Press Releases
Delegation Supports Disaster Declaration for Northeast Fishery
Washington, DC - Rhode Island's Congressional Delegation is applauding an announcement today by the U.S. Department of Commerce declaring a disaster for the Northeast groundfish fishery. Last month, Rhode Island joined other Northeast states in asking the federal government to approve the declaration, which could make Rhode Island fishermen eligible for additional loan programs and authorizes Congress to provide funds for assistance programs. The delegation wrote to Acting Secretary of Commerc… Continue Reading
09.11.12
Whitehouse Commemorates Anniversary of 9/11
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse released the following statement today regarding the eleven year anniversary of September 11, 2001: "Today, as we remember the tragic events of September 11, 2001, my thoughts and prayers are with the victims of that day's attacks and their families, and with our men and women who served so honorably in the aftermath. Eleven years later, justice has been delivered to Osama bin Laden, al Qaeda has been weakened, and we are winding down our presen… Continue Reading
08.25.12
Delegation Supports State’s Request for Fisheries Relief
Providence, RI - Following a warning by federal regulators that fishermen in Rhode Island and throughout New England will likely soon face severe reductions in yearly catch limits, Rhode Island's Congressional Delegation today joined Governor Chafee in asking the federal government to approve a disaster declaration for the New England groundfishery. If approved, the declaration could make Rhode Island fishermen eligible for additional loan programs and authorizes Congress to provide additional … Continue Reading
08.23.12
Warwick Fire Department Receives $3.1 Million Federal Grant for New Hires
WARWICK, RI - U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representative Jim Langevin today joined with Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian in announcing a $3.1 million federal grant to help the Warwick Fire Department hire and train up to 17 firefighters. The federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant will help bring the total number of Warwick's fire personnel up to 214. Since 2008, several firefighter positions have been vacated as a result of retirements… Continue Reading
08.21.12
Whitehouse Visits Bristol Business
Bristol, RI - Two weeks ago, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse began a month-long jobs tour of the state to hear from small business owners and employees about what they need to succeed in this tough economy. Today, Whitehouse continued the tour with a visit to Bristol Boat Company, a Rhode Island owned and operated small business with a 30-year history of constructing and renovating boats. "Boat manufacturers and marine trades and industries are an important part of our Rhode Island economy, particu… Continue Reading
08.20.12
Whitehouse Visits Middletown Business
Middletown, RI - Two weeks ago, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse began a month-long jobs tour of the state to hear from small business owners and employees about what they need to succeed in this tough economy. Today, Whitehouse continued the tour with a visit to Rite Solutions, a fast-growing company in Middletown that specializes in a broad array of technologies including decision support systems, interactive multi-media training, and a variety of IT network technologies. Since its founding in 200… Continue Reading
08.16.12
Whitehouse Visits Cumberland Manufacturing Business
Cumberland, RI - Last week, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse began a month-long jobs tour of the state to hear from small business owners and employees about what they need to succeed in this tough economy. Today, Whitehouse continued the tour with a visit to Hope Global, a fast-growing company in Cumberland that engineers textile solutions for automotive, commercial, and industrial use. Hope Global is also a member of a working group of local textile businesses convened by Senator Whitehouse in 201… Continue Reading
08.15.12
Whitehouse Meets with East Providence Seniors
East Providence, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today visited with East Providence seniors at Orchard View Manor to discuss his efforts to preserve Social Security and Medicare benefits, make prescription drugs more affordable by allowing Medicare to negotiate prices with drug companies, and other issues important to Rhode Island seniors. "I always appreciate spending time with seniors in our state and listening to their concerns," said Whitehouse. "Their message to me is always clear: … Continue Reading
08.08.12
Whitehouse Highlights Jobs Plan During Small Business Visits
Providence, RI - With Rhode Island workers and small businesses still struggling in this tough economy, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today kicked off a month-long tour of small businesses in the state, and rolled out a series of initiatives to create jobs. Whitehouse's jobs plan is a mix of policies and proposals that he has advocated for throughout his time in the Senate, and which, if passed, would provide a boost to small businesses throughout the state. Download Sheldon's Jobs Plan Here… Continue Reading
08.06.12
Four Rhode Island Hospitals to Receive Additional $7.1 Million in Medicare Payments
Warwick, RI - In an effort to help ensure patients have access to quality health care services at Rhode Island hospitals, as well as support sustainable sources of jobs in the state, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Representatives James Langevin and David Cicilline today joined hospital executives and representatives from Kent, Newport, South County, and Westerly Hospitals to announce an additional $7.1 million in Medicare payments to these four hospitals as a result of a new … Continue Reading
08.02.12
Whitehouse Statement on Cybersecurity Cloture Vote
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the statement below today regarding the failed cloture vote on the Cybersecurity Act of 2012, which Senate Republicans blocked: "While it is unfortunate that the Minority Leader chose to upset a careful balance by seeking irrelevant partisan amendments - like the 'Repeal Obamacare' amendment - on this significant national security legislation, I believe that Members were closer to agreement than the cloture vote suggests. To reac… Continue Reading
07.31.12
Whitehouse and Mikulski Offer Amendments to Cybersecurity Bill
Washington, DC - As the U.S. Senate debates legislation to protect our nation from cyber attacks, U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) today introduced three amendments to the bill to help ensure that law enforcement agencies have the proper tools and authorities to prevent such attacks. The bill, the Cybersecurity Act of 2012, is expected to receive a vote this week. "As we continue working to pass legislation to protect our nation from cyber threats, it's impor… Continue Reading
07.26.12
Whitehouse Statement on Cybersecurity Cloture Vote
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the following statement regarding today's successful cloture vote in the Senate on the Cybersecurity Act of 2012: "Today's vote is a key first step toward passing much needed cybersecurity legislation into law. This is one of the most important national security issues facing us today: we must take action to protect our nation from cyber attacks. I commend Senators Lieberman, Collins, Feinstein, and Rockefeller for their hard wo… Continue Reading
07.25.12
Whitehouse Argues for Preserving Middle-Class Tax Cuts
Washington, DC - Today, the U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote on the Middle Class Tax Cuts Act, a proposal by Senate Democrats that would preserve low tax rates for the vast majority of Americans while asking the wealthiest individuals to pay a fair share toward deficit reduction. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, who led the fight earlier this year to enact the Buffett Rule to ensure that multi-million-dollar earners pay a fair tax rate, gave a speech on the Senate floor yesterday evening urging… Continue Reading
07.19.12
Senate Passes Comprehensive Veterans Legislation
Washington, DC - The United States Senate last night passed a comprehensive package of improvements to benefits and services for veterans and their families, including a key component authored by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) to help keep military families in their homes. The Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 contains a measure to lengthen the period of foreclosure protection for servicemembers returning from active duty, which is similar to a… Continue Reading
07.18.12
Whitehouse Invites RI Small Business Leader to Washington
Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee met with business leaders from around the country who have expanded their businesses and created jobs despite the tough economic climate. Senator Whitehouse invited Charlie Kroll, the President and CEO of Rhode Island-based Andera, to share his experiences at the meeting. "Our first priority must be to grow Rhode Island's economy and help small businesses succeed in the state. It is very encouraging to hear from… Continue Reading
07.18.12
Senators, Business Leaders, Workers Join to Urge Passage of “Bring Jobs Home Act”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI, co-chair of the Senate Manufacturing Caucus), Dick Durbin (D-IL, Senate Assistant Majority Leader), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today joined business leaders and workers at the U.S. Capitol to urge passage of the Bring Jobs Home Act. The Bring Jobs Home Act, authored by Senator Stabenow and cosponsored by Durbin, Whitehouse and Blumenthal, ends a tax giveaway that rewards companies that ship jobs overseas and pr… Continue Reading
07.17.12
Whitehouse Statement on DISCLOSE Vote
Washington, DC - Today, for a second day in a row, Senate Republicans blocked debate on the DISCLOSE Act, a bill to end secret spending in elections by corporations and other groups. The vote failed to overcome a filibuster by a vote of 53 in favor to 45 against. 60 votes were required. Following the vote, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the following statement: "I'm disappointed that so many of my Republican colleagues, many of whom have clearly supported disclosure in the p… Continue Reading
07.16.12
Whitehouse Statement on GOP Obstruction of DISCLOSE Act
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the statement below today after Senate Republicans blocked debate on the DISCLOSE Act, a bill to end secret spending in elections by corporations and other groups: "I'm disappointed that so many of my Republican colleagues, many of whom have clearly supported disclosure in the past, chose today to defend secret spending by special interests rather than stand up for the voices of the middle class. However, as I have said before, w… Continue Reading
07.16.12
Senate Democrats to Hold “Midnight Vigil” on DISCLOSE Act
Washington, DC - With Senate Republicans threatening to block debate this evening on the DISCLOSE Act, Senate Democrats are sending a clear message that they won't back down easily. If Republicans succeed in blocking a key procedural vote on the measure today, a group of Democrats have pledged to hold onto the Senate floor late into the night tonight in an effort to bring greater attention to the issue and force a second vote on the bill tomorrow. The late night "midnight vigil" effort will be… Continue Reading
