WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, traveled to Charlottesville to address students at UVA’s Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy about his efforts to reform the War Powers Resolution of 1973. In July 2013, Kaine joined Senator John McCain to announce their intention to review the War Powers Resolution, and last week they introduced the War Powers Consultation Act of 2014 to strengthen the consultative process between Congress and the President on whether and when to engage in military action. Kaine and McCain have spotlighted a report by the Miller Center's National War Powers Commission as a strong starting point for their legislation.
"Congressional debate on military action is critical to bringing the American public into the decision-making process. We shouldn’t ask men and women to risk their lives on the battlefield if there is not a political consensus that says this mission is worth it,” said Kaine. “If there is any ambiguity between the executive and the legislature then you’re doing what I would think is the most immoral thing you could do in public life – asking those who are willing to serve to risk their lives, to risk their health, when the political branches of government haven’t yet done the work to determine whether the mission is worthwhile."
In the evening, Kaine traveled to Danville to participate in the Danville Economic Development Summit and discuss the importance of encouraging job creation in Southern Virginia by recruiting companies to the region.
"The Danville Economic Development Summit is a great opportunity to showcase why Southern Virginia is an ideal home for businesses, especially in the advanced manufacturing industry. From the natural water source of the Dan River to the well-designed roads, bridges and rail that surround it, Southern Virginia’s well-established manufacturing base and infrastructure system are virtually unbeatable for companies looking to relocate,” said Kaine. “As Governor, I successfully recruited Swedwood and Com.40 to Danville and oversaw the expansion of Essel Propack. I look forward to working on efforts in the U.S. Senate to continue to bring more businesses into Virginia through increasing access to job training programs to ensure that we have the best workforce in the world."
On Thursday, Kaine will visit the Radford Army Ammunition Plant to learn about the important manufacturing work done there before traveling to Roanoke to visit children and volunteers involved with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program at the Oliver Hill House.
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