Warner presents medal, addresses cuts

HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) - Sen. Mark Warner took the time Friday during a medal presentation to address the sequester's effects on shipbuilding.

The family of veteran John Millan accepted the medals on his behalf after a medical condition precluded him from attending the ceremony.  

"Although it's long overdue I'm sure it will make him happy," Millan's son said.

After the ceremony, Warner had some news that should make Hampton Roads residents happy as well.

"We won't have a government shut down. The good news will be that new ship construction that's particularly important to Newport News, that means the Abraham Lincoln, the decommissioning of the Enterprise, making sure that we can start on the Kennedy, that's all good news."

With that, Warner alluded to the fact that a deal is close on the house version of the modified continuing resolution that will fund Department of Defense projects.

The ship repair business though according to Warner is still in "limbo."

"Until we can see the final numbers, I can't give the green light on how that's going to work through because some of this money goes into a general operating pot that then each of the services has to fight over," Warner said.

Warner said the fight over the measure between Senate democrats and republicans will be short-lived.

"I'm very optimistic that we're going to get the bill through the Senate next week," Warner said.