Press Releases
Whitehouse Joins Senate Democratic Hispanic Task Force
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) last week joined the Senate Democratic Hispanic Task Force, chaired by Senator Ken Salazar (D-Colo.) and Senator Robert Menendez (D-N.J.). The task force has focused on strengthening relationships with Hispanic leaders and ensuring the issues that matter most to Latinos, including improved access to higher education and health care, are top legislative priorities in the Senate. "No family should have to wonder whether they'l… Continue Reading
03.02.07
Hendricken Student Meets Whitehouse in Washington
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) met this week with Mauri Dimeo, a sophomore at Bishop Hendricken High School, who was visiting Washington as part of the National Young Leaders Conference (NYLC). Dimeo, of Scituate, met with Whitehouse in his Senate office, and discussed his time in Washington thus far and his interests. "It is wonderful to see a young Rhode Islander who is already determined to make positive contributions to our country," said Whitehouse. The NYLC … Continue Reading
03.02.07
Whitehouse Meets with Portsmouth High School Students
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) met this week with ten Portsmouth High School students as part of their participation with the national Close Up Foundation. The students, sophomores through seniors, had been in Washington since Sunday for the Foundation's week-long learning adventure designed to develop the students' knowledge and interest in civics. They were accompanied by Joe Cassady, a Portsmouth High School social studies teacher, on the trip. They met with Sena… Continue Reading
02.28.07
Former U.S. Attorney Whitehouse Protests Firings of Federal Prosecutors
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), a former U.S. Attorney for Rhode Island, spoke out on the Senate floor this afternoon to protest the Bush administration's unprecedented firings of several U.S. Attorneys. Whitehouse was appointed U.S. Attorney by President Bill Clinton and served in that office from 1994-1998. "These men and women had been confirmed by the Senate, and the majority had been recognized by the Justice Department as well-qualified and performing admirabl… Continue Reading
02.26.07
Whitehouse to New Orleans: We Have Not Forgotten You
New Orleans, La. - Vibrant coastal cities from Louisiana to Rhode Island are still at great risk from major natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina unless we strengthen the infrastructure that shields them, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) said today. Whitehouse traveled to New Orleans with Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and a delegation of members of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee for a field hearing to study comprehensive approaches to coastal wetlands rest… Continue Reading
02.26.07
Whitehouse Statement on Lead Paint Decision
New Orleans, LA - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) today issued the following statement on today's Superior Court decision to allow lead abatement to proceed in Rhode Island: "I'm very heartened by Judge Silverstein's ruling to let the jury's decision in our historic lead paint case stand and to proceed to abate the lead. This was a critical victory for our state and our kids, and I congratulate Attorney General Patrick Lynch and his legal team for their outstanding work. We have a sign… Continue Reading
02.21.07
Whitehouse: Bush Can't Have it Both Ways on Troops in Iraq
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) today strongly questioned the Bush administration's response to British Prime Minister Tony Blair's announcement that United Kingdom troops will begin leaving Iraq in the coming months, and again called on the President to announce the beginning of an American redeployment from Iraq. "On one hand, President Bush says American troop levels in Iraq need to escalate by tens of thousands, but on the other, he says things are going so well … Continue Reading
02.17.07
Statement of Sheldon Whitehouse on Senate Vote on Iraq Escalation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the following statement following today's Senate vote: "I'm proud that the Democratic leadership brought up this critical vote today. Importantly, the outcome was 56 seeking to vote against the President's escalation of troop levels in Iraq, to 34 seeking to block that vote. 56 to 34 is a strong message. "Yesterday, I spoke again on the Senate floor, and read from a few of the thousands of messages I have received from Rhode Is… Continue Reading
02.13.07
Whitehouse: Bush Administration Stonewalling on Negotiating Power for Medicare Prescription Drug Program
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today sharply questioned a senior Bush administration official over the administration's opposition to negotiating for lower prescription drug prices under the Medicare Part D program. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Michael O. Leavitt appeared before the Senate Budget Committee, on which Whitehouse sits, to discuss the administration's fiscal year 2008 budget request for federal health care progra… Continue Reading
02.09.07
Whitehouse Meets Hopkinton, West Greenwich High School Students
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) met Thursday with two high school students visiting Washington as part of their participation in the National Young Leaders Conference (NYLC). Theresa Fuller of Hopkinton, a sophomore at Chariho Regional High School, and Geoffrey Swann of West Greenwich, a junior at Exeter West Greenwich High School, had been in Washington as part of their six-day program since Tuesday. The program is designed to give students a better understanding of t… Continue Reading
02.05.07
Whitehouse Meets with Block Island Students
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) last week met with six Block Island High School students visiting Washington as part of their participation in the national Close Up Foundation. The students, all seniors, have been in Washington for the Foundation's week-long learning adventure designed to develop the students' knowledge and interest in civics. The students, accompanied by Marlee Lacoste of Block Island, visited the capital's many museums, monuments and memor… Continue Reading
02.05.07
Statement of Sheldon Whitehouse on the Release of the President's FY08 Budget Request
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, today issued the following statement on President Bush's FY2008 budget request: "The President's budget is unrealistic in its projections, irresponsible in its policymaking, and unfair in its effect on working families. President Bush demands hundreds of billions of dollars to finance an Iraq strategy his own military commanders have questioned, and his record defense budget requests … Continue Reading
02.02.07
Whitehouse Votes for First Minimum Wage Increase in a Decade
Washington, D.C. - In the new Democratic-led Senate, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) voted with an overwhelming majority of Senators yesterday to pass the first minimum wage increase in ten years. The bill raises the federal minimum wage by $2.10 an hour over two years, to $7.25. "The American people sent a powerful message that it's time for Washington to focus on the needs of working families, not big corporations," Whitehouse said. "Democrats listened - and we kept our promise. Raisin… Continue Reading
02.02.07
Whitehouse: National Intelligence Estimate Confirms Urgent Need for a New Direction in Iraq
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement on today's National Intelligence Estimate, "Prospects for Iraq's Stability: A Challenging Road Ahead." "The National Intelligence Estimate released today makes clear what most Americans already understand: the situation in Iraq is bad and getting worse, and the President's escalation plan offers no lasting solution for the underlying political and … Continue Reading
01.30.07
Whitehouse Highlights Global Warming's Threat to the Ocean State
Washington, D.C. - At the first hearing of the Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works (EPW), U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) offered a uniquely Rhode Island look at the potentially catastrophic effects of global warming. In a presentation drawing on the expertise and insights of Rhode Island's environmental community, Whitehouse demonstrated evidence that climate change is already at work in Rhode Island - from the cherry trees on his own street to devastating t… Continue Reading
01.26.07
Rhode Island to Receive Over $700,000 to Update Medicaid Computer Technology
Washington, D.C. - In an effort to help the Rhode Island state government improve service delivery to Medicaid patients and reduce bureaucracy, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will award the state of Rhode Island $725,253 to update and upgrade its information technology systems. The Medicaid "IT Infrastructure Transformation grant" will be used to help the state improve their record… Continue Reading
01.23.07
Whitehouse on the State of the Union: It's Time for a Real Change in Course
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse released the following statement in response to President George W. Bush's State of the Union address: "Last November, the American people voted for a new direction in Washington. I met thousands of Rhode Islanders who told me we needed change, and tonight, the President had a real opportunity to show he was listening. But I'm concerned that this State of the Union will be like so many others from this President: promises that sound… Continue Reading
01.18.07
Statement of Sheldon Whitehouse on Senate Passage of Ethics Reform Legislation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse tonight released the following statement on the Senate's passage of legislation to reform lobbying and ethics rules: "Last November, Rhode Islanders sent a clear message: it's time to clean up Washington. Today, as its first order of business, the new Democratic Senate delivered on its promise, passing tough ethics reform that will go a long way toward ensuring our government reflects the true will of the American people. Corrupt sp… Continue Reading
01.17.07
Reed & Whitehouse Call for 80% Cut to Global Warming Pollutants by 2050
WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to slow and reverse the devastating effects of global climate change, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) joined with Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), and several of their colleagues in introducing The Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act. The bill calls for an 80% reduction -- compared to 1990 levels -- in global warming pollutants by 2050 and offers the most progressive and comprehensive solution to reduce greenhouse… Continue Reading
01.11.07
Reed, Whitehouse Urge Portugal to Reconsider Potential Closing of Rhode Island Consulate
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) have asked Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates to reconsider the potential closing of Portugal's consulate in Providence. The full text of the letter is below. January 10, 2007 Eng. Jose Socrates Sousa Primeiro Ministro Rue de Imprensa a Estrela 4 1200-888 Lisboa PORTUGAL Dear Mr. Prime Minister: We write regarding the potential closing of the Portuguese consulate … Continue Reading
