Legislative Update
Here’s your Warner Weekly Wrap-up
Our hearts go out to the victims of the tragic terrorist attack in New Zealand today. Sen. Warner expressed his condolences and solidarity for the victims this morning, saying:
My heart breaks for the victims of the terrorist attack in New Zealand. Let’s keep the Muslim community in our prayers and stand against the hateful ideology that is behind these attacks on places of worship.
Here’s your Warner Weekly Wrap-up:
This week, Sen. Warner continued his fight for improvements to conditions in military housing. On Monday, Sen Warner held a housing roundtable with military families in Newport News. On Thursday, Sens. Warner and Kaine traveled to Fort Belvoir in Fairfax County with Secretary of the Army Mark Esper. While on base, the Senators visited military family homes and listened to servicemembers and their families at a roundtable discussion.
For months, Sen. Warner has been sounding the alarm on substandard housing conditions in military housing units run by private contractors — following pervasive allegations of health hazards – including lead poisoning, cockroaches, mice, mold blooms and water leaks.
Last week, Sens. Warner and Kaine introduced the Ensuring Safe Housing for our Military Act, which would create stronger oversight mechanisms, allow the military to withhold payments to contractors until issues are resolved, and prohibit contractors from charging certain fees. It would also require the military to withhold incentive fees to poorly performing contractors.
Provisions of the bill include:
• Basic allowance for housing: The installation commander shall withhold payment of a service member’s housing allowance until a military housing official has inspected an environmental, safety or health hazard, verified that appropriate remediation has taken place, and the service member concurs that the remediation is satisfactory. In the case that the hazard requires the service member to leave the housing unit, the housing company will pay all relocation costs.
• Housing costs: Ensures service members don’t have to pay a deposit, and any fee or penalty related to ending a lease early, except for normal wear and tear. The bill also requires contractors to reimburse service members for damage to their private property caused by a hazard.
• Withholding incentive fees: Requires the Secretary of Defense to withhold incentive fees to any contractor who persistently fails to remedy hazards.
• Common credentials: Creates standard credentials for health, safety and environmental inspectors across services, and including contractors, to ensure consistent inspection practices.
• Additional transparency for service members: Requires the Defense Department to establish an electronic system so that service members can track and oversee their work orders.
Sens. Warner and Kaine have been outspoken advocates for service members and their families, pressing the Defense Department to address the health and safety hazards on military bases across Virginia. In August, Sens. Warner and Kaine asked the Army for a plan to address the dangerous conditions found on its bases, including Fort Belvoir in Virginia. In February, Sen. Warner met with Secretary of the Army Mark Esper, pressing for steps the Department plans to take to resolve serious health hazards in military housing.
In February, the Senators wrote to the Secretaries of the U.S. Navy, Air Force, and Army, urging each branch to make improving military housing conditions a priority and requesting more information on the existing contracts with several private companies that manage thousands of family housing units at military bases across Virginia. In November, Sen. Warner also wrote to then-Secretary of Defense James Mattis addressing what the Senator termed “unacceptable conditions” in the homes, and demanded a briefing from the Defense Department on the situation as well as a plan from the Defense Department to ensure the safety of military families residing in private housing moving forward.
This week, Sen. Warner announced stunning new numbers highlighting the crumbling state of national parks in Virginia. He continued to emphasize the need to pass the Restore Our Parks Act – bipartisan legislation endorsed by the Trump Administration – to address the maintenance backlog at national parks across the country.
These numbers from the National Park Service (NPS) show that despite completing more than $671 million in needed repair work in the 2018 fiscal year, the national backlog of deferred maintenance needs grew by more than $313 million last year, bringing the total cost of overdue maintenance needs at NPS sites across the country to $11.9 billion. In Virginia alone, the backlog grew by $100 million last year, leading to a $1.1 billion shortfall for Commonwealth’s park sites.
One of the major increases came from deferred maintenance to the Blue Ridge Parkway. This week, Sen. Warner met with Parkway superintendent J.D. Lee at Warner’s office in Washington, D.C. In the meeting, Warner and Lee discussed the fact that deferred maintenance on the Blue Ridge Parkway increased by more than $46 million in 2018, bringing the total for the parkway to $508,077,342, including $212,702,891 in Virginia alone. Sen. Warner also reiterated the need to pass the Restore Our Parks Act.
The Restore Our Parks Act has widespread support among legislators and conservation groups. It would reduce the maintenance backlog by establishing the “National Park Service Legacy Restoration Fund” and allocating existing revenues from onshore and offshore energy development. This funding would come from 50 percent of all revenues that are not otherwise allocated and deposited into the General Treasury, not exceeding $1.3 billion each year for the next five years.
Sen. Warner reintroduced the Restore Our Parks Act in February along with Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH), Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Angus King (I-ME). A similar bill was introduced in the House by Reps. Rob Bishop (R-UT) and Derek Kilmer (D-WA), and has the backing of more than 120 cosponsors.
VA National Park Deferred Maintenance as of 2018 is available here. The chart below reflects VA data for FY17 and FY18.
|
National Park: |
FY17 Deferred Maintenance |
FY18 Deferred Maintenance |
Change |
| Appomattox Court House National Historical Park | $1,998,224 | $3,263,249 | $1,265,025 |
| Assateague Island NS | $2,774,577 | $2,545,865 | – $228,712 |
| Blue Ridge Parkway | $186,619,608 | $212,702,891 | $26,083,283 |
| Booker T Washington National Monument | $1,370,913 | $1,418,420 | $47,507 |
| Cedar Creek and Belle Grove NHP | $327,072 | $823,242 | $496,170 |
| Colonial National Historical Park | $421,872,932 | $433,899,266 | $12,026,334 |
| Cumberland Gap National Historical Park | $1,848,864 | $1,805,537 | – $43,327 |
| Fort Monroe National Monument | $2,280,548 | $2,495,127 | $214,579 |
| Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania Battlefields Mem NMP | $10,371,731 | $12,688,403 | $2,316,672 |
| George Washington Birthplace National Monument | $1,306,614 | $1,648,576 | $341,962 |
| George Washington Memorial Parkway | $233,441,316 | $293,494,667 | $60,053,351 |
| Harpers Ferry National Historical Park | $64,760 | $498,101 | $433,341 |
| Maggie L Walker National Historic Site | $531,648 | $702,422 | $170,774 |
| Manassas National Battlefield Park | $6,516,560 | $8,186,965 | $1,670,405 |
| Petersburg National Battlefield | $11,754,041 | $8,924,807 | – $2,829,234 |
| Prince William Forest Park | $18,619,932 | $24,148,020 | $5,528,088 |
| Richmond National Battlefield Park | $6,581,205 | $5,261,371 | – $1,319,834 |
| Shenandoah National Park | $79,208,621 | $88,765,195 | $9,556,574 |
| Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts | $31,149,289 | $34,175,868 | $3,026,579 |
| Total | $1,018,629,457 | $1,137,447,992 | $118,818,535 |
Some highlights from Sen. Warner’s busy week:
• GALLING: On Monday, Sen. Warner responded to the President’s budget proposal and highlighted the draconian cuts to critical programs like medical research, education, environmental protection, transportation, and health care, as well is its provisions that single out federal workers.
• SCAMMERS: This week, Sen. Warner and Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) introduced the Securities Fraud Enforcement and Investor Compensation Act, bipartisan legislation that would give the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) power to seek restitution for Main Street investors harmed by securities fraud.
• CLEARANCE: Along with Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Sen. Warner introduced bipartisan legislation to protect the integrity of the security clearance process and ensure that it cannot be abused for political purposes.
• IT’S POLITICAL: Sen. Warner took Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Kathy Kraninger to task for her efforts to gut consumer protection rules concerning payday loans.
• FOOD DESERTS: This week, Sen. Warner reintroduced bipartisan legislation to increase access to grocery stores in areas designated as “food deserts.”
• INTERNET OF THINGS: Sen. Warner reintroduced the Internet of Things (IoT) Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2019, which would require that devices purchased by the U.S. government meet certain minimum security requirements.
WEEK AHEAD
The Senate adjourned yesterday for its March recess and will return on Monday, March 25th.
Legislative Update
Virginia Airports to Receive Over $17.2 Million for Vital Upgrades
Investments Aim to Bolster Safety, Infrastructure, and Economic Potential.
Virginia’s skies are about to become safer and more efficient. Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine disclosed a significant grant of $17,259,239 aimed at enhancing several airports across the state.
This hearty financial injection comes courtesy of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s 2023 Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Grant Program. An initiative of the U.S. Department of Transportation, the AIP focuses on the crucial infrastructural elements of our airports. These range from primary aspects like runways and taxiways to the details of lighting, signage, and markings that ensure efficient and safe airport operations.
The latest allocation is a continuation of the ongoing support, with Virginia’s regional airports having benefited from an impressive $56,828,185 through the AIP just this year.
Speaking about this financial boost, the senators jointly expressed, “Our regional airports are pivotal for economic growth in our communities. We’re excited that these funds will enhance safety and reliability by upgrading infrastructure at various airports across the Commonwealth.”
Here’s a breakdown of the allocation:
- Winchester Regional Airport receives $4,875,000 to refresh its apron.
- Leesburg Executive Airport gets $4,018,500 for its apron rehabilitation, a project Senator Kaine highlighted in a recent visit.
- Danville Regional Airport is set to use $3,401,884 to revamp its apron.
- Manassas Regional Airport obtains $3,348,877 for taxiway reconstruction.
- Accomack County Airport in Melfa will use $951,500 to build a taxiway and manage obstructions in its airspace.
- Lee County Airport in Jonesville receives $600,748, focusing on navigation aids and runway upgrades.
- Finally, Mountain Empire Airport in Smyth County gets $62,730 for equipment housing repairs related to airfield lighting systems.
In addition to their most recent announcement, both Warner and Kaine have a history of staunchly backing Virginia’s airports. Just earlier this year, the senators heralded grants totaling over $50 million combined, aimed at amplifying airport safety and capacity. Kaine’s endeavors seek to remedy aviation workforce gaps, laying a roadmap for the education and nurturing of pilots, aviation maintenance staff, and aerospace manufacturing professionals.
In the grand tapestry of modern infrastructure, airports serve as pivotal nodes connecting communities and spurring economic growth. With this latest financial commitment, Virginia’s future in the aviation domain seems to be on an assured upward trajectory.
Legislative Update
Sixth District Perspectives with Congressman Ben Cline – September 2, 2023
House Republicans have hit the ground running during the District Work Period, highlighting how the new House Republican Majority continues to deliver on our Commitment to America. We ensured our Veterans, our service members, and their families have the resources they deserve. Combatting illegal immigration and restoring America’s sovereignty is a central pillar of our Commitment, and the passage of the Secure the Border Act fulfills that promise. We’ve also held the Biden Administration and federal agencies, like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), accountable to the American people and brought transparency back to how our country is governed. As your Representative, I’ll fight for your values and interests in Washington as Congress returns this fall and help protect the safety, security, and freedom for the people of the Sixth District.
Keeping Our Promise to Our Nation’s Veterans
Congress has a duty to fund the core functions of the federal government responsibly, providing for important programs that help take care of those who have taken care of us. At the top of the list are our Veterans, our service members, and their families. Our Nation’s heroes have sacrificed to give us the cherished freedoms that we have today, and we made a promise to ensure they have the support and resources they deserve.
House Republicans delivered on that promise recently by passing the Fiscal Year 2024 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act — funding that is so important to those who selflessly serve to defend our freedom and protect our homeland. Rest assured, our Nation’s heroes will always have the unwavering support of their Representative in the Sixth District of Virginia. Read more in my op-ed in the Roanoke Times here.
Biden’s Border Crisis Rages On
President Biden and the Far Left’s open border policies have created the worst border crisis on record. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data, there were 183,503 illegal border crossings in July, a 27% increase from June. Even more troubling, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has now admitted that 40% of illegal migrants caught and released into our communities have disappeared, with no way to track them.
A secure Nation requires a secure border, which is why earlier this year, House Republicans passed the Secure The Border Act – the strongest border security legislation that Congress has ever considered. While President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas have no plans to get this chaos under control or take any responsibility, we’re fighting to stop it.
Demanding Answers on CCP-Linked Money Going to NIH Employees
It’s no secret that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) remains one of the biggest threats to our country and will do whatever it takes to gain an advantage in its quest for world domination. According to a recent report, National Institutes of Health (NIH) employees – including Dr. Anthony Fauci – took $325 million in payments from companies directly linked to the CCP, posing a risk to our national security.
The American people deserve to know that their public health officials follow the science and make decisions based purely on objective information, not personal financial motives, which is why I joined my colleagues in demanding answers from the NIH on this concerning report. House Republicans will continue working to hold the Big Bureaucracy accountable and ensure our national security is protected from those who wish us harm. Read our letter here.
National Aviation Week
120 years ago, Orville and Wilbur Wright took their first flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Decades later, in commemoration of National Aviation Week, we celebrate the many aviation trailblazers who paved the way and innovative businesses shaping today’s industry, such as Dynamic Aviation in the Sixth District, which have helped our Nation be the leader in aviation that it is today.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your Congressman. If my office can ever be of assistance, please contact my Washington office at (202) 225-5431.
For the latest updates from Washington and across the Sixth District, please follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for the latest updates.
Legislative Update
Congressman Cline Announces Mobile Office Hours in Front Royal
A Direct Link Between Constituents and their Representative.
In a bid to foster open communication and transparency, Congressman Ben Cline has announced the next Mobile Office Hours.in Warren County. This program emphasizes the congressman’s commitment to ensuring his constituents have direct access to their elected representative’s office.
At the heart of democracy is the dialogue between elected officials and the people they represent. Recognizing this pivotal connection, Congressman Cline’s office has been organizing Mobile Office Hours throughout his district. These events aim to provide a platform for constituents to directly communicate their concerns, particularly when dealing with federal agencies.
Navigating the labyrinth of federal bureaucracies like the Social Security Administration, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, or the Internal Revenue Service can be daunting. Oftentimes, individuals find themselves entangled in red tape, struggling to get their concerns heard. With the Mobile Office Hours initiative, constituents can bypass these hurdles, as they will be given the opportunity to discuss their issues with a knowledgeable member of Congressman Cline’s staff.
The upcoming session in Front Royal promises to be an essential event for those seeking guidance or assistance. Details of the event are as follows:
- Date: September 12th, 2023
- Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Venue: Samuels Public Library, specifically in the Baxter-Bowling Conference Room
- Address: 330 East Criser Road, Front Royal, VA 22630
Given the direct impact such sessions can have on resolving issues related to federal agencies, a strong turnout is anticipated. These office hours underline the essence of public service and representative democracy, making sure the voices of the district’s constituents are not just heard but also acted upon.
The cornerstone of effective representation lies in understanding the concerns of one’s constituents. Through Mobile Office Hours, Congressman Ben Cline exemplifies his dedication to bridging the gap between his office and the people he serves. By bringing his office directly to the constituents, he reaffirms his commitment to open dialogue and transparent governance. Residents of Front Royal and the surrounding areas are encouraged to leverage this opportunity to address any challenges they might be facing with federal agencies.
Legislative Update
Warner Calls on AI Companies to Ramp Up Safety & Security Measures
Letters raise the urgent need for companies to expand and deepen their commitments to safeguard against misuse.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, today urged several artificial intelligence (AI) companies to take additional action to promote safety and prevent malicious misuse of their products. In a series of letters, Sen. Warner applauded certain companies for publicly joining voluntary commitments proposed by the Biden administration but encouraged them to broaden their efforts and called on companies that have not taken this public step to commit to making their products more secure.
As AI is rolled out more broadly, researchers have repeatedly demonstrated a number of concerning, exploitable weaknesses in prominent products, including abilities to generate credible-seeming misinformation, develop malware, and craft sophisticated phishing techniques. In July, the Biden administration announced that several AI companies had agreed to a series of voluntary commitments that would promote greater security and transparency. However, the commitments were not fully comprehensive in scope or in participation, with many companies not publicly participating and several exploitable aspects of the technology left untouched by the commitments.
In a series of letters sent today, Sen. Warner pushed directly on companies that did not participate, including Apple, Midjourney, Mistral AI, Databricks, Scale AI, and Stability AI, requesting a response detailing the steps they plan to take to increase the security of their products and prioritize transparency. Sen. Warner additionally sent letters to companies that were involved in the Biden administration’s commitments, including Amazon, Anthropic, Google, Inflection AI, Meta, Microsoft, and OpenAI, asking that they extend commitments to less capable models and also develop consumer-facing commitments – such as development and monitoring practices – to prevent the most serious forms of misuse.
“While representing an important improvement upon the status quo, the voluntary commitments announced in July can be bolstered in key ways through additional commitments,” Sen. Warner wrote.
Sen. Warner also called specific attention to the urgent need for all AI companies to make additional commitments to safeguard against a few highly sensitive potential misuses, including non-consensual intimate image generation (including child sexual abuse material), social-scoring, real-time facial recognition, and proliferation activity in the context of malicious cyber activity or the production of biological or chemical agents.
The letters follow up on Sen. Warner’s previous efforts to engage directly with AI companies to push for responsible development and deployment. In April, Sen. Warner directly called on AI CEOs to develop practices that would ensure that their products and systems are secure. In July, he also pushed on the Biden administration to keep working with AI companies to expand the scope of the voluntary commitments.
Additionally, Sen. Warner wrote to Google last week to raise concerns about their testing of new AI technology in real medical settings. Separately, he urged the CEOs of several AI companies to address a concerning report that generative chatbots were producing instructions on how to exacerbate an eating disorder. Additionally, he has introduced several pieces of legislation aimed at making tech safer and more humane, including the RESTRICT Act, which would comprehensively address the ongoing threat posed by technology from foreign adversaries; the SAFE TECH Act, which would reform Section 230 and allow social media companies to be held accountable for enabling cyber-stalking, online harassment, and discrimination on social media platforms; and the Honest Ads Act, which would require online political advertisements to adhere to the same disclaimer requirements as TV, radio, and print ads.
Copies of each of the letters can be found here.
Legislative Update
Sixth District Perspectives with Congressman Ben Cline – August 8, 2023
It was great to be back home in the Sixth District and hear directly from folks up and down the Valley about the issues most important to them and their families. Unfortunately, this week we received another reminder that “Bidenomics” is crushing our economy, and the American people are paying the price. On a brighter note, we celebrated the 233rd birthday of the U.S. Coast Guard and hosted “Coffee With Your Congressman” town hall events in Rockingham County and Rockbridge County. We also spoke with and thanked law enforcement officers in our community during National Night Out, and I congratulated the new graduates of the Roanoke Police Academy and Roanoke County Criminal Justice Academy. As I continue my travels across the community during the District Work Period, I look forward to meeting with more constituents and businesses across the Valley.
Celebrating the Coast Guard On Their 233rd Birthday
As we celebrated the 233rd birthday of the United States Coast Guard this week, we honored, cherished, remembered, and thanked its members for their service and sacrifice. Since 1790, its members have met the challenging mission of keeping the Nation’s waterways safe and playing a critical role in national security. Semper Paratus!
Fitch Downgrades Credit Rating
This past week, the American people received another sad reminder that “Bidenomics” is not working for them. Fitch, an American credit rating agency, downgraded the United States credit rating for the first time since 1994 due to rising government deficits, significant increases to our federal debt, and higher interest rates. The worst part? Fitch also projected a Q4 recession.
The Biden Administration and the Democrats’ reckless government spending has contributed to this financial crisis, and the American people are suffering as credit card bills and mortgage rates skyrocket. That’s why House Republicans are continuing to fight to rein in spending and restore fiscal responsibility in Washington to get our economy back on track so hardworking families can thrive.
Watch my interview on Fox Business discussing the downgrading of the credit rating.
The Long Blue Line Continues
I was honored to congratulate the graduates of the 85th Roanoke Police Academy and the 66th Roanoke County Criminal Justice Academy. Thank you to all of the young men and women wearing the badge for courageously answering the call and undertaking this most strenuous but utterly essential job of enforcing our laws and serving on the front lines of justice.
Coffee With Your Congressman
One of the best ways to stay in tune with Sixth District Residents is to hear directly from them on issues of concern or matters regarding the federal government. This week I held “Coffee With Your Congressman” events in Rockbridge and Rockingham Counties. I found attendees questions to be insightful and valuable to my work as their representative in Washington. Stay tuned for the next event coming to an area near you!
It was a pleasure to catch up with folks at my Rockingham County “Coffee With Your Congressman” town hall this week at Town & Country Restaurant.
Great crowd at my Rockbridge County “Coffee With Your Congressman” town hall this week at The Pink Cadillac.
National Night Out
It was great to join folks in Bridgewater at one of the many events across the Sixth District for the National Night Out. We salute all our friends who serve in law enforcement, in public safety, and as first responders for all, they do to keep our communities safe.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your Congressman. If my office can ever be of assistance, please contact my Washington office at (202) 225-5431.
For the latest updates from Washington and across the Sixth District, please follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for the latest updates.
Legislative Update
Senators Push FCC to Enforce Robocall Regulations
Warner and Colleagues Rally Behind Stronger Measures Against Spam Calls
In a unanimous bid against the widespread menace of robocalls, U.S. Senator Mark Warner, backed by a number of senators, is urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to enforce its existing regulations on telemarketing calls. This comes as a renewed effort to safeguard citizens from a barrage of unwanted spam calls that have plagued phone lines across the nation.
Warner, in conjunction with Senators Ben Ray Luján, Edward Markey, and several other influential figures, has penned a letter to Chairwoman Rosenworcel of the FCC. Their central request is for the FCC to issue guidance, mirroring the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) recent Business Guidance, to reiterate its long-standing requirements against such unsolicited telemarketing calls. The proposed guidance aims to clarify the path for telemarketers and sellers to abide by these mandates.
“While new regulations might be a point of consideration, the FCC’s present regulations already address many of the activities leading to the surge of these bothersome calls,” the senators collectively voiced. They highlighted past regulations from 2003 and 2012, both of which explicitly define the protections Congress envisioned to curb unwanted telemarketing intrusions.
Senator Warner, leveraging his background as a cell phone entrepreneur, has been a formidable advocate against robocalls for years. His sponsorship of the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act provided regulators, including the FCC, enhanced authority and resources to target scammers, levy penalties, and mandated service providers to adopt measures for call authentication and blocking. This act was given the green light by Former President Trump in 2019, marking a significant stride in the anti-robocall campaign.
Joining the robust group of senators advocating for this cause are names like Chris Van Hollen, Elizabeth Warren, Richard Durbin, and Amy Klobuchar, to mention a few. Endorsing their stance is a commendable list of consumer and privacy organizations, ranging from the Consumer Federation of America and Electronic Privacy Information Center to U.S. PIRG.
This collective effort from legislators and consumer protection entities illuminates the urgency to curb the robocall menace. With such a unified stand, there’s hope for phone lines to be less burdened by these incessant and unwarranted interruptions.
The full text of the letter is available here.
Thank You to our Local Business Participants:
