Press Releases
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
09.20.10
Over $13 Million in New Federal CDBG Funds to Boost RI Flood Recovery
CRANSTON, RI - In an effort to provide further relief to cities and towns in Rhode Island still trying to rebuild from the severe flooding last March, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse today joined with Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian; Cranston Mayor Allan W. Fung; Providence Mayor David Cicilline; and Johnston Mayor Joseph M. Polisena to announce over $13 million in federal funding that will help communities that were affected by flooding rebuild and alleviate financial burdens on ta… Continue Reading
09.16.10
Whitehouse Praises Senate’s Passage of Small Business Bill
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) issued the following statement today after the U.S. Senate passed the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010: "Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, but many still struggle in the wake of the recession. I've heard stories from many Rhode Island small businesses struggling to maintain sales, keep their business going, and find needed capital. "The Small Business Jobs and Credit Act we passed today will help with tax cuts f… Continue Reading
09.13.10
RI Awarded $21.7 Million Grant to Boost Broadband Network
WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to improve broadband speed and services, Rhode Island's Congressional delegation today announced that Rhode Island has been awarded a $21.7 million federal Recovery Act grant to offer affordable middle-mile broadband service in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Rhode Island's Ocean State Higher Education Economic Development Administration Network (OSHEAN) will use this federal funding to improve broadband access for as many as 50 community institutions and expand hi… Continue Reading
09.11.10
Whitehouse Statement on the 9th Anniversary of the September 11th Attacks
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today released the following statement marking the 9th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks: "On this ninth anniversary of the September 11th attacks my thoughts and prayers are with the families of those lost on that tragic day, and with our servicemembers who continue the fight against Islamic extremists. "Today, as we honor the memories of friends and heroes who fell on 9/11, we should also recall the unity and patriotism wh… Continue Reading
09.08.10
Congressional Delegation Announces $287K Grant for RI Department of Corrections
Providence, RI - Rhode Island's congressional delegation today announced that the Rhode Island Department of Corrections has received a $287,574 federal grant to improve substance abuse treatment programs for incarcerated inmates, provide offenders the tools and skills needed to reenter society, and offer support services for their children and other family members. "This funding provides the necessary resources so that criminal offenders will have a better chance to successfully reenter societ… Continue Reading
09.03.10
Coast Guard Denies Weaver’s Cove LNG Appeal
PROVIDENCE, RI - The U.S. Coast Guard today announced that it has denied Weaver's Cove Energy's appeal and affirmed that the waterway is navigationally unsuitable for LNG shipments into a land-based Fall River facility. This ruling upholds previous Coast Guard decisions handed down in 2007 and 2008, effectively blocking a proposed Liquefied Natural Gas terminal. A separate proposal from the company is still under appeal for a proposed "offshore" berth in Mount Hope Bay. U.S. Senators Jack Ree… Continue Reading
09.03.10
RI Cities and Towns to Receive Additional Relief from NRCS for Flood Recovery Projects
Providence, RI - Rhode Island's cities and towns working to rebuild in the wake of the March floods will be getting much needed relief from the costs of some repairs. As a result of a provision included by the Senate in the Fiscal Year 2010 Supplemental Appropriations bill, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will reduce the standard 25% non-federal match requirement to 10%. At least 12 Rhode Island cities and towns will benefit from this cost-sha… Continue Reading
08.24.10
Whitehouse Statement on Race to the Top Funding Announcement
Providence, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse released the following statement today following the announcement that Rhode Island has been selected as a recipient of federal funding through the "Race to the Top" program, which was established by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: "The greatest investment we as a nation can make is in our children and their future," said Senator Whitehouse. "Rhode Island's selection as a recipient of federal 'Race to the Top' education funds is a tes… Continue Reading
08.19.10
Whitehouse Statement on End of Combat Mission in Iraq
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse released the following statement today regarding the withdrawal of our last combat troops from Iraq: "When I ran for the Senate in 2006, our country was mired in a misguided war in Iraq made worse by a strategy that failed to help the Iraqi people stand up on their own. In 2009, President Obama responded to those of us who had long advocated for an end to this war by establishing a clear plan to bring our troops home. "Today's news that our last… Continue Reading
08.12.10
RI to Receive Over $2.26 Million in Federal Funds to Help Repair Route 95 Bridge
Providence, RI - U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse today announced that Rhode Island will receive a $2,266,200 federal appropriation to help repair the Pawtucket River Bridge on I-95. Reed and Whitehouse secured the funding in the Fiscal Year 2010 Appropriations bill. They also secured $1.9 million for the bridge in 2009. In 2007, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) found the bridge's steel beams and other supports were deteriorating and put a 22-ton weight limi… Continue Reading
08.11.10
Rhode Island Appropriations Requests
Financial Services and General Government Recipient: Aquidneck Island Planning Commission Project: Advancing Economic Opportunities for Aquidneck Island Location: Newport, Rhode Island Amount: $308,000 Purpose: The Aquidneck Island Planning Commission, which helps stakeholders to coordinate economic and infrastructure development, requests funding to facilitate planning among town councils, town managers, planners, tribal leaders, state agencies, and residents in the island's three municipa… Continue Reading
08.05.10
Whitehouse Praises Senate’s Confirmation of Kagan
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) issued the following statement today after the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Solicitor General Elena Kagan to be the next Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court: "I was proud to vote to confirm Elena Kagan to serve on the Supreme Court. As her confirmation hearing made clear, Kagan has deep legal expertise and understands the proper role of a judge in our system of divided government. I look forward to her admirable service for many ye… Continue Reading
08.05.10
Whitehouse Introduces Legislation to Improve Mental Health Care
Washington, DC - Last year, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) made an unprecedented investment in our medical infrastructure, providing almost $20 billion in incentive funds for health information technology. This long term investment will enhance the efficiency, cost effectiveness, and quality of health care. However, an important group of health care providers were excluded from these incentives: behavioral health, mental health, and substance abuse treatment professionals a… Continue Reading
08.03.10
Whitehouse Introduces Legislation to Help Small Businesses Stay Afloat and Retain Jobs
Washington, DC - With small businesses in Rhode Island and across the country struggling in the wake of the recession, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) has introduced legislation to improve their chances of staying open. Whitehouse's Small Business Job Preservation Act of 2010 would ensure that small businesses forced to declare bankruptcy have fair opportunities to reorganize and avoid layoffs. Chapter 11, the process under which big companies reorganize in bankruptcy, is too costly for … Continue Reading
