Press Releases
Senate Passes Whitehouse Drones Bill as Part of FAA Reauthorization
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse's Drone Operator Safety Act passed the Senate today as part of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill. Whitehouse's legislation would make it a criminal offense to interfere with the operation of a manned aircraft using a drone and would prohibit flying a drone near active runways. Violators would be subject to a fine, prison time, or both. "I'm glad the Senate has passed the Drone Operator Safety Act," said Whitehouse. "Most… Continue Reading
04.18.16
Ayotte, Murray, Whitehouse, Franken: Report Shows Need for Trained Forensic Examiners for Survivors of Sexual Assault
WASHINGTON, D.C. - US Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Patty Murray (D-WA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Al Franken (D-MN) today responded to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report they requested that details several concerning issues related to the availability of trained sexual assault forensic examiners to sexual assault survivors. The report found that while data on the number of examiners nationwide and in states is limited, the number of trained examiners does not meet the need for… Continue Reading
04.14.16
Whitehouse Urges McConnell to Bring Up Tax Fairness Bills in Senate
Washington, DC - With Tax Day looming, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) has called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to bring up legislation that would give the American people greater confidence in their tax system. In a letter sent to Leader McConnell today, Whitehouse wrote: "As millions of Americans prepare to submit their 2015 tax returns, support for our nation's tax system may be at an all-time low. From reports on corporate inversions to the publication of the Panama P… Continue Reading
04.13.16
Whitehouse, Booker Announce Legislation to Update Licensing Frameworks for Advanced Nuclear Reactors
Washington, D.C. - Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the bipartisan Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act (NEIMA) today, to reform the process for licensing advanced nuclear reactors that have the potential to produce reliable, low-carbon energy for American consumers. The legislation, which Booker and Whitehouse co-authored with Senators James Inhofe (R-OK) and Mike Crapo (R-ID), would also establish new transparency and accountability measures for … Continue Reading
04.12.16
Senators Whitehouse, Markey Lead Democratic Senators in Call for Extension of Tax Programs for Offshore Wind Energy
Washington, DC - Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Edward J. Markey members of the Environment and Public Works Committee, today sent a letter to Senate leadership calling for the extension of tax programs to help spur the development of offshore wind energy. Last year's omnibus bill extended the Production Tax Credit (PTC) and Investment Tax Credit (ITC) until 2019, but because offshore energy development requires longer planning and permitting times, no offshore wind projects are projected to be… Continue Reading
04.12.16
Whitehouse Amendment to Protect Aircraft from Drones Approved by Senate
Washington, DC - The Senate has voted to add Senator Sheldon Whitehouse's Drone Operator Safety Act to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill now pending on the Senate floor. Whitehouse's legislation would make it a criminal offense to interfere with the operation of manned aircraft using a drone. "I am pleased that the Senate has adopted my amendment to protect passenger aircraft from drones," said Whitehouse. "Drones are a promising technology, but we need to ensure … Continue Reading
04.12.16
House Passes Hatch-Whitehouse Bill to Prevent Illicit Transfer of Prescription Drugs
Washington, D.C. - The House of Representatives tonight passed the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act, introduced by Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), which would help ensure that prescription drugs are dispensed to patients who need them and not those who would abuse them. The Hatch-Whitehouse bill clarifies the standards companies must meet when seeking to prevent prescription drugs from being diverted toward improper uses and helps protect pat… Continue Reading
04.11.16
Whitehouse Statement on Violence in Nagorno-Karabakh
Washington, DC - Today, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse put out the following statement on the ongoing crisis in the Nagorno-Karabakh region between Armenia and Azerbaijan: "The recent violence endangering the lives of Armenian people in Nagorno-Karabakh is a disturbing reminder of the fighting these two sides agreed to end over two decades ago. Over the years, thousands of people have been displaced by the strife in this area. More would surely follow if the escalating violence that we've seen ov… Continue Reading
04.07.16
Whitehouse Statement on the Passing of Vice Admiral Thomas Weschler
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today released the following statement on the passing of Thomas Robert Weschler, a Vice Admiral in the United States Navy and longtime resident of Newport, RI: "I am sorry to hear of the passing of Vice Admiral Weschler, whose devotion to our country and commitment to maritime education will be remembered by the generations who will benefit from his service. After a distinguished and storied naval career, Tom brought his love of sailing to Rhode… Continue Reading
04.07.16
Blumenthal, Whitehouse, Franken, Casey Introduce Elder Protection And Abuse Prevention Act
(Washington, DC) - Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) introduced the Elder Protection and Abuse Prevention Act to help protect seniors from abuse by implementing comprehensive network of elder abuse prevention and response measures. "Too many of our nation's seniors are physically abused or financially exploited by the very people who are supposed to care for them," Blumenthal said. "By requiring tough national standards… Continue Reading
04.06.16
Whitehouse Statement on Meeting with Supreme Court Nominee Merrick Garland
Washington, DC - Moments ago in his Senate office, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse met with Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland, Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Whitehouse is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is charged with considering the nomination and making a recommendation to the full Senate regarding confirmation. Whitehouse released the following statement on today's meeting: "I had the privilege to work with Merrick Garland … Continue Reading
04.05.16
Whitehouse, Graham Hail Senate Passage of Defend Trade Secrets Act
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) yesterday voted in support of the Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA), which creates a new federal right of action for trade secret theft. The bipartisan legislation, which both Senators cosponsored, passed the Senate by a vote of 87-0. The version passed by the Senate reflects a number of changes made by the bill's authors at the request of Whitehouse, Graham, and other Judiciary Committee members at a December 20… Continue Reading
04.01.16
President Signs Whitehouse Bill to Protect Servicemembers and Veterans from Foreclosure
Providence, RI - Last night, President Barack Obama signed into law Senator Sheldon Whitehouse's Foreclosure Relief and Extension for Servicemembers Act, extending key foreclosure protection to those who serve. The legislation had passed both houses of Congress with unanimous support. Whitehouse released the following statement on the bill's signing."Those who serve in our armed forces keep us safe. They should have as much financial security as possible as they transition back to civilian li… Continue Reading
03.30.16
Whitehouse Hosts Roundtable on Drone, Laser Interference with Aircraft
Warwick, RI - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today hosted a roundtable discussion on the growing threat that laser pointers and drones pose to aviation. "Flying has never been safer," said Senator Whitehouse. "But new threats to aviation safety are emerging. Pilots are reporting a big increase in the number of incidents of laser pointers being aimed at cockpits and drones flying dangerously close to aircraft. I led the charge in Congress to pass a law protecting our pilots from laser pointers. N… Continue Reading
03.24.16
Whitehouse Statement on Indictment of Iranian Hackers
Washington, DC - Today, the Department of Justice unsealed an indictment that charges seven Iranian nationals with conducting a campaign of cyber attacks against the United States on behalf of the Iranian government. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the statement below regarding the announcement: "I applaud the Department of Justice for its efforts to halt sophisticated cyber attacks sponsored by the Government of Iran that targeted our financial institutions and critical infrast… Continue Reading
03.21.16
Whitehouse Applauds House Passage of his Bill to Protect Servicemembers from Foreclosure
Havana, Cuba - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse applauded the House's passage today of the Foreclosure Relief and Extension for Servicemembers Act, which extends key foreclosure protection to those who serve. Whitehouse authored the legislation, which was unanimously approved by the Senate in December. The bill now awaits the President's signature to become law. "Some of the men and women who've served our country need time to find their financial footing as they leave active service. They should… Continue Reading
03.21.16
Whitehouse Applauds House Passage of his Bill to Protect Servicemembers from Foreclosure
Havana, Cuba - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse applauded the House's passage today of the Foreclosure Relief and Extension for Servicemembers Act, which extends key foreclosure protection to those who serve. Whitehouse authored the legislation, which was unanimously approved by the Senate in December. The bill now awaits the President's signature to become law. "Some of the men and women who've served our country need time to find their financial footing as they leave active service. They should… Continue Reading
03.18.16
Whitehouse Announces Visit to Cuba with President Obama
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse announced today that he will be accompanying President Barack Obama and his family for the first visit to Cuba by a sitting President in nearly nine decades. Congressman David Cicilline has also been invited. Whitehouse released the following statement regarding the trip: "Cutting diplomatic relations with Cuba more than a half century ago has not achieved the kind of change we intended. Now is the time for a different approach. Despite our diffe… Continue Reading
03.17.16
Hatch and Whitehouse’s Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act Passes Senate
Washington, D.C. - Today, the Senate unanimously passed the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act, to help ensure that prescription drugs land in the hands of patients and not those who would abuse them. The bill, authored by Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), would clarify the standards companies must meet when protecting prescription drugs from being diverted toward improper uses and help protect patients from dangerous disruptions in the productio… Continue Reading
03.16.16
Whitehouse Introduces Bill to Help Behavioral Health Care Providers Adopt Electronic Health Records
Washington, DC - Today, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) introduced legislation to support the integration of behavioral health care providers-like psychologists and psychiatric hospitals-into our national health information technology infrastructure, helping to ensure that patients in our mental health care system receive coordinated, quality care. Medicare and Medicaid have distributed nearly $32 billion in incentives for the adoption of electronic health records since 2009. However, psycho… Continue Reading
