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Tim Kaine on Homeland Security
Democratic Senate Challenger; previously Governor
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Budget cuts made us vulnerable to Libya embassy attack
On foreign policy, Kaine noted that U.S. military and Virginia National Guard forces don't have to deploy as often for the war on terror, thanks to past successes against Al-Qaeda and other terror linked groups.
Kaine then attacked the House budget proposal which cut money for embassy security, and linked it to Rep. Paul Ryan, the Republican Vice-Presidential nominee.
Allen noted that the attacked on U.S. embassies last month are examples of why sequestration is dangerous. Allen also singled out
U.S. foreign aid for Egypt, saying he did not think a dollar should be sent there until the country's leaders prove they're going to support the ongoing effort against terror.
Source: WSLS-TV-10 on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
, Oct 18, 2012
Religious liberty without government punishment
We must fight to maintain America's strong tradition of religious liberty,
where people are free to worship or not as they choose without government preference or punishment.
Source: 2012 Senate campaign website, kaineforva.com
, Oct 9, 2012
Let Bush tax cuts expire instead of automatic defense cuts
Both candidates railed against automatic defense cuts scheduled to begin in January unless Congress intervenes. But Kaine laid out a list of alternatives: Allow Bush-era tax cuts to expire on households earning at least $500,000, repeal tax breaks for
oil and gas companies, and allow the federal government to bargain for lower prescription drug prices for Medicare. With those changes, Congress would have only $23 billion more cuts to shut off the so-called "sequester"--or automatic cuts, he said.
Allen, who has made those defense cuts the centerpiece of his campaign of late, offered only vague solutions. He said repealing President Obama's health care law would help, although the
Congressional Budget Office says repeal would raise the deficit over 10 years, not lower it. "The men and women in our armed forces should never be used as bargaining chips to raise taxes on job-creating small businesses," he said.
Source: New York Times on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
, Sep 20, 2012
All-cuts approach leaves TRICARE & nat'l defense vulnerable
Radtke said "we need someone who is going to focus on cutting spending in these serious times." Allen said the economy was out of control "because of the overspending, over-regulating . big government policies of
President Obama, Tim Kaine and the Washington liberals."
Immediately after the debate, a Kaine spokeswoman criticized the Republican candidates, saying a balanced approach was needed on economic issues: "The
Republican all-cuts approach would not only leave programs like TRICARE, veterans job training, and national defense vulnerable,
but their gridlock politics will fundamentally jeopardize military preparedness and economic growth."
Source: Hampton Roads Daily Press on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
, May 11, 2012
Repeal "Don't Ask Don't Tell": let gays serve in military
Kaine said, "People like to ding the president on that word 'evolving' but the answer is, it's exactly what's happening in society." Kaine did support repealing the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" law prohibiting openly gay people from serving
in the military. And he noted that public attitudes on the overall topic were shifting, so much so that if the gay marriage amendment were on the Virginia ballot again, the vote would most likely be a lot closer. (It passed 57 to 43 in 2006.)
Source: Washington Post on 2016 Veepstakes
, May 8, 2012
Troop Talent Act: ease transition to civilian careers
One of Tim's favorite parts about serving in the Senate is getting to represent Virginia on the Armed Services Committee. Virginia is home to the world's largest naval base, more than 25 military installations, thousands of servicemembers and
their families, and our nation's best shipbuilders and defense contractors. Tim came to the Senate determined to help reduce unemployment among our nation's veterans. His first bill, the Troop Talent Act, made improvements to credentialing to ease
the transition from active duty service to civilian careers. The idea for the legislation came from Tim's conversations with veterans who had encountered private sector employers who were unfamiliar with the skills they had
developed during military training and how they would translate to the civilian workforce. One of the few Senators with a child serving in the military, Tim is a consistent advocate for military families on the Armed Services Committee.
Source: Virginia 2012 Senate campaign website KaineForVA.com
, Feb 29, 2012
Open all combat roles to women
Tim supports the Department of Defense's decision to open all combat roles to women. He made news in 2015 by publicly highlighting the unacceptable lack of women on a
panel focused on military compensation, arguing that women must be at the leadership table for policy discussions that impact servicemembers and their families.
Source: Virginia 2012 Senate campaign website KaineForVA.com
, Feb 29, 2012
Expand job benefits for members of the Virginia Guard
This session, we can show our gratitude by working together to better serve those who serve us. I've offered legislation to expand benefits and job protection for members of the Virginia Guard who serve critical state
missions at the request of the Governor. We should also expand benefits for family members of active duty personnel who are disabled or killed in service to their country.
Source: 2007 State of the State address to Virginia Assembly
, Jan 10, 2007
Focus on counter-terrorism and bioterrorism preparedness
The Kaine administration will be particularly focused on maintaining and enhancing the state’s counter-terrorism and homeland security efforts. Lieutenant Governor Kaine serves on the Secure Virginia emergency response panel and has gained crucial
experience in the preparation for terrorist attacks and bio-terrorist viral outbreaks. Tim Kaine is proud that Virginia ranked among the top states nationally for bioterrorism preparedness in the recent report from Trust for America’s Health.
Source: 2005 Gubernatorial campaign website kaine2005.org, “Issues”
, Nov 8, 2005
Maintain the military presence in Virginia
Tim Kaine is a member of the Virginia Commission on Military Bases, the Commonwealth’s response to the federal base-closing efforts. He understands the importance of the military presence in Virginia to our safety and our economy.
Tim Kaine is working to protect Virginia’s military installations and fighting against the removal of any of the aircraft carrier groups assigned to Norfolk.
Source: 2005 Gubernatorial campaign website kaine2005.org, “Issues”
, Nov 8, 2005
Page last updated: Jul 08, 2016