Press Releases
RI Delegation Announces $1.2 Million for RIPTA Solar Project
Providence, RI - Rhode Island's Congressional Delegation today announced that the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) has been awarded $1.2 million in federal funds for solar energy projects. The clean energy funds will be used to install a sun-facing Trombe wall to absorb solar energy and convert it into heating and cooling for the RIPTA Transportation Building where buses are stored. RIPTA will also use the funds to generate power for the building by installing a roof top photovoltai… Continue Reading
10.28.10
Whitehouse Brings Together 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 and to examine whether bankruptcy court mediation programs can help to keep families in their homes. 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, which Whit… Continue Reading
10.19.10
RI Receives $150,000 Grant to Set Up Health Care Helpline
PROVIDENCE, RI - U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today announced that Rhode Island will receive a $149,880 federal grant to improve consumers' ability to get clear and accurate information and help them understand their health care benefits and options. The grant stems from provisions in the new health insurance reform law, the Affordable Care Act. In addition to developing new web-based resources and educational material, two new positions will be created at the Rh… Continue Reading
10.15.10
$10.5 Million TIGER Grant Will Modernize Port of Providence and Boost Job Creation
PROVIDENCE, RI - Rhode Island's Congressional delegation today announced that Providence will receive $10.5 million in federal funding to help create hundreds of jobs and transform the Port of Providence into a modern marine cargo center that will diversify shipping options in the region. The Transportation Investments Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant II, which was created by Congress in the 2010 Transportation Appropriations Act, will go towards the purchase and installation of… Continue Reading
10.14.10
Whitehouse Travels to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan to Meet with Rhode Island Troops, Foreign Leaders
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) has concluded a trip to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan during which he heard from American troops and foreign officials about the progress of U.S. efforts. Whitehouse traveled first to Afghanistan, to Kabul and Kandahar, for an update on our efforts to reverse the Taliban's momentum and improve the Afghan government's ability to provide security. He then visited Iraq, traveling to Baghdad and Ramadi, to learn about the state of th… Continue Reading
10.13.10
RI Delegation Announces $4 Million to Improve and Expand Newport, Cranston Community Health Centers
CRANSTON, RI - In an effort to address pressing renovation needs in Community Health Centers, and expand access to quality health care, 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) today announced over $4 million in federal funding to construct a new building in Newport and renovate an existing health facility in Cranston. The funds are provided by the comprehensive health insurance reform law, which was supp… Continue Reading
10.12.10
Whitehouse Travels to Iraq to Meet with Troops, Officials
Washington, DC - Following a visit to Afghanistan this weekend for an update on U.S. operations, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today departed Iraq, where he met with U.S. servicemembers and Iraqi leaders. This was Whitehouse's fourth trip to Iraq, and the first since the end of the U.S. combat mission there. "It was an honor to have the opportunity to thank our troops for their hard work, to visit Rhode Islanders serving in Iraq during this historic drawdown, and to discuss with the Prime Minister… Continue Reading
10.10.10
Whitehouse Travels to Afghanistan to Meet with Troops, Officials
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) traveled this weekend to Afghanistan to meet with senior military, civilian, and intelligence officials. Whitehouse, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, is traveling as part of a congressional delegation to get an update on the status of American efforts in Afghanistan directly from the professionals on the ground. "I'm always glad to have the chance to thank our troops serving abroad," said Whitehouse. "As we work t… Continue Reading
10.08.10
Whitehouse Calls on Attorney General to Investigate Foreclosure Scandal
Washington, DC - With Rhode Island and many other states still struggling to climb out of the foreclosure crisis, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) is calling on U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to investigate reports of wrongdoing by mortgage servicers in foreclosure proceedings. "I ask that you launch a formal investigation of foreclosure practices at Ally Financial and other major loan servicers and that you vigorously prosecute those who have callously cut corners with foreclosures… Continue Reading
10.07.10
RI Delegation Announces $1.3 Million in Federal Funds to Help Protect Seniors
Providence, RI - Rhode Island's congressional delegation announced today that Rhode Island has received a $1.3 million federal grant to set up comprehensive criminal background checks for employees in nursing facilities, home health agencies, hospice providers, long-term care hospitals, and intermediate care facilities that provide long-term care services. "As the need for caregivers for senior citizens has increased, so has the need to screen applicants who are seeking to work with vulnerable,… Continue Reading
10.07.10
In Wake of Foreclosure Scandal, Whitehouse Calls for National Moratorium
Providence, RI - With Rhode Island and many other states still struggling to climb out of the foreclosure crisis, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) has called for a national foreclosure moratorium following revelations that some mortgage servicers were not following legal procedures to remove families from their homes. Specifically, Whitehouse has written to the heads of Fannie May and Freddie Mac, as well as Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, to ask that they put a stop to foreclosures on… Continue Reading
09.30.10
Whitehouse Applauds Passage of Intelligence Authorization Bill
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today released the following statement regarding the passage of the Intelligence Authorization bill. The measure was passed by the Senate on Monday and by the House yesterday, sending the bill to the president. "The Intelligence Authorization bill passed this week by the House and Senate will strengthen our intelligence community and improve Congressional oversight over intelligence activities. Specifically, the bill expands the requirement for… Continue Reading
09.30.10
Whitehouse Bill to Stop Excessively Loud TV Commercials Passes in Senate
Washington, DC - The Senate has passed legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) that would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to regulate the volume of television advertisements. The Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act of 2009 (S. 2847), co-sponsored by Senators Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY), would fix a problem that vexes many television viewers-when commercials are many times louder than the regular program they ar… Continue Reading
09.29.10
Whitehouse Congratulates Two Rhode Islanders for Receiving Prestigious MacArthur Fellowship
Washington, D.C. - Today U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse commended Nicholas Benson of Newport and Sebastian Ruth of Providence for receiving a MacArthur Fellowship, or "genius grant," for demonstrating extraordinary originality and dedication to the arts. "I congratulate Nick and Sebastian on receiving the MacArthur Fellowship," said Whitehouse. "Their work and dedication to the arts has added immeasurably to our nation's cultural heritage and made Rhode Island proud." Nick Benson is a third-… Continue Reading
09.28.10
Whitehouse Introduces Legislation to Protect Oil Spill Victims
Washington, DC - Today, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) announced the introduction of the Oil Spill Victims Redress Act, which would clarify that victims of oil spills may seek damages from all corporations involved in the incident. "As we have seen from the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, there are frequently multiple parties responsible for these disasters," said Whitehouse. "Some of those parties are trying to evade responsibility by arguing that current law only allows BP to be h… Continue Reading
09.27.10
RI to Receive an Additional $22.8 Million in Foreclosure Prevention Assistance
PROVIDENCE, RI - U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) today announced that Rhode Island will receive an additional $22.8 million in federal "Hardest Hit" funding to help protect neighborhood home values and provide homeowners with additional resources to prevent foreclosures. This new funding, which will be administered by Rhode Island Housing, brings the state's total Hardest Hit total allotment to almost $80 million. Rhode Island Hou… Continue Reading
09.27.10
Commerce Secretary Promises Reform at NOAA During Meeting with Whitehouse
Washington, DC - Last week, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Congressman Barney Frank, Senator John Kerry, Senator Scott Brown, Congressman John Tierney, Congressman Walter Jones, and Congressman Tim Bishop met with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke to seek answers for the New England fishermen, who have long complained that NOAA sets low catch limits and has been excessive in its enforcement of New England fishing violations. At the meeting, Secretary Locke announced that he would introd… Continue Reading
09.24.10
Whitehouse Announces Nearly $100K in Federal Funds for RI Free Clinic
Providence, RI - With 140,000 Rhode Islanders currently living without health insurance, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today announced $99,000 in federal funding for the Rhode Island Free Clinic to help expand access to basic health services for the uninsured. The funding, which Whitehouse helped secure as part of the federal appropriations process, will allow the Clinic to increase hours of operation, see more patients, and provide better primary care. "The Rhode Island Free Clinic helps our… Continue Reading
09.23.10
RI Delegation Announces Over $200,000 in Federal Funds to Combat Domestic Violence
Washington, DC - Rhode Island's congressional delegation today announced that two local organizations have been awarded federal grants to help combat violence against women. Day One in Providence will receive $117,986, and the RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence in Warwick will receive $98,461. Both grants are part of the U.S. Department of Justice's Grants to State Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Coalitions Program. "Violence targeting women harms families and our communities, and cann… Continue Reading
09.22.10
RI Congressional Delegation Announces $1.1 Million to Support Health Care Jobs
Providence, RI - Rhode Island's congressional delegation today announced that Memorial Hospital and Brown University have received a total of $1.1 million in federal grants to strengthen and expand their health professions workforce. The grants will provide additional primary care workforce training and equipment to enhance the health profession field. "This federal funding will provide a $1.1 million boost to increase Rhode Island's health workforce. It will help ensure our doctors and nurses … Continue Reading
