Press Releases
Senate Passes Whitehouse Measure Establishing National Endowment for the Oceans
Washington, DC - The U.S. Senate today approved a measure by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) that will establish a new National Endowment for the Oceans, Coasts, and Great Lakes. The measure, which was approved as part of an amendment to a federal transportation funding bill, will help protect our oceans and coasts and support jobs in industries like fishing and tourism. "In Rhode Island, and in many areas across our country, the strength of our economy is directly tied to the health of… Continue Reading
03.07.12
Whitehouse Brings RI Small Business Development Center Director to Washington
Washington, DC - Today, the U.S. Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee held a meeting to hear from businesses and organizations around the country that have implemented innovative strategies to boost job creation despite the tough economy. The meeting focused specifically on economic development in the Latino community, and featured the participation of Adriana Dawson, Interim State Director of the Rhode Island Small Business Development Center at Johnson & Wales University. Da… Continue Reading
03.02.12
Closing the Doughnut Hole: Map of 2011 Savings
Providence, RI - In 2010, as part of the health care reform law (the Affordable Care Act), U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) helped lead the successful fight to end the Medicare Part D prescription drug "doughnut hole" which left thousands of Rhode Island seniors paying the total cost of their prescription drugs every year. According to a recent report by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 14,822 Rhode Islanders received prescription drug discounts as a result of the law in … Continue Reading
02.29.12
Whitehouse Brings RI Business Leaders to Washington
Washington, DC - Today, the U.S. Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee held a meeting to hear from businesses around the country that have succeeded and created jobs despite the tough economy. The meeting focused specifically on economic development in the African American community, and featured the participation of Cheryl Snead, CEO of Banneker Industries in North Smithfield, RI. Snead was invited to participate by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. "As we work to boost Rhode Isla… Continue Reading
02.29.12
Whitehouse Calls for Passage of Transportation Funding Bill
Transportation Bill Would Support 8,000 jobs in RI Washington, DC - Today, shortly after U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood toured the deteriorated I-95 Viaduct in Providence at the request of U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, the Senator took to the floor of the U.S. Senate to call for passage of legislation to reauthorize federal transportation funding. The measure, known as MAP-21, is expected to support over 8,000 jobs in Rhode Island and provide over $500 million in funding to th… Continue Reading
02.22.12
Warren Buffett Endorses Whitehouse’s “Buffett Rule” Legislation
Providence, RI - Earlier this month, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) introduced legislation to implement the so-called "Buffett Rule," which would ensure that multi-million-dollar earners pay at least a 30 percent effective tax rate. The rule is named for legendary investor Warren Buffett, who has famously pointed out that he pays a lower tax rate than his secretary. Now, Mr. Buffett himself is endorsing Whitehouse's proposal, the Paying a Fair Share Act (S. 2059). "I'm delighted to be … Continue Reading
02.21.12
Senators Call on Election Commission to Make Campaign-Related Spending More Transparent
Washington, DC - Voters deserve to know who is paying for political advertisements, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and 10 of his fellow Senators wrote today in a letter to the Federal Election Commission (FEC). As the FEC considers changes to its rules in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC, the Senators called on the Commission to implement broad disclosure and disclaimer requirements so that voters know who is funding campaign-related commercials. Through Citi… Continue Reading
02.16.12
Whitehouse and Reed Introduce Amendment to Fund Transportation Projects
Washington, DC - As the U.S. Senate continues debating legislation to authorize vital federal transportation funding that will support thousands of jobs in Rhode Island, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today filed an amendment to the bill to fund a program specifically targeted toward large-scale infrastructure projects across the country. The "Projects of National and Regional Significance" program, which could aid in the repair of the I-95 Viaduct in Providence, would make grants available through… Continue Reading
02.14.12
Whitehouse Statement on New Cybersecurity Legislation
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a former member of the Intelligence Committee who chaired the committee's 2010 Cyber Task Force, released the statement below today regarding legislation introduced in the Senate to safeguard our nation from cyber attacks. The final proposed bill - the Cybersecurity Act of 2012 - includes Whitehouse's Cyber Security Public Awareness Act, bipartisan legislation he introduced with Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) last year. "Today, with the introduc… Continue Reading
02.13.12
Whitehouse Commends President’s Budget Proposal
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a member of the Senate Committee on the Budget, today welcomed the Obama Administration's Fiscal Year 2013 federal budget proposal, which levels the playing field for all Americans, upholds the President's commitment to long-term deficit reduction, and continues critical investments in the middle class that will grow the economy and create jobs. The proposed budget would restore fairness to the tax code by implementing the "Buffett Rule," mirr… Continue Reading
02.09.12
Whitehouse Statement on Foreclosure Settlement
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the statement below regarding today's announced $25 billion settlement between federal authorities, 49 states, including Rhode Island, and the five largest mortgage servicers: Ally Financial, Bank of America, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo. Rhode Island is expected to receive a total of $172 million under the settlement, which addresses claims that the banks used improper foreclosure practices such as "robo-signing" do… Continue Reading
02.08.12
Nearly 15,000 RI’ers Benefitted from “Doughnut Hole” Fix in 2011
Washington, DC - In 2010, as part of the health care reform law, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) helped lead the successful fight to end the Medicare Part D prescription drug "doughnut hole" which left thousands of Rhode Island seniors paying the total cost of their prescription drugs every year. According to a recent report by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 14,822 Rhode Island seniors received prescription drug discounts as a result of the law in 2011, for a total savin… Continue Reading
02.01.12
Senate Adopts Whitehouse Resolution Designating February as “National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month”
Washington, DC - The U.S. Senate has adopted by unanimous consent a resolution introduced by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse designating the month of February 2012 as "National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month." The resolution, coauthored with Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID), calls on young people, families, schools, and law enforcement officials to take part in educational programs, community outreach activities, and social marketing campaigns throughout the month of February that pr… Continue Reading
02.01.12
Whitehouse Brings RI Business Leaders to Washington
Washington, DC - Today, the U.S. Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee held a meeting to hear from businesses around the country that have succeeded and created jobs despite the tough economy. Two Rhode Island businesses sent representatives to the meeting to share their experience and expertise. Allan Tear from Betaspring in Providence, and Giovanni Feroce from Alex and Ani, Inc. in Cranston joined the meeting at the invitation of U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. "As we work to b… Continue Reading
02.01.12
Whitehouse Introduces “Buffett Rule” Legislation
Fighting for the "Buffett Rule" Washington, DC - Last week, in his State of the Union address, President Obama said: "Tax reform should follow the Buffett Rule." Today, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) introduced legislation to make that goal a reality and put an end to a tax policy that often asks middle class workers to pay higher tax rates than individuals earning more than $1 million per year. The Paying a Fair Share Act, which is cosponsored by Senators Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Mark… Continue Reading
01.26.12
Whitehouse Shares RI Letters on Citizens United
Washington, DC - Last weekend marked the two-year anniversary of the Supreme Court's controversial Citizens United decision, which opened the floodgates of unlimited and anonymous campaign spending by corporations. Today, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) spoke on the Senate floor to mark the anniversary and advocate for better regulation of our campaign finance system. He also incorporated comments from Rhode Islanders who had shared their thoughts on Citizens United on this web page. W… Continue Reading
01.25.12
Whitehouse Statement on Passing of Gov. Garrahy
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the following statement today honoring former Rhode Island Governor Joe Garrahy and Bill Dugan, the Governor's Chief of Staff. Both men passed away this week. "Today Sandra's and my thoughts and prayers are with Margherite and the entire Garrahy family. Governor Garrahy was a friend who was always very kind and supportive to me. I salute his legendary service to our state. We will never forget his ready smile, the famous plaid … Continue Reading
01.24.12
Whitehouse Statement on President’s State of the Union Address
Washington, DC - Tonight, in his annual State of the Union address, President Obama articulated a commitment to American manufacturing jobs and talked about the need to make sure the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share to restore economic stability. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), who is fighting to end a tax policy that rewards manufacturers for sending jobs overseas, released the following statement regarding the speech. "President Obama put forward a strong vision for our natio… Continue Reading
01.23.12
Whitehouse Visits Burma, Southeast Asia with Bipartisan Group
Washington, DC - Following President Obama's recent announcement of a new national defense strategy that puts strategic emphasis on interests in the Asia-Pacific region, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) has just concluded a trip to the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, and Burma led by U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ). The delegation also included Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT). The trip, which was intended to reaffirm America's commitment to economic and strategic relationships in the regio… Continue Reading
01.23.12
Whitehouse Nominates Four Rhode Islanders for U.S. Service Academies
Providence, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today announced the nomination of four Rhode Islanders for consideration to the United States Service Academies. Whitehouse has nominated Andrea Coutoulakis of East Greenwich and Rachel McAteer of Cranston to the U.S. Naval Academy, John Tougas, Jr., of Pawtucket to the U.S. Air Force Academy, and Ethan Lundgren of Barrington to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. "As a member of Congress, I have the privilege of nominating some of Rhode I… Continue Reading
