Press Releases
Statement on Tragedy in Oklahoma
Senator Whitehouse released the following statement today through a spokesperson: "Yesterday afternoon Senator Whitehouse took to the Senate floor to deliver his weekly speech about climate change. It was a speech that had been prepared in advance, and which included a general reference to tornadoes in Oklahoma. Tragically, and unbeknownst to the Senator at the time, a series of tornadoes were hitting Oklahoma at the same moment he gave his remarks. Senator Whitehouse regrets the timing of his … Continue Reading
05.16.13
Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Two Whitehouse Amendments to Immigration Bill
Washington, DC - As the Senate Judiciary Committee continues debating legislation to overhaul our nation's broken immigration system, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) offered two amendments this week to strengthen the bill, both of which were approved by the Committee. Whitehouse's amendments would help foreign-born entrepreneurs who create jobs in the U.S. obtain visas so they can continue to grow their businesses here, and would make it easier to report violations of H-1B program rules … Continue Reading
05.15.13
Senate Passes Water Resources Bill, Including Whitehouse Oceans Endowment
Washington, DC - The U.S. Senate today approved legislation to reauthorize the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) by a vote of 83 to 14. The legislation, which authorizes civil works projects and policies for the Army Corps of Engineers, includes an amendment from U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) to establish a National Endowment for the Oceans, Coasts, and Great Lakes. "Today we took another important step to protect our oceans and coasts, and the research, tourism, and fishing jobs … Continue Reading
05.15.13
Government Watchdog: American Roads, Bridges Vulnerable to Extreme Changes in Weather
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Max Baucus (D-MT) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released a new U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report today detailing the threats posed to the nation's infrastructure by climate change. The report says lack of preparation puts the economy at risk, when roads, bridges and other infrastructure fail to operate as well or as long as intended because of extreme changes in weather. GAO calls on the federal government to make information about how to adapt i… Continue Reading
05.09.13
RI Congressional Delegation Announces $765,300 in Federal Arts Funding for Rhode Island
Washington, DC - Rhode Island's Congressional delegation today announced that the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has awarded a total of $765,300 in grant funding for Rhode Island arts organizations and programs. A $675,300 partnership grant was awarded to the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA), which will support Rhode Island organizations that contribute to the cultural and economic development of the state through the arts. An additional $90,000 in NEA funding was also rec… Continue Reading
05.08.13
Senate Subcommittee Examines Responses to Cyber Crimes
Washington, DC - Amid constant news reports of increasing cyber attacks against the United States, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism today held a hearing to examine the nation's responses to cyber threats. The hearing explored the cyber resources and strategy of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), including their use of existing statutory authorities against advanced threats, and ways in which the private sector can compleme… Continue Reading
05.08.13
Senate Votes to Establish Oceans Endowment
Washington, DC - With the world's oceans and coasts facing growing challenges from sea-level rise, ocean acidification, and increasing temperatures, the U.S. Senate took action today to protect America's vital ocean resources. The Senate voted 67 to 32, in bipartisan fashion, to approve an amendment offered by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) authorizing a National Endowment for the Oceans, Coasts, and Great Lakes. "The strength of our national economy is tied to the health of our oceans… Continue Reading
05.07.13
Rep. Waxman and Sen. Whitehouse Urge EPA to Reconsider Decision Not to Regulate Methane Emissions from Coal Mines
Today, Representative Henry A. Waxman and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse sent a letter to Acting Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Bob Perciasepe urging the Agency to reconsider its decision not to regulate methane emissions from coal mines, the fourth largest source of methane emissions in the United States. Reducing methane emissions could delay warming of the atmosphere and provide much needed time for the transition to a clean-energy economy. In the letter the members w… Continue Reading
05.07.13
Sens. Whitehouse and Heller Reintroduce Bill to End Breast Cancer by 2020
Senator Whitehouse meeting with members of the Rhode Island Breast Cancer Coalition on May 6, 2013 Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) has reintroduced bipartisan legislation to establish a "Commission to Accelerate the End of Breast Cancer," the purpose of which will be to help end breast cancer by 2020. The legislation, the Accelerating the End of Breast Cancer Act of 2013 (S.865), is cosponsored by Senator Dean Heller (R-NV). "Breast cancer continues to affect t… Continue Reading
05.06.13
Senate Passes Marketplace Fairness Act
Washington, DC - The U.S. Senate today voted to approve the Marketplace Fairness Act by a bipartisan vote of 69 to 27. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) was a cosponsor of the bill, which would help ensure that large web-based retailers play by the same rules as small businesses in Rhode Island and around the country. Currently, businesses that sell goods in brick-and-mortar stores are required to collect state sales taxes at the point of sale. However, if consumers purchase the same pro… Continue Reading
05.02.13
Whitehouse Hears from South Kingstown Seniors
South Kingstown, RI - This morning, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse visited with local seniors at the South Kingstown Senior Center to hear their concerns and discuss his efforts to prevent cuts to Social Security. In particular, Whitehouse highlighted his opposition to the so-called "chained CPI" proposal included in the President's budget, which would cut future benefits for Social Security recipients in South Kingstown. Chained CPI would change the way cost-of-living increases are calculated… Continue Reading
05.02.13
Sen. Whitehouse Hails Passage of Same-Sex Marriage Law
Providence, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse released the following statement today regarding Rhode Island's new law granting same-sex couples the right to marry: "I'm proud of our state for taking this important step toward equality for all, and I want to particularly congratulate Governor Chafee on an historic legislative victory. His staunch support - along with the work of Speaker Fox and his allies in the legislature, and the grassroots efforts of the LGBT community - made this great … Continue Reading
04.25.13
Sen. Whitehouse Reintroduces Bill to Authorize Major Transportation Projects Program
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) filed legislation in the Senate today to extend a program specifically targeted toward large-scale infrastructure projects across the country. The "Projects of National and Regional Significance" program, which could aid projects like the I-95 Viaduct in Providence, would make grants available through a competitive process. The program was authorized last year as part of the federal transportation funding bill, but its authorization expir… Continue Reading
04.24.13
Whitehouse Applauds R.I. Senate’s Approval of Marriage Equality Legislation
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse released the following statement today regarding the Rhode Island State Senate's vote to grant same-sex couples the right to marry: "Today's vote in the Rhode Island State Senate was a landmark civil rights victory for our state. Same-sex couples deserve the right to legally marry, and I'm proud of the Rhode Island LGBT community and their allies who fought so long to make this happen. I will continue to support this important cause on the federa… Continue Reading
04.24.13
Whitehouse Cosponsors Resolution Opposing Cuts to Social Security
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) joined Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) to introduce a resolution opposing the so-called "chained CPI" proposal that would reduce annual cost-of-living adjustments and cut future Social Security benefits for seniors. Earlier this month Senator Whitehouse decried the proposal, which was included in President Obama's budget request, calling it "a benefit cut disguised behind technical jargon." Chained CPI would change the way cost-of-livin… Continue Reading
04.24.13
Two Rhode Islanders Join Sen. Whitehouse for Oceans Meeting in Washington
Washington, DC - Today, the U.S. Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee hosted a meeting entitled "Changing Oceans: Adapting to the Challenges of Acidification, Rising Sea Levels, and Extreme Weather." U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), who helped organize and served as co-chair of the meeting, was joined by two Rhode Island leaders: Grover Fugate, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC), and Evan Matthews, Port Director for the Quonset… Continue Reading
04.17.13
Sen. Whitehouse Slams Senate’s Failure to Pass Gun Violence Amendments
Washington, DC - Today, the U.S. Senate failed to pass a series of amendments to address gun violence in America. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) voted in favor of proposals to ban high-capacity ammunition magazines, strengthen the nation's background check system, and reinstate the ban on military-style assault weapons. He released the following statement regarding the failure of those three amendments: "It's disappointing that, in the wake of one of the most tragic acts of gun violen… Continue Reading
04.16.13
Sen. Whitehouse Statement on National Oceans Policy
Washington, DC - Today the Obama Administration released the final implementation plan for the National Ocean Policy, which makes protecting and preserving our ocean and coastal resources a national priority. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), co-chair of the Senate Oceans Caucus and the lead sponsor of legislation to establish a National Endowment for the Oceans, released the follow statement applauding the implementation plan: "The strength of America's economy is tied to the health of … Continue Reading
04.11.13
Senate Begins Debate on Gun Violence Legislation
Washington, DC - Today the U.S. Senate overcame a Republican filibuster and voted to begin debating legislation to reduce gun violence in America. The legislation would crack down on illegal weapons trafficking, strengthen school safety, and eliminate the loophole that allows individuals to purchase guns at gun shows without clearing a background check. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) joined 67 of his colleagues in voting to move forward with the process. "As President Obama said durin… Continue Reading
04.10.13
Sen. Whitehouse: President’s Budget Cuts Benefits for Seniors
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse released the statement below today regarding President Obama's budget proposal: "I made a promise to the people of Rhode Island that I would always oppose cuts to Social Security, and I'm going to keep that promise. Social Security is fully solvent for the next twenty years, has not contributed to our budget deficits, and has no place in this debate over federal spending. The so-called 'chained CPI' proposal included in President Obama's budget… Continue Reading
