Press Releases
Whitehouse Calls for Long-Term Highway Funding Plan
Washington, DC - With federal highway funding set to expire at the end of this month unless Congress acts, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) took to the Senate floor today to call for a serious bipartisan effort to avert a funding crisis. Whitehouse's speech took Republicans to task for failing to provide new highway funding through their budget proposal, and highlighted the urgent need to invest in Rhode Island roads and bridges. Video of Whitehouse's remarks is available here. "We are… Continue Reading
05.02.15
During Annual Veterans Breakfast, Whitehouse Announces Bill to Protect Servicemembers from Foreclosure
Warwick, RI - On Saturday, during his 8th Annual Veterans Breakfast and Resource Fair at the Rhode Island National Guard Armory, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse presented medals to a Korean War veteran from Pawtucket, heard from veterans and their families about the issues they face, and announced legislation to protect servicemembers from losing their homes to foreclosure. Whitehouse introduced the legislation in the Senate on Thursday. The event also included representatives from federal and… Continue Reading
04.30.15
Grassley, Whitehouse Bill Reauthorizes Juvenile Justice Programs with Improved Accountability
Washington, D.C. - Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today are introducing legislation to ensure that at-risk youth are fairly and effectively served by juvenile justice grant programs. Their legislation updates existing law by promoting improved transparency and accountability at the state and federal level. It also adds additional support for youth with mental illnesses and guards against fraud and mismanagement of grant funds through enhanced oversigh… Continue Reading
04.30.15
WHITEHOUSE, LANGEVIN SUPPORT GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) introduced legislation in their respective chambers today that would allow federal employees to make socially responsible investments (SRI) in their retirement plans. The Federal Employees Sustainable Investment Act, which is also supported by Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI), would allow federal employees to direct retirement investments toward socially responsible corporations. "Americans increasin… Continue Reading
04.29.15
Whitehouse Fighting to Help RIers Combat Addiction
Washington, DC - On the heels of a new Providence Journal analysis showing that Rhode Island has a higher rate of opioid-related overdose deaths than neighboring states and the nation as a whole, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) is continuing his fight to help communities and individuals battle addiction. Whitehouse, who is the lead Democratic sponsor of the bipartisan Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, spoke today at a Capitol Hill event hosted by the Addiction Policy Forum. "Th… Continue Reading
04.27.15
Udall, Whitehouse, Merkley, Booker Announce Breakthrough Improvements to Landmark Chemical Safety Bill
WASHINGTON - Today, Democratic U.S. Sens. Tom Udall (N.M.), Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.), Jeff Merkley (Ore.) and Cory Booker (N.J.) announced a major breakthrough agreement in historic legislation to reform the nation's broken chemical safety law, a day before a "markup" hearing to finalize the legislation in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Following intense weekend negotiations, the bipartisan compromise agreement strengthens protections under the proposed law and expands state… Continue Reading
04.22.15
Whitehouse Delivers Remarks at Capitol Hill Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide
Washington, DC - Last evening, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse delivered the following remarks at the Capitol Hill Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. The Commemoration marked the 100th anniversary of the Genocide and was attended by members of both the House and Senate. Since taking office in 2007, Whitehouse has cosponsored multiple Senate Resolutions calling on the President to ensure that U.S. foreign policy acknowledges as genocide the killings of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman… Continue Reading
04.16.15
Senate Committee Approves Education Overhaul
Washington, DC - The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) today approved bipartisan legislation to reform our nation's education system. The bill reauthorizes and updates the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), which was last overhauled in 2001 with President Bush's "No Child Left Behind" program. The reauthorization approved today lessens the testing burdens imposed by the Bush program and reduces the federal government's footprint in evaluating te… Continue Reading
04.14.15
Senators Urge Governors to Ignore McConnell, Comply with the Clean Air Act
Washington, D.C. - Last month, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) sent a letter to the Governors of all 50 states urging them to ignore the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean Power Plan. Now a group of U.S. Senators is responding with their own letter to Governors pointing out that McConnell's home state is already crafting a plan to comply with the EPA standards and his actions are at odds with voices from around Kentucky who believe climate change is real and should be addresse… Continue Reading
04.08.15
Whitehouse, Langevin, and Cicilline Lead Economic Development Administration Head on Tour of Rhode Island
Providence, RI - Today, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse hosted the head of the federal Economic Development Administration (EDA), U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Jay Williams, on a day-long tour of Rhode Island. They met with Rhode Island businesses and discussed ways that the EDA could support economic growth and job creation in the state. Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline joined them for the stops in their respective districts. Williams leads the onl… Continue Reading
04.02.15
Sen. Whitehouse Statement on Tentative Iran Nuclear Deal
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the statement below regarding President Obama's announcement that international negotiators have agreed upon a framework for a deal to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon: "As President Obama said today, a diplomatic solution is 'our best option by far' in the effort to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. I will continue to review the developing details of this framework. I commend the President and Secretary Kerr… Continue Reading
04.02.15
Senators Urging Administration to Require Government Contractors to Disclose Political Spending
Washington, DC - Today, on the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court's McCutcheon decision that further eroded the nation's campaign finance laws, a group of U.S. Senators are sending a letter asking the Obama Administration to implement an executive order requiring government contractors to disclose political spending. The letter is signed by U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tom Udall (D-NM), Al Franken (D-MN), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). The letter from th… Continue Reading
04.02.15
RI Delegation Announces $1.6 Million for RI Sea Grant
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline announced over $1.6 million in federal funding from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for the Rhode Island Sea Grant Program. Rhode Island Sea Grant will use the funds to continue work on the state's Shellfish Management Plan in cooperation with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the Coastal Resources Management Counci… Continue Reading
03.31.15
Sen. Whitehouse Applauds U.S. Commitment for Greenhouse Gas Reductions
Washington, DC - Today the Obama Administration announced the United States' commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of the global effort to tackle climate change. The commitment comes in advance of the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Paris in December, where countries from around the world will attempt to forge a new international climate agreement. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the statement below regarding the U.S. commitment: "President Obama's commitment… Continue Reading
03.31.15
Bicameral Task Force on Climate Change Leads Letter Supporting International Climate Talks
Washington, D.C. - As the Obama Administration prepares to release its greenhouse gas reduction commitment for the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Paris, the Bicameral Task Force on Climate Change is today leading more than 100 Members of Congress on a letter supporting President Obama's international climate efforts. Bicameral Task Force co-chairs Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD), Rep. Bobby L. Rush (D-IL), Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-MA), and… Continue Reading
03.27.15
Sen. Whitehouse Statement on Senate Budget Passage
Washington, DC - Early this morning, the U.S. Senate voted to approve the Republican budget resolution by a vote of 52-46. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Budget Committee, released the statement below regarding the vote: "I voted against the Republican budget proposal because it calls for severe cuts that would dramatically harm Rhode Islanders while protecting every single tax loophole for the rich and powerful. It would slash Medicaid and food stamps, undermine the … Continue Reading
03.27.15
Sen. Whitehouse Statement on Reid Retirement
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the statement below regarding Minority Leader Harry Reid's (D-NV) announcement that he will retire at the end of his term: "History will remember Harry Reid as the tough-minded majority leader who shepherded through the Senate some of the most consequential legislation in generations in the face of withering and unprecedented obstruction from the opposing party. I wish him well in our months ahead together and after his service in… Continue Reading
03.26.15
Bennet, Whitehouse, Manchin, Heitkamp Offer Amendment to Combat Climate Change, Promote Economic and National Security
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Michael Bennet, Sheldon Whitehouse, Joe Manchin and Heidi Heitkamp are offering an amendment to the Senate's budget proposal to promote national security, economic growth, and public health by prioritizing efforts to address climate change. "Colorado can't wait any longer for Washington to address climate change. Unchecked carbon pollution represents a material threat to our state and its economy - whether it's a shorter ski season, the increased threat of wildfir… Continue Reading
03.26.15
Republicans Vote to Protect Dark Money in Elections
Washington, DC - With the Senate debating amendments to this year's budget resolution, Republicans voted against an amendment offered by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and cosponsored by Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) aimed at making it more difficult for corporations and billionaires to secretly influence federal elections through unlimited and undisclosed campaign expenditures - so-called "dark money." The amendment would have facilitated passage of legislation to promote transparency in politic… Continue Reading
03.26.15
Report: Prison Reforms Reduce Racial Disparities in Corrections System
Washington, DC - Today the Council of State Governments released a report on the changing racial composition of prison populations in three states that have implemented reforms to their corrections systems using the Justice Reinvestment approach. The report shows that changes such as improving access to substance use treatment for prisoners, implementing recidivism-reduction programs and incentivizing prisoner participation, and developing risk-assessment tools to identify the best ways to help… Continue Reading
