Kaine Statement On Senate Budget Committee Chairmanship For 120th Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) released the following statement announcing his intention to seek the Chairmanship of the Senate Budget Committee: “After nearly 14 years of service on the Senate Budget Committee, I am excited by the opportunity to serve as its next chair. At a moment when the American public has demanded that our leaders address a massive affordability crisis, the Budget Committee has a powerful tool—budget reconciliation—that can lead to quick action providing real relief to everyday Americans. We need to reverse devastating cuts to Medicaid and nutrition assistance, stop funding illegal and foolish wars and advance education, housing, workforce training, health care and infrastructure investments. And we must find long-term solutions to guarantee the solvency of Social Security and a responsible approach to managing the national debt. I’ve successfully grappled with similar challenges as the Mayor of a fiscally-stressed Richmond and the Governor of Virginia during the 2008-9 fiscal crisis. I look forward to engaging our committee to be equally bold in tackling tomorrow’s serious challenges.” ###