Press Releases
Whitehouse Statement on CVS Announcement on Tobacco
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the statement below regarding CVS Caremark's announcement that it will no longer carry tobacco products in its stores: "I am proud to see CVS Caremark - a leading Rhode Island business - take action to protect Americans' health. As the U.S. Surgeon General recently reported, thousands of Americans die early from smoking each year, costing the American econom… Continue Reading
01.31.14
Rhode Island to Receive $3 Million in Heating Assistance
Providence, RI - The Obama Administration announced Thursday that Rhode Island will receive $3 million in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding to help low-income Rhode Islanders pay their heating bills. Earlier this week, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse asked U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to expedite the release of these funds, citing high energy costs and extreme cold afflicting the region. "During these difficu… Continue Reading
01.31.14
Whitehouse Traveling to Munich Security Conference
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) is joining U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) to lead a congressional delegation to Munich, Germany this weekend to participate in the 50th annual Munich Security Conference. Whitehouse is the senior Democrat in the delegation and McCain is the senior Republican. "I'm honored to join Senator McCain and so many other colleagues at this prestigious event," said Whitehouse. "The conference features many of the world's leading experts on a ran… Continue Reading
01.31.14
Bicameral Task Force Co-Chairs React to Final SEIS on the Keystone XL Pipeline
WASHINGTON, DC- Today Bicameral Task Force on Climate Change Co-Chairs Rep. Henry A. Waxman and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse commented on the State Department release of the final supplemental environmental impact statement of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. The statement includes projections of the carbon pollution impacts of the Keystone XL pipeline based on expected values for oil prices, tar sands production costs, transportation costs, supply-demand assumptions, and other pipelines, as well… Continue Reading
01.30.14
Senate Passes Bill to Fix Flood Insurance Program
Washington, DC - The U.S. Senate today approved legislation by a vote of 67-32 to spare many homeowners from sharp rate hikes in federal flood insurance policies. The legislation delays certain rate hikes for four years and requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to complete an affordability study and develop recommendations for a policy to assist homeowners who cannot afford their premiums. The bill, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, was passed in response to c… Continue Reading
01.30.14
Sens. & Rep. to FTC: Outlet Stores May Be Misleading Consumers
Washington, DC - Four Members of Congress are asking for a federal investigation into potentially misleading marketing practices by outlet stores across the United States. In a letter sent today to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairwoman Edith Ramirez, U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ed Markey (D-MA) and Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA) called on the agency to look into claims that merchants may be selling lower quality items produced specifically for outlet store… Continue Reading
01.30.14
Sen. Whitehouse Statement on Retirement of Rep. Waxman
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the statement below today regarding Rep. Henry A. Waxman's announcement that he will retire at the end of this year: "Two of the historic experiences I've had in the Senate have been to serve with Ted Kennedy and to work with Henry Waxman, both giants on the legislative landscape. Henry is one of the most forceful advocates for progressive causes our nation has ever known, and his work has improved the lives of millions of Americ… Continue Reading
01.29.14
Senate Passes Whitehouse Amendment to Cut Through Red Tape on Habitat Projects
Washington, DC - The U.S. Senate today approved an amendment authored by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) to cut through red tape and burdensome costs that can hamper habitat restoration projects. The amendment, which was added to the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act by voice vote, facilitates habitat restoration projects by exempting those funded with federal, state, or local dollars from fees associated with a request for a flood insurance rate map change. "Habitat restoration pr… Continue Reading
01.28.14
Sen. Whitehouse Statement on President’s State of the Union Address - 2014
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the statement below regarding President Obama's State of the Union address: "Tonight President Obama made clear that he is committed to using the full power of his office to address some of the major issues facing our country. From addressing the minimum wage, to advancing job creation and addressing carbon pollution, there is a great deal that the President can do now, without delay. I stand ready to support his efforts because… Continue Reading
01.27.14
RI Energy Efficiency Leader to Join Sen. Whitehouse for State of the Union Address
Providence, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) announced today that his guest for this year's State of the Union address will be Scott DePasquale, CEO of Utilidata - a Providence-based company that produces technology to help reduce energy waste from power lines between utilities' substations and their customers. The company moved to Providence from Spokane, Washington approximately two years ago and - with 36 employees and more hires coming soon - is growing quickly. "Scott's work i… Continue Reading
01.24.14
Reed & Whitehouse Urge Changes to Fix Flood Insurance Reform
WASHINGTON, DC - As the U.S. Senate prepares to vote next week on flood insurance reform, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse are urging passage of the bipartisan Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act. Reed, Whitehouse, and 29 of their colleagues are cosponsors of legislation that would limit abrupt increases in premiums for homeowners in older homes or in homes newly mapped into the floodplain. The bill will also require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to compl… Continue Reading
01.15.14
Whitehouse Launches New Senate Initiative on Climate Change
Washington, DC - Yesterday, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) joined Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) to announce the formation of the Senate Climate Action Task Force - a group of 18 Senators committed to fighting for action on climate change. The group will complement Senator Whitehouse's weekly climate speeches and the efforts of the Bicameral Task Force on Climate Change that he co-founded with Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA). The purpose of the Senate Climate Action Task Force is to bett… Continue Reading
01.14.14
Sen. Whitehouse Statement on Federal Spending Deal
Washington, DC - Last night, Congressional negotiators unveiled a final spending plan for the federal government for fiscal year 2014. The plan allocates specific funding amounts for the budget deal passed by Congress last month. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, released the statement below regarding the spending plan: "While this agreement is not perfect, I'm pleased that it secures funding for some important Rhode Island priorities. For examp… Continue Reading
01.14.14
Sen. Whitehouse Statement on Vote to Extend Emergency Unemployment Benefits
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the statement below regarding today's failed votes in the Senate to extend emergency unemployment benefits: "Right now, thousands of Rhode Islanders who lost their unemployment benefits last month are worried about how they will make ends meet. Emergency unemployment benefits help families stay in their homes and put food on the table while they search for jobs, and we should make sure these benefits remain available for those wh… Continue Reading
01.07.14
Whitehouse Nominates Four Rhode Island Students for U.S. Service Academies
Providence, RI - Today, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse announced the nomination of four Rhode Islanders for consideration to the United States Service Academies. Whitehouse has nominated Liam Rial of North Kingstown and Cori Sullivan of Tiverton to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Caroline Hamann of East Greenwich to the United States Military Academy at West Point, and Mauricio Agudelo of Pawtucket to the Unites States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs. "I commend these four … Continue Reading
01.07.14
Sen. Whitehouse Statement on Vote to Extend Emergency Unemployment Benefits
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the statement below regarding today's procedural vote in the Senate on legislation to extend emergency unemployment benefits for three months: "Today's procedural vote brought us one step closer to extending emergency unemployment benefits for struggling Americans. Even with the worst of the recession behind us, too many Rhode Islanders have been unable to find work. Emergency unemployment benefits help families stay in their ho… Continue Reading
12.20.13
Waxman & Whitehouse Question U.S. Trade Representative’s Position on Tar Sands
Washington, D.C. - As the Obama Administration continues its process of determining whether to approve the development of the Keystone XL pipeline, a group of 21 U.S. Senators and Representatives are raising concerns about reports that U.S. trade negotiators are advocating for weaker international regulations on the tar sands crude oil that the pipeline would transport. In a letter led by Rep. Henry A. Waxman and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, the lawmakers ask whether the U.S. Trade Representative (… Continue Reading
12.19.13
Bicameral Task Force on Climate Change Releases Recommendations for Department of the Interior
Washington, DC - Following recent reports that John Podesta may be primed to push for "aggressive executive action on climate change" in his new role as White House counselor, the Bicameral Task Force on Climate Change today released a white paper recommending concrete steps the Department of the Interior (DOI) should take in carrying out the President's Climate Action Plan. DOI manages roughly one-fifth of the land in the U.S. and plays a key role in policies regarding energy production and c… Continue Reading
12.18.13
Sen. Whitehouse Statement on Passage of Budget
Washington, DC - Today the U.S. Senate voted 64 to 36 to pass a bipartisan budget agreement. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Budget Committee, released the following statement: "I supported the agreement because it provides budget certainty for two years, protects Social Security and Medicare benefits, and will help to prevent another government shutdown. While it doesn't go as far as I would have liked, the budget also provides for significant relief from the senseles… Continue Reading
12.17.13
Defense Authorization Bill Includes Bipartisan Asset Tracking Provision
Washington, D.C. - This week the U.S. Senate is expected to vote on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), legislation that will authorize funding for defense programs in the year ahead. The final bill, which was unveiled last week, includes a bipartisan provision authored by U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Rob Portman (R-OH) to strengthen the military's "asset tracking" efforts. These efforts can save taxpayer dollars and help prevent counterfeit military items from enteri… Continue Reading
