Press Releases
Sen. Whitehouse Slams Senate’s Failure to Pass Gun Violence Amendments
Washington, DC - Today, the U.S. Senate failed to pass a series of amendments to address gun violence in America. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) voted in favor of proposals to ban high-capacity ammunition magazines, strengthen the nation's background check system, and reinstate the ban on military-style assault weapons. He released the following statement regarding the failure of those three amendments: "It's disappointing that, in the wake of one of the most tragic acts of gun violen… Continue Reading
04.16.13
Sen. Whitehouse Statement on National Oceans Policy
Washington, DC - Today the Obama Administration released the final implementation plan for the National Ocean Policy, which makes protecting and preserving our ocean and coastal resources a national priority. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), co-chair of the Senate Oceans Caucus and the lead sponsor of legislation to establish a National Endowment for the Oceans, released the follow statement applauding the implementation plan: "The strength of America's economy is tied to the health of … Continue Reading
04.11.13
Senate Begins Debate on Gun Violence Legislation
Washington, DC - Today the U.S. Senate overcame a Republican filibuster and voted to begin debating legislation to reduce gun violence in America. The legislation would crack down on illegal weapons trafficking, strengthen school safety, and eliminate the loophole that allows individuals to purchase guns at gun shows without clearing a background check. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) joined 67 of his colleagues in voting to move forward with the process. "As President Obama said durin… Continue Reading
04.10.13
Sen. Whitehouse: President’s Budget Cuts Benefits for Seniors
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse released the statement below today regarding President Obama's budget proposal: "I made a promise to the people of Rhode Island that I would always oppose cuts to Social Security, and I'm going to keep that promise. Social Security is fully solvent for the next twenty years, has not contributed to our budget deficits, and has no place in this debate over federal spending. The so-called 'chained CPI' proposal included in President Obama's budget… Continue Reading
04.09.13
Senate Committee Examines Enforcement of Campaign Finance Laws
Washington, DC - In the wake of the 2012 election cycle, which saw an unprecedented level of campaign spending by super PACs and tax-exempt political organizations that do not disclose their donors, the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism today held a hearing on "Current Issues in Campaign Finance Law Enforcement." The hearing focused on the challenges facing the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in enforcing criminal campaign finance laws relat… Continue Reading
04.08.13
Over 13,000 Rhode Islanders Benefitted from Medicare “Doughnut Hole” Fix in 2012
Cranston, RI - During a visit with Cranston seniors today to commemorate the three-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Roberts discussed how the health care law is saving money for Medicare recipients in Rhode Island. According to new data, 13,834 Rhode Island seniors saved over $8 million dollars through prescription drug discounts in 2012. Interactive Map: Click here to see how much your community saved. Prior to the … Continue Reading
04.06.13
Whitehouse Visits Mali, Tunisia, and Libya on Trip with McCain
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) has completed a tour of African nations with U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ). The two Senators met with foreign leaders and American officials in Mali, which is currently battling Islamic extremists; Tunisia, where the Arab Spring began; and Libya, which is in the process of rebuilding its government following the overthrow of the long-time dictator Moammar Gadhafi. Senator Whitehouse reported receiving a warm welcome throughout the region… Continue Reading
04.01.13
Whitehouse Reintroduces National Endowment for the Oceans
Washington, DC - With America's oceans and coasts under increasing pressure from pollution, acidification, and severe storms, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today announced the re-introduction of his National Endowment for the Oceans, Coasts, and Great Lakes Act (S. 646). The legislation, which is cosponsored by Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), would provide a reliable stream of funding to protect our oceans and coasts, and the research,… Continue Reading
03.29.13
Whitehouse Statement on New EPA Motor Vehicle Standard
Washington, DC - Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the Tier 3 Motor Vehicle Standard and Low Sulfur Gasoline Rule, a proposed standard that will reduce the sulfur content in gasoline and reduce pollution from tailpipes. EPA estimates that the proposed standard will annually prevent as many as 2,400 premature deaths, 23,000 cases of respiratory ailments in children, and 1.8 million lost school days, work days, and days when activities would be restricted due to air polluti… Continue Reading
03.28.13
Whitehouse Announces Legislation to Improve Middle School Achievement
Providence, RI - Today, Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Jack Reed announced the introduction of the Success in the Middle Act, legislation to improve our nation's middle schools. At the press conference, Providence Mayor Angel Taveras, Providence School Superintendent Susan Lusi, and Gilbert Stuart Middle School Principal Edward Halpin shared their support for the legislation and discussed its benefits for Rhode Island children. "When children reach high school unprepared, it is often too late f… Continue Reading
03.26.13
RI Congressional Delegation Holds Roundtable on Gun Violence
Providence, RI - As the U.S. Senate prepares to debate legislation to combat gun violence, the Rhode Island Congressional delegation held a roundtable this morning to discuss the importance of enacting laws to keep our communities safe. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse provided an update on the status of the legislation in the Senate, and Reps. Jim Langevin and David Cicilline joined them to express support for Senate proposals and demand strong Congressional action. Local advocates and… Continue Reading
03.21.13
Whitehouse Shares RI Business Story During Senate Committee Meeting
Washington, DC - Yesterday, as the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee prepared to vote on a bill to re-authorize the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) used a story about a Rhode Island business to highlight the importance of the legislation. Whitehouse spoke about Hope Global in Cumberland, which was hit hard by the floods of 2010, to make a point about improving transparency in the Army Corps of Engineers' process for approving projects u… Continue Reading
03.20.13
Whitehouse Celebrates Three-Year Anniversary of Health Care Law
Washington, DC - This week, as the federal government marks the three-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has used each day to highlight a different aspect of the law. Today, the Secretary focused on the law's delivery system reform provisions, which will help to lower health care costs while also improving care for patients. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) was a strong advocate for the inclusion of delivery system reform pr… Continue Reading
03.19.13
Faith Organizations Sound Off on Climate Change
Washington, DC - In January, the Bicameral Task Force on Climate Change wrote to over 300 businesses and organizations, soliciting their views on actions the federal government could take to reduce carbon pollution and strengthen our resiliency to climate change. Today, the Task Force released the responses they have received from six faith organizations: the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs; the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops;… Continue Reading
03.15.13
Whitehouse Statement on Committee’s Approval of Budget Resolution
Washington, DC - Last night, the U.S. Senate Budget Committee approved a budget resolution for Fiscal Year 2014 by a vote of 12-10. The budget would raise nearly $1 trillion in new revenue by eliminating wasteful tax loopholes, make smart cuts in federal spending, and invest in roads, bridges, and water infrastructure to create jobs. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Committee, voted for the resolution and released the following statement after it was approved: "The Sena… Continue Reading
03.14.13
Judiciary Committee Approves Gun Violence Legislation
Washington, DC - Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee completed a series of meetings to vote on four proposals aimed at reducing gun violence in America. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) is a member of the Committee and joined a majority of his colleagues in approving all four measures. "Our nation has seen too much tragedy through gun violence in recent years, and we must act to make our communities safer," said Whitehouse. "These bills would codify some simple, commonsense principles:… Continue Reading
03.13.13
Whitehouse Statement on Senate Democrats’ Budget
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) released her proposed budget resolution for Fiscal Year 2014, and the Committee began its markup of the resolution with members providing opening statements. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Committee, submitted a statement for the Committee's record which read, in part: "As we work toward additional deficit reduction, the choice is clear - the balanced Democratic approach of ending tax spe… Continue Reading
03.12.13
Waxman, Whitehouse, Blumenauer, and Schatz Release Carbon Price Discussion Draft
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Representative Henry A. Waxman, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Representative Earl Blumenauer, and Senator Brian Schatz released draft carbon-pricing legislation and solicited feedback on it from stakeholders and the public. The legislation would establish the polluter pays principle for dangerous carbon pollution, requiring large emitters to pay for the pollution they emit. The "discussion draft" released today contains a new and straightforward approach to putting a price… Continue Reading
03.11.13
Whitehouse and Cicilline Announce Legislation to Keep Jobs in America
Providence, RI - Today, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and U.S. Representative David Cicilline (D-RI) announced the introduction of the Offshoring Prevention Act, a bill that would level the playing field for American manufacturers by eliminating a special tax break for companies that ship jobs overseas. Whitehouse and Cicilline will file the legislation in the Senate and House, respectively, when Congress comes into session later today. This morning's announcement was made at Tanury I… Continue Reading
03.07.13
President Signs Violence Against Women Act into Law
Washington, DC - President Barack Obama today signed legislation re-authorizing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) into law. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse co-sponsored the legislation and successfully worked to include a new provision to prevent teen dating violence in the law. "This law has saved women's lives," said Whitehouse. "Today's action will strengthen protections for victims of domestic violence and give law enforcement in Rhode Island and across the nation important tools they… Continue Reading
