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Welcome

Thank you for visiting my official website. It is an honor and privilege to represent the people of Virginia in the United States Senate.

I believe that effective communication with Virginians is essential to my work here in Washington. I hope you will visit often and share your thoughts and concerns with me.

I look forward to working with you in the years ahead,
Jim Webb

Webb and Virginia Leaders Call Navy's Proposal for New Aircraft Carrier Homeport "Strategically Flawed, Fiscally Irresponsible"

Gavel

Washington, DC - On Thursday, November 20, Senators John Warner (R-VA) and Jim Webb (D-VA), Senator-elect Mark Warner (D-VA), and Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine called the Navy's announced preference to create a second East Coast homeport for a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier at Mayport, Fla. "strategically flawed and fiscally irresponsible." They called on the Navy to delay its decision until a new administration is allowed to analyze the proposal's strategic and fiscal considerations.

At a press conference in the U.S. Capitol, the four Virginia leaders cited the "fiscal irresponsibility" of creating a new homeport for the carrier in Mayport-a move that the Navy estimates will cost at least $600 million to complete. Additionally, Senators Warner and Webb sent a letter to Defense Secretary Gates requesting that the Navy hold its decision, "until a new administration is able to evaluate the decision with greater rigor than the Navy has demonstrated."

Webb Hosts Symposium at GMU on Drugs in America

Gavel

On Wednesday, October 15, Senator Jim Webb and the Administration of Justice Department of George Mason University hosted a symposium entitled "Drugs in America: Trafficking, Policy and Sentencing."

Moderated by Senator Webb, the three panels of experts examined drug distribution in the U.S; law enforcement practices; and punitive vs. public health responses to drug abuse.

To review materials from the symposium please click here »

Statement of Senator Jim Webb on the Economic Stabilization Bill

Washington, DC - The following is a statement from Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) on tonight's Senate passage of the economic stabilization bill:

"After much deliberation, I voted tonight to support the bipartisan compromise legislation to stabilize our dangerously threatened economic system. I came to this decision based on the reality that this legislation provides the only possible opportunity that will be offered in the Congress this year to address this situation. I am also satisfied that the significant recommendations I have offered over the past twelve days have been incorporated into an admittedly imperfect bill.

"The bill we approved tonight bears no resemblance to the hastily-written and woefully inadequate bill that the Bush administration proposed to Congress less than two weeks ago.

"Throughout these negotiations, I have been outspoken in support of several basic principles which are essential for the future economic well-being of our country. I wrote a letter to Chairman Dodd only one day after Secretary Paulson announced his original plan. I have spoken twice on the Senate floor. I led an effort to convince the Senate Majority Leader to include these principles in any legislation, including them in a letter that was co-signed by eight of my Senate colleagues.

"The fundamental principles that I raised included:

  • a grave concern about the transfer of so much financial power and discretion to one individual in the executive branch of government, and the lack of a clear mechanism for the oversight of this unprecedented power;
  • the need for proper limits on executive compensation, and a guarantee that those who mismanaged our financial markets not be unjustly enriched by a taxpayer bailout;
  • the need for a guarantee that the American taxpayer be able to share directly in any benefits gained by the rescue legislation;
  • appropriate limits on the ability of foreign institutions to participate in the program; and
  • the release of federal funds for the program in installments in order to ensure that Congress can properly fulfill its oversight role, and to give Congress time to enact meaningful new reforms to the regulatory structure.

"We were able to achieve significant progress in each of these areas. In particular, I am pleased that we included meaningful provisions to limit executive compensation and to give taxpayers the chance to share in any gains achieved through this legislation. These provisions will help to restore taxpayer confidence in our financial system and ease the credit crunch that threatens economic growth.

"Going forward, I will work aggressively with members of Congress from both sides of the aisle to ensure that this legislation is implemented fairly, and in a way that safeguards the American taxpayer. Equally important, the next Congress must restore to our financial system a regulatory structure that will prevent this terrible chapter in American history from ever happening again."

Webb Calls for Congressional Approval of Any Future U.S.-Iraq Security Agreement

Senator Webb

On Friday, September 12, Senator Jim Webb introduced legislation providing that any new security agreement negotiated between the United States and the Government of Iraq would not remain in effect unless approved by Congress. It also calls for the United States to seek a one-year extension of the United Nations Security Council mandate of the Multi-National Force in Iraq. These provisions underscore the importance of constitutional oversight in reaching long-term security negotiations with Iraq.

Noting that the legal authority for the United States to be operating in Iraq will expire December 31, 2008, and that Congress will be adjourned at that time, Webb warned that the Bush administration was on the verge of "a constitutional coup d'etat, a further expansion of the powers of the presidency," by agreeing to a long-term relationship without the consent of Congress.

"The largest question, really, is what entity of the federal government has the authority to enter the United States into a long-term relationship with another government?" asked Webb on the Senate floor. "I would submit that the conditions under which we will continue to operate in Iraq--militarily, diplomatically, economically, and even culturally--are not the sole business of any administration. This amendment is designed to prevent this sort of an imbalance from occurring at the same time that it recognizes the realities of the timelines that are now involved with respect to the loss of international authority for our presence in Iraq."

To read the full press release, please click here »

Webb Hosts Energy Forum with Industry & Community Leaders in Lynchburg

Senator Webb

On Thursday, August 21, Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) hosted a Community Leaders Energy Roundtable in Lynchburg to discuss various initiatives to address the nation's growing energy crisis.

At the forum, held on the campus of Central Virginia Community College, Webb called for a comprehensive energy strategy that includes nuclear power, clean coal, offshore exploration, and renewing the nation's focus on conservation and alternative energy technologies.

"We are an energy-thirsty nation, and I believe we need diversified solutions," said Webb. "Working to develop a national energy strategy is prominent part of my legislative agenda. The forum in Lynchburg provided a real opportunity to engage community and industry leaders."

To read the full press release, please click here »

Webb Supports Comprehensive Housing Legislation,
Calls for Cap on Executive Compensation

Housing Bill

On Saturday, July 26, the Senate passed a comprehensive bipartisan housing bill supported by Senator Webb designed to restore housing market confidence, help homeowners across Virginia deal with the ongoing housing crisis, and provide temporary authority to the Federal Government to help Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. The legislation notably includes a provision advocated by Senator Webb, which gives federal regulators the authority to limit excessive compensation packages of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac executives.

"The bottom line is that if American taxpayer money is required to help correct the business decisions of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or for that matter any of our banks, our nation's workers shouldn't have their taxes used to continue the record-high benefits of the executives who run these institutions," said Webb. "Instead, those executives should be required to give up some of their huge compensation packages. We should challenge the notion that it is acceptable for profits to be privatized and losses to be socialized."

To read the full press release, click here »

Republicans Took Away an Opportunity to Drop Gas Prices by Filibustering Speculation Bill

Speculation Bill

On July 25, Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) commented that Republicans who filibustered legislation designed to rein in market speculators had "taken away a golden opportunity to quickly drive down prices at the gas pump." The bill would have provided much-needed regulation in a market that has been flooded with speculative investment since being de-regulated in 2000, causing oil prices to reach unprecedented and unnatural highs.

Webb is calling for the Senate to reconsider the oil speculation issue in a new series of votes. "We should not let this issue slide off the legislative calendar simply because of the recalcitrance of the other side. It is too important to American consumers," he concluded.

To read the full press release, please click here »

House-Senate Appointments Named to Commission on Wartime Contracting

Wartime Contracting Investigation Bill

On June 20, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the appointment of the co-chair and three additional commissioners to the Commission on Wartime Contracting. Eight commissioners will be named to the Commission by congressional senior leadership and President Bush. The four commissioners named, following earlier consultations with the chairmen of the Senate and House committees of jurisdiction are Michael J. Thibault, to serve as Co-Chair, Charles Tiefer, Linda J. Gustitus, and Clark Kent Ervin.

Established as the result of legislation introduced by Senators Jim Webb (D-VA) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) last spring and signed into law on January 28, 2008, the Commission is charged with addressing the systemic problems associated with the federal government's wartime-support, reconstruction, and private security contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan. This Commission was inspired by the work of the "Truman Committee," which conducted hundreds of hearings and investigations into government waste during and after World War II at an estimated savings of more than $178 billion (in today's dollars) to the American taxpayer.

"These appointments are a major step forward in creating a commission that will improve our government's contracting practices, increase transparency, and hold accountable those responsible for waste, fraud and abuse," said Senator Webb. "We will likewise be watching the selections of our colleagues in Congress and the White House to make sure that they perform in consonance with the intentions of this legislation. The work that this Commission will perform during its two-year charter is something American taxpayers both demand and deserve."

To read the full press release, please click here »

More information on Commission on Wartime Contracting:

Webb Introduces Paid Leave Measure For Federal Employees
Bill Would Provide Four Weeks of Paid Parental Leave for Federal Employees

On Monday, June 16, Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) introduced bipartisan legislation, the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act, to provide four weeks of paid leave to federal employees for the birth or adoption of a child. "The legislation we introduced today is an issue of fairness for the working family," said Senator Webb.

The federal government, the country's largest employer with more than 2.7 million employees, does not currently provide any paid parental leave for its employees, while 75% of Fortune 100 companies provide an average of six to eight weeks of paid leave to new mothers. Currently, all federal employees are entitled to 12 weeks of unpaid leave guaranteed to them by the Family and Medical Leave Act, but most can't afford to forego pay to take leave.

To read the full press release, please click here »

Today in the Senate

December 11, 2008:

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. and proceed to a period of morning business for up to one hour, with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R. 7005.

 

More Senate Resources:
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Senate Calendar »
www.senate.gov »