Press Releases

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.

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.
“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.

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.
WASHINGTON -- Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will direct more than $5.8 million to St. Paul, Virginia for improvements to water and wastewater infrastructure and to help protect water quality. The funding is made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, supported by both senators.
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.

VA, NC Senators to Introduce Bill to Preserve Blue Ridge Parkway

~Legislation would protect an additional 50,000 acres of land on Parkway’s 75th anniversary~

Jan 26 2010

WASHINGTON, D.C. – To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway, U.S. Senators Kay R. Hagan (D-NC), Richard Burr (R-NC), Jim Webb (D-VA), and Mark Warner (D-VA) are today introducing legislation authorizing the National Park Service (NPS) to acquire up to 50,000 acres of land surrounding the historic roadway. Congressmen Heath Shuler (D-NC), David Price (D-NC), Rick Boucher (D-VA), and Tom Perriello (D-VA) will introduce companion legislation in the House of Representatives. The Blue Ridge Parkway’s anniversary is being celebrated throughout 2010, and will culminate in September.

Boucher, Warner, Webb Announced $1M+ for Grayson County

~Total of $1,057,000 Will Construct New Water System for Western Grayson County~

Sep 04 2009

(Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Representative Rick Boucher, U.S. Senator Mark Warner and U.S. Senator Jim Webb announced today that, as a result of the economic Recovery Act approved by Congress, the U.S. Department of Agriculture through its Rural Development Agency has awarded federal funding totaling $1,057,000 to Grayson County to construct a new water system to provide public water service to 75 homes in the Grant community as well as the West Grayson School currently under construction.

Warner, Webb Secure $80.2M for Water Projects, Economic Development in Southwest VA

~Funding for Flood Control, Public Safety, Appalachian Regional Commission

Jul 31 2009

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Jim Webb and Mark R. Warner today announced that $80.2 million in funding was secured for the Appalachian Regional Commission and three water projects in Southwest Virginia. The funds were included in the FY2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, passed in the Senate on Wednesday night, which provides funding for the Department of Energy, Army Corps of Engineers, Department of the Interior, and economic development projects.

Webb, Warner Announce $13.5 Million Investment in Virginia’s Community Health Facilities

Stimulus Funds for Heath Center Maintenance, New Equipment Acquisition

Jul 01 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Senators Jim Webb and Mark R. Warner today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released more than $13.5 million in grants for twenty-four community health centers in Virginia to maintain facilities and to improve services as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.