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Video: Ahead of Confirmation Vote, Sen. Mark Warner Speaks on the Senate Floor to Oppose Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and NIH Funding Cut

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Blue Virginia
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From Sen. Mark Warner’s office:

AHEAD OF CONFIRMATION VOTE, WARNER SPEAKS ON THE SENATE FLOOR TO OPPOSE ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JR. AND NIH FUNDING CUT

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, today spoke on the Senate floor about his opposition to the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be Secretary of Health and Human Services.

“Earlier this week, the Trump administration put forward a plan to cut $4 billion in federal funding for research at hospitals and universities like those in Virginia, which conduct some of our nation’s top research. This illegal and shortsighted maneuver could decrease the kind of work that leads to medical cures and scientific breakthroughs. It could devastate a major research ecosystem in Virginia, eliminate 21st century jobs, and hurt countless American families who have been touched by cancer and other devastating diseases. I have no earthly idea why the President would choose to cede American R&D leadership to China right now. What I do know is that Mr. Kennedy will do nothing to stop it,” said Sen. Warner. 

For weeks, Sen. Warner has been raising the alarm about Kennedy’s lack of qualifications to be HHS Secretary. In front of the Finance Committee, Sen. Warner pressed him on his threats to fire thousands of federal workers and the administration’s illegal attempt to freeze trillions in federal funding. You can watch the full exchange here.

Last Friday, the Trump administration made an announcement that would significantly cut back on funding for NIH grants at universities and research centers nationwide. While a federal judge has placed a temporary restraining order on this announcement, if it is allowed to go into effect, it would significantly hinder medical research across the country, and significantly hurt the operation of public research universities and health centers.

The final vote on Kennedy’s confirmation is expected tomorrow morning. 

Sen. Warner’s full remarks as prepared are below:

“I rise today to oppose President Trump’s nomination of Robert Francis Kennedy Jr., to be Secretary of Health and Human Services.

It’s been less than a month since Donald Trump was inaugurated. And already… we’ve seen this administration attack non-partisan civil servants… illegally freeze federal funding… and gut the independent oversight bodies that crack down and protect Americans from corruption. 

Now more than ever, the Senate needs to confirm nominees who want to make the government more efficient… who are willing to work in good faith to advance their missions, regardless of political ideology. 

Unfortunately, I don’t believe that Mr. Kennedy is that nominee… and I fear that he will serve as a rubber stamp for the chaos and disruption of the Trump-Musk administration.  

The past couple of weeks have made it clear that Elon Musk and his DOGE bros have a disturbing scheme to undermine the government’s ability to operate… all in the name of “efficiency.”

We’ve seen Musk take a hatchet to USAID, ceding leadership to China… limiting our ability to fight terrorism… and turning our nation’s back on the international community.

We’ve seen Musk take a hatchet to the CFPB… leaving consumers to fend for themselves, and giving a pass to scammers and institutions who defraud Americans.

We’re starting to see Musk take aim at the Department of Education. 

We cannot allow this pattern to continue at the agency tasked with keeping people healthy and safe.

As folks at home may remember… earlier this month, the President issued an illegal order to freeze all federal spending. 

Fortunately, the funding freeze order was rescinded after a major public outcry and the threat of losing in court.

Still, real people suffered the consequences.

Across Virginia, for example, three community health centers had to close during the funding freeze. And now… they won’t be reopening due to “uncertainty.”

These health centers… which provide primary and preventive care for underserved populations… feel that they can no longer rely on the government to keep its word or meet its obligations.

In rural Buckingham County… a health center is having to put off replacing the only machine in the county that provides breast cancer screening.

Who suffers when these things happen?

Certainly not Elon Musk… the richest man in the world. I would be willing to bet he gets excellent and timely preventative care.

Unfortunately, we’ve already seen some foreshadowing of what is to come if Mr. Kennedy is confirmed as HHS nominee.

Take the National Institutes of Health, for example.

NIH is one of many important agencies under HHS… and it’s tasked with advancing medical and public health research in the U.S.

Many of the medical advancements we have today started off as NIH grants… from cancer immunotherapies… to heart valve replacements… to medications for many health conditions.

Earlier this week, the Trump administration put forward a plan to cut $4 billion in federal funding for research at hospitals and universities like those in Virginia, which conduct some of our nation’s top research.

This illegal and shortsighted maneuver could decrease the kind of work that leads to medical cures and scientific breakthroughs. It could devastate a major research ecosystem in Virginia, eliminate 21st century jobs, and hurt countless American families who have been touched by cancer and other devastating diseases.

I have no earthly idea why the President would choose to cede American R&D leadership to China right now.

What I do know… is that Mr. Kennedy will do nothing to stop it.

What we need at HHS… is a nominee who is willing to go in with a scalpel – not a hatchet – to make our health care system run better.

We need someone with the preparedness and experience necessary to:

  1. Safeguard a woman’s right to reproductive care…
  2. Support health care systems in their fight against cyber attacks…
  3. Protect Medicaid & Medicare…
  4. And ensure that American families can count on good health insurance.

Rather than focusing on any of these things, Mr. Kennedy has expressed that he would like to gut our nation’s top health agency.

Specifically, he has said that he would like to oust 2,200 non-partisan health experts at HHS.

At his hearing before the Senate Finance Committee… I asked him a very simple question: which ones? 

The folks who keep our food safe from things like Salmonella? The folks who examine the medications we give our kids?

He couldn’t answer that question!

Now, I do appreciate Mr. Kennedy’s concern with chronic illnesses and the obesity epidemic. I also agree… that not enough Americans have access to healthy food.

However, having met with Mr. Kennedy in private… and having questioned him at his hearing…. I don’t believe he is the right person to tackle these complicated issues.

I don’t have the confidence that he will be willing to consider the science… or consult non-partisan health experts when necessary. I certainly don’t have the confidence that he will stand up to Donald Trump or Elon Musk. 

And frankly, I’m not the only one.

Mr. President… If you’ll allow me, I’d like to share some of the concerns I’ve heard from Virginians. 

Katherine… an ICU Nurse in Charlottesville, wrote:

“I cared for critically-ill and dying patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, while public health conspiracies were spread by figures like RFK Jr. with no scientific or medical training. I have seen the potentially deadly consequences of spreading misleading health and safety information.”

Talia… an Alexandria resident who suffer from chronic illness, wrote:

“My ability to access effective treatments relies on accurate research and development of medicine.”

She fears that, if nominated, Mr. Kennedy will curb progress in science and medical research.

Another constituent, from Nokesville, wrote:

“My mother contracted polio at the age of 2 years old. She is now 92 and has spent her life dealing with the pain of post-polio symptoms. RFK Jr.’s stance on vaccines is dangerous to people of all ages.”

One doctor from Alexandria, wrote:

As a pediatrician for almost 50 years, I have seen many diseases nearly eradicated, thanks to vaccines. Mr. Kennedy would reverse that trend. In my career, I have seen children become profoundly impaired – unable to talk or care for themselves as adults – due to preventable infections. I have seen three children die from ‘harmless’ childhood diseases like measles and chickenpox. I never wish to see that again.”

A cancer survivor from Virginia Beach, wrote:

“Cancer survivors like myself count on public health initiatives and scientific research to ensure the effective long-term treatment and prevention of serious diseases. I do not believe Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – a man who lacks any credentials and credibility in this field – will have those interests in mind.”

Mr. President… the writing is on the wall. This nominee does not have the right experience, credibility, or motivations to be running a government agency of this size or importance.

That’s why I will be voting “NO” on Mr. Kennedy’s nomination to be HHS secretary.

With that, M. President, I yield the floor.”

VA State Senator Lamont Bagby Announces Candidacy for Chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia; Is Endorsed by Senators Tim Kaine, Mark Warner; Likely 2025 Democratic Gubernatorial Nominee Abigail Spanberger; etc.

By
lowkell
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1

From VA State Sen. Lamont Bagby’s campaign for Chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia – lots of very impressive, high-powered endorsements, including Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, likely 2025 VA Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger, etc. The election to replace Susan Swecker, who is retiring, will be on March 22.

State Senator Lamont Bagby Announces Candidacy for Chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia

Virginia Legislative Black Caucus Chair, Senator Lamont Bagby, launches his campaign for Democratic Party of Virginia Chairmanship with overwhelming support from the State Central Committee

RICHMOND, VA – Today, Chairman of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus and State Senator Lamont Bagby, announced his candidacy for Chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia with the endorsements of prominent Democrats from across the Commonwealth.

“I am excited to announce my candidacy for Chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia and am humbled by the overwhelming support from so many members of the Central Committee,” said Senator Lamont Bagby. “Now more than ever, Virginia Democrats need to be united in our mission to retake the Governor’s Mansion, expand our House majority, and push back on the extreme, chaotic agenda we are seeing across the river in Washington. I am committed to being a highly active and intentionally collaborative chair, working with the Central Committee, local committees, elected officials and candidates to ensure Democratic victories up and down the ballot.”

Chairman Bagby has been endorsed by the following members of the State Central Committee:

United States Senator Mark Warner
United States Senator Senator Tim Kaine
Former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, Candidate for Governor
Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Don Scott
President Pro-Tempore of the Senate of Virginia L. Louise Lucas
Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell
Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Mamie Locke
Congressman Bobby Scott, Dean of Virginia’s Congressional Delegation
Congressman Suhas Subramanyam
Senator Creigh Deeds
Senator Lashrecse Aird
Senator Jennifer Carroll Foy, DNC Member
Senator Saddam Azlan Salim
Senator Kannan Srinivasan
Delegate David Bulova
Delegate Cliff Hayes, Jr.
Delegate Rodney Willett
Delegate Candi Mundon-King
Delegate Holly Seibold
Delegate Amy Laufer
Delegate Katrina Callsen
Delegate Michael Feggans
Gaylene Kanoyton, 1st Vice Chair, Democratic Party of Virginia
Diane Carter de Mayo, 1st Congressional District Chair
Sandra Brandt, 2nd Congressional District Chair
EJ Scott, Chair, Democratic Black Caucus of Virginia
Delegate Hala Ayala, Chair, Democratic Party of Virginia Women’s Caucus
Deanna Bayer, Vice Chair, LGBT+ Democrats of Virginia
Susan Hippen, 1st Vice Chair, Democratic Party of Virginia Women’s Caucus
Charley Conrad, Chair, Veterans and Military Families Caucus
Tina Winkler, Chair of the Association of Democratic Chairs
Bryan Graham, DNC Member
Chesapeake City Councilmember Les Smith, Jr.
Chesapeake City Councilmember Ella Ward
Henrico County Supervisor Tyrone Nelson
Montgomery County Supervisor Mary Biggs
Montgomery County Supervisor Derek Kitts
Prince Edward County Supervisor Pattie Cooper-Jones
Prince William County School Board Member Richard Jessie
Prince William County School Board Member Tracy Blake
South Boston Town Councilwoman Tina Wyatt Younger
Lucas Anderton, Central Committee Member, 2nd Congressional District
Sandra Antoine, Central Committee Member, 4th Congressional District
Dorothy Blackwell, Central Committee Member, 6th Congressional District
Ivania Castillo, Central Committee Member, 7th Congressional District
Erin Carter, Central Committee Member, 3rd Congressional District
Thomas Crews, Central Committee Member, 5th Congressional District
Hanh Deniston, Central Committee Member, 4th Congressional District
Roscoe Eubanks, Central Committee Member, 5th Congressional District
Bob Garsson, Central Committee Member, 5th District Congressional District
Maurice Hawkins, Central Committee Member, 2nd Congressional District
Darren Hays, Central Committee Member, 4th Congressional District
Sandra Klassen, Central Committee Member, 11th Congressional District
Helen Kyle, Central Committee Member, 9th Congressional District
Casey Longenecker, Central Committee Member, 5th Congressional District
Jackson Miller, Central Committee Member, 5th Congressional District
George Morrison, Central Committee Member, 4th Congressional District
Jeff Painter, Central Committee Member, 4th Congressional District
Vern Presley, Central Committee Member, 9th Congressional District
Helen Schoene, Central Committee Member, 5th Congressional District
Ghana Smith, Central Committee Member, 3rd Congressional District
Mary Lynn Tate, Central Committee Member, 9th Congressional District
Jennifer Tierney, Central Committee Member, 1st Congressional District
David Washington, Central Committee Member, 3rd Congressional District
Lauren Whittington, Central Committee Member, 5th Congressional Districtssional District

Video: Sen. Tim Kaine Delivers Remarks Slamming Republican Budget Bill Teeing Up Tax Cuts for the Wealthy

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Blue Virginia
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0

From Sen. Tim Kaine’s office:

VIDEO: KAINE DELIVERS REMARKS SLAMMING REPUBLICAN BUDGET BILL TEEING UP TAX CUTS FOR THE WEALTHY

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, during a Senate Budget Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) slammed Republicans’ budget resolution that would tee up tax cuts for billionaires at the expense of middle-class Americans. Today, the Senate Budget Committee is beginning a legislative process known as “reconciliation,” which allows certain legislation to be expedited and passed in the Senate by a simple majority. Senate Republicans are using this process to pass their budget proposal in order to avoid having to meet the 60-vote threshold needed for most other legislation.

“I view this exercise and this resolution as a Trojan horse,” said Kaine. “You do not need reconciliation to do defense, you do not need reconciliation border security. There’s a demonstrated track record in this body that both of those can be done in a bipartisan way. So what’s this bill about?” 

“This is an effort to dramatically cut spending on programs that affect everyday Virginians and everyday Americans,” Kaine continued. “Those dollars – combined with the tariffs that Donald Trump is laying on American families that will make everything more expensive – then go into a big pot that gets used to fund tax cuts for the wealthy.”

President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are currently negotiating an extension to Trump’s 2017 tax law, which cut taxes for large corporations and the highest-income earners and substantially increased the federal deficit. They are now proposing broad-based tariffs and massive, across-the-board cuts to federal programs like Medicaid to fund these tax cuts for billionaires. Tax estimates have shown that if enacted, Trump’s tariffs could raise costs by $2,500 to nearly $4,000 per household, and American consumers could lose between $46 billion to $78 billion in spending power each year.

Video: After Blasting Winsome Sears as a “Never Trumper,” etc. for Two Years, Trump’s Former VA Campaign Chair Throws His Support Strongly Behind Her

By
lowkell
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7

It would be fascinating to know the backstory on what exactly happened here, as Donald Trump’s former Virginia campaign chair, MAGA radio host John Fredericks, this morning did a sudden “180” on Winsome Sears’ candidacy for governor of Virginia. See the video, below (the part on Spanberger and Sears starts about 2 hours, 5 minutes in), and check out Fredericks now claiming he’s 100% behind Sears – and thinks she’s going to win! – after blasting Sears for two years as a “Never Trumper”/Trump hater who was 100% guaranteed to get “wiped out” by Abigail Spanberger “and take 5-6 House [of Delegates] seats down.”

The reasoning for the abrupt shift?  Supposedly, that over the past weekend, Fredericks watched Tim Kaine, Mark Warner and Abigail Spanberger “running around defending corruption” (huh? no clue what this is in reference to)…I just couldn’t believe that, and I said to myself, Winsome Sears is going to win this thing.” Also, supposedly, Spanberger is becoming “unglued” and “there’s two choices – this is binary: Winsome Sears or Abigail Spanberger, the ‘deep stater’, CIA, Post Office – how efficient is the Post Office?” Alrighty…

By the way, see below for a few links to remind everyone of where John Fredericks was on Winsome Sears – and some of the reason why – the past couple years. And, again – no, nothing substantively changed over the weekend about any of this…

As for the polling on this race, see here (and note that “co/efficient” is a Republican outfit, pro-Trump and pro-Youngkin…), which overall shows Spanberger with a lead (on average) of several points. Of course, it’s VERY early and a LOT (including Trump’s approval rating, presumably) can/will likely change by the fall, but that’s where we’re at now…

Wednesday News: “On the Brink”; “The Path to American Authoritarianism”; “Trump Humiliated in the ‘Most Powerless Image Ever’ of a U.S. President”; “Not Hyperbole Anymore: Musk Is In Charge of the US Government”; “The Federal Workforce Resistance to Donald Trump Is Here”

By
lowkell
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25

by Lowell

Here are a few international, national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Wednesday, February 12.

Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA08): “The Musk-Trump Administration’s purge of the federal civil service is illegal, terrible for the country, and paves the way for increased corruption.”

By
Blue Virginia
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3

From Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA08)’s office:

Trump Orders Illegal Workforce Purges To Pave The Way For Increased Corruption

February 11, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) – Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), who represents a Northern Virginia district containing one of the largest concentrations of federal employees in the U.S. House, issued the following statement today on Donald Trump’s “workforce optimization initiative,” an Executive Order pairing mass purges of the federal workforce with a directive that all new hiring be vetted by a fake, unauthorized agency headed by the President’s billionaire donor Elon Musk:

“The Musk-Trump Administration’s purge of the federal civil service is illegal, terrible for the country, and paves the way for increased corruption.

“Federal workers and their expertise are vital to Americans’ health and security. They work everyday to protect us from disease, crime, and threats foreign and domestic. They ensure our seniors have Social Security and Medicare, they provide care to veterans, and they deliver our mail. Trump’s plan to massively reduce the workforce providing those services will severely damage the delivery of those services.

“Congress passed laws to ensure that the federal civil service is a professional, career workforce selected and promoted based on skill and merit, not on political loyalty. Trump’s illegal purge, which is already singling out workers for political reasons, is coupled with a similarly illegal requirement that Elon Musk and his team of political commissars at ‘DOGE’ vet all potential hires. Musk is personally profiting from government contracts and using a position he bought with over $250 million in donations to Donald Trump to increase his own power and wealth. Turning every individual hiring decision over to him when he won’t even disclose his business holdings and investments to the American people is ridiculously corrupt.

“Finally, while Musk and Trump are distracting their followers with supposed ‘savings’ from these mass layoffs, which my Republican colleagues correctly note are a tiny fraction of all federal spending, they are preparing to enact tax cuts that will shower hundreds of times as much money on the rich. None of this is about saving money, it is about Musk and Trump enriching themselves and their wealthy friends while making huge cuts to services Americans depend on.”

Sen. Mark Warner and Colleagues Blast Trump Admin. Decision to Shutter the CFPB and Put Consumers, Military Families at Risk

By
Blue Virginia
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13

From Sen. Mark Warner’s office:

WARNER, REED & COLLEAGUES BLAST TRUMP ADMIN. DECISION TO SHUTTER THE CFPB AND PUT CONSUMERS & MILITARY FAMILIES AT RISK  

~ Since its inception, the CFPB has returned over $21 billion back to consumers who have fallen victim to abusive and illegal activity ~

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) joined Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) and a number of their Senate colleagues in a letter demanding that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) perform its essential work supervising and investigating violations of consumer financial protection laws and taking forceful enforcement actions against scammers and payday lenders. This letter comes on the heels of an ill-advised move by the Trump administration to shutter the CFPB, which collects, investigates, and monitors consumer complaints about financial products and services, and provides relief to consumers who have been wronged by unscrupulous financial providers.  

As a consumer watchdog, the CFPB looks out for Americans’ financial wellbeing, preventing scams and holding offenders accountable. This is especially true for servicemembers, veterans, and their families, Since the agency’s inception, the CFPB has returned over $21 billion back to consumers who have fallen victim to abusive and illegal activity.

“This morning, in your capacity as Acting Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), you issued a directive to employees to cease all work without your express written approval.  This includes investigations, supervision, enforcement, and litigation activities, as well as all stakeholder engagement and public communications.  This decision leaves all Americans susceptible to predatory lending and other abusive practices, but in particular, it eliminates protections that prevent servicemembers from being exploited,” wrote the senators.

In this letter, the Senators also express The Trump Administration’s decision to stop supervision, enforcement, and litigation eliminates key protections enacted by Congress through the Military Lending Act (MLA) and Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) to protect servicemembers, who are disproportionally targeted by predatory lenders and schemes, and often face greater financial risks than civilian borrowers due to the nature of their military service.  The financial and legal protections in these bipartisan laws – most notably a temporary reduction in interest rates on mortgages, credit cards, and auto loans – are critical to national defense and military readiness. 

“Nullifying the MLA and imperiling servicemembers’ rights under the SCRA will degrade military readiness, cost taxpayers money, and tarnish servicemembers’ records.  The Department of Defense (DOD) has stated that ‘high-cost debt can detract from mission focus, reduce productivity, and require the attention of supervisors and commanders.’  Morale suffers when servicemembers and their families are trapped in cycles of debt. And taxpayers are on the hook when our servicemembers leave the military due to avoidable personal issues like financial insecurity.  According to DOD, each separated servicemember costs the Pentagon more than $58,000,” they continued.

“Accordingly, we request that the CFPB continue to supervise and investigate violations of the consumer financial protection laws and take forceful enforcement actions against lenders that violate the law, especially when it comes to predatory lending that harms our military readiness. We also request that the CFPB continue to make public communications to consumers, especially to servicemembers regarding the rights that they are owed under the SCRA,” the letter concluded.

In addition to Sens. Warner and Reed, the letter was signed by U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), and Edward Markey (D-MA). 

A copy of the letter is available here and below: 

February 10, 2025 

The Honorable Russell Vought, Director                                    

Office of Management and Budget                             
725 17th St. NW                                             
Washington, DC 20303                      
Dear Director Vought: 

This morning, in your capacity as Acting Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), you issued a directive to employees to cease all work without your express written approval.  This includes investigations, supervision, enforcement, and litigation activities, as well as all stakeholder engagement and public communications.  This decision leaves all Americans susceptible to predatory lending and other abusive practices, but in particular, it eliminates protections that prevent servicemembers from being exploited.  

This funding, supervision, enforcement, and communications freeze will hit military families especially hard.  Without a functional CFPB, military families will be stripped of their financial protections under the bipartisan Military Lending Act (MLA) that they have earned and deserve by serving our Nation.  The CFPB is the primary agency responsible for supervising and enforcing the MLA against nonbank financial companies, including payday lenders, pawnshops, and debt collectors who have charged servicemembers interest rates as high as 600% and who have threatened to derail their careers if they do not pay up.  

The agency’s supervision and enforcement program has delivered concrete results for the military.  The CFPB has resolved 39 cases involving harm to servicemembers and veterans, returning $363 million to victims, including six enforcement actions for violations of the MLA.  Two additional MLA cases are currently pending in court, alleging that a pawn shop and an installment lender charged sky high interest rates to military families and engaged in deceptive practices to illegally harvest fees.  With these cases frozen, no supervision, staff locked out, and additional enforcement off the table, unscrupulous lenders will exploit these circumstances to engage in additional predatory lending.  The actions that you have taken since being installed as Acting Director betray our servicemembers and empower scammers who want to rip them off. 

Further, recent CFPB research identified a long-running pattern of lenders failing to decrease servicemembers’ interest rates while on active duty as required by the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).  These failures cost servicemembers thousands of dollars per year.  The CFPB’s public communications have held lenders accountable and helped servicemembers exercise their rights under Federal law. 

Nullifying the MLA and imperiling servicemembers’ rights under the SCRA will degrade military readiness, cost taxpayers money, and tarnish servicemembers’ records.  The Department of Defense (DOD) has stated that “high-cost debt can detract from mission focus, reduce productivity, and require the attention of supervisors and commanders.”  Morale suffers when servicemembers and their families are trapped in cycles of debt.  And taxpayers are on the hook when our servicemembers leave the military due to avoidable personal issues like financial insecurity.  According to DOD, each separated servicemember costs the Pentagon more than $58,000. 

Accordingly, we request that the CFPB continue to supervise and investigate violations of the consumer financial protection laws and take forceful enforcement actions against lenders that violate the law, especially when it comes to predatory lending that harms our military readiness.  We also request that the CFPB continue to make public communications to consumers, especially to servicemembers regarding the rights that they are owed under the SCRA.  

We request your commitment no later than February 12, 2025.  Thank you for your attention to this important matter. 

Sincerely,

Following Deadly DCA Collision, Virginia & Maryland Lawmakers Request Answers From FAA

By
Blue Virginia
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0

From Sen. Mark Warner’s office:

FOLLOWING DEADLY DCA COLLISION, VIRGINIA & MARYLAND LAWMAKERS REQUEST ANSWERS FROM FAA

~ As DOGE continues to meddle in government operations, letter warns against hasty changes to nation’s air traffic systems by inexperienced & partisan individuals ~ 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks (both D-MD), along with U.S. Reps. Don Beyer, Gerald Connolly, Suhas Subramanyam (all D-VA), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), and Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today requested answers and commitments from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on its plans to protect the flying public in the wake of the January 29 collision between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines airplane. In the letter, the lawmakers applauded the precautionary safety measures put in place by the FAA, as well as the agency’s collaboration with the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) investigation into the causes and factors behind the collision. They also stressed the need to carefully review existing protocols to ensure that flight operations do not simply return to business as usual.

The lawmakers also expressed serious concern with potential interference with the FAA by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has caused mayhem across the government, from attempting to push out nonpartisan civil servants, to reportedly accessing the U.S. Treasury’s payment system, as well as systems at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 

“While we applaud FAA for early actions taken to bolster safety, recent actions indicate that your agency is inviting inexperienced individuals with intense partisan leanings into a process that should be objective and expert driven,” wrote the lawmakers, citing an Elon Musk tweet. “We are extremely concerned that an ad hoc team of individuals lacking any expertise, exposure, certifications, or knowledge of aviation operations being invited, or inserting themselves, to make ‘rapid’ changes to our nation’s air traffic systems. This the wrong course of action to take.”

They continued, “We want the safest skies in the world, and any efforts to weaken standards will not be tolerated. Aviation safety is not an area to “move fast and break things”. Proven, methodical, and deliberate action is what is called for when any changes are considered to safety. We express in the strongest possible terms our alarm at allowing Musk’s cadre of unvetted, untrained, and unaccountable individuals the ability to make changes to complicated and sensitive FAA policies at a time when serious and knowledgeable people should be in charge.”

Stressing the need to prioritize safety and to base any future measures on the knowledge of aviation experts, the lawmakers requested answers to the following questions: 

1.       The FAA’s current restrictions on helicopter flights at National Airport are tied to the release of NTSB’s preliminary report. What factors will FAA consider as it reassesses the need for extending or modifying the restrictions? Please provide details on, and documentation sufficient to substantiate, additional safety measures that are being contemplated and/or will be proposed to deconflict or otherwise improve safety in the air space over National Airport.

2.       As you assess the need for additional measures, will you commit to consulting recognized aviation experts – both in and out of the federal government – to identify requirements or operational changes for civil and military aviation in the National Capital Region?

3.       On February 4, less than one week from the incident, reports emerged that FAA directed its personnel to cease participating in Federal advisory or aviation rulemaking committees. Were FAA personnel directed to cease participating in these committees?

  •  If true, please describe the rationale for such a decision and provide documentation sufficient to substantiate any directives received from other Federal government officials, other individuals acting under the direction of the President, or who are otherwise asserting a legal authority to direct or influence decision-making at the FAA.

4.       On February 5, 2025, Elon Musk and Secretary Duffy each announced that DOGE would “upgrade our aviation system”.

  • Were you informed of this decision in advance of either social media posting?
  • What engagement have you had with DOGE at this time?
  • What engagement has been discussed or is planned for the future?
  • Do you have knowledge of what comprises the “rapid safety upgrades” Musk tweeted about?
  • Do you commit to timely report to Congress any actions that the FAA is directed to undertake at the direction of the President, DOGE, or by the Office of the Secretary of Transportation regarding any aspect of aviation safety?
  • Do you commit to providing the public with details about what recommendations DOGE staff and representatives provide to you in relation to aviation safety? Will you notify Congress if you elect to follow through on any recommendations provided to you by DOGE staff and representatives?
  • In your prior experience at FAA, has any special government employee been directed or otherwise empowered to influence FAA officials on safety decisions?

5.       Will you commit the full cooperation and support of the FAA to the NTSB investigation and to swiftly implement its recommendations?

6.       Will you commit to examining the communication processes and protocols between FAA, the U.S. Department of Defense, and other stakeholders that are used during aviation operations in and around National Airport and the National Capital Region?

7.       Will you commit to working with the U.S. Department of Defense to evaluate training protocols for required missions in the National Capital Region, particularly those around National Airport and during high-traffic periods, and enact any modifications needed to reduce risk?

8.       Will you commit to briefing us on the implementation of changes to the slot (i.e., high density) rule included in the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act, given that the first of the routes authorized under that legislation will become operational this week? 

A copy of the letter is available here and below.

Chris Rocheleau
Acting Administrator
Federal Aviation Administration
800 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20591

Dear Mr. Rocheleau:  

In the aftermath of the January 29, 2025 mid-air collision between a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) RJ Aviation (Bombardier) CRJ700 and a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (“National Airport”), we write to request information from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on plans to protect the public during the investigations and once the investigations are complete. As the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation into the causes and factors behind the collision is carried out, the FAA should identify and implement immediate steps to improve safety for aviation industry personnel, the flying public, and the communities that surround National Airport. 

As we mourn the victims of this tragedy, we must work together to ensure that collisions like this one do not happen again in honor of the memory of those lost. We applaud the FAA’s decision to restrict helicopter traffic near National Airport until the NTSB preliminary report is released and to pause of the use of two of the smaller runways at the airport. Your collaboration thus far with the NTSB as it carries out an independent, fact-based, and thorough investigation into this incident is appreciated. While the NTSB works to complete their investigation, it is crucial that we thoroughly review and scrutinize the protocols that govern flight operations near the airspace over National Airport, and ensure that we are not simply restarting “normal” operations. This is of further importance in light of the FAA’s steps to ensure airspace safety after Congress’s decision last year to add additional traffic to this airspace. 

While we applaud FAA for early actions taken to bolster safety, recent actions indicate that your agency is inviting inexperienced individuals with intense partisan leanings into a process that should be objective and expert driven. On February 5, 2025, Elon Musk announced via X (formerly known as Twitter) that “With the support of President @realDonaldTrump, the @DOGE team will aim to make rapid safety upgrades to the air traffic control system. Just a few days ago, the FAA’s primary aircraft safety notification system failed for several hours!” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, also on X, stated “Big News – Talked to the DOGE team. They are going to plug in to help upgrade our aviation system.” 

We are extremely concerned that an ad hoc team of individuals lacking any expertise, exposure, certifications, or knowledge of aviation operations being invited, or inserting themselves, to make “rapid” changes to our nation’s air traffic systems. This the wrong course of action to take.  

We want the safest skies in the world, and any efforts to weaken standards will not be tolerated. Aviation safety is not an area to “move fast and break things”. Proven, methodical, and deliberate action is what is called for when any changes are considered to safety. We express in the strongest possible terms our alarm at allowing Musk’s cadre of unvetted, untrained, and unaccountable individuals the ability to make changes to complicated and sensitive FAA policies at a time when serious and knowledgeable people should be in charge. 

Safety must not be compromised, and FAA’s actions must be based on knowledgeable and accountable experts. Given our shared goal of promoting safety along with our expressed concerns about how DOGE’s involvement could jeopardize that safety, we request your attention and response to the following questions:

9.       The FAA’s current restrictions on helicopter flights at National Airport are tied to the release of NTSB’s preliminary report. What factors will FAA consider as it reassesses the need for extending or modifying the restrictions? Please provide details on, and documentation sufficient to substantiate, additional safety measures that are being contemplated and/or will be proposed to deconflict or otherwise improve safety in the air space over National Airport.

10.   As you assess the need for additional measures, will you commit to consulting recognized aviation experts – both in and out of the federal government – to identify requirements or operational changes for civil and military aviation in the National Capital Region? 

11.   On February 4, less than one week from the incident, reports emerged that FAA directed its personnel to cease participating in Federal advisory or aviation rulemaking committees. Were FAA personnel directed to cease participating in these committees?

1.       If true, please describe the rationale for such a decision and provide documentation sufficient to substantiate any directives received from other Federal government officials, other individuals acting under the direction of the President, or who are otherwise asserting a legal authority to direct or influence decision-making at the FAA. 

12.   On February 5, 2025, Elon Musk and Secretary Duffy each announced that DOGE would “upgrade our aviation system”.

1.       Were you informed of this decision in advance of either social media posting?

2.       What engagement have you had with DOGE at this time?

3.       What engagement has been discussed or is planned for the future?

4.       Do you have knowledge of what comprises the “rapid safety upgrades” Musk tweeted about?

5.       Do you commit to timely report to Congress any actions that the FAA is directed to undertake at the direction of the President, DOGE, or by the Office of the Secretary of Transportation regarding any aspect of aviation safety?

6.       Do you commit to providing the public with details about what recommendations DOGE staff and representatives provide to you in relation to aviation safety? Will you notify Congress if you elect to follow through on any recommendations provided to you by DOGE staff and representatives?

7.       In your prior experience at FAA, has any special government employee been directed or otherwise empowered to influence FAA officials on safety decisions? 

13.   Will you commit the full cooperation and support of the FAA to the NTSB investigation and to swiftly implement its recommendations? 

14.   Will you commit to examining the communication processes and protocols between FAA, the U.S. Department of Defense, and other stakeholders that are used during aviation operations in and around National Airport and the National Capital Region? 

15.   Will you commit to working with the U.S. Department of Defense to evaluate training protocols for required missions in the National Capital Region, particularly those around National Airport and during high-traffic periods, and enact any modifications needed to reduce risk? 

16.   Will you commit to briefing us on the implementation of changes to the slot (i.e., high density) rule included in the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act, given that the first of the routes authorized under that legislation will become operational this week? 

In addition to the above questions, we request that you provide us with a briefing on FAA’s implementation of critical aviation safety and air traffic controller tower staffing provisions in the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act and on the implementation of Section of 502 of that Act. 

We look forward to your swift response and to working together for the best interests of the public, the National Capital Region, and the United States of America. 

###

Tuesday News: “Hell’s already broken loose” in Gaza; Trump “threatens rule of law”; “Most Corrupt Start in History”; “Trump’s Slash-and-Burn Second Term”; “Constitutional crisis looms”; “The power of mass protests, strikes, stoppages, and boycotts”

By
lowkell
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14

by Lowell

Here are a few international, national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Tuesday, February 11. This morning, Robert Hubbell argues, ” Defenders of the rule of law are on a judicial winning streak. At the same time, it appears unclear whether Trump and Musk are complying with existing orders compelling them to cease their unlawful behavior…I believe those around Trump understand the consequences of “crossing the Rubicon” of disregarding court orders. But if it does get that far, I feel pretty good about the prospects of the American people in a political tug of war with Trump and Musk.” And Hubbell strongly recommends, “The power of mass protests, strikes, stoppages, and boycotts will be particularly potent in America. The US is the largest economy in the world because its markets are stable, its political climate is (relatively) corruption-free, and the rule of law is enforced.” So keep that in mind as you read the following, mostly disturbing, news…

Video: Ahead of Key Vote, Sen. Mark Warner Speaks on the Senate Floor to Oppose Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence

By
Blue Virginia
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5

From Sen. Mark Warner’s office:

AHEAD OF KEY VOTE, WARNER SPEAKS ON THE SENATE FLOOR TO OPPOSE TULSI GABBARD FOR DNI

WASHINGTON – Vice Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today spoke on the Senate floor about his opposition to the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to be Director of National Intelligence ahead of a key procedural vote.

“We need leaders in the Intelligence Community and throughout government who are prepared to stand up to short-sighted attempts to attack our workforce at the expense of our national security. Unfortunately, I do not believe Ms. Gabbard is such a leader. Nor is she well-suited, by dint of experience or judgment, to serve as Director of National Intelligence,” said Sen. Warner. 

For weeks, Sen. Warner has been raising the alarm about Gabbard’s lack of qualifications for the position. You can view her full hearing in front of the Intelligence Committee here.  

Sen. Warner’s full remarks as prepared are below:

“I rise in opposition to the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to be the Director of National Intelligence… because nothing less than our national security is currently on the line. 

Now, I’m going to start by saying that I have nothing but respect for Ms. Gabbard’s many years of service to our nation… both in uniform, and as the former representative for Hawaii.  

I do not question Ms. Gabbard’s patriotism… I oppose her nomination because I question her judgment. 

Many may not understand the important role of the Director of National Intelligence… 

If confirmed, Ms. Gabbard will lead the 18 agencies of the Intelligence Community. She will also serve as the Principal Advisor to the President… the National Security Council… and the Homeland Security Council for all intelligence matters related to national security. And she will be responsible for over $100 billion between the National Intelligence Program and the Military Intelligence Program. 

The stakes here have become all the more critical in recent days. 

Just in the past couple of weeks, President Trump has issued several directives that could irreparably harm our intelligence efforts and our nation’s ability to defend itself against the many threats we face. 

At the FBI, some of our most experienced agents… who have protected us for decades from terrorists, drug traffickers, spies, and violent criminals… have been unceremoniously fired. 

Thousands more have reason to fear they may be next, based on the vindictive list apparently being assembled of every FBI official who was involved in investigations into the Capitol riot on January 6. 

Across the IC…including the CIA, DIA, NSA, NRO and NGA…intelligence officers and analysts with irreplaceable skills are indiscriminately being pressured to resign or retire…And reportedly, senior law enforcement and national security officials are being asked to take political litmus tests, such as whether the 2020 Presidential Election was “stolen,” and whether the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol was a “inside job.” 

Across the government, whole agencies are being eliminated and funding impounded in flagrant defiance of the Constitution and the law… while unvetted, unqualified “DOGE bros” – one who formerly worked for a Russian hacker group and was fired for leaking sensitive company secrets to a competitor … and yet another who proudly declared himself a “racist” and said he would not mind if, quote, “Gaza and Israel were both wiped off the face of the Earth” – illegally burrow into classified and other sensitive information… jeopardizing our national security and violating Americans’ privacy.  

To take just one recent example of what is at stake here: last week, the CIA apparently sent an email – using an unclassified system – to the White House listing the names of all recently hired employees… evidently in an attempt to comply with an executive order to reduce the size of the workforce… no matter how badly their skills might be needed. 

I shouldn’t need to explain to any member of this body the counterintelligence risks associated with exposing these officers’ identities to our adversaries. 

And I know that many of my Republican colleagues profess to take the use of unclassified servers very seriously indeed. 

Beyond the counterintelligence risk of foolishly exposing these officers’ names using channels known to be targeted by foreign hackers… this careless effort to identify and potentially dismiss recently recruited and trained CIA officers also imperils longstanding, bipartisan efforts by the Senate Intelligence Committee to modernize and streamline the Agency’s hiring process… and help CIA recruit and retain the talented young officers it needs to confront the growing national security threat posed by the People’s Republic of China.   

We need leaders in the Intelligence Community and throughout government, who are prepared to stand up to these short-sighted attempts to attack our workforce at the expense of our national security. 

Unfortunately, I do not believe Ms. Gabbard is such a leader. 

Nor is she well-suited, by dint of experience or judgment, to serve as Director of National Intelligence. 

The DNI is a position of great importance and significance to our national security… created after one of the worst security failures in our nation’s history… 9/11. 

For that reason, when Congress established the position… thanks in large part to the work of my good friend, Susan Collins… it mandated in law that any individual nominated for the position must have, and I quote, “extensive national security expertise.”  

As I noted previously, the DNI was created in part to fill an intelligence sharing gap identified by the 9/11 Commission. 

That mission – to share intelligence not only between all U.S. departments and agencies, but also with our allies – is predicated on trust… trust that we and our allies will protect each other’s secrets. 

Yet repeatedly, Ms. Gabbard has excused our adversaries’ worst actions… and instead blamed the United States and our allies for them. 

For example, she blamed NATO for Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. 

And despite the unanimous assessment of the Trump Administration DOD, State Department, and IC… she rejected the conclusion that Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons against his own people.  

Now I don’t know if her intent in making those statements was to defend those dictators… or if she was simply unaware of the intelligence and how her statements would be perceived. 

In either case, it calls into question her judgment… and if she has what it takes to build and develop the trust relationships necessary to give our allies confidence that they can share their most sensitive intelligence with us.  

Make no mistake about it… if our allies stop sharing that intelligence, we will all be less safe. To offer just one example, last summer, intelligence sharing between the United States and Austria saved countless lives by disrupting a terrorist attack at a Taylor Swift concert… underscoring the importance of these relationships. 

Ms. Gabbard has also been publicly outspoken in her praise and defense of Edward Snowden… someone who betrayed the trust and jeopardized the security of our Nation. The vast majority of the information he stole and leaked – before running off to hide in China and Russia, might I add – had nothing to do with Americans’ privacy… and compromised our nation’s most sensitive collection sources and methods.  

In many ways we are still paying a price for Snowden’s betrayal… and it is beyond dispute that his actions put our men and women in uniform in places like Iraq and Afghanistan at risk. 

Yet, Ms. Gabbard has celebrated Snowden as a, quote, “brave whistleblower” and advocated for his pardon. 

This is someone the Chairman of the Intelligence Committee called a “traitor” who should, quote, “rot in jail for the rest of his life.” 

When given the repeated opportunity in her confirmation hearing to agree with our esteemed Chairman in that assessment, she repeatedly declined.  

Instead, she said, and I quote, “The DNI… has no role in determining whether or not Edward Snowden is a lawful whistleblower.” 

Not only does she seem to believe that someone who divulged sensitive national secrets to Russia and China should be celebrated as “brave”… and not denounced as a “traitor”… she also does not seem to understand the DNI’s role in whistleblower determinations.  

In fact, the DNI has a significant role in transmitting lawful whistleblower complaints to the intelligence committees. It would be irresponsible to confirm someone who cannot distinguish between complaints that are made lawfully, and those that are not.   

Further, it is the statutory responsibility of the DNI to “protect intelligence sources and methods from unauthorized disclosure.” 

What message would it send to the intelligence workforce to have a DNI who would celebrate staff and contractors deciding to leak our Nation’s most sensitive secrets as they see fit? 

Now let me move to another issue of pressing relevance to this nomination: that is section 702 of FISA. 

It is hard to overstate the importance of this law. It is responsible for sixty percent of the intelligence in the President’s Daily Brief… and it has been instrumental in disrupting everything from terrorist attacks … to fentanyl trafficking… to foreign cyberattacks.   

Many in Congress have, at various points, supported reforms to 702 to better balance security and civil liberties. 

However, Ms. Gabbard has consistently gone further. 

Not only did she vote against reauthorizing 702… she introduced legislation to repeal the whole thing and called its very existence a, quote, “blatant disregard for our Fourth Amendment constitutional rights.” 

I understand that after she was nominated to be DNI she expressed a change of heart. That is welcome… but it is simply not credible.   Just last May she criticized the very reforms she now credits with changing her mind as having made the law, quote, “many, many times worse.”  

The DNI is responsible for making annual certifications under Section 702, without which all collection under the law will cease…  And the law itself is up for reauthorization in just over a year, a process typically led by the DNI.   I have no confidence in Ms. Gabbard’s commitment to either task.   

Nor is it the only issue where she has demonstrated poor judgment that should be disqualifying for the role. 

During an ill-advised trip to Syria and Lebanon in 2017, Ms. Gabbard exercised terrible judgment in electing to meet with Bashar al-Assad amid a conflict in which Assad was using sarin gas and other chemical weapons against his own people.   

On that same trip, she also met with Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun. 

Many Americans may not be familiar with Mr. Hassoun… but in 2011 he threatened to conduct suicide bomb attacks in the United States.  

At her confirmation hearing Ms. Gabbard claimed not to know about Hassoun’s past. 

But reporting following the hearing makes clear that her staff made her aware of that history at the time of her trip, in 2017… to say nothing of the fact that a simple Google search would have easily revealed his past. 

What does it say about her judgment and experience that she would willingly meet with someone who very publicly issued terrorist threats against the United States of America? 

Nor is it an isolated lapse… 

Just last summer she accepted a trip to Italy that was paid for by the foundation of Pierre Louvrier, a man with deep connections to sanctioned Russian oligarchs. 

And at her confirmation hearing she seemed unable to recognize why the national security interests of the United States might be better protected if TikTok… a social media app that reaches into the homes of millions of Americans… was under American ownership, rather than being subject to the control of the People’s Republic of China. 

The world today is more complex and more dangerous than ever before… and we need serious people with the experience,  expertise, and judgment to navigate that complexity. 

Ms. Gabbard is not such a nominee.  A vote in favor of her confirmation is an endorsement of President Trump’s lawless efforts to hollow out our national security workforce, and her confirmation will further strain the alliances that have kept our country safe for decades.   

Therefore, I urge my colleagues to oppose Ms. Gabbard’s nomination.

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