Press Releases
Whitehouse Statement on Nomination of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement today about President Obama's nomination of Solicitor General Elena Kagan to serve as the next Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court: "Solicitor General Kagan has a reputation for great intellect, legal expertise, and an ability to bridge ideological divides," said Whitehouse, a former U.S. Attorney and Attorney General for Rhode Island. "And, if confirmed,… Continue Reading
05.06.10
Whitehouse Introduces Bill to Increase Funding for Pancreatic Cancer Research
Washington, DC - With survival rates for pancreatic cancer consistently lagging behind other forms of cancer, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today introduced legislation aimed at fighting the disease by increasing funding for research. The Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act (S. 3320) would increase awareness of pancreatic cancer and authorize an NIH grant program to better fund research on prevention, early detection, and treatment. "Pancreatic cancer is a terrible disease wit… Continue Reading
05.06.10
Financial Reform Coalition Urges Support for Whitehouse Measure to Reduce Credit Card Interest Rates and Protect Consumers
Washington, DC - Following last week's introduction by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) of an amendment to address high credit card interest rates, a coalition of more than 200 national and state organizations -- including the AARP, Consumer Federation of America, and Consumers Union -- is urging members of the Senate to support this reform. In a letter dated yesterday, Americans for Financial Reform asked that all Senators support the consumer protections provided by the Whitehouse amend… Continue Reading
05.04.10
Whitehouse Praises Additional $15 Million Grant to Further RI’s Leadership in Health IT
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today joined Vice President Biden and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius as they announced that a Rhode Island nonprofit is one of 15 entities awarded funding to advance the integrated, community-wide use of health information technology. The Rhode Island Quality Institute (RIQI) will receive $15.9 million from the "Beacon Communities" program, established as part of the Recovery Act's overall $18 billio… Continue Reading
04.30.10
Amendment to Wall Street Reform Legislation Would Help Protect Consumers from High Credit Card Rates
Washington, D.C. - As the Senate begins debate on landmark Wall Street reform legislation, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) has filed an amendment to the legislation that would address high credit card interest rates. The amendment would restore to each state its historic power to protect citizens from unscrupulous lenders based in other states. The measure, cosponsored by Senators Cochran, Merkley, Durbin, Sanders, Levin, Burris, Franken, Brown (OH), Menendez, Leahy, Webb, Casey, Wyden,… Continue Reading
04.23.10
Budget Committee Passes Whitehouse Amendments to Budget Resolution
Washington, D.C. - As the U.S. Senate Budget Committee prepared to submit a budget for consideration by the full Senate, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) successfully offered three amendments to address the recent Rhode Island floods, our national debt, and campaign finance abuses by corporations. "As a Member of the Budget Committee, I'm honored to have the opportunity to help craft a budget that includes the priorities of Rhode Islanders," said Whitehouse. The first amendment Whitehous… Continue Reading
04.21.10
Sheldon's Opening Statement at Markup of FY 2011 Senate Budget Resolution
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to begin by applauding your continued leadership as our nation begins to recover from the worst economic downturn of our lifetimes. I also wish to wish ranking member Gregg well on his last budget procedure. We will miss you. Thirteen months ago, when we met in this room to consider the budget resolution for the current fiscal year, our economy was in peril. Unemployment was climbing up to 700,000 lost by Americans every month, the stock market had plummeted to a… Continue Reading
04.20.10
Sheldon's Earth Day Webcast
As the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day approaches, I wanted to let you know about a webcast I'll be hosting to mark this important day. On Thursday, April 22nd, at 9:30 a.m., I'll host a live video webcast to answer your questions on environmental, climate, and energy issues. I'm eager to hear about what environmental issues are most important to you, and to help answer any questions you may have about environmental policy. One issue that I would like to discuss is climate change. As a member of … Continue Reading
04.19.10
Whitehouse Applauds Nomination of Dr. Berwick to Head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today commended President Obama's nomination of Dr. Donald M. Berwick to be the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a division of the Department of Health and Human Services. "I'm delighted that the president has nominated Dr. Don Berwick to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This is a strong sign of President Obama's commitment to reform of our outmoded health care delivery system. I loo… Continue Reading
04.16.10
Whitehouse Visits Pawtucket Business Helped by Federal Recovery Act Loan Program
Pawtucket, RI - As Rhode Island continues struggling in the wake of last year's recession, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today visited a local business that received a $300,000 loan made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Colonial Mills, Inc., a braided rug manufacturer in Pawtucket, received the funding through a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan program enhanced by provisions in the Recovery Act. "Small businesses are the lifeblood of the Rhode… Continue Reading
04.14.10
Reed, Whitehouse Urge Republicans to Stop Obstructing Flood Insurance Extension
WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to ensure Rhode Islanders have full access to disaster relief provided by federal flood insurance, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today joined with Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) calling for Republicans to stop blocking passage of critical legislation reauthorizing the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through May 31st. The NFIP expired March 28th due to Republican obstruction of a measure that also includes a short-term extension o… Continue Reading
04.14.10
Whitehouse Holds “Tele-Town Hall” to Answer RI Questions on Flood Assistance
Washington, DC - On Friday, April 9th, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) hosted a "tele-town hall" meeting with Rhode Islanders to answer questions about federal assistance for flood victims. Whitehouse was joined on the call by representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RI EMA), and the Small Business Administration (SBA). "From the very beginning of this disaster, I have been out touring damaged areas, assessing the mag… Continue Reading
04.01.10
RI Delegation Urges Obama Administration to Take Additional Steps to Help RI Recover From Flooding
PROVIDENCE, RI - In advance of U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Napolitano's visit to Rhode Island tomorrow, the Congressional delegation today sent her a letter urging the Administration to extend the existing major disaster declaration to the entire state, including Bristol County. The delegation is also urging the Administration to speed economic assistance to the state for sorely needed public infrastructure rehabilitation. They urged the Secretary to help ensure that F… Continue Reading
03.31.10
Flood Disaster Assistance and Recovery Information
Following the major flooding in March, 2010, President Obama declared Rhode Island a federal disaster area. This declaration authorized the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide federal assistance to Rhode Island residents and businesses impacted by the flooding. Currently, Rhode Islanders are eligible for several types of assistance, including grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals … Continue Reading
03.30.10
Reed & Whitehouse Urge Obama Administration to Expand Disaster Declaration for RI
PROVIDENCE, RI - In an effort to help Rhode Island families and businesses devastated by historic flooding, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today sent a letter to President Obama urging him to expand his federal disaster proclamation to cover the entire state and increase federal disaster assistance to both the public and individuals. Yesterday, after requests from the Senators and Governor Carcieri, the Obama Administration declared Kent, Newport, Providence and Wa… Continue Reading
03.29.10
Whitehouse Convenes Senate Committee Field Briefing to Track Recovery Act Job Creation
Providence, RI - A field briefing hosted by the Oversight Subcommittee of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which is chaired by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, today examined the impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) on the economy and environment in Rhode Island. Entitled "Recovery Act Investments in Rhode Island: Creating Jobs, Protecting our Environment, and Upgrading Infrastructure," the briefing heard from a number of Rhode Islanders who are utilizing Reco… Continue Reading
03.29.10
RI to Receive $43 Million in Federal Aid for “Hardest Hit” Housing Fund
WASHINGTON, DC -- At the request of U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), the Obama Administration today announced they are expanding their "Hardest Hit" federal housing aid program to Rhode Island, providing an additional $43 million in foreclosure prevention funding throughout the state. The Hardest-Hit Fund is a flexible source of federal aid that may be used by housing finance agencies to help protect neighborhood home values, assist "underwater" borrowers who owe mo… Continue Reading
03.27.10
Whitehouse Condemns GOP Obstruction on Unemployment Insurance Extension
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the following statement today regarding objections by Senate Republicans to extending unemployment insurance benefits and COBRA health insurance subsidies for Americans still struggling in the wake of the recession: "I've heard countless stories from people throughout the state who have been out of work far too long through no fault of their own, and for them extended unemployment benefits and COBRA health insurance subsidies ha… Continue Reading
03.25.10
Whitehouse Applauds Interim Rule for E-Prescribing of Controlled Substances
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) issued the following statement regarding yesterday's interim rule for electronic prescribing of controlled substances issued by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ): "Allowing for electronic prescribing of controlled substances - while maintaining rigorous controls to prevent illegal diversion and protect privacy - is key to unleashing the vast cost saving and quality improvement potential o… Continue Reading
03.23.10
Whitehouse: Today was a Victory for Rhode Islanders Hurting from Broken Health Care System
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse released the following statement after attending today's ceremony at the White House at which President Obama signed landmark health care reform legislation into law: "After more than a year of vigorous debate, and after hearing from thousands of Rhode Islanders through my online storyboard, at community dinners, and at meetings throughout the state about how the health care status quo was failing them, it was an honor to join President Obama at … Continue Reading
