Press Releases
Sen. Whitehouse Statement on Senate’s Vote to Sustain Keystone Veto
Washington, D.C. - Today Senate Republicans failed in their bid to override President Obama's veto of legislation approving the Keystone XL pipeline, falling short of the 67 votes needed. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the statement below regarding the vote: "Knowing full well that the President would veto it, why the Republican Leadership wasted months on this bill is a mystery. The Keystone pipeline would be a disaster for our environment and public health and would create … Continue Reading
03.02.15
Sen. Whitehouse Statement on Death of State Sen. Lenihan
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse released the statement below regarding the passing of State Senator J. Michael Lenihan: "Mike was a dedicated family man, teacher, and public servant. A principled champion for transparency, he helped pass important reforms to make our state's government more accountable to the people. Sandra's and my thoughts and prayers are with the Lenihan family during this difficult time." ###… Continue Reading
02.26.15
Whitehouse-Sessions Proposal Approved by Judiciary Committee
Washington, D.C. - Today the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the Stop Exploitation Through Trafficking (SETT) Act, legislation that would make sure minors sold for sex aren't prosecuted as defendants but are instead treated as victims. Included within the bill was a provision authored by U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Jeff Sessions (R-AL) that would provide explicit authorization for the U.S. Marshals Service to assist other law enforcement agencies, upon request, in investigat… Continue Reading
02.26.15
Sen. Whitehouse Statement on Committee Approval of Loretta Lynch
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the statement below regarding the Judiciary Committee's approval of Loretta Lynch to serve as the next Attorney General of the United States: "Attorney General Holder has worked hard throughout his term to restore the standing of a Department of Justice that was racked by political scandals and shoddy legal work during the Bush Administration. Thanks to his efforts, Loretta Lynch stands to inherit a Department that is much strong… Continue Reading
02.26.15
Sen. Whitehouse Introduces Two Education Bills
Washington, DC - For the last several weeks the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee has been working towards reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) - also known as the No Child Left Behind law. Today, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) introduced two bills that he plans to champion as the Committee continues its effort to reauthorize ESEA. "These proposals will help to improve key aspects of our education system: ensuring success for stud… Continue Reading
02.25.15
Reed & Whitehouse Announce Selection Process for Federal Judgeship
PROVIDENCE, RI - U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse today outlined the process for ensuring there are highly-qualified applicants to serve as a judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island. Qualified candidates must have stellar legal credentials and a minimum of 12 years of legal experience. All applicants should send a cover letter and resume to Senator Reed's office (1000 Chapel View Boulevard, Suite 290, Cranston, RI 02920) by March 20, 2015. The goal is t… Continue Reading
02.25.15
Over 16,000 RIers Benefitted from Obamacare’s Medicare “Doughnut Hole” Fix in 2014
Washington, DC - Thousands of Rhode Island seniors have saved on prescription drugs because of the Affordable Care Act, according to federal data released this week. In 2014, 16,337 Rhode Islanders on Medicare saved over $13.3 million on their prescriptions, for an average savings of $818 per person. Prior to the passage of the Affordable Care Act, thousands of Rhode Island seniors fell into the so-called Medicare "doughnut hole" and were forced to pay the full cost of their prescription drugs… Continue Reading
02.24.15
Sen. Whitehouse Statement on Veto of Keystone XL Pipeline Bill
Washington, DC - Today President Barack Obama vetoed legislation that would have approved the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a strong opponent of the pipeline who voted no on the bill, released the statement below regarding the vote: "The State Department's Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Keystone XL Pipeline Project said there would be massive environmental harm from Keystone's tar sands oil - the equivalent of adding 6 millio… Continue Reading
02.24.15
Sen. Whitehouse Statement on Criminal Justice Reform Meeting with President Obama
Washington, DC - Today President Obama and Vice President Biden convened a meeting at the White House to discuss criminal justice reform efforts with key members of Congress, including U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). Whitehouse, a lead sponsor of the CORRECTIONS Act along with Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), released the statement below regarding the meeting: "Both Republican and Democratic leaders agree we can pass meaningful criminal justice reform measures this year, and I was grateful for… Continue Reading
02.18.15
Rhode Islanders Discuss Whitehouse Bill to Combat Drug Addiction & Support Recovery
Pawtucket, RI - Today, at a roundtable discussion at the Anchor Recovery Community Center in Pawtucket, Rhode Islanders like Abbie Stenberg shared their experiences with opiate drug addiction with U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and members of Rhode Island's drug addiction and recovery community. Whitehouse hosted the event to discuss the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2015, which he introduced in the Senate last week, and to hear from those on the front lines of the fight against… Continue Reading
02.17.15
Sen. Whitehouse Condemns Vandalism at Islamic School in West Warwick
Providence, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse released the statement below today regarding the recent act of vandalism carried out at the Islamic School of Rhode Island in West Warwick: "This shameful incident is completely at odds with our state's founding principles, and I hope the perpetrators will soon be brought to justice. To the families and staff who were affected, please know that Rhode Island stands with you and supports you." ###… Continue Reading
02.13.15
Portman and Whitehouse Renew Push to Combat Drug Addiction and Support Americans in Recovery
Washington, D.C. - With many Americans falling victim to drug addiction and overdoses from opiates, U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) have renewed their push to help turn the tide in the struggle against this epidemic. The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2015 would provide a series of incentives and resources designed to encourage states and local communities to pursue a full array of proven strategies to combat addiction - not just one or two. U.S. S… Continue Reading
02.13.15
Sen. Whitehouse Applauds DOJ Crackdown on Illegal Super PAC Coordination
Washington, DC - Today, federal prosecutors announced that a Virginia-based political consultant plead guilty to illegally coordinating spending between a 2012 congressional campaign and a super PAC. Among other crimes, the operative apparently directed a super PAC to buy ads supporting a congressional campaign he was running, a clear violation of the law. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), who has long warned about this kind of conduct, applauded the news: "I'm pleased that the Department of… Continue Reading
02.13.15
Founders League & Social Enterprise Greenhouse Win $200,000 from the Blackstone Charitable Foundation
Providence, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse announced today that startup collaboration The Founders League and Social Enterprise Greenhouse (SEG) have been awarded a $200,000 grant from the Blackstone Charitable Foundation. The grant will fund Rhode Island StartZone, a statewide program to link talented students and graduates from local colleges and universities with the resources they need to start their own company or social enterprise in Rhode Island. Whitehouse invited the Blackstone … Continue Reading
02.11.15
Sen. Whitehouse Statement on President’s Request for Authorization of Military Force Against ISIL
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the statement below today regarding President Obama's request for a new Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) against the Islamic State (ISIL): "After over a decade of war, I share the concerns of many Rhode Islanders about further military engagement, but I also share their alarm over the rising influence and brutality of ISIL. President Obama's proposal would authorize our military and intelligence personnel to con… Continue Reading
02.10.15
Sens. Whitehouse, Cornyn Introduce Prison Reform Legislation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and John Cornyn (R-TX) today announced their plans to introduce the Corrections Oversight, Recidivism Reduction, and Eliminating Costs for Taxpayers in Our National System (CORRECTIONS) Act. The bill, which would improve public safety and save taxpayer money by requiring lower-risk prisoners to participate in recidivism reduction programs to earn up to 25 percent of their sentence in prerelease custody, is based off reform efforts in both … Continue Reading
02.05.15
Whitehouse to Attend the Munich Security Conference with John McCain
Washington, DC - This weekend, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) will lead a bipartisan delegation of Members of Congress at the annual Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Munich, Germany. Whitehouse and McCain have traveled together regularly in recent years, including to last year's Munich Security Conference. While at the conference, Whitehouse is scheduled to participate in a panel discussion entitled "Are We Losing the War on Terror?" The discussion wi… Continue Reading
02.04.15
Sen. Whitehouse Statement on FCC Net Neutrality Proposal
Washington, DC - Today the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced new proposed rules to preserve a free and open internet by reclassifying internet service providers as a public utility. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), who signed a letter to the FCC last year urging it to adopt such changes, released the statement below regarding the proposal: "The rules proposed today by the FCC will help ensure the preservation of a free and open internet that functions equally for all u… Continue Reading
02.03.15
Sen. Whitehouse Applauds EPA Comments on Keystone XL
Washington, DC - Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released formal comments to the State Department regarding its Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS) on the Keystone XL pipeline. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a strong opponent of the pipeline project, released the statement below regarding EPA's comments: "EPA's comments reaffirm the State Department's finding that: the additional carbon pollution from the Keystone XL pipeline would be equival… Continue Reading
02.02.15
Sen. Whitehouse Statement on President’s Budget
Washington, DC - Today President Obama released his budget proposal for fiscal year 2016. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, released the statement below applauding the President's proposal: "The President's budget would take significant steps toward a fairer tax system while also making major investments in our nation's transportation infrastructure. This is particularly important in Rhode Island, where we have some of the oldest roads and bridge… Continue Reading
