Press Releases
Whitehouse Calls for End to Tax Giveaways for Big Oil
Washington, DC - With Rhode Island drivers continuing to feel the pain of rising costs at the pump, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today cosponsored legislation introduced in the Senate to end expensive tax breaks for big oil companies. The Close Big Oil Tax Loopholes Act would end these handouts to the five largest oil companies and use the billions in savings to help reduce our federal deficit. "These companies are doing just fine on their own, making over $33 billion in profit last q… Continue Reading
05.09.11
Reed and Whitehouse: RI Wins $28 Million for High-Speed Rail that FL Turned Down
PROVIDENCE, RI - Florida's loss is now officially Rhode Island's $28 million gain. U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is redirecting $28 million in high-speed rail Recovery Act funds from Florida to the Ocean State after Florida's Governor Rick Scott turned down about $2.4 billion in federal high-speed rail funding. Senators Reed and Whitehouse say the money will be put to good use improving Rhode Is… Continue Reading
05.06.11
Whitehouse Applauds Withdrawal of Challenge to RI Foreclosure Program
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the following statement today regarding Deutsche Bank's decision to withdraw its appeal in its case challenging the legal authority of the Rhode Island Bankruptcy Court to run pre-trial foreclosure mediations: "For Rhode Island homeowners who continue to fight against unfair foreclosures, this is good news," said Whitehouse. "The Rhode Island bankruptcy court's foreclosure mediation program helps distressed families cut through t… Continue Reading
05.05.11
Whitehouse Brings Together RI Environmental and Energy Leaders for Conference in Washington
Washington, DC - Leaders from Rhode Island's environmental and energy communities yesterday had the opportunity to hear directly from federal leaders about policies and proposals that could affect their businesses and organizations in the Ocean State. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse organized the event, which featured discussions with U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, and former White House Chief of Staff John Podesta. "As Rhode Island business owners and adv… Continue Reading
05.04.11
U.S. Senate Votes to Advance Jack McConnell’s Nomination to Federal Judgeship
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Senate today voted 63-33 to advance the nomination of attorney John J. "Jack" McConnell toward an open seat on the U.S. District Court for Rhode Island. After he is confirmed and sworn in as Rhode Island's newest federal judge, McConnell will provide much needed help in taking on a heavy case load of important matters before the District Court in Rhode Island. United States Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, who recommended Mr. McConnell's nomination to Preside… Continue Reading
05.02.11
Whitehouse Statement on Death of Osama bin Laden
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) issued the following statement today regarding President Obama's announcement that Osama bin Laden has been killed by U.S. forces in Pakistan: "Nearly ten years after the terrible events of September 11, 2001, justice has been done. Today I join all Rhode Islanders in thanking the covert and military teams who planned and executed this mission, after years of patient stalking. I hope this provides a turning point in the war against terro… Continue Reading
04.20.11
Whitehouse Discusses Green Jobs with RI Clean Energy Businesses at Johnson and Wales
Providence, RI - Working to bring the next generation of jobs to Rhode Island, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today visited the Small Business Development Center at Johnson and Wales University to discuss his "Green Jobs for RI" initiatives. Whitehouse kicked off his tour yesterday, announcing proposals which would help support Rhode Island jobs in the emerging clean energy economy, while making critical investments in infrastructure and environmental preservation to support growth and prote… Continue Reading
04.19.11
Whitehouse Promotes Plan to Create RI Green Jobs
Providence, RI - With too many Rhode Islanders still struggling to find work, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today announced a plan to help our state attract the jobs of tomorrow while also bolstering traditional industries. Whitehouse's "Green Jobs for RI" plan would help support Rhode Island jobs in the emerging clean energy economy, while making critical investments in infrastructure and environmental preservation to support growth and preserve jobs in tourism and fishing. "The stren… Continue Reading
04.15.11
Senators Introduce Legislation to Improve Middle School Achievement
Washington, DC - With too many American students falling behind as a result of underfunded and overcrowded schools, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) has introduced legislation to help disadvantaged middle grade students reach their full potential. The Success in the Middle Act, cosponsored by Senators Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Al Franken (D-MN), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), would support American children by providing federal grants to help underachieving school systems. "Mid… Continue Reading
04.14.11
Whitehouse, Kyl Introduce Legislation to Enhance Cyber Security
Washington, DC - Cyber attacks on American businesses, consumers, government agencies, and critical infrastructure have dramatically increased in recent years. However, the American people have not been provided appropriate information on the scale and sophistication of the cyber threat and the risks it poses to our national and economic security. To address this problem, U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Jon Kyl (R-AZ) today introduced the Cyber Security Public Awareness Act of 2011, … Continue Reading
04.12.11
Whitehouse: New Health Initiative Would Improve Care and Lower Costs for Patients
Washington, DC - In an effort to reduce medical errors and lower costs for patients, the Obama Administration today launched their new Partnership for Patients initiative. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) offered praise for the new program, which aims to decrease hospital-acquired conditions and improve recoveries to prevent hospital readmissions. "By reducing hospital-acquired infections and costly errors that result in return trips to the hospital, this program can save lives and limit… Continue Reading
04.12.11
Whitehouse Chairs Hearing to Highlight Cyber Threat
Washington, DC - At a hearing held today in the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism, witnesses testified that cyber attacks represent a fast growing threat to national security. Subcommittee Chairman Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), who last year chaired the Senate Intelligence Committee's Cyber Task Force, urged quick action to bolster America's cyber defenses. "These crimes hurt companies' bottom lines, and they kill American jobs, shuttering small businesses by robbing them of the… Continue Reading
04.12.11
Whitehouse Urges Rhode Islanders to Take Advantage of College Tax Credit
Washington, DC - With the April 18 tax filing deadline fast approaching, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse is urging Rhode Islanders to take advantage of the American Opportunity Tax Credit. The credit, which was established by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in 2009, helps cover the cost of higher education for thousands of Rhode Island families. "The influx of millions in tax refunds could provide a helpful boost to Rhode Island families struggling to afford the rising cost of colleg… Continue Reading
04.09.11
Whitehouse Statement on Budget Deal
Providence, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse released the following statement today regarding last night's bipartisan agreement to fund the federal government for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2011: "I'm glad we were able to work together to avert a government shutdown. That said, the cuts in this budget are steep, and will be difficult for Rhode Island families. We still have work ahead to close corporate tax loopholes, reduce subsidies for big oil companies, end tax incentives for shippi… Continue Reading
04.08.11
Whitehouse Pledges to Forego Salary During Shutdown
Washington, DC - With a potential government shutdown looming, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today pledged that he will forego his salary should a shutdown occur. "In the event of a shutdown, I'll continue working hard with my colleagues in the Senate to find a sensible, bipartisan solution," said Whitehouse. "But with millions of workers and servicemembers facing the prospect of going without pay, I believe members of Congress shouldn't get paid." During a shutdown of the federal governmen… Continue Reading
04.07.11
Potential Government Shutdown Forces Whitehouse and Reed to Postpone Military Service Academy Day
WARWICK, RI -Due to the potential government shutdown, U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Jack Reed (D-RI) are postponing the United States Service Academy Day at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) in Warwick on Saturday, April 9th. The senators have already reached out to those students who expressed an interest in attending the event and plan to reschedule it for later this spring. "It is unfortunate the potential government shutdown is forcing us to postp… Continue Reading
04.07.11
Congress Sends 1099 Tax Reporting Fix to Obama
Washington, DC - Rhode Island Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse voted this week to repeal a provision of the health care reform law that imposed new tax filing requirements for small businesses. The provision required all businesses that conduct a transaction with a vendor for more than $600 to file a 1099 tax form. This was intended to increase tax compliance, but could have overly burdened small businesses with paperwork and reporting requirements. "It is important that we support Rho… Continue Reading
04.01.11
At Local Small Business, Whitehouse Advocates Extending Federal Job Growth Program
Providence, RI - As the U.S. Senate continues to debate legislation to reauthorize the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today visited a local small business helped by the programs and called for the continuation of these important job-creating investments. Whitehouse toured the facilities and met with staff at EpiVax, a Providence biotech firm which has received $4.7 million in funding from the SBIR prog… Continue Reading
03.31.11
Judiciary Committee Approves Whitehouse Foreclosure Prevention Bill
Washington, DC - The Senate Judiciary Committee today voted to approve legislation by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) aimed at helping struggling families keep their homes. By a vote of 10 to 8, the committee approved the Limiting Investor and Homeowner Loss in Foreclosure Act (S. 222), which would clarify the authority of bankruptcy courts to run mortgage modification programs. "Too many families in Rhode Island and throughout the country have been hurt by a broken foreclosure system f… Continue Reading
03.30.11
Administration Sending Economic Assessment Team to Point Judith
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today applauded the White House for sending an economic development and assessment team next month to Point Judith to help develop proactive strategies for addressing economic challenges. The federal team will be comprised of personnel from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and other agencies to conduct an analysis of Point Jud… Continue Reading
