Press Releases
Whitehouse Shares Story of Woonsocket Resident Helped by Health Law
Health Reform: Making a Difference for Rhode Islanders Washington, DC - This week marks the two-year anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act, landmark legislation to reform our health care system in ways that lower costs and expand access to insurance coverage. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) spoke on the floor of the Senate to commemorate the anniversary, and shared the story of a Woonsocket resident who has been helped by the law. Whitehouse spoke about a woman name… Continue Reading
03.21.12
Senators Announce New Legislation to Shine Light on Anonymous Campaign Spending
Introducing DISCLOSE Act 2.0 Washington, DC - Today, as the public continues to see the harmful effects of the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision first hand in the Republican primaries, a group of U.S. Senators announced new legislation to address the worst of the problems caused by the decision. The DISCLOSE Act of 2012, introduced by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), will help put an end to secretive campaign spending by strengthening disclosure laws. The legislation is cosp… Continue Reading
03.20.12
Whitehouse Honored by PTA
Washington, DC - Throughout his time in office, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) has been a champion for children and families in Rhode Island and across the country. The National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) recently honored Whitehouse's record of advocacy by giving him their 2012 Congressional Voice for Children Award. Whitehouse joined Rhode Island PTA President Gina Cabral, Rhode Island PTA President-Elect Pamela O'Brien, and officers of the National PTA at the organization's Leg… Continue Reading
03.14.12
Whitehouse Brings Head of Newport County Chamber to Washington
Washington, DC - Today, the U.S. Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee held a meeting to hear from local chambers of commerce across the country about efforts to spur economic growth and job creation. The meeting specifically focused on how Senators can work with local chambers to achieve these goals, and featured the participation of Jody Sullivan, Executive Director of the Newport County Chamber of Commerce in Rhode Island. Sullivan was invited to participate and introduced at th… Continue Reading
03.14.12
Senate Passes Transportation Bill Including Whitehouse Oceans Measure, Regional Projects Program
Washington, DC - The U.S. Senate today passed a comprehensive transportation and infrastructure bill, which is expected to deliver more than $500 million in federal transportation funding to Rhode Island, supporting over 8,000 jobs. The bill also includes a measure by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) establishing a new National Endowment for the Oceans, Coasts, and Great Lakes to fund projects to protect our oceans and coasts and support jobs in industries like fishing and tourism. "Thi… Continue Reading
03.13.12
Senate Democrats Form Working Group to Craft New Response to Rise of Super PACs and Unlimited Spending by Outside Groups
Washington, DC - A group of Democratic senators announced today they have joined together to craft a new legislative response to blunt the harmful impacts from the Supreme Court's decision allowing corporations and anonymous special interests to spend unlimited sums to influence elections. The task force is led by Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and includes Tom Udall (D-NM), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Al Franken (D-MN). Senator Charles E. Schumer… Continue Reading
03.13.12
Whitehouse Applauds Crack Down on China’s Hoarding of Rare Earth Materials
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the statement below regarding today's announcement by the Obama Administration of a new effort to end China's hoarding of rare earth materials, which are used in the production of advanced electronics, including batteries for cell phones and hybrid cars. The Administration is now asking the World Trade Organization to force China - which produces over 95 percent of all rare earth materials - to free up their hold on the materials.… Continue Reading
03.08.12
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
