Sen. Tim Kaine confirmed Thursday that he will chair the Senate Budget Committee next year, putting the Virginia Democrat at the center of budget debates as lawmakers confront the rising national debt and the prospect of future cuts to Social Security benefits.

Kaine, who has served on the committee for almost 14 years, highlighted the power of the party-line reconciliation process as a way to “provide relief to everyday Americans.” He outlined priorities ranging from reversing cuts to Medicaid and nutrition assistance to investing in education, housing and infrastructure.

The senator also called for investments in workforce training and health care, arguing that lawmakers should “stop funding illegal and foolish wars.” His statement presented those priorities alongside a pledge to address longer-term fiscal pressures.

Kaine said he would seek bold action to prevent automatic cuts to Social Security benefits in the coming years while managing the growing national debt. The two issues are among the most consequential budget challenges he identified as he prepared to take the committee’s chair.

He pointed to his experience as mayor of Richmond and governor of Virginia during the fiscal crisis that began in 2008. Kaine cited that record as he described the approach he intends to bring to the Senate panel.

His emphasis on reconciliation underscored the role the budget process can play in advancing policy priorities. Kaine described it as a tool for delivering relief, while also calling for renewed attention to public services and investments that affect households.

For Kaine, the coming chairmanship will bring a leadership role after nearly 14 years on the committee. His stated agenda combines an effort to protect assistance programs with a broader call to confront the nation’s fiscal challenges.