Press Releases
Experts Testify on Success of Foreclosure Mediation Programs at Whitehouse Hearing
Washington, DC - Bankruptcy Court foreclosure mediation programs can help struggling homeowners cut through the red tape as they seek a mortgage modification to stay in their homes, according to testimony heard today in a U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing chaired by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). Starting in 2009, the Bankruptcy Courts for the Districts of Rhode Island and New York began offering pre-trial foreclosure mediations. While no settlement is required, the program bring… Continue Reading
01.31.11
RIQI to Receive an Additional $400,000 for Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center
Washington, DC - Rhode Island's congressional delegation today announced that the Rhode Island Quality Institute (RIQI) will receive an additional $404,775 from the Department of Health and Human Services to fund Rhode Island's health information technology regional extension center. Funded by a provision in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which Senator Sheldon Whitehouse authored, this award is in addition to the $6 million RIQI received nearly a year ago to start the program. "Thi… Continue Reading
01.28.11
Whitehouse Applauds Decision on Foreclosure Mediation Program
Providence, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse issued the following statement today regarding the decision by U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Arthur N. Votolato upholding the Court's right to run pre-trial foreclosure mediations: "Today's decision by Judge Votolato is a win for Rhode Island homeowners. The Rhode Island bankruptcy court's foreclosure mediation program helps distressed families to cut through the red tape of our broken mortgage modification process and has already saved at least 1… Continue Reading
01.27.11
Congressional Delegation Announces $133K for Woonsocket Fire Department
Washington, DC - In an effort to enhance Rhode Island's emergency response preparedness, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representative David Cicilline today announced that the Woonsocket Fire Department will receive $133,560 in federal funds to purchase new equipment and upgrade facilities. The funds, awarded as part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants program, will be used to buy eight new headsets, and pay for training programs to ensure their drivers and operator… Continue Reading
01.27.11
Senators Reed and Whitehouse Gain New Committee Roles
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse were awarded new committee responsibilities that will benefit Rhode Island's families and the state's economy. Reed will serve on the Appropriations Committee, which approves funding for all domestic and defense discretionary programs totaling over $1 trillion each year, and the Armed Services Committee, which oversees national security policy and defense programs important to Aquidneck Island businesses as well as the Newport Nav… Continue Reading
01.26.11
Whitehouse Applauds Fraud Prevention Efforts
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today commended the joint efforts of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice to crack down on fraud and abuse in America's health care system. A report released Monday showed that the joint effort resulted in the recovery of more than $4 billion in taxpayer dollars in fiscal year 2010. "As we continue working to address our long-term budget deficit, identifying and attacking cases of fraud in our health care sys… Continue Reading
01.26.11
Whitehouse: Mercury Report Highlights Need for Action
Washington, DC - A startling study released today by Environment America reveals that mercury poisoning is a prevalent and increasing problem. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today released the following statement in reaction to the study: "This study should set off warning bells across the United States," said Whitehouse. "Not only is the health of every Rhode Islander threatened due to unrestricted mercury pollution in our atmosphere, but our vital fish populations are at risk. EPA's pla… Continue Reading
01.25.11
Sheldon's Statement on President’s State of the Union Address
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) issued the following statement following President Obama's State of the Union address: "President Obama sent a signal to Rhode Islanders that he is focused on growing our economy and putting Americans back to work, and laid out his vision for ensuring long-term American prosperity. "With too many Rhode Islanders still out of work, last week I called on President Obama to articulate his strong support for our manufacturing industry, as wel… Continue Reading
01.25.11
Whitehouse Introduces Legislation to Keep Jobs in America
Washington, DC - With manufacturers in Rhode Island and across the country struggling in the wake of the recession, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today introduced legislation to support the manufacturing sector and keep good jobs in America. Whitehouse's Offshoring Prevention Act would close a costly tax loophole that rewards companies for moving factories overseas. The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Dick Durbin… Continue Reading
01.21.11
Leader of RI Manufacturing Organization to Join Whitehouse for State of the Union Address
Providence, RI - This month, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse has been visiting local manufacturers as part of a "Making It in Rhode Island" tour to hear about the economic challenges they face and to discuss his plan to keep jobs in the state. As he continues fighting to help Rhode Island businesses grow, Whitehouse today announced that Leslie Taito, CEO of the Rhode Island Manufacturing Extension Service (RIMES), will be his guest at President Obama's State of the Union address next Tuesday. … Continue Reading
01.21.11
Whitehouse Urges President to Increase Support for American Manufacturers
Providence, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse is urging President Obama to affirm his support for domestic manufacturers during next week's State of the Union address. In a letter to the president, Whitehouse highlighted the importance of the manufacturing industry to Rhode Island's economy and proposed ways to preserve and create jobs. "From addressing unfair currency manipulation that benefits Chinese producers to providing greater access to capital for U.S. companies, there is much we ca… Continue Reading
01.19.11
Whitehouse Outlines Legislation to Keep Jobs in America
Providence, RI - Continuing his "Making it in Rhode Island" tour, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today outlined legislation he plans to introduce next week to support the state's manufacturing sector and keep good jobs in Rhode Island. The Offshoring Prevention Act would close a perverse tax loophole that rewards companies for moving factories overseas. "As I travel around Rhode Island, I've heard from local businesses who are proud to provide good jobs for their community, and who want to ke… Continue Reading
01.14.11
Reed, Whitehouse, Langevin Announce $300,000 for Johnston and Coventry Fire Departments
Washington, D.C. - In an effort to enhance Rhode Island's emergency response preparedness, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representative Jim Langevin today announced that the Johnston and Coventry fire departments will receive over $300,000 in Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) through the Department of Homeland Security. The Johnston Fire Department will receive $151,200 to purchase seven new, state-of-the-art 12-lead cardiac monitors. These new lifesaving heart mo… Continue Reading
01.11.11
Whitehouse Commends Gulf Spill Commission
Washington, D.C. - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse commended the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling today for releasing a frank assessment of the causes of the Deepwater Horizon blowout, and recommending a broad spectrum of reforms to prevent future environmental and human disasters. "Sadly, today's report by the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling confirms what we suspected - that this was an entirely preventab… Continue Reading
01.11.11
Whitehouse Announces Manufacturing Agenda in Pawtucket
Pawtucket, RI - During the second stop on his "Making it in Rhode Island" tour, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today released his manufacturing jobs plan at North East Knitting in Pawtucket. Continuing his efforts to support local businesses, Whitehouse outlined his legislative priorities for the next Congress. During his tour today, Whitehouse heard about the competition North East Knitting is experiencing from Central America and China. Two provisions in his plan, ending tax benefits for c… Continue Reading
01.08.11
Whitehouse Visits Bristol Manufacturing Company
Providence, RI - As Congress begins a new term, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse will continue his focus on issues and legislation important to Rhode Island manufacturers. Yesterday, he visited Composite Energy Technologies in Bristol to hear about their work. "My first priority is to keep fighting to get our economy back on track. That means bringing new business to our state, but it also means supporting existing companies and keeping good jobs here," said Whitehouse. "I was pleased to hear… Continue Reading
12.23.10
President Signs Whitehouse, Cornyn Bill to Crack Down on Foreign Criminal Assets
Washington, DC - President Obama has signed the Preserving Criminal Assets for Forfeiture Act into law. Introduced by two members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and John Cornyn (R-TX), the bill would make it easier to freeze the assets held in the United States by foreign criminals. In doing so, the legislation will cut down on the funds available for international criminals to further their enterprises. It will also encourage foreign countries to assist th… Continue Reading
12.23.10
Whitehouse Welcomes EPA Efforts to Reduce Greenhouse Emissions from Power Plants
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the following statement today regarding the US Environmental Protection Agency's announcement that the agency plans to set performance standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and refineries in 2011 and 2012: "I commend Rhode Island and the other states that have pushed EPA for nearly ten years to set carbon dioxide performance standards for power plants and refineries. Although the Clean Air Act requires EPA… Continue Reading
12.22.10
Whitehouse: Repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Marks Historic Win for Equality
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) issued the following statement today after President Obama signed legislation to repeal the law banning gay men and women from serving openly in the military: "Requiring gay and lesbian servicemembers to hide who they are went against the principles of integrity and responsibility on which our military stands. President Obama's action today marks an historic win for equality and civil liberties, and also for our proud military as we conti… Continue Reading
12.21.10
$400,000 Grant Awarded to Warwick Fire Department
Washington, DC - The Warwick Fire Department has been awarded $414,620 in federal funds to purchase new Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses (SCBA) for the entire station, a new filing station, and related equipment. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse wrote a letter in July to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) supporting the grant request. The upgrades will bring the Warwick Fire Department into compliance with current national standards. "Our firefighters are the invaluable first lin… Continue Reading
