Press Releases
Rhode Island Resident Who Has Struggled with our Broken Health Insurance System Will Join Whitehouse at Obama’s Address to Congress
Washington, D.C. - A Rhode Island resident who lives with multiple sclerosis and has seen firsthand the problems plaguing our current health insurance system will attend President Barack Obama's address to Congress tomorrow evening as the guest of U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). Christine Ongano, a Coventry resident, will watch President Obama's speech Wednesday from the Visitor's Gallery of the House of Representatives. The President has pledged to make affordable, accessible health in… Continue Reading
08.26.09
Senator Whitehouse’s Statement on the Passing of Senator Edward Kennedy
Providence, RI - "Senator Kennedy for me, as for so many other Americans, was the very epitome of a modern Senator. A proud New Englander, he was passionate in pursuit of justice and compassionate for his fellow man." "Senator Kennedy was a gracious mentor to me as a new Senator, and a treasured and respected friend. For his family, his constituents, and the rest of our nation, and for the United States Senate, which he made his home, my heart is heavy today at the loss of his booming voice, h… Continue Reading
08.24.09
Senator Whitehouse Applauds Appointment of John Durham in CIA Interrogation Probe
Providence, RI - On the heels of the release of the Inspector General report on the CIA's interrogation program, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) applauded the appointment of John Durham to conduct a preliminary review into whether federal laws were violated in connection with the interrogation of certain detainees. "This is clearly a significant issue, and I applaud Attorney General Holder's move to conduct a preliminary review into the interrogations conducted by the CIA," Whitehouse said. "… Continue Reading
08.20.09
Whitehouse Brings Together Rhode Island Experts and Local Homeowners to Discuss Foreclosure Crisis
Providence, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today brought together a panel of local experts and homeowners to discuss the impact of the foreclosure crisis on Rhode Island families. The participants joined Whitehouse at Rhode Island Housing in Providence for an official field hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Administrative Oversight and the Courts, of which Whitehouse is Chairman. "As I travel around our state, I often hear concerns from Rhode Islanders … Continue Reading
08.17.09
Whitehouse Announces New Legislation to Help Fund Women’s Hospitals During Visit to Women & Infants Hospital
Providence, RI - During a visit to Women & Infants Hospital in Providence today, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) announced new legislation to address inequities in federal funding for teaching hospitals that focus on women's health. The Women's Hospitals Education Equity Act would create a new $12 million funding pool for women's hospitals focused on obstetrical care. "Hospitals focusing on women's health play an important role in our health care system," said Whitehouse. "It is es… Continue Reading
08.14.09
Whitehouse Calls for Natural Resource Adaptation Funding to Protect Environment, Rhode Island Economy
Washington, D.C. - As the Senate prepares to begin work on sweeping legislation to combat global warming in the coming months, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, wrote to EPW Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) to request that natural resource adaptation be a priority in any larger global warming legislation. Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) joined Whitehouse in signing the letter. Natural resource adaptation is essential to… Continue Reading
08.07.09
President Obama Taps Lieutenant Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell to be RI’s Next U.S. Marshal
Today, after the White House announced President Obama's intent to nominate state police Lieutenant Colonel Steven G. O'Donnell to be the next U.S. Marshal for Rhode Island, United States Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, who recommended Lieutenant Colonel O'Donnell for the job back in April, issued the following statement: "Lieutenant Colonel O'Donnell has served our state with great distinction as a member of the Rhode Island State Police. His outstanding leadership and experience w… Continue Reading
08.07.09
Senate Bill Holds Foreign Manufacturers Accountable for Defective Products
Washington, D.C. - Bipartisan legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate would reduce the legal hurdles facing Americans injured by products manufactured outside the United States. The Foreign Manufacturers Legal Accountability Act of 2009, sponsored by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and cosponsored by U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) and U.S. Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), would protect American businesses and consumers by bringing foreign manufacturers within the scope of the American… Continue Reading
08.06.09
New Legislation Would Help Families Struggling with Medical Debt
Washington, D.C. - As our economy continues working toward sustained recovery, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today introduced legislation to help the many American families burdened by the costs of illness and injury. The Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act (MBFA) of 2009 would assist individuals and families who are driven to bankruptcy by high medical costs by eliminating some of the procedural hurdles of the bankruptcy process. "Families in Rhode Island and throughout the country are f… Continue Reading
08.06.09
Whitehouse Praises Senate’s Confirmation of Sotomayor
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) issued the following statement today after the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be the next Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court: "Judge Sotomayor is an extremely accomplished jurist, and I was proud to vote for her confirmation. "Her sterling 17-year record as a District and Circuit Court judge makes clear that Judge Sotomayor will respect the role of Congress as representatives of the American people; that … Continue Reading
08.05.09
Rockefeller, Brown, Whitehouse Call on Republican Leadership to Stop Denying Health Insurance Reform
Washington, DC- Senators Jay Rockefeller, Sherrod Brown and Sheldon Whitehouse held a press conference today to call on Republican leadership to offer a real plan for reforming health care. While Democrats have been working tirelessly to reform our health insurance system in a thoughtful and meaningful way, Republican leadership has spent much of the last two months sabotaging bipartisan efforts to find agreement on key issues. The status quo is unacceptable and Republican stalling on health in… Continue Reading
08.03.09
Whitehouse Office Announces New Addition to Press Staff
Washington, D.C. - The office of U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) has hired a new communications director. Matt Thornton, former communications director for Congressman Zack Space (D-Ohio), will join the Whitehouse office starting Tuesday, August 11. Former Whitehouse deputy press secretary Seth Larson has also been promoted to press secretary. "I know that Matt will be a strong addition to our team, and I look forward to working with him," said Whitehouse. Thornton grew up in Kansas a… Continue Reading
07.31.09
Whitehouse Shares Rhode Island Health Care Stories in Senate
Mr. President, I met in my office today with Donna, a Rhode Islander who suffers from vascular disease. Donna's condition forced her to give up her job, and therefore her insurance. She cannot afford to buy it on her own, since it would cost her $650 a month--money she does not have. So she pays for her medications out of pocket. They should be $2,000 per month, but her doctor got them down to $450. But even this is no walk in the park. Donna read me a laundry list of procedures and services she… Continue Reading
07.31.09
Reed and Whitehouse Applaud Nomination of Peter F. Neronha to be the Next U.S. Attorney for Rhode Island
PROVIDENCE, RI - Today, after the White House announced President Obama's intent to nominate Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha to be the next U.S. Attorney for Rhode Island, United States Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, who recommended Mr. Neronha for the job back in May, issued the following statement: "We applaud President Obama for picking a distinguished, independent prosecutor. Mr. Neronha's years of exemplary service in the Attorney General's office and the U.S. Attorney… Continue Reading
07.28.09
Providence Police Department Receives Economic Recovery Funds
Washington, D.C. - Rhode Island's Congressional delegation today applauded the announcement by the Obama Administration that the Providence Police Department will receive $3,529,812 in COPS Hiring Recovery Program grants (CHRP) to hire or retain police offers. The funding was made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which the delegation supported. Rhode Island police departments have seen their budgets cut during the current economic crisis, making it difficult t… Continue Reading
07.28.09
Delegation Announces $9.58M to Promote Energy Efficiency and Create Green Jobs
WASHINGTON, DC - Rhode Island's Congressional delegation today announced that the state has received a $9,584,000 infusion of Recovery Act funds to speed the adoption of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. The funds are provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and U.S. Representatives Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) and Jim Langevin (D-RI) helped pass in February of 2009. The funds were rele… Continue Reading
07.27.09
Senate Passes Kerry-Chambliss Legislation Honoring Post-9/11 National Guard and Reserve Members
WASHINGTON, D.C. - An amendment authored by Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Saxby Chambliss (D-GA), and co-sponsored by Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), to expand National Guard and Reserves' retirement benefits to include duty performed after September 11, 2001 was included in legislation recently passed by the Senate. The Kerry-Chambliss amendment makes a change to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 to allow the combat service of membe… Continue Reading
07.24.09
Rhode Island to Receive Nearly $1 Million to Clean Up Leaky Underground Storage Tanks
Washington, D.C. - Rhode Island will receive $977,000 in federal funding to promote programs to clean up petroleum leaks from underground storage tanks, the state's congressional delegation announced today. The funding was awarded to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which the delegation supported. "This federal funding will help put people to work, protect pub… Continue Reading
07.24.09
Senate Passes Bill to Authorize Military Funding for 2010
Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Senate passed legislation extending a number of benefits to our nation's veterans, including a provision granting early retirement eligibility to Reservists and National Guard members who have served on active duty since September 11th, and a measure to repeal the "widow's tax," which reduces the amount of survivor benefits military spouses can collect after the service member's death. These measures, cosponsored by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), were includ… Continue Reading
07.24.09
Reed and Whitehouse Seek to Rein in Health Care Spending and Lower Costs of Medicare Prescription Drugs
WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to responsibly off-set the cost of health care reform and rein in skyrocketing health care costs, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today joined with 19 of their Senate colleagues in sending a letter to the Senate Finance Committee urging the panel to reform the Medicare Part D prescription drug program as a part of health reform to make it more affordable for seniors and the government. "The success of the health care reform effort hing… Continue Reading
