Press Releases

Sen. Warner introduces job creation bills promoting tech-start up & IPOs

~ Bipartisan legislation targets talent, capital and university R&D ~

Dec 08 2011

Senator Warner today introduced bipartisan legislation that would update regulatory and tax policies to encourage entrepreneurs and innovators to launch new companies, creating jobs and broadening economic opportunities. Today's initiative builds upon bipartisan legislation Senator Warner introduced last week that is designed to make it easier for growing companies to access investment capital.

Sens. Warner & Kirk Introduce Transportation Performance Legislation

~ Pilot programs will assist state partners through better accountability standards ~

Dec 07 2011

Senators Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today introduced bipartisan legislation directing the U.S. Department of Transportation to partner with states and metropolitan areas to develop better performance-based standards to more accurately measure the effectiveness of transportation planning, funding and project management.

Sens. Warner & Kirk introduce legislation to improve standards for transportation projects

~ Pilot programs will assist state partners through better accountability standards ~

Dec 07 2011

Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today introduced bipartisan legislation directing the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to partner with states and metropolitan areas to develop better performance-based standards to more accurately measure the effectiveness of transportation planning, funding and project management.

Klobuchar, Warner Introduce Legislation to “Dig Once” for Broadband Information Superhighway

Legislation would reduce cost of installing broadband, give businesses tools they need to create jobs and stay competitive in the global economy

Dec 05 2011

Senators Amy Klobuchar and Mark Warner introduced legislation to promote more rapid and cost-effective expansion of broadband networks that carry high-speed, high-capacity communications. The Broadband Conduit Deployment Act of 2011 would bring common sense and efficiency to the broadband deployment process by requiring certain federal transportation projects to include the simultaneous installation of underground broadband conduits.

Sen. Warner cosponsors bipartisan plan to make it easier for growing firms to go public

Reforms Would Spur Job Creation by Boosting Smaller Companies’ Access to Capital

Dec 02 2011

Senators Warner, Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Charles Schumer (D-NY) today announced a bipartisan plan to make it easier for growing firms to go public so they can expand and create jobs. The proposal would make it easier for small and medium-sized companies to access capital through public markets.

DoD Inspector General Releases Damning Report on BRAC #133

Moran, Warner, Connolly renew call for parking cap, new transportation plan

Dec 01 2011

Following today’s release of a Department of Defense Inspector General report revealing serious flaws in the Army’s Transportation Management Plan, Senator Warner, Rep. Jim Moran, and Rep. Gerry Connolly renewed their call to limit the number of parking spaces used at the building until sufficient transportation infrastructure is put in place and pressed for enactment of the IG’s recommendations.

Sens. Webb, Warner Announce Over $200K to Strengthen Virginia Manufacturing, Grow Jobs

Every $1 invested in the public-private partnership returns $36, supports private-sector hiring

Nov 29 2011

Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner today announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology will invest $212,800 in GENEDGE ALLIANCE, a statewide manufacturing support program based at Patrick Henry Community College in Martinsville, Virginia.
A coalition of 45 Senators and 100 members of the U.S. House of Representatives gathered today to urge the debt supercommittee to “go big” in addressing America’s $14.5 trillion national debt. Senator Warner, a cofounder of the original “Gang of Six” deficit reduction effort, helped to organize the bipartisan, bicameral group.
Senator Warner released the following statement regarding the five-year oil and gas leasing plan announced by the U.S. Department of the Interior today, which does not include Virginia. “This is disappointing, because the safe, responsible development of offshore energy resources has broad support from Virginians and among the bipartisan elected leadership of the state. "

Sen. Warner to host online forum on jobs & the economy

~ Will use Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, Twitter & YouTube Platforms ~

Oct 14 2011

U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) will host an online forum on jobs and the economy next week that will leverage the reach and popularity of Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube to allow constituents to submit questions and view the Senator's responses over several days.

Webb, Warner introduce bill to rehabilitate nation's historic schools

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor Support Legislation

Oct 12 2011

Senators Jim Webb (D-VA) and Mark Warner (D-VA) today introduced “The Rehabilitation of Historic Schools Act of 2011,” which provides a tax credit for communities to partner with private sector developers to rehabilitate the nation’s older school buildings. The legislation amends existing law to allow local governments to use the Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit to rebuild decaying schools.
“If damage from a once-in-a-generation, 5.8 magnitude earthquake does not qualify for federal disaster relief, then I don’t know what does. I am very disappointed that FEMA has determined that Louisa County does not qualify for federal disaster assistance for individuals, and I fully support the Governor’s decision to appeal."
Senator Warner today announced his support for bipartisan legislation that will increase international tourism by cutting excessively long wait times for overseas visitors to receive U.S. tourist visas. The legislation would give the U.S. State Department more tools and new incentives to streamline visa processing services without compromising the security of our borders or American citizens.

Sens. Webb & Warner announce $5M grant to train healthcare workers in SE Virginia

~ Targets health jobs currently being filled by foreign H-1B visa holders ~

Oct 04 2011

Senators Warner and Jim Webb today announced the award of a $5 million federal grant to a public-private partnership of colleges, universities and hospitals in Hampton Roads and on the Peninsula to provide education, training and job placement assistance in the healthcare field.

Sen. Warner, Rep. Wittman announce delay of rule that would have harmed VA seafood industry

~ Delay of New H-2B Visa Wage Requirements Published in Federal Register Today ~

Sep 28 2011

Senator Warner and Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA-01) announced today that a new federal H-2B visa wage requirement set to go into effect on October 1st will be delayed for 60 days. “We need to work for a longer-range solution to this issue that is both fair to workers and employers, and helps to preserve jobs not only in Virginia’s seafood industry but other industries that depend on seasonal labor,” Sen. Warner said.

Sen. Warner announces $1.5M fed. Grant to provide high-speed internet service in Scott Country

~ Funds will allow free broadband services for the Flat Top/Sandy Ridge Volunteer Fire Department and a new community center ~

Aug 22 2011

U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved a $1.5 million grant to the Scott County Telephone Cooperative (SCTC) to build out its network in order to provide high speed internet service in the previously unserved Flat Top/Sandy Ridge area of Scott County.
Senator Warner joined a bipartisan group of 11 senators today in a letter to new U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta calling for improvements to military base school facilities across the country. Many are old and in poor repair, and some have serious safety issues.
“We strongly condemn the recent atrocity in Mumbai that deliberately targeted innocent and peaceful civilians. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. On behalf of the 38-member U.S. Senate India Caucus, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Indian people and their government as they recover from this senseless act.”
Today, Representatives Jim Moran, Gerry Connolly, and Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner wrote Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta expressing their concern with the recently released occupancy plan for the implementation of BRAC Recommendation #133. The plan moves nearly 5,000 employees to the Mark Center facility by December 2011 – before vital transportation infrastructure improvements are put in place.