Press Releases
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
04.09.13
Senate Committee Examines Enforcement of Campaign Finance Laws
Washington, DC - In the wake of the 2012 election cycle, which saw an unprecedented level of campaign spending by super PACs and tax-exempt political organizations that do not disclose their donors, the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism today held a hearing on "Current Issues in Campaign Finance Law Enforcement." The hearing focused on the challenges facing the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in enforcing criminal campaign finance laws relat… Continue Reading
04.08.13
Over 13,000 Rhode Islanders Benefitted from Medicare “Doughnut Hole” Fix in 2012
Cranston, RI - During a visit with Cranston seniors today to commemorate the three-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Roberts discussed how the health care law is saving money for Medicare recipients in Rhode Island. According to new data, 13,834 Rhode Island seniors saved over $8 million dollars through prescription drug discounts in 2012. Interactive Map: Click here to see how much your community saved. Prior to the … Continue Reading
04.06.13
Whitehouse Visits Mali, Tunisia, and Libya on Trip with McCain
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) has completed a tour of African nations with U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ). The two Senators met with foreign leaders and American officials in Mali, which is currently battling Islamic extremists; Tunisia, where the Arab Spring began; and Libya, which is in the process of rebuilding its government following the overthrow of the long-time dictator Moammar Gadhafi. Senator Whitehouse reported receiving a warm welcome throughout the region… Continue Reading
04.01.13
Whitehouse Reintroduces National Endowment for the Oceans
Washington, DC - With America's oceans and coasts under increasing pressure from pollution, acidification, and severe storms, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today announced the re-introduction of his National Endowment for the Oceans, Coasts, and Great Lakes Act (S. 646). The legislation, which is cosponsored by Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), would provide a reliable stream of funding to protect our oceans and coasts, and the research,… Continue Reading
03.29.13
Whitehouse Statement on New EPA Motor Vehicle Standard
Washington, DC - Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the Tier 3 Motor Vehicle Standard and Low Sulfur Gasoline Rule, a proposed standard that will reduce the sulfur content in gasoline and reduce pollution from tailpipes. EPA estimates that the proposed standard will annually prevent as many as 2,400 premature deaths, 23,000 cases of respiratory ailments in children, and 1.8 million lost school days, work days, and days when activities would be restricted due to air polluti… Continue Reading
03.28.13
Whitehouse Announces Legislation to Improve Middle School Achievement
Providence, RI - Today, Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Jack Reed announced the introduction of the Success in the Middle Act, legislation to improve our nation's middle schools. At the press conference, Providence Mayor Angel Taveras, Providence School Superintendent Susan Lusi, and Gilbert Stuart Middle School Principal Edward Halpin shared their support for the legislation and discussed its benefits for Rhode Island children. "When children reach high school unprepared, it is often too late f… Continue Reading
