Virginia

State Senators:

Tim Kaine (D)

Term Start: January 3, 2013

Full Name: Timothy Michael Kaine
Date of Birth: February 26, 1958
Birthplace: St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S.

Early Life and Education: Tim Kaine was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, and grew up in the Kansas City area. He attended Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Missouri. Kaine earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Missouri in 1979. He then attended Harvard Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor in 1983. During his time at Harvard, Kaine took a year off to work as a missionary in Honduras, where he became fluent in Spanish and developed a strong commitment to social justice and public service.

Personal Life: Tim Kaine is married to Anne Holton, a former Virginia Secretary of Education and daughter of former Virginia Governor Linwood Holton. They have three children and reside in Richmond, Virginia. Known for his commitment to public service and his pragmatic approach to governance, Kaine continues to work towards policies that promote justice, equality, and opportunity for all Americans.

Early Career: After completing his education, Kaine practiced law in Richmond, Virginia, specializing in fair housing law. He worked with the nonprofit law firm Central Virginia Legal Aid Society and later co-founded the law firm Mezzullo & McCandlish. Kaine also taught legal ethics as an adjunct professor at the University of Richmond School of Law.

Political Career:

Richmond City Council and Mayor: Kaine began his political career on the Richmond City Council, serving from 1994 to 1998. He was elected Mayor of Richmond in 1998 and served until 2001. As mayor, Kaine focused on improving education, reducing crime, and revitalizing the city’s economy.
Lieutenant Governor of Virginia: Elected in 2001, Kaine served as the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia from 2002 to 2006. He worked on issues such as economic development, education, and healthcare.
Governor of Virginia: Elected in 2005, Kaine served as the Governor of Virginia from 2006 to 2010. His tenure focused on education reform, infrastructure development, and healthcare access. Kaine was noted for his efforts to expand pre-kindergarten education and improve the state’s transportation system.
U.S. Senate: In 2012, Kaine was elected to the U.S. Senate, succeeding retiring Senator Jim Webb. He took office on January 3, 2013, and has been re-elected since. As a senator, Kaine has focused on issues such as healthcare, education, national security, and economic development. In 2016, he was selected as the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, running alongside Hillary Clinton.

Committee Assignments:

Committee on Armed Services
Committee on Foreign Relations
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Committee on the Budget

Legislative Achievements:

National Security: Kaine is a strong advocate for national security and military readiness. He has worked on legislation to support the military and veterans, including efforts to improve healthcare and education for service members and their families.
Healthcare: Kaine supports expanding access to healthcare and reducing costs. He is a proponent of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and has worked on measures to protect and expand it. He also advocates for policies to address the opioid crisis and improve mental health services.
Education: Kaine focuses on improving education at all levels. He has introduced and supported legislation to expand access to early childhood education, improve K-12 education, and make higher education more affordable.
Economic Development: Kaine supports policies that promote economic growth and job creation. He advocates for infrastructure development, including transportation and broadband access, to support economic development in both urban and rural areas.
Civil Rights: Kaine is a strong advocate for civil rights and social justice. He supports legislation to promote equality and combat discrimination, including measures to protect voting rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and women’s rights.

Senator Kaine is known for his dedication to national security, healthcare access, education, economic development, and civil rights. His background in law and public service, along with his extensive experience as Mayor, Lieutenant Governor, Governor, and U.S. Senator, shape his legislative priorities. He continues to advocate for policies that benefit Virginians and the nation.

Committees

Armed Services: Oversees military operations, defense policies, and the Department of Defense, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Foreign Relations: Committee plays a crucial role in shaping U.S. foreign policy, providing a check on the executive branch’s conduct of international relations, and ensuring that America’s global engagements reflect the values and interests of its citizens.

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP): Committee addresses issues related to health care, education, employment, and retirement policies.

Budget: Committee plays a central role in shaping the nation’s fiscal policy, ensuring that government spending and revenue collection are managed responsibly and align with economic priorities.

Voting patterns

Senator Kaine has a voting record that reflects his commitment to national security, healthcare access, education, economic development, and civil rights.

Key Voting Patterns:

National Security:

Defense Spending: Kaine supports robust defense spending and has consistently voted for the “National Defense Authorization Act” to ensure military readiness and support for service members and their families.
Military and Veterans’ Support: Kaine advocates for improved healthcare, education, and job opportunities for veterans and active-duty military personnel. He supports legislation that enhances veterans’ benefits and services.

Healthcare:

Affordable Care Act (ACA): Kaine is a strong proponent of the ACA and has consistently voted to protect and expand it. He supports measures to lower prescription drug costs, expand Medicaid, and improve access to mental health services.
Opioid Crisis: Kaine has supported legislation aimed at addressing the opioid crisis, including measures to increase funding for treatment and prevention programs and to improve access to addiction services.

Education:

Early Childhood Education: Kaine advocates for expanding access to early childhood education and has introduced and supported legislation to improve funding and quality of pre-K programs.
K-12 and Higher Education: Kaine supports increased funding for public education, higher teacher salaries, and measures to make higher education more affordable. He has voted for legislation to reduce student loan debt and increase access to financial aid.

Economic Development:

Infrastructure: Kaine supports significant investments in infrastructure, including transportation, broadband, and public utilities. He has voted for legislation to modernize the nation’s infrastructure and promote economic development in both urban and rural areas.
Job Creation: Kaine advocates for policies that promote job creation and economic growth, including support for small businesses and measures to boost the manufacturing sector.

Civil Rights:

Voting Rights: Kaine is a strong advocate for protecting and expanding voting rights. He supports legislation like the “For the People Act” to enhance voting rights, address campaign finance reform, and reduce corruption in politics.
LGBTQ+ Rights: Kaine supports LGBTQ+ rights and has voted for the “Equality Act” to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Women’s Rights: Kaine is a proponent of women’s rights and has supported legislation to protect reproductive rights, promote gender equality, and combat gender-based violence.

Social Issues:

- Gun Control: Kaine supports measures to address gun violence, including universal background checks, banning assault weapons, and closing the gun show loophole. He has voted for legislation aimed at reducing gun violence and improving public safety.
- Criminal Justice Reform: Kaine supports criminal justice reform and has voted for measures aimed at reducing mass incarceration, addressing racial disparities in the justice system, and promoting rehabilitation and reentry programs.

Senator Kaine’s voting record reflects his commitment to progressive principles, emphasizing economic fairness, comprehensive healthcare access, strong national defense, robust environmental protections, and the advancement of social justice and civil rights. He advocates for policies that aim to reduce income inequality, promote renewable energy, and protect the rights of all individuals.

Full Name: Mark Robert Warner
Date of Birth: December 15, 1954
Birthplace: Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.

Early Life and Education: Mark Warner was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, and raised in a middle-class family. He attended Rockville High School in Rockville, Connecticut. Warner earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from George Washington University in 1977, where he was the first in his family to graduate from college. He then went on to receive a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School in 1980.

Personal Life: Mark Warner is married to Lisa Collis, and they have three daughters. The family resides in Alexandria, Virginia. Known for his dedication to public service and his pragmatic approach to governance, Warner continues to work towards policies that promote economic prosperity, security, and opportunity for all Americans.

Early Career: After completing his education, Warner initially worked in law and briefly as a staff member for Senator Christopher Dodd. However, his interest soon shifted to the technology sector, where he became an early investor in cellular telecommunications. Warner co-founded the company Columbia Capital, which invested in a number of technology startups and played a key role in the development of the wireless communications industry. His business ventures made him a successful entrepreneur and a significant figure in the telecommunications field.

Mark Warner (D)

Term Start: January 3, 2009

Political Career:

Governor of Virginia: Elected in 2001, Warner served as the Governor of Virginia from 2002 to 2006. His tenure focused on fiscal responsibility, economic development, and education reform. He is credited with turning a budget deficit into a surplus and investing in Virginia’s education system. His bipartisan approach and effective governance earned him high approval ratings during his tenure.
U.S. Senate: In 2008, Warner was elected to the U.S. Senate, succeeding retiring Senator John Warner (no relation). He took office on January 3, 2009, and has been re-elected since. As a senator, Warner has focused on issues such as technology, cybersecurity, healthcare, and fiscal responsibility. He is known for his pragmatic approach and ability to work across party lines.

Committee Assignments:

Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Committee on Finance
Committee on Rules and Administration
Committee on the Budget
Joint Committee on the Library
Select Committee on Intelligence (Chairman)

Legislative Achievements:

Technology and Innovation: Warner, with his background in technology and telecommunications, has been a leading voice on issues related to technology, cybersecurity, and innovation. He has introduced and supported legislation to protect digital infrastructure and promote technological advancements.
Healthcare: Warner supports expanding access to healthcare and reducing costs. He is a proponent of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and has worked on measures to protect and expand it. He also advocates for policies to lower prescription drug prices and improve mental health services.
Economic Policies: Warner focuses on economic growth and job creation. He supports policies that encourage innovation, infrastructure development, and fiscal responsibility. He has worked on bipartisan efforts to reform the tax system and reduce the national debt.
National Security: As Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Warner is heavily involved in national security issues. He supports robust defense spending, cybersecurity measures, and efforts to counter foreign interference in U.S. elections.
Education: Warner advocates for policies that improve education at all levels. He supports measures to make higher education more affordable and accessible, including efforts to reduce student loan debt and increase funding for vocational and technical training.

Senator Warner is known for his dedication to technology and innovation, healthcare access, economic growth, national security, and education. His background in business and public service, along with his extensive experience as Governor of Virginia and U.S. Senator, shape his legislative priorities. He continues to advocate for policies that benefit Virginians and the nation.

Committees

Banking, Housing, and Urban Development: Committee ensures that the banking system is safe, housing is accessible, urban areas are well-developed, and consumers are protected in financial matters.

Finance: Committee plays a crucial role in shaping the economic direction of a country or region by influencing fiscal and monetary policies that impact individuals, businesses, and governments.

Rules and Administration: Committee ensures that the Senate functions smoothly and efficiently by overseeing its rules, administration, elections, and public access.

Joint Committee on the Library: Committee oversees various functions and operations related to the Library of Congress, the principal research arm of the legislative branch.

Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance between national security needs and the protection of civil liberties by ensuring that intelligence operations are conducted lawfully and effectively.

Voting patterns

Senator Warner has a voting record that reflects his commitment to technology and innovation, healthcare access, economic growth, national security, and education.

Key Voting Patterns:

Technology and Innovation:

Cybersecurity: Warner has been a strong advocate for improving the nation’s cybersecurity infrastructure. He has supported legislation to protect critical digital infrastructure and enhance the government’s ability to respond to cyber threats.
Innovation: Warner supports policies that promote technological innovation and has introduced legislation to encourage research and development in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and 5G.

Healthcare:

Affordable Care Act (ACA): Warner is a proponent of the ACA and has consistently voted to protect and expand it. He supports measures to lower prescription drug costs, expand Medicaid, and improve access to mental health services.
Healthcare Access: Warner advocates for expanding access to healthcare and reducing costs. He supports exploring options for a public healthcare plan to provide more affordable coverage options for Americans.

Economic Growth:

Tax Reform: Warner has worked on bipartisan efforts to reform the tax system, aiming to simplify the tax code and make it fairer. He supports measures that ensure corporations and wealthy individuals pay their fair share of taxes.
Infrastructure Investment: Warner supports significant investments in infrastructure to promote economic growth. He has voted for legislation to modernize the nation’s infrastructure, including transportation, broadband, and public utilities.

National Security:

Defense Spending: As a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Warner supports robust defense spending to ensure military readiness and enhance national security. He has voted for the “National Defense Authorization Act” to support defense initiatives.
Election Security: Warner has been a leading voice on the need to protect U.S. elections from foreign interference. He supports measures to enhance the security of voting systems and improve transparency in campaign finance.

Education:

Higher Education: Warner supports making higher education more affordable and accessible. He has introduced and supported legislation to reduce student loan debt, increase funding for vocational and technical training, and expand access to financial aid.
K-12 Education: Warner advocates for increased funding for public education, higher teacher salaries, and measures to improve the quality of education for all students.

Social Issues:

Civil Rights: Warner is a strong advocate for civil rights and social justice. He supports legislation to promote equality and combat discrimination, including measures to protect voting rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and women’s rights.
Gun Control: Warner supports measures to address gun violence, including universal background checks, banning assault weapons, and closing the gun show loophole. He has voted for legislation aimed at reducing gun violence and improving public safety.

Senator Warner’s voting record reflects his commitment to pragmatic and progressive principles, emphasizing economic growth, comprehensive healthcare access, strong national security, robust environmental protections, and the advancement of social justice and civil rights. He advocates for policies that aim to balance economic prosperity with fiscal responsibility, promote innovation, and protect the rights of all individuals.