As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for almost 30 years and its current Chairman, as well as a decorated combat veteran, John is eminently qualified for this important position."
Sen. Warner joins bipartisan group of 10 Senators to introduce high-skilled immigration bill
~ Reforms H-1B and Student Visas, Increases Access to Green Cards, and Promotes STEM Education ~
Jan 29 2013
Senator Warner joined a bipartisan group of 10 senators today to introduce the Immigration Innovation Act of 2013 to bring long-overdue reforms to the nation’s immigration laws for highly-skilled immigrants working in the science and technology fields.
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.
“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.
Sen. Warner Praises Va. Senate passage of bill assuring equal opportunity for LGBT workers
Jan 25 2013
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) issued this statement following Virginia Senate passage of SB701, patroned by Sens. Don McEachin and Adam Ebbin. The Senate adopted SB701 today on a bipartisan 24-16 vote, and the measure now moves to the House of Delegates for consideration.
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.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) released the following joint statement today on Monday’s surprise action by the Virginia Senate to push through a redrawn district map:
"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.
Senator Mark R. Warner issued the following statement regarding today’s action by a Virginia House of Delegates subcommittee to defeat legislation that would have created an automatic process for restoration of civil rights for Virginians convicted of nonviolent felonies.
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.
Statement of Sen. Mark Warner on fiscal cliff
Jan 01 2013
"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."
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."
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner Welcomes OMB's Progress on Goals, Accountability and Transparency
~ Revamped performance.gov website provides more robust data on agency performance ~
Dec 14 2012
U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the following statement today after the Office of Management and Budget launched an improved performance.gov website, a key requirement of Senator Warner’s 2010 Government Performance and Results Modernization Act.
“Developing our offshore energy resources will help create domestic manufacturing jobs and strengthen Virginia’s economy. It also advances efforts to better harness renewable energy sources while reducing U.S. reliance on imported oil. I have been an advocate for an ‘all-of-the-above’ approach for some time now, and I think there’s a lot of potential in developing our offshore energy opportunities off the Virginia coast.”
I am saddened to hear that a Navy SEAL based in Virginia was killed during Sunday's successful rescue of an American doctor being held by the Taliban in Afghanistan. I join all Virginians in extending our condolences to the family, friends and teammates of Petty Officer First Class Nicolas Checque.
Virginia Representatives Jim Moran (VA-08), Frank Wolf (VA-10), Gerry Connolly (VA-11), and Rob Wittman (VA-01) and Senators Jim Webb and Mark R. Warner sent a letter to the administrator of the General Services Administration urging consideration of Northern Virginia for the new FBI Headquarters location.
Sens. Webb, Warner Urge Enforcement of Trade Duties to Ensure Fair Competition for Virginia Furniture Makers
~ Millions of dollars in antidumping fines remain uncollected ~
Nov 28 2012
Sens. Jim Webb (D-VA), Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Kay Hagan (D-NC) and Richard Burr (R-NC), and Reps. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) and Virginia Foxx (R-NC), sent a joint letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano today urging immediate action to collect unpaid duties owed by importers of wooden bedroom furniture made in China.
Sen. Mark R. Warner co-sponsors FAST Voting Act
~Incentive grants for states to expedite voting, reducing lines and wait times~
Nov 15 2012
Sen. Mark R. Warner today joined Sen. Chris Coons (D-DEL) in introducing legislation today that will make voting faster and more accessible to all voters. The Fair, Accurate, Secure and Timely (FAST) Voting Act of 2012 creates a competitive grant program to encourage states to aggressively pursue election reforms.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and John Cornyn (R-TX), co-chairs of the U.S. Senate’s bipartisan India Caucus, introduced a resolution this week to honor and celebrate the festival of Diwali.
