Full History Of Tim Kaine In Timeline From 1958

February 26, 1958: Birth of Tim Kaine

On February 26, 1958, Timothy Michael Kaine was born. He is currently the junior United States senator from Virginia.

1966: Virginia Outdoors Foundation Set Up

In 1966, the Virginia Outdoors Foundation was set up to preserve open land in the state.

1973: War Powers Act of 1973

In 2014, Tim Kaine and Senator John McCain introduced the War Powers Consultation Act of 2014, which would replace the War Powers Act of 1973, bringing Congress back into decisions on the deployment of U.S. military forces.

1974: 1974 Pension Plan

In January 2019, Tim Kaine was one of six Democratic senators to introduce the American Miners Act of 2019, a bill that would amend the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to swap funds in excess of the amounts needed to meet existing obligations under the Abandoned Mine Land fund to the 1974 Pension Plan as part of an effort to prevent its insolvency as a result of coal company bankruptcies and the 2008 financial crisis.

1976: Graduated from Rockhurst High School

In 1976, Tim Kaine graduated from Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Missouri, where he was on the debate team and student body president.

1977: Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977

In January 2019, Tim Kaine was one of six Democratic senators to introduce the American Miners Act of 2019, a bill that would amend the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977.

1978: Coro Foundation Fellow

In 1978, Tim Kaine was a Coro Foundation fellow in Kansas City.

1979: Graduated from the University of Missouri

In 1979, Tim Kaine graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Missouri, completing his degree in three years.

1980: Interrupted Law Studies to Work in Honduras

From 1980 to 1981, Tim Kaine interrupted his law studies to work in Honduras for nine months, assisting Jesuit missionaries and helping to run a vocational center.

1981: Returned from Honduras

In 1981, Tim Kaine returned from Honduras.

1983: Graduated from Harvard Law School

In 1983, Tim Kaine graduated from Harvard Law School with a J.D. degree.

November 1984: Marriage to Anne Bright Holton

In November 1984, Tim Kaine married Anne Bright Holton, the daughter of A. Linwood Holton Jr. The couple met while they were students at Harvard Law School.

1984: Admitted to the Virginia Bar

In 1984, Tim Kaine was admitted to the Virginia bar, after moving to Richmond with his wife, Anne Holton.

1987: Became a Director at Mezzullo & McCandlish, P.C.

In 1987, Tim Kaine became a director of the law firm Mezzullo & McCandlish, P.C., where he continued to practice law in Richmond.

1988: Started Teaching Legal Ethics

In 1988, Tim Kaine began teaching legal ethics as an adjunct professor at the University of Richmond School of Law.

1991: Co-sponsored legislation to end 1991 congressional resolutions

In 2023, Tim Kaine and Todd Young co-sponsored legislation to end the 1991 and 2002 congressional resolutions that authorized the use of military force.

1994: Elected to Richmond City Council

In 1994, Tim Kaine was elected to the Richmond city council.

July 1, 1998: Elected Mayor of Richmond

On July 1, 1998, Tim Kaine was elected mayor of Richmond, becoming the city's first white mayor in over a decade.

2000: Humanitarian Award from the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities

In 2000, Tim Kaine received the Humanitarian Award from the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, then the Virginia Region of the National Conference for Community and Justice.

2000: Renovated and Reopened Maggie L. Walker High School

In 2000, as mayor, Tim Kaine used a sale-leaseback arrangement to obtain funds to renovate and reopen the historic Maggie L. Walker High School as a governor's school.

September 10, 2001: Resigned from Richmond City Council

On September 10, 2001, Tim Kaine resigned from the Richmond City Council.

2001: Project Exile Touted

In 2001, Tim Kaine touted Project Exile during his campaign for lieutenant governor.

2001: 2001 lieutenant gubernatorial election

In 2001, Tim Kaine was part of the lieutenant gubernatorial election.

2001: Won Democratic Nomination for Lieutenant Governor

In 2001, Tim Kaine won the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor of Virginia.

January 12, 2002: Inaugurated as Lieutenant Governor

On January 12, 2002, Tim Kaine was inaugurated as Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, sworn in by his wife Anne Holton.

2002: Co-sponsored legislation to end 2002 congressional resolutions

In 2023, Tim Kaine and Todd Young co-sponsored legislation to end the 1991 and 2002 congressional resolutions that authorized the use of military force.

2004: Conservation Efforts

From 2004 to 2009, the Virginia Outdoors Foundation protected more land than it had in the previous 40 years.

2005: Promise Made

In 2005, Tim Kaine promised to protect Virginia land from development.

2005: Ran for Governor of Virginia

In 2005, Tim Kaine ran for Governor of Virginia against Jerry W. Kilgore.

2005: Statement on Adoption by Married Couples

In 2005, Tim Kaine stated that only married couples in Virginia should be allowed to adopt.

2005: 2005 gubernatorial election

In 2005, Tim Kaine was part of the gubernatorial election.

2005: Favored reducing abortions by different measures

In 2005, while running for governor, Tim Kaine expressed his views on what he favored to reduce abortions. Enforcing the current Virginia restrictions on abortion and passing an enforceable ban on partial birth abortion that protects the life and health of the mother."

2005: Stated position on abortion reduction

In 2005, while running for governor, Tim Kaine outlined his favored approach to reducing abortions by enforcing current Virginia restrictions, banning partial-birth abortion, fighting teen pregnancy through abstinence-focused education, ensuring women's access to healthcare, and promoting adoption.

January 14, 2006: Sworn in as Governor of Virginia

On January 14, 2006, Tim Kaine was sworn in as governor of Virginia at the colonial Capitol in Williamsburg.

January 31, 2006: Gave Democratic Response to State of the Union Address

On January 31, 2006, Tim Kaine gave the Democratic response to President George W. Bush's State of the Union address, criticizing the Bush administration's policies on education, spending, and the Iraq War.

October 2006: Signed Executive Order Banning Smoking

In October 2006, Tim Kaine signed an executive order banning smoking in all government buildings and state-owned cars, effective January 1, 2007.

2006: Became Governor of Virginia

In 2006, Tim Kaine assumed the office of Governor of Virginia, a position he held until 2010.

2006: Campaign against ban on same-sex marriage

In 2006, Tim Kaine campaigned against an amendment to the Virginia State Constitution that sought to ban same-sex marriage.

January 1, 2007: Smoking Ban Effective

Effective January 1, 2007, Tim Kaine's executive order banning smoking in all government buildings and state-owned cars went into effect.

2007: Secured Increases in State Funding for Nursing

In 2007, Tim Kaine secured increases in state funding for nursing and announced a 10% salary increase for nursing faculty in Virginia, plus funds for scholarships for nursing master's programs, to address a shortage of practicing nurses.

2007: HPV Vaccine Legislation

In 2007, Tim Kaine signed a bill requiring girls to receive the HPV vaccine before entering high school, with an opt-out provision.

2007: Cut off funding for abstinence-only sex education programs

In 2007, as governor, Tim Kaine cut off state funding for abstinence-only sex education programs, advocating for comprehensive sex education that includes both abstinence and contraceptives.

June 2008: Commuted death sentence of Percy Levar Walton

In June 2008, Tim Kaine commuted the death sentence of Percy Levar Walton to life imprisonment without parole due to mental incompetence, citing constitutional concerns.

2008: Chairman of the Southern Governors' Association

From 2008 to 2009, Tim Kaine served as chairman of the Southern Governors' Association.

2008: Supported Coal-Fired Power Plant Project

In 2008, Tim Kaine supported a coal-fired power plant project in Wise County, leading to clashes with environmentalists.

2008: 2008 financial crisis

In January 2019, Tim Kaine was one of six Democratic senators to introduce the American Miners Act of 2019, a bill that would amend the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to swap funds in excess of the amounts needed to meet existing obligations under the Abandoned Mine Land fund to the 1974 Pension Plan as part of an effort to prevent its insolvency as a result of coal company bankruptcies and the 2008 financial crisis.

March 2009: Signed Legislation Banning Smoking in Restaurants and Bars

In March 2009, Tim Kaine signed legislation banning smoking in restaurants and bars in Virginia, making it the first Southern state to do so.

2009: Conservation Efforts Touted

From 2004 to 2009, the Virginia Outdoors Foundation protected more land than it had in the previous 40 years. Kaine touted this conservation fact as his term drew to a close

2009: Chairman of the Southern Governors' Association

From 2008 to 2009, Tim Kaine served as chairman of the Southern Governors' Association.

2009: Expressed Support for Tighter Restrictions on Coal Mining

In 2009, Tim Kaine expressed support for stricter regulations on mountaintop removal coal mining imposed by the Obama administration.

2009: White House Roundtable Discussion on High-Speed Rail

In 2009, Tim Kaine participated in a White House round-table discussion on high-speed rail.

2009: Virginia Council of Churches' Faith in Action Award

In 2009, Tim Kaine received the Virginia Council of Churches' Faith in Action Award.

2009: Signed 'Choose Life' license plate bill

In 2009, Tim Kaine signed a bill to create a "Choose Life" license plate in Virginia, with proceeds partly going to Heartbeat International, an anti-abortion organization. Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America expressed disappointment.

2009: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2009 (Obamacare)

Tim Kaine supports the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2009 (Obamacare).

2010: Strongly disagrees with Citizens United v. FEC

In 2010, Tim Kaine strongly disagreed with the Supreme court ruling on Citizens United v. FEC.

2011: Shift in Position on Adoption

In 2011, Tim Kaine shifted his position on adoption.

2012: Advocacy for License for Committed Couples

In 2012, Tim Kaine advocated for a license that would entitle a committed couple to the same rights as a married couple.

2012: Praised amendment to Affordable Care Act

In 2012, Tim Kaine praised an amendment to the Affordable Care Act regulations that required insurers to provide birth control to employees when an employer was an objecting religious organization.

2012: William Green Award for Professional Excellence

In 2012, Tim Kaine received the University of Richmond School of Law's William Green Award for Professional Excellence.

2012: Support for Raising the FICA Payroll Tax Cap

In 2012, Tim Kaine supported raising the cap on income subject to the FICA (Social Security) payroll tax to cover a similar percentage of income as it did in the 1980s under President Reagan, which would greatly extend the solvency of the Social Security program.

2012: Expressed support for Affordable Care Act

In 2012, Tim Kaine voiced his continued support for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).

2012: 2012 U.S. Senate election

In 2012, Tim Kaine was part of the U.S. Senate election.

March 2013: Announced Support of Same-Sex Marriage

In March 2013, Tim Kaine announced his support of same-sex marriage.

2013: Criticized Republicans for threatening government shutdown

In 2013, Tim Kaine agreed that changes to the Affordable Care Act should be debated, but he criticized Republicans for "wrapping them up with the threat" of a federal government shutdown.

2013: Supported oil and gas exploration off the coast of Virginia

In 2013, Tim Kaine supported oil and gas exploration off the coast of Virginia, advocating for a reexamination of the moratorium on offshore drilling.

November 2014: Emphasized necessity of congressional authorization against ISIL

In November 2014, Tim Kaine, along with John McCain, emphasized the necessity of congressional authorization for the U.S. military intervention against ISIL, highlighting that military action requires Congressional approval to be considered a national mission.

December 11, 2014: Approved measure authorizing military force against ISIL

On December 11, 2014, after a five-month campaign by Kaine, the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved by 10–8 a measure authorizing military force against ISIL but barring the use of ground troops.

2014: Appointment of Anne Holton as Virginia's Secretary of Education

In 2014, Anne Holton was appointed by Governor Terry McAuliffe to be Virginia's secretary of education, a position she held until July 2016.

2014: Introduced War Powers Consultation Act of 2014

In 2014, Tim Kaine and Senator John McCain introduced the War Powers Consultation Act of 2014, aimed at replacing the War Powers Act of 1973 to reinstate Congressional involvement in decisions concerning the deployment of U.S. military forces.

2014: Expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself

In 2014, Tim Kaine expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself during the Israel–Gaza conflict.

2014: Partnered with Republicans on sea-level rise conference

In 2014, Tim Kaine partnered with U.S. Representatives Rob Wittman and Scott Rigell to hold a conference on sea-level rise and local adaptation efforts to protect military installations in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia.

2014: Award for Public Service in the Americas

In 2014, Tim Kaine received the Award for Public Service in the Americas from the Inter-American Dialogue.

2014: Americans for Democratic Action rating

In 2014, the liberal group Americans for Democratic Action gave Tim Kaine a 90% rating.

2014: Opioid-overdose-reversing device Evzio priced at $690

In February 2017, Tim Kaine and 30 other senators signed a letter to Kaléo Pharmaceuticals regarding the price increase of the opioid-overdose-reversing device Evzio from $690 in 2014 to $4,500, requesting a detailed price structure, the number of devices set aside for donation, and the totality of federal reimbursements received in the previous year.

2014: Criticized climate change deniers

In a 2014 Senate speech, Tim Kaine criticized climate change deniers and those who deny the U.S.'s role in addressing the issue, acknowledging the scientific consensus on climate change.

April 2015: Reiterated opposition to moratorium on offshore drilling

In April 2015, Tim Kaine reiterated his opposition to the moratorium on offshore drilling.

October 2015: Criticized Obama's approach to the Syrian Civil War

In October 2015, Tim Kaine criticized President Obama's approach to the Syrian Civil War, suggesting that the establishment of humanitarian no-fly zones would have alleviated the humanitarian crisis in Syria.

2015: Expressed support for Saudi-led coalition's airstrikes in Yemen

In 2015, Tim Kaine expressed support for the Saudi-led coalition's airstrikes in Yemen against Houthi forces.

2015: League of Conservation Voters Score

In 2015, Tim Kaine had an 88% score from the League of Conservation Voters.

2015: Joined call for SEC to require disclosure of political spending

In 2015, Tim Kaine joined Senate Democrats in urging the SEC to require publicly traded companies to disclose political spending to increase transparency.

2015: Appalachian Trail Conservancy's Congressional Award

In 2015, Tim Kaine received the Appalachian Trail Conservancy's Congressional Award.

March 2016: Signaled softening position on offshore drilling

In March 2016, Tim Kaine signaled that his position on offshore drilling was softening due to the Department of Defense's objections to its incompatibility with naval operations off Virginia's coast.

July 2016: Stepping Down as Secretary of Education

In July 2016, Anne Holton stepped down as Virginia's secretary of education after her husband, Tim Kaine, was nominated for vice president.

July 2016: Remarks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement

In July 2016, Tim Kaine said the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement was "an improvement of the status quo" and an "upgrade of labor standards... environmental standards... intellectual property protections", but maintained that he had not yet decided how to vote on final approval of the agreement, citing "significant concerns" over TPP's dispute resolution mechanism. Later that month, Kaine said that he could not support the TPP in its current form.

July 2016: Signed letter regarding Dodd-Frank rulemaking

In July 2016, Tim Kaine signed a bipartisan letter urging the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to carefully tailor its rulemaking under the Dodd-Frank Act regarding community banks and credit unions.

July 27, 2016: Nominated for Vice President

On July 27, 2016, Tim Kaine was nominated for Vice President at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.

August 2016: Expressed support for a ban on offshore drilling

By August 2016, Tim Kaine stated his support for a ban on offshore drilling, aligning his position with Hillary Clinton and the Obama administration.

September 2016: Signed AIPAC-sponsored letter on Israeli settlements

In September 2016, Tim Kaine signed an AIPAC-sponsored letter urging Obama to veto one-sided resolutions against Israel concerning Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.

October 2016: Vice-Presidential Debate

In October 2016, Tim Kaine participated in the vice-presidential debate. During Kaine's debate preparations, lawyer Robert Barnett played the role of Republican nominee Mike Pence. Pence was criticized for not defending Trump's comments, while Kaine was criticized for being too aggressive and interrupting.

November 8, 2016: Clinton-Kaine Ticket Lost Election

On November 8, 2016, the Clinton-Kaine ticket, despite winning the popular vote, lost the Electoral College and the election to Donald Trump and Mike Pence.

December 2016: Signed letter to Trump on prescription drug costs

In December 2016, Tim Kaine was among 17 senators who signed a letter to Trump, urging him to fulfill his campaign pledge to reduce the cost of prescription drugs.

2016: Wrote essay on foreign policy philosophy

After the 2016 presidential campaign, Tim Kaine wrote an extensive essay in Foreign Affairs outlining his underlying foreign policy philosophy, noting that American foreign policy has suffered a lack of direction since the 1990s.

2016: First Presidential Ticket Member to Deliver Speech in Spanish

During the 2016 campaign, Tim Kaine became the first member of a presidential ticket to deliver a speech in Spanish.

2016: Position on Same-Sex Marriage and the Catholic Church

During the 2016 presidential campaign, Tim Kaine acknowledged that his position on same-sex marriage was "at odds with the current doctrine of the church that I still attend," and expressed his prediction that the Roman Catholic Church would eventually adopt his view.

2016: Political Ideology

In 2016, FiveThirtyEight characterized Tim Kaine as a "mainstream Democrat" with an ideology score similar to Joe Biden's. He was viewed as a centrist in hyperpartisan Washington.

2016: Endorsed Hillary Clinton for president

In 2016, Tim Kaine endorsed Hillary Clinton for president and actively campaigned for her in seven states during the primaries. He was considered a possible running mate for Clinton.

2016: Center for the National Interest's Distinguished Service Award

In 2016, Tim Kaine received the Center for the National Interest's Distinguished Service Award.

2016: 2016 vice presidential election

In 2016, Tim Kaine was part of the vice presidential election.

2016: Praise from the National Organization for Women

In 2016, after Hillary Clinton selected him as her running mate, Tim Kaine was praised by the National Organization for Women for supporting the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.

February 2017: Signed letter to Kaléo Pharmaceuticals on Evzio price increase

In February 2017, Tim Kaine and 30 other senators signed a letter to Kaléo Pharmaceuticals regarding the price increase of the opioid-overdose-reversing device Evzio from $690 in 2014 to $4,500, requesting a detailed price structure, the number of devices set aside for donation, and the totality of federal reimbursements received in the previous year.

April 2017: Said there is no legal justification for missile strike in Syria

After the April 2017 Shayrat missile strike in Syria, ordered by Trump, Kaine said, "There is no legal justification for this. He should not have done this without coming to Congress."

July 2017: Expanded on grand strategy proposal

In July 2017, Tim Kaine expanded on the grand strategy proposed in his essay during an interview at the Brookings Institution with international relations scholar Robert Kagan.

July 2017: Voted for Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act

In July 2017, Tim Kaine voted in favor of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, which imposed sanctions on Iran, Russia, and North Korea.

November 2017: Cosponsored Military Domestic Violence Reporting Enhancement Act

In November 2017, Tim Kaine cosponsored the Military Domestic Violence Reporting Enhancement Act, designed to create a domestic violence charge under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and mandate the reporting of convictions to federal databases, restricting abusers from purchasing firearms.

2017: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic

In 2017, Tim Kaine was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic.

2017: Dismantled the post of special envoy for the Arctic

In 2017, Trump dismantled the post of special envoy for the Arctic, that Kaine's Climate Security Act of 2019 sought to restore.

February 2018: Signed letter arguing against preventative strike on North Korea

In February 2018, Tim Kaine was one of 18 senators who signed a letter to Trump asserting that a preemptive U.S. military strike on North Korea would lack constitutional and legal basis without Congressional approval.

March 2018: Signed letter requesting hearing on mass shootings

In March 2018, following the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, Tim Kaine was one of ten senators who signed a letter to the Chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, Lamar Alexander, and ranking Democrat Patty Murray, requesting a hearing on the causes and possible solutions for mass shootings.

April 2018: Criticized Trump for authorizing military strike on Syria without Congress

In April 2018, Tim Kaine criticized Trump for authorizing the launch of a precision military strike on Syria without consulting Congress, calling the strike an "illegal military act".

October 2018: Letter Urging Reversal of Visa Denial Policy for Same-Sex Partners of LGBTQ Diplomats

In October 2018, Tim Kaine and 19 other senators signed a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urging him to reverse the State Department's policy of denying visas to same-sex partners of LGBTQ diplomats whose unions were not recognized by their home countries.

December 2018: Argued administration improperly using Section 1332 of the ACA

In December 2018, Tim Kaine was among 42 senators who signed a letter to Trump administration officials arguing that the administration was improperly using Section 1332 of the ACA to authorize states to "increase health care costs for millions of consumers while weakening protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions."

2018: Proposed creation of Medicare X

In 2018, Tim Kaine and Senator Michael Bennet proposed the creation of "Medicare X"—a public health insurance option modeled after Medicare. It would be available on ACA health insurance marketplaces along with private options.

2018: Called U.S. missile strikes on Syria illegal

In 2018, Tim Kaine criticized the U.S. missile strikes Trump ordered against the Syrian government, calling them illegal because they were undertaken without congressional approval.

2018: Fiscal Year 2018 national security appropriations bill

In 2018, Tim Kaine urged Trump to reconsider cuts to U.S. foreign aid to the Northern Triangle countries of Central America in the Fiscal Year 2018 national security appropriations bill.

2018: Signed letter regarding Saudi Arabia and UAE's actions in Yemen

In 2018, Tim Kaine was one of seven senators who signed a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo questioning the Trump administration's certifications regarding Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates' efforts to protect Yemeni civilians.

2018: 2018 U.S. Senate election

In 2018, Tim Kaine was part of the U.S. Senate election.

2018: League of Conservation Voters Score

In 2018, the League of Conservation Voters gave Tim Kaine a 95% score based on his votes on environmental issues in the Senate.

2018: 2018 coal company bankruptcies

In January 2019, Tim Kaine was one of six Democratic senators to introduce the American Miners Act of 2019, a bill that would amend the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to swap funds in excess of the amounts needed to meet existing obligations under the Abandoned Mine Land fund to the 1974 Pension Plan as part of an effort to prevent its insolvency as a result of coal company bankruptcies and the 2008 financial crisis.

January 2019: Introduced American Miners Act of 2019

In January 2019, Tim Kaine was one of six Democratic senators to introduce the American Miners Act of 2019, a bill that would amend the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977.

February 2019: Signed letter to insulin manufacturers on increased insulin prices

In February 2019, Tim Kaine was one of 11 senators who signed a letter to insulin manufacturers Eli Lilly and Company, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi, expressing concern about increased insulin prices and their impact on patients' access to life-saving medication.

March 2019: Sponsored the Climate Security Act of 2019

In March 2019, Tim Kaine was one of 11 senators to sponsor the Climate Security Act of 2019, which aimed to integrate climate science into national security operations.

April 2019: Bipartisan Letter Supporting HUD's Section 4 Capacity Building Program

In April 2019, Tim Kaine and 40 other senators signed a bipartisan letter in support of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Section 4 Capacity Building program, a program authorizing HUD to partner with nonprofit community development groups to provide support to community development corporations.

April 2019: Advocated for maximum funding for carbon capture

In April 2019, Tim Kaine was one of 12 senators who advocated for maximum funding for carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) to stimulate American job growth and capture carbon emissions.

June 2019: Letter Requesting Explanation for Lack of Pride Month Commemoration

In June 2019, Tim Kaine and 17 other senators signed a letter to Pompeo requesting an explanation for the State Department's decision not to issue an official statement commemorating Pride Month or issue the annual cable outlining activities for embassies commemorating Pride Month. The senators also inquired about the vacant LGBTI special envoy position.

June 2019: Cosponsored Help Empower Americans to Respond Act

In June 2019, Tim Kaine was among four senators who cosponsored the Help Empower Americans to Respond (HEAR) Act, legislation that proposed banning the importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of suppressors, establishing a silencer buyback program, and including exceptions for law enforcement personnel.

July 2019: Introduction of Protecting Sensitive Locations Act

In July 2019, Tim Kaine and 15 other Senate Democrats introduced the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, a bill to mandate that ICE agents get supervisor approval before undertaking immigration raids at sensitive locations such as schools, hospitals, places of worship, and courthouses, and would also require agents to receive annual training and ICE to submit an annual report on enforcement actions in those locations.

July 2019: Letter Opposing End to Protection from Deportation for Families of Active-Duty Service Members

In July 2019, Tim Kaine and 21 other senators signed a letter led by Tammy Duckworth arguing against the Trump administration's plan to end protections from deportation for spouses, parents, and children of active-duty service members, asserting that the program allowed service members to focus on their duties without worrying about their families' deportation.

July 31, 2019: Co-sponsored bill banning the death penalty

On July 31, 2019, Tim Kaine co-sponsored a bill to ban the death penalty, following the announcement that the federal government would resume its use after a 20-year hiatus.

August 2019: Letter to Treasury Secretary and HHS Secretary on Affordable Care Act

In August 2019, Tim Kaine and 18 other Democratic senators signed a letter to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar requesting data from the Trump administration on the consequences for healthcare if Texas prevailed in its lawsuit seeking to gut the Affordable Care Act.

September 2019: Letter Advocating for Retired Coal Miners' Healthcare and Pension Benefits

In September 2019, Tim Kaine and five other Democratic senators signed a letter to congressional leadership advocating legislation that would permanently fund healthcare and pension benefits for retired coal miners, as families in several states would start receiving notifications of healthcare termination by the end of the following month.

2019: Co-sponsored the South China Sea and East China Sea Sanctions Act

In 2019, Tim Kaine co-sponsored the South China Sea and East China Sea Sanctions Act, a bipartisan bill reintroduced by Marco Rubio and Ben Cardin. The Act aimed to disrupt China's consolidation or expansion of its jurisdictional claims over the sea and airspace in the disputed South China Sea zones.

2019: Signed letter urging reconsideration of cuts to U.S. foreign aid

In 2019, Tim Kaine, along with 33 other Senate Democrats, signed a letter addressed to Trump, urging him to reconsider cuts to U.S. foreign aid for the Northern Triangle countries of Central America within the Fiscal Year 2018 national security appropriations bill.

January 2020: Introduced war powers resolution against Iran

In January 2020, Tim Kaine introduced a war powers resolution to prohibit the U.S. from engaging in hostilities against Iran within 30 days unless responding to an imminent threat. Although the Iran War Powers Resolution passed the Senate the following month, Trump vetoed it, and the Senate failed to override the veto.

May 28, 2020: Positive COVID-19 Antibody Test

On May 28, 2020, Tim Kaine announced that he and his wife had tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies.

2020: Support for Continued Funding for Section 4

In 2020, Tim Kaine supported continued funding for Section 4 in Fiscal Year 2020.

2020: Expressed disagreement with the Trump's budget request

In April 2019, Tim Kaine expressed disagreement with the Trump's 2020 budget request to combine the two federal programs that include carbon capture research.

March 2022: Reported Long COVID Symptoms

In March 2022, it was reported that Tim Kaine has long COVID symptoms.

2022: Voted for Inflation Reduction Act

In 2022, Tim Kaine voted for the Inflation Reduction Act, designed to cap the price of insulin and allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices.

2022: Vote for the Respect for Marriage Act

In 2022, Tim Kaine voted for the Respect for Marriage Act.

December 30, 2023: Criticized Biden's emergency weapon sale to Israel

On December 30, 2023, Tim Kaine publicly criticized President Biden's emergency sale of weapons to Israel amid the Israel–Hamas war, questioning the administration's decision to bypass Congressional approval. Kaine expressed concern that this circumvention kept the American public uninformed and signaled pressure from Senate allies for Biden to alter his tactics in Gaza.

2023: Co-sponsored provision on NATO withdrawal approval

In 2023, Tim Kaine and Marco Rubio co-sponsored a provision in the annual National Defense Authorization Act stipulating that a U.S. president cannot withdraw the U.S. from NATO without Congressional approval.

2023: Co-sponsored legislation to end AUMF

In 2023, Tim Kaine and Todd Young co-sponsored legislation to end the 1991 and 2002 congressional resolutions that authorized the use of military force. The bill, which repealed the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) in Iraq, passed with a bipartisan majority.