WDBJ7 Roanoke News and Weather NRV Lynchburg Danville | A look at Senator Webb's first three months in office
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Senator Jim Webb has been making headlines since taking office. Webb is already being discussed as a possible contender for Vice President.
He recently spoke to a sold out crowd at the National Press Club. There, he talked about his career and political goals.
Webb was appointed to the high profile committees of Armed Forces and Foreign Relations, a rarity for even the most senior Senator. "I wanted a series of assignments that would allow me to focus on the themes of the campaign and that's what's happened," says Webb.
His first action was to craft a GI bill. It gives today's service men and women the same benefits as World War II veterans. In an effort to keep the President's power in check, the Democrat also introduced a bill prohibiting the use of funds for military operations in Iran.
A recent trip into a southwest Virginia coal mine opened Webb's eyes to new uses for coal. It also gave him a chance to clear up misconceptions he believes his opponent fed rural residents during the campaign.
Webb is the fifth senator to serve with John Warner during his nearly 30 years in office. The senior Senator characterizes their relationship as "very satisfactory".
Webb's biggest complaint about the Senate is being a slave to the process. "I've never been good on a leash. And you are totally a prisoner to the time schedule of the Senate," says Webb.
Today, Webb introduced an amendment to ensure U.S. troops going overseas are prepared and to limit the length of deployments.
