Springing into Action

Happy Friday from the Warner press office. The weather has finally warmed enough to match Sen. Warner’s hot streak of introducing legislation and holding this administration to account. This week, he pressed OMB Director Russ Vought and the CEO of the IRS, Frank Bisignano, in hearings. He also introduced legislation to crack down on gun violence and increase transparency around the IRS.

Without further ado, let’s get into it.

HEAR YE, HEAR YE

Hope everyone got their taxes filed on time! Sen. Warner spent his Tax Day advocating for Americans, both by pressing the CEO of the IRS, Frank Bisignano, about this administration’s failures on the economy, and by introducing new legislation to improve IRS customer service.

In the Finance Committee, the Trump administration was trying to tout their tax record… but Sen. Warner brought receipts to break down exactly how this administration has failed to lower costs for Americans.

Whether it’s the tariff sales tax… the Iran energy hike… or the total failure to do anything on housing… Americans are losing big because of Trump’s new taxes… and Sen. Warner convincingly made the case in his questioning.

Yet grilling alone wasn’t sufficient for the Senator, as he also used Tax Day to introduce the Improving IRS Customer Service Act. We all know doing your taxes kind of sucks…. this legislation would help by making more information available online and making it easier to access installment plans.

After introduction, Sen. Warner said,

“Taxpayers shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to get basic answers from the IRS – and in the last year, those challenges have only gotten worse. I am glad to reintroduce this bipartisan legislation on Tax Day to ease some of this frustration by increasing clear communication and making IRS resources more readily available.”

ADDRESSING GUN VIOLENCE

This week tragically marks 19 years since the mass shooting on Virginia Tech’s campus, and Sen. Warner marked the day with a message to the families still grieving the sons, daughters, and siblings lost that day.

The anniversary – and the scores of devastating mass shootings that have followed, from Parkland to Uvalde – also call those in office to meet the moment not just with thoughts and prayers, but with action and legislation.

So Sen. Warner and Sen. Kaine joined forces to reintroduce the Virginia Plan to Reduce Gun Violence Act, legislation that would strengthen gun safety laws on the federal level.

The legislation would include a number of commonsense reforms, like one-handgun-a-month rules and assault weapons sale prohibitions. You can read the full list of proposed policies here.

After introduction, Sen. Warner said,

“On the 19th anniversary of Virginia’s deadliest mass shooting, I’m joining my friend Sen. Kaine in introducing the Virginia Plan. Too many families across the country have experienced gun violence. I am proud of the Commonwealth for leading the way in implementing commonsense gun reforms, and it’s time for the country to follow.”

ELECTING TO PAY ATTENTION

And while the conflict in Iran rages and Trump continues skyrocketing our prices… Sen. Warner is still keenly tracking one of the stories this administration is trying to sneak past the American people. They are blatantly trying to politicize intelligence and interfere in our elections.

This week, Tulsi Gabbard conducted criminal referrals for lawful whistleblowers… and while alarming on its face, as these kinds of actions tend to silence dissent… it’s even more disturbing when considered as part of her pattern of endless manipulation and deceit to please Trump.

It’s becoming increasingly apparent there’s little Gabbard WON’T consider – from raids in Fulton County to criminal referrals – to appease Donald Trump and stoke his fantasy that the 2020 election was stolen.

Fabricating election fraud allegations is likely a pretext to “justify” cracking down on the 2026 midterms… something Donald Trump has already openly fantasized about doing.

So Sen. Warner, following his New York Times op-ed warning on the topic… his full-length explainer on the topic… and his many videos calling attention… this week issued a statement once again laying out the stakes, saying:

“Director Gabbard’s decision to refer a lawful intelligence community whistleblower for criminal prosecution appears to be a retaliatory act for whistleblowing itself – the very kind of politically motivated reprisal our laws are written to prevent, and one she previously pledged under oath before Congress to guard against.

“Sadly, it’s not surprising. Director Gabbard has shown time and again that there are no lines she won’t cross to appease President Trump, from indulging his false claims about the 2020 election, to inappropriately inserting herself into domestic law enforcement matters with no foreign nexus, to authorizing unprecedented disclosures burning sensitive sources without uncovering any evidence of wrongdoing. Now, as ODNI pursues debunked claims and even seizes U.S. voting machines and election data, this latest action fits squarely into a troubling and consistent pattern.

“DNI Gabbard clearly is more interested in securing the president’s approval than she is in securing our nation. With the midterm elections soon approaching, Americans need to be concerned about what else she is willing to do for Donald Trump.”

He also called attention to the situation on social media. You can watch a video of him addressing the issue here.

Rest assured, this is a key priority for Sen. Warner, so we will keep you updated on his work to keep our elections free and fair.

GRAB BAG

STANDING WITH SUDAN: As the conflict in Sudan begins its fourth year, Sen. Warner spoke on the Senate floor to bring more attention to the urgent need for a peaceful end to the tragic war.

STANDING UP FOR CFPB: Sen. Warner demanded answers from Acting Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Russell Vought on his plan to eliminate half of the remaining workforce at CFPB.

IN MOURNING: Sen. Warner, alongside Sen. Kaine, released a statement on the deaths of Cerina and Justin Fairfax.

JOINT RESOLUTIONS: Sen. Warner released a statement on his vote on two joint resolutions of disapproval.

CARING FOR THE ELDERLY: Sen. Warner introduced two bipartisan bills that would help family caregivers better save for retirement.

TRACKING TRACON: Sen. Warner led a group of his DMV colleagues in pressing FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford for answers on two recent reports of equipment failure at the FAA Potomac Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility.

MAKING HIS MARK: Sen. Warner pressed newly-confirmed DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin to carry out sincere efforts to repair the immense damage done to DHS by his predecessor by prioritizing real threats to the country, halting interference with or obstruction of Congressional oversight efforts, and earning back the trust and confidence of the American people.

THE WEEK AHEAD

The Senate will be in session next week. Sen. Warner will question RFK Jr. in the Finance Committee and vote on nominations and legislation.

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