Warner: Weekly Wrap-Up: Working like a dog

Happy Friday from the Warner press office! The weather is warming up across Virginia, and Sen. Warner has kept the heat on a lot of key priorities, managing Virginia issues from IRS reform to animals’ rights, all while remaining extremely focused on Ukraine. He’s also continued to discuss some of the huge accomplishments of last week, like reforming the USPS and securing major funding for Virginia through the omnibus. On the Senate floor, he was engaged in continuing to efficiently confirm a group of highly-qualified federal judges.

Let’s spring forward into the recap:

UKRAINE UPDATES
As the global community addresses Russia’s unprompted invasion of Ukraine, Sen. Warner has remained extremely engaged on every aspect of the issue, considering the intelligence, humanitarian, and cybersecurity concerns. He’s also been very focused on being communicative with Virginians and the press, so he appeared on Meet the Press Daily to provide some updates on the situation.

Earlier in the week, Sen. Warner attended Zelenskyy’s virtual address to Congress, and was extremely moved by his words and the footage of the destruction. Before and since the address he’s been calling for more aid to Ukraine, including fighting for the $13.6 billion Congress secured in direct assistance last week through the omnibus. After participating in the address, he said,

“As President Zelenskyy noted, the U.S. has already taken unprecedented steps to rally the world to isolate Russia economically and to support Ukraine’s efforts to defend itself. We should heed President Zelenskyy’s call for additional defensive aid including anti-tank weapons and anti-aircraft missiles and for new sanctions on those responsible for supporting the Russian government’s barbaric invasion of a peaceful and sovereign neighbor.”

Yet Sen. Warner isn’t just addressing the fallout of the invasion – he’s also been a strong advocate for the United States actively working to weaken the Russian economy through sanctions to ultimately halt the brutality. That’s why (following his advocacy on the issue earlier in the month) he introduced a bill alongside Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Jon Tester, Jack Reed and others that would crack down on Russia’s ability to use cryptocurrency to evade sanctions. He said,

“In order for the sanctions levied by the United States and our allies to have the maximum impact on Vladimir Putin and his oligarch friends, we must close off avenues they might use to evade those sanctions. This legislation will crack down on foreign actors who help sanctioned Russians use digital assets like cryptocurrencies to circumvent the crippling measures we’ve put in place to punish Russia for its barbaric invasion of Ukraine.”

GOOD PAW-LICY
Sen. Warner has always tried to be an advocate for EVERY Virginian – and that includes four-legged friends in every corner of the Commonwealth! Following his consistently high ratings from the Humane Society, he launched two efforts to support animals this week.

First, he’s been monitoring the welfare of American bomb-sniffing dogs abroad. Despite being highly trained at a State Department facility in Winchester, Va., there are reports that several dogs have died from largely preventable causes due to a lack of attentive care. Sen. Warner is concerned both for the welfare of these animals and their ability to fight terrorism abroad, so last week he got a provision secured in a law that would guarantee an expedient and thorough investigation into the treatment of these dogs. He will be staying on top of this and is looking forward to the results of the full investigation. In a statement, he said,

“The Department spends millions of taxpayer dollars in order to initially train these canines, provide appropriate veterinary care, and embed mentors in partner nations, among other efforts and expenses meant to ensure the success of the program. Once abroad, these loyal canines play an invaluable role, often risking their lives in support of their security mission, working to keep important assets, their teams, and broader populations safe. For these reasons and more, it is morally wrong and unacceptable for any deployed dog to be subjected to mistreatment, malnutrition, improper care, or unsafe shelter. Congress and the American people deserve to know the steps that the Department has taken and is planning, to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not placing dogs in these conditions.”

Next, Sens. Warner and Kaine were proud to announce $1 million in federal funding to support construction of a new veterinary education building at Lincoln Memorial University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in Lee County. Besides supporting the education of future veterinarians, this money will help attract more students and spur economic growth in Ewing and throughout the region. Sen. Warner will keep fighting for furry friends across the Commonwealth and supporting thoughtful investments in their welfare and care.

REPPING REP. BOUCHER
This week Sens. Warner and Kaine introduced legislation to dedicate the Blue Ridge Music Center Amphitheater located in Galax, VA after former Representative Rick Boucher.

The Blue Ridge Music Center Amphitheater

Highlighting the historical significance of Southwest Virginia’s music and culture, the Blue Ridge Music Center is home to a visitors’ center, indoor interpretive center, and museum in addition to the outdoor amphitheater that serves as a venue for concerts throughout the spring, summer, and fall.

Former Rep. Boucher, an Abingdon native who spent 28 years serving the ninth district of Virginia in the House of Representatives, was one of the early champions of this project and played a key role in getting the center built.

Here’s what the senators said about this dedication:

“Congressman Boucher is a pillar of Southwest Virginia. We can think of no better way to honor his years of public service than by naming this amphitheater, which celebrates the culture and tradition of Southwest Virginia, after him.”

GRAB BAG

TAX SEASON: Sen. Warner continued his tireless advocacy on reforming the IRS this week alongside a bipartisan, bicameral group of colleagues. This follows months of sustained efforts to improve the IRS so Virginians can get their tax returns more quickly.

LET’S TALK ABOUT VETS: Following a report from the Dept. of Veteran Affairs on efforts to reform and modernize the VA, Sen. Warner reaffirmed his commitment to soliciting feedback directly from Virginia veterans so he can best support health care reform for them.

ALZHEIMER’S RESEARCH: Sen. Warner applauded an increase in federal funding for Alzheimer’s research in the omnibus last week. On social media, he discussed his mother’s battle with the disease.

INVESTIGATING DISCRIMINATION: Sen. Warner joined with Banking Committee members this week to request an investigation into Wells Fargo after allegations emerged that they were allowing many fewer Black and Latino homeowners to refinance their mortgages during record-low interest rates.

THE WEEK AHEAD
Next week, the Senate will be in session and Sen. Warner expects to continue votes on judicial nominations. The Senate Judiciary Committee will also begin a hearing on Pres. Biden’s SCOTUS nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson, which Sen. Warner will vote on with the full Senate in a few weeks. He will be hosting a remote media availability and will end the week with open press events around Richmond and Newport News, so stay tuned for more information on those opportunities!