Press Releases
Whitehouse Statement on Mukasey Confirmation Vote
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a former U.S. Attorney and Rhode Island Attorney General, issued the following statement this evening on the Senate's vote on the nomination of Michael B. Mukasey to be Attorney General. "I voted against the nomination of Michael Mukasey because I believe this nation had the chance to present the world a moment of clarity on what we stand for. America's strength comes from its ideals. We … Continue Reading
11.06.07
Senators Urge EPA to Approve Northeast Mercury Plan and Enhance National Mercury Pollution Standards
WASHINGTON, D.C -U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME), Patrick Leahy (D-ME.), Judd Gregg (R-NH), John Sununu (R-NH), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Susan Collins (R-ME), Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), Jack Reed (D-RI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Christopher Dodd (D-CT) sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen Johnson this week to approve the Northeast Regional Mercury Total Maximum Daily Load cleanup plan. As part of the plan, the region requires enhanced federal guidelines … Continue Reading
11.05.07
Senate Bill Would Outlaw “Caging” as Voter Suppression Tactic
Washington, D.C. - Challenging a person's right to vote because a letter sent to him or her was returned as undeliverable would be illegal under a Senate bill introduced today. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) joined 12 other senators to unveil legislation aimed at preventing the practice of "voter caging," a long-recognized voter suppression tactic which has often been used to target minority voters. "In America, we believe that the right of an eligible voter to cast his or her vote i… Continue Reading
10.30.07
Whitehouse Addresses Latino Youth Summit
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) addressed the first-ever Latino Youth Summit, a two-day event that brought together Hispanic students from around the country to discuss issues important to them and their families. "As I look out at a very intelligent, energetic and motivated group of young people, I hope that, before too long, some of you are sitting where I am today," Whitehouse said. Whitehouse, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Hispanic Ta… Continue Reading
10.24.07
Senators Applaud Coast Guard's Final Determination that Weaver's Cove LNG Plan is Unsafe
PROVIDENCE, RI - The U.S. Coast Guard today announced that Weaver's Cove Energy's navigation and safety plan is "unsuitable," effectively blocking the proposed Liquified Natural Gas terminal proposed for Weaver's Cove in Fall River. In a letter to the company, Captain Roy A. Nash, Commanding Officer of the United States Coast Guard wrote: "My ultimate recommendation is that the waterway from near Sandy Point, Prudence Island, Rhode Island at approximate position 41° 36' 21"N, 071° 18' 1… Continue Reading
10.18.07
Lead Paint in Homes a Serious Health Risk for Children, Whitehouse Says
Thank you, Madam Chairman, for convening this hearing. Under your leadership, this Committee has focused intently on the ways in which we influence our environment and how we can be better stewards of the world around us - from cleaning up pollution in our air and water, to reversing the devastating damage caused by global climate change. We do this to preserve and protect; to preserve the natural resources on which we and future generations will depend, and to protect families from changes in … Continue Reading
10.17.07
Whitehouse Sponsors Global Warming Bill Aimed at Wildlife Protection
Washington, D.C. - Calling global warming the single greatest threat to the world's natural environment, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) today announced new legislation calling for a national strategy to address the threat of climate change to America's wildlife. A member of the Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works (EPW), Whitehouse said that global warming has already begun to have a severe and lasting impact on wildlife populations and marine ecosystems in Rhode Islan… Continue Reading
10.09.07
Whitehouse, Former RI AG, Praises AEP Clean Air Settlement
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), who as Rhode Island's Attorney General joined the 1999 federal lawsuit against American Electric Power (AEP), praised today's $4.6 billion settlement to require AEP to cut pollution at its 16 power plants. "This is an historic victory for clean air and the health and safety of the people of Rhode Island," Whitehouse said. "I'm proud that Rhode Island was part of the original lawsuit against American Electric Power, br… Continue Reading
10.03.07
Whitehouse: President's Veto of Children's Health a Stunning Rejection of America's Priorities
Washington, D.C. - In the wake of President Bush's veto of the Children's Health Insurance Program, the federal initiative that helps fund RIteCare and other children's health programs across the country, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) issued the following statement: "More than almost any other issue, the Rhode Islanders I've met are worried about health care. "President Bush's veto of the children's health care program is a stunning rejection of one of America's … Continue Reading
10.02.07
Democrats, Local Officials Discuss Importance of Funding Local Law Enforcement Programs as Crime Rates Rise
Washington, DC-Senate Democrats joined local officials at a press conference today to discuss the importance of funding local law enforcement and policing initiatives. The Senate will begin debating the Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations bill this week, and will seek to support important programs to fight crime in our schools and communities after years of cuts by the Bush Administration. "With violent crime on the rise for the first time in 15 years, President Bush cut state and local law… Continue Reading
09.27.07
Whitehouse to President Bush: Do Not Veto Children's Health Care
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) issued a statement today on the Senate's passage of legislation to renew and improve the Children's Health Insurance Program, the federal initiative that helps fund RIteCare and other children's health programs across the country. The bipartisan legislation provides $35 billion over five years to bring health insurance coverage to about ten million children in need, including up to 6,600 in Rhode Island. "For the Rhode Islanders I've … Continue Reading
09.26.07
Reed and Whitehouse to Host Academy Day 2007
WARWICK, RI -- On Saturday, Oct. 13, 2007, at 0900 hours, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) will host United States Service Academy Day 2007 at the Community College of Rhode Island's Knight Campus, in Warwick. This informational seminar is open to all high school students throughout Rhode Island interested in learning about the requirements and procedures for seeking a Congressional nomination and obtaining an appointment to one of the United States Servic… Continue Reading
09.24.07
Whitehouse Statement in Memory of Representative Paul Crowley
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) today issued this statement on the news that Representative Paul Crowley, of Newport, passed away this morning: "Paul Crowley put Rhode Island's children first - and built a legacy of achievement for our schools that will endure for generations. Newport, the city he loved, and the Ocean State, whose people he served unselfishly and with great integrity, are less today because he is no longer with us. Sandra and I offer our deepest cond… Continue Reading
09.24.07
Whitehouse, Reed Win Support for Estuary Habitat Restoration
Washington, D.C. - Congress today passed legislation championed by U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) to support the restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems in Rhode Island and across the country, the senators announced. The Estuary Restoration Act (ERA) passed as part of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), a bipartisan bill that authorizes nearly $21 billion for essential flood control, navigation, and ecosystem restoration projects. A member of the … Continue Reading
09.21.07
Whitehouse: Senate GOP Minority Again Blocks Sensible Strategy to Bring Troops Home
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) issued the following statement today on the Senate's vote on a measure that would begin redeploying American troops from Iraq in 90 days. The amendment to the Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 1585) was offered by Senate Armed Services Committee chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.) "I share Rhode Islanders' frustration at President Bush's failure to change course in Iraq. That's why I've voted for every measure th… Continue Reading
09.20.07
Whitehouse Bill, a Step to Repair Politicization at Justice Department, Overwhelmingly Passes Senate Committee
Washington, D.C. - In a bipartisan, 13-2 vote, the Senate Judiciary Committee today approved legislation authored by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) aimed at restoring a critical safeguard against political interference at the Department of Justice, a step Whitehouse said would help "restore Americans' confidence" in the Department in the wake of the controversial tenure of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. The bill, S. 1845, deals with the rules governing communications between the W… Continue Reading
09.20.07
RI Veterans Cemetery Receives $5.7 Million Upgrade
WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to provide our veterans with a fitting final resting place, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today announced that the state of Rhode Island will receive $5,732,027 to improve the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter. This grant, which is awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will provide for upgrades such as the design of a master plan for future expansion, a new administration building, and a new front entrance … Continue Reading
09.19.07
Whitehouse Joins Cranston Family in Fight to Cure Genetic Disease
Washington, D.C. - In an effort to combat the leading genetic cause of death in children under the age of two, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) has cosponsored legislation to accelerate research into spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a disease that affects the Calise family of Cranston and thousands of others across the country. The Spinal Muscular Atrophy Treatment Acceleration Act (S. 2042) would rapidly advance treatments for SMA, a hereditary disorder that destroys nerves controlling vo… Continue Reading
09.18.07
Whitehouse Congratulates Newporter on Prestigious Arts Award
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator and National Council on the Arts member Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) delivered the keynote address today at a ceremony honoring Nicholas Benson of Newport, the first Rhode Islander to receive a prestigious national award for folk and traditional arts. Benson, a third-generation stone letter carver and calligrapher, was recognized this morning along with eleven other recipients of the 2007 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)'s National Heritage Fellowship. "On be… Continue Reading
09.10.07
Whitehouse on Petraeus Iraq Report: Time for Troops to Come Home
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) commented today on the long-awaited report by General David Petraeus on the Bush administration's "surge" strategy in Iraq: "It's time to send a clear signal to Iraq and the rest of the world that we are bringing our troops home. We're facing a simple question: is it in our country's best interests for our troops to remain in Iraq? From everything I've seen and heard, the answer is no - and for that reason, it's time to begin a rapid, … Continue Reading
