Senator Mark Warner reflects on challenges of a Republican-controlled Congress
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- With Republicans gaining control over the U.S. Senate and on track to win the House, Sen. Mark Warner acknowledged things will be different, but he's hopeful Congress will find ways to work together. Tuesday's election resulted in a major political shift. Republican Donald Trump clinched the presidency, the GOP locked in 52 Senate seats -- overtaking the Democrats' 45 seats and the House remains on track to a red win, too. "I've been in the majority and in the minority during my career," Sen. Tim Kaine told 8News ahead of the election. "And I like the majority a whole lot better." In the Commonwealth, Virginians re-elected democratic Kaine over competing Republican candidate Hung Cao. Therefore, the largely blue-backed state fell in the Senate minority. In discussions with the media on Thursday afternoon, Warner looked ahead to what's next. "When you win the trifecta, you know, and you have the House, the Senate and the Presidency, there's a tendency to overreach," Warner said. "I know the Democrats got accused of that when we had all three of the legislative and executive branches." The Senator said he hopes to find common ground across the aisle and still get business done. "I think the best politics in our country is still made when we actually work together," he explained. "It may sound naïve and old-fashioned at this point, but I think that's where the best policy is made, not driven by the loudest voices on either end of the extremes." Warner noted a particular focus on areas like national security, reducing inflation and increasing domestic manufacturing. He also reflected on COVID-era politics when he said Congress was able to come together and find common ground on a number of issues. While discussing Trump's presidential win, Warner added that he still believes there's a lot more that binds our country together. He shared this message with his now-majority Republican counterparts. "Be careful about overreach," Warner cautioned. "I think the American public wants a government that is not on either end of the political extreme. I think they want a government that's more focused about doing things for the American people rather than carrying out political grievances."
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- With Republicans gaining control over the U.S. Senate and on track to win the House, Sen. Mark Warner acknowledged things will be different, but he's hopeful Congress will find ways to work together.
Tuesday's election resulted in a major political shift. Republican Donald Trump clinched the presidency, the GOP locked in 52 Senate seats -- overtaking the Democrats' 45 seats and the House remains on track to a red win, too.
"I've been in the majority and in the minority during my career," Sen. Tim Kaine told 8News ahead of the election. "And I like the majority a whole lot better."
In the Commonwealth, Virginians re-elected democratic Kaine over competing Republican candidate Hung Cao. Therefore, the largely blue-backed state fell in the Senate minority.
In discussions with the media on Thursday afternoon, Warner looked ahead to what's next.
"When you win the trifecta, you know, and you have the House, the Senate and the Presidency, there's a tendency to overreach," Warner said. "I know the Democrats got accused of that when we had all three of the legislative and executive branches."
The Senator said he hopes to find common ground across the aisle and still get business done.
"I think the best politics in our country is still made when we actually work together," he explained. "It may sound naïve and old-fashioned at this point, but I think that's where the best policy is made, not driven by the loudest voices on either end of the extremes."
Warner noted a particular focus on areas like national security, reducing inflation and increasing domestic manufacturing. He also reflected on COVID-era politics when he said Congress was able to come together and find common ground on a number of issues.
While discussing Trump's presidential win, Warner added that he still believes there's a lot more that binds our country together. He shared this message with his now-majority Republican counterparts.
"Be careful about overreach," Warner cautioned. "I think the American public wants a government that is not on either end of the political extreme. I think they want a government that's more focused about doing things for the American people rather than carrying out political grievances."
