Press Releases
Senators Offer Russian Asset Seizure Legislation Tracking Biden Administration Call for New Authority
Washington, DC - Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Jim Risch (R-ID), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have offered bipartisan legislation to empower U.S. authorities to seize high-priced assets of Russian President Vladimir Putin's oligarchs, and to put the proceeds from the sale of those assets toward aid for the Ukrainian people. The legislation includes authorities requested by President Biden in his comprehensive plan to hold Russian oligarchs an… Continue Reading
10.04.22
$1.5M Federal Grant to Help Jamestown Housing Authority with Urgent Heating Upgrades at Pemberton Apartments
JAMESTOWN, RI - Today, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressman David Cicilline announced that the Jamestown Housing Authority is getting $1,488,677 in federal funding to make emergency heating and electrical renovations for residents of Pemberton Apartments in Jamestown. Reed, Whitehouse, and Cicilline advocated for the emergency federal grant, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The federal funds will help speed up repair… Continue Reading
10.03.22
Whitehouse, Wicker Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Clamp Down on Kleptocrats & Criminals Laundering Money through U.S. Financial System
Washington, DC - Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) have introduced bipartisan legislation to guard against kleptocrats and criminals exploiting American professionals to hide their ill-gotten gains and carry out other financial crimes in the United States. The bipartisan senators offered the legislation as an amendment to the vital defense authorization bill set for consideration in the Senate later this year. The senators' Establishing New Authorities for Businesses … Continue Reading
09.29.22
Whitehouse Welcomes Implementation of His Bipartisan Corporate Transparency Bill to Crack Down on Money Laundering & Other Forms of Illicit Finance
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a leader in the fight against international corruption and illicit finance, welcomed a vital new tool for law enforcement to shed light on kleptocrats and criminals' efforts to hide dirty money in our financial system. The new rule from the U.S. Department of Treasury is based on Whitehouse's bipartisan legislation requiring reporting of the true identity, or "beneficial owner," of those who establish companies that can be used for money laund… Continue Reading
09.28.22
RI Delegation Announces $2.4 Million to Support Local Law Enforcement, Enhance Forensic Science & Stop Hate Crimes
PROVIDENCE, RI - In an effort to enhance public safety, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline today announced new federal justice assistance grants totaling $1,297,839 for local police departments and municipalities across the state. The federal funds are made available through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. The federal grants will enable cities and towns to prevent, deter, and combat crime based on th… Continue Reading
09.27.22
Whitehouse Announces Grant to Improve Shoreline Access in Portsmouth and Charlestown
Portsmouth, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today joined with state officials and community partners along the shore of Gull Cove in Portsmouth to announce a new $200,000 federal grant for the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM). In partnership with Save The Bay and The Nature Conservancy, RIDEM will use the funding to improve shoreline access and coastal resiliency at Gull Cove and Quonochontaug Pond Breachway in Charlestown. "The resiliency projects at Gull Cove … Continue Reading
09.23.22
RI Delegation Announces $11.3M to Combat Opioid Epidemic & Improve Mental Health
WASHINGTON, DC -- In an effort to connect Rhode Islanders struggling with mental health issues, opioid use disorder, and other behavioral health issues to treatment, recovery and prevention services, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline today announced $11,371,485 in new federal grants for Rhode Island. Over $7.4 million in federal State Opioid Response Grant funding will enhance statewide opioid addiction prevention, treatment, and rec… Continue Reading
09.23.22
U.S. Senate Passes Resolution Designating September 17-24 National Estuaries Week
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today announced that the Senate has designated September 17 through September 24, 2022 as National Estuaries Week. Whitehouse led 22 of his Senate colleagues in introducing the resolution calling for the protection and restoration of America's estuaries. The Senate agreed to the resolution unanimously. "For Rhode Islanders, the Narragansett Bay estuary is the beating heart of our economy and the backdrop of daily life. The Bay sustains many … Continue Reading
09.22.22
Whitehouse Blasts Republican Blockade of the DISCLOSE Act
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) slammed Senate Republicans' unified refusal today to advance the DISCLOSE Act, Whitehouse's bill to shine a light on the big special interests spending unlimited sums to purchase influence over the American government. The cloture vote failed 49-49. The measure needed 60 votes to advance. All Senate Republicans in attendance voted against the bill, while all members of the Democratic Caucus in attendance voted for it. "Today, Senate Rep… Continue Reading
09.21.22
Whitehouse Cheers Bipartisan Passage of Kigali Amendment to Phase Out Use of Potent HFCs Driving Climate Change
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today applauded bipartisan passage of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, affirming the U.S.'s commitment to phasing out use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by at least 85 percent over the next 15 years. The legislation passed the Senate in a 69-27 vote. HFCs, potent greenhouse gases commonly used for cooling and refrigeration, significantly contribute to global warming. "The Kigali Amendment is a very big deal for the climate. This ag… Continue Reading
09.20.22
Whitehouse Cheers Biden Speech Calling for Passage of the DISCLOSE Act
Washington, DC - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), the lead sponsor of the DISCLOSE Act to address the scourge of dark money in our democracy, cheered forceful remarks by President Joe Biden today urging Republicans to join Democrats in passing the DISCLOSE Act. Whitehouse released the following statement on Biden's remarks. "The President delivered a powerful case for passing my DISCLOSE Act and ending the corrupt hold of dark money on our democracy. Anonymous influence over our elections a… Continue Reading
09.20.22
Senate Tees Up Vote on Whitehouse’s DISCLOSE Act to Help Restore Americans’ Faith in Democracy
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today announced that the Senate is set to vote later this week on the DISCLOSE Act (S. 4822) to combat the flood of anonymous special interest spending in American politics. The bill would require organizations spending money in federal elections and judicial nominations to disclose their donors, allowing the American people to see who is spending big to influence their votes and gain control over their government. "A tsunami of anonymou… Continue Reading
09.15.22
RI Delegation Announces Major $82.5 Million Grant to Upgrade Iconic Pell Bridge
Providence, RI - U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline today announced an $82.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation's INFRA Grant Program to upgrade the iconic Pell Bridge that connects Newport and Jamestown. Planned improvements to the deck, suspension system, and towers will extend the life of New England's longest suspension bridge by an additional 50 to 75 years. "The Newport Pell Bridge is a critical asset that… Continue Reading
09.15.22
Whitehouse, Grassley Lead Senate Caucus in Issuing Report on Strategies to Combat Money Laundering by Drug Cartels
Washington, DC - Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), the Chairman and Co-Chairman of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, today released a bipartisan report entitled: Strengthening U.S. Efforts to Attack the Financial Networks of Cartels. The report offers recommendations for Congress and the Biden administration to reduce the supply of illicit drugs by closing loopholes in the U.S. anti-money laundering (AML) framework that enable narcotics trafficker… Continue Reading
09.14.22
With Reed & Whitehouse’s Backing, U.S. Senate Confirms Lara Montecalvo for 1st Circuit Court of Appeals
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Lara E. Montecalvo's nomination to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit by a bipartisan vote of 52-47. Montecalvo, who has led the office of the Rhode Island Public Defender since 2020, was nominated by President Joe Biden in April to fill the vacancy created by Judge O. Rogeriee Thompson announcing her plan to assume "senior status," which means she will soon begin hearing cases on a more limited basis. Montecalvo's nomin… Continue Reading
09.13.22
Whitehouse Joins President Biden for Ceremonial Inflation Reduction Act Bill Signing
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today joined President Joe Biden at the White House to take part in a ceremonial bill signing for the Inflation Reduction Act, landmark legislation that will lower energy and health care costs for Rhode Islanders, and drive down the emissions causing the climate crisis. All 50 Senate Democrats and Vice President Harris voted last month to pass the Inflation Reduction Act. "I'm thrilled to join President Biden for this historic occasion. Our Inf… Continue Reading
09.13.22
U.S. Senate Poised to Confirm RI’s Montecalvo to Seat on Influential U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
WASHINGTON, DC - Lara E. Montecalvo's nomination to serve on the influential U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit cleared a key Senate hurdle today. In a Senate procedure known as a 'cloture vote,' which is a preliminary vote necessary to end debate before final confirmation, Montecalvo received the backing of a majority of the U.S. Senate. Now, Montecalvo, who currently leads the office of the Rhode Island Public Defender, is slated to get confirmed this week to serve as a federal judg… Continue Reading
09.09.22
RI Fire Departments Receive Additional $2.1M for Training & Equipment
Pawtucket, RI - Seven fire departments throughout Rhode Island have been awarded new federal grants to bolster training, acquire equipment, and increase safety in the latest round of funding made available through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program and the Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Program. Today, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline announced $2,128,490 in new federal funding for fire departments across the sta… Continue Reading
09.07.22
Whitehouse Outlines Next Steps to Lower Emissions After Passage of Landmark Climate Bill
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse this evening took to the Senate floor to outline next steps for tackling climate change in his first climate speech after Democrats passed the historic Inflation Reduction Act - the most expansive climate bill ever signed into law. The speech was Whitehouse's 285th in the Time to Wake Up series. In the speech, Whitehouse called for passage of additional legislation, including a carbon border adjustment. In June, Whitehouse introduced the Clean … Continue Reading
08.31.22
RI Delegation Announces $1.1M to Support Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to provide essential services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and strengthen the state's support systems for people who have experienced abuse, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline announced nearly $1.1 million in new federal funding to help victims and hold perpetrators accountable. The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence is receiving a $550,000 federal grant under the Jus… Continue Reading
