From Sen. Tim Kaine, who had a very productive and successful year for Virginia and for himself, including reelection by an impressive 9 points. Also, something Sen. Kaine doesn’t mention here was his hilarious appearance on Saturday Night Live – if you haven’t watched it yet, do yourself a favor and do so right now, you’ll definitely enjoy it!
Hey, everybody, Senator Tim Kaine here.
It’s hard to believe 2024 is almost over. As I reflect on the past year, I want to take some time to celebrate some of what we’ve been able to accomplish together.
This year, I was able to pass several bills through both chambers of Congress including:
The BOLD Act to help combat Alzheimer’s Disease;
The Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust Congressional Gold Medal Act, honoring diplomats who helped save Jewish people during WWII and the Holocaust;
The BRIDGE for Workers Act to help more Americans find good-paying jobs;
And—alongside Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton—the National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act to help address Parkinson’s Disease.
In 2024, we also had historic investments come to Virginia thanks to legislation I’ve helped pass, including:
A $275 million investment in Micron’s Manassas microchip processing facility, which will create over 1,000 jobs;
A $1.35 billion investment from Microporous LLC to build a new manufacturing facility, which will create thousands of jobs in Southside in the Danville region;
$380 million in federal funding for the Port of Virginia so it can become carbon-neutral by 2040;
A $681 million investment from LS GreenLink to build a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, creating hundreds of jobs in Chesapeake;
A new Topsoe manufacturing facility, expected to bring more than $400 million in investments and create at least 150 new jobs in Chesterfield County;
Over $154 million in federal funding for affordable housing across the Commonwealth.
I’m proud that I was also able to successfully advocate for steps the Biden-Harris Administration took to make our country healthier and safer, including:
The FDA issuing final guidance to raise the tobacco age to 21, based on a bill that I authored with Senator McConnell a few years ago;
Expanded coverage of IVF and other fertility services for federal workers;
The Department of Labor implementing new standards to limit miner’s exposure to silica dust;
And the closure of the gun show loophole, enhancing gun safety all across this country.
I’m proud of everything we’ve been able to accomplish this year, but I know that there’s still so much more work to do.
I hope you have a wonderful holiday season.
I look forward to building on this year’s progress, traveling around Virginia, showing up for you, listening to you, and then standing up for you in the years ahead.
See you on the road in 2025.