Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04), Chairman of the House Armed Services Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, issued the following statement on the release of President Obama’s FY17 defense budget

U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, both members of the Senate Budget Committee, released the following statements on President Obama’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2017 (FY 2017)

The 2015 Virginia residential real estate market outperformed every year from 2007 to 2014. Sales each month of 2015 surpassed those of 2014, leading to annual growth of nearly 11 percent for Virginia’s residential real estate market. Gradual and sustained market growth indicates restored strength to the housing market and its impact on the state economy, according to the most recent report published by the Virginia Association of REALTORS® (VAR).

U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) introduced two bipartisan bills to provide relief to students struggling to manage record levels of college debt. One proposal streamlines income-based repayment programs, and the other would allow employers to recruit and retain talented workers by helping to pay-down an employee’s student loan debts with pre-tax income

“Sea levels are rising faster in Norfolk than almost anywhere else in the U.S., and recurrent flooding continues to damage the communities and homes in the region,” said Sen. Warner. “By helping communities incorporate innovative policies to address the many challenges presented by extreme weather, we can create long-lasting resilience to protect Hampton Roads against the very real threat of climate change.”

Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today more than $6.9 million in Housing Trust Fund grants and loans for the Homeless Reduction Grant and the Competitive Loan Program. Twenty-three projects will receive grants through these two programs of the Virginia Housing Trust Fund. The Trust Fund is intended to create and preserve affordable housing and to reduce homelessness in the Commonwealth.

Arlington County real estate assessments for 2016 show an overall increase in property values of 2.8 percent over 2015. Residential and commercial property values increased slightly.

In January 2015 Arlington, along with 74 other communities nationwide, formally committed to ending veteran homelessness by the end of the year. Twelve months later it’s “mission accomplished,” as Arlington moved 20 homeless military veterans from the streets and shelters into permanent, stable housing and achieved functional zero for veteran homelessness in 2015

Today, U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine joined a bipartisan group of 12 Senators in urging the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to change inconsistent and burdensome regulations placed on “Blue Water Navy” veterans seeking health care and benefits for conditions resulting from exposure to toxic chemicals during their service aboard Navy ships in Vietnam.

China's Chengdu J-20 fighter has officially entered the early stages of production. The bird you see here is the first production model of the large, stealthy fighter, photographed on the tarmac just days ago. The fighter, marked 2101 on the fuselage, is painted a dull yellow—likely a primer coat. The low rate initial production (LRIP) fighters will likely go to People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) test pilots for flight testing. The prototype's appearance means that most of the plane is likely frozen, design-wise