Press Releases
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
12.04.07
Whitehouse Statement Opposing Peru Free Trade Agreement
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) issued the following statement today on his vote against legislation that would implement a free trade agreement with Peru: "It is clear that our previous free trade agreements - including NAFTA and CAFTA - have led to the loss of millions of American manufacturing jobs. Our free trade policy is broken and we should refrain from passing further agreements until we address the flaws that have cost so many hard-working Am… Continue Reading
12.04.07
Whitehouse Chairs Hearing to Investigate Barrier to E-Prescribing
Washington, D.C. - The Senate Judiciary Committee today explored a major barrier to improved health outcomes and cost savings in the health care system - the federal prohibition on electronic prescribing of controlled substances. The hearing was chaired by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), a former prosecutor and strong advocate for health information technology. "Health information technology's potential for better-coordinated care, reduced medical errors, and increased patient satisfa… Continue Reading
11.26.07
Whitehouse Applauds $10 Million Grant for Brown Study of Long-Term Health Care Quality
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) today congratulated Brown University on its receipt of a $10 million grant from the National Institute on Aging to conduct research on the quality of long-term health care in this country. "Long-term care is a critical part of our health care infrastructure, improving the lives of millions of Americans every day. This grant represents not only an awareness of the importance of long-term care services in our aging society, but also a st… Continue Reading
11.26.07
Whitehouse Decries GOP Filibuster of Bill to Bring Troops Home
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) commented today on Senate Republicans' filibuster of legislation that, if enacted, would begin redeploying U.S. troops from Iraq: "Over and over again, we've pressured President Bush to change course in Iraq and take action to begin redeploying American troops. And over and over again, this President and Republicans in Congress have stood in the way. "Today was no different. Today, unbelievably, Senate Republicans filibustered a bill … Continue Reading
