RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia Senator Tim Kaine expressed his disappointment with losing the Presidential campaign, but vowed to take a 'wait and see' approach about President-elect Donald Trump's new administration.
In an interview Wednesday Kaine praised one of Trump's cabinet nominees, Transportation nominee Elaine Chao, but also expressed reservations about Attorney General Nominee Jeff Sessions.
Sessions was denied a Federal judgeship in the 1980's after allegations surfaced that he had made racist comments. Kaine and other members of the Senate have to approve Sessions' nomination.
When asked about Trump's pledge to increase military spending and whether that would benefit Hampton Roads, Kaine said "If we’re going to grow the military and pay for it, that will be fiscally smart. But if we are going to grow the military and not pay for it and just add it on to the debt or take it out of other key priorities that would be bad."
Kaine and fellow Virginia Senator Mark Warner have asked the Senate to approve funding for the Navy's carrier replacement program.
Currently the Navy is operating under a waiver that allows it to have one carrier less than the number required by Congress. But Kaine and Warner noted that has caused longer deployments for sailors.
Despite getting national attention as Hillary Clinton's vice presidential nominee, Kaine has ruled out running for President in 2020. Instead, he says he will focus on winning re-election to the Senate in 2018.
