Press Releases
Senators Demand DOJ Investigation Into Voter Suppression Allegations
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) today called for a Justice Department investigation into allegations of illegal voter suppression tactics by Republican political operatives, including former Karl Rove aide Tim Griffin, during the 2004 elections. Griffin is now serving as interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas. "At a time when the Department's political independence and its commitment to enforcement of civil rights … Continue Reading
06.08.07
U.S. Senate Congratulates Brown University's Women's Crew Team
WASHINGTON, DC - The United States Senate last night unanimously passed a resolution offered by U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) recognizing the Brown University women's crew team on winning the 2007 NCAA Division I Women's Rowing Championship.On May 27, 2007, Brown took home top honors at the NCAA Championship with 58 points, defeating a field that included the University of Virginia (second place - 54 points) and Ohio State University (third place - 52 p… Continue Reading
06.06.07
Funding Fix for URI Transportation Center Passes Senate Committee, Reed and Whitehouse Announce
Washington, D.C. - The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee has approved legislation that will make it easier for the University of Rhode Island Transportation Center (URITC) to receive critically-needed federal funding, Rhode Island's U.S. Senators announced today. Established in 1999, URITC conducts multi-disciplinary education, research, technology transfer, and outreach for surface transportation systems and advanced transportation infrastructure. Under its original authoriza… Continue Reading
06.04.07
Whitehouse Asks DOJ IG to Investigate Gonzales's Definition of Wrongdoing
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) today called for an investigation into a definition of wrongdoing, repeatedly invoked by Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and other Justice Department officials during the Senate's inquiry into the firing of several United States Attorneys, arguing that the only "improper" reason to dismiss a U.S. Attorney would be to interfere with or influence a "particular case" for partisan gain. "The notion that the definition of impropriety for … Continue Reading
06.03.07
Judiciary Senators Seek Safeguards In DOJ Investigation
WASHINGTON (Tuesday, April 3) - Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), sent a letter to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales asking the Department of Justice (DOJ) to establish appropriate safeguards to avoid potential conflicts of interest as the Judiciary Committee continues its ongoing investigation into the dismissals and replacements of several U.S. attorneys. Leahy, the chairman of the committee, and Whitehouse, a member of the panel and a former U.S. att… Continue Reading
06.01.07
FY'08 Intelligence Authorization Bill Approved by Senate Panel Includes Provision to Require National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on Potential National Security Impacts of Climate Change
Washington, DC - The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence last week approved the FY'08 Intelligence Authorization bill, which includes a provision sponsored by U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), John Warner (R-Va.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), and Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) to require the Director of National Intelligence to produce a formal intelligence assessment on the potential national security impacts of climate change. Specifically… Continue Reading
05.25.07
On War Funding, Whitehouse Votes to Keep Pressure On Bush
Washington, D.C. - Amidst the release of a new report that the Bush Administration ignored intelligence community assessments of potential Al Qaeda influence in post-war Iraq, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) voted against legislation that would provide funding for the war without compelling the President to take steps to end it. "Whether I or any other member of this body supports our troops is not in question. We always have, and we always will," Whitehouse said. "Neither i… Continue Reading
05.25.07
Schumer, Feinstein & Whitehouse Demand Answers About Justice Hiring Practices on Gonzales' Watch
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) asked Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to reveal what he knew about inappropriate, unethical and possibly illegal hiring practices occurring at the Justice Department under his watch. Earlier this week, Monica Goodling, a former Justice Department aide and White House liaison, admitted in testimony before the before the House Judiciary Committee that she "crossed the… Continue Reading
05.24.07
Schumer, Feinstein & Whitehouse: Gonzales No Confidence Vote Coming After Immigration
Washington, DC - Today U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) announced their intention to bring a vote of no confidence in Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. The joint resolution will be brought before the Senate for a vote at the conclusion of debate on the immigration bill. "We fully intend to bring this vote, we expect it to pass, and for the good of the Justice Department and the rule of law in this country, we believe it … Continue Reading
05.22.07
Whitehouse Delivers First Speech in Series on Health Reform Legislation
Washington, D.C. - In the first of a planned week-long series of addresses on the floor of the U.S. Senate, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) today outlined critical challenges facing America's health care system and solutions he has proposed in the first legislation he has authored since taking office. "I have heard from countless Rhode Islanders who have struggled to pay for their health care, and who live in fear of losing coverage on which they and their families depend," Wh… Continue Reading
05.21.07
Whitehouse's First Senate Bills Focus on Health Reform
Cranston, R.I. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) today unveiled his first legislation since taking office in January: a trio of bills grounded in his experience working with health care in Rhode Island and aimed at expanding the use of health information technology and improving the quality of care. "Over many years, Rhode Islanders have told me they're frustrated at a health care system that costs too much but leaves most people without the care they need," Whitehouse said. … Continue Reading
05.17.07
Congress Passes Whitehouse Health IT Measure in 2008 Budget Blueprint
Washington, D.C. - As the nation recognizes National Health IT Week 2007, Congress today approved a fiscal 2008 budget resolution that included a measure proposed by U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) to support health information technology and accepted best practices in clinical settings. "Health information technology is a crucial piece of the health care puzzle," said Whitehouse. "I am encouraged - and proud - that this budget will provide th… Continue Reading
05.03.07
Leahy, Whitehouse Seek Data on Potential Partisan Bias in Corruption Cases
WASHINGTON (Thursday, May 3) - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Senator and former U.S. Attorney Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), a member of the panel, have asked Department of Justice Inspector General Glenn A. Fine to provide information on the public corruption investigations launched during the Bush Administration that have involved Republican and Democratic targets. The letter comes in response to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales's invitation at his… Continue Reading
05.03.07
DOJ Agrees to Release Results of US Attorneys Investigation
Washington, D.C. - In response to a request from Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), the Department of Justice has agreed that the results of an internal investigation into the firing of several federal prosecutors will be made public, Whitehouse announced today. "I'm glad the Department recognizes the American people's interest in learning the truth behind the Bush administration's unprecedented purge of United States A… Continue Reading
05.01.07
Whitehouse Meets Rhode Island Teacher of the Year
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) met with Catherine Davis Hayes, Rhode Island's 2007 Teacher of the Year, last week in Washington. "Cathy's passion and commitment to education is enriching her students' lives every day," said Whitehouse. "Rhode Island is proud to have her, and I was delighted to talk with her about education reform." Ms. Hayes has been a visual-arts teacher at the Oakland Beach Elementary School in Warwick for 11 years. She is credited … Continue Reading
04.30.07
Leahy, Whitehouse Seek Transparency in U.S. Attorneys Probe
WASHINGTON (Monday, April 30) - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Senator and former U.S. Attorney Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), a member of the panel, today urged Solicitor General Paul D. Clement to make the results of a Department of Justice investigation into the unprecedented firing of several United States Attorneys available to Congress and the public. "The results of the investigation will only be useful if they are accessible to Congress and to the public," t… Continue Reading
04.27.07
Whitehouse Meets Cumberland Student Recognized at National Science Competition
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) met this week with Providence College student Joshua Malouin of Cumberland, R.I., whose project on cellular biology could have implications for cancer research. Malouin, a sophomore biology student, was one of 80 students selected by the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) to participate in a poster session on Capitol Hill. "I want to applaud Joshua for his outstanding achievement," Whitehouse said. "I believe investm… Continue Reading
04.26.07
Whitehouse Praises Senate Passage of Iraq Bill Setting Goal for Redeployment
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) today released the following statement: "Today, once again, the Senate has demonstrated our commitment to a new direction in Iraq - and once again, America is waiting to see whether this President will heed the calls of the people he serves to change course and bring our troops home. "I was proud to vote today for a measure that not only ensures our troops have the resources they need, but also requires President Bush to… Continue Reading
04.26.07
Whitehouse Statement Commemorating Anniversary of Vermont Civil Unions Law
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement commemorating the 7th anniversary of the legal recognition of civil unions in Vermont. "Seven years ago Vermont took a courageous step forward for civil rights in this country through the civil unions law," said Whitehouse. "I'm proud of the efforts of Rhode Island's gay community in their fight for equal marriage in our state, and I'll do all I can i… Continue Reading
04.24.07
Whitehouse: Armenian Genocide Must Never Be Repeated
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Whitehouse (D-R.I.) today released the following statement commemorating Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day: "The only way to prevent crimes against humanity in the future is to shine light on the past. I'm proud to support the Senate's efforts to recognize the tragedy that befell the Armenians for what it was - a genocide that must never, ever be repeated." Whitehouse is a cosponsor of Senate Resolution 106, which calls on the President to ensure that … Continue Reading
