Former Va. Sen. John Warner dies at 94

Former GOP Sen. John Warner from Virginia, who served in Congress for five terms and played a central role in shaping military affairs legislation, has died. He was 94. 

The Washington Post reported Wednesday that Warner’s Chief of Staff Carter Cornick announced the former senator’s death, and longtime chief of staff Susan A. Magill told The Associated Press that the former Navy secretary’s cause of death was heart failure. 

“He was frail but had a lot of spirit until his last days,” Magill told the news agency, adding that he passed away at his home in Alexandria, Va., with his wife and daughter by his side. 

Warner, who for part of his time in Congress served as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, was one of few World War II veterans in the Senate, and became a respected lawmaker on both sides of the aisle for his consensus building and diligence, the Post reported. 

The senator, who was married to Elizabeth Taylor from 1976 to 1982, was also widely respected for his independence in shaping policy. 

Warner during debate on Democrats’ push to withdraw American troops from Iraq in 2007 led Republicans in opposing the move, saying at the time, “What we have on the line is the credibility of the United States of America” 

Just one year later, however, he criticized George W. Bush's administration proposed “surge” in troops in Iraq, saying, “The reason I’m into this situation so deeply is that I feel that the American citizens have given so generously with their sons and daughters.” 

“Have we not fulfilled our commitment to the Iraqi people?” he questioned. 

The lawmaker also joined fellow Republican Sens. John McCain (Ariz.) and Lindsey Graham (S.C.) in co-sponsoring legislation banning the torture of suspected terrorists and opposing provisions to military commissions that were used to try war criminal suspects at Guantánamo Bay, the Post noted.