Press Releases
Whitehouse Travels to Afghanistan to Meet with Troops, Officials
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) is traveling to Afghanistan today 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 led by U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) 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 abr… Continue Reading
10.20.09
President Obama Signs Whitehouse Bill to Ease Burdens Imposed on U.S. Attorneys by Foreign Investigations
Washington, D.C. - President Barack Obama has signed into law legislation introduced by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) that makes it easier for U.S. Attorneys to respond to requests for evidence made by foreign authorities pursuing international criminal investigations. The Foreign Evidence Request Efficiency Act (S. 1289), was cosponsored in the Senate by both the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), and the Ranking Member, Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL). Repres… Continue Reading
10.20.09
Whitehouse Holds Senate Hearing on the Impact of Medical Debt
Washington, DC - As the debate over health care reform continues in Washington, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today held a hearing to examine ways to ease the burden of overwhelming medical expenses on American families. Rhode Islander Kerry Burns joined a panel of experts and victims of medical debt testifying in a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Administrative Oversight and the Courts. Whitehouse is chairman of the subcommittee. "As we in Congress co… Continue Reading
10.19.09
Whitehouse Tours Local Schools to Learn About Efforts to Increase Energy Efficiency
Scituate, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) last week visited Scituate and Ponaganset High Schools to observe initiatives at each school aimed at increasing environmental awareness and training students for environmental jobs. "I'm glad to see these Rhode Island schools leading the way in energy efficiency projects and environmental awareness," said Whitehouse, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) committee. "I hope these measures will serve as an example to othe… Continue Reading
10.16.09
United States Senate Unanimously Approves Nomination of Lieutenant Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell to be RI’s Next U.S. Marshal
Washington, D.C. - United States Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse today praised the Senate's confirmation of Lieutenant Colonel Steven G. O'Donnell to be the next U.S. Marshal for Rhode Island. Earlier this year, the Senators recommended Lieutenant Colonel O'Donnell to President Obama, who then nominated O'Donnell on August 7. The Judiciary Committee, of which Whitehouse is a member, approved the nomination on October 8, and the full Senate today confirmed O'Donnell by unanimous consent… Continue Reading
10.16.09
Whitehouse Hears from Local Businesses About Health Insurance Costs
Providence, RI - As the debate over health care reform continues in Washington, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today heard from Rhode Island small business owners about the effect of sky-high health insurance rates. Whitehouse hosted a roundtable discussion with the local businesses at Donna's Grill on the Hill in Providence. "For these Rhode Island small businesses and thousands more around the country, the rising cost of health insurance is simply unsustainable," said Whitehouse. "I… Continue Reading
10.15.09
Senate Passes Bill To Secure Timely Funding Of Critical Services
Washington, D.C. - This week, the U.S. Senate passed the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009, which calls for the advanced funding of critical health care services to veterans. U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) are both co-sponsors of this bipartisan bill. "This is a major victory for veterans and taxpayers that will reform the way our nation provides funding for veterans health care," said Reed, who as a senior member of the Appropriations… Continue Reading
10.14.09
Whitehouse Welcomes President’s Support of $250 Payment to Seniors
Washington, D.C. - President Obama today announced his support for a plan to provide seniors in Rhode Island and across the country with a one-time payment of $250 in 2010 in addition to regular Social Security payments. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) is a cosponsor of the Emergency Senior Citizens Relief Act (S. 1685), which would provide such a payment. "Fixed incomes and a reliance on costly prescription drugs make it tough for seniors and disabled Rhode Islanders to make ends meet,"… Continue Reading
10.08.09
Senate Judiciary Committee Unanimously Approves Nomination of Lieutenant Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell to be RI’s Next U.S. Marshal
Washington, D.C. - United States Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse today commended the Senate Judiciary Committee's approval of Lieutenant Colonel Steven G. O'Donnell to be the next U.S. Marshal for Rhode Island. Earlier this year, the Senators recommended Lieutenant Colonel O'Donnell to President Obama, who then nominated O'Donnell on August 7. The Judiciary Committee, of which Whitehouse is a member, today unanimously approved O'Donnell's nomination. "We applaud the Judiciary Committe… Continue Reading
10.06.09
Reed and Whitehouse Announce President's Nomination of Justice O. Rogeriee Thompson to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
Providence, RI - United States Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse today applauded President Obama for nominating Rhode Island Superior Court Justice O. Rogeriee Thompson to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Earlier this year, following an open and in-depth selection process which included extensive interviews and careful deliberation, the Senators recommended Justice Thompson's nomination to the President. "This is a great day for the United States justice system … Continue Reading
09.30.09
Rhode Island to Receive Over $22 Million in Federal Funding for Medical Research Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Washington, D.C. - Rhode Island's Congressional Delegation today announced over $22 million in federal funding for Rhode Island to support cutting-edge medical research. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will distribute 91 federal grants to eligible grantees throughout the state. These grants were funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which the delegation supported. "Rhode Island's biomedical research community is renowned for being on the forefront of medical breakthrough… Continue Reading
09.28.09
Whitehouse Hears from Rhode Islanders Struggling with High Medical Bills
Pawtucket, RI - A group of Rhode Islanders burdened with debt from expensive medical costs today gathered at the Blackstone Valley Community Action Program in Pawtucket to share their stories. The group met with U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) to discuss the problems caused by crippling medical debt and the burdens it places on families. "We need to lend a helping hand to families that are enduring backbreaking debt caused by big medical bills," said Whitehouse. A recent Harvard study f… Continue Reading
09.23.09
Senate Approves $6.5 Million for Rhode Island in Transportation and Housing Spending Plan
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) announced that the U.S. Senate has approved legislation including $4.45 million in funding for Rhode Island transportation, housing, and infrastructure improvement initiatives they requested as part of the 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) spending bill. The bill also includes $1.1 million that Reed, a member of the Appropriations Committee, secured for key programs throughout the state as well … Continue Reading
09.23.09
Blackstone Valley Community Health Center Receives Economic Recovery Funds
Washington, D.C. - Rhode Island's Congressional delegation today applauded the announcement by the Obama Administration that the Blackstone Valley Community Health Center will receive $478,000 for health information technology (IT) implementation. The funding was made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which the delegation supported. "This Recovery Act funding will enable Blackstone Valley Community Health Center to provide its patients with comprehensive, qual… Continue Reading
09.17.09
Responding to a Constituent Request, Whitehouse Introduces Legislation to Make it Easier for Families to Handle Medicare Billing Issues
Washington, D.C. - After hearing from a Newport, Rhode Island resident about his difficulties dealing with Medicare billing issues following the passing of a loved one, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today introduced legislation to eliminate this frustrating hurdle. The Expanding Access to Medicare Records Act fills gaps in the law that restrict access of the families of Medicare beneficiaries to medical records. Currently, the law permits family members to access a deceased relative's… Continue Reading
09.15.09
Rhode Island to Receive Over $10 Million in Federal Recovery Act Funds to Improve Energy Efficiency
Washington, D.C. - Rhode Island's Congressional Delegation today announced over $10 million in federal funding for Rhode Island to improve energy efficiency, reduce fossil fuel emissions, and create local clean energy jobs. The funding is part of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program established earlier this year by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which the delegation supported. To date, the State of Rhode Island has received over $31.6 million in energy fundin… Continue Reading
09.15.09
Reed and Whitehouse Applaud Senate’s Confirmation of Neronha as Rhode Island’s U.S. Attorney
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse today commended the confirmation of Peter F. Neronha by the United States Senate to be Rhode Island's next U.S. Attorney. Reed and Whitehouse recommended Neronha for the position in May, and President Obama formally nominated him in July. "We applaud the Senate's confirmation of Peter Neronha as Rhode Island's next U.S. Attorney. Mr. Neronha's years of exemplary service in the Attorney General's office and the U.S. Attorney's off… Continue Reading
09.14.09
U.S. Senate Passes Whitehouse Resolution Designating September 26th as National Estuaries Day
Washington, D.C.- The U.S. Senate has passed a bipartisan resolution, authored by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), designating September 26th, 2009 as National Estuaries Day to increase awareness about the importance of healthy estuaries and the need to protect them. "We have seen what unchecked development combined with increasingly severe storms can do to vital coastal regions," said Whitehouse, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee. "Restoring and prote… Continue Reading
09.11.09
Whitehouse Statement on the 8th Anniversary of the September 11th Attacks
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today released the following statement marking the 8th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks: "On the eighth anniversary of the attacks of September 11th, all our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those innocent Americans who lost their lives; with our police, fire, EMT, and rescue workers, who risk so much this and every day; and with the men and women of the United States military, who serve with dedicat… Continue Reading
09.10.09
Reed and Whitehouse Applaud Senate Committee’s Vote to Confirm Neronha as Rhode Island’s U.S. Attorney
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse today commended the Senate Judiciary Committee's vote to confirm Peter F. Neronha as Rhode Island's next U.S. Attorney. Reed and Whitehouse recommended Neronha for the position in May, and President Obama formally nominated him in July. "We applaud the Judiciary Committee's vote to confirm Peter Neronha as Rhode Island's next U.S. Attorney. Mr. Neronha's years of exemplary service in the Attorney General's office and the U.S. A… Continue Reading
