Hampton Roads Community News

Warner:“Why I Voted No”

Sen. Mark Warner explains why he opposed the Senate deal to end the government shutdown, citing Virginia’s heavy hit, soaring healthcare premiums and the administration’s “cruel” tactics on SNAP and federal contractor pay.
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WASHINGTON, D.C.

In an audio statement, Sen. Mark Warner explained why he voted ‘no’ to accepting the Republican deal to end the government shutdown. It was passed this week by the Senate after one Independent and 7 Democrats, to include Virginia’s junior Senator Tim Kaine, broke rank with the Democratic Party.

“I voted no on the deal last night, and I want to tell you why. Virginia has been particularly hard hit by this now record government shutdown. Federal workers, contractors – many of the folks for example who clean the federal buildings are contractors they’re never going to get back pay even after the government reopens. And I was glad to see that there were additional protections put in to make sure there won’t be additional RIFs during the shutdown.

“But we have seen this administration use cruelty to an unprecedented level. The idea that the Trump administration went to the Supreme Court to try to stop SNAP benefits from going out, one out of right Americans, 800,000+ Virginians, they’re not going to eat without those benefits going forward.

“So, I couldn’t vote for something that didn’t address the health care crisis that is imminent. Virginians are already seeing their rates double and triple who buy through the marketplace. I’ve heard too many stories about the untenable personal crisis people are going through at this point. So, I was not only a no, but I was a strong no. We’ve got to continue this fight on health care. We’ve got to continue the ability to try to make Virginians’ and Americans’ lives more affordable.

“This president has delivered nothing, and it’s downright galling to see him trying to say, ‘Oh, prices are going down.’ Well, he obviously hasn’t been to a grocery store. So, this fight continues. We will resolve the issue on health care. We’ve got to make sure people don’t face this unnecessary cliff. So many of my Republican friends have said, ‘You know, trust us, we’ll work with you.’ Well, they’ll have that chance going forward. The health care crisis continues. We’ve got to get it resolved.”