Press Releases
Whitehouse Presses Barr on Mueller Report on Eve of Committee Vote
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released a letter today he sent to attorney general nominee William Barr regarding the findings of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. Whitehouse asks for clarification of written responses to his questions on the use of executive privilege and the release of the full Mueller report to the American people. Whitehouse points to his questions about U.S. Department of Justice Office of Lega… Continue Reading
02.01.19
Senator Responds to Lack of Sunday Show Climate Coverage
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) spoke out today about a media watchdog's report on the downtick in the premier Sunday news shows' climate change coverage in 2018. In the face of major climate-related catastrophes and the release of numerous comprehensive studies showing intensifying threats from climate change, the report by media watchdog Media Matters showed the agenda-setting programs on major networks "devoted fewer segments to significant discussion of climate change in … Continue Reading
01.30.19
Whitehouse, Reed Renew Push to Pass Paycheck Fairness Act & Close Gender Wage Gap
Washington, DC - In an effort to end wage discrimination and close the gender pay gap, U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Jack Reed (D-RI) today joined colleagues in introducing a new version of the Paycheck Fairness Act. The bill would strengthen the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and help all workers by allowing employees to compare salaries; guarantee that women can challenge pay discrimination; and help employers with technical training to ensure accountability and fair pay. The Paycheck … Continue Reading
01.30.19
Whitehouse Files Brief in Landmark California Public Nuisance Case against Oil Companies
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, has filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in County of San Mateo v. Chevron, in which Whitehouse challenges claims made by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in its brief filed in support of the oil industry. Whitehouse points out that the Chamber is hardly a voice for "thoughtful governmental policies that will have a meaningful imp… Continue Reading
01.29.19
Whitehouse, Wicker, Jackson Lee, Burgess Introduce Rodchenkov Act
Washington, DC - One week after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) failed to suspend the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) for missing a crucial December 31, 2018, deadline, Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Representatives Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18) and Michael Burgess (TX-26) today introduced in the Senate and the House the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act. The legislation, originally introduced in the 115th Congress, would criminalize international doping fraud cons… Continue Reading
01.28.19
Whitehouse, Deutch Introduce Conflicts from Political Fundraising Act
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and House Ethics Committee Chair Ted Deutch (D-FL) introduced the Conflicts from Political Fundraising Act of 2019 today. The bill would require presidentially appointed executive branch officials to disclose whether they have solicited donations for or contributed funds to political action committees (PACs), political non-profits, and industry trade associations. Such disclosure would close a glaring ethics loophole that allows executive bran… Continue Reading
01.25.19
Whitehouse Statement on Deal to End Trump Shutdown
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the following statement on President Trump's announcement today of a proposal to reopen the government, which includes no money for a border wall: "The president has finally agreed to end his pointless and costly shutdown. His political stunt has hurt families in Rhode Island and across the country and damaged our economy. I'm glad it's over. I hope the president has learned his lesson and won't again play politics with America… Continue Reading
01.25.19
Whitehouse, Isakson Applaud Passage of Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing ‘National Mentoring Month’
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I. and Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., applauded the Senate's unanimous passage of a bipartisan resolution they introduced recognizing January 2019 as "National Mentoring Month" to raise awareness of the power of mentors to help young people determine their goals and reach their full potential. "Mentors are a vital presence in the lives of many young people. They set an important example, pass down wisdom and knowledge, and serve as steady, caring f… Continue Reading
01.24.19
Whitehouse Statement on Government Funding Votes
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the following statement on today's Senate votes on competing government funding proposals, one to fund President Trump's border wall and another based on a measure that cleared the Senate with bipartisan support before the shutdown began: "Before the president caved to right-wing extremists, broke the bipartisan deal, and triggered this shutdown, most of my Republican Senate colleagues had voted in favor of the proposal we conside… Continue Reading
01.24.19
Whitehouse Releases Written Questions for Barr
Read Whitehouse's questions for Barr here Washington, DC - Today, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released his written questions for attorney general nominee William Barr. Following up on his questioning in Barr's confirmation hearing, Whitehouse pressed Barr to clarify his intent to protect the Special Counsel investigation into Russian election attacks, and to commit to adhering to Justice Department ethics rules guarding against conflicts of i… Continue Reading
01.19.19
Whitehouse Statement on Trump Immigration Proposal
Newport, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on the president's immigration proposal to exchange re-opening the government and limited concessions for Dreamers and refugees for $5.7 billion in wall funding: "Hostage-taking is not governing. The president needs to reopen the government, then we can consider responsible solutions to bolster border security. Democrats support sensible border security measures. … Continue Reading
01.17.19
Whitehouse, Isakson Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing ‘National Mentoring Month’
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I. and Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today introduced a bipartisan Senate resolution recognizing January 2019 as "National Mentoring Month" to raise awareness of the power of mentors to help young people determine their goals and reach their full potential. "Mentors are a vital presence in the lives of many young people. They set an important example, pass down wisdom and knowledge, and serve as steady, caring friends. I am proud to join Senator I… Continue Reading
01.16.19
Whitehouse Statement on Wheeler Confirmation Hearing
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following statement on the confirmation hearing today of nominee for Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler: "Andrew Wheeler has had his thumb, wrist, forearm, and elbow on the scale in favor of polluters - like the coal barons he lobbied for not long ago. Indeed, over and over again today he played fast and loose with facts to greenwash r… Continue Reading
01.16.19
Whitehouse Lauds SCOTUS Decision Upholding Americans’ Right to Their Day in Court
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement today on the Supreme Court's unanimous decision in New Prime Inc. v. Oliveira to uphold Americans' constitutional right to a civil jury. Whitehouse filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the case arguing for this outcome. "The Founding Fathers believed firmly in protecting Americans' right to a civil jury, which is why they enshrined that right three times in our Const… Continue Reading
01.14.19
Whitehouse Releases Key Lines of Questioning for Barr
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released today a letter he hand-delivered to attorney general nominee William Barr at their meeting Thursday, which contains detailed questions he may pose during Barr's nomination hearing tomorrow. Whitehouse's lines of questioning cover (1) Barr's contacts with the Trump administration about Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation; (2) whether Barr would be prepared to enter an agreement to … Continue Reading
01.14.19
Congressional Delegation Joins Unpaid Federal Employees to Call for End to Trump Shutdown
Warwick, RI - U.S. Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline and U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse joined federal employees at T.F. Green Airport today to call on President Trump to immediately reopen the federal government. Since the shutdown began 24 days ago, an estimated 800,000 federal workers - including hundreds of TSA agents and air traffic controllers at T.F. Green - have either been furloughed or required to work without a paycheck. "We rely on TSA agents and air traff… Continue Reading
01.11.19
On Eve of Barr Hearings, Senate Democrats Call for Comprehensive Review of Justice Department Ethics Rules
Washington, DC - Senate Judiciary Committee members are calling on the Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General to perform a complete review of its ethics processes and procedures following revelations of disregard for vital ethics rules by Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker. Department ethics review is about to be tested again as attorney general nominee William Barr comes before the Senate, the senators add. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) is leading the request, and is joined b… Continue Reading
01.11.19
Whitehouse, Blumenthal, and Hirono Oppose DOJ Motion to Delay Court Action in their Lawsuit Against Acting Attorney General Whitaker due to the Government Shutdown
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) filed a brief opposing the Trump Administration's attempt to delay the lawsuit the Senators brought challenging the unconstitutional appointment of Matthew Whitaker as Acting Attorney General. The Administration filed a motion asking the Court to stay the case in light of the ongoing government shutdown. In their brief opposing that motion, the Senators told the Court that "The adm… Continue Reading
01.11.19
Reed, Whitehouse Offer Prescription for Lower Rx Drug Prices for Seniors
Washington, DC - In an effort to protect consumers and get seniors a better deal on prescription drug costs, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) have joined with Senate colleagues in introducing legislation to lower prescription drug prices. Reed and Whitehouse unveiled a trio of bills this week that would make expensive prescription medications more affordable for Rhode Island families. The Empowering Medicare Seniors to Negotiate Drug Prices Act would allow Medicare … Continue Reading
01.10.19
Senators Press Wheeler on Questionable Payment to Pruitt Legal Defense Fund
Washington, DC - Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Tom Carper (D-DE), Tom Udall (D-NM), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) wrote to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler today to press for details on a sizable payment from a Wisconsin billionaire to former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt's legal defense fund. The $50,000 payment made by Diane Hendricks, owner of a major Wisconsin-based conglomerate, to Pruitt's fund would need to have cleared EPA ethics review. Al… Continue Reading
