Press Releases
Judiciary Committee Approves Bipartisan Bill to Help Small Businesses
Washington, DC - With small businesses across the country struggling in the wake of the recession, the Senate Judiciary Committee today approved bipartisan legislation by U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) that would help small businesses facing bankruptcy. The Small Business Reorganization Efficiency and Clarity Act would modify the Chapter 11 bankruptcy process to be more manageable for small businesses hoping to remain in business and preserve jobs. "Chapter 1… Continue Reading
05.18.12
Whitehouse and McCain File Supreme Court Brief Critical of Citizens United, Super PACs
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and John McCain (R-AZ) today filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court that details the explosion of anonymous political spending since the Citizens United decision. The brief was filed in a case regarding a Montana law that bars corporations from funding election ads. The case presents the opportunity for the Court to clarify the authority of Congress and state legislatures to address the threat of corruption posed by this spending. … Continue Reading
05.16.12
Whitehouse Holds Hearing on Health Care Delivery System Reform
Washington, DC - As the public debate over health care reform continues to focus on the "individual mandate" and other hot-button issues, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today held a hearing about another effort that has gotten less attention but is actually more important: delivery system reform (DSR). The hearing examined health care improvements already being achieved through delivery system reform efforts, and highlighted the vast potential of these reforms to lower costs and improve… Continue Reading
05.14.12
RIC to Receive $622k to Help High School Students Prepare for College
PROVIDENCE, RI - As Rhode Island's Congressional delegation continues working to make college more affordable, prevent student loan rates from doubling, and protect Pell grants from looming budget cuts, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Jim Langevin and David Cicilline today joined with students, faculty, and Rhode Island College President Nancy Carriuolo to announce over $622,000 in federal funding for Rhode Island College's (RIC) Upward Bound progra… Continue Reading
05.08.12
RI Granted $3.2 Million for Women & Infants Hospital
Washington, DC - Rhode Island's congressional delegation today applauded a new $3.2 million federal Health Care Innovation grant being awarded to Women & Infants Hospital in Rhode Island from the Affordable Care Act. This funding will allow Women & Infants to expand its services and improve care for women who have preterm infants. "This is another example of how health reform is helping Rhode Islanders and saving taxpayers over the long-term. We congratulate Women & Infants Hospit… Continue Reading
05.08.12
Whitehouse Supports President’s “To Do List” to Create Jobs
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) applauded President Obama today for putting forward a "To Do" list for Congress, which will help create jobs. Among the proposals called for by the President are two measures that closely mirror pieces of legislation introduced by Whitehouse last year to support manufacturing jobs and help businesses hire new workers. "Helping Rhode Island businesses create jobs remains my number one priority in the Senate," said Whitehouse. "Ending ince… Continue Reading
05.01.12
Whitehouse Statement on U.S. Agreement with Afghanistan
Providence, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the following statement today regarding the new strategic partnership agreement between the U.S. and Afghanistan that marks an important step toward America's ultimate withdrawal from that country: "I have long advocated for bringing our troops home as quickly as possible, and today marked an important milestone in that effort. By signing this new strategic agreement, President Obama has signaled that after over ten years of war,… Continue Reading
05.01.12
RI Community Health Centers Awarded Over $6 Million in Federal Funds
Providence, RI - In an effort to address pressing renovation needs in community health centers, and expand access to quality health care, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Jim Langevin and David Cicilline today announced over $6 million in federal funding from the Affordable Care Act for Rhode Island. The funds will be used to improve facilities and expand capacity at community health centers in Coventry, Wakefield, West Warwick, and the East Bay, and will … Continue Reading
04.30.12
Whitehouse Hears from Rhode Islanders about Importance of Violence Against Women Act
Warwick, RI - Last week, the U.S. Senate voted in favor of reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), a landmark law passed in 1994 to prevent, reduce, and respond to incidences of domestic violence. Today, as the bill awaits approval in the House, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse held a roundtable meeting with Rhode Island advocates who support the VAWA reauthorization to hear their stories, give them an update on the bill's progress, and urge the House to follow the Senate's lead and… Continue Reading
04.27.12
Whitehouse Applauds FCC Decision on Political Ads
Washington, DC - Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved a new rule requiring broadcast stations to make files related to political advertisements available publicly online. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), who is leading the Senate's Citizens United Task Force, applauded the decision as a good step toward greater transparency in our campaign finance system. "Today's ruling by the FCC is the first of what I hope will be a number of steps taken to correct the flood of… Continue Reading
04.26.12
Senate Passes Legislation to Protect Women from Abuse
Washington, DC - The U.S. Senate today passed legislation to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, a landmark law originally passed in 1994 that protects women from domestic violence. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) was a cosponsor of the legislation, which also contains a provision he authored to prevent dating violence among teenagers. "In Rhode Island and across the country, the Violence Against Women Act continues to support essential tools for preventing and responding to dom… Continue Reading
04.25.12
HELP Committee Approves Whitehouse Legislation to Expedite Review of Rare Disease Treatments
Washington, DC - Today, a key Senate Committee approved legislation by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) that would promote access to rare disease treatments by providing opportunities for rare disease experts and stakeholders to share their expertise with FDA. The Whitehouse bill was considered as part of a legislative package to reauthorize the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) ability to approve prescription drugs, medical devices, and other medical products. The bill was cleared by… Continue Reading
04.21.12
President Obama Calls to Thank Whitehouse for Buffett Rule Effort
Providence, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse yesterday joined Congressman David Cicilline for a tour of the Blackstone Viaduct Construction Site on I-295 and called for passage of a long-term transportation bill that will allow continued federal funding for local infrastructure repairs. During the tour, Whitehouse paused to receive a call from President Barack Obama to talk about their recent efforts to pass legislation to implement the Buffett Rule. The President thanked Whitehouse for hi… Continue Reading
04.19.12
Whitehouse Calls for Reauthorization of Violence Against Women Act
Washington, DC - This month the U.S. Senate is expected to take up legislation to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, a landmark law originally passed in 1994 that protects women from domestic violence. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) is a cosponsor of the reauthorization measure, which also contains legislation he authored to prevent dating violence among teenagers. "We should move swiftly to pass this important legislation," Whitehouse said today. "As Rhode Island's Attorney … Continue Reading
04.18.12
Whitehouse Applauds President Obama’s Plan to Address High Gas Prices
Washington, DC - As Rhode Islanders and middle class families across the country struggle to keep up with rising gas prices, President Obama has announced a series of new initiatives to crack down on the oil speculation that many believe is behind the price spike. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), who recently wrote to Attorney General Eric Holder to request an update on the Administration's efforts to address oil speculation, applauded the President for his announcement. "With middle clas… Continue Reading
04.16.12
Whitehouse Statement on Buffett Rule Vote
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the following statement today regarding the vote to advance his Paying a Fair Share Act of 2012, a bill to implement the "Buffett Rule." Sixty votes were required to advance the measure, and the bill failed by a vote of 51 to 45. "It is inexcusable that a multi-million-dollar earner can pay a lower tax rate than a Rhode Island truck driver," said Whitehouse after the vote. "Today's vote on the Paying a Fair Share Act took us on… Continue Reading
04.13.12
More Than 100 Organizations Call for Up or Down Vote on Buffett Rule
Washington, DC - With the U.S. Senate poised to vote this Monday on U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse's (D-RI) legislation to improve tax fairness by implementing the Buffett Rule, a coalition of more than 100 national, state, and local organizations sent a letter to Senators today urging them to support the bill. "We believe that a basic premise of the promise of America - no matter what your political party - is that everyone should contribute their fair share," the letter states. "S. 2230 is… Continue Reading
04.10.12
State Leaders Call for Passage of Long-Term Transportation Funding Bill
Providence, RI - Speaking underneath the interchange connecting Route 6 and Route 10 in Providence, Rhode Island's congressional delegation today joined state and local leaders in calling for passage of legislation to provide federal funding for vital road and bridge projects. U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline were joined by Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Michael Lewis, and Providence Mayor Angel Taveras. The gro… Continue Reading
04.04.12
Whitehouse Statement on the Passing of Peter Lord
Providence, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse released the statement below today regarding the death of Peter Lord, the long-time environmental reporter for the Providence Journal: "My thoughts and prayers are with Peter's family, and with his many friends and colleagues in the Journal newsroom and the Rhode Island media. Throughout his years at the paper, Peter covered fairly and expertly Rhode Island stories like the North Cape Oil spill, the harm lead paint was doing to kids, and the eff… Continue Reading
04.03.12
Whitehouse hears from Rhode Islanders about Buffett Rule
Cranston, RI - Following an announcement last week that the Senate will hold a vote on U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse's Buffett Rule legislation, the Senator met today with a group of Rhode Islanders to hear their concerns about tax fairness and to discuss his legislation. Whitehouse's bill, the Paying a Fair Share Act, would ensure that ultra-high income earners cannot take advantage of loopholes to pay a lower rate than middle-income Rhode Islanders. Event participants shared their own stori… Continue Reading
