Press Releases
Whitehouse Condemns Republican Blockade of John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement today on Senate Republicans' refusal to advance the bipartisan John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021: "From the Edmund Pettus Bridge to the halls of Congress, John Lewis devoted his life to defending the most fundamental of American rights-the vote. The Senate could have moved today to consider bipartisan legislation to carry forward Congressman L… Continue Reading
11.03.21
Whitehouse, Baldwin Introduce Legislation to Address Supply Chain Disruptions and Support Made In America Production
Washington, D.C. - As ongoing pandemic-related supply chain disruptions affect businesses and consumers, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) has joined U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) in introducing new legislation to support the flow of commerce. The Supply Chain Resiliency Act will alleviate current supply chain bottlenecks and prevent future disruptions by investing in American companies to reduce reliance on long supply chains and ensure that essential products are made in America. "We… Continue Reading
11.02.21
Whitehouse & Tillis Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Fight Foreign Corruption
Washington, DC - Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), both members of the Helsinki Commission, today introduced the bipartisan Foreign Extortion Prevention Act to combat kleptocracy and corruption by criminalizing bribery demands by foreign officials. "Kleptocrats and criminals will seize on any opportunity to extort American businesses, enrich themselves, and undermine our national security," said Whitehouse. "It's illegal for an American business to pay a bribe abroad; t… Continue Reading
11.01.21
Whitehouse Statement on SCOTUS Oral Arguments in Texas Abortion Cases
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Courts Subcommittee, released the following statement on the Supreme Court's oral arguments today in two cases related to the Texas abortion law, S.B.8. "Big Republican donors built the Court's 6-3 majority to deliver on unpopular right-wing priorities, like striking down women's constitutional right to abortion. The abortion cases before the Court this fall offer the Justices a clear opportunity to accomplish … Continue Reading
10.29.21
New Build Back Better Bill Includes Key Whitehouse Tax Priorities
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chair of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight, applauded new legislation to deliver on President Biden's Build Back Better agenda that includes a number of Whitehouse's tax priorities. Over a quarter of the revenue generated by the bill - roughly $520 billion - comes from provisions based on Whitehouse tax proposals. A version of Whitehouse's fee on harmful methane pollution is also in the bill. So too are other key Whi… Continue Reading
10.28.21
Whitehouse Applauds Job-Creating Investments in RI Families Included in Build Back Better Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today applauded the Build Back Better Act released today, citing $1.85 trillion in job-creating investments that will make a difference in the lives of everyday Rhode Island families. Whitehouse issued the following statement: "Rhode Islanders will quickly see real improvements in their lives once Democrats pass the Build Back Better Act. Our bill will: Support working parents and kids by providing free universal preschool, preserving the re… Continue Reading
10.26.21
Yale Law Journal Publishes Whitehouse Essay on Flood of Briefs Influencing Supreme Court in Favor of Special Interests
READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE Washington, DC - The Yale Law Journal has published an essay by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Courts Subcommittee, on anonymous special interests' use of amicus curiae - or "friend of the court" - briefs to lobby the courts for their preferred judicial outcomes. The article shows how the Supreme Court and other appellate courts' funding-disclosure rules for filers of amicus briefs undermine basic fairness, and discusses potential imp… Continue Reading
10.26.21
Senate Democrats Release New Captured Courts Report on One-Year Anniversary of Barrett Confirmation Showing String of Wins for Right-Wing Donor Interests
READ THE NEW REPORT HERE Washington, DC - Senate Democrats - led by Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC) Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Senate Judiciary Courts Subcommittee Chairman Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) - released a new Captured Courts report examining the record of the new 6-3 Republican-appointed majority on the Supreme Court. In the year since Senate Republicans rushed Justice Amy Coney Barrett onto the Court while voting w… Continue Reading
10.25.21
Whitehouse Encourages Eligible Rhode Islanders to Apply for Revamped Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse is inviting Rhode Islanders eligible for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program - including teachers, veterans, firefighters, and nonprofit employees - to contact his office for assistance navigating new changes to the program. "While the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program was well-intentioned, the federal government's poor execution amounts to a broken promise to thousands of Rhode Islanders," said Whitehouse. "Under Presiden… Continue Reading
10.20.21
Whitehouse Blasts Republican Vote to Protect Dark Money, Restrict Voting Rights
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, author of the DISCLOSE Act to rid American democracy of anonymous dark-money influence, released the following statement on Senate Republicans' vote moments ago to block Senate debate on the Freedom to Vote Act-a bill containing the DISCLOSE Act and a range of important voter protections. "Today, Republicans had a shot to rid our politics of the dark-money influence that Americans hate, and to stand up for basic voting rights. Instead, they again sid… Continue Reading
10.19.21
Whitehouse Introduces Resolution Declaring October 2021 ‘National Youth Justice Action Month’
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) introduced in the Senate today a bicameral, bipartisan resolution declaring October 2021 "National Youth Justice Action Month." The resolution acknowledges the possible collateral consequences that youth under 18 face when they are treated like adults, and encourages the Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to implement fully Whitehouse's Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2018. Representatives Tony Cá… Continue Reading
10.15.21
Whitehouse Statement on SCOTUS Commission Interim Report
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Courts Subcommittee, released the following statement regarding the interim report of the Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States: "This report is a disappointment to anyone who'd hoped for a hard-hitting effort to address the Supreme Court's deep troubles. From this report, you would never know: (a) that the last three Supreme Court vacancies were filled through the efforts of a private… Continue Reading
10.08.21
Whitehouse Applauds Global Deal to Address Offshore Corporate Tax Avoidance
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chair of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight, applauded the major reform of the international tax system led by the Biden administration and signed today by more than 130 countries. The deal establishes a 15 percent minimum corporate tax rate and requires major global businesses to pay taxes in countries where their goods or services are sold. Whitehouse issued the following statement. "This historic global agreement … Continue Reading
10.07.21
Whitehouse, Inhofe Reintroduce RIME Act to Help Manufacturers Train Next Generation Workforce
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) reintroduced a bipartisan proposal to help small businesses equip the next generation of manufacturers with the technical skills required for the job. The Retain Innovation and Manufacturing Excellence (RIME) Act would establish a pilot program to allow businesses to retain retiring employees long enough to train a replacement and transfer their institutional knowledge - tackling a growing challenge for manuf… Continue Reading
10.07.21
Whitehouse Statement on New Report Detailing Trump & Allies’ Pressure on Department of Justice to Overturn the 2020 Election
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on new testimony and a Judiciary Committee staff report, "Subverting Justice: How the Former President and his Allies Pressured DOJ to Overturn the 2020 Election," which the Committee issued today. "These findings show just how close Donald Trump and his lackeys came to crashing through the guardrails of our democracy. To boost Donald Trump's election lies, Jef… Continue Reading
10.06.21
Federal Delegation Announces $6.1 Million for Capital Improvements at RI Community Health Centers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline today announced that eight community health centers have received a total of more than $6.1 million from the American Rescue Plan to make capital improvements aimed at better serving Rhode Island patients. "Our community health centers have been on the frontlines of this pandemic and they play an essential role in protecting public health. This federal aid will strengthen Rhode Isl… Continue Reading
10.06.21
Whitehouse Welcomes Monalisa Dugué as New Chief of Staff
Washington, DC - Today, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) welcomed Monalisa Dugué as the new Chief of Staff for his Senate office. Dugué arrives from the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, where she served as Deputy Chief Counsel since 2016. Whitehouse released the following statement: "I'm thrilled Monalisa is joining us. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team. She's a proven leader, who shares my commitment to a rewarding and posi… Continue Reading
10.01.21
RI Delegation Secures $1.1 Million in American Rescue Plan Act Funding for ServeRI Programs
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline today announced that ServeRI will be receiving $1.1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to strengthen national service in Rhode Island and provide relief for organizations and communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Specifically, this federal funding will provide Rhode Island with additional flexibility and resources to boost living allowances for AmeriCorp… Continue Reading
09.30.21
Whitehouse, Portman Continue Recovery Leadership with Introduction of Excellence in Recovery Housing Act
Washington, DC - Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Rob Portman (R-OH)-authors of the groundbreaking Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) and CARA 2.0 laws-have introduced the Excellence in Recovery Housing Act, to boost the availability of housing nationwide for those in recovery from substance use disorder. The framework for this bipartisan legislation was included in CARA 3.0 and would help to expand the supply of recovery housing, coordinate the government's efforts to provide… Continue Reading
09.29.21
Senators Unveil New Captured Courts Report on Texas Assault on Reproductive Rights
Washington, DC - Senate Democrats, led by Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC) Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Senate Judiciary Courts Subcommittee Chairman Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), released a new report in their Captured Courts series on the corrosive effect of a Supreme Court controlled by dark-money interests on women's reproductive freedom. The new report focuses on the "shadow docket" ruling by Republican appointees to the Court that permitted Texas's S.B.8 anti-ab… Continue Reading
