Press Releases
Senators Introduce Bill to Improve Global Development Efforts, U.S. Image Abroad
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Patty Murray (D-WA) and Chris Dodd (D-CT) introduced legislation today to significantly improve the nation's ability to implement global development assistance programs. Their Increasing America's Global Development Capacity Act authorizes the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to triple the number of Foreign Service Officers in an effort to begin rebuilding its capacity to implement long-term developm… Continue Reading
01.29.09
Whitehouse Applauds Passage of Children’s Health Care Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) issued the following statement today on the Senate's passage of legislation to strengthen the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the federal initiative that helps fund RIteCare and other children's health programs across the country. "The crisis in our health care system affects all of us - but it is greatest, and it is most tragic, when it affects our children. I'm proud to join Senator Jack Reed, a tireless advocate in the … Continue Reading
01.28.09
Reed & Whitehouse Announce Selection Process for Federal Judgeships
PROVIDENCE, RI -- In response to inquiries regarding federal judicial appointments, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse today outlined the process for ensuring there are highly-qualified applicants to fill vacancies on the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Court in Providence. All interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume to Senator Reed's office (1000 Chapel View Boulevard, Suite 290, Cranston, RI 02920) by February 11, 2009. The goal is to id… Continue Reading
01.26.09
Obama’s Order to Revisit Emissions Limits is Welcome News for Rhode Island, Whitehouse Says
Washington, D.C. - President Obama's order to revisit a request by California, Rhode Island and other states to set tough restrictions on tailpipe pollution is welcome news for Americans who want to see more fuel-efficient cars and trucks on the road, said U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). "For years, the Bush Administration took care of its friends in the oil and gas business instead of pushing for stricter pollution standards that will lead to new cars and trucks that get better fuel ec… Continue Reading
01.23.09
Whitehouse Applauds Confirmation of New EPA Administrator
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today applauded the Senate's confirmation of Lisa Jackson as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): "For the past eight years, EPA Administrator Johnson repeatedly made decisions that put President Bush's political allies and their anti-environment agenda before the health and welfare of our people and our planet. "Administrator Johnson set inadequate standards to protect against pollution from ozone, lead, and soot… Continue Reading
01.23.09
Delay in Holder Confirmation Illogical and Unreasonable, Whitehouse Says
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a former U.S. Attorney and Attorney General for Rhode Island, today sharply criticized the argument some Republican members of the Committee are making for delaying a vote on the nomination of Attorney General-Designate Eric Holder: "Republicans on the Judiciary Committee have asked Eric Holder to make a commitment, before he is even confirmed, that he will not prosecute any Bush Administra… Continue Reading
01.22.09
Whitehouse Applauds President’s Move to Ban Torture
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), one of the original sponsors of legislation banning the use of torture by U.S. interrogators, today applauded President Barack Obama's issuance of executive orders to make such a prohibition the law of the land. "Today, President Obama has reaffirmed America's highest ideals, and signaled that America will once again be empowered by those ideals. They are at once our greatest gift and our greatest strength," said Whitehouse, a former U… Continue Reading
01.22.09
Whitehouse: Lilly Ledbetter Act Guarantees “Justice in the Face of Discrimination”
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a former U.S. Attorney and Attorney General for Rhode Island and a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, praised the Senate's passage today of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 (S. 181): "This bill guarantees for all women what the Supreme Court denied Lilly Ledbetter: justice in the face of discrimination. I applaud Senators Barbara Mikulski and Ted Kennedy for their efforts to ensure that when a woman is paid less than a m… Continue Reading
01.21.09
Whitehouse Statement on Clinton Confirmation Vote
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the following statement today on the Senate's confirmation of Hillary Clinton to be the next Secretary of State. "Now that she has been confirmed by the Senate as our new Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton will bring vast experience, formidable intelligence, and wise judgment to the enormous challenges we face and to restoring the world's confidence in our nation. Change has truly come to America, and Secretary Clinton will be… Continue Reading
01.16.09
Whitehouse Cosponsors Plan to Help Seniors Cover Gap in Prescription Drug Coverage
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today joined Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Susan Collins (R-ME) to introduce a new plan aimed at closing the so-called Medicare prescription drug "doughnut hole," the large gap in coverage during which Medicare beneficiaries continue to pay premiums but get no coverage at all. "As I travel around Rhode Island, I meet countless seniors who are frustrated and confused by the Part D program, and don't understand why our government isn't d… Continue Reading
01.15.09
Whitehouse Joins Rhode Island, Massachusetts Lawmakers to Commend Passage of Bill to Protect Taunton River Under the National Park Service's "Wild & Scenic" Program
Washington, DC - Senators Edward M. Kennedy, John F. Kerry, Jack Reed, and Sheldon Whitehouse and Representatives Barney Frank, James P. McGovern and Patrick J. Kennedy today commended Congress for the passage of legislation by the United States Senate to support the protection and community-based management of Taunton River as part of the Wild & Scenic River system. Senator Kennedy's spokesperson Melissa Wagoner said, "Senator Kennedy is extremely pleased that Taunton River will now be pa… Continue Reading
01.08.09
Whitehouse Calls for Temporary Boost to Social Security
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) has asked Senate leaders to consider a temporary increase in Social Security benefits as part of economic stimulus legislation now being developed, to ensure that financial assistance reaches seniors and disabled Americans struggling to make ends meet as the economy worsens. In a letter to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and Ranking Member Charles Grassley (R-IA), Whitehouse emphasized that fixed incomes and reliance … Continue Reading
01.07.09
Civil Rights Leaders Join Senators Cardin and Whitehouse in Support of Attorney General Nominee
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse, D. R.I., and Benjamin Cardin, D. Md., joined the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR), the NAACP, the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), and the National Women's Law Center (NWLC) in a press conference on Capitol Hill to urge the swift confirmation of Eric Holder for U.S. Attorney General."Eric Holder is an experienced and dedicated public servant who will restore trust and confidence in a Department of Justice that recently ha… Continue Reading
01.06.09
Floor Statement of Sheldon Whitehouse, “A Tribute to U.S. Senator Claiborne Pell”
Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr./Madam President, just this morning in this Chamber, we saw bright and promising Senate careers begin, with all that joy and hope. Yesterday, Rhode Island saw the sun set on an era, with the funeral of our friend, Senator Claiborne Pell. Many in this body served with him and knew him well. Rhode Island is grateful to Majority Leader Reid, Majority Whip Durbin, Claiborne Pell's dear friends Ted Kennedy and Joe Biden, and Senators Pat Leahy, Dick Lugar, Orrin Hatch, Chris Do… Continue Reading
01.04.09
Statement of Sheldon Whitehouse on the Situation in Gaza
Newport, R.I. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) issued the following statement on the conflict in Gaza: "Hamas has cast aside a cease-fire agreement brokered by the Egyptians and indiscriminately targeted Israeli civilians with a barrage of rockets and mortars, dragging the Israeli and Palestinian peoples back into the crossfire of war and leaving Israel with little choice but to respond with force. Israel must defend its people against these attacks. "Now, like all Americans, I hope f… Continue Reading
01.01.09
Whitehouse Statement on Senator Claiborne Pell
Newport, R.I. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse issued the following statement today on the death of former Senator Claiborne Pell: "Claiborne Pell was a mentor, example and friend; a uniquely beloved Rhode Island politician; and a champion for artists and scholars and all Americans who see higher education lighting a path to a brighter future. We will all miss him deeply, and long benefit from the works of his farseeing soul. America shares in the loss felt by Nuala and the Pell family." ###… Continue Reading
12.15.08
Whitehouse Travels to Iraq to Meet with Rhode Island Troops, Foreign Leaders
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) made his second trip to Iraq today as part of an official congressional delegation visit to the Middle East. While there, Whitehouse met Lt. Theresa Mainuli of Middletown and Maj. Johann Gomez of Rumford at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Shield in Baghdad. Whitehouse also received briefings from U.S. military and State Department officials, including Gen. Raymond Odierno, Commander, Multi-National Force - Iraq, Lt. Gen. Lloyd Austin, Comm… Continue Reading
12.05.08
Whitehouse Brings Experts to Rhode Island to Discuss Credit Card Reform
Providence, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) brought a panel of noted national and local experts in lending and bankruptcy law to Rhode Island College today for an official hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee on credit card reform. "As I travel around our state and talk with Rhode Islanders, I often hear concerns about out of control credit card rates and fees," said Whitehouse, who chaired the hearing. "Times are tough in our Ocean State, and people who are unemployed or unde… Continue Reading
12.01.08
Whitehouse Reacts to Announcement of Obama National Security Team
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today praised President-elect Obama's selections for his national security team. Obama announced this morning that he is nominating Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) to serve as Secretary of State, former Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder to serve as Attorney General, and Susan Rice to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Whitehouse said: "In Senator Clinton, President-Elect Obama has chosen a Secretary of State who will help… Continue Reading
11.25.08
Conrad, Whitehouse Call for GAO Health Reform Study
Washington, D.C. - With health care reform among Americans' highest priorities for the next Congress, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND) and U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) have asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study best practices used by states, hospitals, and other countries to reduce health care costs and improve quality. This year, Americans will spend $2.4 trillion on health care, and are expected to spend $4.3 trillion by 2017. In the next decad… Continue Reading
