Warner & Kaine Applaud Senate Passage of $2.1 Billion Security Spending Package
Spending package directs much-needed funding to the U.S. Capitol Police and National Guard and bolsters federal efforts to relocate Afghans who supported the U.S. mission during the war in Afghanistan
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine released the following statement applauding the unanimous Senate passage of a $2.1 billion supplemental security spending package that includes much-needed funding for the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) and the National Guard following the January 6 attack on the Capitol. In addition, the package includes funding for the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Program to relocate Afghan nationals who supported the U.S. mission during the Afghanistan war:
“We were glad to vote in favor of this supplemental security spending package today, especially following the attack on the Capitol on January 6,” said the Senators. “In addition to providing much-needed funding for the USCP and the National Guard to help keep our Capitol safe, we’re glad to see $1.125 billion go towards helping resettle Afghan nationals who risked their lives to support the U.S. during the war in Afghanistan. We will continue working in Congress to support our law enforcement, our military, and others who have made tremendous sacrifices for our nation.”
The $2.1 billion bipartisan agreement includes:
- $521 million to reimburse the National Guard;
- $70.7 million for Capitol Police to support overtime, more officers, hazard pay, and retention bonuses for the Capitol Police;
- $35.4 for the Capitol Police for mutual aid agreements with local, state, and federal law enforcement for securing the Capitol;
- $300 million to secure the Capitol complex;
- $42.1 million to respond to the COVID pandemic on the Capitol complex;
- $1.125 billion for Afghan refugee assistance; and
- 8,000 new Afghan Special Immigrant Visas with new reforms to the program to improve efficiency.
A summary of the bill can be found here.
Senators Warner and Kaine have been longtime supporters of the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program, which enables Afghans who risked their lives supporting the U.S. to escape dangers they face due to their service to our nation. Kaine is a cosponsor of the bipartisan Afghan Allies Protection Act, which increases the authorized number of Afghan SIVs and improves visa processing.
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