Press Releases

U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner asked the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Agency (WMATA), the board which governs the Metro transit system, to work together to create a more robust and transparent process for ensuring the interoperability of radio networks used by the region’s emergency responders.

"Toddy has been a fierce advocate for our veterans and military families, and she has been a leader in efforts to address Northern Virginia transportation challenges. She also has been a trusted advisor to me, and one of my very best friends, for nearly two decades."

Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine praised Commonwealth Transportation Board approval of a $50 million loan for the City of Alexandria to construct a Potomac Yard Metrorail station, a project Warner and Kaine have supported.

Sen. Warner today demanded information on Metro safety and safety protocols following Monday’s fatal incident at the L’Enfant Plaza station which resulted in the death of one passenger and injuries to scores of others.

Sen. Warner today asked the D.C Department of Transportation and the developer of the planned Capitol Crossing project to provide information on the impacts of planned highway and ramp restrictions on the 90,000 vehicles using the Third Street Tunnel along Interstate 395 each day.

"I am saddened by the death of my friend, longtime Delegate Vince Callahan. Over 40 years of service in the House of Delegates, Vince did so much to strengthen the quality of life and the variety of educational and cultural opportunities across Northern Virginia."

WASHINGTON – The bipartisan Northern Virginia congressional delegation today applauded news that the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) has closed on a $1.28 billion low-interest, long-term federal loan to proceed with its construction plans for phase two of the Rail to Dulles project. In May, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx signed the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program loan after the U.S. Department of Transportation Credit Council voted to approve it. Together with accompanying loans to Fairfax and Loudoun Counties, which are still working towards closing, the total $1.9 billion TIFIA loan package represents the largest loan in the TIFIA program's history.

“Today’s closing on the MWAA loan represents one of the last steps toward finalizing a complex financing package for one of the biggest transportation projects in the country,” Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) said. “This is a huge win for Virginia taxpayers and commuters, and coupled with positive reports about the first weeks of Silver Line operations, it looks like we are well on the way to reducing congestion and building a more efficient transportation network in Northern Virginia.”

“With the first phase of the Silver Line complete and in service, today’s announcement is yet another encouraging step toward the opening of Phase II, which will mark the completion of a project so many of us worked hard to get moving when it was just a model on a conference table,” said Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA).

“No one can say the federal government hasn’t done its part to bring rail to Tysons and out the Dulles corridor to Loudoun County,” said Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA-10). “The federal share of Phase 1 was the second largest Full Funding Grant Agreement awarded by the Federal Transit Administration in the last 20 years for a heavy rail project and the TIFIA loan for Phase 2 is the largest amount in the history of the program.”

“Today’s announcement of the federal commitment to Phase 2 of the Dulles Metrorail Project is a significant step to securing an environmentally friendly, transit oriented development along the Dulles Corridor,” said Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA-8). “We’re already seeing the positive impact of the Silver Line on Virginia businesses. This news brings us closer to reducing congestion, commuting time, and gas consumption in a rapidly developing area of Northern Virginia.”

“Advancing this TIFIA loan will lower the overall cost of the project, and dramatically reduce toll increases on commuters in the Dulles Corridor,” said Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11). “The first phase of the Silver Line has spurred new ridership and increased sales among local merchants, underscoring the regional demand for this service and the value of the investment. I thank Sec. Foxx, Gov. McAuliffe, and all our regional partners for their commitment to completing this complex loan and delivering this world-class transit project connecting Dulles Airport with our nation’s capital.”

“We are very pleased that a Virginia site has been included on the shortlist for the new FBI headquarters,” the lawmakers said.

Sens. Warner (D-VA) and Kaine (D-VA) and Rep. Moran, (D-VA-8) announced today that the Air Force has decided not to relocate the Office of Scientific Research from its current site in Arlington to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.

Sen. Warner applauded today’s announcement by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that an additional 40 customs officers will be hired, trained and assigned to Virginia’s Dulles International Airport to process arriving international passengers and help alleviate some of the long lines that travelers frequently have experienced at Dulles.

The Northern Virginia congressional delegation today announced a significant step forward in securing a commitment for a low-interest, long-term federal loan to help finish constructing the Dulles Metrorail Project.

U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today asked the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for an explanation of exceptionally long lines and wait times commonly experienced by passengers arriving on international flights at Virginia’s Dulles International Airport.

U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) announced today that Ann Edwards Rust will serve as his State Director and Lou Arnatt Kadiri will serve as his Deputy State Director.

Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) today announced bipartisan, bicameral support for the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act. In December, H.R. 2019, sponsored by Congressmen Gregg Harper (R-MS), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Tom Cole (R-OK) overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives with a bipartisan vote of 295-103.

U.S. Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) today applauded passage of the Fiscal Year 2014 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which provides discretionary funding for the federal government through the end of the fiscal year.

“Jim Moran is a good friend and a formidable legislator who has fought hard for his district and the entire Northern Virginia region."

Sen. Warner led a bipartisan coalition of ten Senators today in introducing legislation to establish a new infrastructure financing authority to help states and localities better leverage private funds to build and maintain the nation’s outdated infrastructure.

Sen. Warner today praised a Pentagon decision to cancel the scheduled furloughs of teachers at Department of Defense (DoD) on-base schools located in Virginia, seven other states and at U.S. bases around the world.

U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner (D-VA) read messages on the Senate floor today from several Virginia constituents impacted by sequester cuts and federal employee furloughs, and urged his colleagues to work together to resolve a budget impasse before the fiscal year ends on September 30th.

U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today chaired a Senate Budget Committee hearing on the impact of sequester spending cuts on national security and the U.S. economy. Sen. Warner, who describes sequestration as “stupidity on steroids,” sought to highlight the disruptive and inefficient impact sequestration is having on small businesses that work with the Department of Defense.

Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine today introduced Alexandria resident Patricia Millett at a confirmation hearing in support of her nomination to the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals. In their remarks, both Senators noted Millett’s extensive legal experience and public and community service.

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mark Warner (D-VA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chris Coons (D-DE) and Bill Nelson (D-FL) today sent a letter to the chairmen of the Presidential Commission on Election Administration, Robert F. Bauer and Benjamin L. Ginsberg, urging them to take strong steps to address the hours-long election lines that too many voters endured during the 2012 election. The Commission, a non-partisan panel created by the President earlier this year to promote more efficient elections, is set to have its first public meeting in Washington on June 21.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today issued a statement welcoming the announcement of Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement, or VOICE, on a neighborhood revitalization and affordable housing strategy that will help restore communities in Prince William County that were hardest-hit by the 2008 housing foreclosure crisis.

Senator Warner today urged Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel to reconsider his decision to furlough almost 11,000 teachers at Defense Department-operated schools for up to five days as part of the Pentagon’s plan to comply with budget cuts required due to the sequester.

Sen. Warner, a member of the Senate’s Select Committee on Intelligence, today honored two Central Intelligence Agency veterans who played key roles in the 1994 arrest and espionage conviction of CIA spy Aldrich Ames on charges of spying for the Russians. Jeanne Vertefeuille of McLean, VA served at the CIA for more than 40 years and died on Dec. 29, 2012.

Press Releases

Recommends more robust process to ensure effective communication during Metro emergencies

Jan 22 2015

Jan 15 2015

Jan 14 2015

~ “Passengers deserve assurance that Metro, first responders are trained to react” ~

Jan 13 2015

~ Warner: Lack of collaboration “significant disservice and disruption” to Virginia commuters ~

Dec 22 2014

Sep 20 2014

Aug 20 2014

Jul 29 2014

~ Following concerns from Northern Virginia delegation, Air Force keeps research command in Virginia ~

Apr 10 2014

~ Response to Sen. Warner’s Concerns About Long Lines and Wait Times For Arriving Passengers ~

Apr 03 2014

USDOT invites Va. to submit formal application for $1.9 Billion TIFIA Loan

Feb 21 2014

“This is not the way to welcome tourists, business people arriving in Va.”

Feb 21 2014

~ Ann Edwards Rust to serve as State Director, Lou Arnatt Kadiri to serve as Deputy ~

Feb 18 2014

Jan 27 2014

Jan 16 2014

Jan 15 2014

Nov 14 2013

~ Good news for DoD schools serving military children at Va.’s Dahlgren and Quantico bases ~

Aug 07 2013

Reads messages from constituents who are impacted, calls on Congressional colleagues to compromise

Jul 25 2013

Va. Senator chairs Budget Committee hearing on impact of sequester cuts

Jul 23 2013

Alexandrian nominated for D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals

Jul 10 2013

Senators call for public hearings in Virginia, Florida, and other states where voters endured hours-long delays

Jun 11 2013

Jun 03 2013

~ Planned five-day teacher furloughs will negatively impact children, disrupt families ~

May 16 2013

~ Will reintroduce resolution designating Intelligence Professionals Day ~

Jan 23 2013