Press Releases
Whitehouse: Banks That Ignore Mortgage Modification Rules Should be Penalized
Washington, DC - With too many Rhode Island families still struggling to keep their homes in the wake of the foreclosure crisis, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today applauded the Obama Administration for cracking down on big banks who have failed to comply with the requirements of the Making Home Affordable (HAMP) program. The Administration announced that Bank of America, J.P Morgan Chase Bank, and Wells Fargo Bank will not receive financial payments from the HAMP, which was establish… Continue Reading
06.09.11
Whitehouse Commemorates Gaspee Days in Senate Speech
Washington, DC - As Rhode Island prepares for the annual Gaspee Days parade in Warwick this weekend, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today spoke on the floor of the Senate to remember the brave Rhode Islanders who stood up to the British and burned the HMS Gaspee in 1772. Whitehouse argued that the Gaspee Affair, which took place 16 months before the Boston Tea Party, deserves more recognition for its role in sparking the American Revolution. The text of Whitehouse's remarks, as prepared for d… Continue Reading
06.08.11
Whitehouse Testifies Before Senate Veterans’ Committee on his Bill to Prevent Military Foreclosures
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today testified before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs about his Protecting Servicemembers from Mortgage Abuses Act. The bill, which Whitehouse introduced in March, would improve protection for military families from losing their homes through wrongful foreclosure. "While operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world have put tremendous demands on our brave men and women in uniform, lenders at home have repeatedly disrega… Continue Reading
06.08.11
Whitehouse Receives Rhode Island's Social Security and Medicare Hero Award
Washington, D.C. - On Friday, the Rhode Island Alliance for Retired Americans (RI ARA) presented U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse with their Social Security and Medicare Hero Award for his advocacy on behalf of Rhode Island seniors. Whitehouse received the award from RI ARA President John A. Pernorio during a ceremony at the Salvatore Mancini Resource and Activity Center in North Providence. "Medicare and Social Security must be protected as the bedrock of retirement security for our seniors," s… Continue Reading
06.03.11
Whitehouse Chairs Hearing on Preventing Teen Violence
Providence, R.I. - With incidents of teen dating violence on the rise, and with new forms of web-based abuse becoming more common, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today brought together a panel of experts to discuss these issues and propose solutions. Whitehouse chaired a field hearing of his Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism entitled "Preventing Teen Violence: Strategies for Protecting Teens from Dating Violence and Bullying." "Too many of our teenagers in Rhode Islan… Continue Reading
06.02.11
U.S. Attorney General Holder Visits RI with Senator Whitehouse
Providence, RI - U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder joined U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse in Rhode Island today to learn more about an innovative new approach to treating veterans who enter our criminal justice system. Holder and Whitehouse met at the Supreme Court in Providence with representatives and stakeholders for the Rhode Island veterans' court pilot program, which seeks to provide sensible law enforcement alternatives for veterans who commit low-level offenses. They then joined U.S. A… Continue Reading
06.01.11
Senators Introduce Bill to Jumpstart Solar Energy Market
Washington, DC - With families across the country struggling to keep up with rising energy costs, many homeowners are looking toward solar panels and other renewable energy systems for some relief. Unfortunately, the high upfront cost often prevents families from purchasing these systems. U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), and Mark Udall (D-CO) have introduced bipartisan legislation to address this problem by expanding the availability of renewable energy leasing pr… Continue Reading
05.26.11
Reed, Whitehouse & Chafee Announce $1.2 Million in AmeriCorps Grants for RI
PROVIDENCE, RI - U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Governor Lincoln Chafee today joined with John Gomperts, Director for AmeriCorps, as well as Bernie Beaudreau, Executive Director of Serve Rhode Island in announcing over $1.2 million in new federal AmeriCorps funding that will help local non-profits improve lives and strengthen communities throughout the state. The AmeriCorps grants, which are funded through the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, will help support more than 1… Continue Reading
05.24.11
Whitehouse Chairs Hearing on Prescription Drug Abuse
Washington, DC - With drug related poisonings now the leading cause of death from unintentional injury in 17 states, including Rhode Island, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today brought together a panel of experts to examine the problem of prescription drug abuse and discuss proposed solutions. Whitehouse chaired a hearing of his Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism entitled "Responding to the Prescription Drug Epidemic: Strategies for Reducing Abuse, Misuse, Diversion, … Continue Reading
05.24.11
Leahy, Whitehouse, Blumenthal Introduce Bill To Fight Creditor Fraud In Bankruptcy Courts
WASHINGTON - Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) introduced the Fighting Fraud in Bankruptcy Act Tuesday to strengthen the tools available to U.S. bankruptcy trustees to protect American homeowners from creditor fraud in bankruptcy court. The Executive Office of the U.S. Bankruptcy Trustee (EOUST) was established within the Department of Justice in 1978 to protect the integrity of the federal bankruptcy system. The EOUST has recently re… Continue Reading
05.17.11
RI Arts Organizations Set to Receive Over $827,000 in Federal Funding
WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to support the arts and promote art education and community art programs throughout Rhode Island, the Congressional delegation today announced that five local arts organizations will receive $827,800 in federal funding through the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). "At a time when budgetary pressures are causing cuts to many community arts programs, this federal funding will help support local non-profits and boost economic activity. Rhode Island's creative ind… Continue Reading
05.17.11
RI Delegation Announces Over $1M in Federal Funds for Providence Job Training Program
Washington, DC - In order to better prepare young Rhode Islanders for the jobs of tomorrow, the RI congressional delegation today announced $1.1 million in federal funds for YouthBuild Providence. The program, which is a part of the Providence Plan, provides vocational training to at risk youth, helping to better prepare them for jobs in the construction industry and emerging clean energy economy. "I am pleased that Providence Plan is receiving this critical federal funding to help ensure the … Continue Reading
05.16.11
RI Delegation Wants $21 Billion in Deficit Reduction by Eliminating Taxpayer Subsidies for Big Oil
PROVIDENCE, RI - With the Senate scheduled for a key vote this week, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI) are strongly backing a plan to eliminate special tax breaks for the five largest oil companies and direct those savings to decrease the national deficit. Standing in front of the largest oil terminal in Rhode Island, Reed, Whitehouse, and Cicilline today outlined their fiscally responsible plan to stand up for middle-class famil… Continue Reading
05.13.11
Whitehouse Highlights Oceans Legislation at East Providence Facility Working to Keep Bay Clean
East Providence, RI - With our world's oceans, and the millions of jobs they support, under constant threats from pollution, overuse, and climate change, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today visited a facility in East Providence working to reduce water pollution into Narragansett Bay and other Rhode Island coastal waters. During the tour of the Narragansett Bay Commission's (NBC) Bucklin Point facility, Whitehouse discussed legislation he introduced yesterday which would support research… Continue Reading
05.12.11
Whitehouse Statement on White House Cyber Security Proposal
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) issued the following statement today regarding the Administration's announced cyber security proposal: "The cyber security proposal released by the Obama Administration today marks a significant step forward, beginning a legislative process that will strengthen our country's national and economic security. As I learned while chairing the Intelligence Committee's cyber security task force, we need to dramatically improve our cyber security… Continue Reading
05.12.11
Whitehouse, Snowe Introduce Legislation to Support Coastal Jobs and Protect Oceans
Washington, DC - With coastal communities throughout the country struggling in this economy, and coastal ecosystems facing a barrage of environmental challenges, U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) today introduced legislation to protect our oceans and coasts, and the research, tourism, and fishing jobs they support. The legislation, which is cosponsored by Senators Inouye (D-HI), Rockefeller (D-WV), Stabenow (D-MI), Bill Nelson (D-FL), and Landrieu (D-LA), would cre… Continue Reading
05.10.11
Whitehouse Calls for End to Tax Giveaways for Big Oil
Washington, DC - With Rhode Island drivers continuing to feel the pain of rising costs at the pump, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today cosponsored legislation introduced in the Senate to end expensive tax breaks for big oil companies. The Close Big Oil Tax Loopholes Act would end these handouts to the five largest oil companies and use the billions in savings to help reduce our federal deficit. "These companies are doing just fine on their own, making over $33 billion in profit last q… Continue Reading
05.09.11
Reed and Whitehouse: RI Wins $28 Million for High-Speed Rail that FL Turned Down
PROVIDENCE, RI - Florida's loss is now officially Rhode Island's $28 million gain. U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is redirecting $28 million in high-speed rail Recovery Act funds from Florida to the Ocean State after Florida's Governor Rick Scott turned down about $2.4 billion in federal high-speed rail funding. Senators Reed and Whitehouse say the money will be put to good use improving Rhode Is… Continue Reading
05.06.11
Whitehouse Applauds Withdrawal of Challenge to RI Foreclosure Program
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the following statement today regarding Deutsche Bank's decision to withdraw its appeal in its case challenging the legal authority of the Rhode Island Bankruptcy Court to run pre-trial foreclosure mediations: "For Rhode Island homeowners who continue to fight against unfair foreclosures, this is good news," said Whitehouse. "The Rhode Island bankruptcy court's foreclosure mediation program helps distressed families cut through t… Continue Reading
05.05.11
Whitehouse Brings Together RI Environmental and Energy Leaders for Conference in Washington
Washington, DC - Leaders from Rhode Island's environmental and energy communities yesterday had the opportunity to hear directly from federal leaders about policies and proposals that could affect their businesses and organizations in the Ocean State. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse organized the event, which featured discussions with U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, and former White House Chief of Staff John Podesta. "As Rhode Island business owners and adv… Continue Reading
