Press Releases
Whitehouse Votes to Pass Budget that Funds America's Priorities
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) today joined a majority of the Senate to pass a budget that forestalls deep cuts proposed by President Bush and increases funding for critical national priorities such as health care for children and veterans. Senate Concurrent Resolution 21 passed this afternoon by a vote of 52-47. "The Senate passed a budget that puts the needs of working families first," Whitehouse said. "The budget proposed by the President serves the wealthiest Am… Continue Reading
03.22.07
Whitehouse Votes to Authorize Subpoenas for Rove, Others in Probe of U.S. Attorney Firings
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) today voted to authorize the Senate Judiciary Committee to issue subpoenas to compel Karl Rove and several other Bush administration officials to testify on the controversial firings of eight U.S. Attorneys late last year. Whitehouse, a former U.S. Attorney of Rhode Island, sits on the Judiciary Committee and has been actively involved in the Senate's investigation of the firings. "It's important that America hear from… Continue Reading
03.20.07
Reed, Whitehouse Introduce Legislation to Help Rhode Island Federal Workers
WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to ensure that Rhode Island's federal employees receive equal pay for equal work, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today introduced legislation to include Rhode Island in the Boston federal wage area. The Rhode Island Federal Worker Fairness Act of 2007 would merge the Narragansett Bay wage area with the Boston, Massachusetts wage area to provide Rhode Island federal wage workers with pay equity in the region. "Each year, Rho… Continue Reading
03.20.07
Former U.S. Attorney Whitehouse Praises Legislation to Reverse Politicization of U.S. Attorneys' Offices
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), who served as U.S. Attorney for Rhode Island from 1994-1998, voted today in support of legislation to close the loophole used by the Bush administration as part of its efforts to fire several U.S. Attorneys last year, a move widely criticized as having been motivated by partisan politics rather than genuine concerns over the job performance of the prosecutors involved. "My experience firmly convinces me that the administration of just… Continue Reading
03.17.07
Whitehouse Travels to Iraq on Senate Fact-Finding Mission
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) is in Iraq this weekend to assess the situation on the ground there as part of an official congressional delegation visit. Whitehouse and his colleagues will participate in meetings with soldiers, military leaders, and Iraqi officials. During their return trip, the group plans to visit the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, where soldiers who have been injured in Iraq and Afghanistan receive treatment. The facility is located near Rams… Continue Reading
03.15.07
Whitehouse Health IT Amendment Passes in Budget Committee with Bipartisan Support
Washington, D.C. - The Senate Budget Committee today unanimously adopted a bipartisan measure proposed by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) supporting the adoption of modern health information technology and accepted best practices in clinical settings. Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wisc.), Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), and Senator John Ensign (R-Nev.) cosponsored the measure, which was reported to the full Senate this afternoon as part of the Senate budget … Continue Reading
03.08.07
Whitehouse Cosponsors Democratic Joint Resolution to Bring Troops Home from Iraq
Washington, D.C. - In a major step toward a change of course in Iraq, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) today joined Senate Democratic leaders in announcing a new consensus measure that would aim to redeploy combat forces from Iraq by March 31, 2008. The proposed joint resolution, which Whitehouse cosponsored, calls for President Bush to transition the mission for U.S. forces in Iraq, beginning their phased redeployment no later than 120 days after the resolution's enactment. … Continue Reading
03.07.07
Whitehouse Joins Senate Democratic Hispanic Task Force
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) last week joined the Senate Democratic Hispanic Task Force, chaired by Senator Ken Salazar (D-Colo.) and Senator Robert Menendez (D-N.J.). The task force has focused on strengthening relationships with Hispanic leaders and ensuring the issues that matter most to Latinos, including improved access to higher education and health care, are top legislative priorities in the Senate. "No family should have to wonder whether they'l… Continue Reading
03.02.07
Hendricken Student Meets Whitehouse in Washington
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) met this week with Mauri Dimeo, a sophomore at Bishop Hendricken High School, who was visiting Washington as part of the National Young Leaders Conference (NYLC). Dimeo, of Scituate, met with Whitehouse in his Senate office, and discussed his time in Washington thus far and his interests. "It is wonderful to see a young Rhode Islander who is already determined to make positive contributions to our country," said Whitehouse. The NYLC … Continue Reading
03.02.07
Whitehouse Meets with Portsmouth High School Students
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) met this week with ten Portsmouth High School students as part of their participation with the national Close Up Foundation. The students, sophomores through seniors, had been in Washington since Sunday for the Foundation's week-long learning adventure designed to develop the students' knowledge and interest in civics. They were accompanied by Joe Cassady, a Portsmouth High School social studies teacher, on the trip. They met with Sena… Continue Reading
02.28.07
Former U.S. Attorney Whitehouse Protests Firings of Federal Prosecutors
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), a former U.S. Attorney for Rhode Island, spoke out on the Senate floor this afternoon to protest the Bush administration's unprecedented firings of several U.S. Attorneys. Whitehouse was appointed U.S. Attorney by President Bill Clinton and served in that office from 1994-1998. "These men and women had been confirmed by the Senate, and the majority had been recognized by the Justice Department as well-qualified and performing admirabl… Continue Reading
02.26.07
Whitehouse to New Orleans: We Have Not Forgotten You
New Orleans, La. - Vibrant coastal cities from Louisiana to Rhode Island are still at great risk from major natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina unless we strengthen the infrastructure that shields them, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) said today. Whitehouse traveled to New Orleans with Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and a delegation of members of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee for a field hearing to study comprehensive approaches to coastal wetlands rest… Continue Reading
02.26.07
Whitehouse Statement on Lead Paint Decision
New Orleans, LA - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) today issued the following statement on today's Superior Court decision to allow lead abatement to proceed in Rhode Island: "I'm very heartened by Judge Silverstein's ruling to let the jury's decision in our historic lead paint case stand and to proceed to abate the lead. This was a critical victory for our state and our kids, and I congratulate Attorney General Patrick Lynch and his legal team for their outstanding work. We have a sign… Continue Reading
02.21.07
Whitehouse: Bush Can't Have it Both Ways on Troops in Iraq
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) today strongly questioned the Bush administration's response to British Prime Minister Tony Blair's announcement that United Kingdom troops will begin leaving Iraq in the coming months, and again called on the President to announce the beginning of an American redeployment from Iraq. "On one hand, President Bush says American troop levels in Iraq need to escalate by tens of thousands, but on the other, he says things are going so well … Continue Reading
02.17.07
Statement of Sheldon Whitehouse on Senate Vote on Iraq Escalation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the following statement following today's Senate vote: "I'm proud that the Democratic leadership brought up this critical vote today. Importantly, the outcome was 56 seeking to vote against the President's escalation of troop levels in Iraq, to 34 seeking to block that vote. 56 to 34 is a strong message. "Yesterday, I spoke again on the Senate floor, and read from a few of the thousands of messages I have received from Rhode Is… Continue Reading
02.13.07
Whitehouse: Bush Administration Stonewalling on Negotiating Power for Medicare Prescription Drug Program
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today sharply questioned a senior Bush administration official over the administration's opposition to negotiating for lower prescription drug prices under the Medicare Part D program. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Michael O. Leavitt appeared before the Senate Budget Committee, on which Whitehouse sits, to discuss the administration's fiscal year 2008 budget request for federal health care progra… Continue Reading
02.09.07
Whitehouse Meets Hopkinton, West Greenwich High School Students
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) met Thursday with two high school students visiting Washington as part of their participation in the National Young Leaders Conference (NYLC). Theresa Fuller of Hopkinton, a sophomore at Chariho Regional High School, and Geoffrey Swann of West Greenwich, a junior at Exeter West Greenwich High School, had been in Washington as part of their six-day program since Tuesday. The program is designed to give students a better understanding of t… Continue Reading
02.05.07
Whitehouse Meets with Block Island Students
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) last week met with six Block Island High School students visiting Washington as part of their participation in the national Close Up Foundation. The students, all seniors, have been in Washington for the Foundation's week-long learning adventure designed to develop the students' knowledge and interest in civics. The students, accompanied by Marlee Lacoste of Block Island, visited the capital's many museums, monuments and memor… Continue Reading
02.05.07
Statement of Sheldon Whitehouse on the Release of the President's FY08 Budget Request
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, today issued the following statement on President Bush's FY2008 budget request: "The President's budget is unrealistic in its projections, irresponsible in its policymaking, and unfair in its effect on working families. President Bush demands hundreds of billions of dollars to finance an Iraq strategy his own military commanders have questioned, and his record defense budget requests … Continue Reading
02.02.07
Whitehouse Votes for First Minimum Wage Increase in a Decade
Washington, D.C. - In the new Democratic-led Senate, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) voted with an overwhelming majority of Senators yesterday to pass the first minimum wage increase in ten years. The bill raises the federal minimum wage by $2.10 an hour over two years, to $7.25. "The American people sent a powerful message that it's time for Washington to focus on the needs of working families, not big corporations," Whitehouse said. "Democrats listened - and we kept our promise. Raisin… Continue Reading
