Press Releases
Whitehouse Highlights Jobs Plan During Small Business Visits
Providence, RI - With Rhode Island workers and small businesses still struggling in this tough economy, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today kicked off a month-long tour of small businesses in the state, and rolled out a series of initiatives to create jobs. Whitehouse's jobs plan is a mix of policies and proposals that he has advocated for throughout his time in the Senate, and which, if passed, would provide a boost to small businesses throughout the state. Download Sheldon's Jobs Plan Here… Continue Reading
08.06.12
Four Rhode Island Hospitals to Receive Additional $7.1 Million in Medicare Payments
Warwick, RI - In an effort to help ensure patients have access to quality health care services at Rhode Island hospitals, as well as support sustainable sources of jobs in the state, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Representatives James Langevin and David Cicilline today joined hospital executives and representatives from Kent, Newport, South County, and Westerly Hospitals to announce an additional $7.1 million in Medicare payments to these four hospitals as a result of a new … Continue Reading
08.02.12
Whitehouse Statement on Cybersecurity Cloture Vote
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the statement below today regarding the failed cloture vote on the Cybersecurity Act of 2012, which Senate Republicans blocked: "While it is unfortunate that the Minority Leader chose to upset a careful balance by seeking irrelevant partisan amendments - like the 'Repeal Obamacare' amendment - on this significant national security legislation, I believe that Members were closer to agreement than the cloture vote suggests. To reac… Continue Reading
07.31.12
Whitehouse and Mikulski Offer Amendments to Cybersecurity Bill
Washington, DC - As the U.S. Senate debates legislation to protect our nation from cyber attacks, U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) today introduced three amendments to the bill to help ensure that law enforcement agencies have the proper tools and authorities to prevent such attacks. The bill, the Cybersecurity Act of 2012, is expected to receive a vote this week. "As we continue working to pass legislation to protect our nation from cyber threats, it's impor… Continue Reading
07.26.12
Whitehouse Statement on Cybersecurity Cloture Vote
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the following statement regarding today's successful cloture vote in the Senate on the Cybersecurity Act of 2012: "Today's vote is a key first step toward passing much needed cybersecurity legislation into law. This is one of the most important national security issues facing us today: we must take action to protect our nation from cyber attacks. I commend Senators Lieberman, Collins, Feinstein, and Rockefeller for their hard wo… Continue Reading
07.25.12
Whitehouse Argues for Preserving Middle-Class Tax Cuts
Washington, DC - Today, the U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote on the Middle Class Tax Cuts Act, a proposal by Senate Democrats that would preserve low tax rates for the vast majority of Americans while asking the wealthiest individuals to pay a fair share toward deficit reduction. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, who led the fight earlier this year to enact the Buffett Rule to ensure that multi-million-dollar earners pay a fair tax rate, gave a speech on the Senate floor yesterday evening urging… Continue Reading
07.19.12
Senate Passes Comprehensive Veterans Legislation
Washington, DC - The United States Senate last night passed a comprehensive package of improvements to benefits and services for veterans and their families, including a key component authored by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) to help keep military families in their homes. The Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 contains a measure to lengthen the period of foreclosure protection for servicemembers returning from active duty, which is similar to a… Continue Reading
07.18.12
Whitehouse Invites RI Small Business Leader to Washington
Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee met with business leaders from around the country who have expanded their businesses and created jobs despite the tough economic climate. Senator Whitehouse invited Charlie Kroll, the President and CEO of Rhode Island-based Andera, to share his experiences at the meeting. "Our first priority must be to grow Rhode Island's economy and help small businesses succeed in the state. It is very encouraging to hear from… Continue Reading
07.18.12
Senators, Business Leaders, Workers Join to Urge Passage of “Bring Jobs Home Act”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI, co-chair of the Senate Manufacturing Caucus), Dick Durbin (D-IL, Senate Assistant Majority Leader), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today joined business leaders and workers at the U.S. Capitol to urge passage of the Bring Jobs Home Act. The Bring Jobs Home Act, authored by Senator Stabenow and cosponsored by Durbin, Whitehouse and Blumenthal, ends a tax giveaway that rewards companies that ship jobs overseas and pr… Continue Reading
07.17.12
Whitehouse Statement on DISCLOSE Vote
Washington, DC - Today, for a second day in a row, Senate Republicans blocked debate on the DISCLOSE Act, a bill to end secret spending in elections by corporations and other groups. The vote failed to overcome a filibuster by a vote of 53 in favor to 45 against. 60 votes were required. Following the vote, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the following statement: "I'm disappointed that so many of my Republican colleagues, many of whom have clearly supported disclosure in the p… Continue Reading
07.16.12
Whitehouse Statement on GOP Obstruction of DISCLOSE Act
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the statement below today after Senate Republicans blocked debate on the DISCLOSE Act, a bill to end secret spending in elections by corporations and other groups: "I'm disappointed that so many of my Republican colleagues, many of whom have clearly supported disclosure in the past, chose today to defend secret spending by special interests rather than stand up for the voices of the middle class. However, as I have said before, w… Continue Reading
07.16.12
Senate Democrats to Hold “Midnight Vigil” on DISCLOSE Act
Washington, DC - With Senate Republicans threatening to block debate this evening on the DISCLOSE Act, Senate Democrats are sending a clear message that they won't back down easily. If Republicans succeed in blocking a key procedural vote on the measure today, a group of Democrats have pledged to hold onto the Senate floor late into the night tonight in an effort to bring greater attention to the issue and force a second vote on the bill tomorrow. The late night "midnight vigil" effort will be… Continue Reading
07.14.12
In Video Message, Whitehouse Urges Support for DISCLOSE Act
The DISCLOSE Act: A Fight to Ensure Middle Class Voices are Heard Washington, DC - As the U.S. Senate prepares for a key vote Monday on a bill to end secret spending in American elections, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), the bill's lead sponsor, released a new video message urging support for the measure. Whitehouse's DISCLOSE Act is up for a procedural vote on Monday evening. "The story of our American democracy has been the fight to make sure that every citizen's voice is heard - … Continue Reading
07.12.12
Senators Announce Upcoming Senate Action on the DISCLOSE Act
Washington, DC - A group of U.S. Senators announced today that the Senate will soon take action on legislation to put an end to secret campaign spending. On Monday, July 16, the Senate will take up the DISCLOSE Act of 2012, which will address the flood of unlimited secret money in elections unleashed by the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision. The DISCLOSE Act, introduced by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), has 28 cosponsors, including Whitehouse's colleagues on the Senate's Citi… Continue Reading
07.10.12
Whitehouse Applauds Selection of Coastal Medical as a Medicare Shared Savings Accountable Care Organization
Providence, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse applauds yesterday's selection of Coastal Medical as an Accountable Care Organization (ACO) under the Medicare Shared Savings Program. Coastal Medical was one of 89 organizations nationwide selected this round to receive ACO designation, and the only one in Rhode Island. The organizations selected to participate in the Medicare Shared Savings Program have entered into an agreement with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to take responsib… Continue Reading
07.10.12
Whitehouse Holds Roundtable Discussion to Announce Legislation to Battle Breast Cancer
Providence, RI - Yesterday, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse met with Rhode Island advocates, breast cancer survivors, and health care providers at Rhode Island Hospital to discuss his recently introduced legislation, the Accelerating the End of Breast Cancer Act (S.3237). Senator Whitehouse introduced the legislation earlier this year. At the roundtable event, Rhode Islanders had the opportunity to share their stories with the Senator, and express support for the legislation. They also discus… Continue Reading
07.03.12
RI to Receive $6.9 Million to Enhance Public Safety
WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to enhance public safety and strengthen Rhode Island's emergency preparedness, Rhode Island's Congressional Delegation today announced the state will receive $6.9 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The federal grants will help state and local agencies prevent crime and prepare for and respond to regional and national emergencies. "At a time when the state and localities face difficul… Continue Reading
07.02.12
Senators Introduce Bipartisan Dam Safety Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island), Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) recently introduced the Dam Safety Act of 2012. The bill will extend funding authorization for the National Dam Safety Program, which provides grants to improve state dam safety programs through training, technical assistance, inspection, and research. Rhode Island is the second most densely populated state in the country, and home to 179 "high … Continue Reading
07.02.12
Whitehouse, Reed, Chafee: RI Offshore Wind Area Set for Key Environmental Review
PROVIDENCE, RI - U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Governor Lincoln Chafee say the Ocean State is on track to develop commercial wind energy programs in federal waters off the coast of Rhode Island and Massachusetts through the U.S. Department of Interior's (DOI) "Smart from the Start" offshore wind energy initiative. The Interior Department's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) today officially began an important environmental review to determine if there are significant e… Continue Reading
06.29.12
Senate Confirms Hainsworth to be RI’s Next U.S. Marshal
Washington, DC - The U.S. Senate today confirmed former Glocester police chief Jamie Hainsworth to be the next U.S. Marshal for Rhode Island. United States Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, who recommended Chief Hainsworth for the job, issued the following statement: "We are pleased that the U.S. Senate today acted on our recommendation and rapidly confirmed Chief Hainsworth as Rhode Island's next U.S. Marshal," said Reed and Whitehouse. "With a successful career in law enforcement a… Continue Reading
