Press Releases
Whitehouse Introduces Bill to Re-Authorize National Estuary Program
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) introduced bipartisan legislation to re-authorize the National Estuary Program (NEP), which was first established in 1987 by Senator John Chafee, to protect and restore estuarine habitats threatened by pollution, overdevelopment, and other threats. Authorization for this important program expired last year, compromising the programs in place for estuaries of national significance, including the Narragansett Bay. Senators David Vitter… Continue Reading
06.30.11
Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Approves Whitehouse Legislation to Protect Servicemembers from Foreclosure
Washington, DC - The U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs has approved the Veterans Programs Improvements Act of 2011, which includes a key component authored by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) to help keep military families in their homes. The Committee's bill includes a measure to lengthen the period of foreclosure protection for servicemembers returning from active duty, which is similar to a provision from Whitehouse's Protecting Servicemembers from Mortgage Abuses Act of 2011.… Continue Reading
06.29.11
Whitehouse: Counterfeits Pose Danger to Our Troops
Washington, DC - In response to increasing numbers of counterfeit products in the military supply chain, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) recently introduced bipartisan legislation to crack down on criminals who traffic in these dangerous goods. The Combating Military Counterfeits Act of 2011, which is cosponsored by U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Chris Coons (D-DE), would increase penalties and create a heightened criminal offense for trafficking in counterf… Continue Reading
06.28.11
Whitehouse Receives Legislator of the Year Award
Washington, D.C. -- Last week, the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform presented U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) with their Legislator of the Year Award for his advocacy on behalf of students in the middle grades. Whitehouse received the award from Peter Murphy, Executive Director of the California League of Middle Schools and past president of the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform, during the organization's annual meeting. "Middle school is a critical time… Continue Reading
06.27.11
Whitehouse Hears from RI Business Owners about Efforts to Create Jobs
Providence, RI - After hearing from small business owners about how we can get our economy moving, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse last week introduced the Job Creation Tax Credit Act (S. 1271) to help businesses hire more workers. Today Whitehouse met with a group of Rhode Island manufacturers to hear about their efforts to create jobs, and to discuss how this bill can help. "The Job Creation Tax Credit Act would help Rhode Island business owners like those I met today, many of whom want to h… Continue Reading
06.24.11
Whitehouse Statement on National Labor Relations Board Proposed Rule Change
Providence, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) issued the following statement on the rule change proposed by the National Labor Relations Board on Tuesday: "The laws protecting a worker's right to organize have contributed greatly to the prosperity of the middle class," Whitehouse said. "The National Labor Relations Board's proposed rules would reduce unnecessary and costly delays in the conduct of union elections. Workers and businesses deserve a level playing field, and I believe t… Continue Reading
06.23.11
Whitehouse Introduces Legislation to Create New Jobs
Washington, DC - After hearing from small business owners about how we can get our economy moving, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today introduced the Job Creation Tax Credit Act to offer tax incentives to help businesses expand their workforce. On Monday, Whitehouse announced the legislation while touring TEDCO, Inc., a manufacturing business in Cranston, RI which had been forced to downsize during the recession but is hoping to expand once again. "I hope that my colleagues on both si… Continue Reading
06.23.11
Whitehouse Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Promote Domestic Recycling of Electronic Waste
Washington, DC - With significant amounts of U.S. electronic waste currently exported to developing countries that handle the equipment in an unsafe manner, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today introduced bipartisan legislation to put an end to this dangerous practice. The Responsible Electronics Recycling Act, which is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), would restrict the export of electronic waste, help boost the domestic recycling industry, a… Continue Reading
06.23.11
Whitehouse Praises Administration’s Announced Release from Strategic Petroleum Reserve
Washington, DC - The Obama Administration announced today that they plan to sell some of the oil in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) into the market to help bring down gas prices, a move that Senator Sheldon Whitehouse called for in a letter to the president in March. Today Whitehouse praised the move: "Rampant oil speculation has driven up the price of gas and taken money out of the pockets of Rhode Islanders. With the announcement today, I hope this eases summer gas prices and provides s… Continue Reading
06.22.11
Whitehouse: It’s Time to Begin our Exit from Afghanistan
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the following statement today after President Obama announced that 10,000 U.S. troops would be withdrawn from Afghanistan this year, with 23,000 more to be withdrawn in 2012: "For nearly ten years, our troops and their families have made enormous sacrifices for our mission in Afghanistan. It's now time for the United States to begin the process of removing our troops and turning security responsibilities over to the Afghan people.… Continue Reading
06.21.11
Whitehouse Chairs Hearing to Evaluate Obama Administration’s Cybersecurity Proposals
Washington, DC - Following the recent announcement of the Obama Administration's cybersecurity proposals, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today held a hearing of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism to evaluate the plan. The proposals, which the Obama Administration unveiled in May, aim at key cybersecurity challenges, for instance securing our critical infrastructure, such as our electric grid, and providing for voluntary assistance in response to a cyber incident. "Our nation… Continue Reading
06.21.11
RI Receives Nearly $525,000 to Help Unemployed Find New Jobs
WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to improve the prospects of unemployed Rhode Islanders in finding work, Rhode Island's Congressional delegation today announced that the state will receive $524,394 from the U.S. Department of Labor to provide re-employment and eligibility assessments to beneficiaries of unemployment insurance. The funds will be used to expand the unemployment services currently offered, allowing the state to conduct in-person assessments that will help individuals identify their s… Continue Reading
06.20.11
Whitehouse Announces Legislation to Create New Jobs
Cranston, RI - After hearing from small business owners about how we can get our economy moving, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today announced new legislation aimed at helping businesses hire more workers. Whitehouse's Job Creation Tax Credit Act would offer tax breaks to help businesses expand their workforce. "I've heard from small business owners all over the state who want to hire more workers, but who just aren't sure they can afford it," said Whitehouse. "This legislation would provid… Continue Reading
06.18.11
Whitehouse and Taveras Bring Netroots Nation Conference to Providence in 2012
Providence, RI - During a keynote address at the 2011 Netroots Nation Conference in Minneapolis, MN, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) announced that Providence will host the event in 2012. Primarily a gathering of progressive political activists, this conference attracts thousands of participants, notable speakers, and media from around the world. The Providence Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau (PWCVB) estimates that this convention will bring at least a $1.5 million economic impact to … Continue Reading
06.17.11
Whitehouse Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Crack Down on Counterfeit Products Sold to the Military
Washington, DC - In response to increasing numbers of counterfeit products in the military supply chain, U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), John McCain (R-AZ), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Chris Coons (D-DE) have introduced bipartisan legislation to crack down on criminals who traffic in these dangerous goods. The Combating Military Counterfeits Act of 2011 would increase penalties and create a heightened criminal offense for trafficking in counterfeit military products. "Our troops servin… Continue Reading
06.17.11
Whitehouse Praises Implementation of Legislation to Crack Down on Medicare Fraud by CMS
Washington, DC - Today, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will begin using a new predictive modeling technology to help crack down on fraudulent Medicare claims before payment is made. This innovative approach to fighting Medicare fraud was funded by legislation cosponsored by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). Last year, Senator Whitehouse cosponsored and worked on bipartisan Medicare fraud-fighting l… Continue Reading
06.17.11
Delegation Announces Over $887,000 in New Weatherization Funding to Help Create Jobs and Lower Energy Bills
WASHINGTON, DC -- In an effort to help more Rhode Islanders save on their energy bills, increase energy efficiency, and reduce our nation's demand for fossil fuels, Rhode Island's Congressional delegation today announced the state will receive $887,744 from the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) for fiscal year 2011. WAP helps low-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities by improving the energy efficiency of their homes. This funding should help local, certified c… Continue Reading
06.16.11
Whitehouse Statement on Vote to End Ethanol Subsidies
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today released the following statement regarding the Senate's vote on an amendment from Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Tom Coburn (R-OK) which would end $3 billion in tax giveaways for ethanol production. The measure passed by a vote of 73-27. "The corn ethanol industry, much like Big Oil, does not need taxpayer subsidies to turn a profit. The production process also poses serious environmental risks. We should instead be investing in em… Continue Reading
06.15.11
Rhode Islander Testified in EPW Hearing on Air Pollution and Children’s Health
Washington, DC -- During an official joint hearing of two subcommittees of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, James Ginda, a registered respiratory therapist at Kent Hospital in Warwick, testified last week about the effects air pollution has on children's health. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the EPW Children's Health Subcommittee, invited Ginda to testify. "Our Rhode Island Department of Health reports that 11% of children in Rhode Island have asthm… Continue Reading
06.15.11
Senators Call on President to Shift Strategy in Afghanistan
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mike Lee (R-UT) and Tom Udall (D-NM) and 24 other senators sent a letter to President Obama today calling for a shift in strategy in Afghanistan ahead of next month's announced deadline to begin an accelerated transition to Afghan security forces. In the letter, the senators urge the President to use the deadline as an opportunity to begin a "sizable and sustained" drawdown of troops that puts the U.S. on a path toward removing all regular combat t… Continue Reading
