Sen. Tim Kaine approves National Guard presence at Capitol if it means removing fences, razor wire
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Virginia Senator Tim Kaine says he wants to see better security at the Capitol following the Jan. 6 insurrection. His reaction comes after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin approved a request from Capitol Police Tuesday to keep nearly 2,300 National Guard personnel on Capitol Hill through May 23rd. “If we need to use some more people in order to take down the fences and the razor wire, that’s what we should do. I think fences and razor wire around the Capitol sends an absolute horrible message. First, it’s bad for the residents of Capitol Hill, but it sends a horrible message about who we are as a nation,” said Kaine.
Sen. Tim Kaine sees cabinet picks, vaccinations as top priorities
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Senator Tim Kaine says now that Vice President Kamala Harris has been sworn in, giving Democrats the majority, confirmation hearings should move quickly. Kaine believes hearings may stretch into February, but he’d like to see the core security positions approved by next week. “I’m going to get these [men and women] at these hearings to give us goals we can hold them accountable for. Kaine plans to hold the Biden administration accountable for their goal -- 100 million vaccinations during the first 100 days in office. Kaine also plans to press about vaccine distribution to minority communities.
‘Inexcusable’: Virginia lawmakers react to chaos at Capitol
LYNCHBURG, Va. – The images of chaos at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday are more than 24 hours old, but still fresh in Virginia lawmakers’ minds. You have the right to petition your elected officials; but the violence is inexcusable,” said Republican Congressman Morgan Griffith, who represents Virginia’s 9th district. Democratic Senator Tim Kaine holds President Trump accountable for the violence. I was so pissed off that this is what it’s come to with [President Trump] and with this country at this moment in time,” said Kaine. But Griffith says even after the chaos, Congress had a duty to continue the ceremonial count.
More COVID-19 stimulus checks could be on the way
LYNCHBURG, Va. – More COVID-19 relief could be on the way for millions of Americans including another round of stimulus checks. It includes another stimulus check, likely around $600 per person if you qualify based on your income. I say it’d be stupidity on steroids if we didn’t get to this kind of a deal,” said Democratic Senator Mark Warner. “Whether you’re that restaurant owner or that person that’s unemployment relief is going to run out the day after Christmas, help is coming. The sooner we get this legislation signed and get those checks out, the better,” Warner said.
Sen. Tim Kaine goes after Trump for pulling the plug on COVID-19 relief
ROANOKE, Va. – Virginia Senator Tim Kaine voiced his concern Thursday after President Trump pulled the plug on a new COVID-19 relief deal. Democrats and the Trump administration struggled to agree on what provisions a fifth aid package would include and how much the proposal would cost. Democrats passed a $2.2 trillion relief bill last week, while Republicans offered a $1.6 trillion package. Kaine said Democrats were caught off guard by Trump’s declaration Tuesday, especially when the U.S. is down 10 million jobs due to the crisis. But it’s not ended the need, and it’s not ended the imperative that we find the next package,” said Kaine.