Press Releases
Whitehouse Backs Senate Effort to Strengthen Hate Crime Statute
Washington, D.C. - Citing the need to give local law enforcement stronger tools to prosecute hate crimes, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today added his support to new legislation that will include sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and disability status as part of the federal hate crimes statute. "Crimes of hate are unacceptable and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," said Whitehouse. "I'm proud to … Continue Reading
04.11.07
In Meeting with Bush, Whitehouse Urges New Direction in Iraq
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) met with President Bush today to share firsthand the concerns of thousands of Rhode Islanders who believe we need a change of course in Iraq. Whitehouse recently traveled to Iraq as a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. "Rhode Islanders, and people throughout the country, have sent a clear message to this administration: it's time for a new direction in Iraq," Whitehouse said. "Today, I had the chance t… Continue Reading
04.10.07
Whitehouse Shares Westerly Girl's Story in Push for Stem Cell Research
Washington, D.C. - Sharing the story of Lila Barber, a 12 year old girl from Westerly, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) today illustrated the hope stem cell research can offer in a speech on the Senate floor in favor of legislation to expand federal funding for stem cell research. Whitehouse met Lila two weeks ago. She was diagnosed two years ago with osteosarcoma, a cancerous bone condition, and last year underwent cadaver bone transplant surgery. The procedure saved her leg and… Continue Reading
04.06.07
Whitehouse, in Charlestown, Speaks Out for Conservation
Providence, R.I. - Emphasizing the importance of preserving Rhode Island's wilderness spaces, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) visited the Kettle Pond Visitor Center and YMCA Camp Watchaug this week to learn more about the sites and discuss ways to help them grow. "Our open spaces and our wilderness spaces are under more pressure than almost anywhere," said Whitehouse, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee. "It merits, and will take, a significa… Continue Reading
04.05.07
Whitehouse Tours Hispanic Small Businesses
Providence, R.I. - Tuesday, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), a member of the Senate Democratic Hispanic Task Force, toured Hispanic small businesses on Providence's Broad Street. The tour gave Whitehouse an opportunity to meet directly with constituents and hear from them about the issues on their minds, from the war in Iraq to securing a better education for young people in the community. "I look forward to continuing to work with the vibrant and growing Latino community i… Continue Reading
04.03.07
Whitehouse Raises Awareness of Tax Relief for Working Families
Providence, R.I.- With the income tax filing deadline just two weeks away, today U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) joined the John Hope Settlement House and representatives from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to offer free tax preparation assistance and advice to working families. The event was driven by an effort to raise awareness of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which last year went unclaimed by more than 13,000 eligible Rhode Islanders. "Working families have earned these … Continue Reading
03.29.07
Senate Passes Bill Requiring Redeployment from Iraq
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) voted with a majority of the Senate today to pass legislation that would compel President Bush to begin redeploying American troops from Iraq within four months, with a goal of having all combat troops out of the country by March 31, 2008. "The Senate has heard the concerns and deep dissatisfaction of the American people at our course in Iraq, and we have committed to a new direction," Whitehouse said. "When I was in Iraq a few weeks a… Continue Reading
03.27.07
Whitehouse Joins Decisive Senate Vote Setting Date for Iraq Redeployment
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) today joined a majority of the Senate to pass a budget that forestalls deep cuts proposed by President Bush and increases funding for critical national priorities such as health care for children and veterans. Senate Concurrent Resolution 21 passed this afternoon by a vote of 52-47. "The Senate passed a budget that puts the needs of working families first," Whitehouse said. "The budget proposed by the President serves the wealthiest Am… Continue Reading
03.23.07
Whitehouse Votes to Pass Budget that Funds America's Priorities
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) today joined a majority of the Senate to pass a budget that forestalls deep cuts proposed by President Bush and increases funding for critical national priorities such as health care for children and veterans. Senate Concurrent Resolution 21 passed this afternoon by a vote of 52-47. "The Senate passed a budget that puts the needs of working families first," Whitehouse said. "The budget proposed by the President serves the wealthiest Am… Continue Reading
03.22.07
Whitehouse Votes to Authorize Subpoenas for Rove, Others in Probe of U.S. Attorney Firings
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) today voted to authorize the Senate Judiciary Committee to issue subpoenas to compel Karl Rove and several other Bush administration officials to testify on the controversial firings of eight U.S. Attorneys late last year. Whitehouse, a former U.S. Attorney of Rhode Island, sits on the Judiciary Committee and has been actively involved in the Senate's investigation of the firings. "It's important that America hear from… Continue Reading
03.20.07
Reed, Whitehouse Introduce Legislation to Help Rhode Island Federal Workers
WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to ensure that Rhode Island's federal employees receive equal pay for equal work, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today introduced legislation to include Rhode Island in the Boston federal wage area. The Rhode Island Federal Worker Fairness Act of 2007 would merge the Narragansett Bay wage area with the Boston, Massachusetts wage area to provide Rhode Island federal wage workers with pay equity in the region. "Each year, Rho… Continue Reading
03.20.07
Former U.S. Attorney Whitehouse Praises Legislation to Reverse Politicization of U.S. Attorneys' Offices
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), who served as U.S. Attorney for Rhode Island from 1994-1998, voted today in support of legislation to close the loophole used by the Bush administration as part of its efforts to fire several U.S. Attorneys last year, a move widely criticized as having been motivated by partisan politics rather than genuine concerns over the job performance of the prosecutors involved. "My experience firmly convinces me that the administration of just… Continue Reading
03.17.07
Whitehouse Travels to Iraq on Senate Fact-Finding Mission
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) is in Iraq this weekend to assess the situation on the ground there as part of an official congressional delegation visit. Whitehouse and his colleagues will participate in meetings with soldiers, military leaders, and Iraqi officials. During their return trip, the group plans to visit the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, where soldiers who have been injured in Iraq and Afghanistan receive treatment. The facility is located near Rams… Continue Reading
03.15.07
Whitehouse Health IT Amendment Passes in Budget Committee with Bipartisan Support
Washington, D.C. - The Senate Budget Committee today unanimously adopted a bipartisan measure proposed by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) supporting the adoption of modern health information technology and accepted best practices in clinical settings. Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wisc.), Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), and Senator John Ensign (R-Nev.) cosponsored the measure, which was reported to the full Senate this afternoon as part of the Senate budget … Continue Reading
03.08.07
Whitehouse Cosponsors Democratic Joint Resolution to Bring Troops Home from Iraq
Washington, D.C. - In a major step toward a change of course in Iraq, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) today joined Senate Democratic leaders in announcing a new consensus measure that would aim to redeploy combat forces from Iraq by March 31, 2008. The proposed joint resolution, which Whitehouse cosponsored, calls for President Bush to transition the mission for U.S. forces in Iraq, beginning their phased redeployment no later than 120 days after the resolution's enactment. … Continue Reading
03.07.07
Whitehouse Joins Senate Democratic Hispanic Task Force
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) last week joined the Senate Democratic Hispanic Task Force, chaired by Senator Ken Salazar (D-Colo.) and Senator Robert Menendez (D-N.J.). The task force has focused on strengthening relationships with Hispanic leaders and ensuring the issues that matter most to Latinos, including improved access to higher education and health care, are top legislative priorities in the Senate. "No family should have to wonder whether they'l… Continue Reading
03.02.07
Hendricken Student Meets Whitehouse in Washington
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) met this week with Mauri Dimeo, a sophomore at Bishop Hendricken High School, who was visiting Washington as part of the National Young Leaders Conference (NYLC). Dimeo, of Scituate, met with Whitehouse in his Senate office, and discussed his time in Washington thus far and his interests. "It is wonderful to see a young Rhode Islander who is already determined to make positive contributions to our country," said Whitehouse. The NYLC … Continue Reading
03.02.07
Whitehouse Meets with Portsmouth High School Students
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) met this week with ten Portsmouth High School students as part of their participation with the national Close Up Foundation. The students, sophomores through seniors, had been in Washington since Sunday for the Foundation's week-long learning adventure designed to develop the students' knowledge and interest in civics. They were accompanied by Joe Cassady, a Portsmouth High School social studies teacher, on the trip. They met with Sena… Continue Reading
02.28.07
Former U.S. Attorney Whitehouse Protests Firings of Federal Prosecutors
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), a former U.S. Attorney for Rhode Island, spoke out on the Senate floor this afternoon to protest the Bush administration's unprecedented firings of several U.S. Attorneys. Whitehouse was appointed U.S. Attorney by President Bill Clinton and served in that office from 1994-1998. "These men and women had been confirmed by the Senate, and the majority had been recognized by the Justice Department as well-qualified and performing admirabl… Continue Reading
02.26.07
Whitehouse to New Orleans: We Have Not Forgotten You
New Orleans, La. - Vibrant coastal cities from Louisiana to Rhode Island are still at great risk from major natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina unless we strengthen the infrastructure that shields them, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) said today. Whitehouse traveled to New Orleans with Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and a delegation of members of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee for a field hearing to study comprehensive approaches to coastal wetlands rest… Continue Reading
