WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released a statement today on a U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) study, which he helped stand up to bring greater scrutiny to the privatized military housing program. The GAO study found deficiencies in the Department of Defense’s (DoD) oversight of privatized military housing and issued a series of recommendations, including ones suggesting that DoD take steps to better track maintenance data and to improve communication with servicemembers and their families –  measures that Sen. Warner successfully worked to pass into law and has been fighting to get implemented ever since. 

“This GAO study, the result of a year-long investigation of privatized military housing, shows what many military families already know – that the DoD has not done enough to protect servicemembers and their families, who have been forced to put up with unacceptable living conditions in private military housing for far too long. Last year, the President signed into law our nation’s annual defense bill, which included a number of measures I authored to give military families new tools to hold private housing companies accountable. This bill also created the first ever Tenants Bill of Rights,” said Sen. Warner. “We need to ensure that every single one of these provisions are implemented as soon as possible. As the GAO study pointed out, there needs to be more transparency in how work order data and maintenance records are tracked. Families deserve to be able to access and follow the status of their work orders so that they can make more informed decisions. In addition, the services need to better communicate the responsibilities of the services and the partners, and to make clear distinctions between the military housing office and the private partner.”  

“Families also need to have the ability to withhold their Basic Housing Allowance if issues in their homes are not addressed, and to have a process for dispute resolution if these problems persist,” he continued. “Congress has acted, but my work is not done. I’m committed to keep pushing the DoD to implement these provisions as quickly as possible. It’s about time to even out the power imbalance between our servicemembers and privatized military housing companies, and these GAO findings are a stark reminder of that.”  

Among other things, the GAO study found that work order data collected by military departments and private partners was not captured reliably or consistently and therefore could not be used by the military services to monitor the quality of homes. The report also found that the data in reports provided to Congress was unreliable – leading to misleading results – and that the performance metrics used by military departments to monitor private partners did not provide meaningful information on housing conditions.

Last year, Sen. Warner introduced legislation to make much-needed reforms to privatized military housing, following reports of health hazards in military homes across the country. He successfully secured large portions of his legislation in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed in December.

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) urged six internet networking device vendors to help ensure that their internet connectivity products remain secure as Americans across the nation ramp up their use of these devices for remote work, health, and education purposes as part of COVID-19 social distancing efforts. In letters to Google, Netgear, Belkin, Eero, Asus, and Commscope, Sen. Warner urged vendors to help ensure that their wireless access points, routers, modems, mesh network systems, and related connectivity products remain secure and cannot be easily exploited to attack consumer systems and workplace networks.

“As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds, Americans will depend on connectivity products to receive telehealth; remain connected with family, colleagues, employers, and friends; and to receive news reports, and guidance from government and public health officials,” wrote Sen. Warner. “During this time, the security of consumer devices and networks will be of heightened importance.”

He continued, “I request your attention and diligence to help protect the consumer devices you sell. Both new and older devices in use deserve protection from cybersecurity threats, including timely updates to mitigate vulnerabilities and exposures.”

As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to spread, and workplaces, schools, and businesses shut their doors as part of social distancing efforts, Americans are increasingly relying on their home networks and personal internet connectivity devices. However, without proper cybersecurity measures, these home devices can pose a risk to larger workplace systems, potentially creating a door for bad actors to infiltrate these networks. 

According to CNBC, cyberthreats – including phishing and other cyber scams – have increased amid the COVID-19 outbreak, as online criminals look to take advantage of home network vulnerabilities and stressed IT systems.

In the letters, Sen. Warner urged vendors to continue to issue timely security updates in order to mitigate known cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Additionally, he stressed the importance of having vendors notify consumers who may own devices that are no longer able to receive critical updates and are therefore no longer protected from cybersecurity threats.

Sen. Warner also highlighted his Internet of Things (IoT) Cybersecurity Improvement Act – a bipartisan bill he introduced last year that would improve the cybersecurity of Internet-of-Things devices and help ensure that vendors of key information technology products maintain coordinated vulnerability programs.

A full list of Sen. Warner’s work to protect Americans amid the COVID-19 outbreak is available here.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) sent a letter to the Administrator of the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) urging for swift approval of Virginia’s request to operate a Disaster Household Distribution Program. This designation by the Food and Nutrition Service would allow food banks to distribute USDA foods directly to Virginia’s neediest families while limiting the interactions between food bank staff, volunteers, and recipients during the coronavirus outbreak. 

“In Virginia, many households are out of work due to the ongoing public health emergency. This has created an unprecedented increase in need for food services across the Commonwealth. With little time to prepare, many families have found themselves without the finances to maintain a healthy diet. Unfortunately, congregate food distribution is not an option at this time due to the potential spread of COVID-19. A household distribution program is required to ensure the safe and efficient distribution of food to families in need,” wrote the Senators to Administrator Pam Miller of the Food and Nutrition Service. 

In their letter, the Senators underscore that food banks serve as a vital lifeline for families across the Commonwealth. With the designation of the Disaster Household Distribution Program, the burdensome paperwork that often accompanies a family’s application for food assistance would be removed in an effort to expeditiously distribute food to families in need.

“The Virginia Federation of Foodbanks – working in conjunction with VDACS – will operate the Disaster Household Distribution Program in the Commonwealth. Virginia foodbanks will utilize their existing inventories of USDA foods and donated foods to help supplement families’ nutritional needs. Participants in the program will not be required to complete long and burdensome application forms. The goal will be to limit interaction between staff, volunteers, and recipients to ensure the safe and expeditious delivery of food to families,” they continued.

On March 19, 2020, the Commonwealth submitted a formal request to operate a Household Disaster Distribution Program.

A copy of the letter can be found here and below.

Dear Administrator Miller: 

We write today in support of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service’s (VDACS) request to operate a Disaster Household Distribution Program in Virginia due to the ongoing public health emergency caused by the spread of COVID-19. Timely approval of this request is needed to ensure families in Virginia have access to healthy foods during this crisis.

In Virginia, many households are out of work due to the ongoing public health emergency. This has created an unprecedented increase in need for food services across the Commonwealth. With little time to prepare, many families have found themselves without the finances to maintain a healthy diet. Unfortunately, congregate food distribution is not an option at this time due to the potential spread of COVID-19. A household distribution program is required to ensure the safe and efficient distribution of food to families in need.

The Virginia Federation of Foodbanks – working in conjunction with VDACS – will operate the Disaster Household Distribution Program in the Commonwealth. Virginia foodbanks will utilize their existing inventories of USDA foods and donated foods to help supplement families’ nutritional needs. Participants in the program will not be required to complete long and burdensome application forms. The goal will be to limit interaction between staff, volunteers, and recipients to ensure the safe and expeditious delivery of food to families.

In order to ensure Virginians in need are able to access food in a safe and timely manner, we urge you approve the Commonwealth’s request to operate a Disaster Household Distribution Program. Thank you for your consideration of this request and all you do to ensure Americans have access to healthy foods.

Sincerely, 

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Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner joines Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.),  Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and 24 Senate colleagues in calling on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to withdraw the proposed Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Rule (MFAR), a dangerous proposal to disrupt state Medicaid financing. The rule’s complex technical changes would limit the types of financing mechanisms states can use to pay for their non-federal share of Medicaid costs. Moreover, the discretion reserved by CMS to approve or deny state proposals provides far too little clarity and certainty to states who must plan far ahead for program expenditures. Nevada hospitals have warned that it could cost the state’s hospitals between $21 million and $205 million depending on how its implemented.

In a time when state budgets are strained and Medicaid programs are set to take on new populations of unemployed Americans, this change would be devastating to providers across the country and the vulnerable low-income patients who rely on them. 

The senators said in part, “We are writing to express our serious concern regarding the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) recently proposed rule entitled, Medicaid Program; Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Regulation, 84 Fed. Reg. 63722 (Nov. 18, 2019). This proposed rule would have disastrous consequences for the Medicaid program and the millions of individuals it serves, and we request that CMS withdraw the proposed rule.”

The senators continued, “According to the National Governors Association, the proposed rule would ‘significantly curtail the longstanding flexibility states have to fund and pay for services in their Medicaid programs’ having ‘significant and broad impacts’ that will ‘result in decreased access to care for many vulnerable Americans.’”

In addition to Sens. Warner, Cortez Masto, Schumer, and Wyden, the letter was signed by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-Pa.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Angus King (I-Maine), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Ed Merkley (D-Ore.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.).

Full text of the letter can be found below.

Dear Administrator Verma:

We are writing to express our serious concern regarding the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) recently proposed rule entitled, Medicaid Program; Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Regulation, 84 Fed. Reg. 63722 (Nov. 18, 2019). This proposed rule would have disastrous consequences for the Medicaid program and the millions of individuals it serves, and we request that CMS withdraw the proposed rule. 

Medicaid provides comprehensive, affordable coverage for over 71 million Americans, including children, individuals living with disabilities, pregnant women, seniors, and low-income parents and adults. Ensuring the fiscal integrity of the program is vital to assuring the program can efficiently and effectively serve the millions of Americans who depend on it. Yet, this Administration continues to take actions to undermine this essential program. In addition to attempts to block grant and cap Medicaid, rescind important access protections, and promote policies that make it harder for individuals to get the health care they need, this proposed rule is yet another step in the Administration’s ongoing agenda to dismantle the financing structure of Medicaid and cut benefits, coverage, and access.

Numerous stakeholders including: the bipartisan National Governors Association; the independent Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC); states; providers including safety net hospitals, nursing homes, and academic medical institutions; managed care plans; children’s groups including the American Academy of Pediatrics and March of Dimes; disability advocates; groups representing millions of patients such as those with cancer and rare diseases; and the bipartisan National Association of Medicaid Directors have all expressed significant concern with the proposed rule.

According to the National Governors Association, the proposed rule would “significantly curtail the longstanding flexibility states have to fund and pay for services in their Medicaid programs” having “significant and broad impacts” that will “result in decreased access to care for many vulnerable Americans.” Organizations such as the American Hospital Association representing hospitals and providers across the country and the American Health Care Association representing nursing facilities nationwide have stated that under the rule, “[e]ntire communities could lose access to care . . . especially in rural areas where 15 percent of hospital revenue and nearly two-thirds of nursing facility revenue nationwide depend on Medicaid funding.” Groups representing patients with chronic health conditions and individuals with disabilities have said that CMS's proposed rule “will severely undermine the ability of Medicaid as a health insurer to effectively address the needs of patients,” and “make substantive changes to long-standing Medicaid policy that would jeopardize access to care for Medicaid beneficiaries with disabilities and chronic conditions.” Even the independent MACPAC, which provides policy and data analysis to Congress on a non-partisan basis, publicly expressed concern that the proposed rule “could reduce payments to providers in ways that could jeopardize access to care for Medicaid enrollees.” The Commission went further saying that  “CMS should collect and rigorously examine data on the potential effects of such changes on beneficiary access,” an analysis “especially important given CMS’ previous proposal to rescind the requirement that states evaluate access before reducing or restricting provider payments.” 

Such responses are representative of feedback from thousands of stakeholders who have weighed in warning of the calamitous impact CMS’s proposed Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Regulation would have on the Medicaid program, states, providers, and the millions of Americans Medicaid serves. To make matters worse, in issuing its proposed rule, the Administration failed to conduct a full fiscal impact analysis stating that the “fiscal impact on the Medicaid program from the implementation of the policies in the proposed is unknown.” This is one of the many reasons that independent organizations like MACPAC urged CMS “not to implement new limits for supplemental payments and financing arrangements at this time.” Such blatant administrative malpractice is completely unacceptable and one more item on a long list of reasons why the proposed rule must not move forward.

It is for these reasons that we request CMS withdraw the proposed Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Regulation and instead work with Congress to identify areas where additional transparency may improve efficiency, economy, and quality of care under the program to ensure the millions of American’s who rely on Medicaid for comprehensive coverage and care have access to the care and services to which they are entitled.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) joined Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Bob Casey (D-PA), along with Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ed Markey (D-MA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Tina Smith (D-MN), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jon Tester (D-MT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), in writing a letter expressing concern for the wellbeing of families who face an increased risk of domestic violence during the outbreak of the novel coronavirus and urged the Administration to ensure service providers have the flexibility and resources to help victims and survivors of domestic violence.

“We write to express our concern for the wellbeing of families who face an increased risk of domestic violence during the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). We also ask that the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) ensure that the organizations that help victims and survivors of domestic violence have the resources and information needed to continue to provide these critical services during the pandemic,” the senators wrote.

The full text of the letter can be found HERE and below:

Dear Assistant Secretary Johnson and Acting-Director Rogers:

We write to express our concern for the wellbeing of families who face an increased risk of domestic violence during the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). We also ask that the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) ensure that the organizations that help victims and survivors of domestic violence have the flexibility, resources, and information needed to continue to provide these critical services during the pandemic. 

In recent weeks, states and cities across the country have taken a variety of steps to mitigate the spread of the virus, including closing schools, limiting access to public spaces and restaurants, and instructing people to shelter in place. Many people are now working from home, while others have been required to take unpaid leave or have lost their jobs.

An unintended but foreseeable consequence of these drastic measures will be increased stress at home, which in turn creates a greater risk for domestic violence. According to one recent article, emergency situations have “historically led to increased reports of domestic abuse” to the National Domestic Violence Hotline. In addition, domestic violence service providers expect an increase in the need for emergency childcare and domestic violence shelters, as well as for supplies to keep centers and program sites safe and secure.

Many of these programs are administered by your offices and funded through grants authorized by the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act and the Violence Against Women Act. It is critical that your agencies ensure that victims and survivors of domestic violence continue to have access to these vital services. Accordingly, we request answers to the following questions, as well as a telephonic briefing with members of our staff, regarding actions ACF and OVW are taking no later than March 31, 2020:

1. Have the domestic violence programs that ACF and OVW administer seen an increase in need over the past 60 days, as a result of the COVID-19 mitigation efforts in place at the local, state, and federal level? If so, please provide detail, to the extent possible, broken down by state or territory.

2. How have the domestic violence programs administered by your offices been strained as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic?

3. What steps have ACF and OVW taken to prepare for a potential rise in the need for domestic violence programs or services?

4. What will ACF and OVW do to provide organizations an opportunity to request additional financial support to respond to an increased demand for services?

5. What steps has ACF and OVW taken to ensure that survivors continue to have to access to judicial proceedings, including the opportunity to seek a protective order?

6. What steps will ACF and OVW take to provide greater flexibility for service providers who may be required to alter their programs without risking their eligibility for funding?

7. If programs have to close or suspend services due to COVID-19, will ACF and OVW offer grantees flexibility to continue to support the programs’ employees?

8. What information or resources have you made available to domestic violence organizations, particularly with regard to ensuring the safety of front line employees?

9. Have ACF and OVW provided guidance about how organizations should alter their operations in order to maintain services while providing for the safety of staff, including remote or mobile operations? 

10. What additional guidance or resources are ACF and OVW providing domestic violence organizations that serve American Indians / Alaska Natives, rural, and underserved communities?

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We urge you to take immediate action to prepare for a potential increase in incidents of domestic violence and look forward to your prompt response. 

Sincerely,

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, pushed the Department of Defense (DoD) to issue guidance for uniformed, civilian, and contractor personnel to help them better understand their options for paid leave and telework amid the COVID-19 outbreak. In a letter to Secretary Mark T. Esper, Sen. Warner requested that the DoD clarify what types of leave are applicable in a variety of COVID-19 related scenarios, and provide guidance on the types of DoD workers that are eligible for telework.

“An area of particular concern is how administrative leave, weather and safety leave, sick leave, and annual leave apply under a variety of COVID-19 related scenarios,” wrote Sen. Warner. “These personnel should not face uncertainty or obstacles in their efforts to preserve our individual or collective health.” 

Currently, there is fragmentation in the DoD’s current leave policy that creates ambiguity regarding the kind of leave that would apply if employees needed to take time off work in the event that they were symptomatic, exposed but not symptomatic, or if they needed to care for family members who have contracted COVID-19. 

In his letter, Sen. Warner, who has heard from several Virginians who have been forbidden from teleworking despite considerable safety concerns, also urged the DoD to clarify which employees occupy mission-critical positions, and which are eligible for telework.

“The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued guidance for agencies to expand telework flexibility, but at present, guidance issued by OMB, OPM, and the Department have ambiguity that is creating confusion and anxiety,” he continued. “Personnel whose duties and responsibilities do not immediately contribute to a critical national security function would benefit from a clear directive instructing them to work remotely and would make a significant impact for our nation.”

In his letter, Sen. Warner encouraged the Department to create further telework options, as appropriate, for employees currently deemed ineligible for telework in order to protect their safety and health and that of their family members. He also emphasized that any guidance should be consistent and transparent for all eligible personnel stationed across the country and abroad.  

Sen. Warner has been a strong advocate for federal workers amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Yesterday, he led seven of his Senate colleagues in calling on the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to post department and agency contingency plans amid the COVID-19 outbreak as more federal agencies begin to ramp up teleworking capabilities. Additionally, he has urged President Trump to immediately issue an executive order directing agencies to utilize telework capabilities to the maximum possible extent, and has called on the House and Senate to address the potential financial hardship for Congress’ support workforce if their work schedules are unexpectedly disrupted as the result of changes to congressional operations.

A copy of the letter is available here and below, and a full list of Sen. Warner’s work to protect Americans amid the coronavirus outbreak is available here.

The Honorable Mark T. Esper

Secretary

U.S. Department of Defense 

Washington, D.C.  20301

Dear Secretary Esper:

I write to ask you to clarify personnel policy governing the Department’s response to COVID-19 so that uniformed, civilian, and contractor personnel better understand how they can and should adapt to minimize the spread and impact of this virus.

An area of particular concern is how administrative leave, weather and safety leave, sick leave, and annual leave apply under a variety of COVID-19 related scenarios, to include for personnel whose normal duty station is a classified facility, whether personnel occupy a mission critical position or not, if they are symptomatic or exposed but not symptomatic, and if they must care for family members who have contracted COVID-19.

These personnel should not face uncertainty or obstacles in their efforts to preserve our individual or collective health. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued guidance for agencies to expand telework flexibility, but at present, guidance issued by OMB, OPM, and the Department have ambiguity that is creating confusion and anxiety.  For example, personnel should have due flexibility to telework, as appropriate, to protect their safety and health and that of their family members.

Personnel whose duties and responsibilities do not immediately contribute to a critical national security function would benefit from a clear directive instructing them to work remotely and would make a significant impact for our nation.  For personnel deemed ineligible for telework, the Department should investigate and create further options, when possible, to temporarily make them eligible. The urgency for the Department to take necessary steps and clarify concerns about telework options for personnel will ensure personnel do not feel aggrieved during the outbreak of COVID-19.  This guidance should be consistent and transparent for all eligible personnel stationed across the country and abroad.

Maintaining a healthy workforce with confidence in the government’s commitment to their welfare is of the utmost importance to us.  Thank you in advance for your prompt response and attention to this matter.

I look forward to working with you to address this matter of urgent priority.

Sincerely,

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) led seven of his Senate colleagues in a letter to the Acting Directors of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) calling on the agencies to post department and agency contingency plans amid the COVID-19 outbreak so that Americans know what services to expect as more federal agencies begin to ramp up teleworking capabilities to mitigate the spread of the virus. In their letter, the Senators stress that publicly posting the information would provide federal employees and contractors with thorough guidance and allow policymakers to ensure proper compliance.

“As the federal government continues to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic, we request that you require departments and agencies to post their continuity of operation (COOP) plans online in an accessible format and central location, unless there are legitimate intelligence or national security reasons not to do so. Making these plans transparent and readily available is key to ensuring that our constituents understand what services are continuing in the midst of the uncertainty and disruption caused by COVID-19. It is also important for federal employees and contractors to understand and properly implement the required mitigation measures and for policymakers to ensure compliance with these measures,” wrote the Senators.

In their letter, the Senators underscore that providing this information publicly would be consistent with the way in which the government handles contingency plans during a government shutdown. Further, publishing the information publicly would provide Congress with greater transparency to ensure compliance.

“Sharing this information publicly would be consistent with how the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has posted department and agency contingency plans for lapses in federal appropriations. Such transparency is critical to give citizens confidence in the government response during this difficult time and assure federal employees and contractors that the government is prioritizing their health and well-being,” they continued.

In addition to Sen. Warner, the letter was signed by Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Gary Peters (D-MI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Brian Schatz (D-HI), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI).

A copy of the letter can be found here and below.

The Honorable Michael Rigas

Acting Director

Office of Personnel Management

1900 E Street NW

Washington, DC 20415-1000

The Honorable Russell Vought

Acting Director

Office of Management and Budget

725 17th Street NW 

Washington, DC 20503 

Dear Acting Director Rigas and Acting Director Vought:

As the federal government continues to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic, we request that you require departments and agencies to post their continuity of operation (COOP) plans online in an accessible format and central location, unless there are legitimate intelligence or national security reasons not to do so. Making these plans transparent and readily available is key to ensuring that our constituents understand what services are continuing in the midst of the uncertainty and disruption caused by COVID-19. It is also important for federal employees and contractors to understand and properly implement the required mitigation measures and for policymakers to ensure compliance with these measures.

Sharing this information publicly would be consistent with how the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has posted department and agency contingency plans for lapses in federal appropriations. Such transparency is critical to give citizens confidence in the government response during this difficult time and assure federal employees and contractors that the government is prioritizing their health and well-being.

Maintaining a healthy federal workforce with confidence in the government’s commitment to their welfare is of the utmost importance to us. Thank you in advance for your prompt response and attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (D-VA) urged the body that regulates public utilities including electricity, natural gas and water in Virginia to promptly issue an order suspending the charging of late fees through the duration of Virginia’s state of emergency due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

In a letter to the Virginia State Corporation Commission, the Senators wrote, “First, we want to applaud the Commission for its recent order directing regulated electric, natural gas, and water companies in Virginia to suspend service disconnections due to non-payment for at least 60 days in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The temporary suspension of service disconnections is necessary to minimize adverse impacts on Virginians and public health. The continued service of public utilities – including electricity, water, and natural gas – is essential to protect the health and well-being of Virginians and prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

The Senators encouraged the Commission to enact additional measures to protect vulnerable Virginians during this public health emergency, specifically by suspending late fees for the duration of the crisis.

“While the suspension of service disconnections will ensure the continued service of essential public utilities for Virginians, the unprecedented scope of this public health crisis requires additional measures to ease the burden on Virginians. One such measure should be a temporary suspension of late payment charges by public utilities,” advised the Senators. “As this public health emergency intensifies, thousands of Virginians will likely be furloughed or have their work hours substantially reduced. This will put an enormous strain on countless families in the Commonwealth to make ends meet. Suspending late fees during this state of emergency would help ease the burden on the most vulnerable Virginians during this tumultuous time, if only slightly.”

A copy of the letter is found here and below.

Mark C. Christie

Chairman

The Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission

P.O. Box 1157

Richmond, VA 23218

Judith Williams Jagdmann

Commissioner

The Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission

P.O. Box 1157

Richmond, VA 23218

Dear Commissioners:

We write today concerning the ongoing public health emergency in the Commonwealth of Virginia caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and the Virginia State Corporation Commission’s (SCC) role in regulating public utilities during this state of emergency. Due to this ongoing health crisis, we respectfully request that the Commission promptly issue an order suspending the ability of any public utility in Virginia to charge late fees through the duration of Virginia’s state of emergency.

First, we want to applaud the Commission for its recent order directing regulated electric, natural gas, and water companies in Virginia to suspend service disconnections due to non-payment for at least 60 days in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The temporary suspension of service disconnections is necessary to minimize adverse impacts on Virginians and public health. The continued service of public utilities – including electricity, water, and natural gas – is essential to protect the health and well-being of Virginians and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

While the suspension of service disconnections will ensure the continued service of essential public utilities for Virginians, the unprecedented scope of this public health crisis requires additional measures to ease the burden on Virginians. One such measure should be a temporary suspension of late payment charges by public utilities. As this public health emergency intensifies, thousands of Virginians will likely be furloughed or have their work hours substantially reduced. This will put an enormous strain on countless families in the Commonwealth to make ends meet. Suspending late fees during this state of emergency would help ease the burden on the most vulnerable Virginians during this tumultuous time, if only slightly. 

Again, we want to thank the Commission for its recent order directing public utilities to suspend service disconnections due to non-payment during this public health emergency. We also want to thank you in advance for your consideration of this request, and we look forward to working with you and other stakeholders to ensure the health and well-being of all Virginians moving forward. 

Sincerely,

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) joined Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Kamala D. Harris (D-CA) and U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07) and a group of 36 Senators and 87 Representatives in pressing the Trump Administration on reports that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is preparing mass deportations of Dreamers, young immigrants who grew up in the United States and know no other home.  Many Dreamers have reported receiving notice that their deportation cases have recently been reopened.  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a statement confirming that DACA deportation cases that had been administratively closed will be reopened and that this “is occurring nationwide and not isolated to a particular state or region.”  

The Supreme Court is currently considering the legality of President Trump’s cruel repeal of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), with a decision expected by June.  

“Only Congress can provide a permanent solution for Dreamers, but if the Supreme Court permits President Trump’s DACA repeal to stand, the fate of the Dreamers will be in your hands,” the members wrote in a letter to DHS Acting Secretary Chad Wolf.  “It will be up to you whether to use DHS’s limited resources to deport these young immigrants who have benefitted America in countless ways through their talents, hard work, and service.”

Along with Durbin and Harris, today’s letter was also signed by Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Tom Carper (D-DE), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Bob Casey (D-PA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Tom Udall (D-NM), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Chris Coons (D-DE), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV).

Along with Rep. Pressley, the letter was also signed by U.S. Representatives Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ-03), Gwen Moore (D-WI-04), Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ-02), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12), Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Tony Cárdenas (D-CA-29), Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX-29), Judy Chu (D-CA-27), Jahana Hayes (D-CT-05), Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY-05), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-03), Nydia M. Velázquez  (D-NY-07), James P. McGovern (D-MA-02), Dina Titus (D-NV-01), Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05), Rashida  Tlaib (D-MI-13), David Trone (D-MD-06), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. (D-CA-39), Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-FL-26), Veronica Escobar (D-TX-16), Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20), Jerold Nadler (D-NY-10), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-IL-04), Jim Cooper (D-TN-05), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM-03), Karen Bass (D-CA-37), Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (D-GA-04), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13), Scott Peters (D-CA-25), Mark Pocan (D-WI-02), Linda T. Sánchez (D-CA-38), Lori Trahan (D-MA-03), Alcee Hastings (D-FL-20), Grace Meng (D-NY-06), Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), Katherine Clark (D-MA-05), Al Green (D-TX-09), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-11), Bennie Thompson (D-MS-02), Danny K. Davis (D-IL-07), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO-05), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Deb Haaland (D-NM-01), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-19), Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA-11), Darren Soto (D-FL-09), Peter A. DeFazio (D-OR-04), Joseph P. Kennedy, III (D-MA-04), Donna Shalala (D-FL-27), Kathy Castor (D-FL-14), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA-34), Ted Deutch (D-FL-22), Peter Welch (D-VT), Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY-08), TJ Cox (D-CA-21), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-23), Daniel T. Kildee (D-MI-05), Filemon Vela (D-TX-34), J. Luis Correa (D-CA-46), Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), Dwight Evans (D-PA-03), Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY-09), Grace Napolitano (D-CA-32), Diana DeGette (D-CO-01), David N. Cicilline (D-RI-01), Eliot L. Engel (D-NY-16), Norma J. Torres (D-CA-35), John Yarmuth (D-KY-03), Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA-44), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA-47), Greg Stanton (D-AZ-09), Steve Horsford (D-NV-04), Adam Schiff (D-CA-28), Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA-18), Mike Thompson (D-CA-05), Juan Vargas (D-CA-51), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-20), and André Carson (D-IN-07). 

Full text of the letter is available here and below: 

March 19, 2020 

Dear Acting Secretary Wolf:                                                                     

We are gravely concerned that the Trump Administration is preparing mass deportations of Dreamers, young immigrants who grew up in the United States and know no other home.  We write to urgently seek more information about the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) plans for removing DACA recipients.

As you know, the Supreme Court is currently considering the legality of President Trump’s cruel repeal of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), with a decision expected by June.  During oral argument on November 12, 2019, Chief Justice Roberts seemingly minimized the significance of the outcome, saying:  “Both [the Obama and Trump] administrations have said they’re not going to deport the people.” 

Contrary to the Chief Justice’s expectations, it appears that the Trump Administration is planning to deport DACA recipients whose deportation cases had been administratively closed.  Many Dreamers have reported receiving notice that their deportation cases have recently been reopened.  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a statement confirming that DACA deportation cases that had been administratively closed will be reopened and that this “is occurring nationwide and not isolated to a particular state or region.”  On January 23, Acting ICE Director Matthew Albence replied to a question about these actions, saying that if “DACA is done away with by the Supreme Court, we can actually effectuate those removal orders.”  Similarly, in response to questioning from Senator Kamala D. Harris at a Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on March 4, you said that DHS would deport these DACA recipients, testifying: “So when we get final orders of removal, we’re going to effectuate those.”

Eight years ago, following bipartisan requests from Congress, President Obama used his legal authority to establish DACA.  DACA provides temporary protection from deportation to Dreamers on an individualized basis if they register with the government, pay a fee, and pass criminal and national security background checks.  DACA is a lawful exercise of the President’s authority to establish deportation priorities.  Past administrations—Democratic and Republican—have stopped deportations of low-priority cases and courts have long recognized this authority.

More than 800,000 Dreamers have come forward and received DACA.  DACA has unleashed the full potential of Dreamers, who are contributing to our country as soldiers, nurses, teachers, and small business owners, and in many other ways.  Now, as a result of President Trump’s decision, these Dreamers face losing their authorization to work and being deported to countries they barely remember.  When he announced the repeal of DACA, President Trump called on Congress to “legalize DACA,” but since then, he has rejected numerous bipartisan deals to protect Dreamers.

In response to the crisis that President Trump created, the House of Representatives passed the American Dream and Promise Act on a strong bipartisan vote of 237-187.  The American Dream and Promise Act is now pending in the Senate, as is the bipartisan Dream Act, and it is up to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell whether to give Dreamers a path to citizenship by calling this legislation for a vote.

Only Congress can provide a permanent solution for Dreamers, but if the Supreme Court permits President Trump’s DACA repeal to stand, the fate of the Dreamers will be in your hands.  It will be up to you whether to use DHS’s limited resources to deport these young immigrants who have benefitted America in countless ways through their talents, hard work, and service.

In light of the clear statements above that the Trump Administration is preparing to deport DACA recipients whose deportation cases had been administratively closed, we request that you respond to the following questions as soon as possible, and no later than April 9, 2020:

1. How many DACA recipients’ cases have been administratively closed since August 15, 2012?

2. How many of these cases of DACA recipients that had been administratively closed have subsequently been reopened or re-calendared since January 20, 2017?

3. How many current or former DACA recipients have been ordered removed since January 20, 2017? 

4. How many current or former DACA recipients have been removed since January 20, 2017?

5. Since January 20, 2017, how many DACA recipients’ and DACA applicants’ information has been provided to ICE? 

6. During the March 4 hearing, you committed to provide plans developed by ICE with regard to DACA recipients that take into account the various potential decisions the Supreme Court may issue.  Please include that information in your response.

Thank you for your time and consideration.  We look forward to your prompt response.

Sincerely,

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urging the State Department to provide guidance and assistance to Americans stuck abroad after heightened travel restrictions, lockdowns, and border closures across the globe to curb the spread of coronavirus have left U.S. citizens stranded in foreign countries indefinitely.  

“I have heard from an alarming number of Virginians in the past few days who are abroad and unable to return to the United States due to restrictions on movement, closed borders, nationwide lockdowns, and canceled flights. Stranded in Peru, Honduras, Morocco, China, Guatemala and other countries, these Americans are desperately trying to navigate these difficult and rapidly evolving circumstances to return to their homes and their families,” wrote Sen. Warner.

The State Department is responsible for the safety and security of Americans overseas, which includes providing information to help U.S. citizens navigate rapidly shifting travel restrictions in a world wide effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

“I have been in touch with State Department personnel, both here and abroad, as well as with foreign embassies based in the United States, and I commend the round-the-clock work by so many to help in this difficult time. But these Americans need greater support by the State Department. I urge you to implement a response effort that is comprehensive, nimble, and timely and gets these Americans home as soon as possible,” continued Sen. Warner.

In his letter to Secretary Pompeo, Sen. Warner asked the agency to provide a prompt response on the following questions:

1. What outreach are the State Department and embassies conducting to Americans about the current and potential near-term restrictions in their particular country?
2. What guidance are you providing Americans who are actively attempting to return to the United States?
3. What guidance and support are you providing to travelers who are facing an impending travel restriction or border closure affecting their ability to leave the country to return home?
4. What support are you providing to Americans who find themselves already locked down in a country, unable to return home?
5. What efforts are underway, or are you considering, in terms of emergency repatriation flights and/or chartered options?

A copy of the letter can be found here and below.

The Honorable Mike Pompeo

Secretary of State

U.S. Department of State

2201 C Street NW

Washington, DC 20520

Dear Secretary Pompeo:                                                                           

I write to express serious concerns about American travelers who have found themselves stranded abroad, with no clear way to get home, as other countries close down borders and restrict movement in response to the spread of coronavirus.

I have heard from an alarming number of Virginians in the past few days who are abroad and unable to return to the United States due to restrictions on movement, closed borders, nationwide lockdowns, and canceled flights. Stranded in Peru, Honduras, Morocco, China, Guatemala and other countries, these Americans are desperately trying to navigate these difficult and rapidly evolving circumstances to return to their homes and their families. 

I have been in touch with State Department personnel, both here and abroad, as well as with foreign embassies based in the United States, and I commend the round-the-clock work by so many to help in this difficult time. But these Americans need greater support by the State Department.  I urge you to implement a response effort that is comprehensive, nimble, and timely and gets these Americans home as soon as possible.

To that end, I ask that you provide my office with answers to these questions as soon as possible:

I again ask for your prompt response to this letter, and increased engagement with American citizens abroad. My office will continue our efforts assisting these constituents as they navigate this incredibly complex, rapidly changing, and frightening landscape. I urge you and those hard at work at the State Department to do everything within your power to help these Americans return home.

If there are any questions about this letter, or if either my staff or I can be of assistance to you in this effort, please reach out at 202-224-2023.

Sincerely,

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WASHINGTON – Today, following passage of a bipartisan coronavirus economic relief package (H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act), U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), a former Governor of Virginia, led a letter signed by Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Gary Peters (D-MI), urging state governors and workforce administrators to implement its provisions easing restrictions on emergency unemployment benefits.

In a letter sent to the governors and heads of state workforce agencies for all 50 states, the Senators wrote, “Given the unique nature of the pandemic we are facing, we encourage you to take advantage of recently enacted federal legislation that increases resources for states to deliver timely unemployment insurance benefits to affected workers. The legislation should make it easier for workers to access unemployment benefits by waiving waiting weeks and work search requirements, as well as experience ratings for employers. Given these unavoidable circumstances, employers should not be penalized for encouraging their workers to receive unemployment compensation and workers should be able to access compensation immediately, particularly when other work opportunities may not be available.”

The Senators continued, “We are also especially concerned about the hardships facing workers who do not meet the eligibility requirements for unemployment benefits, including so-called “gig workers” or other non-traditional workers that generally receive 1099 income as either a primary or secondary source of earnings. Many of these workers are not eligible for unemployment insurance, paid leave, sick leave, and other benefits that traditional, full-time workers typically receive from their employers, as well as workers who earn a large share of their incomes from tips. We continue to push for passage of Senator Wyden and Senator Peters’ Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Act, which is modeled on the Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program, and would ensure that gig workers and contractors are covered. However, given the severity of the crisis, we ask you to do whatever is possible to extend support to workers who do not fit into the usual framework of unemployment compensation. It is critical that there be no delay in using your existing authorities to support these workers to the greatest extent possible. ” 

The coronavirus economic relief legislation the Senate sent to the President’s desk today provides $1 billion in additional funding to state unemployment insurance programs. It also waives certain restrictions, including work search requirements and waiting periods for Americans who are either diagnosed with COVID-19 or who have lost their jobs due to the spread of the virus.

A copy of the letter is available here and below. A list of Sen. Warner’s work to protect Americans amid the coronavirus outbreak is available here.

March 18, 2020

Governors and State Workforce Administrators:

We write today to thank you for your efforts to support workers during the unprecedented situation due to the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). As we continue our efforts to provide federal assistance during these challenging times, we want to encourage you to do whatever is within your existing authorities to support workers facing hardship due to lost hours or jobs, sickness, family caretaking responsibilities, and other COVID-19-related circumstances.

Given the unique nature of the pandemic we are facing, we encourage you to take advantage of recently enacted federal legislation that increases resources for states to deliver timely unemployment insurance benefits to affected workers. The legislation should make it easier for workers to access unemployment benefits by waiving waiting weeks and work search requirements, as well as experience ratings for employers. Given these unavoidable circumstances, employers should not be penalized for encouraging their workers to receive unemployment compensation and workers should be able to access compensation immediately, particularly when other work opportunities may not be available. This is not only a matter of economic security but one of public health, as workers who cannot access unemployment benefits are likely to try and find work even when the costs to public health may be severe.

We are also especially concerned about the hardships facing workers who do not meet the eligibility requirements for unemployment benefits, including so-called “gig workers” or other non-traditional workers that generally receive 1099 income as either a primary or secondary source of earnings. Many of these workers are not eligible for unemployment insurance, paid leave, sick leave, and other benefits that traditional, full-time workers typically receive from their employers, as well as workers who earn a large share of their incomes from tips. We continue to push for passage of Senator Wyden and Senator Peters’ Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Act, which is modeled on the Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program, and would ensure that gig workers and contractors are covered. However, given the severity of the crisis, we ask you to do whatever is possible to extend support to workers who do not fit into the usual framework of unemployment compensation. It is critical that there be no delay in using your existing authorities to support these workers to the greatest extent possible.

An effective response to COVID-19 will require a collaborative effort at the federal, state, and local levels of government and we stand ready to assist you in carrying out these critical efforts to protect public health while supporting workers through the economic shocks of the pandemic.

Sincerely,

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the following statement after the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced plans to pay clinicians across the country for telehealth services to Medicare beneficiaries during the coronavirus outbreak. This decision was enabled by passage earlier this month of provisions from Sen. Warner's bipartisan CONNECT for Health Act of 2019, as part of the initial $8.3 billion coronavirus response package.

“I am relieved that Medicare is quickly moving to take advantage of the telehealth authorities Congress has given it through my legislation. There is no doubt that, if properly implemented, this technology will be a crucial tool for protecting American seniors during the coronavirus outbreak,” said Sen. Warner. ”The key now is for Medicare to take clear and decisive steps to swiftly put this technology in the hands of doctors and seniors at this critical moment in the COVID-19 outbreak. While it is unfortunate that it took a public health crisis to push these important telehealth provisions through, I am hopeful that, with proper implementation, this experience will eventually lead to a full expansion of telehealth for Medicare beneficiaries through passage of the bipartisan CONNECT for Health Act.”

The Warner-authored language in the first coronavirus response bill cuts restrictions on Medicare's use of telehealth for the COVID-19 public health emergency response. CMS Administrator Seema Verma announced Medicare's telehealth expansion yesterday at the White House during a Coronavirus Task Force press conference. 

“These changes allow seniors to communicate with their doctors without having to travel to a healthcare facility so that they can limit risk of exposure and spread of this virus,” Administrator Verma said at the press conference. “Clinicians on the frontlines will now have greater flexibility to safely treat our beneficiaries.”

The Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2019 builds on the progress made in recent years to increase the use of telehealth through Medicare. Specifically, the legislation would:

• Provide the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) the authority to waive telehealth restrictions when necessary;
• Remove geographic and originating site restrictions for services like mental health and emergency medical care;
• Allow rural health clinics and other community-based health care centers to provide telehealth services; and
• Require a study to explore more ways to expand telehealth services so that more people can access health care services in their own homes.

Sen. Warner has been a longtime advocate for increased access to health care through telehealth. Last year, he successfully included a provision to expand telehealth services for substance abuse treatment in the Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018. In 2003, then-Gov. Warner expanded Medicaid coverage for telemedicine statewide, including evaluation and management visits, a range of individual psychotherapies, the full range of consultations, and some clinical services, including in cardiology and obstetrics. Coverage was also expanded to include non-physician providers. Among other benefits, the telehealth expansion allowed individuals in medically underserved and remote areas of Virginia to access quality specialty care that isn’t always available at home.

A list of Sen. Warner’s work to protect and support Virginians during the coronavirus outbreak is available here.

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