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SENATOR JIM WEBB NAMED ONE OF THE 75 Senator Webb was named in this month's Esquire Magazine as one of the 75 most influential people of the 21st Century. In making this designation of Senator Webb, Esquire writes, "Jim Webb, Democrat of Virginia, has done more to repair his party's relationship with the military" than anyone since the Vietnam War ended and "will have the ear of whoever wins the presidency." The magazine cites his success this year in enacting a new GI Bill for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Additionally, Senator Webb has been recognized in a number of political and cultural publications since taking office in January 2007. Webb was named Washingtonian Magazine's "Rising Star" in September's edition, rating the "Best & Worst of Congress." Last December, Politico named Webb congressional "Rookie of the Year." He is "a unique combination of street-brawler and professor," noted freshman colleague Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) in the story. To read Senator Webb's interview in this month's Esquire, please click here »
Senator Webb was recently honored by a number of veterans' organizations for his work in crafting a new GI Bill. Senator Webb was awarded the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Gold Medal and Citation of Merit for leadership and the Military Coalition's Award of Merit. He also delivered the keynote address at both the VFW and American Legion annual conferences this summer. Webb's new GI Bill provides a modern and fair educational benefit to address the needs of those who answered the call of duty in this time of war. In the Senate Webb Urges Defense Secretary Gates to Halt $300 Million On Thursday, Senator Webb sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates asking him to suspend further contracts that would pay civilian contractors $300 million to produce pro-American news stories, entertainment programs and public service ads inside Iraq pending a full review by the Senate Armed Services Committee and a new presidential Administration. Earlier this year, Webb raised similar questions with Secretary Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Mike Mullen regarding the use of federal funds that circumvent routine congressional scrutiny and award lucrative contracts to companies performing quasi-military functions such as Blackwater. "At a time when this country is facing such a grave economic crisis, and at a time when the government of Iraq now shows at least a $79 billion surplus from recent oil revenues, it makes little sense for the Department of Defense to be spending hundreds of millions of dollars to propagandize the Iraqi people," said Webb. He added that the Iraqi government "is capable, both politically and financially, of communicating with its own people ... without being accused by adversaries of being a foreign government that is fulminating internal conditions through propaganda." To read the Army Times article, "Webb: Stop 'Propagandizing' in Iraq," please click here » ECONOMIC STABILIZATION BILL SIGNED INTO LAW After much deliberation, Senator Webb voted last week to support the bipartisan compromise legislation to stabilize the nation's dangerously threatened economic system. Significant recommendations that Senator Webb offered over the past few weeks to safeguard the American taxpayer were incorporated into what he called, "an admittedly imperfect bill." Throughout the negotiations, Senator Webb was outspoken in his support of several basic principles, essential for the future economic well-being of the country. He and eight of his colleagues sent a letter on September 26 to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid seeking assurances that any agreement being negotiated contain clear and specific protections for taxpayers, limits on executive compensation, and a strengthened regulatory structure to prevent future abuses. Significant progress was made in each of these areas. "Going forward, I will work aggressively with members of Congress from both sides of the aisle to ensure that this legislation is implemented fairly, and in a way that safeguards the American taxpayer. Equally important, the next Congress must restore to our financial system a regulatory structure that will prevent this terrible chapter in American history from ever happening again," Webb said. To read Senator Webb's statement, please click here » To read the Roll Call article, "Democratic Senators Outline Demands," please click here » CONGRESS COMMITS UNPRECEDENTED INVESTMENT FOR MASS TRANSIT IMPROVEMENTS 
Last week, the Senate passed legislation to make improvements to rail safety and reauthorize passenger rail programs, including Amtrak, for the next five years. Senator Webb was a cosponsor of this legislation which will benefit millions of Virginians who rely on Amtrak, the Virginia Railway Express (VRE), and the Washington Metropolitan Area Metro Transit (WMATA) every day to meet their transportation needs. Mass transportation is an essential service for millions of Virginia residents. Metro ridership hit a record high in fiscal year 2008 with 215 million customers. Amtrak operates over 20 trains daily, including regional service to Richmond and Newport News. "With increasing traffic congestion on our nation's roadways, it is time to invest in long-term and diversified infrastructure projects that improve passenger rail service. I have long stated my belief that America has been seriously neglecting its infrastructure and I am pleased that this bill puts us on the path to making a renewed investment in passenger rail service," said Webb. To read the full press release on Amtrak funding, please click here » To read the full press release on WMATA funding, please click here » WEBB LEGISLATION DEMANDS CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL OF During recent debates over the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Senator Webb introduced legislation requiring that any new security agreement negotiated between the United States and the government of Iraq would not remain in effect unless approved by Congress. It also called for the United States to seek a one-year extension of the United Nations Security Council mandate of the Multi-National Force in Iraq. These provisions underscored the importance of constitutional oversight in reaching long-term security negotiations with Iraq.
Noting that the legal authority for the United States to operate in Iraq will expire December 31, 2008, and that Congress will be adjourned at that time, Webb warned that the Bush administration was on the verge of "a constitutional coup d'etat, a further expansion of the powers of the presidency," by agreeing to a long-term relationship without the consent of Congress. "The largest question, really, is what entity of the federal government has the authority to enter the United States into a long-term relationship with another government?" asked Webb on the Senate floor. "This amendment is designed to prevent this sort of an imbalance from occurring at the same time that it recognizes the realities of the timelines that are now involved with respect to the loss of international authority for our presence in Iraq." To read the full press release, please click here » To read the Richmond Times-Dispatch article, "Virginians at the Capitol," please click here » In Virginia LEGISLATION PROVIDES GRANTS FOR PRESERVATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS 
On September 26, the House and Senate and the House passed "The Presidential Historical Records Preservation Act of 2008," introduced by Senators Webb and Warner that will establish a new competitive grant program to encourage the preservation of and public access to historical documents and records of past presidents. Senator Webb worked with Senator Warner, Representatives Goodlatte and Davis, and officials from the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and the National Archives and Records Administration to craft this bill. The president is expected to sign it into law this week. "This legislation will help the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library Foundation, and other non-profit entities like it, preserve and make available to the public the historical records and documents of American Presidents for generations to come. Our country will be better off for having an improved, more complete understanding of American Presidents and their legacies," said Webb. To read the WHSV article, "Presidential Records Preservation Bill Passed," please click here » SENATE INDIAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE HEARING HELD 
On September 25, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held a hearing, at the request of Senator Webb, to consider legislation to federally recognize six of Virginia's Indian tribes. Senator Webb, who was joined by Governor Tim Kaine and Congressman Jim Moran, testified at the hearing in support of the legislation. This hearing marks significant progress in the Senate to advance this important bill in the next Congress. At the hearing, Senator Webb said, "I have spent several months examining this issue in great detail, including the rich history and culture of Virginia's tribes and I strongly believe that recognition for these six Virginia tribes is justified based on principles of dignity and fairness." Sen. Byron Dorgan, chairman of the Indian Affairs Committee, said he was hopeful that the bill would see action within six months of the new congressional session, adding that Webb had been "irritatingly aggressive" in urging the committee to hold a hearing on the bill. To read the full press release, please click here »
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