Mr. President, I rise to speak to what Americans all over this country are deeply feeling at this moment. America is not a nation that prefers wars, but we are being led by an administration that is foolishly choosing war to solve problems that could best be solved by other means or--more troublingly--it is choosing to wage war to distract public attention from larger problems of its own making.
Tim Kaine
Tim Kaine
Recent comments in the Senate
Madam President, I rise today to ask the Senate to join me in recognizing MCPO Kristina Lynne Koch for her 23 years of outstanding Navy Active-Duty service, including her time as my defense fellow in 2023 and 2024, and her subsequent assignment to the Navy's Office of Legislative Affairs. Prior to her exposure to the legislative branch, she served in the Navy's Office of Women's Policy, where she oversaw the critical parenthood and pregnancy portfolio.
Mr. President, I rise today to address a very serious topic, one that I have often addressed on the floor of the Senate during my 13-plus years here but that I have particularly been focused on since President Trump decided to launch a war against Iran on February 28 of this year. And the issue is whether we should ever be at war without a vote of Congress. The consequences of the war that President Trump started are pretty well known to the American public.
- J.D., Harvard University, Cambridge, MA1983
- B.A., University of Missouri, Columbia, MO1979
U.S. Senator
2013–PresentSenator from Virginia. 3 terms.
Chair, Democratic National Committee
2009–2011Led the national committee of the Democratic Party while serving as governor of Virginia.
Governor of Virginia
2006–2010Served as the 70th governor of Virginia after winning the 2005 gubernatorial election.
Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
2002–2006Served as the 38th lieutenant governor of Virginia after winning the 2001 statewide election.
Mayor, City of Richmond, Virginia
1998–2001Served as mayor after election by the Richmond City Council, treating the position as a full-time executive role.
Member, Richmond City Council
1994–2001Elected to the Richmond City Council for four terms, with the latter two concurrent with his service as mayor.
Key legislative actions from Tim Kaine's record in Congress.
Affordable Care Act Support
Voted for and advocated the Affordable Care Act, expanding healthcare access for millions of Americans.
War Powers Resolution Advocacy
Co-sponsored bipartisan legislation to limit presidential authority on military action without congressional approval.
Opioid Crisis Funding
Secured federal funding for Virginia to expand opioid addiction treatment and prevention programs.
Career and Technical Education
Championed the reauthorization of the Perkins Career and Technical Education Act to strengthen workforce training.
- Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
- Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
- Senate Committee on Armed Services
- Senate Committee on the Budget
Sen. Tim Kaine FAQ
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