Friends —
Team Warner hopes that you and your families are staying safe and healthy during this difficult time. We are committed to bringing you updates on what Mark Warner is working on to make sure that all Virginians are protected during this pandemic.
Here are just some of Mark’s priorities from this week:
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Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are pushing the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to include Virginia in a pilot program that would modernize Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, so every Virginian has the resources they need during this outbreak.
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On Wednesday, Mark was appointed to a bipartisan congressional task force on reopening the economy. He’s committed to ensuring that the federal government’s efforts to reopen our economy are bipartisan, data-driven, and based on the expertise of public health professionals and local elected officials.
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Mark joined his Democrat colleagues in the Senate to ask the Trump administration to extend work authorizations for those in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) programs during the coronavirus pandemic.
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There are stark racial disparities in coronavirus cases in Richmond and across the country, and Mark is working hard to address it. This week, Mark co-sponsored The Equitable Data Collection and Disclosure on COVID-19 Act, which would require the Department of Health and Human Services to track demographic data related to coronavirus testing, treatment, and infection rates to bring these disparities to light so we can better address them and serve our communities.
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Mark renewed his calls to ensure broadband internet access in rural areas of Virginia and across the country. At least 770,000 Virginians still don’t have broadband access, and Mark is committed to making sure this changes.
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Mark and Tim Kaine called for funding to support victims of domestic violence and sexual assault during Virginia’s stay at home order, because staying home isn’t safer for everyone.
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Mark was outspoken about the need to expand benefits for workers before this pandemic, and he continues to advocate for aid for gig workers, independent contractors, and other contingent workers when negotiating coronavirus relief packages. Read his new op-ed on the need to fix our social safety net to cover millions of Americans.
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This week, Mark and his wife Lisa Collis, made personal contributions to each of Virginia’s regional food banks to support communities across the Commonwealth during this difficult time.
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Mark held a virtual town hall event Thursday to talk about coronavirus response and answer questions from folks across the Commonwealth. In case you missed it, you can watch a recording of the event on Mark’s Facebook page (you do not need a Facebook account to access this)!
Finally, we wanted to thank everyone who has sent contributions to local relief organizations, reached out to check on their neighbors, sent notes of support to Team Warner, or found another way to support their community during this time. We’re weathering this storm together, and the generosity and heart of our supporters helps us make it through.
Be well,
Team Warner
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