Press Releases
Whitehouse Calls out Wehrum for Flaunting Trump Ethics Pledge
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse would like to know if Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Assistant Administrator Bill Wehrum violated the Trump administration's ethics pledge. In letters sent to President Donald Trump and EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler, Whitehouse asks how Wehrum could have both signed the pledge banning meetings with former clients and met on numerous occasions with former clients. A former energy industry lawyer representing ExxonMobil, Koch Industri… Continue Reading
10.19.18
Senators Call Out Secret, Partisan Judicial Clerk Training
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) today called into question the propriety of a closed-door training program for federal judicial clerks offered by a dark-money conservative Washington think tank. Promotional materials for the Heritage Foundation's Federal Clerkship Training Academy tout the involvement of sitting federal judges, and say attendees must pledge to "[k]eep strictly confidential" all program materials a… Continue Reading
10.18.18
URI Wins $746K for Aquaculture Worker Training at RI Sea Grant
Providence, RI - U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline announced an award of $745,815 in federal funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to the Rhode Island Sea Grant program at the University of Rhode Island. The funds will help strengthen training programs for entry?level aquaculture workers in Rhode Island and support the development of an online training curriculum that can be deployed nationwide. "Year afte… Continue Reading
10.18.18
Reed & Whitehouse Vow to Uphold ACA and Preserve Protections for People with Pre-Existing Conditions
*WATCH: Footage of this event is available for viewing here.* CRANSTON, RI - As Republicans sue in federal court to invalidate the Affordable Care Act (ACA) -- and with it protections for people with preexisting medical conditions that previously could be denied insurance coverage - and Senate Republican leaders declared their intent to again try and repeal the ACA, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) are vowing to defend and uphold the law and prevent people with preex… Continue Reading
10.15.18
Senators Call Out NRA for Using Shell Corporation to Duck Campaign Finance Law
Washington, DC - Nine U.S. Senators are calling on the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to take action against the National Rifle Association (NRA) and a major Republican advertising firm for using a shell company apparently to skirt campaign finance law to coordinate tens of millions of dollars in political ad spending. The firm, OnMessage, established the shell company, Starboard Strategic, in 2013 with the same staff and founders and in the same offices as OnMessage. The arrangement would … Continue Reading
10.11.18
Bipartisan Bill to Tackle Marine Debris Crisis Signed into Law
Washington, DC - Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) cheered the signing by the president today of their bipartisan Save Our Seas (SOS) Act, to address the marine debris epidemic affecting America's oceans, shorelines, and inland waterways, as well as other coasts across the globe. The Senators, all members of the Senate Oceans Caucus, introduced the legislation in March 2017 to boost the federal government's domestic and international response to the… Continue Reading
10.11.18
Whitehouse, Senate Judiciary Committee Advance McElroy Nomination for Rhode Island Federal Bench
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Jack Reed (D-RI) cheered the Judiciary Committee's approval of the nomination of Rhode Island Public Defender Mary McElroy for the U.S. District Court for Rhode Island. McElroy now awaits a vote in the full U.S. Senate on confirmation. Reed and Whitehouse originally recommended McElroy for this seat on the federal bench over three years ago. Her nomination was put forward by President Ob… Continue Reading
10.10.18
Whitehouse Bashes Republican Defense of ‘Junk’ Health Insurance Plans
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) called out President Donald Trump and Senate Republicans for defending the sale of "junk" health insurance plans that can deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions and don't cover essential health services, like emergency room visits and maternity care. Senate Republicans voted down a resolution today that would have overturned the Trump rule permitting the sale of junk plans. Yesterday, the White House threatened to veto the r… Continue Reading
10.10.18
Whitehouse Scores Wins for Rhode Island in Water Infrastructure Bill
Washington, DC - Today, the Senate passed the America's Water Infrastructure Act, to improve waterways, harbors, and drinking water infrastructure and support U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects in Rhode Island championed by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). The bill also includes legislation cosponsored by Whitehouse to give the public greater say in decisions by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) that raise rates for electricity customers. "Rhode Island needs strong, sa… Continue Reading
10.09.18
Whitehouse Applauds Acquisition of Rhode Island Offshore Wind Pioneer by Global Industry Leader
Providence, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, cheered the half-billion-dollar acquisition of the owner of Rhode Island's Block Island Wind Farm, Deepwater Wind, by one of the world's top offshore wind energy developers, Orsted. "Rhode Island's ocean planning and offshore wind leadership is paying off big," said Whitehouse. "Deepwater's first-in-the-nation offshore wind farm created jobs and powers Rhode Island homes and … Continue Reading
10.06.18
Whitehouse Statement on Kavanaugh Confirmation
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on his vote today against the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court: "I developed deep concerns with Judge Kavanaugh early in this process. He holds a narrow view of constitutional protections for women, a troubling affinity for dark money, and a worrying disregard for precedent and important judicial principles. Also, he sides - nine times out … Continue Reading
10.05.18
Senate Declares National Estuaries Week
Washington, DC - The Senate has unanimously approved a resolution designating the week of September 15 through September 22, 2018 as National Estuaries Week. Sponsored by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and 26 others, the bipartisan legislation recognizes the importance of coastal and estuarine regions to our national economy, and reaffirms the Senate's continued support for protecting and restoring these vital resources. "Estuaries are a big part of life in Rhode Island. They sustain our eco… Continue Reading
10.04.18
Whitehouse Statement on FBI Report on Kavanaugh Investigation
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a former United States Attorney, released the following statement regarding the FBI's summary of its limited background investigation of Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh, which senators were permitted to review today: "If I had received a report like this when I was serving as a United States Attorney, I would have sent it back for more work. Clearly there were considerable constraints … Continue Reading
10.03.18
Whitehouse Cheers Passage of FAA Bill Setting Minimum Seat Size for Air Passengers
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) welcomed passage of the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2018, which contains his provisions to help improve air passengers' comfort and safety, reduce airfare, and cut pollution. One provision would require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to set minimum seat sizes for passenger aircraft. Another would make it a criminal offense to interfere with the operation of a manned aircraft using a drone, and … Continue Reading
09.29.18
Whitehouse Outlines Proper Elements of FBI Investigation of Kavanaugh Sexual Assault Allegations
Washington, DC - Today, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a former United States Attorney, outlined the proper elements of an FBI investigation of sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. The Senate has delayed a vote on the Kavanaugh nomination to allow the FBI to conduct such an investigation. Whitehouse's statement is below. "As a former United States Attorney familiar with investigations, and given the short … Continue Reading
09.28.18
Whitehouse Statement on Committee Vote on Kavanaugh Nomination
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding the Judiciary Committee's vote today on the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court: "As this nominee advanced in the face of credible sexual assault allegations against him, Democrats' persistent advocacy opened the door to further FBI investigation, which I hope will meet the standards of 'sincere and thorough.' Senator Flake's reasonable requ… Continue Reading
09.27.18
Whitehouse Statement on Blasey Ford, Kavanaugh Testimony
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding the testimony of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh: "Dr. Blasey Ford's stunning testimony today added further credibility to her already credible allegations. She was precise. She was sincere. She was compelling. I am grateful for her bravery in coming forward. I personally believe her. "As a prosecutor, I condemn that… Continue Reading
09.27.18
Whitehouse: ‘Kavanaugh and Senate Republicans Have Worked Together to Deny Christine Blasey Ford a Fair Investigation’
Kavanaugh and Senate Republicans have worked together to deny Christine Blasey Ford a fair investigation: NBC News The Senate is obliged to be fair and respectful to victims. And this is where we have failed. By Senator Sheldon Whitehouse September 27, 2018 One of the hardest things a prosecutor has to do is to tell an assault victim who has come forward that there is not enough evidence to support proceeding to trial. It is not unusual for victims to come forward years, even decades, after … Continue Reading
09.25.18
Delegation, Raimondo Announce $12.6 Million for RI Opioids Fight
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline, and Governor Gina Raimondo announced $12.6 million in federal funding for Rhode Island's battle against the opioid epidemic. Rhode Island's share from a grant program at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) rose from $2.1 million last year to $12.6 million as a result of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018, also known as the Omnibus Appr… Continue Reading
09.24.18
Congressional Delegation, RI Officials, Textile Industry Leaders Launch Rhode Island Textiles Innovation Network in Pawtucket
Washington, DC - On Monday, at Slater Mill in Pawtucket, Rhode Island's congressional delegation joined members of Rhode Island's world-class textile industry and state and local officials to announce the launch of the Rhode Island Textiles Innovation Network (RITIN). The group's mission is to make Rhode Island a leader in advanced textile manufacturing, to promote a modern image of the sector, and to develop solutions to recruit and train the sector's future workforce. "There are many stars … Continue Reading
