John Warner

Warner at a Senate Armed Services Committee meeting

John William Warner (born February 18, 1927) is the Senior United States Senator from Virginia, former Secretary of the Navy, and a World War II veteran. He is a member of the Republican party.

Early life and marriages

Warner was born and grew up in Washington, D.C. He enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II in January 1945, shortly before his 18th birthday. He served until the following year, leaving as a Petty Officer 3rd Class. Warner joined the Marine Corps in October 1950, after the outbreak of the Korean War, and served in Korea as a ground officer with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. Eventually he reached the rank of captain. He later received a law degree, became a law clerk and then an assistant US attorney. In 1976 Warner married popular actress Elizabeth Taylor, they got divorced six years later. He has now been married three times.

Political career

John Warner served as Secretary of the Navy under President Richard M. Nixon's administration. He was elected to the United States Senate in 1978 and is now in his fifth term. He is the second longest serving Republican Senator from Virginia. Warner has been known to take more liberal positions then most Republicans. He has a mixed record on abortion. He supports embryonic stem cell research and has even called himself "pro-choice." However, pro-life groups have given him satisfactory ratings because of his votes to restrict abortion. He supports a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage but has stated he does not think homosexuality is immoral. Warner is also one of the few Virginia elected officials who supports gun control. He voted for the Brady Bill and, in 1999, was one of only five Republicans to vote to close the so-called "gun show loophole." In 2004 Warner was one of three Republicans to sponsor an amendment by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-California) that sought to provide for a 10-year extension of the Assault Weapons Ban.