Press Releases
Report: Prison Reforms Reduce Racial Disparities in Corrections System
Washington, DC - Today the Council of State Governments released a report on the changing racial composition of prison populations in three states that have implemented reforms to their corrections systems using the Justice Reinvestment approach. The report shows that changes such as improving access to substance use treatment for prisoners, implementing recidivism-reduction programs and incentivizing prisoner participation, and developing risk-assessment tools to identify the best ways to help… Continue Reading
03.26.15
Pro-Climate Senators to Offer Amendments to Budget
Washington, DC - As the Senate continues debating amendments to the proposed budget resolution, and with Republican Senators advocating for amendments that would undermine efforts to protect the environment and public health, a group of pro-climate Senators will offer a series of proposals to push back on those efforts and address the effects of manmade climate change. The following amendments either have been filed or will be filed: Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT): Deficit neutral reserv… Continue Reading
03.24.15
Senators Offering Amendment to Protect Social Security in Budget
Washington, DC - As the Senate continues debating the Republican budget proposal this week, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) will offer an amendment to guard against potential efforts to cut Social Security benefits. The Democratic amendment would establish as "not in order" any budget proposals that would reduce Social Security benefits, increase the retirement age, or privatize Social Security. Senator Whitehouse will speak on the Senate floor at approximately 4:00 p.m. to call up this… Continue Reading
03.23.15
Whitehouse and Reed Announce $168K in Federal Funding for Bradley Hospital
East Providence, RI - During a press conference today at Bradley Hospital in East Providence, U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Jack Reed announced that the hospital will receive $168,354 from the Children's Hospitals Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) Payment Program. The funding was made possible by the CHGME Support Reauthorization Act of 2013, which included a provision authored by Whitehouse to expand the program to include children's psychiatric teaching hospitals. Bradley Hospital f… Continue Reading
03.23.15
Whitehouse and Langevin Fighting to Protect Social Security Disability Benefits
Providence, RI - Today U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressman Jim Langevin held a roundtable discussion at Community Action Partnership of Providence to hear about the need to protect the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. Whitehouse and Langevin were joined by State Senator Donna Nesselbush, a leading disability attorney and advocate in the state, as well as SSDI recipients, disability groups, representatives from the Social Security Administration, and Melissa Husban… Continue Reading
03.19.15
Whitehouse Adds Two Amendments to Budget
Washington, DC - Today the Senate Budget Committee debated the proposed Republican budget resolution and voted on a series of amendments. Among the amendments adopted by the committee was a measure by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) intended to ensure that tax expenditures are accounted for in the budget. The Committee also adopted a second Whitehouse amendment to establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund to enhance the preparedness of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to address… Continue Reading
03.18.15
Whitehouse Slams Senate GOP’s “Unreal” Budget
Washington, D.C. - Today Senate Republicans introduced a budget proposal that would protect every single tax loophole for the wealthy and well-connected while slashing funding for the programs that help the most vulnerable Rhode Islanders. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Budget Committee, released the statement below regarding the proposal: "The Republican budget proposal relies on accounting gimmicks to achieve balance within ten years, and calls for severe cuts that… Continue Reading
03.17.15
Senators Re-introduce Bipartisan Bill Aimed at Helping to End Breast Cancer by 2020
Washington, D.C. - Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Dean Heller (R-Nev.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) this week reintroduced bipartisan legislation to help end breast cancer by creating a clearinghouse and catalyst for research, public-private partnerships and trans-disciplinary collaboration. "Every year, tens of thousands of American women die from breast cancer," Whitehous… Continue Reading
03.06.15
Sen. Whitehouse Attending 50th Anniversary March in Selma, Alabama
Washington, DC - This weekend U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) will attend the 50th anniversary remembrance of the "Bloody Sunday" march of 1965 in Selma, Alabama. He will join dozens of other Members of Congress and distinguished guests, including President Barack Obama and Congressman John Lewis - a leader in the civil rights movement who participated in the first march fifty years ago and still bears scars from being attacked by police as he crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge. "The imag… Continue Reading
03.04.15
Sen. Whitehouse Statement on Senate’s Vote to Sustain Keystone Veto
Washington, D.C. - Today Senate Republicans failed in their bid to override President Obama's veto of legislation approving the Keystone XL pipeline, falling short of the 67 votes needed. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the statement below regarding the vote: "Knowing full well that the President would veto it, why the Republican Leadership wasted months on this bill is a mystery. The Keystone pipeline would be a disaster for our environment and public health and would create … Continue Reading
03.02.15
Sen. Whitehouse Statement on Death of State Sen. Lenihan
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse released the statement below regarding the passing of State Senator J. Michael Lenihan: "Mike was a dedicated family man, teacher, and public servant. A principled champion for transparency, he helped pass important reforms to make our state's government more accountable to the people. Sandra's and my thoughts and prayers are with the Lenihan family during this difficult time." ###… Continue Reading
02.26.15
Whitehouse-Sessions Proposal Approved by Judiciary Committee
Washington, D.C. - Today the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the Stop Exploitation Through Trafficking (SETT) Act, legislation that would make sure minors sold for sex aren't prosecuted as defendants but are instead treated as victims. Included within the bill was a provision authored by U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Jeff Sessions (R-AL) that would provide explicit authorization for the U.S. Marshals Service to assist other law enforcement agencies, upon request, in investigat… Continue Reading
02.26.15
Sen. Whitehouse Statement on Committee Approval of Loretta Lynch
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the statement below regarding the Judiciary Committee's approval of Loretta Lynch to serve as the next Attorney General of the United States: "Attorney General Holder has worked hard throughout his term to restore the standing of a Department of Justice that was racked by political scandals and shoddy legal work during the Bush Administration. Thanks to his efforts, Loretta Lynch stands to inherit a Department that is much strong… Continue Reading
02.26.15
Sen. Whitehouse Introduces Two Education Bills
Washington, DC - For the last several weeks the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee has been working towards reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) - also known as the No Child Left Behind law. Today, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) introduced two bills that he plans to champion as the Committee continues its effort to reauthorize ESEA. "These proposals will help to improve key aspects of our education system: ensuring success for stud… Continue Reading
02.25.15
Reed & Whitehouse Announce Selection Process for Federal Judgeship
PROVIDENCE, RI - U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse today outlined the process for ensuring there are highly-qualified applicants to serve as a judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island. Qualified candidates must have stellar legal credentials and a minimum of 12 years of legal experience. All applicants should send a cover letter and resume to Senator Reed's office (1000 Chapel View Boulevard, Suite 290, Cranston, RI 02920) by March 20, 2015. The goal is t… Continue Reading
02.25.15
Over 16,000 RIers Benefitted from Obamacare’s Medicare “Doughnut Hole” Fix in 2014
Washington, DC - Thousands of Rhode Island seniors have saved on prescription drugs because of the Affordable Care Act, according to federal data released this week. In 2014, 16,337 Rhode Islanders on Medicare saved over $13.3 million on their prescriptions, for an average savings of $818 per person. Prior to the passage of the Affordable Care Act, thousands of Rhode Island seniors fell into the so-called Medicare "doughnut hole" and were forced to pay the full cost of their prescription drugs… Continue Reading
02.24.15
Sen. Whitehouse Statement on Veto of Keystone XL Pipeline Bill
Washington, DC - Today President Barack Obama vetoed legislation that would have approved the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a strong opponent of the pipeline who voted no on the bill, released the statement below regarding the vote: "The State Department's Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Keystone XL Pipeline Project said there would be massive environmental harm from Keystone's tar sands oil - the equivalent of adding 6 millio… Continue Reading
02.24.15
Sen. Whitehouse Statement on Criminal Justice Reform Meeting with President Obama
Washington, DC - Today President Obama and Vice President Biden convened a meeting at the White House to discuss criminal justice reform efforts with key members of Congress, including U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). Whitehouse, a lead sponsor of the CORRECTIONS Act along with Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), released the statement below regarding the meeting: "Both Republican and Democratic leaders agree we can pass meaningful criminal justice reform measures this year, and I was grateful for… Continue Reading
02.18.15
Rhode Islanders Discuss Whitehouse Bill to Combat Drug Addiction & Support Recovery
Pawtucket, RI - Today, at a roundtable discussion at the Anchor Recovery Community Center in Pawtucket, Rhode Islanders like Abbie Stenberg shared their experiences with opiate drug addiction with U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and members of Rhode Island's drug addiction and recovery community. Whitehouse hosted the event to discuss the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2015, which he introduced in the Senate last week, and to hear from those on the front lines of the fight against… Continue Reading
02.17.15
Sen. Whitehouse Condemns Vandalism at Islamic School in West Warwick
Providence, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse released the statement below today regarding the recent act of vandalism carried out at the Islamic School of Rhode Island in West Warwick: "This shameful incident is completely at odds with our state's founding principles, and I hope the perpetrators will soon be brought to justice. To the families and staff who were affected, please know that Rhode Island stands with you and supports you." ###… Continue Reading
