WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Todd Young (R-IN) wrote to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging him to work with President Trump to appoint a new Special Envoy for Sudan, build out key senior Africa roles at the State Department and the National Security Council, and to hold accountable both internal and foreign actors prolonging the conflict. Joining Sens. Warner and Young in the letter are U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mike Rounds (R-SD), and Cory Booker (D-NJ).

The ongoing violence in Sudan has led to a massive humanitarian crisis. Since the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) began in April 2023, it’s estimated that the conflict has claimed the lives of tens of thousands to potentially over one hundred thousand individuals, and in the region, an estimated 30 million Sudanese are in need of immediate assistance.

Sen. Warner has led bipartisan efforts to address this crisis, including pushing the Biden administration to take steps to better address the chaos and violence displacing millions of people in Sudan and the surrounding regions. Following the senators' calls for a special envoy, President Biden appointed former U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello to the position, but the position has remained vacant under the Trump administration.

The senators wrote, “Since its outbreak, this conflict has displaced more than 14 million people – an estimated 11.5 million internally, plus an additional 3 million fleeing to neighboring countries and regions. Approximately 30 million people – more than half of Sudan’s population – are in urgent humanitarian need. By some estimates, the conflict has killed upwards of 150,000 people, in what the U.S. government has officially declared a genocide. Belligerents on both sides stand accused of atrocities, including killings, abductions of civilians, and horrific instances of sexual violence against women and children.”

The senators highlighted continued bipartisan efforts to respond to the crisis in Sudan and the need to fill crucial roles in countries impacted by the ongoing civil war. 

Added the senators, “We urge the Administration to fill the Special Envoy position, which would align with bipartisan Congressional intent expressed through the passage of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, which included provisions of the Response to Conflict in Sudan Act. We also strongly urge you to work with the President to nominate senior officials responsible for Africa, including the Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, ambassadors to countries impacted by or otherwise implicated in the conflict, and push for the appointment of a Senior Director for Africa at the National Security Council to coordinate interagency efforts.”

In addition to the need to fill these crucial roles, the senators highlighted the impact that outside influences are having on this crisis, and the need for the U.S. to hold accountable any foreign actors exacerbating the crisis. 

“To date, the Office of Foreign Assets Control added SAF and RSF members to the Specially Designated Nationals List and taken action against numerous UAE companies for potentially violating U.S. sanctions. We encourage you, alongside allies and partners, to continue to hold accountable external actors that support and/or finance the conflict, using all available tools,” they wrote. 

Sen. Warner has been a leading voice in the Senate about the need for increased diplomatic and humanitarian support for Sudan since the war erupted. Last year, Sen. Warner pushed the Biden administration take more decisive action against foreign entities fueling the ongoing civil war in Sudan. In May 2023, he and Sen. Kaine requested that the Biden administration issue a new Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Sudan, which was subsequently issued. Later that month, Sens. Warner and Kaine led a group of colleagues in urging the administration to offer all available support for humanitarian efforts in the region – and to be forward leaning on prioritizing local and community-based response efforts – as well as appoint a Special Envoy to Sudan tasked with coordinating and leading U.S. diplomatic efforts to address the crisis. In December 2023, the senators continued calling on the Biden administration to designate a Special Envoy to Sudan, and former U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello was subsequently appointed to the position. Sen. Warner has also continued his efforts to provide support to Sudan and the Sudanese diaspora and meeting with the Sudanese community in Virginia.  

A copy of letter is available here and text is below.

Dear Secretary Rubio,

Now into the third year of destructive conflict in Sudan, with escalating violence and atrocities between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF), U.S. engagement to bring a resolution to this conflict is more critical than ever. You can send a strong signal to the region by working with the President to appoint a new Special Envoy for Sudan and holding accountable both Sudanese and foreign actors prolonging the conflict. 

Since its outbreak, this conflict has displaced more than 14 million people – an estimated 11.5 million internally, plus an additional 3 million fleeing to neighboring countries and regions. Approximately 30 million people – more than half of Sudan’s population – are in urgent humanitarian need. By some estimates, the conflict has killed upwards of 150,000 people, in what the U.S. government has officially declared a genocide. Belligerents on both sides stand accused of atrocities, including killings, abductions of civilians, and horrific instances of sexual violence against women and children.

We urge the Administration to fill the Special Envoy position, which would align with bipartisan Congressional intent expressed through the passage of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, which included provisions of the Response to Conflict in Sudan Act.  We also strongly urge you to work with the President to nominate senior officials responsible for Africa, including the Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, ambassadors to countries impacted by or otherwise implicated in the conflict, and push for the appointment of a Senior Director for Africa at the National Security Council to coordinate interagency efforts.

In addition to naming an envoy, we urge you to hold accountable external actors – including the UAE, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt – and foreign businesses fueling the gruesome atrocities. The recent large-scale offensive by the RSF in Darfur – which has included storming and systematically burning down the Zamzam refugee camp, killing hundreds of people in a massacre that has also forced hundreds of thousands more to flee the camp in a matter of days – exemplifies the depravity that is being enabled by these external forces.

To date, the Office of Foreign Assets Control added SAF and RSF members to the Specially Designated Nationals List and taken action against numerous UAE companies for potentially violating U.S. sanctions. We encourage you, alongside allies and partners, to continue to hold accountable external actors that support and/or finance the conflict, using all available tools.

Conflicts rarely stay localized, and the longer this horrific war drags on, the more combustible this region becomes – an outcome that creates a power vacuum that extremists, terrorists, and our foreign adversaries will only be too happy to fill. The war’s continuation not only harms millions of innocent civilians, but also poses serious risk to American security interests in the region.

We strongly support U.S. engagement and leadership in Sudan. The appointment of a new Special Envoy would send a strong signal. We look forward to working together to support your efforts to end the conflict in Sudan, address the humanitarian crisis, hold accountable those responsible for atrocities, and stop the actors fueling this crisis inside and outside Sudan.

Sincerely,

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today urged leadership at Valve, a prominent video game company, to respond to reports that their gaming distribution and social networking platform, Steam, is hosting extremist and hateful content – including over 1.5 million users and tens of thousands of groups that share and amplify antisemitic, Nazi, sexuality- or gender-based hate, and white supremacist content. Sen. Warner called for broad action from Valve to bring its content moderation standards in line with industry standards and crack down on the rampant proliferation of hate-based content. 

“I write to you today regarding the hate and extremism that has recently been identified on your gaming digital distribution and social networking platform Steam,” Warner wrote. “Recently, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) released a report where ADL identified over 1 million unique user accounts and nearly 100,000 user-created groups that glorified antisemitic, Nazi, white supremacist, gender- and sexuality-based hatred, and other extremist ideologies on Valve’s Steam platform.” 

The letter notes that Steam has millions of active users that are now exposed to extremist ideologies. According to the ADL report, Steam hosts almost 900,000 users with extremist or antisemitic profile pictures, 40,000 groups with names that included hateful words, and rampant use of text-based images, particularly of swastikas, resulting in over 1 million unique hate-images.

“My concern is elevated by the fact that Steam is the largest single online gaming digital distribution and social networking platform in the world with over 100 million unique user accounts and a userbase similar in scale to that of the ‘traditional’ social media and social network platforms. Steam is financially successful, with a dominant position in its sector, and makes Valve billions of dollars in annual revenue. Until now, Steam has largely not received its due attention as a de facto major social network where its users engage in many of the same activities expected of a social media platform,” Warner continued.

“We have seen on other social networking platforms that lax enforcement of the letter of user conduct agreements, when coupled with a seeming reluctance by those companies to embrace the spirit (namely providing users with a safe, welcoming place to socialize) of those same agreements, leads to toxic social environments that elevate harassment and abuse. You should want your users (and prospective users) to not have to wonder if they or their children will be harassed, intimidated, ridiculed or otherwise face abuse,” Warner concluded.

The letter ends with a series of questions for Valve regarding their enforcement of their own terms of service and their commitment to reining in toxic content.

For years, Sen. Warner, a former tech entrepreneur, has been raising the alarm about rise of hate-fueled content proliferating online, as well as the threat posed by domestic and foreign bad actors circulating disinformation. Recently, he pressed directly for action from Discord, another video game-based social networking site that is hosting violent predatory groups that coerce minors into self-harm and suicide. He has also called attention to the rise of pro-eating disorder content on AI platforms. A leader in the tech space, Sen. Warner has also lead the charge for broad Section 230 reform to allow social media companies to be held accountable for enabling cyber-stalking, harassment, and discrimination on their platforms.

A copy of the letter is available here and below.

Dear Mr. Newell:

I write to you today regarding the hate and extremism that has recently been identified on your gaming digital distribution and social networking platform Steam. Recently, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) released a report where ADL identified over 1 million unique user accounts and nearly 100,000 user-created groups that glorified antisemitic, Nazi, white supremacist, gender- and sexuality-based hate, and other extremist ideologies on Valve’s Steam platform. 

It has been brought to your attention before that extremist ideologies seem to find a home on Steam. In 2022, Valve received a Senate letter identifying nearly identical activity on your platform, and yet two years later it appears that Valve has chosen to continue a ‘hands off’-type approach to content moderation that favors allowing some users to engage in sustained bouts of disturbing and violent rhetoric rather than ensure that all of its users can find a welcoming and safe environment across your platform.

My concern is elevated by the fact that Steam is the largest single online gaming digital distribution and social networking platform in the world with over 100 million unique user accounts and a userbase similar in scale to that of the ‘traditional’ social media and social network platforms. Steam is financially successful, with a dominant position in its sector, and makes Valve billions of dollars in annual revenue. Until now, Steam has largely not received its due attention as a de facto major social network where its users engage in many of the same activities expected of a social media platform. 

ADL also found that, in addition to the extremely concerning number of hateful account and user groups:

• Almost 900,000 users with extremist or antisemitic profile pictures
• 40,000 groups with names that included hateful words, with the most prominent being “1488”, “shekel” and “white power”
• Rampant use of text-based images (so-called “copypasta” or “ASCII art”), particularly of swastikas, resulting in over 1 million unique hate-images. 

Valve has a Steam Online Conduct policy (“Conduct Policy”) and a Steam Subscriber Agreement (“Agreement”) that Steam subscribers agree to abide by as a condition of using the service. The Conduct Policy requires that “[in] general, as a Steam user you should be a good online citizen and not do anything that prevents any other Steam user from using and enjoying Steam”. The Conduct Policy explicitly directs subscribers to not:  

• “Engage in unlawful activity [including] encouraging real-world violence…”
• “Upload or post illegal or inappropriate content [including] [real] or disturbing depictions of violence…”
• “Violate others’ personal rights”
• “Harass other users or Steam personnel [which includes not engaging in] trolling; baiting; threatening; spamming; intimidating; and using abusive language or insults.” 

It is reasonable to question how committed Valve is to effectively implement and enforce Valve’s own, self-created Conduct Policy for its users, in light of the 1 million Steam user accounts and 100,000 user-created groups glorifying hateful ideologies that ADL found. We have seen on other social networking platforms that lax enforcement of the letter of user conduct agreements, when coupled with a seeming reluctance by those companies to embrace the spirit (namely providing users with a safe, welcoming place to socialize) of those same agreements, leads to toxic social environments that elevate harassment and abuse. You should want your users (and prospective users) to not have to wonder if they or their children will be harassed, intimidated, ridiculed or otherwise face abuse.

As Black Friday and the holiday buying season approaches, the American public should know that not only is Steam an unsafe place for teens and young adults to purchase and play online games, but also that, absent a change in Valve’s approach to user moderation and the type of behavior that it welcomes on its platform, Steam is playing a clear role in allowing harmful ideologies to spread and take root among the next generation.

Valve must bring its content moderation practices in line with industry standards or face more intense scrutiny from the federal government for its complicity in allowing hate groups to congregate and engage in activities that undoubtedly puts Americans at risk. 

Please provide answers to the following questions no later than December 13, 2024. Please provide answers in-line with the questions, and not a narrative that attempts to answer multiple questions. 

1. Please describe Valve’s current practices used to enforce its terms of service.

2. Please provide the definition that Valve uses internally to define each of the following terms and/or behaviors from the Conduct Policy in order to evaluate potential violations of said policy:
   1. “Encouraging real-world violence”;
   2. “Inappropriate content”;
   3. “Real or disturbing depictions of violence”;
   4. “Violate others’ personal rights”; and
   5. “Harass other users or Steam personnel”, including:

                                                              i.      trolling;

                                                             ii.      baiting;

                                                           iii.      threatening;

                                                           iv.      intimidating; and

                                                             v.      abusive language or insults.

3. How many allegations did Valve receive from users about potential violations of the Conduct Policy? Include in your response each date when the Conduct Policy was changed, updated, or otherwise modified. Please provide data sufficient to answer this question for each of the following:
   1. Each month of each of the years of 2014 to 2024;
   2. Each category of violation (however Valve tracks types or categories of violations of the policy;
   3. Each category of violation for each month of each of the years of 2014 to 2024;
   4. The disposition and/or any findings of each complaint received (this may be presented in aggregate) by Valve, whether through Steam’s internal reporting mechanisms or any other means, and subsequent action taken by Valve in response to each complaint (this may be presented in aggregate).
   5. The number of unique user accounts that were subject to adverse, punitive, or corrective actions by Valve:

                                                              i.      In response to a user-generated complaint; and

                                                             ii.      In response to violations identified by Valve moderators of their own accord.

6. For item e, above, please provide data on unique payment methods (e.g. credit card accounts, PayPal or similar payment method accounts, JCB, Klarna, Paysafecard, and any other payment methods accepted on Steam that are uniquely identifiable) associated with each account subject to adverse, punitive, or corrective actions by Valve that was subsequently used for any other account (this may be presented on aggregate).

4. Approximately how many human content moderators work for Steam?
   1. How many of those moderators are in-house Valve employees?
   2. How many of those moderators are contracted by Valve?
   3. Does Steam supplement this work with AI-content moderation systems? If so, describe the ways in which any AI system is deployed for that purpose, including any evaluation process that Valve carried out to test any such system and the results that demonstrate the efficacy of any such system in identifying and/or removing content that violates the Conduct Policy and Subscriber Agreement.

5. What steps does Valve take to prevent, monitor, and mitigate extremist, white supremacist, and terrorism-related content?

6. What commitments will Steam make to ensure that it has meaningfully curbed white supremacist, antisemitic, terroristic, Nazi, homophonic, transphobic, misogynist, and hateful content by November 15, 2025?

7. What transparency measures does Valve plan to implement to inform users and the public about content moderation actions related to extremists and behavior that could be reasonably interpreted as endorsing extremist thoughts, beliefs, and/or actions on the platform? 

8. The research shows a period from late 2019 to mid-2020 where it appears Valve may have stepped up its moderation of certain types of hateful content on Steam. Can you provide more detail on your content moderation practices during this time? 

9. How frequently does Valve evaluate its content moderation practices related to extremism?
   1. How frequently do those evaluations result in changes, updates, or other modifications to Valve’s content moderation practices related to extremism?

10. Has Steam, or Valve, made policy, enforcement, or practical decisions that have had the effect of limiting or its content moderation? If so, provide the date(s) of each decision and enough information to understand the context and analysis that led to each decision.

I greatly appreciate your swift attention to this matter and look forward to reviewing your response. 

Sincerely, 

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine urged the Administration to avoid further delays in the appointment of a Special Envoy for Sudan. Nearly 4.8 million people have been internally displaced since the war in Sudan began in April 2023—resulting in one of the largest internal displacement crises in the world. It’s estimated that there have been 10,000 civilian casualties, and approximately 24 million people are in need of immediate humanitarian assistance. In their letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the senators emphasize the crucial role a Special Envoy would play in coordinating and leading U.S. diplomatic efforts to address this crisis and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

“At the onset of this conflict in April 2023, we strongly advocated for U.S. leadership in coordinating a robust international diplomatic response, the safe and swift delivery of humanitarian assistance, the protection of civilians, and, crucially, that a special envoy be appointed to provide a single address within the U.S. government, as well as a clear U.S. lead for foreign parties when participating in direct negotiations with the Rapid Support Forces, Sudanese Armed Forces, and regional partners,” wrote the senators. “Although we welcome the progress to-date in facilitating humanitarian action to meet the urgent needs of civilians, we once again reaffirm our request that you immediately appoint a special envoy to manage the Sudan crisis.”

They continued, “We are concerned that the lack of a dedicated special envoy, who would report directly to the Secretary of State and who would internally coordinate and lead U.S. government efforts, and who may serve as a focal point and driver for international diplomatic and humanitarian efforts, is severely inhibiting the United States’ ability to engage most forcefully towards a resolution to the crisis.”

“To ensure a prosperous future for Sudan, the U.S. government must serve as a lead negotiator in peace discussions via a special envoy for Sudan,” the senators concluded. “We would welcome additional information, whether via a briefing to our staff or in a written response, regarding the rationale for why our request for the appointment of a Special Envoy for Sudan remains unmet.”

Warner and Kaine have been longtime advocates for the Sudanese community in Virginia. Last week, Warner and Kaine applauded the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) announcement that it will extend the re-registration period for Temporary Protected Status for migrants from Sudan, which they urged in May. Earlier this year, Warner spoke out about the violence in Sudan and hosted a virtual town hall for Sudanese Americans. Kaine has pushed the Administration to ensure the safety and security of U.S. citizens in Sudan and urged both sides to commit to a permanent ceasefire. He held an event in Richmond with members of Virginia’s Sudanese American community to hear their perspectives on the conflict and discuss ways he can be helpful.

Full text of the letter is available below:

Dear Secretary Blinken,

The destructive conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has been raging for eight months. It has resulted in 4.8 million people internally displaced, 1.2 million fleeing to neighboring countries and regions, 10,000 civilian casualties, and approximately 24 million people in need of immediate humanitarian assistance. Sudan’s health systems have reached their breaking point, and the country is plagued with widespread sexual violence, looting, and killing.

At the onset of this conflict in April 2023, we strongly advocated for U.S. leadership in coordinating a robust international diplomatic response, the safe and swift delivery of humanitarian assistance, the protection of civilians, and, crucially, that a special envoy be appointed to provide a single address within the U.S. government, as well as a clear U.S. lead for foreign parties when participating in direct negotiations with the RSF, SAF, and regional partners. Although we welcome the progress to-date in facilitating humanitarian action to meet the urgent needs of civilians, we once again reaffirm our request that you immediately appoint a special envoy to manage the Sudan crisis.

We are grateful for the efforts from you, Assistant Secretary Molly Phee, Ambassador John Godfrey, Ambassador Daniel Rubinstein, and Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Mike Hammer have put into facilitating negotiations between the RSF, SAF, and global partners in Jeddah. We also welcome your December 6 atrocities determination for the crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing conducted by the SAF and RSF. However, much more needs to be done to end this brutal conflict, and the need is urgent. We are concerned that the lack of a dedicated special envoy, who would report directly to the Secretary of State and who would internally coordinate and lead U.S. government efforts, and who may serve as a focal point and driver for international diplomatic and humanitarian efforts, is severely inhibiting the United States’ ability to engage most forcefully towards a resolution to the crisis. We are pleased that the negotiation talks between the SAF and RSF in Jeddah have resumed, but a stronger and more cohesive U.S. diplomatic effort is long overdue. The tally of Sudanese lives taken by this conflict is mounting by the day.

As global stability is threatened by multiple destructive conflicts, we cannot forget about the people of Sudan. To ensure a prosperous future for Sudan, the U.S. government must serve as a lead negotiator in peace discussions via a Special Envoy for Sudan. We would welcome additional information, whether via a briefing to our staff or in a written response, regarding the rationale for why our request for the appointment of a Special Envoy for Sudan remains unmet. Thank you for your time and attention to this request.

Sincerely,

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WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine joined their colleagues in reintroducing the Equality Act—historic, comprehensive legislation to protect LGBTQ+ Americans from discrimination, just as religious, racial, and ethnic discrimination are already illegal everywhere in the United States. The legislation comes as over 400 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in state legislatures across America this year—a new record.

“It’s disturbing to see more and more states pass regressive laws that encroach on the rights and liberties of LBGTQ+ Americans,” said Sen. Warner. “I’m proud to introduce this comprehensive legislation to extend anti-discrimination protections to the community because nobody should face discrimination based on who they are or whom they love.”

 “Americans shouldn’t be denied housing, fired from their job, or refused service at a restaurant because of who they are or whom they love,” said Sen. Kaine. “During Pride Month, I’m proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing this legislation to protect LGBTQ+ Americans from discrimination. I’ll never stop fighting until we reach our North Star of equality.”

The Equality Act would amend federal anti-discrimination laws to explicitly ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in a host of areas, such as employment, housing, public accommodations, jury service, access to credit, federal funding, and more. It would also add protections against sex discrimination in parts of anti-discrimination laws where these protections had not been included previously, such as public accommodations and federal funding.

Warner and Kaine have long worked to protect LGBTQ+ rights. Last year, the senators helped to pass the Respect for Marriage Act, which was signed into law to ensure that same-sex and interracial marriages are recognized by every state, and urged the Virginia General Assembly to protect marriage equality by repealing the ban on same-sex marriage that remains in Virginia’s constitution. The senators were also previously among the 212 members of Congress who signed an amicus brief arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court that same-sex married couples should have the same legal security, rights, and responsibilities that federal law provides all other married couples.

The full text of the Equality Act can be found here as introduced in the Senate, and here as introduced in the House.

A summary of the bill can be found here .

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives voted to pass the Respect for Marriage Act, legislation that would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and extend federal protections for gay and interracial marriages:

“We are glad to see the House of Representatives take the important step of passing the Respect for Marriage Act to guarantee that same-sex and interracial marriages are recognized across the country. Following decisions by the Supreme Court to overturn established precedent in rulings such as Dobbs, it is crucial that we sign this bill into law to ensure that the right of marriage is recognized across the nation for all Americans.

“This legislation is a first step. We must also act to ensure that same-sex and interracial couples are protected in the Commonwealth by repealing Virginia’s ban on same-sex marriages. As long as this ban is in place, too many Virginians stand to see one of their most fundamental rights dismantled should the Obergefell ruling be overturned.”  

In 2006, Virginia passed a ban on same-sex marriage which remains in the Virginia Constitution today. The Obergefell Supreme Court decision, which is currently the law of the land, overrides Virginia’s ban. However, if the Supreme Court overturns Obergefell, the right of LGBTQ Virginians to marry in the Commonwealth would be jeopardized unless that ban is repealed.

Sens. Warner and Kaine were among the 212 members of Congress who signed an amicus brief arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court that same-sex married couples should have the same legal security, rights, and responsibilities that federal law provides all other married couples. Sens. Warner and Kaine are also cosponsors of the Equality Act, which would amend federal civil rights laws to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in education, employment, housing, credit, and federal jury service.

The Respect for Marriage Act passed through the Senate last month by a vote of 61-36, with both Sens. Warner and Kaine supporting the legislation. It now heads to President Biden’s desk for signature.

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