Press Releases
Senators Introduce Resolution to Defend Pell Grants
Washington, DC - With so many American families still feeling the effects of our nation's economic downturn, the Pell Grant program is more important than ever for students struggling to afford a college education. Today, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) introduced a resolution in the Senate to defend the Pell Grant program and make it clear that the program should not be cut in any deficit reduction package. The resolution is cosponsored by Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Frank Lautenberg (D… Continue Reading
09.21.11
Senate Committee Approves Funding for Whitehouse’s Oceans Endowment
Washington, DC - Earlier this year, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) introduced bipartisan legislation to establish a National Endowment for the Oceans, Coasts, and Great Lakes in order to protect our oceans and coasts, and the jobs they support. Today, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), of which Whitehouse is a member, took an important step toward establishing this program by approving legislation to provide funding for the Endowment. "This is a major step towar… Continue Reading
09.16.11
New Infrastructure Improvements to Help Boost Economic Development in Bristol
BRISTOL, RI - Bristol business owners and local officials today joined U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representative David Cicilline to discuss the positive economic impact of a new $2.96 million U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant that will help fund local infrastructure improvements, alleviate future flooding, and boost economic development. Reed and Whitehouse secured this emergency economic recovery funding in the Fiscal Year 2010 Supplemental Appr… Continue Reading
09.16.11
Senators Urge Obama to Protect Medicare Benefits
Washington, DC - With President Obama set to unveil a plan next week to pay for his proposed American Jobs Act by, among other things, "making modest adjustments to health care programs like Medicare," a group of U.S. Senators wrote to the President today urging him to protect Medicare benefits for seniors. In their letter, the Senators urge the Administration to prioritize delivery system reform in their efforts to reduce health care costs - not cut benefits for our seniors and disabled citizen… Continue Reading
09.15.11
Whitehouse Thanks Brown President Simmons for Service
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse released the statement below regarding today's announcement by Brown University President Ruth Simmons that she will be stepping down at the end of this academic year: "I join the Brown and greater Rhode Island community in thanking President Simmons for her service to the university, the City of Providence, and the State of Rhode Island. During her tenure, the contribution of Brown's students, faculty, and alumni has only strengthened Brown's re… Continue Reading
09.14.11
Senators Urge Supercommittee to Defend Social Security and Medicare Benefits and the Medicaid Program
Washington, DC - Today, as the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction begins its work to reduce the budget deficits, a group of U.S. Senators are urging the committee members to protect Social Security, Medicare benefits, and the Medicaid program. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) led the letter, which was also signed by Senators Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Al Franken (D-MN), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ)… Continue Reading
09.14.11
Reed and Whitehouse Announce $200K Grant for New Roots Providence
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse today announced that New Roots Providence received a $200,000 Nonprofit Capacity Building Program grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). This new federal grant will provide New Roots Providence with additional technical support and training to help nonprofits across the state become as efficient as possible. "We applaud New Roots Providence for successfully competing for this grant," said Reed and Wh… Continue Reading
09.13.11
Whitehouse, Reed Announce $15 Million in Economic Development Assistance for RI
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse today announced that Rhode Island will receive $15,063,164 in federal funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to help the state recover from the historic floods of 2010. The federal grants will help fund key roadway, sewer, and water infrastructure improvements that are designed to save jobs and help alleviate future flooding. Reed and Whitehouse secured this emergency economic recovery funding in the Fisca… Continue Reading
09.13.11
Bipartisan Group of Senators Announce Formation of Oceans Caucus
Washington, DC - With our oceans and coastal resources, and the economies and jobs they support, facing constant and increasingly direct pressure from a variety of sources, a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators today met to form a new Senate Oceans Caucus. The Caucus will work to increase awareness and find common ground in responding to issues facing the oceans and coasts, which support millions of jobs in America and contribute more to the country's GDP than the entire farm sector, grossing more… Continue Reading
09.11.11
Whitehouse Statement on 10th Anniversary of 9/11
Providence, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse released the below statement today regarding the ten year anniversary of September 11, 2001: "Ten years after the tragic events of September 11th my thoughts and prayers are with the families of those lost on that day, and with our servicemembers who continue to serve so honorably abroad. All of us will forever remember that day as a time when our nation changed, but also as a time of common purpose and renewed patriotism. Today, as we honor th… Continue Reading
09.09.11
Senators Whitehouse, Lautenberg Call for Action on Chemicals of Concern
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) called on the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) to conclude its nearly 500-day review of a proposed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule listing chemicals that may pose hazards to the public's health. The Senators want to ensure that the EPA exercises the limited authority provided by the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) while the Senators continue working to reform and… Continue Reading
09.08.11
Whitehouse Statement on President’s Jobs Speech
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the statement below following President Obama's speech to a joint session of Congress, during which he proposed the American Jobs Act - a new plan to boost job creation: "Tonight, President Obama outlined a much-needed plan to spur job growth in America. I was especially pleased to hear the President call for tax incentives for businesses that hire, which is something I've been fighting for. I've heard from Rhode Island business … Continue Reading
09.07.11
Head of Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce to Join Whitehouse at President’s Jobs Speech
Washington, DC - As President Obama prepares to address a joint session of Congress tomorrow evening to lay out a plan for job creation, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse has been urging the President to include in his plan tax incentives for businesses to hire. He has also been listening to Rhode Island business leaders about their struggles during the economic recovery. Today, Whitehouse announced that one of those Rhode Island business leaders, Laurie White, President of the Greater Providenc… Continue Reading
09.07.11
RI Delegation Announces Over $3.4 Million in Crime Prevention Funding
WASHINGTON, DC - Rhode Island's congressional delegation today announced over $3.44 million in federal crime prevention funding for Rhode Island. The federal funding will help cities, towns, state agencies, and community coalitions reduce youth drug abuse and juvenile delinquency, improve the quality of forensic science and criminal evidence, and stop domestic violence. "We must ensure our local police have access to the latest crime-solving technology and equipment they need," said U.S. Senat… Continue Reading
09.06.11
Before President's Jobs Speech, Whitehouse and Taveras Push for Focus on Helping RI Businesses Hire
Providence, RI - With President Obama set to unveil a plan this week to help create jobs in America, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Providence Mayor Angel Taveras today visited a local business to discuss the economy and urge the President to include in his plan tax incentives for businesses that hire. In June, Whitehouse introduced the Job Creation Tax Credit Act, which would provide refundable tax credits to businesses that hire. "I've heard from Rhode Island businesses that are looking… Continue Reading
09.02.11
Whitehouse: Administration's Decision on Air Pollution is Deeply Disappointing
Providence, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse released the following statement today regarding the Obama Administration's decision not to act on recommendations from the Environmental Protection Agency to better regulate air pollution: "I'm deeply disappointed in the Obama White House's decision to defer acting on ozone pollution, a decision that will directly harm Rhode Island. Only national enforcement will protect us here in Rhode Island from the 'bad air' days we experience due to ozone… Continue Reading
08.31.11
Whitehouse Travels to Pakistan and Afghanistan to Meet with Troops
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) has concluded a trip to Pakistan and Afghanistan to hear from top U.S. officials about our progress and challenges, and to urge foreign officials to reduce the risk to our troops posed by improvised explosive devices (IED's). Whitehouse travelled first to Pakistan where he met with Prime Minister Gilani, Defense Minister Mukhtar, Chief of Army Staff General Kayani, President Zardari, and leaders of parliament to discuss a wide range of bil… Continue Reading
08.27.11
Whitehouse Urges Rhode Islanders to Prepare for Storm
Washington, DC - With Hurricane Irene currently making its way up the east coast and threatening to affect New England this weekend, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today released the following statement urging all Rhode Islanders to take precautions and prepare for the storm: "While I sincerely hope that Hurricane Irene passes by our state and spares any significant damage, Rhode Islanders can help limit the effects of this storm by taking steps now to prepare. This storm could bring intense … Continue Reading
08.26.11
Joint Statement from Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Bob Casey (D-PA), Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) on their visit to Pakistan August 24-27
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs, led a congressional delegation comprised of Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) to Pakistan for three days of talks with Pakistani leaders. The delegation met with Prime Minister Gilani, Defense Minister Mukhtar, Chief of Army Staff General Kayani and leaders of parliament to discuss a wide r… Continue Reading
08.26.11
As Irene Heads North, Delegation Wants Obama to Speed Emergency Assistance to RI
For Hurricane Irene Resources for Rhode Island, please visit: whitehouse.senate.gov/HurricaneIrene PROVIDENCE, RI - As Rhode Island prepares for the impact of Hurricane Irene, the state's Congressional delegation wants to help speed up emergency assistance from the federal government. U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Jim Langevin and David Cicilline sent a letter to President Obama urging expedited approval of any forthcoming request for additional federa… Continue Reading
