Mark Warner (D)*
Background
Mark Warner was born in Indiana and raised in Connecticut, until ultimately settling in Alexandria. He received his bachelor's degree from George Washington University and his law degree from Harvard Law School. Prior to entering politics, he co-founded the cell phone company that became Nextel. From 1993-1995, he was the Virginia Democratic Party chairman. He served as governor of Virginia from 2002-2006. Warner was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2008, having delivered the keynote address at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. At the start of the current 116th Congress, Warner was vice chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and vice chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus. He also serves on the Committee on Rules and Administration, Committee on Budget, Committee on Finance, and Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban A airs.
Legislative priorities FIGHTING COVID 19
Daily life in Virginia and around the world has changed dramatically. I am thinking about every Virginian a ected by this pandemic — those on the front lines fighting coronavirus and their families, the children who won’t return to school this year, and the small business owner struggling to stay afloat. As we all do our part to slow and stop the spread of coronavirus, I’m fighting for you in the Senate to make sure every Virginian benefits from coronavirus stimulus packages.
SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
I am committed to making sure that Virginians have the tools they need to succeed in a rapidly changing economy and job market. As Virginia’s governor and now as Virginia’s senior senator, I have worked to expand opportunities for small businesses and ensure that workers have access to training opportunities.
RURAL BROADBAND
Infrastructure makes a huge impact on economic development, and no infrastructure in the 21st century is more important than fast, dependable broadband. Unfortunately, not everyone in Virginia has access to reliable broadband service. I have been relentless in pushing to get high-speed internet to rural Virginia to help unlock the region’s economic potential and even the playing field for all Virginians. I helped change the law to make it easier for the government to fund rural broadband projects in Virginia. In 2019, I successfully pushed for over $30 million in grant funding for rural broadband, and rural parts of the state are already taking advantage of these new programs.
APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION
I protected the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), which has funded infrastructure and economic development projects in some of the commonwealth’s most vulnerable communities over the last 50 years. e Trump administration’s budget proposed to end the ARC, which would have terminated 32 projects in Virginia. I led the bipartisan e ort to fully fund the ARC and protect communities across Virginia, securing enough funding to allow the program to continue its vital work throughout Appalachia.
DEFENSE ECONOMY
Virginia’s military bases and contractors do more than just keep us safe, they are huge economic drivers for the commonwealth. I helped win approval for the block buy of two new aircra carriers which will help sustain an estimated 25,000 jobs in Hampton Roads. I have further pushed for increased funding for military construction across Virginia. In 2019, I helped secure half a billion dollars in funding for projects which will stimulate economic activity and create work for our military personnel and civilians alike.