Press Releases
Sen. Whitehouse to EPA: The Public is With You
Washington, DC - In June, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the first-ever national limits on carbon pollution from existing power plants, which are scheduled to be finalized after public comment and subsequent review. With the public comment period closing today, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) is submitting formal comments urging EPA to strengthen its proposal and to ensure that fear mongering from opponents doesn't derail its efforts. "You have the moral, economic, s… Continue Reading
11.20.14
GAO Report: Inaction on Climate Change could Increase Costs to Taxpayers
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressional inaction on climate change is likely to increase costs to taxpayers for the federal flood and crop insurance programs according to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report requested by a group of lawmakers including Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). The report concluded that, if left unchecked, climate change and related increases in the frequency and severity of extreme weather will likely greatly increase insured and uninsured finan… Continue Reading
11.20.14
Sen. Whitehouse Statement on President’s Immigration Order
Washington, DC - Tonight President Obama announced a plan to use his executive authority to help address our nation's broken immigration system. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the statement below regarding the President's action: "I worked for weeks in the Judiciary Committee to craft a strong bipartisan immigration bill supported by everyone from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to major labor unions, which passed the Committee and the Senate in bipartisan fashion last year. For… Continue Reading
11.19.14
Sens. Whitehouse and Schatz Introduce Carbon Fee Legislation
Washington, DC - As President Obama and Senate Democrats continue to make clear that they are not backing off in the fight against climate change following the election, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today unveiled legislation that would reduce carbon pollution and generate as much as $2 trillion dollar over ten years - all of which would be returned to the American people. Whitehouse's American Opportunity Carbon Fee Act, which is cosponsored by Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), would correct a m… Continue Reading
11.18.14
Sen. Whitehouse Statement on Keystone Vote
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the statement below regarding today's vote in the Senate on legislation to force the approval of the Keystone XL pipeline, which failed by a vote of 59-41. 60 votes were required. "The Keystone pipeline isn't any normal pipeline. It would transport Canadian tar sands oil, which is one of the dirtiest fuels on earth. It would only create about 35 permanent jobs - all while contributing to the harm carbon pollution is doing to o… Continue Reading
11.18.14
RI Delegation Lauds Approval of Block Island Wind Farm Transmission Line
Washington, DC - Yesterday the U.S. Department of the Interior announced that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has offered a right-of-way (ROW) grant to Deepwater Wind Block Island Transmission System, LLC (Deepwater Wind) for the Block Island Transmission System (BITS). The announcement paves the way for the installation of a transmission line to carry energy from the Block Island Wind Farm to the Rhode Island mainland, and to give island residents access to the mainland electric g… Continue Reading
11.11.14
Sen. Whitehouse Statement on New Climate Commitments from U.S. and China
Providence, RI - Tonight President Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping together announced new commitments to address climate change. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the statement below regarding their announcement: "The US and China's joint announcement of carbon pollution reduction plans sends an important message: the world's top two emitters are committed to working together to avert the worst effects of climate change. President Obama's commitment to reduce US carbon po… Continue Reading
11.11.14
Senator Whitehouse Announces Staff Changes in State Office
Providence, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse issued the following statement on the departure of his deputy state director, Tony Simon, who is leaving to join Providence Mayor-elect Jorge Elorza's administration as chief of staff. "Throughout my time in the United States Senate, Tony Simon has been a true asset to me and the people of Rhode Island," said Whitehouse. "Tony is a trusted advisor, a devoted Rhode Islander, and a good friend. I thank him for all the sound advice he has given me… Continue Reading
11.10.14
Sen. Whitehouse Applauds President’s Defense of Net Neutrality
Providence, RI - Today President Barack Obama released a statement calling on the Federal Communications Commission to ensure a free and open internet by upholding the principles of net neutrality and reclassifying consumer broadband service under Title II of the Telecommunications Act - a step which would enable the FCC to prevent internet service providers from creating "fast lanes" for certain websites. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, who joined 11 other Senators on a letter to the FCC supp… Continue Reading
11.08.14
Sen. Whitehouse Statement on Anticipated Nomination of Loretta Lynch to be Next Attorney General
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the statement below regarding the notice from the White House that President Obama will today announce his intent to nominate Loretta Lynch to serve as the next Attorney General of the United States: "Attorney General Holder will leave a restored and strengthened Justice Department, and the next Attorney General must above all continue his commitment to independence and the rule of law. Loretta Lynch is a talented prosecutor with … Continue Reading
10.28.14
Sen. Whitehouse Delivers Keynote Address at NYU Conference on Climate Policy
New York, NY - Today U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse delivered the keynote address at the annual New York University Institute for Policy Integrity fall conference and announced that he will soon introduce legislation to establish a fee on carbon pollution. This year's conference was entitled "The Future of U.S. Climate Policy: Coal, Carbon Markets, and the Clean Air Act." Whitehouse, a leading voice for action on climate change and the Chairman of the Senate's Environment and Public Works Sub… Continue Reading
10.21.14
Rhode Island to Receive Over $8 Million in Housing Grants
Providence, RI - Today U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline announced over $8 million in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding for the cities of Providence and East Providence. The funding will go to help the cities improve housing and expand economic opportunity in their communities; help homeless residents find shelter and access services; fund local programs and partnerships with non-profit organizations that… Continue Reading
09.30.14
Providence Receives $3.9M in Federal Funding for Lead Safety
Providence, RI - Today, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline announced that Providence's Department of Planning and Development (DPD) has received $3.9 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to protect city residents from the hazards of lead-based paint in their homes. The funding will be used as part of DPD's Lead Safe Providence Program, which coordinates existing city services to mitigate lead hazar… Continue Reading
09.26.14
Senators Urge Administration to Address Methane Pollution
Washington, D.C. - Fifteen U.S. Senators led by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today applauded the Obama Administration's efforts to act on climate change, while urging swifter action to limit methane pollution from oil and natural gas production. Methane is the principal component of natural gas and emits less carbon pollution than coal or oil when burned to generate heat or electricity. However, when natural gas leaks before it is burned, it is significantly worse for the climate and dimini… Continue Reading
09.25.14
Sen. Whitehouse Applauds Marine Monument Designation
Washington, DC - Today President Obama signed a proclamation designating the world's largest marine reserve, expanding the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument to encompass 370,000 square nautical miles. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a co-chair of the Senate Oceans Caucus, released the statement below applauding the designation: "I have long argued that we must become caretakers - not just takers - of our marine resources. The ocean is a source of food, energy, recreation… Continue Reading
09.25.14
Sen. Whitehouse Statement on AG Holder’s Resignation
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the statement below today regarding Attorney General Eric Holder's announcement that he will step down: "Eric will be remembered as the Attorney General who brought the Department of Justice back from years of darkness under President Bush; when U.S. Attorneys were politicized, partisan tests influenced hiring, and sham legal opinions enabled our nation's descent into torture. Attorney General Holder restored the confidence and m… Continue Reading
09.24.14
URI Signs Agreements to Partner with Indonesia on Fisheries Education
Providence, RI - Today, at a meeting hosted by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, University of Rhode Island (URI) President David Dooley and Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) Director General Gellwynn Jusuf signed agreements finalizing a sustained education partnership between URI and MMAF. The agreements establish terms under which MMAF will send 25 staff members to URI over the next five years to study ocean and fisheries management and related subjects. During 2013,… Continue Reading
09.19.14
Delegation Announces $791,000 in Federal Funding to Help Combat Teen Dating Violence
Providence, RI - Today, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline announced $791,000 in funding from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for a study on teen dating violence, which will be conducted at Rhode Island Hospital and will focus on aggressive attitudes among middle school-aged boys. Rhode Island Hospital and Klein Buendel, Inc., a technology research company, will use the funds to study the effectiveness of web-based games and vide… Continue Reading
09.17.14
Senators Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Drug Addiction and Support Recovering Addicts
Washington, D.C. - With ever more Americans falling victim to drug addiction and overdoses from opiates, U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Rob Portman (R-OH) today introduced bipartisan legislation that could help turn the tide in the struggle against this epidemic. The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2014, cosponsored by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), would provide a series of incentives and resources designed to encourage st… Continue Reading
09.16.14
Sen. Whitehouse Applauds New Effort to Reduce HFC Emissions
Washington, DC - Today the Obama Administration announced a series of new executive actions and private-sector commitments to reduce hydroflourocarbons (HFCs), extremely potent greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change and that are commonly used in air conditioners and refrigerators. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a leading voice for action on climate change who has repeatedly called for major American corporations to be more vocal about the need to act on climate change, rele… Continue Reading
