Congress seeking to reclaim war oversight

Congress has a constitutional role in determining the use of U.S. military force, but there are two characteristic forms of error that go with it: Either lawmakers let the president do whatever he wants, without legal authorization, or they micromanage the commander in chief to the point that he cannot take necessary action, at least not openly.

Virginia Indian monument dedicated on Capitol Square

On Tuesday, Gov. Ralph Northam, the Virginia Indian Commemorative Commission and the Virginia Capitol Foundation held a dedication ceremony for Mantle. "If you look around the Capitol grounds, you'll see that the only dedication that's taken place here for Virginia Indians is happening today -- even though the Virginia Indians have lived here for 10,000 years," said Chief Emeritus Kenneth Adams of Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe.

Mounting opposition to Pompeo makes positive Senate committee…

The two Democratic members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who last year backed Mike Pompeo as CIA director have publicly refused to support his nomination to be secretary of state, making it highly unlikely that he will have the panel's endorsement when the full Senate votes on his nomination. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., who voted to confirm Pompeo as CIA director, said in a statement Tuesday evening that she could not do the same for his bid to be top diplomat, citing concerns with Pompeo's positions on gay rights, Muslim Americans and women's reproductive rights.

Kaine, fellow senators introduce new war powers resolution

The chairman and other members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, including Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., unveiled a bipartisan resolution Monday authorizing the use of military force overseas, accelerating a debate that Congress has been reluctant to have, but that's taking on new urgency after President Donald Trump's strikes on Syria. The resolution from Kaine and Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., would repeal the broad authorizations Congress approved in 2001 and 2002 for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, replacing them with new authority to go after specific "non-state terrorist groups."

John T. Dever od/ed: Meeting the demand for talent

Again and again, the urgent call goes out for educators and employers to work together to develop the talent supply pipeline needed for economic competitiveness and business growth in the Commonwealth. Blueprint Virginia 2025 - the business plan issued by the Virginia Chamber this past December - leads with the observation that "the availability of a well-trained and educated workforce remains the top concern for Virginia's business community, and with good reason."

Virginia governor OKs paying ‘Norfolk Four’ $3.5 million

Gov. Ralph Northam has signed legislation to provide nearly $3.5 million in compensation to the "Norfolk Four," the U.S. Navy sailors who were wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for a 1997 rape and murder. Northam last week signed identical House and Senate bills to compensate Danial Williams, Joseph Dick, Derek Tice and Eric Wilson, who were wrongly convicted in 1999 of raping and killing 18-year-old Michelle Bosko.

Gun control movement pushing Congress to act: lawmakers

The youth-led U.S. gun control movement that flexed its public muscle with huge weekend rallies has already nudged Congress to enact minor firearms changes, but must remain active if it hopes to win more meaningful regulations, lawmakers said on Sunday. The movement that erupted after the Feb. 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, has generated a national conversation about gun rights and has chipped away at legislative gridlock on the issue, they said.

Sen. Tim Kaine: Trump Either ‘Lying’ or ‘Delusional’ on DACA

President Donald Trump is either "lying" or "delusional" by blaming Democrats for the lack of a fix for an Obama-era program protecting illegal immigrants brought to the country by their parents, Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said Sunday. In an interview on CNN's "State of the Union," Kaine said Trump could protect Dreamers "in the stroke of the pen in the next five minutes."

Virginia Cities to join Saturdaya s March Against Gun Violence

Thousands of students and other demonstrators are expected to march in Richmond and in cities across Virginia and the U.S. on Saturday in a nationwide protest calling for stricter gun laws and an end to mass shootings. The March for Our Lives, with its main event in Washington, is in response to the shooting that killed 17 people at a Florida high school last month.

Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax delivers keynote at black history event in Spotsylvania

Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax and Xavier Richardson listen as former Ambassador Pamela Bridgewater speaks at New Hope Baptist Church in Spotsylvania, Va., on Feb. 11, 2018. Retired principal Constance Braxton speaks during a program at New Hope Baptist Church in Spotsylvania.

Kaine demands secret memo on Trump’s ‘authority’ to declare war

Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia is demanding that a secret memo that describes President Trump's interpretation of his legal authority to declare war be released, according to a report. Kaine, a member of the Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees, urged Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in a letter late Thursday to release the seven-page document, NBC News reported .

Sen. Kaine wants to know why Virginia didn’t get same offshore drilling commitment as Florida

The Trump administration said Tuesday that it would not seek to bring oil and gas drilling to the waters off Florida, conceding to vocal opposition from the Republican governor of the tourism-driven state. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke last week unveiled a proposal that would roll back offshore drilling restrictions and open dozens of sites for potential leases.

Governor-elect Ralph Northam Attends Sunday Service in Charlottesville

Virginia Governor-elect Ralph Northam joined the congregation at a church in Charlottesville for Sunday services to spread a message of unity as he prepares to take office in just a few days. Northam spoke briefly to the crowd at First Baptist Church on Sunday, January 7, covering three important issues he plans to take on as governor.