Press Releases
Broad Coalition of Senate Democrats Call on Top Consumer Agency to Move Swiftly to Limit Unfair Arbitration Agreements in Everyday Financial Contracts
WASHINGTON, D.C. [08/03/16]-Today, a group of nearly 40 Democratic Senators-led by Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), and U.S. Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio)-called on one of the nation's top consumer advocacy agencies to quickly finalize an important proposal to limit the use of what is called "forced arbitration" in contracts that Americans sign when they need to take out an auto loan, sign up for a checking account, or pay for c… Continue Reading
08.01.16
Federal Delegation Announces $619K to Protect Narragansett Bay
Providence, RI - Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline today announced $619,322 in federal funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to support the Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve's work to preserve and restore the coastal and estuarine ecosystems in Narragansett Bay. "The Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is an important ecological and research resource for Rhode Island, g… Continue Reading
07.27.16
RI Wins $13.1M Federal TIGER Grant for Pawtucket, Central Falls Rail Station
Providence, RI - In an effort to improve the state's transportation network and transform sections of Pawtucket and Central Falls, Rhode Island's Congressional delegation today announced a $13.1 million federal boost for building a new commuter rail station long-sought by Pawtucket and Central Falls. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will work with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to provide service at the station, which will provide riders with a more c… Continue Reading
07.26.16
Whitehouse Statement on the Passing of Mark Weiner
Providence, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today released the following statement on the passing of Mark Weiner, a fixture in Rhode Island politics for decades: "Mark was active in Democratic politics for a generation, and he was a personal friend. It's safe to say he was Rhode Island's biggest Clinton fan, and I know how excited he was to see Hillary accept the Party's nomination at this convention. Sandra and I extend our sincere condolences to Mark's wife Susan and his entire family.… Continue Reading
07.22.16
Whitehouse Applauds Signing of Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act Into Law
Washington, DC - Today the President signed into law legislation authored by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) to give those on the front lines of the ongoing opioid abuse epidemic in America better tools to combat it. The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act establishes a range of policies to prevent and treat addiction to opioid drugs, including programs to increase education on drug use, to expand medication-assisted treatment, to improve prescription drug monitoring programs, and to pro… Continue Reading
07.22.16
Senators Hit Back in Letter to Denial Front Groups
Washington, D.C. - Responding to a letter by 22 organizations with strong ties to the Koch network and lengthy records of misleading the public about the scientific consensus surrounding climate change, Senators Harry Reid (D-NV), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Al Franken (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Edward Markey (D-MA) called on the groups to disclose their secret backers and allow for an open dialogue a… Continue Reading
07.20.16
RI Delegation Announces Funding to Support College-Bound Students
Warwick, RI - In an effort to help more Rhode Island students stay in school and overcome barriers to higher education, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Jim Langevin and David Cicilline today announced a $476,854 federal Educational Talent Search grant for the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI). Educational Talent Search is a federally funded program designed to provide personalized services for educational success beyond high school. The program enc… Continue Reading
07.20.16
$300k in Federal Grants to Help RI Firefighters Purchase Needed Equipment
Lincoln, RI - Today, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline announced over $300,000 in new federal funding for the Lime Rock Fire District, the Albion Fire Department, and the Rhode Island Fire Academy (RIFA) to purchase needed equipment. The funding is made available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG). The Lime Rock Fire District is receiving a federal share of $82,440… Continue Reading
07.15.16
Senators Call Out Web of Denial Blocking Action on Climate Change
Washington, D.C. - Throughout the week on the Senate floor, Senate Democrats called out various trade associations, foundations, and organizations for perpetrating a sprawling web of misdirection and disinformation to block action on climate change. The Senators' remarks detailed the concerted campaign waged by the Koch brothers, major fossil fuel companies, identity-scrubbing groups like Donors Trust and Donors Capital, and their allies to manipulate the public's perception of the climate cris… Continue Reading
07.13.16
Whitehouse, Portman, Klobuchar, Ayotte Cheer Final Passage of Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act
Washington, DC - Moments ago, the Senate adopted the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act conference report, giving final approval to legislation that addresses the addiction crisis unfolding throughout the country through new programs to prevent and treat addiction, and support those in recovery. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Rob Portman (R-OH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), who authored the Senate version of the bill that passed in March, applauded the chamber's 92-… Continue Reading
07.13.16
RI Nets $17.8M Federal Grant to Help Fund Hiring Of 95 Firefighters
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Jim Langevin and David Cicilline today joined with Providence Mayor Jorge O. Elorza and Cranston Mayor Allan Fung to announce $17,776,750 in federal funding to help Providence and Cranston hire and train new firefighters. This direct federal assistance, provided through the competitive Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program, will help fill a total of 95 firefighter positio… Continue Reading
07.13.16
Whitehouse, Blumenthal Release GAO Report Detailing Federal Highway Administration’s Failure to Address Dangerous Guardrails
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today released a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) detailing the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) failure to properly address defective highway guardrails. Whitehouse and Blumenthal requested the report following accounts across the country that "ET-Plus" guardrails fail to absorb impact during a crash-and instead can spear through the vehicle and impale passengers. Approximately … Continue Reading
07.13.16
Whitehouse Introduces Carbon Capture and Utilization Bill
Washington, D.C. - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and five Senate colleagues introduced today the Carbon Capture and Utilization Act of 2016 to spur investment in next-generation carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies. The bill would provide tax credits for the capture and sequestration of carbon emissions from electricity generation facilities and industrial sources, and for carbon utilization-the conversion of carbon dioxide into useable products and fuels. As the United St… Continue Reading
07.08.16
Whitehouse Praises House Passage of Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act with Langevin, Cicilline Support
Washington, DC - Today, the House approved a House-Senate conference committee's version of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, which will address the addiction crisis unfolding throughout the country. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, principal coauthor of the Senate version of the bill that passed in March, applauded the House's vote and praised Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline for supporting the measure. "This opioid crisis reaches into every corner of the nation, inflicting… Continue Reading
07.08.16
Whitehouse Issues Statement on Violence in Dallas, Louisiana, Minnesota
Providence, RI - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse has issued the following statement on the violence in Dallas, Louisiana, and Minnesota this week. "Law enforcement officers make a solemn choice each day to protect and serve our communities and face down danger in whatever form it takes. The vicious mass murder of officers in Dallas as they went about their duties is heartbreaking and horrifying. I have had the honor to work alongside the brave and selfless public servants in law enforcement, and I… Continue Reading
07.07.16
$1.3 Million in New Funding to Fight Homelessness in Rhode Island
WASHINGTON - U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (D-RI), U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo announced today that the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless and Social Finance is receiving nearly $1.3 million in new federal funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD's) Pay for Success Permanent Supportive Housing Demonstration Program. "This grant will provide critical housing and support services to thousands of hom… Continue Reading
07.05.16
Reed, Whitehouse, Langevin Announce Ocean Observation Funding for URI
Providence, RI - Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressman Jim Langevin today announced that the University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO) has been awarded funding from the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) to support the GSO's ocean monitoring contributions to the Northeast Regional Association of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems (NERACOOS). "I commend URI and GSO for winning this federal grant… Continue Reading
07.01.16
RI Delegation Announces $500K for Providence-Cranston Partnership to Reduce Recidivism
Providence, RI - Rhode Island's federal delegation today announced a $499,672 federal grant to support a new partnership between the cities of Providence and Cranston and the correctional system to connect transitioning offenders with services to help them find employment and re-enter the community. "I am pleased that Providence and Cranston are taking the lead and working with the federal government to create new opportunities for people who have served their time and need help getting a new j… Continue Reading
06.30.16
Senators Introduce Legislation to Restore Educational Opportunity for Incarcerated Americans
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) introduced the Restoring Education and Learning (REAL) Act, a bill that would restore Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated individuals in order to reduce recidivism rates, lower corrections spending, and improve safety. "Giving those in prison the opportunity to earn an education has not only proven to be a successful tool for reducing recidivism and crime, we also know it will save taxpayer money," said Senator Schatz. "The REAL Act will pro… Continue Reading
06.30.16
Congressional Delegation Announces Over $8 Million to Enhance RI Emergency Preparedness
WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to ensure that Rhode Island's emergency responders and their federal partners are prepared to react to a range of crises and security challenges - from plane crashes to natural disasters to a mass-shooting - U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Jim Langevin and David Cicilline today announced that the state will receive $8,066,145 in federal national preparedness funds. These federal funds, which are awarded by the U.S. Department… Continue Reading
