Press Releases
Obama Approves RI Disaster Declaration for 3 Counties
PROVIDENCE, RI - In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, President Obama today granted Rhode Island's request for a federal disaster declaration for Washington, Bristol, and Newport counties. Yesterday, Governor Chafee, with the support of Rhode Island's Congressional delegation, signed a request seeking a presidential disaster declaration that would provide Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance in three of the state's five counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide. Today's declar… Continue Reading
10.27.12
As Sandy Heads North, Delegation Urges Obama to Speed Emergency Assistance to RI
PROVIDENCE, RI - As Rhode Island prepares for the possible impact of Hurricane Sandy, the state's Congressional delegation wants to help speed up emergency assistance from the federal government. U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Jim Langevin and David Cicilline sent a letter to President Obama urging expedited approval of any forthcoming request for additional federal assistance as well as possible requests for emergency or disaster declarations for the st… Continue Reading
10.26.12
Whitehouse Urges Rhode Islanders to Prepare for Storm
Providence, RI - As Hurricane Sandy begins to make its way up the coast, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse is working to make sure Rhode Islanders have access to information about what to do before, during, and after the storm. Whitehouse's website now features a new hurricane preparedness page with a message from the Senator and links to additional resources. The page can be viewed at whitehouse.senate.gov/sandy. "With Hurricane Sandy making its way up our coast and the National Weather Servic… Continue Reading
10.18.12
Whitehouse Applauds Court Decision on Defense of Marriage Act
Providence, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse released the following statement today regarding the decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit to join the First Circuit in striking down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the federal law which defines marriage as between a man and a woman: "Today's decision confirms that the so-called Defense of Marriage Act needs to go, and that Attorney General Holder made the right decision refusing to defend it. It's wrong that gay coup… Continue Reading
10.12.12
Whitehouse Urges Mortgage Regulator to Adopt New Approach to Foreclosure Crisis
Providence, RI - Last week, Rhode Island Federal District Court-appointed Special Master Merrill Sherman filed a report on Rhode Island's foreclosure crisis in which she argued for debt forgiveness, or "principal reduction," as a strategy to help families keep their homes. Today, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) forwarded Sherman's report to the federal regulator for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Edward DeMarco of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), along with a letter endorsing the … Continue Reading
10.11.12
Whitehouse Honors RI Veteran for his Service in World War II
Providence, RI - Today, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse honored the service of World War II veteran Roger Salvas by presenting him with eight Navy medals and awards. Mr. Salvas was first granted the awards after his discharge from the Navy in 1945, but never received them. Whitehouse helped to secure the delivery of the actual awards. Mr. Salvas is a lifelong Coventry resident, who served in the Navy from August 1942 to December 1945. During World War II, he was stationed on two Navy warships, the U… Continue Reading
10.04.12
Whitehouse Receives Ocean Leadership Award
Narragansett, RI - In a ceremony today at the University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO), the Consortium for Ocean Leadership presented U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse with its inaugural Admiral James D. Watkins Award. Whitehouse was recognized for his involvement in founding and co-chairing the Senate Oceans Caucus, as well as for his fight to establish a National Endowment for the Oceans to fund ocean and coastal research and restoration efforts. The Consortium is a n… Continue Reading
10.03.12
Whitehouse Receives Top Rating for Efforts to Combat Inequality
Providence, RI - A new study released today gives U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse its highest rating for consistently supporting efforts to improve economic equality. The "Inequality Report Card," which was released by the Institute for Policy Studies, gives letter grades to Members of Congress based on their voting record and bills they have introduced or cosponsored. Rhode Island and Vermont were the only two states to have both Senators receive a grade of A or higher, and Whitehouse was on… Continue Reading
09.27.12
RI Receives Over $17 Million to Help Unemployed Find New Jobs
PROVIDENCE, RI - Rhode Island will receive an additional $17 million to bolster the state's unemployment system and help provide more employment opportunities for Rhode Island workers, the state's Congressional delegation announced today along with Governor Lincoln Chafee. The federal funding will be used to reinstate some of the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT) staffers who were laid off from the Unemployment Insurance Division and to enhance the integrity of the unemploymen… Continue Reading
09.27.12
Delegation Members Announce $800,000 Grant to Reduce Recidivism in Rhode Island
Providence, RI - Members of Rhode Island's congressional delegation today announced the award of $808,864 to the Rhode Island Department of Corrections (RIDOC) by the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance. RIDOC will use the grant, provided under the Second Chance Act Adult Offender Comprehensive Statewide Recidivism Reduction Demonstration Program, to improve reentry services and substantially reduce recidivism. The Second Chance Act of 2007 was signed into law to help co… Continue Reading
09.21.12
U.S. Senate Passes Resolution Designating National Estuaries Day
Washington, DC - The U.S. Senate unanimously approved a resolution this week declaring Saturday, September 29, to be National Estuaries Day. The resolution was sponsored by U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Jack Reed, and recognizes the importance of coastal and estuarine regions to our national economy. It also reaffirms the Senate's support for protecting and restoring these vital resources. Coasts and estuaries contribute more than $800 billion in trade and commerce to the U.S. economy … Continue Reading
09.20.12
Whitehouse Introduces Bill To Crack Down On Fraud Aimed at Seniors
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse this week introduced the Telemarketing Fraud Modernization Act of 2012, legislation to close loopholes in the existing statute and give law enforcement agencies the tools they need to rein in scam artists, protect our nation's seniors, and strengthen the integrity of the Medicare program. The bill is cosponsored by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). "Individuals who commit Medicare fraud aren't simply stealing from the government; they are steal… Continue Reading
09.19.12
Whitehouse Visits Cranston Businesses
Cranston, RI - Yesterday afternoon, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse took a walking tour of small businesses located on Cranston's Oaklawn Avenue. During the tour, the Senator heard from owners and employees about how the federal government can help them succeed in this tough economy, and discussed his jobs plan for Rhode Island. Former Cranston City Councilman John Lanni joined the Senator on the tour. "On yesterday's tour, I visited with Cranston business owners and employees to hear about their exp… Continue Reading
09.19.12
Senate Panel Approves Whitehouse Recalcitrant Cancer Research Bill
Washington, DC - Today, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee reported out U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse's Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act of 2012, a bill that will support focused research efforts on cancers with 5-year relative survival rates below fifty percent. Recalcitrant cancers, like those that develop in the pancreas, lung, liver, and ovaries, are difficult to detect and substantialprogress has not been made toward their diagnosis and treatment. Under the… Continue Reading
09.14.12
Following Attacks in Libya, Senate Passes Whitehouse Resolution Honoring Foreign Service Officers
Washington, DC - As our nation continues to mourn the loss of four diplomats in Libya, including U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, the U.S. Senate last night unanimously approved a resolution honoring America's Foreign Service officers. The resolution, which was sponsored by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), recognizes the dedication and sacrifices made by U.S. Foreign and Civil Service professionals and their families. "The attack on our embassy in Libya was a tragedy, and I join … Continue Reading
09.13.12
Delegation Supports Disaster Declaration for Northeast Fishery
Washington, DC - Rhode Island's Congressional Delegation is applauding an announcement today by the U.S. Department of Commerce declaring a disaster for the Northeast groundfish fishery. Last month, Rhode Island joined other Northeast states in asking the federal government to approve the declaration, which could make Rhode Island fishermen eligible for additional loan programs and authorizes Congress to provide funds for assistance programs. The delegation wrote to Acting Secretary of Commerc… Continue Reading
09.11.12
Whitehouse Commemorates Anniversary of 9/11
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse released the following statement today regarding the eleven year anniversary of September 11, 2001: "Today, as we remember the tragic events of September 11, 2001, my thoughts and prayers are with the victims of that day's attacks and their families, and with our men and women who served so honorably in the aftermath. Eleven years later, justice has been delivered to Osama bin Laden, al Qaeda has been weakened, and we are winding down our presen… Continue Reading
08.25.12
Delegation Supports State’s Request for Fisheries Relief
Providence, RI - Following a warning by federal regulators that fishermen in Rhode Island and throughout New England will likely soon face severe reductions in yearly catch limits, Rhode Island's Congressional Delegation today joined Governor Chafee in asking the federal government to approve a disaster declaration for the New England groundfishery. If approved, the declaration could make Rhode Island fishermen eligible for additional loan programs and authorizes Congress to provide additional … Continue Reading
08.23.12
Warwick Fire Department Receives $3.1 Million Federal Grant for New Hires
WARWICK, RI - U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representative Jim Langevin today joined with Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian in announcing a $3.1 million federal grant to help the Warwick Fire Department hire and train up to 17 firefighters. The federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant will help bring the total number of Warwick's fire personnel up to 214. Since 2008, several firefighter positions have been vacated as a result of retirements… Continue Reading
08.21.12
Whitehouse Visits Bristol Business
Bristol, RI - Two weeks ago, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse began a month-long jobs tour of the state to hear from small business owners and employees about what they need to succeed in this tough economy. Today, Whitehouse continued the tour with a visit to Bristol Boat Company, a Rhode Island owned and operated small business with a 30-year history of constructing and renovating boats. "Boat manufacturers and marine trades and industries are an important part of our Rhode Island economy, particu… Continue Reading
