Kaine Meets With Hagel, Mabus At Pentagon To Discuss Issues Facing Virginia's Defense Community Ahead of Authorization Bill Markup

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today met with top Pentagon officials to discuss issues facing Virginia’s defense community. During meetings with Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, Kaine addressed the ongoing impact of sequestration and continued furloughs for thousands of Virginians, his priorities for the Commonwealth in upcoming discussions of the National Defense Authorization Act, and the pressing need to address increasing instances of sexual assault and misconduct in the military.

“I’m grateful to Secretaries Hagel and Mabus for taking the time today to discuss important defense issues for Virginia. The Commonwealth has borne the brunt of misguided decisions like the sequester and furloughs more than any other state in our nation – impacts that must be addressed by returning to regular budget order,“ said Kaine, who will participate in the mark up of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 beginning next week. “During the upcoming markup of the defense authorization bill, I will continue to advocate for important Virginia priorities like a robust shipbuilding program, and also work with members of both parties to end the scourge of sexual assault within our Armed Forces.”

Kaine last met with Secretary Hagel in March and has continually discussed issues including budget uncertainty, the need to replace sequester, and national defense at subsequent hearings. This week, Kaine pressed top military officials on the escalating crisis of sexual assault and unwanted sexual contact in the military and outlined his concerns in an op-ed in the Virginian-Pilot.

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