Press Releases
Senate Clears Bipartisan Bill to Address Marine Debris Crisis
Washington, DC - Today, the Senate unanimously passed bipartisan legislation to address the marine debris epidemic affecting America's oceans, shorelines, and inland waterways, as well as other coasts across the globe. The bill, which was introduced in March by Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Cory Booker (D-NJ), would boost the federal government's domestic and international response to the millions of tons of plastic and other waste that litter our shores, threaten… Continue Reading
08.03.17
Senate Passes Resolution Declaring National Estuaries Week
Washington, DC - Today, the Senate unanimously approved a resolution designating the week of September 16 through September 23, 2017 as National Estuaries Week. Sponsored by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and 28 others, the bipartisan legislation recognizes the importance of coastal and estuarine regions to our national economy. It also reaffirms the Senate's continued support for protecting and restoring these vital resources. "Estuaries are at the center of our economy and way of life in Rhode … Continue Reading
08.03.17
Whitehouse, Portman Introduce Bill to Help Behavioral Health Care Providers Adopt Electronic Health Records
Washington, DC - Today, Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Rob Portman (R-OH) introduced legislation to help behavioral health care providers - like psychologists and psychiatric hospitals - adopt electronic health records. The bill would extend federal incentives to adopt electronic health technology to behavioral health care providers, improving the coordination and quality of care for Americans with mental health, addiction, and other behavioral health care needs. "Good care for people … Continue Reading
08.02.17
Resolution on Lobster Rolls through Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - In recognition of the historic and economic importance of the lobster industry to Rhode Island and other coastal states, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved a resolution designating Monday, September 25, 2017 as "National Lobster Day." The resolution, cosponsored by U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and seven New England colleagues, invites lobster lovers to mark their culinary calendars for the last Monday in September. "This is a fitting tribute to o… Continue Reading
08.01.17
Whitehouse Juvenile Justice Reform Bill Clears Senate
Washington, DC - Today, the Senate approved bipartisan legislation reauthorizing the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA), making important improvements to the way we treat young people in our criminal justice system. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) authored the bill with Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA). "This bill will help kids in the system to turn things around, return home, and stay out of trouble," said Whitehouse. "It helps to stop practic… Continue Reading
08.01.17
Reed, Whitehouse Seek to Stoke Offshore Wind’s Potential for Job Creation & Clean Energy
Washington, D.C. - With America's first-ever offshore wind farm completed off the coast of Rhode Island, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) are teaming up with Tom Carper (D-DE), Susan Collins (R-ME), and several of their colleagues in introducing the Incentivizing Offshore Wind Power Act. This bipartisan legislation would provide critical financial incentives to spur more investment in offshore wind energy. The bill would create an investment tax credit that is redee… Continue Reading
08.01.17
Whitehouse Statement on Confirmation of Christopher Wray to be Eighth FBI Director
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on the confirmation of Christopher Wray to serve as the eighth Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Today, Whitehouse joined the majority in the Senate to confirm Wray 92-5. "Now more than ever, the Bureau needs a resolute and independent leader. Christopher Wray has assured us he can be that leader. "Mr. Wray met my core qualifications for the job. H… Continue Reading
07.31.17
RI Delegation Announces $2 Million to Hire More Firefighters in North Kingstown & Barrington
NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI - In an effort to enhance public safety, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Jim Langevin and David Cicilline today announced over $2 million in federal funding to help North Kingstown and Barrington hire and train new firefighters. This direct federal assistance, provided through the competitive Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program, will help both communities pay for two years of salaries and benefits fo… Continue Reading
07.28.17
Whitehouse Statement on Failure of Vote to Repeal the Affordable Care Act
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, released the following statement on the failure of Senate legislation to repeal critical components of the Affordable Care Act, the so-called "skinny" repeal: "Rather than work with Democrats to build on the gains we've made under the Affordable Care Act, the Republicans have engaged in the most partisan and secretive process I've ever seen in Congress. That process was … Continue Reading
07.27.17
Whitehouse Statement on Justice Department Argument Against Protections for LGBT Workers
Washington, DC - Today, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on the Department of Justice's filing of a brief in federal court arguing that federal workplace discrimination law does not protect employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation: "Donald Trump promised the LGBT community he would fight for them. Now, on the same day he pledged to ban transgender Americans outright from serving in our armed forces,… Continue Reading
07.26.17
Whitehouse Statement on Transgender Americans Serving in the Military
Today, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the following statement on President Donald Trump's announcement today via Twitter of a ban on transgender Americans serving in the armed services: "Once again, when President Trump fears the news on Russia or other scandals, he changes the subject, lashing out at a group he sees as vulnerable. But this move to reinstate discrimination in our armed services is an attack on the brave LGBT Americans who already serve with distinction. Their s… Continue Reading
07.26.17
American Opportunity Carbon Fee Act Introduced in Congress
Today, Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Congressmen Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and David Cicilline (D-RI) introduced legislation to place a price on the carbon pollution driving global climate change and putting Americans' health and safety at risk. The American Opportunity Carbon Fee Act, which Schatz and Whitehouse will unveil at the American Enterprise Institute on Wednesday afternoon, would significantly lower the nation's greenhouse gas emissions while generating … Continue Reading
07.25.17
Whitehouse Statement on Vote to Proceed to ACA Repeal Bill
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, released the following statement on the vote in the Senate today to advance to legislation that would repeal the Affordable Care Act: "Right now, many Rhode Islanders receive quality, affordable health care under the Affordable Care Act. I've heard from Rhode Islanders who feel secure that they don't have to worry about lifetime or annual caps, or being denied coverage for a pr… Continue Reading
07.20.17
Whitehouse Votes to Advance Nomination of Christopher Wray for FBI Director
Washington, DC - During a Senate Judiciary Committee business meeting today, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) voted in favor of President Donald Trump's pick for Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Christopher Wray. Judiciary Committee members advanced Wray's nomination by a unanimous vote. Whitehouse released the following statement on the vote: "I have carefully reviewed Christopher Wray's record as an attorney, his testimony before the Committee, and his responses to our writ… Continue Reading
07.19.17
DPCC Holds Hearing on Protecting American Elections From Foreign Interference by Strengthening Campaign Finance Laws
Washington, DC - With more details of Russia's interference in the 2016 election emerging daily, the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC) held a hearing on Wednesday to examine the exposure of our democracy to foreign interference through lax campaign finance laws. DPCC Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow hosted the hearing, while Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) led the discussion with a slate of leading campaign finance experts. The hearing covered loopholes in existing law that all… Continue Reading
07.18.17
Federal Delegation Announces $125K to Grow Composites Industry, Create Jobs in RI
Bristol, RI - Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen David Cicilline and Jim Langevin today announced a $125,000 federal grant to develop a composites industry cluster that will support job creation and economic growth in Rhode Island. The grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) was awarded to the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association (RIMTA) and the town of Bristol to develop a strategic plan to maximize the competitiveness of the local composites indu… Continue Reading
07.18.17
Whitehouse Introduces Bill to Protect Children from Lead
Washington, DC - With more than 80 percent of Rhode Island children in low-income families living in homes built before the federal government banned consumer uses of lead paint in 1978, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today introduced legislation to help American families cover the cost of removing lead from their homes. About one in twenty Rhode Island children under age six has elevated blood lead levels, according to Rhode Island Kids Count. "The safest place for any child should be their … Continue Reading
07.18.17
Whitehouse Weighs In with Oklahoma Bar on Pruitt’s Pattern of Stonewalling and Dishonesty
Washington, DC - Today, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) filed documents with the Oklahoma Bar Association to supplement a complaint filed against Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt, including new records suggesting Pruitt's former office stonewalled Senators during his confirmation process. Whitehouse, who is listed as a witness on the complaint, submitted a letter and exhibits to supplement the complaint showing how Pruitt evaded, misled, or obstructed members o… Continue Reading
07.17.17
Whitehouse Statement on Republican Health Care Bill
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, released the following statement on the collapse of support for Senate Republicans' bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act: "This effort faltered - yet again - for the simple reason that erasing the gains we've made under the Affordable Care Act would be a disaster for our health care system and the American people. "Now it is time for Republicans to turn the page and j… Continue Reading
07.15.17
Nearly $1 Million Federal Grant Awarded to Providence for New Fire Truck & Ambulance
PROVIDENCE, RI - Today, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline joined Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza in announcing over $974,000 in federal funding to help the Providence Fire Department purchase two new vehicles to bolster the efficiency of operations that save lives and better serve the community. The funding is made available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG). The De… Continue Reading
