Press Releases
Whitehouse Marks Earth Day with Call to End Plastic Pollution
Middletown, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today joined leading local environmental advocates to mark Earth Day with a call to end the plastic pollution filling the oceans, washing up on the shoreline, clogging nets of Rhode Island fishermen, and starving wildlife. The event took place on the grounds of Clean Ocean Access, a Middletown nonprofit focused on eliminating marine debris and improving the health of the coastline. "This Earth Day, it is more important than ever that all of us i… Continue Reading
04.20.18
Senate Democrats Call on President, Cabinet to Reveal Koch Infiltration of Trump Administration
Washington, DC - In a series of letters, Senate Democrats are demanding answers from President Donald Trump and cabinet officials about the Koch brothers' sweeping infiltration of the Trump administration. The Senators' demands are based on a December report to the wealthy donors of the Kochs' Seminar Network detailing a series of policy wins benefitting Koch businesses and the billionaires themselves. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), … Continue Reading
04.19.18
Inspector General to Investigate Pruitt’s Unprecedented Use of EPA Security Detail on Personal Travel
Washington, DC - The EPA Inspector General will investigate Administrator Scott Pruitt's use of his official security detail on personal trips to Disneyland, the Rose Bowl, and college basketball games. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) requested the investigation in a March 20 letter after obtaining six weeks of schedules and other documents providing snapshots of Pruitt's unprecedented use of his taxpayer-funded security detail. Whitehouse's request also noted that multiple sources have indi… Continue Reading
04.18.18
Whitehouse Signals Opposition to Pompeo Nomination
Washington, DC - Today, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the following statement opposing the nomination of CIA Director Mike Pompeo to serve as Secretary of State: "The Secretary of State has a much broader policy portfolio than the CIA Director. In that portfolio, Mr. Pompeo's record as a member of Congress is alarming. He denied human beings' role in driving climate change. He vilified people based on their faith, and attacked women's essential reproductive rights. And he pushe… Continue Reading
04.17.18
Whitehouse Statement on the Passing of Former First Lady Barbara Bush
Washington, D.C. - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse this evening issued the following statement on the passing of former First Lady Barbara Bush: "Mrs. Bush will be remembered for the strength and dignity she brought to serving as First Lady. My family has known the Bush family since my father was in college with President Bush and they both served as pilots in the Pacific during World War II. We join the nation tonight in sending our deepest condolences to Mrs. Bush's family, who have always been … Continue Reading
04.16.18
Whitehouse, Langevin, Cicilline Call for Fairer Tax Code Ahead of Tax Day
Pawtucket, RI - On the eve of Tax Day, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Congressman Jim Langevin, and Congressman David Cicilline today called on Congress to make the federal tax code fairer. Members of Rhode Island's congressional delegation gathered at Woodlawn Community Center, where the Blackstone Valley Community Action Program (BVCAP) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program has helped about five hundred Rhode Islanders prepare their returns free of charge this tax season. "With to… Continue Reading
04.14.18
Whitehouse Statement on Air Strikes in Syria
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the following statement regarding the air strikes in Syria: "The Assad regime's use of chemical weapons against its own civilian population is an atrocity. Given the information we have, this joint strike seems to satisfy the test for responding: it is limited, the goal is clear, and it does not commit us to deeper involvement or American boots on the ground. The administration needs to swiftly clarify its goals and authorities for … Continue Reading
04.12.18
Whitehouse Denounces Confirmation of Wheeler for EPA Deputy
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following statement on the confirmation of coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler to be Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today: "A fossil fuel flunky and a coal baron lobbyist are a dangerous duo to lead the EPA. Like his boss Administrator Scott Pruitt, Andrew Wheeler spent years fighting against the EPA's environmental protections. When coal … Continue Reading
04.11.18
Whitehouse Introduces Innovative Natural Gas Demand Response Legislation
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) introduced legislation today to encourage natural gas demand response programs, which reward reducing energy use, a model well established for electricity customers. Whitehouse's bill is one of the first pieces of federal legislation that leverages states' success in implementing demand response pilot programs, which can guard against price spikes for natural gas consumers and reduce the need to expand natural gas infrastructure. "Incentives t… Continue Reading
04.11.18
BLUMENTHAL, MARKEY & WHITEHOUSE INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO MODERNIZE FOOD LABELING
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Today U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) introduced the Food Labeling Modernization Act to minimize confusing and misleading information that consumers encounter on food packages. Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives last week by U.S. Representatives Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT). "Consumers deserve clear, accurate information about the food they eat - but instead o… Continue Reading
04.10.18
Reed & Whitehouse Statement on Trump Nomination of Mary McElroy to the U.S. District Court for Rhode Island
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse today issued the following joint statement after President Trump nominated Rhode Island Public Defender Mary McElroy to the U.S. District Court for Rhode Island. Reed and Whitehouse originally recommended Ms. McElroy for this seat on the federal bench nearly three years ago. Her nomination was put forward by President Obama in September of 2015 and she was unanimously approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee in January of 2016, … Continue Reading
04.02.18
Whitehouse Calls Out Automakers, Pruitt for Rollback of Vital Fuel Economy Standards
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) slammed Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt's decision today to begin unraveling important vehicle fuel efficiency standards that protect the health and safety of all Americans: "Fuel efficiency saves drivers money, lessens our reliance on foreign oil, and cuts carbon pollution. The auto industry agreed, adding that strong standards help them plan and invest wisely. They gave their word. "Automakers have the technology… Continue Reading
04.02.18
Whitehouse & Aquidneck Island Business Owners Highlight $30 Million in New Funding for Coastal Improvements Nationwide
Portsmouth, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today joined with area small business owners and local officials in the flood-prone Island Park neighborhood of Portsmouth to highlight the newly funded National Oceans and Coastal Security Fund, which can help coastal businesses weather rising seas and worsening storms. Congress approved $30 million in funding for the National Oceans and Coastal Security Fund, which will be awarded through a nationwide competitive grant process, in the omnibus s… Continue Reading
03.30.18
Whitehouse, Kaine, Duckworth, Hassan Push DeVos to Put New Public Service Student Debt Relief into Action
Washington, DC - Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) are calling for swift action from Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to implement legislation to bring recently passed student debt relief to borrowers in public service. The provisions, which passed as part of the omnibus spending bill last week, are based on a bill authored by Whitehouse and Kaine to fix a glitch in the Department of Education's Public Service Loan Forgiveness … Continue Reading
03.30.18
Whitehouse Passes Law to Help Forgive Student Loans for Rhode Islanders in Public Service Professions
Providence, RI - A version of the bill introduced by Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) to fix a glitch in a federal loan forgiveness program was included in the omnibus federal spending bill that was signed into law last week. The provision will help relieve the financial burden for eligible Rhode Islanders working in public service fields, like teachers, social workers, and military personnel, who sought to use the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program but were n… Continue Reading
03.28.18
Whitehouse Statement on Delay in Termination of Deferred Enforced Departure for Liberian Refugees
Providence, RI - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today issued the following statement regarding President Trump's decision to terminate Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Liberia, with an effective date of March 31, 2019 for Liberians living in the United States. "President Trump's decision to terminate the protected status for Liberians living in the United States will needlessly split apart families and send people who came here seeking safety back to a country that still faces serious challeng… Continue Reading
03.26.18
Whitehouse & Reed Announce Progress Protecting Funding for Bradley Hospital
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Jack Reed (D-RI) today announced that a provision they fought for to protect funding for children's psychiatric teaching hospitals, including Bradley Hospital in East Providence, is included in the bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Children's Hospital Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) Program. Whitehouse and Reed joined Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA) to introduce the CHGME Support Reauthorization Act of 2… Continue Reading
03.23.18
Whitehouse Praises Passage of Rhode Island Priorities in Government Funding Measure
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) cheered a range of critical Rhode Island priorities included today in an omnibus spending bill that will keep the federal government funded through September 30: "I'm proud of what this bill achieves for Rhode Island. It puts billions behind the fight against the opioid crisis, including hundreds of millions of dollars for programs established under my bipartisan addiction and recovery bill. And it targets federal opioid dollars at the state… Continue Reading
03.23.18
Whitehouse-Kaine Legislation to Help Forgive Student Loans for Public Service Workers Clears Congress
Washington, DC - Included in the omnibus federal spending bill that cleared Congress tonight is a version of a bill offered by Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) to fix a glitch in a federal loan forgiveness program that is leaving teachers, soldiers, social workers, and other public servants with massive loan balances they thought would be forgiven. The provision will help to relieve the financial burden for eligible middle-class families who sought to use the Public Servi… Continue Reading
03.22.18
Whitehouse Statement on McMaster Stepping Down as National Security Advisor, Replacement with John Bolton
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse issued the following statement on the departure of H.R. McMaster as President Trump's National Security Advisor and his replacement with former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton: "This is an unsettling choice for National Security Advisor. The president is best served by someone with a record of following the facts and sound advice from our leading national security and military experts. Mr. Bolton's record in the Bush administration and his pronouncement… Continue Reading
