Press Releases
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
02.02.07
Whitehouse: National Intelligence Estimate Confirms Urgent Need for a New Direction in Iraq
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement on today's National Intelligence Estimate, "Prospects for Iraq's Stability: A Challenging Road Ahead." "The National Intelligence Estimate released today makes clear what most Americans already understand: the situation in Iraq is bad and getting worse, and the President's escalation plan offers no lasting solution for the underlying political and … Continue Reading
01.30.07
Whitehouse Highlights Global Warming's Threat to the Ocean State
Washington, D.C. - At the first hearing of the Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works (EPW), U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) offered a uniquely Rhode Island look at the potentially catastrophic effects of global warming. In a presentation drawing on the expertise and insights of Rhode Island's environmental community, Whitehouse demonstrated evidence that climate change is already at work in Rhode Island - from the cherry trees on his own street to devastating t… Continue Reading
01.26.07
Rhode Island to Receive Over $700,000 to Update Medicaid Computer Technology
Washington, D.C. - In an effort to help the Rhode Island state government improve service delivery to Medicaid patients and reduce bureaucracy, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will award the state of Rhode Island $725,253 to update and upgrade its information technology systems. The Medicaid "IT Infrastructure Transformation grant" will be used to help the state improve their record… Continue Reading
01.23.07
Whitehouse on the State of the Union: It's Time for a Real Change in Course
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse released the following statement in response to President George W. Bush's State of the Union address: "Last November, the American people voted for a new direction in Washington. I met thousands of Rhode Islanders who told me we needed change, and tonight, the President had a real opportunity to show he was listening. But I'm concerned that this State of the Union will be like so many others from this President: promises that sound… Continue Reading
01.18.07
Statement of Sheldon Whitehouse on Senate Passage of Ethics Reform Legislation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse tonight released the following statement on the Senate's passage of legislation to reform lobbying and ethics rules: "Last November, Rhode Islanders sent a clear message: it's time to clean up Washington. Today, as its first order of business, the new Democratic Senate delivered on its promise, passing tough ethics reform that will go a long way toward ensuring our government reflects the true will of the American people. Corrupt sp… Continue Reading
01.17.07
Reed & Whitehouse Call for 80% Cut to Global Warming Pollutants by 2050
WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to slow and reverse the devastating effects of global climate change, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) joined with Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), and several of their colleagues in introducing The Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act. The bill calls for an 80% reduction -- compared to 1990 levels -- in global warming pollutants by 2050 and offers the most progressive and comprehensive solution to reduce greenhouse… Continue Reading
01.11.07
Reed, Whitehouse Urge Portugal to Reconsider Potential Closing of Rhode Island Consulate
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) have asked Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates to reconsider the potential closing of Portugal's consulate in Providence. The full text of the letter is below. January 10, 2007 Eng. Jose Socrates Sousa Primeiro Ministro Rue de Imprensa a Estrela 4 1200-888 Lisboa PORTUGAL Dear Mr. Prime Minister: We write regarding the potential closing of the Portuguese consulate … Continue Reading
