Virginia’s two U.S. senators often agree on most issues and release joint statements to show it — but on the alleged new deal to open the federal government that has enough Democratic support in the Senate to pass — they are at odds.
Senators Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire, and Angus King, I-Maine, said they had secured the votes on the Democratic side for a compromise spending package that would fund most federal agencies through January.
Eight Democratic Senators are needed to pass the legislation.
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, said he is voting in support of the package.
“I have long said that to earn my vote, we need to be on a path toward fixing Republicans’ health care mess and to protect the federal workforce,” Kaine said.
“This deal guarantees a vote to extend Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, which Republicans weren’t willing to do. Lawmakers know their constituents expect them to vote for it, and if they don’t, they could very well be replaced at the ballot box by someone who will.”
American Airlines released a statement Sunday night thanking Kaine for supporting the compromise.
“American serves more airports and more passengers in the Commonwealth of Virginia than any other airline, and we are particularly grateful to Senator Tim Kaine for his leadership,” the airline company wrote.
Virginia’s senior senator, Mark Warner, is opposed to the legislation.
“I appreciate that this proposal includes important language preventing further mass layoffs of federal employees. That’s a critical step in protecting our public servants from this administration’s campaign of retribution, and something I’ve long pushed for,” Warner said.
“But I cannot support a deal that still leaves millions of Americans wondering how they are going to pay for their health care or whether they will be able to afford to get sick. We owe the American people more than a short-term fix that leaves working families staring down a health care crisis.”
The Senate is expected to begin the process of passing this proposal Sunday night.