Webb, Warner introduced historic-school rehab legislation
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U.S. Sens. Jim Webb and Mark Warner today introduced The Rehabilitation of Historic Schools Act of 2010, which provides a tax credit for communities to partner with private sector developers to rehabilitate the nation’s older school buildings.
“Many of our nation’s historic schools are in need of significant repairs,” said Webb. “Rehabilitating schools will drive revitalization in some of our most economically vulnerable neighborhoods, while providing our students access to safe, modern schools.”
“Nearly one-third of our country’s public school buildings were built a half century ago, and this common-sense legislation will allow state and local governments to leverage private capital to upgrade and modernize these facilities in a time of limited public resources,” Warner said. “This simple change to the 1986 IRS Code supports public education and promotes economic activity and the creation of jobs.” Read more
Webb, Warner: Expedite development of offshore oil, gas
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U.S. Sens. Jim Webb and Mark R. Warner today called on the Secretary of the Interior to promptly commence steps to ensure that the Virginia Lease Sale, for the development of oil and gas resources off the coast of Virginia, remains on track for 2011.
“Support among Virginia’s political leadership for the development of oil and gas resources is strong,” the senators wrote in a joint letter to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. “If accomplished with a fair and equitable formula for sharing of revenues between the federal and state government, Lease Sale 220 will attract well-paying jobs to the Commonwealth to support a range of projects, from the transportation sector to coastal restoration. Further, it holds significant promise for boosting needed domestic energy production.”
In June 2008, Sen. Webb cosponsored legislation with then-Sen. John Warner to allow the Commonwealth to conduct energy exploration activities in the Outer Continental Shelf, with revenue-sharing provisions. “We believe the time has come for implementing the intent of the legislation by going forward with Lease Sale 220 in a more expedited manner,” wrote Sens. Webb and Mark Warner today in their letter.
Webb: Reverse decision on Gitmo trials
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U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va. joined five other senators Tuesday calling for U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to reverse his decision to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and other alleged conspirators in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks in civilian court rather than military commissions.
The six lawmakers, including Sens. Joe Lieberman (ID-Conn.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and John McCain (R-Ariz.), expressed particular concern “about using the U.S. criminal-justice system for trying enemy combatants,” indicating that “due to time constraints and location, we strongly urge you to reconsider your decision to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and the other alleged conspirators in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.” Read more
Group urges Webb, Warner to oppose Bernanke confirmation
Story by Chris Graham
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A vote is expected this week on the nomination of Ben Bernanke to serve another term as the chairman of the Federal Reserve. A political action organization founded by conservative Republican Congressman Ron Paul is calling on Virginia Sens. Jim Webb and Mark Warner to vote no.
“The American people are speaking up loud and clear: No Fed transparency should mean no Bernanke reconfirmation,” said Campaign for Liberty President John Tate in a statement.
“Mark Warner and Jim Webb have an opportunity to show real leadership and stand with their fellow senators. Campaign for Liberty hopes they will stand up to the Big Bank special interests and support this important push for transparency,” Tate said. Read more
Webb criminal-justice reform wins important Senate vote
Staff Report
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U.S. Sen. Jim Webb’s legislation to comprehensively review and overhaul America’s criminal-justice system won a major victory on Thursday when the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the measure with bipartisan support.
With the backing of 34 senators and dozens of organizations representing a broad spectrum of the criminal-justice community, Webb’s National Criminal Justice Commission Act next goes to the Senate floor for a full vote.
Webb’s legislation, which was introduced in the Senate on March 26, 2009, and would create a blue-ribbon commission of criminal justice experts, also received the endorsements today of the Fraternal Order of Police and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Read more
Webb: Slow down on health care
Story by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
Republican Scott Brown shocked the political world with his victory in a special U.S. Senate election in Massachusetts Tuesday night, upsetting one-time heavy favorite Martha Coakley to win the seat that had been held by the late liberal scion Ted Kennedy for 47 years.
Maybe not shocking, but certainly attention-getting, was a statement from Virginia Democrat Jim Webb tonight that would seem to signal a coming siphoning of moderate Democratic support for ongoing efforts at health-care reform in Congress.
“In many ways the campaign in Massachusetts became a referendum not only on health-care reform, but also on the openness and integrity of our government process,” Webb said in the statement. “It is vital that we restore the respect of the American people in our system of government and in our leaders. To that end, I believe it would only be fair and prudent that we suspend further votes on health-care legislation until Sen.-elect Brown is seated.” Read more
Webb urges quick release of heating assistance
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With record low temperatures and more Americans participating in federal assistance programs due to the current economic crisis, Sen. Jim Webb joined 47 of his colleagues to urge the president to speed up the distribution of funds from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to assist cash-strapped households with their energy bills.
In addition, energy assistance will enable families to spend more on other essentials and avoid the choice of heating one’s home or putting food on the table.
“For too many of Virginia’s low income families, this home energy assistance cannot come soon enough,” said Webb. “I will continue to advocate for the swift distribution of federal assistance to Virginians during this difficult economic time, just as I did in the successful extension of unemployment insurance for the Commonwealth.”
