Press Releases
Senators: Pruitt Conflicts, Industry Capture of Trump Administration Renders EPA’s Proposed Methane Rule Invalid
Washington, DC - Former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt lacked a sufficiently open mind to legally preside over changes to vital protections against the powerful greenhouse gas methane; his involvement in the proposal to tear down those protections violated federal ethics rules; and that proposal amounts to an egregious hand-over of an agency's rulemaking authority to an industry the same agency regulates. That is what Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chris V… Continue Reading
12.17.18
Bill to Name Saunderstown Post Office for Fallen Army Captain Matthew J. August Gets Trump’s Stamp of Approval
Washington, DC - A bill to name the U.S. Postal Service facility located at 20 Ferry Road in Saunderstown, Rhode Island, as the "Captain Matthew J. August Post Office," after a North Kingstown native killed in action in Iraq, has been signed into law by President Trump. Rhode Island native Matthew J. August, a decorated U.S. Army Captain, was killed on January 27, 2004 while leading the 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Infantry Division attached to the 82nd Airborne on a mission outside Baghdad, Ira… Continue Reading
12.17.18
Senators Whitehouse and Markey: Trump Administration is the Most Anti-Climate, Anti-Environment in American History
Washington, DC - Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Chairs of the Senate Climate Change Task Force, today released a report detailing the numerous anti-climate and anti-environment actions the federal government has taken since President Trump took office. The agency-by-agency review reveals how key federal agencies, taking cues from the fossil fuel industry, have rolled back almost 50 critical Obama-era actions and advocated for the expansion of oil, gas, and c… Continue Reading
12.17.18
Whitehouse, Cicilline Mark Passage of Landmark Juvenile Justice Legislation
Pawtucket, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI) today joined children's advocates and young adults who interacted with the juvenile justice system to mark the passage of the landmark Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2018. The reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act was sponsored in the Senate by Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Charles Grassley (R-IA) to secure new protections fo… Continue Reading
12.14.18
Whitehouse Statement on Texas Ruling Striking Down ACA
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, released the following statement on the ruling tonight by a federal judge in Texas striking down the Affordable Care Act: "Republicans' legal crusade against the Affordable Care Act is a political stunt, but a dangerous one that puts health coverage and vital health protections for millions of Americans at risk. Tonight's ruling won't take effect immediately, and the Texas judge is far from the l… Continue Reading
12.14.18
Senators Whitehouse, Reed, Markey, and Warren Urge Consensus Between the Offshore Wind and Fishing Industries
Providence, RI - Today, Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) sent a letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) urging the agency to continue to adopt policies for the offshore wind leasing and permitting process that bring fishermen and other marine stakeholders into the conversation early in order to minimize spatial conflicts and reduce the risk of economic harm to the fishing industry. As wind developers lease … Continue Reading
12.13.18
Federal Grant Boosts East Providence Waterfront District
Washington, DC - The growing business district along East Providence's waterfront today received a significant boost as U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressman David Cicilline announced a $144,410 grant from the U.S. Economic Development Agency to improve traffic flow in the area. The previously industrial Waterfront District is poised to attract additional private investment and grow the local economy. "This is excellent news for East Providence and the whole state," sa… Continue Reading
12.12.18
Whitehouse Applauds Protection of SNAP, Aquaculture Provision in 2018 Farm Bill
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse applauded passage in the Senate yesterday of the 2018 farm bill conference report, which protects Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and includes a provision Whitehouse advocated for to support the growth of the aquaculture industry. The version of the legislation approved by the Senate does not include provisions from the House version of the bill that would have expanded the program's work requirements to older Americans… Continue Reading
12.11.18
Senate Passes Bipartisan Juvenile Justice Bill
Washington, DC - The Senate this evening unanimously passed the bipartisan Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2018, authored by Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Charles Grassley (R-IA), to secure new protections for youth in the federal juvenile justice grant program. "Senator Grassley and I have been fighting for years to update our juvenile justice protections to do a better job getting kids back on track and out of the system for good," said Whitehouse. … Continue Reading
12.07.18
Whitehouse Statement on Barr
Providence, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement today on the nomination of William Barr for Attorney General: "Barr is an experienced and able lawyer. I will have questions about his record and positions on pressing issues facing the Department of Justice, particularly his willingness to defend the Department's investigations-including Bob Mueller's-now looking at the Trumps and Trump cronies. Barr's strange… Continue Reading
12.06.18
Whitehouse Joins Fellow DOJ Alums in Call to Replace Whitaker
Washington, DC - Today, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a former U.S. Attorney, announced he has joined hundreds of fellow Department of Justice alumni in a statement outlining the threat posed by the appointment of Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker. The statement calls on President Donald Trump to appoint a replacement swiftly, and for the Senate to demand the chance to exercise its Constitutional duty of advice and consent. Upon joinin… Continue Reading
12.06.18
Whitehouse Slams EPA Rollback of Air Pollution Standard
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following statement on the Environmental Protection Agency's proposal released today to ease emissions standards for new fossil fuel-fired power plants: "This proposal is another illegal attempt by the Trump administration to prop up an industry already buckling under the powerful force of the free market. Easing the new source performance standard does nothing… Continue Reading
12.06.18
Social Enterprise Greenhouse Wins EDA Funding for Statewide Expansion
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline today announced that Providence-based social impact business incubator Social Enterprise Greenhouse (SEG) has won a $257,321 competitive grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to grow the organization's footprint in Pawtucket, Central Falls, and Newport. The expansion will provide support to a more diverse population of social entrepreneurs as they create jobs and grow Rhode … Continue Reading
12.06.18
Whitehouse Applauds $20 Million Grant to Rebuild Pell Bridge Ramps
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today applauded the news that the state of Rhode Island has been awarded $20 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to rebuild the ramps leading to the Pell Bridge from Aquidneck Island. The Pell Bridge, which spans Narragansett Bay to connect Newport and Jamestown, is nearly fifty years old. "The Pell Bridge is one of Rhode Island's most iconic structures," said Whitehouse, who advocated for the grant. "I'm thrilled to help d… Continue Reading
12.04.18
Senators Press Justice Department on Whitaker, Benczkowski Conflicts of Interest
Washington, DC - Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chris Coons (D-DE), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Kamala Harris (D-CA) asked the Department of Justice today to detail its handling of the serious financial, professional, and political conflicts of interest of Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker and Assistant Attorney General for the Crimina… Continue Reading
12.01.18
Whitehouse Statement on Death of George H.W. Bush
Newport, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the following statement on the passing of the 41st President, George H.W. Bush: "Today I join all Americans in remembering the life and legacy of President Bush, who served his country in uniform and in office. Sandra and I wish peace and comfort for the Bush family as they bid him farewell." ###… Continue Reading
11.29.18
Whitehouse Statement on Budget Process Overhaul Vote
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a senior member of the Senate Budget Committee, released the following statement on today's vote in the Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform on the panel's proposal to overhaul Congress's budgeting and appropriations processes: "I take heart that the 'aye' and 'present' votes today were sufficient to pass our bipartisan, bicameral reform and move it forward, had there been an avenue for a Senate floor vote in the … Continue Reading
11.28.18
Whitehouse Signals Support for Yemen Resolution
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the following statement regarding a Senate resolution directing the Trump administration to remove U.S. military forces from the Saudi-led war in Yemen, which is expected for a vote before week's end: "The humanitarian crisis in Yemen continues to worsen. Saudi Arabia continues to take actions that undermine confidence-not only with the brazen murder of Jamal Khashoggi, but in its continuing disregard for innocent human life in Y… Continue Reading
11.27.18
Whitehouse Applauds Introduction of Bipartisan House Carbon Fee Bill
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a senior member of the Environment and Public Works Committee and a champion of carbon fee legislation in the Senate, released the following statement on the carbon pricing proposal released today by U.S. Representatives Ted Deutch (D-FL), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Tom Rooney (R-FL), John Delaney (D-MD), and Charlie Crist (D-FL): "The introduction of this bipartisan legislation is an important step. Virtually every serious economist who has c… Continue Reading
11.21.18
Whitehouse Calls for Investigation into Possible Hatch Act Violations by Acting AG Whitaker
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a former federal prosecutor, asked the Office of Special Counsel today to investigate possible violations of the Hatch Act by then-chief of staff to the Attorney General, Matthew Whitaker. Disclosures to the Federal Election Commission show that in 2018, while serving in the high-ranking role at the Department of Justice before his appointment as Acting Attorney General, Whitaker received thousand… Continue Reading
