Warner, Webb urge Obama administration to select Mid-Atlantic region as test range for unmanned aircraft systems

Chris Graham

U.S. Sens. Jim Webb (D-Va.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) on Wednesday sent a joint letter to the Secretaries of Defense, Transportation and the NASA Administrator urging them to select the Virginia/Maryland region to host an Unmanned Aircraft Systems test range. The Senators pointed out that UAS design and testing…

Warner proposals on transit safety, development incorporated into Senate bill

Chris Graham

U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) joined colleagues on both sides of the aisle in passing legislation out of the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs to make improvements to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s public transportation programs. The legislation included new safety standards championed by Sen. Warner in the wake of a fatal…

McDonnell, Warner meet in Richmond

Chris Graham

Gov. Bob McDonnell and U.S. Sen. Mark Warner share a laugh during an impromptu morning meeting in the governor’s office in Richmond on Thursday. The meeting took place following their joint appearance at a press conference announcing “My Digital Life,” a digital literacy and responsibility  program for Virginia Public Schools.

Webb, Warner push Senate to reject efforts to balance budget on backs of federal workers

AFP

U.S. Sens. Jim Webb (D-VA) and Mark R. Warner (D-VA) are urging Majority Leader Harry Reid to “reject any proposals that call for pay freezes or other forms of compensation reduction for federal workers, or significant reductions in the federal workforce” to offset the tax extenders that need to be passed by the end of…

Warner introduces bills pushing tech start-ups

Chris Graham

U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) 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…

Webb, Warner announce $200M for economic development

Chris Graham

Sens. 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.  Both Senators have consistently supported federal funding in Congress for the program, which supports industrial…

Webb, Warner critical of administration on offshore-drilling plan

Chris Graham

A five-year oil and gas leasing plan announced today by the Obama administration omits Virginia from the plan. Virginia Sens. Jim Webb and Mark Warner responded by urging the administration to reconsider. “Oil and gas exploration within the Virginia Outer Continental Shelf – if coupled with an equitable formula for sharing revenues between the state…

Warner staff office hours in Staunton on Tuesday

Chris Graham

Any Virginia residents that need assistance with a federal agency such as the IRS, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or the Social Security Administration, or would just like to pass along a concern to Sen. Mark Warner, please feel free to come and speak with a  representative from Sen. Warner’s office on Tuesday, Oct. 11,…

Warner announces support for tourism initiative

AFP

U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) 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, co-sponsored by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), would give the U.S. State Department more tools and new incentives…