Press Releases
Senate Passes Ban on Torture Cosponsored by Whitehouse
Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Senate today passed legislation banning the use of torture by U.S. interrogators, a measure cosponsored by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). Whitehouse, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, fought to include the provision in the House-Senate conference report, and praised today's vote as a clear sign that "the strength of America is the force of its ideals." "Torture is ineffective, unnecessary, andwrong, and it's dangerous to all those wh… Continue Reading
02.12.08
Senate Approves Whitehouse Measure Safeguarding Privacy Against Government Spying
Washington, D.C. - During its consideration of reforms to a federal law that sets restrictions on when the government can spy on Americans, the U.S. Senate today passed an amendment sponsored by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) that significantly strengthens judicial oversight and safeguards the privacy rights of innocent Americans who are not targeted for surveillance. "The Bush administration unilaterally assumed extraordinary authority to tap Americans' phones and to invade Americans… Continue Reading
02.12.08
Whitehouse, Durbin Call for Waterboarding Investigation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) joined U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) in a letter to two Justice Department watchdog offices today to request an investigation into the role of Justice Department officials in authorizing and/or overseeing the use of waterboarding by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Both senators are members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. "Despite the virtually unanimous consensus of legal scholars and the overwhelming weight of legal prec… Continue Reading
02.07.08
Leahy, Whitehouse Urge Mukasey To Clarify Testimony About Destruction Of CIA Tapes
WASHINGTON (Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008) -Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), who also sits on the panel, sent a letter Thursday urging Attorney General Michael Mukasey to clarify testimony given to the Committee during last week's Department of Justice oversight hearing. In the letter, they ask the Attorney General to explain the scope of the Department's investigation into the CIA's destruction of videotapes showing the use of harsh interr… Continue Reading
02.07.08
Senate Votes to Extend Relief to Seniors
Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Senate today approved an economic stimulus package that extends financial assistance to over 20 million seniors living on Social Security. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), a member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, had urged Senate leaders in a letter last month to include aid to seniors in legislation aimed at boosting the economy. "The Senate did the right thing today," Whitehouse said. "In Rhode Island, too many seniors are struggling to make ends… Continue Reading
02.06.08
Drug Agency Announces Progress on New E-Prescribing Rules
Washington, D.C. - In the wake of tough questions from U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has announced new progress on regulations lifting the federal prohibition against electronic prescriptions for certain medications classified as scheduled drugs. In written responses to questions Whitehouse raised during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing he chaired in December, the agency said it had "provided the Department of Justice with a p… Continue Reading
02.05.08
Bush Budget Would Cut Help for Rhode Islanders in Need
Washington, D.C. - With Rhode Island families already facing the challenges of a looming economic downturn, President Bush has proposed deep cuts to programs that provide badly-needed help with home energy costs, affordable housing, and services to needy families. In response to the Bush administration's release of its fiscal year 2009 budget proposal, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, sharply criticized the President's misplaced priorities. "I'… Continue Reading
01.31.08
Whitehouse Applauds Focus on Seniors in Proposed Stimulus Measure
Washington, D.C. - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) applauded the inclusion of aid targeted to seniors in an economic stimulus package now being considered by the Senate. Many seniors who rely on savings and Social Security benefits would not be eligible for assistance under a plan negotiated by President Bush and the House of Representatives. Concerned that thousands of Rhode Island seniors could be excluded from this proposal, Whitehouse wr… Continue Reading
01.28.08
Whitehouse on the State of the Union: It's Time for a Change
Washington, D.C. - Responding to President Bush's final State of the Union address tonight, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) stressed the urgent need for change. He said: "Throughout seven long years of this administration, it never seemed as though President Bush was really listening to the American people. Unfortunately, his final State of the Union address tonight was no different. "The President isn't listening to the millions of Americans who want to bring our troops home from Ira… Continue Reading
01.24.08
Stimulus Plan Should Prioritize Seniors, Whitehouse Says
Washington, D.C. - As Senate leaders negotiate legislation aimed at bolstering the country's weakening economy, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) today urged them not to overlook older Americans, who are especially hard hit by the rising cost of living. Whitehouse is a member of the Senate committees on Aging and the Budget. "Troubles in the housing market, high home energy prices in a bitterly cold winter, and the rising cost of badly-needed prescription drugs force seniors in my state,… Continue Reading
01.24.08
Riverside Man Who Struggled with Broken Health Care System to Join Whitehouse at State of the Union Address
Washington, D.C. - A Riverside man whose struggles with the health care system demonstrate the need for improved health care quality and information technology will attend President Bush's State of the Union Address next week as the guest of U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). Mike Tracy, a cancer survivor, will fly to Washington Monday afternoon and watch the President's speech from the visitors' gallery of the House of Representatives. "The victims of medical errors and poor health info… Continue Reading
01.23.08
Whitehouse, Democrats Push Mukasey for Answers on Torture
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) joined every other Democratic member of the Senate Judiciary Committee today in a letter to Attorney General Michael Mukasey, again urging him to state definitively whether the interrogation technique called "waterboarding" is illegal under U.S. law. "Waterboarding is torture, and torture is illegal," Whitehouse said today. "It is ineffective as a method of gathering intelligence, and the failure to condemn its use puts American troops… Continue Reading
01.17.08
At Cranston VFW Post, Whitehouse Shares Strong Support for Veterans
Cranston, R.I. - As he prepares to return to Washington for the start of a new session of Congress, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) met with Rhode Island veterans to discuss both progress made last year and the work still to be done, particularly to support service members returning from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. "We have only begun to repay America's veterans the debt we owe them," Whitehouse said. "I was proud to stand with Jack Reed to support more funding for health care, for… Continue Reading
01.10.08
Whitehouse Statement on One-Year Anniversary of Bush's Iraq Surge
Washington, D.C. - A year after President Bush's speech to the nation announcing that he would significantly increase U.S. troop levels in Iraq, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) criticized the administration's continued failure to change course and begin bringing our troops home: "In 2006, the American people sent a clear message to Washington that it was time to seek a new direction in Iraq. Instead, a year ago today President Bush escalated the war, sending tens of thousands more troo… Continue Reading
01.08.08
Whitehouse Tours Kent Hospital Electronic Health System, Urges President Bush to Increase Health IT Funding
Warwick, R.I. - At a briefing today on a new electronic health records system at Kent Hospital, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) called on President George W. Bush to increase federal funding for health information technology in next year's budget. "An electronic health records system holds the potential for improved care coordination, fewer medical errors, and massive cost reductions. These changes will improve, and often save, lives," Whitehouse wrote to Bush today. "I strongly urge y… Continue Reading
12.20.07
Remarks on Rhode Islander Honored by Coast Guard
Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of Petty Officer Scott Higgins of my state of Rhode Island, who today will be awarded the Coast Guard Commendation Medal for his efforts in the heroic rescue of the crew of the sailboat Sean Seamour II off the coast of North Carolina in May. On May 7, Aviation Machinery Technician 2nd Class Higgins was part of a four-man Coast Guard HH-60 helicopter crew, including Lt. Commander Nevada Smith, Lieutenant J.G. Aaro… Continue Reading
12.19.07
Whitehouse, 18 Senators Urge Attorney General to Review E-Prescribing for Controlled Substances
Washington, D.C. - After a Senate hearing made clear that new federal regulations allowing electronic prescribing for controlled substances are badly-needed and long-overdue, 18 senators joined U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) in calling on Attorney General Michael Mukasey to review the issue and urged the Drug Enforcement Administration to issue new rules promptly. "DEA regulations permitting [electronic prescribing for controlled substances, or EPCS] have been delayed f… Continue Reading
12.19.07
Reed, Whitehouse Oppose Bush Attempts to Eliminate $4.7 Million for Rhode Island Homeland Security Initiatives
Washington, D.C. - In an effort to prevent the Bush Administration from cutting funds for homeland security programs vital to safeguarding Rhode Island's cities and ports, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) along with several colleagues last night sent a bipartisan letter to President Bush opposing the reported budget cuts. A November 26 document released from the Office of Budget Management indicated that the budget for fiscal year 2009 would cut funding i… Continue Reading
12.19.07
Whitehouse Praises New Policy Limiting Political Interference at DOJ
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) praised today's move by Attorney General Michael Mukasey to restore safeguards against political interference at the Department of Justice. Earlier this year, Whitehouse, a former U.S. Attorney, closely questioned former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales about Bush administration changes to a policy regarding communications between the White House and the Department of Justice that significantly expanded the number of offic… Continue Reading
12.19.07
Whitehouse Slams EPA's Denial of R.I. Request to Set Tough Pollution Standards
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse sharply criticized the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s decision tonight to deny long-overdue waiver requests that would allow Rhode Island and several other states to crack down on pollution from cars and trucks on their roadways. Under the Clean Air Act, states cannot set their own pollution control standards without a waiver from EPA. "The EPA's ruling is disgraceful," said Whitehouse, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Wor… Continue Reading
