Press Releases
Durbin, Whitehouse Seek Additional Information Regarding Justice Department Investigation of Torture Authorizations
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) sent a letter today to the Justice Department, inquiring about an internal investigation of attorneys who provided legal advice regarding waterboarding and other abusive interrogation techniques. Today's letter is in response to revelations that former Justice Department officials Jay Bybee, John Yoo, and Steven Bradbury, the targets of the internal investigation, were given the opport… Continue Reading
03.31.09
Delegation Announces $14.5 Million in Federal Funding for Local Energy Efficiency and Conservation Projects
Washington, DC - Rhode Island's Congressional Delegation today announced that communities throughout the state will receive over $14.5 million in flexible federal funding to improve energy efficiency in building and transportation projects. Funding for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program passed as part of the American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The federal aid may be used by states, cities, towns, and tribes for a host of energy saving activi… Continue Reading
03.27.09
Rhode Island Seniors to Get Boost From Recovery Bill
Washington, D.C. - Vice President Joe Biden has announced that seniors and disabled Americans currently on Social Security or SSI will begin receiving economic recovery payments of $250 each starting in May. In January, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) asked Senate leaders to consider a temporary increase in Social Security benefits as part of the economic recovery legislation, emphasizing that fixed incomes and reliance on costly prescription drugs make older and disabled Americans parti… Continue Reading
03.26.09
Congressional Delegation Announces Federal Funds for RI Veterans
Washington, DC - Rhode Island's Congressional Delegation announced today that $1.4 billion in federal funds will be made available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for veterans and veteran facilities. With these federal funds, the Veterans Administration will make a one-time payment of $250 to eligible veterans. The delegation also announced that the Providence VA Medical Center will receive $11 million for renovations and modernization projects, and the Rhode Island Veterans Ho… Continue Reading
03.26.09
Senate Committee Votes to Prioritize Oceans and Coastal Areas in Federal Budget
Washington, D.C. - The Senate Budget Committee today passed an amendment sponsored by U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) to support investments in America's oceans and coasts as part of the Senate's proposed FY 2010 budget resolution. "For us in the Ocean State, protecting our marine and coastal ecosystems isn't just a priority - it's a mission," said Whitehouse, a member of the budget panel who also sits on the Senate Environment and Public Work… Continue Reading
03.26.09
Whitehouse-Stabenow Budget Amendment Supports Unemployment Assistance and Job-Creating Legislation
Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Budget Committee today passed a bipartisan amendment to the FY 2010 budget resolution, sponsored by U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), supporting additional assistance to the millions of Americans facing unemployment during difficult economic times. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) cosponsored the measure. "For millions of Americans looking for a job today, the challenges seem almost insurmountable," W… Continue Reading
03.26.09
Whitehouse Joins Health, Consumer Advocate Coalition to Push for Health Delivery System Reform
Washington, D.C. - For the millions of Americans battling cancer, diabetes, stroke, or cardiovascular disease, their lives and their health depend on health care that is high-quality, efficient, and cost-effective. But too often in America's health care system, that's not the kind of care they're getting. As momentum builds for comprehensive health care reform, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) helped bring together a coalition of major national health and consumer advocacy organizations … Continue Reading
03.26.09
Feingold, Whitehouse Amendment to Reduce Wasteful Spending Included in Budget
Washington, D.C. - Today, the Senate Budget Committee overwhelmingly supported an amendment to the Senate budget resolution offered by committee members Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) to reduce wasteful spending within the Department of Defense. The Feingold-Whitehouse amendment would redirect $100 million in funds toward reforms like recovering erroneous payments to contractors or restructuring acquisition programs that are at high risk of failing. Accordi… Continue Reading
03.25.09
Kennedy, Kerry, Frank, McGovern, Whitehouse, Reed, Kennedy Commend Passage of Bill to Protect Taunton River Under The National Park Service’s “Wild & Scenic” Program
Washington, DC - Senators Edward M. Kennedy, John F. Kerry, Sheldon Whitehouse and Jack Reed, and Representatives Barney Frank, James P. McGovern and Patrick J. Kennedy today commended the House of Representatives for the passage of legislation to support the protection and community-based management of Taunton River as part of the Wild & Scenic River system. The legislation passed the Senate in January, and will now be sent to President Obama for his signature. Senator Kennedy said, "Taunto… Continue Reading
03.25.09
Kerry, Alexander Introduce Medicare Patient IVIG Access Act to Ease Lifesaving Treatment
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.), a senior member of the Finance Committee, and Lamar Alexander (R - Tenn.), a senior member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today introduced legislation that will allow Medicare beneficiaries to access life-saving treatment for immune system disorders. Senators Ron Wyden (D - Org.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) are original cosponsors. The Medicare Patient IVIG Access Act will protect the s… Continue Reading
03.25.09
Amtrak to Invest $3.4 Million in Federal Funding to Tighten Rail Security, Upgrade Facilities in RI
WASHINGTON, DC - More than $3.4 million in Amtrak funding is coming to Rhode Island for security improvements and facility upgrades, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) announced today. The funding is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which both Senators supported. "Amtrak is a key link for our state's economy to the rest of the Northeast. Ensuring we maintain that connection and have the best possible service is important to Rhode Island's e… Continue Reading
03.24.09
RI Defense Installations Receive Reinvestment Act Funding
WARWICK, R.I. - The Rhode Island Congressional Delegation today announced $15.4 million for military construction and facility improvement projects across the state. The funding is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which all four members of the Delegation supported. "In the short term this federal funding means jobs. In the long term it invests in Rhode Island's military bases and improves operational support for our troops," said U.S. Senator Jack Reed, a member of both the… Continue Reading
03.23.09
Additional Food Stamp Funding Headed to Rhode Island
Washington, D.C. - The Rhode Island Congressional Delegation today joined with the URI Feinstein Center for a Hunger Free America to announce that on April 1, Rhode Islanders receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will receive a boost in their monthly benefits. As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the nearly 100,000 current SNAP recipients will see a permanent increase in their benefits ranging from $2 to $24 per month. SNAP (form… Continue Reading
03.23.09
Whitehouse Praises Confirmation of Lubchenco to Lead NOAA
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today released the following statement praising the Senate's confirmation of Jane Lubchenco to be Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): "The Senate's confirmation of Jane Lubchenco to lead NOAA continues the much needed restoration of science in federal decisionmaking that has begun to take place under President Obama. "Administrator Lubchenko has been especially outspoken on the need for public po… Continue Reading
03.20.09
Reed & Whitehouse Applaud Obama Decision to Extend Liberians Stay in U.S.
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, after the White House announced that President Obama is extending Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) status for the several thousand Liberians who have lived legally in the United States since 1991 and were facing a deportation deadline of March 31, 2009, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) issued the following statement: "I am pleased that President Obama is extending Deferred Enforced Departure for Liberians living legally in the United States. … Continue Reading
03.18.09
Whitehouse Congratulates Rhode Islander Cynthia Giles on EPA Nomination
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, commented today on President Obama's nomination of Cynthia Giles to be the Environmental Protection Agency's Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. Giles currently serves as Vice President and Director of Conservation Law Foundation's Rhode Island Advocacy Center. "I have known and worked with Cynthia for years, and have seen firsthand her le… Continue Reading
03.18.09
Senators Introduce Bill to Protect Elderly from Predators in the Long-Term Care Workforce
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI), Chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) were pleased to introduce today the Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act to prevent those with criminal histories from working within long-term care settings by creating a comprehensive nationwide system of background checks. The legislation would expand a highly successful three-year pilot program, spearheaded by Kohl and authorized under the 2003 Medicare Moderni… Continue Reading
03.18.09
RI to Receive $485K in Federal Aid for Senior Nutrition Assistance
Washington, DC - With rising food costs and the economic downturn increasing demand for senior nutrition services, Rhode Island's Congressional Delegation today announced the state will receive a $485,000 boost for senior nutrition programs under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The federal funds will provide meals to seniors in need of food and restore nutrition services that have been cut. "No one should ever go hungry and this $485,000 in additional federal assist… Continue Reading
03.17.09
In Letters to Administration Officials, Whitehouse Shares Rhode Islanders’ Outrage Over AIG Bonuses
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) wrote today to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and National Economic Council Director Lawrence Summers to convey Rhode Islanders' anger over AIG's recent payment of $165 million in bonuses after the company had received billions in federal aid. "As I travelled across Rhode Island this past weekend, I was greeted at every stop by constituents enraged over AIG's recent payment of $165 million in bonuses to the very scoundrels in its fi… Continue Reading
03.16.09
Whitehouse Renews Push to Support Investments in Distressed Communities
Providence, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) will reintroduce legislation to authorize federal funding for the Community Safety Initiative (CSI), which has led efforts to curb violence and build healthy neighborhoods in Rhode Island by transforming crime-prone properties into affordable housing, successful businesses and community space. Whitehouse made the announcement today at a roundtable meeting with residents and community leaders at the Polish National Home construction site in… Continue Reading
