Press Releases
Bush Budget Would Cut Help for Rhode Islanders in Need
Washington, D.C. - With Rhode Island families already facing the challenges of a looming economic downturn, President Bush has proposed deep cuts to programs that provide badly-needed help with home energy costs, affordable housing, and services to needy families. In response to the Bush administration's release of its fiscal year 2009 budget proposal, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, sharply criticized the President's misplaced priorities. "I'… Continue Reading
01.31.08
Whitehouse Applauds Focus on Seniors in Proposed Stimulus Measure
Washington, D.C. - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) applauded the inclusion of aid targeted to seniors in an economic stimulus package now being considered by the Senate. Many seniors who rely on savings and Social Security benefits would not be eligible for assistance under a plan negotiated by President Bush and the House of Representatives. Concerned that thousands of Rhode Island seniors could be excluded from this proposal, Whitehouse wr… Continue Reading
01.28.08
Whitehouse on the State of the Union: It's Time for a Change
Washington, D.C. - Responding to President Bush's final State of the Union address tonight, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) stressed the urgent need for change. He said: "Throughout seven long years of this administration, it never seemed as though President Bush was really listening to the American people. Unfortunately, his final State of the Union address tonight was no different. "The President isn't listening to the millions of Americans who want to bring our troops home from Ira… Continue Reading
01.24.08
Stimulus Plan Should Prioritize Seniors, Whitehouse Says
Washington, D.C. - As Senate leaders negotiate legislation aimed at bolstering the country's weakening economy, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) today urged them not to overlook older Americans, who are especially hard hit by the rising cost of living. Whitehouse is a member of the Senate committees on Aging and the Budget. "Troubles in the housing market, high home energy prices in a bitterly cold winter, and the rising cost of badly-needed prescription drugs force seniors in my state,… Continue Reading
01.24.08
Riverside Man Who Struggled with Broken Health Care System to Join Whitehouse at State of the Union Address
Washington, D.C. - A Riverside man whose struggles with the health care system demonstrate the need for improved health care quality and information technology will attend President Bush's State of the Union Address next week as the guest of U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). Mike Tracy, a cancer survivor, will fly to Washington Monday afternoon and watch the President's speech from the visitors' gallery of the House of Representatives. "The victims of medical errors and poor health info… Continue Reading
01.23.08
Whitehouse, Democrats Push Mukasey for Answers on Torture
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) joined every other Democratic member of the Senate Judiciary Committee today in a letter to Attorney General Michael Mukasey, again urging him to state definitively whether the interrogation technique called "waterboarding" is illegal under U.S. law. "Waterboarding is torture, and torture is illegal," Whitehouse said today. "It is ineffective as a method of gathering intelligence, and the failure to condemn its use puts American troops… Continue Reading
01.17.08
At Cranston VFW Post, Whitehouse Shares Strong Support for Veterans
Cranston, R.I. - As he prepares to return to Washington for the start of a new session of Congress, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) met with Rhode Island veterans to discuss both progress made last year and the work still to be done, particularly to support service members returning from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. "We have only begun to repay America's veterans the debt we owe them," Whitehouse said. "I was proud to stand with Jack Reed to support more funding for health care, for… Continue Reading
01.10.08
Whitehouse Statement on One-Year Anniversary of Bush's Iraq Surge
Washington, D.C. - A year after President Bush's speech to the nation announcing that he would significantly increase U.S. troop levels in Iraq, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) criticized the administration's continued failure to change course and begin bringing our troops home: "In 2006, the American people sent a clear message to Washington that it was time to seek a new direction in Iraq. Instead, a year ago today President Bush escalated the war, sending tens of thousands more troo… Continue Reading
01.08.08
Whitehouse Tours Kent Hospital Electronic Health System, Urges President Bush to Increase Health IT Funding
Warwick, R.I. - At a briefing today on a new electronic health records system at Kent Hospital, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) called on President George W. Bush to increase federal funding for health information technology in next year's budget. "An electronic health records system holds the potential for improved care coordination, fewer medical errors, and massive cost reductions. These changes will improve, and often save, lives," Whitehouse wrote to Bush today. "I strongly urge y… Continue Reading
12.20.07
Remarks on Rhode Islander Honored by Coast Guard
Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of Petty Officer Scott Higgins of my state of Rhode Island, who today will be awarded the Coast Guard Commendation Medal for his efforts in the heroic rescue of the crew of the sailboat Sean Seamour II off the coast of North Carolina in May. On May 7, Aviation Machinery Technician 2nd Class Higgins was part of a four-man Coast Guard HH-60 helicopter crew, including Lt. Commander Nevada Smith, Lieutenant J.G. Aaro… Continue Reading
12.19.07
Whitehouse, 18 Senators Urge Attorney General to Review E-Prescribing for Controlled Substances
Washington, D.C. - After a Senate hearing made clear that new federal regulations allowing electronic prescribing for controlled substances are badly-needed and long-overdue, 18 senators joined U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) in calling on Attorney General Michael Mukasey to review the issue and urged the Drug Enforcement Administration to issue new rules promptly. "DEA regulations permitting [electronic prescribing for controlled substances, or EPCS] have been delayed f… Continue Reading
12.19.07
Reed, Whitehouse Oppose Bush Attempts to Eliminate $4.7 Million for Rhode Island Homeland Security Initiatives
Washington, D.C. - In an effort to prevent the Bush Administration from cutting funds for homeland security programs vital to safeguarding Rhode Island's cities and ports, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) along with several colleagues last night sent a bipartisan letter to President Bush opposing the reported budget cuts. A November 26 document released from the Office of Budget Management indicated that the budget for fiscal year 2009 would cut funding i… Continue Reading
12.19.07
Whitehouse Praises New Policy Limiting Political Interference at DOJ
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) praised today's move by Attorney General Michael Mukasey to restore safeguards against political interference at the Department of Justice. Earlier this year, Whitehouse, a former U.S. Attorney, closely questioned former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales about Bush administration changes to a policy regarding communications between the White House and the Department of Justice that significantly expanded the number of offic… Continue Reading
12.19.07
Whitehouse Slams EPA's Denial of R.I. Request to Set Tough Pollution Standards
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse sharply criticized the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s decision tonight to deny long-overdue waiver requests that would allow Rhode Island and several other states to crack down on pollution from cars and trucks on their roadways. Under the Clean Air Act, states cannot set their own pollution control standards without a waiver from EPA. "The EPA's ruling is disgraceful," said Whitehouse, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Wor… Continue Reading
12.17.07
Whitehouse, 18 Senators Urge Attorney General to Review E-Prescribing for Controlled Substances
Washington, D.C. - After a Senate hearing made clear that new federal regulations allowing electronic prescribing for controlled substances are badly-needed and long-overdue, 18 senators joined U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) in calling on Attorney General Michael Mukasey to review the issue and urged the Drug Enforcement Administration to issue new rules promptly. "DEA regulations permitting [electronic prescribing for controlled substances, or EPCS] have been delayed for… Continue Reading
12.14.07
Whitehouse Congratulates Newport Dance Company on Federal Award
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) congratulated the Island Moving Company of Newport, Rhode Island, on a $10,000 federal grant to support its 2008 Open for Dancing festival. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) issued the award as part of its "Challenge America: Reaching Every Community Fast-Track Review Grants" program. "While many school districts have been struggling to protect arts programming from budget cuts, the Company has worked extensivel… Continue Reading
12.14.07
Amidst Mortgage Crisis, Senate Passes Bill to Aid Homeowners
Washington, D.C. - Rhode Island families at risk of high mortgage payments or foreclosure got some much-needed help in Washington today as the Senate approved legislation strengthening federal homeowners' insurance aimed at middle- and low-income homebuyers. With the security of Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insurance, lenders can give reasonable mortgage rates to homebuyers who otherwise might be pushed into the subprime market. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R… Continue Reading
12.06.07
Whitehouse Cosponsors Amendment Prohibiting Torture
Washington, D.C. - An amendment cosponsored by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) that effectively bans CIA interrogators from using torture has been adopted by the Congressional Intelligence Committees as part of an intelligence funding bill for 2008. The measure, which would prohibit members of the intelligence community from using any interrogation technique beyond those authorized in the Army Field Manual, was sponsored by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and also cosponsored by S… Continue Reading
12.05.07
U.S. Senate Passes Resolution to Help Aid Rhode Island Fishermen
Washington, D.C. - The Senate late last night unanimously passed a resolution cosponsored by Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), urging the Secretary of Commerce to reconsider a previous decision and declare a commercial fishery failure for groundfish fishermen in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire. This action will help provide immediate disaster assistance to the region. Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) sponsored the resolution; Sena… Continue Reading
12.05.07
Whitehouse Secures Protections for Coastal Communities in Bipartisan Global Warming Bill
Washington, D.C. - The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee voted today to incorporate amendments sponsored by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), aimed at protecting coastal communities in Rhode Island and across the country, into a bipartisan bill to counter the impact of global warming. Whitehouse also successfully fought for provisions safeguarding wildlife and marine ecosystems. "Rising temperatures around the globe could bring higher sea levels, more powerful stor… Continue Reading
