Senator Jim Webb (D-VA)
In his first term in office, Senator Jim Webb's legislative priorities have been guided by three themes: reorienting America's national security posture, promoting economic fairness, and increasing government accountability. He championed the enactment of a 21st century GI Bill for post-9/11 service members, established an oversight commission to prevent wasteful and fraudulent spending in wartime contracting, and remains committed to developing a comprehensive national energy strategy.
In the fall of 2008, Senator Webb was named one of the 75 most influential people of the 21st Century by Esquire Magazine, for doing "more to repair his party's relationship with the military" than anyone since the Vietnam War. He was also awarded the Gold Medal and Citation of Merit by the Veterans of Foreign Wars in "recognition of exceptional service rendered the country, community, and mankind."
Jim Webb currently serves as the senior Senator from Virginia. He serves on the Senate Committees on Foreign Relations, Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, and the Joint Economic Committee. In February 2009, he was named chairman of the East Asia & Pacific Affairs subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.