Press Releases

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) joined U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation, Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and Ed Markey (D-MA) in introducing the Safe Operation of Shared Airspace Act of 2025 to strengthen aviation safety. The legislation follows Warner and Kaine’s years-long advocacy against further crowding in the capital area airspace – which will continue – and comes in direct response to the January 29, 2025 collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and a regional commercial jet operating as American Airlines flight 5342 near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) that took the lives of 67 people.

The crash exposed multiple system failures, including the Army Black Hawk not transmitting safety-enhancing ADS-B technology (radio systems that aircraft use to share their positions with each other and with air traffic control), unsafe route design for mixed traffic near DCA, and lack of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Department of Defense (DoD) coordination to prevent future incidents. The Safe Operation of Shared Airspace Act of 2025 addresses these specific failures, as well as broader long-standing FAA air traffic controller shortages, FAA internal safety management systems, and the need for important post-accident safety reviews.

“Ensuring the safety of our nation’s air travel is critical, and as we have seen with tragedies and incidents in Virginia and across the country, an urgent matter,” said Sen. Warner. “The legislation takes important steps to strengthen critical safety measures, boost job training and recruitment efforts, and ensure coordination between the Department of Defense and FAA in order to better protect the millions of Americans who travel by air daily.”

“The crash at DCA was a tragedy, and we have a responsibility to the loved ones of those we lost and the American public to make changes to ensure this never happens again,” said Sen. Kaine. “This bill includes a number of important steps, such as mandating a safety review of flight operations in the National Capital Region, improving air traffic controller hiring and training, and enhancing employee reporting and transparency. I will continue to do more to prevent another crash like this from occurring, including pushing to remove slots at DCA to address the congested airspace in the region.”

“We are grateful to Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, whose teams were the very first we met with on Capitol Hill as we began our advocacy journey. Over the past four months, they have remained consistently engaged, responsive, and supportive. Senator Warner’s and Senator Kaine’s dedication to aviation safety – both for the people of Virginia and across our national airspace – has been clear and unwavering. We thank them for joining with Senator Cantwell and putting forth this comprehensive aviation safety bill,” said the families of Flight 5342.

The Safe Operation of Shared Airspace Act of 2025 includes several of Sens. Warner and Kaine’s priorities and will:

Strengthen Aviation Safety to Protect the Flying Public by:
- Closing the ADS-B Out Military Loophole: The bill ends certain Department of Defense (DoD) and other federal agency exemptions from using Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out near DCA and other busy airports. The Army Black Hawk involved in the Jan. 29 crash was equipped with ADS-B Out, but it was not transmitting. The Army operated "100% of missions" in the National Capital Region with this critical safety technology deactivated and not transmitting, making military aircraft invisible to air traffic controllers and nearby planes.
- Expanding Use of ADS-B In to Boost Safety: Within four years of enactment, the legislation requires all mainline and regional airlines to install ADS-B In and operate with it activated unless otherwise instructed by FAA air traffic control. This technology allows pilots to see nearby aircraft on their displays, and ensures better separation from other aircraft, dramatically improving situational awareness.
- Initiating FAA Safety Review of DCA Airspace Management and Other Busy Airports to Prevent Close Calls and Tragic Crashes: The bill requires a comprehensive FAA/DoD safety review of DCA airspace to assess how helicopter, drone and military flights impact commercial operations and to better prevent future incidents. And it ensures a thorough evaluation of all non-commercial flight routes near the airport. The bill requires the same comprehensive FAA/DoD safety review of other busy U.S. airports (other Class B airports), prioritizing safety reviews of such airports with high volumes of mixed flight traffic.
- Creating Independent Expert Review Panel for Effective SMS at FAA: The legislation creates an independent expert panel to review FAA's Safety Management System and ensure it is effective and integrated across all FAA operations within 180 days. The panel will include aviation safety experts, labor representatives, and NASA officials to lend their specific expertise to ensure the review is comprehensive.
- Requiring Risk Assessments After Major Aircraft Accidents: The bill requires FAA to do a safety risk assessment – specifically a Transport Airplane Risk Assessment Methodology (TARAM) analysis - following any major, fatal airline crash, regardless of whether the crash is linked to an aircraft design or manufacturing issue.

Grow and Protect FAA Staffing Now and in the Future by:
- Expanding High-Quality Controller Training Pipeline and Boosts Hiring: The bill codifies FAA’s existing Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training (Enhanced AT-CTI) program, which boosts FAA controller training capacity and allows FAA to hire highly qualified college graduates directly into air traffic control facilities to begin as controller trainees. The graduates have to have completed FAA-certified air traffic curriculums and meet other FAA controller qualifications, which would ensure an equivalent level of education and training from qualified evaluators to that of the FAA Academy. By adding nine certified Enhanced AT-CTI schools for a target of 15 total schools, FAA will be able to hire hundreds more controller trainees each year into its controller training pipeline to boost controller staffing. The bill also extends the requirement for FAA to hire as many controllers as possible through 2033.
- Protecting FAA Workforce from Cuts and Hiring Freezes: The legislation reverses the Trump Administration’s hiring freeze and prohibits future hiring freezes on FAA’s safety workforce. It also prohibits any Executive Branch action to offer deferred resignation programs or voluntary buyouts to FAA workforce.
- Closing Medical Review Backlogs: The bill requires FAA to hire more licensed medical professionals to fully staff its Aviation Medical Examiner team, addressing persistent backlogs in medical reviews for controllers, pilots, and other safety critical aviation professionals.
- Creating New Controller Instructor Recruitment Program: The legislation requires a new FAA outreach program recruiting experienced controllers approaching retirement to become instructors at FAA’s Academy or at understaffed air traffic facilities.

Ensure Better FAA Oversight and Demand Information Sharing and Communication Between FAA and DOD
- Establishing First-Ever FAA Oversight Office for Military Aviation Coordination: The bill establishes a dedicated FAA oversight office to oversee and coordinate military aircraft and helicopter flights and carry out airspace safety reviews, ensuring stronger communication between the Department of Defense and FAA offices to prevent future incidents.
- Establishing a New Joint FAA-DoD Council on ADS-B: The bill establishes a joint FAA-Department of Defense Council to regularly review Federal government operations using ADS-B Out exemptions to ensure they meet the law.
- Improving FAA and Military Aviation Safety Information Sharing: The bill would require aviation safety data sharing between the Department of Defense and the FAA via MOUs with each military service. For example, the Army does not typically share safety information from its Aviation Safety Management Information System with FAA except through lengthy Freedom of Information Act requests.
- Preventing Conflicts of Interest at FAA: The legislation requires a Department of Transportation (DOT) rulemaking to ensure the DOT and the FAA are abiding by Federal government-wide financial conflicts of interest law and a DOT Inspector General Review of conflicts of interest at the DOT and FAA.
- Requiring GAO Investigation of DOD Exemption Abuse: The bill requires the Government Accountability Office to investigate whether the Department of Defense and other Federal agencies have been misusing ADS-B, and determine whether agencies followed the law.

Sens. Warner and Kaine have been closely involved with the in the investigation of the January 29th collision, meeting with first responders and offering condolences to the families and loved ones of the 67 lives lost immediately following the tragedy. The senators also saw through passage of a legislation to remember the victims of the crash. Sens. Warner and Kaine also requested answers from FAA on its plans to protect the flying public in the wake of the January 29 collision. In March of this year, the senators responded to the preliminary National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report on the crash. The senators have also sounded the alarm for years about the need for increased safety for the flying public, including fighting against additional flights out of DCA that contribute to overcrowding.

A copy of the legislation is available here.

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WASHINGTON – Today the Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), will join with U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), a senior member of the Committee and Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, to reintroduce bipartisan legislation to protect the integrity of the security clearance process and ensure that it cannot be abused for political purposes.

“Americans should be able to have confidence that the security clearance process is focused solely on protecting our nation’s most sensitive information,” said Sen. Warner. “This bipartisan legislation will make clear that this vital system cannot be weaponized for political retribution.”

“The security clearance system is critical to protecting our country from harm and safeguarding access to our most classified information. Americans should have the utmost confidence in the integrity of the security clearance process,” said Sen. Collins. “This bipartisan bill would make the current system fairer and more transparent by ensuring that decisions to grant, deny, or revoke clearances are based solely on codified guidelines.”

The Integrity in Security Clearance Determinations Act, which the senators first introduced in 2019, will ensure that the security clearance process is fair, objective, transparent, and accountable by requiring decisions to grant, deny, or revoke clearances to be based on published criteria. It explicitly prohibits the executive branch from revoking security clearances based on the exercise of constitutional rights, such as the right to freely express political views, or for purposes of political retaliation. It also bans agencies from using security clearances to punish whistleblowers or discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, religion, age, handicap, or national origin.

The bipartisan bill also codifies in statute the right of government employees to appeal decisions to deny or revoke a security clearance, and requires the government to publicly publish the results of such appeals – providing transparency, accountability and basic due process rights in an otherwise opaque and irregular process.

A copy of the bill text is available here.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) today responded to a new analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) revealing that 16 million Americans would lose their health insurance under the Republican tax plan. The report highlights the devastating consequences of the GOP’s attempt to gut Medicaid and refusal to extend premium tax credits that help working families afford their health care. The senators issued the following statement:

“Sixteen million people. That’s the cost of the Republican plan. This is not just a number – it represents moms, dads, kids, veterans, and retirees who will be forced to choose between rent and life-saving care. At a time when costs are already too high for too many Americans, this plan would rip coverage away from millions just to hand tax breaks to the wealthiest. It’s cruel, it’s shortsighted, and we are going to fight like hell to stop it.”

Warner and Kaine have been sounding the alarm about the effects of the GOP plan on Virginia families if Republicans in Congress continue to insist on gutting vital programs in order to pay for tax breaks for the richest Americans, noting that the GOP bill would strip health insurance from Virginians, cut SNAP benefits, raise energy costs for Virginia households, jeopardize more than 20,000 Virginia jobs, raise taxes on minimum wage workers while giving the richest 0.1% a $188,000 tax cut, make tax filing more expensive, and explode the deficit.

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) released the following statement regarding a provision in the megabill Republicans are ramming through Congress that would eliminate Direct File—a pilot program that allows Americans to file their taxes without making extra payments to tax preparation services—all so that Republicans can slash taxes for the wealthiest Americans:

“If it were up to us, we’d be debating ways to put money back in the pockets of working Virginians. But the megabill Republicans are ramming through Congress does the opposite. Not only will it raise taxes for millions of working Americans, it will cut off a new, successful service that allows people to file their taxes directly to the IRS without having to pay a middleman’s fees. We should be strengthening programs that lower costs, not eliminating them.”

In 2024 alone, Direct File helped 140,803 taxpayers nationwide claim more than $90 million in refunds and save an estimated $5.6 million in tax preparation fees. Sens. Warner and Kaine have long supported Direct File. Last year, they urged Governor Youngkin and the General Assembly to allow Virginians to use the program to file their future tax returns.

Sens. Warner and Kaine have been sounding the alarm about the effects of the GOP plan on Virginia families if Republicans in Congress continue to insist on gutting vital programs in order to pay for tax breaks for the richest Americans. The senators have noted that the GOP bill would strip health insurance from more than 262,000 Virginians, cut SNAP benefits for more than 204,000 people in Virginia, raise energy costs for Virginia households, jeopardize more than 20,000 Virginia jobs, raise the deficit by $3.8 trillion, and raise taxes on minimum-wage workers while giving the richest 0.1% a $188,000 tax cut.

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, (both D-VA) condemned the Department of Labor’s decision to shut down contractor-run Job Corps centers across the country, which will abruptly eliminate crucial job training for thousands of young Americans and cut nearly 13,000 jobs across the program’s 99 centers.

Two affected Job Corps centers in Virginia – Old Dominion and Blue Ridge – serve 163 students between them, many homeless or aging out of foster care. Job Corps students aged 16-24 receive education, vocational training, and job placement assistance through the program, and more than 80 percent of program graduates are employed within six months – which in turn leads to as much as a 20 percent reduction in unemployment in areas with a Job Corps center.

“For decades, the Job Corps program has transformed lives in Virginia and across the country by helping to equip young people with the skills and resources they need to succeed,” said Sen. Warner. “It’s deeply frustrating, and incredibly short-sighted, to see the Trump administration pause operations. We should be investing more in opportunities that lift up our young people, strengthen our workforce, and have a tremendous economic impact in the Commonwealth.”

“Job Corps is a lifeline for thousands of youths in need – many of whom are homeless, in the foster care system, or facing dire socioeconomic circumstances. For decades, the program has given them direction, taught them hard skills, and set them up for success,” said Sen. Kaine. “Of course fiscal and safety concerns with the program need to be addressed. But instead of working to further invest in the program, the Labor Department has made the shameful choice to give up on thousands of vulnerable young Americans, including 163 in Virginia.”

Warner and Kaine have vigorously opposed Donald Trump and his Administration’s efforts to roll back crucial federal programs. In January 2025, the senators excoriated the Trump Administration’s illegal order to stop all federal grants and loans, which the Administration subsequently rescinded amid massive public pressure.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, joined by U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), both members of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs, wrote to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem urging her to reestablish the Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB) after the Trump administration dismissed members earlier this year.

The CSRB, established in 2022 under President Biden, convenes cybersecurity experts from across multiple government agencies and the private sector to investigate serious cybersecurity breaches and make recommendations for businesses, government agencies, and individuals to better protect themselves. In January of this year, the board was disbanded.

The senators wrote, “The CSRB played a vital role in U.S. national security carrying out post-incident reviews and providing information and making recommendations to improve public and private sector cyber security. Therefore, we urge you to swiftly reconstitute the Board with qualified leaders to shape our nation’s cyber response.”

In their letter, the senators highlighted the key work that CSRB has done to investigate some of the most serious cyber incidents our country has faced, including Salt Typhoon, a breach believed to be perpetrated by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) that compromised U.S. and global telecommunications infrastructure.

“Against the backdrop of repeated insistence by this Administration on the need to leverage private sector and external expertise in government, the decision to dismantle this successful collaboration between the federal government and the private sector is particularly confounding,” the senators continued. “The CSRB has spearheaded crucial fact-finding efforts following cyber incidents, and developed recommendations and reports reflecting lessons learned following some of the most serious cyber incidents of the past few years, such as the Microsoft Exchange Online intrusion, the SolarWinds hack, and most recently (until the CSRB’s dissolution) the Salt Typhoon campaign against U.S telecommunications infrastructure.”

The senators concluded, “As we have said before, inadequate cyber security practices put our economy, our national security and even lives at risk. The January dismissal of CSRB members, and continued uncertainty about the future role of the Board, has undermined cyber defense preparations for public and private entities across the United States. In this age of great innovation, we cannot afford to see our private or public systems compromised by malicious actors. You have had more than four months to reestablish this Board to conduct this critical work – DHS leadership and CISA must work together to immediately reinstate the Board as a crucial part of America’s cyber defense infrastructure.”

A copy of letter is available here and text is below.

Dear Secretary Noem:

We write to you today with regard to the need to act to reestablish the Cyber Safety Review Board (“CSRB” or “Board”). As members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence or the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, we extremely concerned with ensuring that America’s intelligence community, law enforcement agencies, state and local governments, and businesses have access to the best tools and resources to prepare for, and protect themselves against, ongoing cyber threats facing our nation. The CSRB played a vital role in U.S. national security carrying out post-incident reviews and providing information and making recommendations to improve public and private sector cyber security. Therefore, we urge you to swiftly reconstitute the Board with qualified leaders to shape our nation’s cyber response.

As chartered, the CSRB is composed of 20 standing members, with additional members appointed on a case-by-case basis for the purpose of specific investigations. All members bring expertise from both the public and private sector, and are to be selected on the basis of significant professional and technical expertise and regardless of political affiliation. This structure serves to create a body with a deep well of cyber security capabilities and knowledge that can conduct thorough reviews of cyber incidents and provide trusted, fact-based recommendations on how businesses, individuals, and agencies across all layers of government can better protect themselves.

When building cyber security capabilities, the software and IT ecosystem benefits tremendously from transparent, accessible, and rigorous research and forensics. Against the backdrop of repeated insistence by this Administration on the need to leverage private sector and external expertise in government, the decision to dismantle this successful collaboration between the federal government and the private sector is particularly confounding.

The CSRB has spearheaded crucial fact-finding efforts following cyber incidents, and developed recommendations and reports reflecting lessons learned following some of the most serious cyber incidents of the past few years, such as the Microsoft Exchange Online intrusion, the SolarWinds hack, and most recently (until the CSRB’s dissolution) the Salt Typhoon campaign against U.S telecommunications infrastructure.

These comprehensive and incredibly fact-intensive investigations have provided invaluable transparency and lessons for the wider software and IT sectors. For instance, the CSRB’s review of the 2023 Microsoft cyber incident, recently cited by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard when presenting the Annual Threat Assessment at the March 25, 2025 SSCI open hearing, identified several operational and strategic lapses that contributed to this intrusion, with recommendations around authentication, logging, and public communication around security incidents that benefited the entire ecosystem.

As we have noted, the CSRB had been actively investigating potentially the most expansive and impactful cyber security breach in U.S. history: the unprecedented compromises of U.S. and global telecommunications infrastructure by threat actors associated with the People’s Republic of China, widely referred to as “Salt Typhoon.” However, the CSRB’s investigation into the Salt Typhoon compromises of U.S. telecommunication firms, launched in 2024, was effectively terminated on January 20, 2025 and is depriving the public of a fuller accounting of the origin, scope, scale, and severity of these compromises. It is essential that the U.S. develop a complete and thorough understanding of the factors that contributed to the success of these intrusions – including clear root-cause analyses of each successful penetration – and present key recommendations for the telecommunications sector to better protect itself against similarly complex and large-scale compromises by future threat actors.

As we have said before, inadequate cyber security practices put our economy, our national security and even lives at risk. The January dismissal of CSRB members, and continued uncertainty about the future role of the Board, has undermined cyber defense preparations for public and private entities across the United States. In this age of great innovation, we cannot afford to see our private or public systems compromised by malicious actors. You have had more than four months to reestablish this Board to conduct this critical work – DHS leadership and CISA must work together to immediately reinstate the Board as a crucial part of America’s cyber defense infrastructure.

Thank you in advance for your prompt attention to this important issue. It is our hope that we can work together to continue developing a robust cyber security infrastructure that protects all Americans.

Sincerely,

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) issued the following statements slamming an erroneous list released by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that includes 20 counties—including Martinsville County, which does not exist—and 13 “cities”—including Duffield, a town with roughly 70 residents and no dedicated police department—as being “sanctuary jurisdictions defying federal immigration law.” There are no sanctuary cities in Virginia and various jurisdictions, including Martinsville and Tazewell County, have released statements to share their confusion regarding being included on the list.

“This list is further proof that the Trump administration’s obsession with government efficiency is nothing but cheap talk. The White House should get its basic facts straight before attempting to come after Virginia’s localities and its hardworking public servants,” said Warner.

“The list is riddled with egregious errors—Martinsville isn’t a county and Duffield isn’t a city,” said Kaine. “Coupled with the Department of Health and Human Services’ report this week that cites nonexistent studies, I’m concerned that the Administration is turning to artificial intelligence to replace the work of dedicated civil servants that are being fired. This is yet another reminder of why it’s important that agencies be staffed by experts, because putting inaccurate information out only sows chaos and confusion, and puts commonsense solutions to real problems further out of reach.”

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WASHINGTON – Just a week after Moody’s downgraded the U.S. credit rating due to mounting government debt, pushing up mortgage interest rates, Republicans in the House moved forward with their plan to provide massive tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans that would add an additional $3.8 trillion to the deficit, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) issued the following statement:

“Moody’s decision to downgrade our nation’s credit rating should have been a wake-up call, but instead, Republicans in the House doubled down with a tax plan that blows a hole in the deficit and leaves working families holding the bag. The result will be a ballooning national debt, higher interest rates, and the very real prospect of increased prices for everything from groceries to mortgages. Virginia families are already feeling the pinch from inflation and rising costs. The last thing they need is a reckless giveaway to the richest Americans that undermines our economic stability and puts the full faith and credit of the United States at risk. In the Senate, we will oppose this disastrous legislation.”

Additionally, the GOP tax bill would add so much to the national debt that it could trigger nearly $500 billion in cuts to Medicare beginning next year, according to the CBO analysis.

The nonpartisan CBO report also confirmed what Warner and Kaine have previously warned – that working Americans will foot the bill for massive tax breaks handed to the wealthiest few, if President Trump and congressional Republicans move forward. The CBO found that under the GOP plan, the bottom 10 percent of Americans would see household resources reduced by 4 percent while the top 10 percent would see their resources increase by 2 percent. Meanwhile, the Republican bill would result in $698 billion in cuts to Medicaid and $267 billion in cuts to nutrition assistance.

Warner and Kaine have been sounding the alarm about the effects of the GOP plan on Virginia families if Republicans in Congress continue to insist on gutting vital programs in order to pay for tax breaks for the richest Americans, noting that the GOP bill would strip health insurance from more than 262,000 Virginians, cut SNAP benefits for more than 204,000 people in Virginia, raise energy costs for Virginia households, jeopardize more than 20,000 Virginia jobs, and raise taxes on minimum wage workers while giving the richest 0.1% a $188,000 tax cut.

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine are pressing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to follow U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations requiring law enforcement to properly identify themselves and limit use of face coverings during official operations. This letter comes following repeated instances of unidentified ICE agents making arrests across the country, including in Virginia, causing panic and danger during arrests.

“Across the country and in Virginia, masked ICE officers and agents without clearly visible identification as law enforcement have been arresting individuals on the streets and in sensitive locations, such as courthouses. Such actions put everyone at risk – the targeted individuals, the ICE officers and agents, and bystanders who may misunderstand what is happening and may attempt to intervene,” wrote the senators.

The senators highlighted that the current alarming trend of ICE agents carrying out arrests while obscuring their faces and failing to identify themselves has increased risk to both officers and the general public alike.

They continued, “The failure of ICE officers and agents to promptly and clearly identify who they are and the authority under which they are acting has led witnesses of immigration enforcement operations to justifiably question the law enforcement status, authority, and constitutionality of ICE officers and agents and their operations. Such actions compromise the safety of law enforcement officers and agents conducting the operation, the individual(s) being apprehended, bystanders, and other law enforcement who may be called to the scene to respond to a suspected crime.”

As part of their letter, the senators are requesting DHS and ICE provide policies, guidance, memoranda, legal advice, training materials, and all other relevant documents produced by ICE and DHS that discuss when and how to use face coverings, organizational clothing, or reveal officer and agent identities during immigration enforcement operations.

Earlier this year, Sen. Warner questioned DHS and ICE regarding their enforcement practices, specifically highlighting a March 5th incident where a U.S. citizen and Virginia resident was stopped and interrogated by ICE. Sens. Warner and Kaine also demanded answers from DHS regarding Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a father who was living legally under protected status in Maryland with his family until he was wrongfully deported without due process by the Trump Administration.

A copy of letter is available here and text is below.

Dear Secretary Noem, Mr. Homan, Acting Director Lyons, and Director Hott:

We are steadfast in our desire to protect the safety of law enforcement and uphold public safety for every person, regardless of their immigration status, when interacting with law enforcement. The two are inexorably interconnected. The public and law enforcement must both be safe during immigration enforcement actions.

Accordingly, we write to you today regarding ICE’s recent immigration enforcement operations that have taken an alarming and dangerous turn. Across the country and in Virginia, masked ICE officers and agents without clearly visible identification as law enforcement have been arresting individuals on the streets and in sensitive locations, such as courthouses. Such actions put everyone at risk – the targeted individuals, the ICE officers and agents, and bystanders who may misunderstand what is happening and may attempt to intervene.

We urge you to direct ICE officers and agents to promptly and clearly identify themselves as law enforcement officers conducting law enforcement actions when arresting subjects, and limit the use of face coverings during arrests and other enforcement actions to avoid intimidation and reduce safety risks to the public.

The American public encounters federal, state, local, territorial, campus, and other law enforcement regularly. In the overwhelming majority of these law enforcement encounters, law enforcement officers reveal their faces and identities while in the commission of their duties. There are likely associated risks to doing so, yet the trooper pulling over a driver at night or the officer standing watch at the courthouse as suspected criminals enter manage those risks to their own and the public’s safety in a transparent and accountable fashion.

The Department of Homeland Security’s regulations provide that, at the time of an arrest, immigration officers must identify themselves if it is practical and safe to do so, and inform the individual of the reason for the arrest. Additionally, under DHS policy, following a warrantless arrest, ICE officers must submit a write-up documenting the facts and circumstances surrounding the arrest, including a statement of how “at the time of arrest, the immigration officer [did], as soon as it [was] practical and safe to do so, identif[ied] himself or herself as an immigration officer who is authorized to execute an arrest; and state[d] that the person is under arrest and the reason for the arrest.”

Under the Trump administration, there has been an increase in reported instances of ICE officers and agents apprehending individuals while concealing their faces with masks, balaclavas, or other face coverings, often without clearly displaying their law enforcement credentials through identification, organizational uniform, or insignia. Historically, the use of face coverings by ICE had been reserved for undercover or sensitive operations, but press reports and public videos indicate that ICE officers and agents have broadened this practice to the arrests of nonviolent individuals without a prior criminal history. Anecdotally, the increased use of face coverings has been described as a means to conceal ICE officer and agent identities to avoid identification and accountability, particularly as the public has taken to filming immigration enforcement encounters.

The International Association of Chiefs of Police warns that, “members of the general public may be intimidated or fearful of officers wearing a face covering, which may heighten their defensive reactions.” The failure of ICE officers and agents to promptly and clearly identify who they are and the authority under which they are acting has led witnesses of immigration enforcement operations to justifiably question the law enforcement status, authority, and constitutionality of ICE officers and agents and their operations. Such actions compromise the safety of law enforcement officers and agents conducting the operation, the individual(s) being apprehended, bystanders, and other law enforcement who may be called to the scene to respond to a suspected crime. We remain deeply concerned that ICE’s lack of transparency will lead the public to intercede in enforcement efforts, escalating an already tense interaction, and risking an entirely avoidable violent situation.

Increased use of face coverings and lack of prompt and clear identification by ICE officers and agents in public is also having unintended consequences. Criminals are taking advantage of ICE’s anonymity and impersonating law enforcement officers and ICE agents. Recently, this resulted in several criminal acts including harassment, theft, extortion, assault, battery, sexual assault, and kidnapping. The uptick in ICE officers and agents concealing their identities and ICE affiliation blurs the public’s understanding of what ICE officers and agents look like and do while lawfully conducting their mission. Bad actors have and will continue to take advantage of ICE’s lack of transparency to perpetrate crimes on the most vulnerable in our society.

We strongly urge you to take swift action to ensure the safety of the public and your officers and agents during the performance of their duties by reducing unnecessary intimidation tactics that escalate defensive reactions. Additionally, we ask you to provide us with copies of any policies, guidance, memoranda, legal advice, training materials, and all other relevant documents produced by ICE and DHS that discuss when and how to use face coverings, organizational clothing, or reveal officer and agent identities during immigration enforcement operations by June 6, 2025.

Sincerely,

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WASHINGTON – As Republicans in Congress continue to push forward on a partisan tax plan that cuts the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by more than 20 percent, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (D-VA) issued the following statement condemning GOP efforts to make drastic cuts to a vital nutrition lifeline in order to pay for tax cuts for the richest Americans:

“Gutting nutrition assistance in order to pay for tax breaks for billionaires is both morally wrong and economically shortsighted. At a time when families are grappling with the rising cost of living, Donald Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’ rips food off the tables of working parents, children, seniors, and veterans. In Virginia alone, more than 200,000 people, including many children, could go hungry if President Trump and Republicans ram this partisan proposal through Congress. We strongly urge our Republican colleagues in the Senate to reject this cruel legislation and stand with the American families who will bear the brunt of its consequences.”

Republicans in the House of Representatives voted to approve Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” in the dawn hours of Thursday morning, and the Senate is expected to take up the bill for consideration after the Memorial Day state work period. Warner and Kaine have been sounding the alarm about the effects of the GOP plan on Virginia if Republicans in Congress continue to insist on gutting vital programs in order to pay for tax breaks for the richest Americans, noting that the GOP bill would strip health insurance from more than 262,000 Virginians, raise energy costs for Virginia households, jeopardize more than 20,000 Virginia jobs, and raise taxes on minimum wage workers while giving the richest 0.1% a $188,000 tax cut.

Nationwide, the harsh cuts in the House-passed bill would take food assistance away from nearly 11 million people – about 1 in 4 SNAP participants – including more than 4 million children and more than half a million adults aged 65 or older and adults with disabilities nationwide. In Virginia, at least 204,000 people – including children – are in danger of losing some SNAP benefits under the Republican proposal, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP).

Additionally, the bill includes a cost-share proposal that would shift tens of billions in SNAP costs onto states – creating an unfunded mandate that would almost certainly require states to cut benefits and eligibility. Under that proposal, Virginia would be expected to come up with as much as $439 million in state funds in order to fill the hole or be forced to make further cuts to food benefits by 2028, according to CBPP.

In 2024, 827,800 Virginia residents received assistance from SNAP, with an average benefit of $5.83 per day. More than 2/3 of SNAP participants in Virginia are in families with children, and SNAP benefits help keep them fed when their families would otherwise struggle to put food on the table.

Beyond the immediate impact cuts will have on SNAP recipients, cuts to SNAP benefits will also create downstream economic harms. The National Grocers Association, which represents America’s independent grocers, recently released a report that found SNAP funding supports approximately 16,173 Virginia jobs and $546,478,800 in direct wages, creating $470,672,400 in direct tax revenue for Virginia. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that in a weak economy, $1 in SNAP benefits generates $1.50 in economic activity. Households receive SNAP benefits on electronic benefit transfer cards, which can be used only to purchase food at one of about 6,400 authorized retail locations in Virginia.

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WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and James Lankford (R-OK), a member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs, have introduced the Federal Contractor Cybersecurity Vulnerability Reduction Act of 2025, legislation to strengthen federal cybersecurity by ensuring that federal contractors adhere to guidelines set forth by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Vulnerability Disclosure Policies (VDP) provide a way for organizations to receive unsolicited reports of vulnerabilities within their software so that they can be patched before an attack takes place. Receiving reports on suspected security vulnerabilities in information systems is one of the best ways for developers and services to become aware of issues. Currently, civilian federal agencies are required to have VDPs, however there is no requirement for federal contractors – civilian or defense – to have VDPs for the information systems used in the fulfillment of their contracts. This legislation would require the implementation of VDPs among federal contractors and formalize actions to accept, assess, and manage vulnerability disclosure reports in order to help reduce known security vulnerabilities among federal contractors.

“Vulnerability Disclosure Policies are crucial tools to help ensure that the federal government is operating using safe cybersecurity practices. This legislation will ensure that companies doing business with the federal government are held to the same standards, better securing the entire supply chain and protecting our national security,” Sen. Warner said.

“Federal agencies and contractors must be quickly made aware of cyber vulnerabilities, so they can resolve them. By strengthening cybersecurity efforts, contractors and agencies can keep their focus on serving the American people and keep data and systems safe from cybercrimes and hacking,” Sen. Lankford said.

Specifically, the Federal Contractor Cybersecurity Vulnerability Reduction Act would require the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to oversee updates to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to ensure federal contractors implement a vulnerability disclosure policy consistent with what is already required by federal agencies.

Sens. Warner and Lankford originally introduced this bipartisan legislation last year. As a leader in the cybersecurity realm, Sen. Warner has led numerous legislative efforts to protect the economic prosperity, national security, and democratic institutions of the United States, Sen. Warner cofounded the bipartisan Senate Cybersecurity Caucus in 2016. A year later, in 2017, he authored the Internet of Things (IoT) Cybersecurity Improvement Act. This legislation, signed into law by President Donald Trump in December 2020, requires that any IoT device purchased with federal funds meet minimum security standards. As Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Sen. Warner also co-authored legislation that was subsequently signed into law that requires companies responsible for U.S. critical infrastructure report cybersecurity incidents to the government.

“Palo Alto Networks applauds Senator Warner’s continued efforts to promote federal cyber resilience through the Federal Cybersecurity Vulnerability Reduction Act. This legislation has strong bipartisan support, and will benefit the entire cybersecurity ecosystem,” said Bruce Byrd, EVP and General Counsel of Palo Alto Networks.

“With cyberattacks by foreign adversaries and criminals on the rise, this legislation addresses a critical gap in our nation’s defenses,” said Ilona Cohen, chief legal and policy officer at HackerOne. “This common sense legislation brings the practices of federal contractors in line with those of the agencies they serve and is essential to protect the government information and personal data they process.”

A copy of the legislation is available here.

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (D-VA) issued the following statement after Republicans in the House of Representatives voted in the dead of night to approve legislation to cut taxes for the ultra-wealthy while slashing Medicaid and nutrition assistance, raising taxes on working families, and exploding the national debt:

“This bill would do real harm to Virginia families, workers, and communities. It would raise taxes on working families and rip health care away from more than 262,000 people in Virginia in order to give tax breaks to Donald Trump and his billionaire friends. Virginians deserve better, and we will oppose this bill with everything we’ve got as it comes to the Senate. “

Warner and Kaine have been sounding the alarm about the effects of the GOP plan on Virginia if Republicans in Congress continue to insist on gutting vital programs in order to pay for tax breaks for the richest Americans, noting that the GOP bill would strip health insurance from more than 262,000 Virginians; rip nutrition assistance away from at least 204,000 Virginians, including children; raise energy costs for Virginia households; jeopardize more than 20,000 Virginia jobs; and raise taxes on minimum wage workers while giving the richest 0.1% a $188,000 tax cut.

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (D-VA) issued the following statement blasting the GOP’s partisan tax bill that would raise taxes on the lowest-income Americans while handing six-figure windfalls to the wealthiest 0.1% of taxpayers:

“At a time when working families are struggling with the rising cost of living, Donald Trump and Washington Republicans are asking them to pay more so the ultra-rich can get a handout. The numbers speak for themselves: under the terms of the tax plan championed by President Trump and Republicans in Congress, the bottom rung of the income ladder will see their taxes hiked by more than 50% in order to give the richest 0.1% a $188,000 tax cut. That’s not what Virginians sent us here to do, and we will fight tooth and nail to stop it. We call on Republicans to drop this sham of a bill and instead work with us to provide meaningful relief to working families by bringing down housing and child care costs, cutting taxes for working- and middle-class Americans, and lowering prescription drug prices.”

The nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) estimates that in the year 2029, when the permanent effects of the GOP tax plan are felt, those earning less than $15,000 a year would see a 53.5% increase in their federal taxes compared to current law. Meanwhile, the top 0.1% – roughly 197,000 taxpayers – would receive a collective $37.1 billion tax cut, amounting to $188,324 per person.

New analysis from the Yale Budget Lab further underscores just how skewed the GOP bill is in favor of the wealthy. The lowest-income households would lose about $800 a year because of the GOP bill, amounting to a 4% hit to their budgets, while the richest 5% would walk away with an average annual windfall of $27,000. Overall, nearly 80% of the bill’s total benefits would go to the top 20% of earners.

Warner and Kaine have been sounding the alarm about the effects of the GOP plan on Virginia if Republicans in Congress continue to insist on gutting vital programs in order to pay for tax breaks for the richest Americans, noting that the GOP bill would strip health insurance from more than 262,000 Virginians, raise energy costs for Virginia households, and jeopardize more than 20,000 Virginia jobs at clean energy and manufacturing facilities benefiting from Inflation Reduction Act investments.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) issued the below statement on the passing of Congressman Gerry Connolly:

“I am heartbroken over the loss of my dear friend Gerry Connolly.

“I’ve known Gerry for more than 35 years. To me, he exemplified the very best of public service. Just this past Sunday, I was honored to join his wife Smitty, daughter Caitlin, and the Fairfax community in celebrating his decades of service. While Gerry couldn’t be there in person, his presence was felt throughout the room. He was there in spirit, as he always is when people come together in the name of service and progress.

“Gerry was a fighter. His sharp mind, boundless energy, and deep commitment to the people of Northern Virginia made him a force to be reckoned with, whether on the Fairfax Board of Supervisors or in Congress. He met every challenge with tenacity and purpose, including his final battle with cancer, which he faced with courage, grace, and quiet dignity.

“Today, my thoughts are with Smitty, Caitlin, and all who loved him. We have lost a giant in Virginia public life, and he will be deeply missed.”

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Michael Bennet (D-CO) issued the statement below after the Department of Defense (DoD) announced immediate modifications to the military’s broken moving system, which handles servicemember relocations. These modifications follow close advocacy by the senators, who have pushed for months to address the delays, poor communication, and repeated issues under the Global Household Goods Contract.

“Military members and their families sacrifice so much in service to our country, including every time they relocate and integrate into a new community. After pushing for months, we’re pleased to see the Department of Defense move to address ongoing challenges with the contract tasked with moving household goods for military members and families in the process of relocating.

“As these policy changes are implemented, we will continue to work with the Department of Defense and TRANSCOM to ensure that servicemembers and military families who are already well into the relocation process are not left in the lurch. Additionally, as these shifts put more pressure on federal employees to adapt to this change, we will continue to push for adequate federal staffing levels and against Trump’s senseless hiring freeze, which continues to prevent critical positions from being filled across government.”

In February, Sen. Warner requested a briefing from USTRANSCOM and sounded the alarm about missed household goods pickups, delivery issues, and communication difficulties with HomeSafe Alliance, the contractor responsible for the moves. Earlier this month, the lawmakers raised their concerns, reiterating the ongoing delays and confusion being faced by military families, and requesting additional information from TRANSCOM on its plan to address these issues.

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WASHINGTON – Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Vice Chairman Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the following statement:

“The recent revelations that Joe Kent, DNI Gabbard’s chief of staff and the nominee to lead the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), sought to alter an intelligence assessment to align with false political narratives pushed by Donald Trump are deeply disturbing, disqualifying, and frankly, dangerous. This was a blatant attempt to politicize national security to appease a president who has repeatedly shown contempt for facts and for the intelligence professionals sworn to defend this country.

“For years, the Director of National Intelligence has railed against so-called ‘deep state’ manipulation of intelligence. Now we learn that her closest aide, and Trump’s hand-picked nominee to one of the most sensitive roles in government, was actively pushing to distort intelligence because it contradicted a preferred political narrative.

“This is unacceptable. The Senate should immediately halt consideration of Mr. Kent’s nomination to lead NCTC, and the Senate Intelligence Committee has an obligation to conduct rigorous oversight to determine whether Kent or other Trump officials have attempted to politically interfere with other assessments.

“When intelligence is manipulated to fit a political agenda, our security is at risk. Our ability to prevent terrorist attacks, counter adversaries, and make sound decisions is only as good as the accuracy and integrity of the intelligence that informs it. Our intelligence agencies must be permitted to speak truth to power, not twist the truth to serve power.”

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WASHINGTON –U.S. Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) today reintroduced the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act – bipartisan, zero-cost legislation to improve access to care for seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. The bill focuses on streamlining the often cumbersome and time-consuming prior authorization process, ultimately allowing healthcare providers to spend more time on patient care rather than administrative burdens.

This legislation would help physicians better serve and improve care for the 32.8 million Americans.

“Our seniors deserve high-quality care delivered in a timely fashion. I am proud to introduce this legislation that takes commonsense steps to modernize the prior authorization process, cutting through red tape, streamlining approvals, and making sure our health care providers are focused on what really matters — supporting their patients,” Sen. Warner said.

“Prior authorization is the number one administrative burden facing physicians today across all specialties,” Sen. Marshall said. “As a physician, I understand the frustration this arbitrary process is causing health care practices across the country and the headaches it creates for our nurses. With the bipartisan, bicameral Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, we will streamline prior authorization and help improve patient outcomes and access to quality care.”

Joining Sens. Warner and Marshall are U.S. Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-NH), John Fetterman (D-PA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), James Lankford (R-OK), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Andy Kim (D-NJ), John Boozman (R-AK), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Cornyn (R-TX), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tina Smith (D-MN), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ted Budd (R-NC), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), John Hoeven (R-ND), Rick Scott (R-FL), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Chris Coons (D-DE).

“Too often, seniors face unnecessarily complicated and burdensome prior authorization processes that can become a barrier to receiving care,” Sen. Hassan said. “This bipartisan legislation is a commonsense way to support seniors on Medicare Advantage in accessing care, and to help health care providers focus on their patients instead of paperwork.”

“Prior authorization places more importance on process than patients. As a doctor, I want that to change. Let’s make sure seniors are receiving timely care,” Sen. Cassidy said.

“Too often, seniors have to wait to receive vital care because of administrative burdens like prior authorization. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, which will streamline prior authorization and reduce unnecessary health care delays,” Sen. Capito said.

“Seniors across the Cowboy State rely on Medicare, but too often, bureaucratic red tape gets in the way of timely care,” Sen. Lummis said. “I am proud to join my colleagues across the aisle to streamline the prior authorization process and put patients over paperwork.”

“Excessive administrative burdens within the Medicare Advantage program means too many seniors receive delayed benefits, while our health care providers are overwhelmed by paperwork. The current system isn’t working well for anyone, and it’s time we take meaningful action to fix it. This commonsense legislation is a necessary step in the right direction,” Sen. Hyde-Smith said.

“Health care providers handling mountains of paperwork takes up valuable time and can unnecessarily delay older folks’ access to the crucial care they need,” Sen. Kaine said. “I’m proud to champion this bipartisan legislation to modernize and streamline health care processes to ensure that Americans covered by Medicare Advantage can more swiftly access care and empower health care providers to direct more of their time to their patients.”

“Quality, expedited medical care should always be within reach for seniors, and our providers deserve a system that helps them focus on delivering it,” Sen. Boozman said. “I’m pleased to join this bipartisan effort to end the inefficient process that delays Medicare Advantage beneficiaries’ evaluations and treatments while removing an unnecessary, bureaucratic burden on clinicians.”

“Doctors and health care providers are too often bogged down by unnecessary burdens, which can lead to delayed care and negative outcomes for patients,” Sen. Cornyn said. “By streamlining the prior authorization process under Medicare Advantage, this legislation would cut red tape, improve enrollee experiences, and ensure seniors receive the timely care they deserve.

“Improving the prior authorization process will help seniors have quicker access to the health care they need and remove administrative hurdles for physicians,” Sen. Moran said. “This legislation would make commonsense changes to better support thousands of seniors in Kansas and remove the red tape that is costing doctors and patients valuable time.”

“Senior citizens have spent their entire lives contributing to our communities, and they deserve every resource to support their health and well-being,” Sen. Gillibrand said. “The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act will help cut through unnecessary red tape and ensure timely medical care is accessible to older Americans. Seniors should have reliable access to specialist care, mental health support, preventative services, and the treatments they need to live with dignity. I am proud to support this important legislation, and I pledge to continue fighting to expand access to quality, affordable, and timely health care for our seniors.”

“Seniors with Medicare Advantage plans should not have to endure unnecessary delays when seeking medical treatment, and sometimes even life-saving care,” Sen. Hirono said. “This legislation will help to reduce these arbitrary waiting periods, streamlining prior authorization processes to ensure that health care providers can treat and care for their patients in an efficient manner.”

“North Carolina seniors shouldn’t face unnecessary delays when trying to access the care they need through Medicare Advantage,” Sen. Tillis said. “I’m proud to support this bipartisan, commonsense legislation that streamlines the prior authorization process, cuts red tape for providers, and ensures patients get timely access to treatment.”

U.S. Reps John Joyce, M.D. (R-PA-13), Mike Kelly (R-PA-16), Suzan DelBene (D-WA-01), and Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA-06) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

This legislation is supported by the Better Medicare Alliance, Humana, and 138 other health care organizations.

“Prior authorization helps keep health care costs low and ensures seniors are getting the most appropriate care. But the process should be easier. The changes put forth in this legislation are long overdue and will help ensure seniors can get the care they need without delay,” Mary Beth Donahue, President and CEO of Better Medicare Alliance, said. “We are proud to support this bill and thank Senators Marshall and Warner, and Representatives Kelly, DelBene, Bera, and Joyce for their leadership. We look forward to continued work on this issue with Congress and the Administration.”

“Humana’s job is to ensure our members have access to high quality, affordable healthcare. We support efforts in the House and Senate to move the Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act forward quickly,” Jim Rechtin, Humana CEO, said. “It is a common-sense approach to making healthcare easier by modernizing the prior authorization process.”

Background:

Prior authorization is a tool used by health plans to reduce unnecessary care by requiring health care providers to get pre-approval for medical services. However, the current system often results in multiple faxes or phone calls by clinicians, which takes precious time away from delivering care.
Prior authorization continues to be the number-one administrative burden identified by health care providers, and nearly three out of four Medicare Advantage enrollees are subject to unnecessary delays due to the practice.
The bill would codify and enhance elements of the Advancing Interoperability and Improving Prior Authorization Processes (e-PA) rule that was finalized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on January 17, 2024.
Last Congress, the bill was supported by a super majority of members in the Senate (60) and a majority in the House (232), and was unanimously passed by the House in 2022.
In 2018, the Office of the Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) raised concerns after an audit revealed that Medicare Advantage plans ultimately approved 75% of requests that were originally denied.
In 2022, the HHS Office of Inspector General released a report finding that MA plans incorrectly denied beneficiaries’ access to services even though they met Medicare coverage rules.

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act would:

Establish an electronic prior authorization process for Medicare Advantage plans, including a standardization for transactions and clinical attachments.
Increase transparency around Medicare Advantage prior authorization requirements and their use.
Clarify HHS’ authority to establish timeframes for e-prior authorization requests, including expedited determinations, real-time decisions for routinely approved items and services, and other prior authorization requests.
Expand beneficiary protections to improve enrollee experiences and outcomes.
Require HHS and other agencies to report to Congress on program integrity efforts and other ways to further improve the e-prior authorization process.
Result in a zero cost to American taxpayers.

The full text of the legislation can be found here.

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WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, led a group of colleagues in introducing the Defending Our Government's Electronic data: Bolstering Responsible Oversight & Safeguards (DOGE BROS) Act, legislation to hold Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) accountable for their continued efforts to improperly access, and retain, individuals’ personally identifiable information (PII) including names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, Social Security numbers, and other financial information.

“As unvetted and unqualified DOGE employees continue to recklessly access the sensitive personal information of millions of Americans, it’s important that we take steps to better protect this data,” Sen. Warner said. “For too long, our privacy laws have sat outdated, barely serving as a deterrent for improper handling or potential release of information. This legislation would enforce that privacy must be a priority when handling the data of the American public.”

Joining Sen. Warner in introducing the DOGE BROS Act are U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and Peter Welch (D-VT).

“Elon Musk and his ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ are wreaking havoc across the government and gaining access to Americans’ sensitive information without proper authorization, which poses significant privacy and national security concerns,” Sen. Kaine said. “That’s why I’m introducing this bill to increase the penalties for violating privacy laws and help safeguard Americans’ personal information.”

“Elon Musk and his DOGE cronies have been illegally ransacking federal agencies to gain access to troves of Americans’ sensitive personal data – from Social Security numbers to medical records to bank account information. Strengthening penalties for the theft of this data will help further deter these illegal abuses and keep Americans’ private information safe,” Sen. Van Hollen said.

“The American people do not want Elon Musk knowing their Social Security numbers and sifting through their financial information. Musk and his team of wildly unqualified DOGE employees have gone too far – and we are sick of it. The Senate needs to prove we care more about those we serve than Elon Musk. Let’s immediately pass this legislation to protect the data and privacy of the American people,” Sen. Alsobrooks said.

“From day one, Elon Musk’s DOGE has taken a wrecking ball to the federal government and critical services for the American people, all while carelessly pursuing their sensitive personal data,” Sen. Luján said. “Congress must do more to protect that information and keep it out of the wrong hands. That’s why I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing legislation to strengthen our privacy laws and put Americans’ privacy first.”

“Elon Musk’s so-called ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ and his DOGE agents are wreaking havoc on the federal government and the programs millions of Americans rely on. There’s no reason DOGE should gain access to Vermonters’ personal information, and I’m working with my colleagues to hold DOGE accountable and protect peoples’ privacy and data,” Sen. Welch said.

The United States has existing laws that are designed to protect personal information held by the government. However, the penalties established in these various laws have not been properly adjusted or increased to account for inflation, making them far less impactful today. The DOGE BROS Act would increase five penalties for violation of federal privacy laws to better protect the sensitive information that DOGE is accessing in their reckless purge of the federal government. Specifically, the DOGE BROS Act would increase the following existing penalties for the unauthorized release of the following information:

Individually Identifiable Information Contained Within Any Agency Record

Code Section: 5 U.S.C. §552a(i)(i, ii, iii)
Current Penalty: up to $5,000
Proposed Penalty: up to $30,000

Information from Any Department or Agency of the United States Obtained Using a Computer Without Authorization

Code Section: 18 U.S.C. 1030(a)(2)(B)
Current Penalty: up to $250,000
Proposed Penalty: up to $750,000

Social Security and Medicare Data

Code Sections: 42 U.S.C. §1306
Current Penalty: up to $10,000
Proposed Penalty: up to $25,000

Tax Return Information

Code Section: 26 U.S.C. §7213
Current Penalty: up to $5,000
Proposed Penalty: up to $25,000

Census Data

Code Section: 13 U.S.C. §214
Current Penalty: up to $5,000
Proposed Penalty: up to $25,000

Copy of the bill text is available here.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) joined 11 of his Senate colleagues in demanding that the Trump administration release funding for states under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. This program, which was created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – landmark legislation authored and negotiated by Sen. Warner – connects families in the hardest-to-serve communities to high-speed internet and works to close the digital divide.

Virginia is expected to receive $1.4 billion in federal funding from the program. However, Virginia has been unable to finalize its broadband deployment plans after President Trump halted funding for Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act projects in January and announced that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) would be revising the guidelines for the BEAD program.

“We write with concern regarding the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) recent announcement that it is delaying the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program,” wrote the senators in a letter to President Trump. “This unprecedented move by the NTIA will further delay our communities from having the connectivity they need to grow and thrive. To unlock the full strength of the U.S. economy, every community must have access to the vast opportunities enabled by broadband, and this can be achieved by your Administration following the law as outlined in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (P.L. 117-58).”

In addition to Sen. Warner, the letter was signed by U.S. Sens. Jackie Rosen (D-NV), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Gary Peters (D-MI), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Angus King (I-ME).

They continued, “Currently, there are multiple states ready for broadband providers to put shovels in the ground tomorrow. NTIA must act swiftly to release BEAD funding to states that have already been approved and expeditiously work to approve the remaining eligible applications. Time is of the essence, and our rural and tribal communities cannot afford more delays.”

Sen. Warner has long fought to expand access to broadband in Virginia. As an author and negotiator of the bipartisan infrastructure law, Sen. Warner secured $65 billion in funding to help deploy broadband and decrease costs associated with connecting to the internet nationwide.

A copy of letter is available here and text is below.

Dear President Trump:

We write with concern regarding the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) recent announcement that it is delaying the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. This unprecedented move by the NTIA will further delay our communities from having the connectivity they need to grow and thrive. To unlock the full strength of the U.S. economy, every community must have access to the vast opportunities enabled by broadband, and this can be achieved by your Administration following the law as outlined in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (P.L. 117-58).

The intent of Congress when it created and appropriated over $42 billion for the bipartisan BEAD program was to connect the hardest-to-serve Americans to high-speed internet and finally close the digital divide. Congress explicitly shaped this program to give deference to states, so they could address the unique challenges their states face reaching the goals of the program Congress mandated.

Currently, there are multiple states ready for broadband providers to put shovels in the ground tomorrow. Forty-two states have begun or completed their BEAD application process. Three states have even had their applications fully approved and yet are waiting on funds to be released by your Administration. Many states have applications that are tech-neutral and dramatically more cost-effective than previous projects funded by federal broadband programs, all while fulfilling the program’s mission to bring high-speed, reliable broadband to all unserved communities in their state. The attempts by NTIA to revise the state application process at this late stage will cause further delays to the program and leave rural and tribal communities behind in an increasingly connected economy. NTIA must act swiftly to release BEAD funding to states that have already been approved and expeditiously work to approve the remaining eligible applications. Time is of the essence, and our rural and tribal communities cannot afford more delays.

It is imperative to follow the law, deliver on the promise of access to affordable high-speed internet, and ensure that every American, regardless of where they live, has the tools to succeed in the modern economy.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), reintroduced the Concentrating on High-Value Alzheimer’s Needs to Get to an End (CHANGE) Act, bipartisan legislation to encourage early assessment and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. Companion legislation was also introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Darren LaHood (R-IL), Doris Matsui (D-CA), and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL).

“Having watched my mother battle Alzheimer’s for a decade before her passing, I know this is a devastating disease that impacts not just the individual, but the entire family. Our legislation is key to helping secure an early diagnosis that will allow for better care, earlier access to treatment, and more support for families navigating this difficult journey,” Sen. Warner said.

“As we continue to search for breakthroughs in the fight against Alzheimer’s, we must ensure our health care system is doing its part to identify the disease earlier and connect patients and families with the tools they need. The CHANGE Act focuses on practical improvements—like earlier screening and detection—that can make a meaningful difference right now. I’m proud to reintroduce this bill to help improve outcomes, ease the burden on caregivers, and move us closer to ending this devastating disease,” Sen. Capito said.

“Like countless families across the country, mine has personally felt the heartbreaking toll of Alzheimer’s,” Rep. Sánchez said. "Having lost both of my parents to this cruel disease, I understand how critical early diagnosis can be. Our bipartisan, bicameral bill would early assessments and offer crucial resources for families. As our population continues to age and diagnoses expected to rise, we can’t afford to wait."

“Alzheimer’s affects millions of Americans, and we must be relentless in our search for a cure,” Rep. LaHood said. “I am proud to work alongside Rep. Sánchez to reintroduce the CHANGE Act to strengthen existing tools within Medicare, helping to streamline and broaden the ability for earlier diagnosis of dementia. It is critical that Congress find ways to support patients, their families, and caregivers.”

“We need a comprehensive approach to tackle the devastating impact of Alzheimer’s and to support the millions of Americans battling against this disease. Early detection and intervention are crucial to improve care and prolong the life of loved ones,” Rep. Matsui said. “The CHANGE Act provides important tools to deliver early support and high-value care. I applaud my colleagues for advancing this bipartisan effort as we continue taking steps forward to prevent, treat, and put an end to Alzheimer’s.”

“As research continues to yield advancement in the development of more treatment options for patients with Alzheimer’s, we know that early detection, diagnosis and intervention offers the best promise for disease management,” Rep. Bilirakis said. “My family has coped with the devastating impacts of this horrific disease for more than a decade, so I understand the toll it takes on the patient and his or her loved ones as it progresses. We owe it to our fellow Americans to develop a system of care that prioritizes education, screening and assessment so that patients can enjoy the best possible quality of life.”

The CHANGE Act is endorsed by: UsAgainstAlzheimer’s, American Academy of Neurology, Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, Alliance for Aging Research, Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, Gerontological Society of America, American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, Latinos Against Alzheimer’s, and USAging.

“The reintroduction of the CHANGE Act is a powerful display of bipartisan, bicameral leadership stepping up to confront the growing Alzheimer’s crisis. Senators Capito and Warner, along with Representatives Sánchez, LaHood, Matsui, and Bilirakis, recognize that early detection and timely intervention are extremely important to improving outcomes for patients and reducing strain on families and our healthcare system. UsAgainstAlzheimer’s proudly supports this legislation, which shifts our country’s approach from reacting too late to acting early—where we have the greatest chance to change lives and make a difference,” George Vradenburg, CEO and Founder of UsAgainstAlzheimer's, said.

Approximately 7.2 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease in 2025. That number could grow to a projected 13.8 million by 2060. The direct financial costs of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias will also continue to increase exponentially, with projections indicating they will reach just under $1 trillion by 2050.

The CHANGE Act would better utilize the existing Welcome to Medicare initial exam and Medicare annual wellness visits to screen, detect, and diagnose Alzheimer’s and related dementias in their earliest stages.

Now, as new treatments are approved and glimpses at what could be on the horizon for those living with the disease emerge, ensuring screening and diagnosis is taking place is more essential than ever. An early documented diagnosis communicated to the patient and caregiver enables early access to care planning services and available medical and non-medical treatments and optimizes patients’ ability to build a care team, participate in support services, and enroll in clinical trials. It also would allow this devastating disease to be caught in its earliest stages, and ensure appropriate access to treatment.

Legislative text is available here.

# # #

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (D-VA) today condemned Republican-led efforts to roll back key provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) as part of their proposed budget reconciliation bill to cut taxes for the wealthiest Americans. The senators warned that the GOP’s plan would jeopardize thousands of clean energy jobs, threaten billions in private investment, and raise energy costs for families across the Commonwealth.

“The Inflation Reduction Act has already delivered significant clean energy investments to Virginia, supporting more than 20,000 jobs and positioning our Commonwealth as a leader in the clean energy economy,” said Sens. Warner and Kaine. “Rolling back these investments would not only endanger these jobs but also hinder our progress toward a more sustainable and affordable energy future. We must protect the investments that are creating jobs and lowering costs for Virginians. The Republican plan puts our economic future at risk.”

According to a new report from the Joint Economic Committee, since the Inflation Reduction Act passed, 21,642 new Virginia jobs have been announced at manufacturing, utility electricity, and industrial facilities that can receive tax cuts through the law. These announced may now be in jeopardy because of uncertainty around President Trump and congressional Republicans’ plans to rollback energy tax cuts in the Inflation Reduction Act.

The report also includes new calculations finding that a typical Virginia household can save between $510 and $1,190 on energy costs annually through the tax cuts for home and appliance upgrades supported by the Inflation Reduction Act.

Read the full Joint Economic Committee report here.

Warner and Kaine have been sounding the alarm about the effects of the GOP plan on Virginia if Republicans in Congress continue to insist on gutting vital programs in order to pay for tax breaks for the richest Americans. Last week, they noted that more than 262,000 Virginians are expected to lose their health insurance under the cuts being proposed by President Trump and Republicans in Congress.

###

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the following statement ahead of a Senate procedural vote on a revised version of the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act:

“The stablecoin market has reached nearly $250 billion and the U.S. can’t afford to keep standing on the sidelines. We need clear rules of the road to protect consumers, defend national security, and support responsible innovation. The GENIUS Act is a meaningful step forward. It sets high standards for issuers, limits big tech overreach, and creates a safer, more transparent framework for digital assets. It’s not perfect, but it’s far better than the status quo.

“Many senators, myself included, have very real concerns about the Trump family’s use of crypto technologies to evade oversight, hide shady financial dealings, and personally profit at the expense of everyday Americans. We have a duty to shine a light on these abuses and stop Donald Trump from exploiting emerging technologies to enrich himself, dodge accountability, and weaken the safeguards that protect American consumers and the rule of law.

“But we cannot allow that corruption to blind us to the broader reality: blockchain technology is here to stay. If American lawmakers don’t shape it, others will – and not in ways that serve our interests or democratic values. Innovation in this space is happening, with or without us. We have a responsibility to ensure it happens safely, transparently, and in a way that advances U.S. economic and national security interests. The GENIUS Act will help get us started.”

###

WASHINGTON – As Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) continues its purge of federal programs, U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, is cautioning the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) against prematurely eliminating government contracts that protect millions of federal employees whose personal information was compromised in massive data breaches nearly 10 years ago.

In 2015, OPM announced two separate cybersecurity incidents attributed to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) that compromised the Social Security numbers, birthdates, and addresses of approximately 21.5 million individuals.

“The federal workforce was dangerously exposed by the 2015 OPM breach, and millions of impacted individuals will continue to be at risk because of the breach, likely for the remainder of their lives. In addition to Social Security numbers, birthdates, and addresses, there were also 1.1 million sets of fingerprints and detailed financial and health records exposed—some of the most valuable information today on the dark web,” wrote Sen. Warner.

In the immediate aftermath of the breach, Sen. Warner introduced legislation to protect federal workers affected by the attacks and eventually secured OPM-contracted identity protection services for those impacted by the breach. However, despite previous efforts by the Trump administration to protect federal workers whose data was compromised, DOGE has signaled that these protections may be in jeopardy.

Sen. Warner continued, “Given the recent personnel cuts to OPM and Elon Musk’s imminent departure from the Trump administration, I am deeply concerned that OPM is planning to curtail identity theft monitoring for millions of public servants and their families whose information was compromised in 2015. I urge you to ensure that identity theft protection services for the impacted individuals from the 2015 OPM breach continue, as required by law.”

A copy of letter is available here and text is below.

Dear Mr. Ezell:

I write to bring your attention to a vital issue affecting the federal workforce, past and current, and their families. In 2015, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced two separate cybersecurity incidents. The Social Security numbers, birthdates, and addresses of approximately 21.5 million individuals were compromised in the breaches, including 19.7 million individuals who applied for background investigations and 1.8 million non-applicants (predominantly spouses or cohabitants of applicants). In response to this massive security compromise, I co-sponsored the RECOVER Act, the original bill for OPM-contracted identity protection services for the impacted individuals. Congress appropriated funds in section 633(a) of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017. The Act and appropriation protected the 21.5 million impacted individuals with identity protection coverage and identity theft insurance. This appropriation was “effective for a period of not less than 10 years,” and expires at the end of fiscal year 2026, on September 30, 2026.

The 2015 OPM cybersecurity breach was attributed to the People’s Republic of China (PRC). In the decade since the breach, the PRC has mounted additional attacks to steal information about America’s leaders and public servants to disrupt and endanger the lives of everyday Americans, including recent cyber, critical infrastructure, and telecom security breaches. The federal workforce was dangerously exposed by the 2015 OPM breach, and millions of impacted individuals will continue to be at risk because of the breach, likely for the remainder of their lives. In addition to Social Security numbers, birthdates, and addresses, there were also 1.1 million sets of fingerprints and detailed financial and health records exposed—some of the most valuable information today on the dark web.

The risks and appropriate remedies for the compromise of sensitive information about public servants are well known to this administration. In March 2025, the Trump administration acknowledged the improper disclosure of sensitive information to former public servants when it disclosed the Social Security numbers, birthdates, and other sensitive information of hundreds of individuals in the release of the files pertaining the death of President John F. Kennedy. To protect those compromised individuals, the Trump administration is reportedly providing credit monitoring and, in some cases, has issued new Social Security numbers to the impacted individuals. While the March 2025 disclosure was a staggering unforced error, I applaud the administration’s swift response to protect the victims. Current and former public servants should not be abandoned to bear the risks of the federal government’s failure to protect their sensitive information.

It was not practicable to issue millions of new Social Security numbers to the Americans impacted by the 2015 OPM data breach, which is why the federal government responded at the time, followed by Congress appropriating funds to OPM to contract for identity theft protection services. Given the recent personnel cuts to OPM and Elon Musk’s imminent departure from the Trump administration, I am deeply concerned that OPM is planning to curtail identity theft monitoring for millions of public servants and their families whose information was compromised in 2015. I urge you to ensure that identity theft protection services for the impacted individuals from the 2015 OPM breach continue, as required by law. Any attempt to prematurely phase out services to the victims of the 2015 OPM breach will introduce tremendous risk to former and current federal employees and create an opportunity for America’s adversaries and criminals to target and potentially further compromise millions of Americans.

If you do decide to alter or terminate the current contract(s) protecting over 21 million Americans from identity theft as a result of the 2015 OPM breach, please inform my office and the relevant committees of Congress as soon as you make any such determination.

Sincerely,

###

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ), as well as Congressmen Jim Himes (D-CT) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s artificial intelligence deals that were announced with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia this week:

“Democrats and Republicans have long agreed that American companies must remain the undisputed leader in AI, a rapidly developing technology critical to the future of everything from our national security to manufacturing, finance to health care. We have worked hard to ensure the most powerful AI systems are built here, and we have fought to restrict the most sophisticated chips from reaching China – or those who would grant remote access to China – given Beijing’s use of AI to strengthen its military, crack down on domestic dissent, and compete with the U.S.

“President Trump announced deals to export very large volumes of advanced AI chips to the UAE and Saudi Arabia without credible security assurances to prevent U.S. adversaries from accessing those chips. These deals pose a significant threat to U.S. national security and fundamentally undermine bipartisan efforts to ensure the United States remains the global leader in AI. Rather than putting America first, this deal puts the Gulf first.

“The volume of AI chips Trump is offering for export would deprive American AI developers of highly sought-after chips needed here and slow the U.S. AI buildout. Under this deal, data centers and AI systems that would otherwise be built in America will be built in the Middle East – at the exact time that President Trump says he wants to bring jobs and key industries back home. This deal would incentivize U.S. firms to build the factories of the future overseas, creating significant vulnerabilities in our AI supply chain. If our leading AI firms offshore their frontier computing infrastructure to the Middle East, we could become as reliant on the Middle East for AI as we are on Taiwan for advanced semiconductors – and as we used to be on the Middle East for oil. We should not foster new dependencies on foreign countries for this premier technology.

“Additionally, these deals will provide our highest end chips to G42, a company with a well-documented history of cooperation with the People’s Republic of China. We applaud the administration's efforts to limit exports of advanced AI chips to China, including recent actions to further restrict exports of Nvidia chips. However, these efforts will be for nothing if G42 or other companies with ties to China are given large quantities of our most advanced chips.

“Proponents of the deal argue that China will fill the gap if we do not sell substantial quantities of advanced chips to these countries. This is false. China cannot and will not because China makes fewer chips as a nation than these deals offer, and each is inferior to their U.S.-designed equivalent. This is thanks to the bipartisan efforts under both the Trump and Biden administrations to cut off China’s access to advanced chip manufacturing equipment. These efforts have worked, and we should double down on this success rather than squander the leverage we have won.

“If this deal succeeds, the offshoring of frontier American AI will be recorded as an historic American blunder. People around the world deserve to enjoy the benefits we will reap from AI. However, AI chips must only be exported to trusted companies, in reasonable numbers, and in concert with credible security standards and assurances. We welcome the opportunity to work with the administration to meet these objectives and urge our colleagues in Congress to do the same.”

Senator Warner is Vice Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Senator Coons is Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. Senator Shaheen is Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Senator Reed is Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Senator Kelly is a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Congressman Himes is Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee. Congressman Krishnamoorthi is Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.

###

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (D-VA) released the following statement on findings by the Joint Economic Committee that more than 262,000 Virginians are set to lose their health insurance under the cuts being proposed by President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress:

“Donald Trump wants to give another massive tax break to his billionaire friends, and Republicans in Congress are planning to pay for that by ripping health care away from working families. These findings make clear that cutting health care to offset the cost of tax breaks will hurt millions of Americans, including 262,400 Virginians who would quickly find themselves with no insurance and no way to pay for a doctor’s visit or the medication they rely on. To make matters worse, these cuts would also deliver a massive blow to rural communities, where hospitals are often able to stay open only because of the dollars they receive from Medicaid. Virginians deserve better than this.”

The cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act are being proposed as part of the President’s “big, beautiful” tax bill, which seeks to give trillions of dollars in tax breaks to the rich.

According to the Joint Economic Committee, these cuts are set to affect approximately 262,400 Virginians, including 100,826 who would lose coverage under the Affordable Care Act and 161,614 who would lose Medicaid coverage. Medicaid serves primarily low-income families, including children, parents, elderly people, and people with disabilities.

These calculations are based on the latest numbers available, including from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO)’s initial analysis released on Sunday evening – which found that cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act would result in roughly 13.7 million people losing their health insurance by 2034.

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