Press Releases
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
03.29.12
Senate Schedules Vote on Whitehouse’s Buffett Rule Bill
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the following statement today regarding the announcement by Majority Leader Harry Reid that the Senate will hold a vote on Whitehouse's bill to implement the "Buffett Rule" on April 16: "Getting a vote on the Buffett Rule is a step in the right direction. It's time to restore fairness to our tax system and end the loopholes that allow ultra-high income earners to pay a lower overall rate than middle income Rhode Islanders. This … Continue Reading
03.29.12
Whitehouse Statement for Rules Committee Hearing on DISCLOSE Act
Washington, DC - Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration held a hearing on the DISCLOSE Act of 2012, legislation to address the worst of the problems caused by the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), who introduced the legislation last week, submitted the following testimony to the hearing's official record: ---------------------------------------- Chairman Schumer and Ranking Member Alexander - I thank you for holding this he… Continue Reading
03.29.12
Whitehouse Releases Report on Progress of 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 released a report about the progress of another part of the Affordable Care Act that has gotten less attention but is no less important: delivery system reform (DSR). The report, entitled "Health Care Delivery System Reform and The Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act," shows that the Obama Administration h… Continue Reading
03.27.12
Whitehouse, Sanders Hold Hearing on Military Investments in Clean Energy
Washington, DC - Today, with gas prices near record highs across the country, U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) held a joint hearing to examine how our armed forces are working to diversify our nation's fuel supply and become more energy efficient, and how the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is assisting in these efforts. The hearing was entitled "Oversight Hearing on EPA's Work with Other Federal Entities to Reduce Pollution and Improve Environmental Perfo… Continue Reading
03.26.12
Whitehouse Holds Hearing on Health Care Fraud
East Providence, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today convened an official field hearing of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism in East Providence, RI, to examine ways to reduce costs and strengthen health care programs like Medicare and Medicaid by cracking down on fraud in the system. The hearing featured testimony from top Rhode Island law enforcement officials, local health care professionals, and a representative of the Centers for Medicare and Medica… Continue Reading
03.23.12
Whitehouse Shares Story of Health Law Helping Newport Area
Washington, DC - This week marks the two-year anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act, landmark legislation to reform our health care system in ways that lower costs and expand access to insurance coverage. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) spoke on the floor of the Senate yesterday to commemorate the anniversary, and shared the story of a Newport health care organization that has been helped by the law. Whitehouse spoke about East Bay Community Action Program, which has rec… Continue Reading
03.22.12
Whitehouse: Glad to Have Fishermen in Washington, DC
Washington, D.C. - This week, a number of Rhode Island fishermen joined their counterparts from around the country to visit Washington, DC to discuss fisheries management with their elected officials. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), who met with several of the Rhode Island fishermen, released the following statement regarding the visit: "It is encouraging to see so many men and women from our fishing community making their voices heard in our nation's capital. I was pleased to meet wi… Continue Reading
03.22.12
Whitehouse Shares Story of Woonsocket Resident Helped by Health Law
Health Reform: Making a Difference for Rhode Islanders Washington, DC - This week marks the two-year anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act, landmark legislation to reform our health care system in ways that lower costs and expand access to insurance coverage. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) spoke on the floor of the Senate to commemorate the anniversary, and shared the story of a Woonsocket resident who has been helped by the law. Whitehouse spoke about a woman name… Continue Reading
03.21.12
Senators Announce New Legislation to Shine Light on Anonymous Campaign Spending
Introducing DISCLOSE Act 2.0 Washington, DC - Today, as the public continues to see the harmful effects of the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision first hand in the Republican primaries, a group of U.S. Senators announced new legislation to address the worst of the problems caused by the decision. The DISCLOSE Act of 2012, introduced by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), will help put an end to secretive campaign spending by strengthening disclosure laws. The legislation is cosp… Continue Reading
03.20.12
Whitehouse Honored by PTA
Washington, DC - Throughout his time in office, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) has been a champion for children and families in Rhode Island and across the country. The National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) recently honored Whitehouse's record of advocacy by giving him their 2012 Congressional Voice for Children Award. Whitehouse joined Rhode Island PTA President Gina Cabral, Rhode Island PTA President-Elect Pamela O'Brien, and officers of the National PTA at the organization's Leg… Continue Reading
03.14.12
Whitehouse Brings Head of Newport County Chamber to Washington
Washington, DC - Today, the U.S. Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee held a meeting to hear from local chambers of commerce across the country about efforts to spur economic growth and job creation. The meeting specifically focused on how Senators can work with local chambers to achieve these goals, and featured the participation of Jody Sullivan, Executive Director of the Newport County Chamber of Commerce in Rhode Island. Sullivan was invited to participate and introduced at th… Continue Reading
03.14.12
Senate Passes Transportation Bill Including Whitehouse Oceans Measure, Regional Projects Program
Washington, DC - The U.S. Senate today passed a comprehensive transportation and infrastructure bill, which is expected to deliver more than $500 million in federal transportation funding to Rhode Island, supporting over 8,000 jobs. The bill also includes a measure by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) establishing a new National Endowment for the Oceans, Coasts, and Great Lakes to fund projects to protect our oceans and coasts and support jobs in industries like fishing and tourism. "Thi… Continue Reading
03.13.12
Senate Democrats Form Working Group to Craft New Response to Rise of Super PACs and Unlimited Spending by Outside Groups
Washington, DC - A group of Democratic senators announced today they have joined together to craft a new legislative response to blunt the harmful impacts from the Supreme Court's decision allowing corporations and anonymous special interests to spend unlimited sums to influence elections. The task force is led by Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and includes Tom Udall (D-NM), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Al Franken (D-MN). Senator Charles E. Schumer… Continue Reading
03.13.12
Whitehouse Applauds Crack Down on China’s Hoarding of Rare Earth Materials
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the statement below regarding today's announcement by the Obama Administration of a new effort to end China's hoarding of rare earth materials, which are used in the production of advanced electronics, including batteries for cell phones and hybrid cars. The Administration is now asking the World Trade Organization to force China - which produces over 95 percent of all rare earth materials - to free up their hold on the materials.… Continue Reading
