WASHINGTON – Following a ProPublica investigation showing potential political influence on policy decisions at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-Va.) joined Senate colleagues urging the recently confirmed VA Secretary Robert Wilkie to review the actions taken by unconfirmed appointees in advance of Secretary Wilkie’s arrival.

“We are concerned that many of the actions taken by VA in the time between your departure from the Acting Secretary role and your swearing-in as Secretary were planned and executed to serve political interests and agendas, rather than to serve the best interests of veterans,” the Senators wrote. “We believe you have the faith and confidence of the Senate to lead the Department based on the values you expressed in multiple Member meetings and in your confirmation hearing.  We want you to succeed, and veterans need you to succeed.  For that to happen, you will need to right the ship at VA by reassuring the nonpartisan career employees that their institutional knowledge and dedication is valued, and by ensuring that everyone under your direction operates with one principle in mind – to serve the nation’s veterans and not anyone’s political interests.”

The Senators specifically ask Secretary Wilkie to examine the impact on the VA’s ability to deliver health care and benefits to veterans following actions by Acting VA Secretary Peter O’Rourke’s to appoint and install key senior leaders without input from Secretary Wilkie; to implement President Trump’s recent Executive Orders that strip VA employees of certain workforce protections; to interfere with the independent Inspector General’s efforts to hold the VA accountable; and to reassign or remove nonpartisan VA career civil servants. The Senators also urge Secretary Wilkie to take his cues from veterans and not unaccountable, politically motivated voices outside the VA.

“We encourage you to recall the commitment you made in your confirmation hearing to do what is best for veterans, even if it is in disagreement with others in the Administration,” the Senators added. “It is clear now that direction is often coming to VA from voices who are outside the Department, who may have financial interests in the contracting decisions made, and who have not been entrusted to make decisions, through election to office or confirmation by the Senate, on behalf of this nation’s veterans.  As Secretary, our nation’s veterans are counting on you to safeguard them and the Department from inappropriate engagement from outside individuals.”

Joining Sens. Warner and Kaine on the letter were Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Jon Tester (D-MT), Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Bob Casey (D-PA), Tom Udall (D-NM), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH).

A copy of the letter can be found here.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) wrote a letter to John Gore, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice (DOJ), pressing for more answers on how the Administration is implementing actions specifically outlined by S.J.Res.49, a joint resolution condemning racial hate and directing a coordinated federal effort to address hate violence, following the deadly protests in Charlottesville, Va. on August 11 and August 12, 2017.

The bipartisan resolution introduced by Sens. Warner and Kaine along with Sens. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Cory Gardner (R-CO), unanimously passed both chambers of Congress and was signed into law by President Trump on September 14, 2017. The resolution explicitly condemned white nationalists, white supremacists, the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazis and other hate groups involved in prompting the deadly attack in Charlottesville, Va. that killed counter-protester Heather Heyer, injured several others, and led to the deaths of two Virginia state troopers responding to the violence. Additionally, the resolution outlined specific actions for the Administration to take to fight hate violence, including thoroughly investigating all acts of hate crimes and domestic terrorism by hate groups, and calling upon the Administration to “use all resources available to the President and the President's Cabinet to address the growing prevalence of those hate groups in the United States.”

Now, nearly one year after the bipartisan resolution was signed into law by President Trump, Sens. Warner and Kaine are pressing for answers on actions the Administration is taking - or not taking - to uphold the terms of the resolution calling for a coordinated federal effort to fight hate violence. 

“We are particularly interested if you have implemented, or plan to implement, the following: the creation of a task force dedicated to addressing hate violence, sufficient funding for civil rights offices, robust data collection procedures to document the prevalence and nature of hate crimes in the U.S., a federal website on hate violence to convene resources and communicate effectively to the public, the development of incentives for participation in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Hate Crime Statistics Act reports, increased training and education for jurisdictions that underreport hate crimes, and the use of grants to promote strong enforcement on these issues,” wrote the Senators.

The full text of the letter can be found here and below.

John M. Gore
Acting Assistant Attorney General
Civil Rights Division
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530

Dear Acting Assistant Attorney General Gore:

Nearly one year has passed since the violence and domestic terrorist attack that took place in Charlottesville, Virginia between August 11 and August 12, 2017. As the one year anniversary of that tragedy approaches, we write regarding the progress made by the Department of Justice in carrying out the actions called for in S.J.Res.49, a joint resolution condemning that event.

President Trump signed the resolution into law (P.L. 115-58) on September 14, 2017. As Virginia’s Senators, we led the effort that unanimously passed both chambers of Congress and was signed into law by the President. The legislation rejects White nationalists, White supremacists, the Ku Klux Klan, Neo-Nazis, and other hate groups, and urges action from the President and his administration to combat this growing threat.

Specifically, the law urges the Attorney General to work with “the Secretary of Homeland Security to investigate thoroughly all acts of violence, intimidation, and domestic terrorism by these groups to determine if any criminal laws have been violated and to prevent those groups from fomenting and facilitating additional violence.” Further, the law directs the Attorney General to collaborate with “the heads of other Federal agencies to improve the reporting of hate crimes and to emphasize the importance of the collection, and the reporting to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, of hate crime data by State and local agencies.”

More broadly, the law directs the administration to use all available resources to address the growing prevalence of hate groups.

Given the direction provided to the Department of Justice in this legislation, we request that you provide our offices an update within 30 days of receipt of this letter on activities that you have undertaken in furtherance of the provisions of S.J. Res 49, as well as a full report on the multi-agency efforts on hate crimes data collection.

As you implement this request, we are particularly interested if you have implemented, or plan to implement, the following: the creation of a task force dedicated to addressing hate violence, sufficient funding for civil rights offices, robust data collection procedures to document the prevalence and nature of hate crimes in the U.S., a federal website on hate violence to convene resources and communicate effectively to the public, the development of incentives for participation in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Hate Crime Statistics Act reports, increased training and education for jurisdictions that underreport hate crimes, and the use of grants to promote strong enforcement on these issues.

We appreciate your attention on this important matter and look forward to your response within 30 days.

Sincerely,

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WASHINGTON – Today U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced that the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has approved $500,000 in grant funding for St. Mary’s Health Wagon, a non-profit organization that provides health services to underserved individuals. The funding will be used to construct a new healthcare clinic in Clintwood, Va. that is expected to serve 3,500 uninsured and underinsured patients annually.

“Every year, the Health Wagon helps thousands of Virginians get access to healthcare they otherwise could not afford. As Governors and as Senators, we have been proud to support the important work of the Health Wagon. Worthy projects such as this clinic are why we have fought so hard in Washington to protect funding for the Appalachian Regional Commission. This new facility in Dickenson County will allow the Health Wagon to continue providing health, vision and dental services to underserved patients in Southwest Virginia,” said the Senators. 

“We are so pleased that ARC chose to fund a much-needed construction grant for a brand-new stationary free health clinic in Dickenson County, the county where St. Mary’s Health Wagon began almost forty years ago. The Health Wagon is the region’s only free clinic, serving Lee, Scott, Wise, Dickenson, Buchanan and Russell Counties and is a medical home to over 10,000 patients. The new free clinic will be located in Clintwood, Virginia, and will bring a variety of new innovative patient resources and economic benefits such as medical tourism and new jobs to the region.  The new clinic will have dedicated optometry, dental, ultrasound and x-ray suites,” said Dr. Teresa Tyson, Health Wagon Executive Director.

The current Health Wagon clinic in Clintwood has only two exam rooms, limiting the ability of physicians to accommodate patient needs. Construction of the new 5,000-square foot clinic will provide additional exam rooms for medical, dental, and vision care services, as well as administrative offices and spaces for x-ray, pharmacy, laboratory and telehealth use. Governor McAuliffe recommended funding for this project at the end of tenure, which has now been formally approved by ARC.

ARC project grants are awarded to local and state government entities and non-profits. The ARC funds are then matched by local funding sources. In addition to the ARC funds, local sources will provide $730,600, bringing the total project funding to more than $1.2 million. Since its inception in 1965, ARC has generated over 300,000 jobs and $10 billion for the 25 million Americans living in Appalachia. ARC has provided funding and support for job-creating community projects across the 13 Appalachian states, producing an average of $204 million in annual earnings for a region often challenged by economic underdevelopment. President Trump’s 2018 budget proposed eliminating the program entirely. Warner and Kaine have continued to vote to fully fund ARC.

As Governors, Warner and Kaine both advocated for additional funding for the Health Wagon, a partner in the annual Remote Area Medical (RAM) clinic that provides dental care, exams and treatment at no cost.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine praised the Town of Appomattox receiving $3,501,000 in federal funding to support improvements to the existing sewage treatment and collection system to avoid health hazards. The funding will replace and repair collection lines, rehabilitate manholes, construct a new wet well and new wastewater pump station, level sensors, and improve gas monitoring.

“We are pleased that Appomattox will receive funding to support the renewal of aging infrastructure. This funding will help alleviate sanitary hazards so we can protect the health of the community,” the Senators said.

The sewage treatment and collection system in Appomattox serves 700 residential users and 70 businesses.

The funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program. Funding from this program is used to ensure clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage and solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage for households and businesses in rural areas. 

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced $456,000 in federal funding to support the James River Expansion Project. The funding will be used to purchase equipment to assist in the expansion around the Richmond Marine Terminal.

“We’re pleased to announce funding to increase shipment capacity at the Port of Virginia and ensure that it continues to serve as an important economic hub in the region,” the Senators said.

The funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD).

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Intelligence committees, led a bipartisan group of senators in sending a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai that raises grave concerns and critical questions about Google’s reported plan to launch a censored version of its search engine in China that would prohibit websites and search terms objected to by the Chinese government and Communist Party. Sens. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Cory Gardner (R-CO) also signed the letter.

The full text of the letter is here and below:

Dear Mr. Pichai:

We write in response to recent news reports about Google’s plan to launch a censored version of its search engine in China—codenamed “Dragonfly”—that would prohibit websites and search terms deemed objectionable by the Chinese government and Communist Party.  If true, this reported plan is deeply troubling and risks making Google complicit in human rights abuses related to China’s rigorous censorship regime.

After a cyberattack that compromised the Gmail accounts of dozens of Chinese human rights activists, Google’s March 2010 decision to stop censoring results on Google.cn was widely praised.  The company’s statement at the time noted:  “We want as many people in the world as possible to have access to our services, including users in mainland China, yet the Chinese government has been crystal clear throughout our discussions that self-censorship is a non-negotiable legal requirement.

Chinese authorities, however, continue to censor a broad range of news and social media topics that they have deemed politically “sensitive” due to their belief that these topics may contribute to criticism of the Chinese government and Communist Party, and possibly lead to collective action.  In recent weeks, a significant vaccine scandal in China, which may have affected the health of hundreds of thousands of Chinese children, has run afoul of censors.  News reports indicate that, as of last Monday, the Chinese word for “vaccine” was one of the most restricted on Weibo, China’s Twitter-like microblog platform.

Moreover, China has in recent years harnessed the power of communications technology to advance its surveillance and social control efforts. The Financial Times recently reported that  the largest technology companies in China—including Alibaba, Tencent, Baidu, and JD.com—are “inextricably linked with the Chinese state and its security apparatus, and the authorities retain the upper hand in the relationship.” Google’s reported activity to build applications compatible with Chinese censorship demands is all the more concerning in light of relationships that Google has made with these companies, including a technology cross-licensing joint venture with Tencent and an investment of $550 million in JD.com.

It is a coup for the Chinese government and Communist Party to force Google—the biggest search engine in the world—to comply with their onerous censorship requirements, and sets a worrying precedent for other companies seeking to do business in China without compromising their core values.  In light of these reports, we respectfully request answers to the following questions:

• Is Google in the process of developing a censored search engine or other censored applications for China?  If so, will this be part of a joint venture with a Chinese domestic partner?
• What has changed since 2010 to make Google comfortable cooperating with the rigorous censorship regime in China?
• In many cases, the entrance of a western firm in China is conditioned upon that firm entering a joint venture with a domestic Chinese firm. Was Google’s decision to enter a joint venture with Tencent connected in any way with its efforts to enter the Chinese market via the custom search app?
• If Google is working on a search product for the mainland Chinese market, which “blacklist” of censored searches and websites are you using?  Are there any phrases or words that Google is refusing to censor?
• Will Google employees involved in managing “Dragonfly” be required to attend the official mandatory trainings on “Marxist news values” and “socialist values” as required of other technology companies that provide Internet news content services in China?
• Presumably Google will comply with China’s Cybersecurity Law and its data localization requirements. Will Google provide information about the search histories of individual users to Chinese government authorities? What confidence does Google have that its local joint venture partner will abide by any user protections that Google puts in place?

We appreciate your prompt reply to this inquiry, including any views that you are prepared to share as to how this reported development can be reconciled with Google’s unofficial motto, “Don’t be evil.”

Sincerely,

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Washington, DC—Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Michael Bennet (D-CO), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced a bipartisan bill to improve professional development opportunities for teachers and school leaders in high-needs school districts called the Teacher and School Leaders need Education and Development to be Empowered Resources in Schools (LEADER) Act. 

“Having strong teachers, school leaders, and administrators is vital to a strong school,” said Hatch. “By supporting training programs that develop aspiring teachers, principals, and other school leaders and give them the practical experience needed to succeed in the classroom, we can respond to the need for the best educator development. As Utah and other states struggle to staff schools with well qualified educators, my Senate colleagues and I are working to enable schools in high-need districts to partner with a broader range of organizations to provide more professional development opportunities for educators and help prepare them for a career in the classroom. This proposal both ensures that teachers, principals, and school leaders have greater access to the resources they need to thrive in their professions and inspire a new generation of Americans.”

“We must ensure that all students can learn from excellent teachers and school leaders,” said Bennet. “Colorado’s communities recognize the importance of investing in the preparation and development of our educators. From Denver to Alamosa, districts have crafted residency programs to raise the bar for the skills, experience, and support we provide to our future teachers. This legislation builds on Colorado’s momentum to provide more teachers and school leaders with access to the tools they need to succeed in our classrooms and schools.” 

“Teachers and school leadership play a vital role in nurturing and shaping young minds capable of solving today’s toughest problems,” said Cornyn. “This legislation would help give educators in Texas’ high-need school districts the opportunities and resources necessary to motivate students to succeed in school and beyond.” 

“I’m proud to join Senator Hatch, Senator Bennet, and Senator Cornyn in introducing this bipartisan legislation to expand professional development opportunities for teachers and school administrators,” said Warner. “When we empower educators, their students benefit.”  

Statements of Support

Many local, state and national organizations have endorsed the bill. A letter signed of support has been signed by the following groups: Center for the Study of Education Policy, Council for Exceptional Children, Deans for Impact, Democrats for Education Reform, EdAllies (MN), Educators for Excellence, Hope Street Group, Knowledge Alliance, National Center for Learning Disabilities, National Council of Teachers of English, New Leaders, NJ Principals and Supervisors Association, NYC Leadership Academy, Profound Gentlemen, TASH, and Teach Plus. Click [HERE] to read the full letter.

Jean Desravines, New Leaders Chief Executive Officer
“The proposal put forth today by Senators Hatch, Bennet, Cornyn, and Warner highlights what research and our experience have long shown: school leadership matters greatly for students. We are especially encouraged by the bill’s recognition that a large and growing number of teachers, principals, and other school leaders are trained through nontraditional programs. The proposal would provide the opportunity for a wider array of innovative and effective programs to partner and compete for funding under Title II—while also being held accountable for delivering real results for kids. By focusing on research-based practices and evidence of effectiveness, the bill advances a crucial goal: getting well-prepared, well-supported leaders in every school, especially those serving the students and communities most in need.”

Tabitha Grossman, Hope Street Group National Director, Education Policy and Partnerships

"We know from research that the quality of school leadership influences teachers' decisions about remaining in the profession. Keeping more teachers in the profession is a priority and efforts to strengthen the preparation of school leaders is one we support."

Alice Johnson Cain, Teach Plus Executive Vice President, Policy and Partnerships

"Teachers know that strong principal leadership is an essential ingredient in successful schools.  The Teacher and School LEADERS Act will ensure more of our public schools get the outstanding leadership they need so more students can succeed."

Background

Research has shown that strong school leaders can dramatically improve the quality of teaching and accounts for 25 percent of a school’s effect on student achievement. Despite the critical importance of school leadership within a school, our current state of educator preparation and training does not adequately prioritize the need to recruit, select and train teacher and school leaders, particularly in high-need schools. At the same time, recent reports and statistics show that traditional methods of training new educators do not adequately prepare them for the realities of teaching or leading in a school setting. To do their best for students, aspiring teachers, teacher leaders, principals and other school leaders need more practical, on-the-job experience and targeted support from their preparation programs and colleges. Innovative programs and partnerships are responding to the need for stronger educator development, but continued innovation and progress require even more dramatic changes to the sector.

Reforming Teacher Quality Partnership Grants to Support Principals and School Leaders

This legislation amends Part A of Title II of the Higher Education Act to support opportunities for principal and school leader preparation programs within the Teacher Quality Partnership Grant Program. In doing so, it explicitly allows for high-need school districts to enter into partnerships with colleges and education and non-profit entities to support programs that recruit, select, and train educators who aspire to fill leadership roles in high-need schools. It also supports pre-service residency opportunities for aspiring school leaders which would train them to offer high-quality administration and leadership to geographically diverse or high-need schools.  

Allowing for More Innovation in Educator Preparation Will Help Elevate the Sector

This legislation also affords high-needs school districts the opportunity to forge new partnerships for the newly re-named Teacher, Principal, and Other School Leader Quality Enhancement grants under Title II of the Higher Education Act.  It allows districts to choose which teacher or school leader preparation organization (e.g., a college of education, nonprofit provider, alternative certification provider, etc.) will serve as their primary partner for the grant, based on shortages in teacher areas and qualifications.

This bill also fosters a stronger connection between teacher and school leaders' professional development and induction within the partnership grants.  It allows for up to 10 percent of grant funds to be used to create a nexus between a teacher’s clinical experiences and their professional development once placed in a school or district.  By strengthening the link between educator preparation and professional development, this bill will help teachers and school leaders develop and will support innovation in educator preparation based on district feedback.

Furthermore, this legislation encourages teachers and school leaders to use both qualitative and quantitative data to improve student achievement and classroom instruction. It also requires the Institute of Educational Sciences to evaluate independently the effectiveness of the Teacher, Principal, and Other School Leader Quality Enhancement Grants.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the following statement after Congress approved the conference report to accompany the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):

“As our foreign adversaries continue to challenge our military and cyber readiness, today’s bipartisan legislation authorizes necessary resources, provides policy direction to bolster our nation’s defenses, and supports several important initiatives that are critical to Virginia’s defense industry.

“I have long advocated for Congress to address the outdated security clearance process and the 700,000-person investigation backlog that undermines our ability to maintain a skilled workforce equipped to access the nation’s secrets. That is why I’m proud that this defense bill includes needed changes to help modernize and streamline the outdated security clearance process.

“I also support numerous provisions included in the legislation that will push the Administration to establish a proactive cyber defense strategy as part of our national security posture. After the unprecedented attack on our elections in 2016, we must bolster our cyber defenses and deter our adversaries from attacking us. Part of that strategy must also include developing a skilled cyber workforce. That is why I’m proud that the bill includes my cyber scholarship amendment to help attract a diverse pool of candidates to strengthen our cyber readiness.

“This defense bill provides important support for our men and women in uniform and authorizes a 2.6 percent pay raise for servicemembers. The legislation also authorizes $7.14 billion for two new Virginia-class submarines and $1.59 billion for a Ford-class carrier, all of which are essential to maintaining our nation’s security and support thousands of Virginia jobs. In addition, the legislation authorizes more than $174 million for 12 military construction projects across the Commonwealth.

“However, I remain extremely frustrated that this compromise bill did not include our bipartisan amendment to reinstate the ban on Chinese telecommunications company ZTE, which had passed the Senate 85-10. ZTE was prohibited from buying U.S. parts in response to numerous violations of U.S. export controls and sanctions laws. As a state-backed enterprise that is ultimately loyal to the Chinese Communist Party and Chinese government, it poses a clear threat to the national security, people, and economy of the United States. When Congress returns to Washington, I will be working with my colleagues on a new legislative path forward to protect our national security and restore the ban on ZTE.”

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WASHINGTON – Today U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) issued the below statement on the status of a new headquarters building for the Federal Bureau of Investigation:

“Congress worked with GSA and the FBI for years to put together a comprehensive plan and bidding process to replace the current deteriorating headquarters building. With no warning and no rationale, the Trump Administration halted that process, and since then, has made no progress on replacing a building whose condition will only get worse in the years to come. That’s one reason why it is important that we see the results of the IG investigation into this decision. Our hardworking law enforcement and intelligence professionals deserve a state-of-the-art and secure facility. Having President Trump micromanage this complex procurement – with so many other issues on his plate and so many questions about apparent conflicts of interest here – just isn’t helpful to these public servants or to the region.”

Sens. Warner and Kaine have for years worked with the Maryland Senators as well as the bipartisan Virginia delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives to secure funding for a new FBI headquarters to replace the current, deteriorating J. Edgar Hoover building in Washington, which was built in 1974. In 2014, the General Services Administration (GSA) announced that a site in Springfield, Va. was one of three finalists for a consolidated HQ that would house all 11,000 area FBI employees, who are currently scattered across multiple sites in D.C., Virginia and Maryland. However, in July 2017, the Trump Administration abruptly backed away from more than five years of government preparations to relocate the FBI HQ, announcing instead in February 2018 plans to demolish the existing FBI headquarters in Washington and build a new facility in its place. The GSA has estimated that this new plan would cost $3.3 billion – including $1.9 billion in construction costs, added to the cost of temporarily relocating thousands of FBI employees while the existing structure is demolished and a new building constructed in its place.

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WASHINGTON – The Senate Intelligence Committee is honoring the courage and dedication of the men and women of the U.S. intelligence community by introducing a bipartisan resolution designating today, July 26, 2018 as “United States Intelligence Professionals Day.” A Senate resolution thanking intelligence officers, past and present, for their service and professionalism in protecting the United States was introduced by U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and U.S. Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and co-sponsored by every member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Today is the 71^st anniversary of President Truman signing the National Security Act of 1947, which laid the foundation for today’s intelligence community and continues to govern its activities. 

“The men and women of the Intelligence Community work tirelessly and quietly, often risking their lives in defense of our nation. We rarely hear about their successes or their sacrifices, but the Senate Intelligence Committee sees the results of their hard work firsthand,” said Vice Chairman Warner. “Today is a rare opportunity to recognize these quiet heroes, and thank them for their sacrifice. They deserve not only our respect, but our gratitude.” 

“As Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, I have had the opportunity to meet many of the brave men and women of the United States Intelligence Community, and understand the enormous sacrifice they make on behalf of our nation. Every day, intelligence professionals risk their lives to keep our homeland safe. They do so without public acknowledgment, credit, or thanks, but with the knowledge that their work is vital for America’s national security,” said Chairman Burr. “While much of their work must always go unrecognized, today we thank them for their service and express our support for their efforts.” 

 “I’ve served on the Intelligence Committee since 2001, a position that has allowed me to foster a deep sense of respect and appreciation for the work done by all the men and women of the intelligence community. These individuals are often nameless and faceless, but the work they do and the dedication they exhibit helps keep us safe, and for that I thank them,” Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) said.

“The country does not know much about our intelligence community’s activities, by necessity, of course, but we all owe them a debt of gratitude for their work defending our national security and all Americans,” said Senator Jim Risch (R-ID). “I join my colleagues today in pausing to recognize these patriots.” 

“Every day, across our nation and around the world, the hard working men and women serving in the Intelligence Community make countless sacrifices to ensure the safety of our country and our citizens. I am consistently impressed by the high level of professionalism, patriotism, and courage that our intelligence professionals exhibit,” Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) said. “Our resolution will ensure that these Americans, who must operate in the shadows, receive well-deserved recognition for their public service.” 

“Our nation's intelligence professionals are dedicated, patriotic men and women who make real sacrifices to help keep our country safe and free. I am proud to recognize them for their public service,” said Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM).

“Intelligence professionals provide the critical information decision makers rely on to keep Americans safe,” said Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO). “We’ll always be grateful for their dedication and the sacrifices they make every day to protect our country.” 

“We live in a dangerous world, and America’s intelligence professionals are our first line of defense. These men and women are patriots who don’t serve any party or any individual – they serve the people of the United States of America. Their hard work and commitment to protecting our citizens deserves nothing less than our utmost gratitude,” said Senator Angus King (I-ME). 

“Our intelligence community works tirelessly every day to keep America safe. As a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, I recognize the commitment of our intelligence professionals. Most of them work in anonymity, so this is a small way for us to publically recognize them and the critical work they do to protect all of us,” said Senator James Lankford (R-OK).

“The brave men and women in our intelligence community selflessly serve our country in the shadows, most of the time with little recognition. This resolution aims to make up for that fact and recognize their service and commitment to protecting our country and our interests abroad. Their work is essential to the safety of the United States and has prevented tragedies, protected individuals and executed missions with the utmost professionalism and we all thank them for their sacrifice,” Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) said. 

“The work our intelligence professionals do to help us understand the threats we face as a nation is essential. Theirs can often be a thankless job, and today we recognize them for their service and patriotism,” Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) said.

“The brave men and women of our Intelligence Community do important work critical to keep our nation safe and secure often without any recognition or acknowledgement,” said Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA). “Their service, sacrifice and utmost professionalism must never be taken for granted, and so I’m proud to honor their work today and the contributions they make to our nation.” 

The full text of the resolution is available here. 

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced that the Town of Saltville will receive $22,500 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help determine how to make the town’s water and sewer systems sustainable and financially efficient.

“We are pleased to announce these funds to help Saltville improve their waste and water treatment systems,” said the Senators.“These investments will ensure that the town’s utility system continues to be upgraded and kept efficient, which will save money and help protect the environment over the long-term.”

The town of Saltville’s sewer collection system experiences a large amount of inflow and infiltration, and the town is currently under a Consent Order issued by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. To assist in addressing the Consent Order, the town is currently in a construction phase to revamp the sewer system by replacing sewer lines and manholes, repairing main lines, and improving pump stations. The entire project will cost $30,000, with the town contributing $7,500 and the remaining amount provided by USDA. The Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Reports funded through this grant will assist in determining how to repair and sustain the town’s utility system moving forward. 

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WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) met with the I-81 Corridor Coalition, a group of leaders from local Chambers of Commerce looking to facilitate interstate commerce, improve safety, and reduce congestion in the western portion of Virginia. In their meeting, the local Chamber leaders updated the Senators on their efforts to find solutions to the safety and congestions challenges plaguing the corridor. Interstate-81 is a heavily trafficked freight corridor that serves as a key route for transportation and commerce for the eastern United States. In recent years, the interstate has faced multiple bottlenecks and heavy congestion that result in decreased efficiency and higher transportation travel times and costs for the region. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has reported at least a 12 percent increase in traffic and a 55 percent increase of delays from crashes, construction, or bad weather in just the past five years. 

Most federal funding for infrastructure projects is distributed to states by a fixed formula, with decisions made primarily by the Commonwealth Transportation Board and VDOT. Additional federal dollars can be obtained by states through competitive grants, such as those awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) program. Last year, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe submitted an INFRA program application for nearly $53 million for improvements to I-81 in the Shenandoah Valley, which Sens. Warner and Kaine supported. Virginia Transportation Secretary Shannon Valentine recently outlined plans to begin a study on putting such tolls on the highway. While Congress can no longer earmark funds for projects like this, Warner and Kaine discussed how the local business leaders can join them in pushing the Trump Administration to introduce a real infrastructure plan with direct federal funding. Through additional direct federal dollars, there would be more funding available to states to use toward projects like I-81. 

“We support the coalition’s goal to improve travel conditions on I-81, which is in desperate need of repairs after years of congestion and safety concerns,” said the Senators. “We’re hopeful that the Trump Administration will see the need for improving roads and bridges across the country and support an infrastructure plan with real federal investment to help communities like those along I-81 who cannot necessarily afford to create toll roads and raise taxes. As former Governors, we will continue lending our expertise to state legislators and local leaders so they can find a viable, long-term solution to the funding challenges facing this crucial transportation route for the region.” 

The I-81 Corridor Coalition was created to improve the safety and efficiency of freight and passenger movement through the sharing of information and coordinated decision making, management, and operations. They represent the I-81 corridor and have membership from Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New York. The group meeting with both Senators today included Richard Kennedy, CEO of the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber (Clarke County, Frederick County and Winchester); Annette Medlin, President and CEO of the Greater Augusta Chamber; Rebekah Gunn, Vice President of Public Policy & Strategic Issues for the Roanoke Regional Chamber; and Cally Smith, Vice President of Membership and Brand Strategy for the Roanoke Regional Chamber.

Sens. Warner and Kaine have been longtime advocates of innovative financing mechanisms for the Commonwealth’s infrastructure. Sen. Warner is the lead sponsor of bipartisan legislation to create a national infrastructure financing authority and as Governor, he began a process for improving I-81 by securing U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) approval for a slot in a pilot program that would allow tolling on a limited basis. As Governor, Sen. Kaine supported transportation projects to address traffic congestion and expand transportation options in the Commonwealth. 

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced that Virginia communities will receive $1,465,474 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant program. The grants will help develop urban communities across Virginia by providing affordable housing and improving infrastructure in order to expand economic opportunities.

“We are pleased that these funds will help local communities support Virginia families seeking stable and affordable housing” said the Senators. “These investments will help maintain affordable neighborhoods and expand economic opportunity in these communities.”

The following cities will receive funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development: 

• City of Colonial Heights will receive $94,495 in federal funding.
• City of Fredericksburg will receive $186,790 in federal funding.
• City of Harrisonburg will receive $559,588 in federal funding.
• City of Petersburg will receive $624,601 in federal funding.

The Trump Administration’s fiscal year 2018 budget proposed to eliminate funding for the Community Development Block Grants. Warner and Kaine advocated on behalf of keeping the program and voted to fund it in the Omnibus that passed in March.

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