Press releases
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
- url
- Link to the original release on the member's official site
- text
- Extracted body text (may be empty if the page could not be fetched)
- has_text
- 1 if body text was successfully extracted
- date_source
- How the publication date was determined
- bioguide_id
- Bioguide ID of the member
902 rows where party = "Democrat", state = "RI" and year = 2020 sorted by date descending
This data as json, CSV (advanced)
| url | title | date ▲ | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| https://cicilline.house.gov/press-release/memo-rhode-island-media-cicilline-2020-fighting-people | Cicilline in 2020: Fighting For the People | 2020-12-31 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | RI | David Cicilline | C001084 | cicilline.house.gov | legacy | To: Rhode Island Editors, Editorial Writers, Reporters From: The Office of Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) Re: 2020 End of Year Report Date: December 31, 2020 Overview In 2020, U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) once again delivered on his promises to fight For The People of Rhode Island. Most notably, as a member of House Leadership during an unprecedented public health crisis, he played a key role in ensuring that Rhode Island state and local officials received the federal resources they needed to take on the pandemic. COVID Relief for Rhode Island Families From the moment COVID-19 swept through the country and began wreaking havoc, I started working with my colleagues to ensure we addressed Rhode Islanders' urgent needs: Keeping your family healthy Since we first learned that the pandemic had hit our shores, I fought for a national testing strategy. The HEROES Act would have supported testing, tracing and treatment, by providing $75 billion in funding for coronavirus testing, contact tracing and isolation measures, ensuring every American can access free coronavirus treatment, and supporting hospitals and providers, as well as making improvements to our testing infrastructure. The House passed the HEROES Act on May 15, 2020, but the bill never became law because Senator Mitch McConnell refused to bring the bill to the Senate floor for a vote. The CARES Act, passed into law in March, requires that private insurance plans cover COVID-19 treatments and vaccines, and provided $1.3 billion in emergency funding for Community Health Centers, which are responsible for providing health care services for approximately 28 million Americans. On March 18, 2020, Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which mandates free coronavirus testing for everyone who needs a test. This law also included $82 million to the Department of Defense TRICARE health program to carry out detection of COVID-19 and testing related visits; $64 million for the Indian Health Services for COVID-19 diagnosis … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://langevin.house.gov/press-release/langevin-votes-override-trump-veto-defense-bill | Langevin Votes to Override Trump Veto of Defense Bill | 2020-12-29 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Jim Langevin | L000559 | langevin.house.gov | legacy | WARWICK, R.I. Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee and a member of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, today voted to override President Trump's veto of the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The measure passed the House by a vote of 322-87. The following statement may be attributed to Congressman Langevin: For sixty consecutive years, members of Congress have reached across the aisle to pass a bipartisan defense bill to ensure our country is protected against threats and that our service members and their families are adequately supported. This year's national defense authorization bill contains critical provisions to provide well-deserved pay raises for troops, support programs vital to national security like the Virginia-class submarines built in Rhode Island, and promoteinclusiveness and diversity among our armed forces. In the wake of what could be one of the most consequential cyber intrusions in our nation's history, this bill also contains several provisions I authored to better defend Americans and our systems against evolving cyber threats. Most notably, this bill will establish a National Cyber Director to ensure there is someone leading cyber policy andstrategy development and coordinating incident response in the Executive Office of the President. Having someone in charge of cybersecurity at the highest levels of government is critical to help prevent an incident of significant consequence that could impact our economy and our way of life. Unfortunately, despite these important victories, the President chose to veto this bill. By vetoing the National Defense Authorization Act, the President offered a parting gift to our adversaries. Tonight, Congress has voted to override the President's veto because we won't allow him to undermine our nation's readiness and because we refuse to turn our backs on our troops who sacrifice so much. I'm glad that the House could once again put politics aside and prioritize the common defense. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://langevin.house.gov/press-release/langevin-votes-cash-act-provide-2000-relief-payments-americans | Langevin Votes for CASH Act to Provide $2,000 Relief Payments to Americans | 2020-12-28 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Jim Langevin | L000559 | langevin.house.gov | legacy | WARWICK, R.I. Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), today voted for the Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help (CASH) Act of 2020, a billto increase the amount of money struggling Americans receive in a second round of direct payments from $600 to $2,000. The following statement may be attributed to Congressman Langevin. Democrats have been fighting to provide struggling Americans with another round of direct cash assistance since May. People are hurting, and families are being forced to make impossible choices. That is why both in May and in October, the House passed bipartisan legislation that would provide substantial relief payments. Yet, in both instances, we were stonewalled by Senate Republicans. During this trying time, as people wonder how they will put food on the table and keep roofs over their heads, providing help to those struggling should not be divisive. Although President Trump could certainly have spoken up earlier about his desire to increase the amount for relief payments, the fact remains that Americans need help now. As public servants, we must answer their calls for help. I'm proud to have supported the CASH Act to increase payments to $2,000, but we will need to provide more aid to struggling small businesses and Rhode Islanders out of work, and I will reach across the aisle to ensure we do. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to take up this measure immediately and help us provide desperately needed relief to Americans who find themselves in limbo. TheCASH Act: Increases economic impact payments (EIPs) provided in the end-of-year COVID relief package so that each eligible family member receives $2,000, up from $600. Allows mixed-status families where one spouse has a Social Security Number (SSN) to claim EIP. As specified in the latest COVID relief legislation, these families are eligible for the EIP amount for each family member with an SSN and can claim the corresponding amount for the first round of economic impact payments when they file their 2020 taxes. Ensures dependents ove… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://cicilline.house.gov/press-release/cicilline-cnn-newsroom | Cicilline on CNN Newsroom | 2020-12-25 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | RI | David Cicilline | C001084 | cicilline.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) joined CNN Newsroom this morning to discuss last night's House vote increasing survival checks from $600 to $2,000. Click the following image to watch Cicilline's interview in full. Excerpts of Cicilline's remarks are embedded below. We did two important things yesterday. We overrode the President's veto of the National Defense Authorization bill to be sure, our troops get the pay raise they deserve, that we take care of our veterans, that we protect the defense of our country. And we also passed in a bipartisan way with over two thirds vote of the House to raise the survival checks to $2,000. The president says he supports that. He should be pressuring Mitch McConnell to bring that bill to the floor for a vote. People are struggling. They're facing difficulties paying their bills, or paying rent or mortgage, putting food on the table. We're in the worst economic crisis of our lifetime, the worst pandemic health crisis in 100 years. The federal government needs to do more to help struggling families. The $2,000 again is a down payment, but I hope the Senate will quickly pass it and give badly needed relief to the American people. Mitch McConnell has been a sort of Grim Reaper of legislation historically. There are hundreds of bills that we've passed out of the House that are sitting on his desk that he refuses to bring to the floor. This is just the most recent example, and I think whatever method they can use to force the vote on both those things is a good idea. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/senators-weigh-in-on-major-scotus-climate-case | Senators Weigh in on Major SCOTUS Climate Case | 2020-12-24 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | 12.24.20 Senators Weigh in on Major SCOTUS Climate Case Whitehouse, Cardin, Van Hollen, Blumenthal, Warren, and Markey: fossil fuel giants want to establish the standard of too big to adjudicate Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) have filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in a major case concerning the power of state and local governments to hold fossil fuel polluters financially liable for the damages caused by their products. In hopes of avoiding potentially massive monetary judgments against it, the fossil fuel industry seeks to have the case, BP et al. v. Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, removed from state court to federal court, where it hopes its arguments will receive a more favorable reception. The senators' brief shows how the industry's removal effort fits into a broader campaign to hamper the government's ability to act on climate change. If the Court rules in the industry's favor, the senators write, the Justices will have bolstered fossil fuel polluters' notion that claims against them are too big to adjudicate. The fossil fuel industry has tried to close every doorlocal, state, federal; legal, legislative, and administrativeto a solution to the climate crisis, the senators write. Here, they invite this Court to ignore the precise question and statute at hand, and render them a larger result one that would help them shut all state legal doors to remedies for the harms they have caused by their carbon emissions and by misleading about the harm. In essence, they propose a novel political doctrine of too big to adjudicate,' to free appellants from bearing the consequences in state courts of their own polluting and misleading. In their brief, the senators reveal the array of anonymously-funded or dark money groups that appear in court as amici curiae to argue on f… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/whitehouse-cheers-hfc-agreement-renewable-incentives-and-other-environmental-breakthroughs-in-omnibus-funding-bill | Whitehouse Cheers HFC Agreement, Renewable Incentives, & Other Environmental Breakthroughs in Omnibus Funding Bill | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | 12.22.20 Whitehouse Cheers HFC Agreement, Renewable Incentives, & Other Environmental Breakthroughs in Omnibus Funding Bill Expanded suite of federal incentives will boost offshore wind and solar energy and HFCs agreement could avoid 0.5C of warming by end of the century Washington, DC U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, cheered passage of the omnibus government funding package that contains several pieces of significant bipartisan climate legislation, an HFC agreement, and expanded incentives for renewable energy. These measures will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Provisions championed by Whitehouse will help encourage investment in wind and solar energy, streamline the adoption of new clean energy technologies, and establish a new federal program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from industry. This funding bill will help accelerate our transition to a clean energy economy, said Whitehouse. There are many important provisions in this legislation, including one that will reduce HFCsone of the more potent greenhouse gases out thereperhaps helping us avoid up to 0.5C of warming by the end of the century. We are running out of time in the fight against climate change, which is why we need to press forward on every front we can. I am proud to have worked with colleagues from both sides of the aisle to get this legislation passed. Whitehouse's environmental priorities that will be signed into law with the omnibus include: Offshore Wind Incentives for New Development (WIND) Act: Whitehouse's Offshore WIND Act will extend the 30 percent Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for offshore wind through 2025. The bill is also sponsored by Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) in the Senate and Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) in the House. The Energy Department has found that the United States could install a total of 22,000 megawatts of off… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/whitehouse-cotton-applaud-signing-of-als-disability-insurance-access-act | Whitehouse, Cotton Applaud Signing of ALS Disability Insurance Access Act | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | 12.22.20 Whitehouse, Cotton Applaud Signing of ALS Disability Insurance Access Act New law grants ALS patients and families immediate access to the Social Security Disability Insurance benefits they've earned Washington, DC U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) today applauded the signing into law of the ALS Disability Insurance Access Act, bipartisan legislation that eliminates the five-month waiting period before ALS patients can receive the Social Security Disability Insurance benefits they earned by contributing to Social Security. The legislation builds on previous steps by Congress and the Social Security Administration to accommodate the difficult prognosis for those diagnosed with ALS. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 96-1 and cleared the House unanimously. This represents a simple act of humanity for Americans battling a disease that often moves too quickly for the current system, said Whitehouse. Allowing patients and their families to immediately access the benefits they've earned will offer comfort as they confront a difficult diagnosis. Thank you to the tireless advocates and allies all over the country who joined our fight to get this done. Americans suffering from ALS shouldn't have to wait for assistance, especially given their tragically short life expectancyand now they won't have to, said Cotton. By waiving the statutory disability benefits waiting period, our bill makes support available to those suffering from this terrible disease much faster. I'm grateful to my colleagues in Congress and the president for helping bring relief to Americans living with ALS. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a neurodegenerative disease affecting the ability of the brain to control muscle movements. Individuals with ALS progressively lose the ability to speak, walk, and breathe. The intended purpose of a five-month waiting pe… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://cicilline.house.gov/press-release/cicilline-leads-fight-secure-funding-opioid-abuse-prevention-veterans-mental-health | Cicilline Leads Fight to Secure Funding for Opioid Abuse Prevention, Veterans Mental Health, Afterschool, and Other Rhode Island Priorities, Totaling $28 Billion | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | David Cicilline | C001084 | cicilline.house.gov | legacy | Cicilline Leads Fight to Secure Funding for Opioid Abuse Prevention, Veterans Mental Health, Afterschool, and Other Rhode Island Priorities, Totaling $28 Billion Dec 21, 2020 Issues: Education, Energy, Environment, Fiscal Responsibility, Health Care, Housing, Immigration, Jobs and the Economy WASHINGTON U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) led the effort to secure multiple priorities for Rhode Islanders in the relief package that Congress is considering tonight. In recent weeks, Cicilline worked with House negotiators to ensure the bill addressed the opioid crisis, provided mental health services for veterans, funded afterschool programs, and addressed several other key issues important to Rhode Island. This bill provides new resources to fight opioid abuse, ensure veterans have access to mental health care, and give kids a safe place to go when their school day ends, said Cicilline. These are important priorities for all of us, but especially in Rhode Island. Among the priorities that Cicilline led the fight to include are: $185 million for the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Grant Program (COAP), which gives law enforcement and first responders new resources to purchase naloxone and train personnel on how to use it. $3 million for State Opioid Response grants, which reduce opioid overdose deaths through prevention, treatment, and recovery programs, including those focused on prescription drug abuse. $115 million for the Veterans Crisis Line (a $4 million increase) so that servicemembers experiencing a mental health emergency can get the help they need 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. $1.3 billion for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (a $10 million increase), which provide afterschool programming for children who would otherwise be on their own at the end of the school day. A one-year… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://cicilline.house.gov/press-release/cicilline-statement-stopgap-covid-19-relief-package | Cicilline Statement on Stopgap COVID-19 Relief Package | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | David Cicilline | C001084 | cicilline.house.gov | legacy | Cicilline Statement on Stopgap COVID-19 Relief Package Dec 21, 2020 Issues: Education, Energy, Environment, Fiscal Responsibility, Health Care, Housing, Immigration, Jobs and the Economy, Seniors WASHINGTON U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) issued the following statement after voting for the bipartisan agreement to fund the federal government and provide COVID-19 relief to the American people, including survival checks and increased unemployment protections that he fought to include: The bill we passed tonight will provide some measure of relief, but it is nowhere close to addressing the totality of this crisis. Democrats have spent the last eight months fighting to pass another relief package that includes substantial cash payments to families, increased unemployment benefits, resources for the heroes fighting on the frontlines of this pandemic, and massive investments in a nationwide testing regime and vaccine distribution. Instead of working with us, Republicans sat on their hands while hundreds of thousands of Americans died and millions more lost their jobs. Congress needs to do more. That fact could not be any clearer. Many economists have said that the risk of doing too little is far greater than the risk of doing too much in this moment. In addition, public health experts predict this pandemic will continue well into 2021 and that a much more comprehensive response from Congress is needed. We should heed their advice. In the months ahead, Congress must pass a larger package that provides greater relief to working people and meets the urgency of the challenges we face. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://langevin.house.gov/press-release/langevin-support-bipartisan-covid-relief-package | Langevin to Support Bipartisan COVID Relief Package | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Jim Langevin | L000559 | langevin.house.gov | legacy | WARWICK, R.I. Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) today announced his support for H.R. 133, an omnibus spending bill consisting of all 12 fiscal year 2021 appropriations bills that also includes $900 billion in COVID-19 relief. This fourth major COVID bill will provide direct payments of $600 to individuals, support for small business through forgivable loans, $300 weekly enhanced unemployment benefits, and dedicated funding for nutrition, rent, and school aid. The House is expected to pass the package later this evening. The following statement may be attributed to Congressman Langevin. As our public health and the nation's economic stability continue to hang in the balance, it is clear the American people need more help to get through this pandemic. While the package we're considering today is not perfect, it reflects bipartisan consensus. It keeps the federal government open, delivers critical aid to those most in need, ends the practice of surprise medical billing, and supports Rhode Island manufacturing with funds for the Virginia-class submarine program. The situation is dire. The COVID-19 relief package will get cash into the pockets of working families struggling to make ends meet and deliver additional aid for our small businesses to keep their doors open. Further, it will ensure that people who have lost their jobs can stay afloat and that we carry out robust vaccination operations so that lives can be saved. This package will dedicate considerable resources to help the hardest hit Americans continue to put food on their tables with enhanced food benefits and keep roofs over their heads with an extension of the eviction moratorium and billions in emergency relief for renters. By no means is this package a silver bullet, but it does represent real progress. After all, it has been 220 days since the House first passed the Heroes Act to provide relief to struggling Americans. The challenges we face today did not appear overnight, and Congress will have to provide additional support if we hope to continue to tu… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://langevin.house.gov/press-release/senator-markey-senator-whitehouse-and-rep-langevin-applaud-inclusion-%E2%80%9Coffshore-wind | Senator Markey, Senator Whitehouse, and Rep. Langevin Applaud the Inclusion of Offshore WIND Act Provision in Year-End Spending Bill | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Jim Langevin | L000559 | langevin.house.gov | legacy | Washington Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Congressman Jim Langevin (RI-02) applauded the inclusion of key components of their legislation, theOffshore Wind Incentives for New Development (WIND) Act (S. 1957), as part of the year-end spending package. The provision would extend the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for offshore wind facilities at 30 percent through 2025, as called for in the Offshore WIND Act. Introduced in June 2019 by Senators Markey and Whitehouse, and Rep. Langevin, the Offshore WIND Act would spur the growth of offshore wind energy in the United States by extending tax credits for the renewable energy industry. In addition to extending the offshore wind ITC, the omnibus budget package extends the ITC for solar and the production tax credit (PTC) for onshore wind. It makes permanent energy efficiency improvements for commercial buildings and extends a credit of up to $2,000 for the purchase of energy efficient homes, as well as extends credits for non-business energy property purchases. The package also includes a five-year extension of the tax used to fund the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. Offshore wind has the potential to change the game on climate change, and those winds of change are blowing off the shores of Massachusetts, said Senator Markey. Offshore wind projects are a crucial part of America's clean energy future, creating tens of thousands of jobs up and down the East Coast and reducing carbon pollution. In our effort to harness this potential, we will now be able to provide this burgeoning industry the long-term certainty in the tax code that it needs. Our workers and our manufacturers stand ready to meet the demands of the offshore wind industry, and our economy stands ready to reap the winds of success. My big thanks to Senator Whitehouse and Rep. Langevin for their continued partnership and dedication to this legislation. Rhode Island's first-in-the-nation offshore wind farm charted a course for wind energy in American waters, said Senator … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/-bipartisan-save-our-seas-20-act-signed-into-law | Bipartisan Save Our Seas 2.0 Act Signed into Law | 2020-12-21 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | 12.21.20 Bipartisan Save Our Seas 2.0 Act Signed into Law SOS 2.0 is America's most comprehensive marine debris legislation ever Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) today welcomed the signing of the Save Our Seas (SOS) 2.0 Act, the most comprehensive legislation ever passed by Congress to address the plastic debris crisis threatening coastal ecosystems and communities, and harming marine life. Save Our Seas 2.0 is officially lawanother milestone in our effort to clean up marine debris and ocean plastic pollution across the globe, said Senator Whitehouse, who co-founded the bipartisan Senate Oceans Caucus to find common ground in responding to issues facing the oceans and coasts. I'm grateful for the bipartisan partnership of Senators Sullivan and Menendez on this issue. We're already hard at work expanding on the laws we've passed to tackle the scourge of plastic waste washing up on shores from coast to coast. After two years of collaboration, hard work and advocacy, I am incredibly excited to announce that the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act is now the law of the land, said Senator Sullivan. This historic accomplishment is the result of so many people who love our oceans: members of Congress who span the country and political spectrum, members of the administration, stakeholders in industry and environmental groups, and everyday citizens. SOS 2.0 will improve America's ability to clean up waste, advance international cooperation with nations responsible for the majority of trash entering the oceans, and explore innovative ways to manage and even reuse plastic waste. This bill will be particularly important for Alaska, a state that disproportionately experiences the impact of ocean debris with our thousands of miles of coastline. I commend President Trump for signing SOS 2.0 into law, and I also thank my colleaguesSheldon Whitehouse, Bob Me… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/whitehouse-supports-long-overdue-deal-to-provide-direct-relief-to-families-and-small-businesses | Whitehouse Supports Long-Overdue Deal to Provide Direct Relief to Families and Small Businesses | 2020-12-20 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | 12.20.20 Whitehouse Supports Long-Overdue Deal to Provide Direct Relief to Families and Small Businesses Bipartisan compromise will send much-needed boost to RI in the form of direct cash payments, forgivable small business loans, and expanded unemployment insurance Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) this evening expressed support for a bipartisan deal that will inject $900 billion into the national economy, provide direct relief to families and small businesses, and keep the federal government open amid the ongoing pandemic. Whitehouse issued the following statement about the agreement reached today: Rhode Islanders have made so many painful sacrifices this year to save lives, and those difficult decisions have left many families in need of a financial lifeline. As Americans begin to get vaccinated, this agreement will help workers and families make it through this difficult period. The relief on the way includes cash payments to households, boosted unemployment benefits, and forgivable loans for small businesses. In addition, increased investments in vaccine procurement and distribution will hasten our return to normal. It is worth noting tonight that Democrats in the House passed multiple relief bills that Leader McConnell held up for months and months. This deal should not have taken so long, and there is still more that needs to be done. While the bipartisan compromise will provide support for schools, transit, rental assistance, and public health programs, states and localities need additional budgetary relief, which I will keep fighting for. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://langevin.house.gov/press-release/cyberspace-solarium-commission-statement-dual-hat-considerations | Cyberspace Solarium Commission Statement on "Dual-hat" Considerations | 2020-12-20 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Jim Langevin | L000559 | langevin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Senators Angus King (I-ME), Ben Sasse (R-NE) and Congressmen Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Jim Langevin (D-RI), the four legislators serving on the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, released the following statement regarding reports that the Department of Defense is considering ending the dual-hat arrangement that sees the Commander of United States Cyber Command jointly appointed to be the Director of the National Security Agency: Congress laid out clear criteria about when it would be appropriate to consider whether to split the dual-hat worn by the commander of USCYBERCOM and the Director of the NSA. To our knowledge, these criteria have not been met. The 2017 National Defense Authorization Act requires the Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to certify to Congress that splitting of the dual-hat will not pose unacceptable risks to the national security interests of the United States. This certification has not been made, and any attempt to split the dual-hat arrangement before this certification is made would clearly violate the law. Our government is currently responding to a cyber incident where a sophisticated adversary had access to thousands of U.S. networks. Regardless of whether it's better to keep or end the dual-hat arrangement between NSA and CYBERCOM, now is not the time to do it. We believe in continuing policy discussions about this arrangement, but it is unwise for any decisions to be made in the immediate future. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://langevin.house.gov/press-release/langevin-collins-bill-support-health-and-wellbeing-family-caregivers-be-signed-law | Langevin, Collins Bill to Support the Health and Wellbeing of Family Caregivers to be Signed into Law | 2020-12-20 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Jim Langevin | L000559 | langevin.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. Following unanimous passage by the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, theLifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Actheads to the President's desk to be signed into law.Authored by Representative Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), along with Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), this bipartisan legislation will support the health and wellbeing of family caregivers by authorizing $10 million annually for the Lifespan Respite Care program from fiscal year 2020 through fiscal year 2024. The Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act will provide critical funds to improve access to respite care services and help ease the burden on family caregivers,said Representative Langevin, who co-authored the Lifespan Respite Care Act that became law in 2006. There are an estimated 53 million family caregivers in the country, and respite care continues to be one of their most frequently reported unmet needs. I thank Senator Susan Collins for championing this measure with Senator Tammy Baldwin, and I am grateful to Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers for co-leading this bill in the House. Our work would not have been possible withoutthe passionate advocates who have dedicated their lives to ensuring that family caregivers receive the support they need. I urge the President to sign the Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act immediately and expand respite care services and supports to help families in Rhode Island and across the country. In my conversations with family caregivers, I have found what they need most is respite care, a break from the 24/7 job of caregiving. Caregivers provide an estimated $470 billion in uncompensated care each year.Yet, an astounding 85 percent of caregivers have not received any respite services at all,said Senator Collins. Respite care is essential to caregivers as it helps to reduce mental stress and physical health issues they may experience. I look forward to seeing this legislation become law, which will… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/whitehouse-statement-on-regan-for-epa-administrator | Whitehouse Statement on Regan for EPA Administrator | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | 12.18.20 Whitehouse Statement on Regan for EPA Administrator Washington, DC Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following statement on President-elect Joe Biden's selection of North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Michael Regan to serve as Environmental Protection Agency Administrator: The end of polluter capture of the Environmental Protection Agency is in sight. Mr. Regan is no fossil fuel lobbyist or dark money fundraiser; he's fought polluting industries to protect the communities they harm. Picking him signals a return to the core mission of the agencydefending our environment in service of the health and safety of the American people. The Biden administration faces massive environmental challenges, especially climate change. To avoid calamity, Biden's team will need to act with urgency and a willingness to fight against the big polluters that have stymied progress to this point. I look forward to learning more about Mr. Regan's battle plans for the fights ahead. Print Email Tweet Previous Article | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://langevin.house.gov/press-release/langevin-duckworth-urge-biden-harris-prioritize-millions-americans-disabilities-hire | Langevin, Duckworth Urge Biden & Harris to Prioritize Millions of Americans with Disabilities, Hire and Appoint People with Disabilities Throughout the Administration | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Jim Langevin | L000559 | langevin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Jim Langevin (D-RI-02) today wrote a letter urging President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris to hire and appoint people with disabilities across all agencies and departments and select appointees who will prioritize the rights of people with disabilities from Day One of the incoming administration. In their letter, Duckworth and Langevin noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted the disability communitywhich approximately 61 million Americans belong to. Millions of Americans with pre-existing medical conditions are at higher risk of severe complications from COVID-19, and people with intellectual and development disabilities are three times more likely to die from the disease compared to others. Further, many employees and students with disabilities have lost access to reasonable accommodations due to precautions taken because of the ongoing pandemic. It is therefore imperative that you expeditiously fill political appointments across the federal government with disability policy experts to address these challenges, including appointees with a diversity of lived experiences, Duckworth and Langevin wrote. To that end, we urge you and your administration to hire people with disabilities at all levels of the executive branchfrom the Cabinet downand across all departments and agencies. We also urge the swift appointment of highly qualified candidates in key positions, including at the National Council on Disability (NCD), Access Board, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Community Living, HHS Office of Civil Rights, Division of Civil Rights at the Department of Justice, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Education, Duckworth and Langevin continued. Additionally, we hope you will fulfill your campaign promise of appointing a Director of Disability Policy withi… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://langevin.house.gov/press-release/smith-and-langevin-statement-armed-services-committee%E2%80%99s-commitment-cybersecurity | Smith and Langevin Statement on Armed Services Committees Commitment to Cybersecurity | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Jim Langevin | L000559 | langevin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. Representatives Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and Jim Langevin (D-R.I.), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee's Subcommittee on Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities, today issued the following statementon the importance of sound cyber policy to national security in the wake of the SolarWinds breach that has impacted several federal agencies. The pervasive access enabled by the SolarWinds supply chain compromise is deeply disturbing. The SolarWinds cyber operation bears every hallmark of sophisticated nation-state activity that can undermine our national security, and it is imperative that Congress move forward with oversight to understand the impacts and root causes of this campaign. Thankfully, the House Armed Services Committee is well-equipped to conduct such oversight. In fact, many of the provisions in this year's defense authorization bill, currently awaiting the President's signature and widely regarded as one of the most significant cybersecurity bills Congress has ever considered, are immediately responsive to SolarWinds-like incidents. The House Armed Services Committee places an enormous emphasis on the technology and networks that enable the Department of Defense and the military services to be the finest in the world. Maintaining our superiority requires secure supply chains and the highest quality technology, as well as protection of the Department's massive network architecture from intrusion. To that end, the committee regularly holds oversight hearings and briefings on all facets of cyber- and technology-related matters and engages with the Department daily. The importance of this dedicated focus on making the nation's information and communications technology infrastructure more resilient has been underscored by the SolarWinds incident and the grave risk its poses to the nation. In the 116th congress alone, the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities has held hearings on topics ranging fro… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/whitehouse-introduces-bipartisan-legislation-to-finance-global-marine-debris-prevention-and-reduction- | Whitehouse Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Finance Global Marine Debris Prevention and Reduction | 2020-12-17 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | 12.17.20 Whitehouse Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Finance Global Marine Debris Prevention and Reduction New trust fund would complement Save Our Seas Act and Save Our Seas 2.0 Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) introduced legislation that would bring the international community together to address the alarming amount of plastic and trash polluting our oceans and marine environments. The Unify Nations in Trash Elimination (UNITE) for our Oceans Act would direct the U.S. government to work with international partners to finance promising projects that promote the sustainable use of materials and the reduction of plastic and other waste filling the world's oceans. If we don't find answers fast, we'll have more tons of plastic waste in our oceans than living fish by the middle of the century. Solving that problem requires work with other nations on new international solutions, said Senator Whitehouse. I'm excited that Senators Graham and Coons, and my ocean plastics partner Senator Sullivan, have joined together to introduce this bipartisan bill to combat a massive challenge facing our oceans. The Unify Nations in Trash Elimination (UNITE) for our Oceans Act would: Direct the Secretary of State to work with U.S. federal agencies, individual countries, and international organizations to establish a Trust Fund for Marine Debris and Plastic Pollution. The goal of the Trust Fund is to prevent and reduce marine debris and plastic pollution and facilitate the sustainable production and consumption of resources. The Trust Fund would be managed by a Board of Trustees, comprised of representatives of the countries that contribute. Specify that the Trust Fund will award grants to national and local governments, non-governmental organizations, and other entities to complete projects that would reduce marine d… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://cicilline.house.gov/press-release/cicilline-statement-google-antitrust-lawsuit | Cicilline Statement on Google Antitrust Lawsuit | 2020-12-17 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | David Cicilline | C001084 | cicilline.house.gov | legacy | Cicilline Statement on Google Antitrust Lawsuit Dec 17, 2020 Issues: Consumer Protection and Financial Reform WASHINGTON House Antitrust Subcommittee Chairman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) issued the following statement today: Today's filing affirms much of the evidence the Antitrust Subcommittee uncovered during our investigation into Google's anticompetitive conduct. Like Facebook, Google abused their monopoly power in the marketplace. Like Facebook, they need to be broken up and held accountable. I applaud the 38 attorneys general who joined in this action today. It is a critical and necessary step for restoring competition in the digital marketplace. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/sen-whitehouse-remarks-in-the-nomination-hearing-for-the-hon-raul-arias-marxuach | Sen. Whitehouse Remarks in the Nomination Hearing for the Hon. Raúl Arias-Marxuach | 2020-12-16 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | About Services Agency Assistance Success Stories Grants Flag Requests Visiting D.C. Student Resources Email Sheldon Events Community Dinners Community Outreach … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/sen-whitehouse-remarks-on-the-save-our-seas-20-act | Sen. Whitehouse Remarks on the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act | 2020-12-16 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | About Services Agency Assistance Success Stories Grants Flag Requests Visiting D.C. Student Resources Email Sheldon Events Community Dinners Community Outreach … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/time-to-wake-up-278-save-our-seas-20 | Time to Wake Up 278: Save Our Seas 2.0 | 2020-12-16 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | About Services Agency Assistance Success Stories Grants Flag Requests Visiting D.C. Student Resources Email Sheldon Events Community Dinners Community Outreach … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/speeches/time-to-wake-up-278-save-our-seas-act-20-colloquy | Time to Wake Up 278: Save Our Seas Act 2.0 Colloquy | 2020-12-15 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | 12.15.20 Time to Wake Up 278: Save Our Seas Act 2.0 Colloquy Madam President, while Senator Grassley is on the floor, I would thank him for his remarks about the First Step Act and let him know that on the Judiciary Committee, I look forward to working with him to continue to advance that. As the Senate knows, the Grassley-Durbin segment and the Cornyn- Whitehouse segment were the two key pieces of that bill, and it is terrific to hear the Senator and our chairman at the time chose support to continue that work. So I am grateful. What I would like to do now is to follow the conversation we had about oceans a minute ago in the context of my ``Time to Wake Up'' speeches. Obviously, the oceans are taking a colossal beating from climate change, from the warming, from the chemical acidification that it causes. It is warming at a rate of multiple detonations of Hiroshima- level nuclear weapons per second in the ocean. That is the amount of heat that is added, if you want to put an image to it. So we have done some good things on oceans in this Congress, and I would like to summarize some of those. One, obviously, is Save Our Seas 2.0 that Senator Sullivan, Senator Menendez, and I just discussed, but we also have a little package of enforcement provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act that focus on what is commonly called illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing--IUU fishing--which is a really boring and bureaucratic name for extremely bad behavior. Essentially, it is modern slavery at sea for the crew, who are miserably trapped on these illegal, pirate fishing vessels. They are also an avenue for trafficking of humans, of narcotics, of arms, or whatever. Once you are out in a boat outside, beyond the realm of the law, operating illegally and doing whatever you can for money, you will do pretty much anything there is. So in addition to ransacking our common seas, these pirate fishing fleets are really dangerous vectors for really dangerous criminal conduct. I am glad that we have put a… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://cicilline.house.gov/press-release/cicilline-joins-msnbcs-jonathan-capeharts-inaugural-show-discuss-lgbtq-representation | Cicilline Joins MSNBC's Jonathan Capehart's Inaugural Show to Discuss LGBTQ+ Representation in the Biden Cabinet | 2020-12-13 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | David Cicilline | C001084 | cicilline.house.gov | legacy | PAWTUCKET LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus Co-Chair Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) appeared on the premiere episode of MSNBC's The Sunday Show with Jonathan Capehart to discuss the need for LGBTQ diversity in the future Biden Cabinet. Also joining with Cicilline, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Karen Bass (CA-37), Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chair Judy Chu (CA-27), and Congressional Hispanic Caucus member Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16). Click on the image to view the entire segment. Below is a transcript of Cicilline's questions and answers with Capehart. David N. Cicilline LGBTQ+ Diversity in Bident Cabinet December 13, 2020 Jonathan Capehart: President-Elect Biden has consistently promised to make diverse representation a feature of his incoming administration. And on that end, he's delivered. A Black and South Asian woman for Vice President. The first female Treasury Secretary. Black secretaries of HUD and Defense. A Cuban immigrant heading Homeland Security. And the list continues. Still, many voices in the Democrat's broad coalition say Biden can do more, and they're turning up the pressure on him to follow through. Joining me now are, Rhode Island Congressman David Cicilline, co-chair of the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, California Congresswoman Judy Chu Chairwoman of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, Texas Congresswoman Veronica Escobar who is a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and Congresswoman from California, Karen Bass, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. All, thank you very much for being here. Last week was interesting because it seemed like every story in the paper, every story I heard on television, was one constituency of the Democratic Party after another, saying that the Biden-Harris Administration, incoming Biden-Harris Administration had not picked enough members of their community to be in the Administration. I'm going to go round-robin and start with Congresswoman Bass and ask, which agency is the priority or is there a particular candida… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/whitehouse-cheers-passage-of-beneficial-ownership-provisions-in-ndaa | Whitehouse Cheers Passage of Beneficial Ownership Provisions in NDAA | 2020-12-11 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | 12.11.20 Whitehouse Cheers Passage of Beneficial Ownership Provisions in NDAA Legislation in must-pass defense bill clamps down on use of American shell corporations to hide the assets of criminals and foreign enemies; Whitehouse has long championed transparency to aid law enforcement in accessing to beneficial ownership information Washington, DC Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the following statement today on provisions included in the National Defense Authorization Act to help prevent criminals and foreign enemies from hiding assets from law enforcement and tax authorities. The defense bill provisions will require reporting of the beneficial owner the real person behind U.S. corporations for use by law enforcement, revealing whether criminals, foreign state actors, and terrorists are exploiting American shell corporations to hide money. I'm thrilled to see this important legislation included in the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act. It's far too easy for a domestic criminal or foreign strongman to set up a shell corporation in the United States to hide their ill-gotten gains. I've fought to pass legislation to shine a light on who's actually behind American shell corporations, so law enforcement can take on the abuse of America's legal and financial institutions more effectively. Now, we're poised to pass that transparency into law. Thank you to my partners in this work, Senators Grassley, Feinstein, Graham, Crapo and Brown, for making this win possible. This has been a long struggle through a lot of disinformation. With Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Whitehouse led the bipartisan TITLE Act to require the collection of information on the real person behind the incorporation of a company in the United States a goal the NDAA beneficial ownership provisions will achieve. Whitehouse and Grassley's bill would have required beneficial ownership information to be collected by states f… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/whitehouse-maritime-security-measures-clear-congress | Whitehouse Maritime Security Measures Clear Congress | 2020-12-11 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | 12.11.20 Whitehouse Maritime Security Measures Clear Congress Key protections against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing poised to become law Washington, DC U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) cheered passage today of his maritime security proposal as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which has now cleared Congress. Whitehouse's provisions will help defend against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IU) fishing activities. The House and Senate have both agreed to the legislation with veto-proof majorities. I'm thrilled to see my maritime security proposal set to become law, said Whitehouse. Rhode Islanders rely on healthy fisheries for their livelihood and to sustain a vibrant, healthy ocean. My proposal will defend our fisheries by boosting enforcement of important protections against pirate fishing on the high seas. Thank you to Congressmen Langevin and Panetta for their partnership in passing this proposal. Joining Whitehouse in pushing for the maritime security proposal were Congressmen Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), who succeeded in including the legislation in the House version of the NDAA. Whitehouse's proposal includes provisions related to maritime security and illegal activity at sea. It would: Require the Department of Defense to report to Congress on the Navy's implementation of measures to combat illegal fishing that were included in the FY 2020 NDAA. Direct the Navy to work with the Coast Guard to assess commercial solutions for tracking vessels engaged in illegal fishing and other unlawful activity at sea, and sharing that information among U.S. maritime services and partner nations. Require the Office of Naval Intelligence to report to Congress on the way bad actors like China use their distant-water fishing fleets to challenge the sovereignty of their neighbors, supplement the aggressive activities of their naval and coast guard ve… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/whitehouse-portman-klobuchar-introduce-cara-20-to-increase-access-to-treatment-prevention-and-bolster-fight-against-addiction-epidemic | Whitehouse, Portman, Klobuchar Introduce CARA 2.0 to Increase Access to Treatment, Prevention & Bolster Fight against Addiction Epidemic | 2020-12-10 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | 12.10.20 Whitehouse, Portman, Klobuchar Introduce CARA 2.0 to Increase Access to Treatment, Prevention & Bolster Fight against Addiction Epidemic Legislation will serve as a marker for bipartisan progress in the new Congress Washington, DC Today, U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the bipartisan Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) 2.0 to increase the funding authorization levels for the Comprehensive Addiction & Recovery Act (CARA) programs enacted in 2016 and put in place additional policy reforms to help combat the opioid epidemic that has worsened during the coronavirus pandemic. CARA was a bipartisan, national effort designed to ensure that federal resources were devoted to evidence-based education, treatment and recovery programs that work. In FY 2020, CARA programs were funded at $658 million. CARA 2.0 builds on this effort by increasing the funding authorization levels and laying out new policy reforms to strengthen the federal government's response to this crisis. Senator Portman's and my CARA bill was the most wide-ranging federal addiction legislation ever passed, said Senator Whitehouse. Now, it's time to deepen CARA's reach into communities where the opioid crisis rages, and add important new reforms like expanding treatment options for new mothers and building our recovery workforce. I'm pleased to join Senator Portman and a bipartisan group of cosponsors to expand on the progress we've made in the fight against the opioid crisis. In recent years we have made real progress in fighting the scourge of addiction thanks to resources from the bipartisan CARA law, in addition to other bipartisan efforts in Congress. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges and we are now seeing a heartbreaking surge in overdose deaths. That is why we must redouble our efforts to combat addiction and help tho… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/sen-whitehouse-and-peter-morley-share-aca-open-enrollment-information | Sen. Whitehouse and Peter Morley Share ACA Open Enrollment Information | 2020-12-10 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | About Services Agency Assistance Success Stories Grants Flag Requests Visiting D.C. Student Resources Email Sheldon Events Community Dinners Community Outreach … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/sen-whitehouse-and-rep-porter-on-dark-money__whiteboards-vs-charts | Sen. Whitehouse and Rep. Porter on Dark Money - Whiteboards vs. Charts | 2020-12-10 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | About Services Agency Assistance Success Stories Grants Flag Requests Visiting D.C. Student Resources Email Sheldon Events Community Dinners Community Outreach … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/time-to-wake-up-277-donorstrust-990s | Time to Wake Up 277: DonorsTrust 990s | 2020-12-10 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | About Services Agency Assistance Success Stories Grants Flag Requests Visiting D.C. Student Resources Email Sheldon Events Community Dinners Community Outreach … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/speeches/time-to-wake-up-277-donors-trust | Time to Wake Up 277: Donors Trust | 2020-12-09 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | 12.09.20 Time to Wake Up 277: Donors Trust Mr. President, I mentioned recently in one of these speeches that an identity-laundering group called Donors Trust decided to do a letter to the editor of my home State paper asserting that they were just as innocent as newborn lambs. The Center for Media and Democracy has recently obtained the IRS form 990 for calendar 2019 for this little lamb, Donors Trust, and it has some fascinating findings. Donors Trust took in a total of $312 million in donations in 2019-- nearly a third of a billion dollars--up from $198 million in 2018. Of that, more than two-thirds came from two huge donations--two--one for $150 million and another for $69 million. Out of the $312 million they received, $219 million came in two donations, and both of the donations were anonymous. Now, who makes anonymous donations of that size? Most people making a donation that big want their name on the building at the university. What is going on? Who has that kind of money to give away and a desire to hide themselves? One wonders. Donors Trust gave out $162 million in anonymized grants in 2019-- mostly to rightwing groups. This is up from $142.3 million in 2018. I should actually probably not say that Donors Trust gave them out but, rather, that they transmitted the funds for the anonymous donors because a donor can tell Donors Trust where the money is to go. Donors Trust then provides the expedient service of hiding the donor's identity. So where did this anonymous money go? Well, grants of interest include $7 million to the Federalist Society--1 year, $7 million--up from last year's $5.9 million. Yes, this is the same Federalist Society that has selected judges and Justices for the Trump administration. Is it not obvious that big special interests might buy their way to the Federalist Society judicial selection table with big, anonymous donations? When you farm out to secretive private organizations the power to select Supreme Court Justices and the secretive organizations take big, ano… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://cicilline.house.gov/press-release/cicilline-praises-ftc-state-attorneys-general-holding-facebook-accountable | Cicilline Praises FTC, State Attorneys General for Holding Facebook Accountable | 2020-12-09 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | David Cicilline | C001084 | cicilline.house.gov | legacy | Cicilline Praises FTC, State Attorneys General for Holding Facebook Accountable Dec 9, 2020 Issues: Consumer Protection and Financial Reform WASHINGTON House Antitrust Subcommittee Chairman David N. Cicilline (RI-01), who oversaw a 16-monthlong investigation into the market dominance of major tech platforms, issued the following statement today: "Facebook is a monopoly." "Its abuse of its dominance harms competition, innovation, and other businesses. In the absence of competition and accountability, Facebook has harmedpeople's privacy and allowed disinformation to flourish on its platform, threatening our democracy." "Facebook has broken the law. It must be broken up. I applaud the FTC and state attorneys general who are leading this effort today. This marks a major step in our ongoing work to bring the tech industry's monopoly moment to an end." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://cicilline.house.gov/press-release/cicilline-speaks-bill-end-revolving-door-recidivism | Cicilline Speaks on Bill to End Revolving Door of Recidivism | 2020-12-09 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | David Cicilline | C001084 | cicilline.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) spoke on the House floor today to urge passage of the One Stop Shop Community Reentry Program Act, which will provide funding to create Community Reentry Centers to help formerly incarcerated people re-enter society. Click the image below to watch Cicilline's speech on the House floor. The full text of his remarks is embedded at the end. David N. Cicilline One Stop Shop Community Reentry Program Act December 8, 2020 Madam Speaker, for the roughly 10 million people who, each year, reenter communities from jail or prison, the consequences of a criminal sentence can last a lifetime, creating barriers to accessing safe housing, employment, and even something as basic as a government ID. As Mayor of Providence, I assembled a reentry council to bring together community leaders including religious leaders, employers, housing professionals, to help people returning to their communities with the goal of giving people a chance to fully re-enter society after they've completed their sentence. During my time as Mayor, I saw how providing community-based reentry services helps to ensure that justice-involved individuals have the support they need for a smooth transition back into society. When formerly incarcerated people have access to their basic needs being met, like food assistance and employment opportunities it can significantly reduce the likelihood they will commit a new offense, and as a result, make our communities safer. It gives returning citizens the ability to provide for themselves, for their families, and be productive members of their communities. That's why I am proud to support H.R. 8161, the One Stop Shop Community Reentry Program Act, which provides 5-year grants to community-based organizations and other eligible entities to create Community Reentry Centers. The One Stop Shop Community Reentry Program Act incentivizes community-based solutions to overcoming barriers to housing, education, employment, and health care. It seeks to end the revolv… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://langevin.house.gov/press-release/langevin-applauds-house-passage-final-fiscal-year-2021-defense-bill | Langevin Applauds House Passage of Final Fiscal Year 2021 Defense Bill | 2020-12-09 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Jim Langevin | L000559 | langevin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities and a member of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, today voted to advance the Conference Report to accompany H.R. 6395, the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021. The FY21 NDAA authorizes approximately $732 billion in spending for national defense, including approximately $69 billion for overseas contingencies operations. It passed the House by a vote of 335-78-1 and now heads to the Senate for consideration. The defense bill, which is expected to be passed by Congress for a 60th consecutive year, includes a three percent pay increase for service members; makes critical investments in military infrastructure, technology, and training; and establishes an independent commission to undertake the removal of Confederate names, symbols, displays, monuments, and paraphernalia from Department of Defense facilities. It also includes Langevin's National Cyber Director Act, the culmination of more than a decade of work to ensure someone is in charge of cybersecurity within the White House. This year's bipartisan defense bill will make crucial investments to maintain the United States' readiness, expand our capabilities, and provide critical support to our troops to keep our country secure, said Langevin. Providing for the common defense means ensuring our service members can carry out their missions effectively by establishing policies and programs that will make our nation more resilient for the threats of today and those of tomorrow. From well-deserved raises for our service members to promoting diversity and inclusion among ranks and advancing policies that reinforce a more comprehensive national cybersecurity strategy, this legislation will better position us to protect Americans and our interests. Langevin fought to reject President Trump's cuts to the submarine force, and the final bill includes funds for a second Virgi… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/whitehouse-young-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-add-hydrogen-as-qualified-energy-resource-to-strengthen-economy | Whitehouse, Young Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Add Hydrogen as Qualified Energy Resource to Strengthen Economy | 2020-12-08 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | 12.08.20 Whitehouse, Young Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Add Hydrogen as Qualified Energy Resource to Strengthen Economy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) have introduced the Hydrogen Utilization and Sustainability (Hy USA) Act to include hydrogen among the renewable resources eligible for the Renewable Electricity Production Tax Credit (PTC). The bipartisan bill would incentivize investment in hydrogen-based energy, a next-generation carbon alternative. We need to find alternative low-carbon fuels to power the economy, said Senator Whitehouse. Our bipartisan hydrogen-based energy incentive holds promise to open additional carbon-free pathways as we reassert America's global leadership on climate change. As the most abundant element in the universe, hydrogen is an emerging energy source that we must seriously target today, said Senator Young. Our bipartisan bill would promote increased investment in hydrogen to strengthen the American economy and build energy leadership abroad. Hydrogen energy has been billed as a promising energy alternative to carbon for years, yet has not seen national investment like other renewable energy sources. Proponents of hydrogen see emerging use in a variety of industries, including transportation and electric vehicles as well as more general electricity production. Hydrogen infrastructure has gained the support of over $100 billion in global investments. It is estimated that hydrogen infrastructure could generate 700,000 jobs in the next ten years. In December 2019, Senator Young signed a letter to express the importance of continued national investment in hydrogen production. View the letter here. For the full bill text, click here. Print Email Tweet Previous Article | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://langevin.house.gov/press-release/langevin-statement-president-elect-biden-nominating-lloyd-austin-secretary-defense | Langevin Statement on President-Elect Biden Nominating Lloyd Austin as Secretary of Defense | 2020-12-08 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Jim Langevin | L000559 | langevin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement regarding President-elect Joseph R. Biden's announcement that he intends to nominate Lloyd Austin as the first African-American to serve as Secretary of Defense: I am excited that President-elect Biden has selected Lloyd Austin as the first African-American to be nominated for Secretary of Defense. Austin's nomination is a signal to all service members and civilians that people of color have every business joining the military and becoming national security leaders. As a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, I know General Austin understands that the Department of Defense cannot operate on its own and that its actions must be nested in a whole of government approach. Austin served forty-one distinguished years as an Army Officer at almost every echelon within the Department of Defense. A battle tested leader, Austin served in critical positions such as the Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army and most notably as the Commander of United States Central Command. Austin understands the importance of fighting as a coalition, and he ensured our servicemembers always fought alongside our allies and partners. However, General Austin has only been retired from the Army for four years at this point, and it would require an act of Congress to allow him to serve as the senior civilian at the Department of Defense. I firmly believe in civilian control and oversight of our military. In keeping with my position on granting a waiver for General Mattis, I believe there should be an open hearing on General Austin's views of the civilian-military relationship before we vote to grant him a waiver to serve as the Secretary of Defense. An open hearing will allow Austin to answer questions regarding the value of civilian expertise, his civilian background, his service, and his vision for the Department of Defense. Congress was not afforded this opportunity under the previous adminis… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/senators-release-watchdog-report-showing-serious-challenges-facing-the-us-national-air-quality-monitoring-system | Senators Release Watchdog Report Showing Serious Challenges Facing the U.S. National Air Quality Monitoring System | 2020-12-07 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | 12.07.20 Senators Release Watchdog Report Showing Serious Challenges Facing the U.S. National Air Quality Monitoring System Report requested by Whitehouse, Collins, Carper highlights troubling decline in federal support for the nation's network for tracking air pollution Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Tom Carper (D-DE), and Susan Collins (R-ME) today released a report from Congress's watchdog agency, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), showing a number of serious challenges facing the vital national air quality monitoring system. When adjusted for inflation, the GAO report shows a steady decline in federal support for state and local monitoring efforts that are central to the basic function of the national air monitoring system. It also shows an uneven understanding of concentrations of dangerous air toxics near industrial facilities. The consequences of these problems tend to hit low-income communities and communities of color the hardest since they are often located in industrial areas and rely on underfunded local programs. An effective air quality monitoring system helps guard against public health threats triggered by air pollution. In downwind states like Rhode Island, missing a bad air day' warning could mean serious consequences for high-risk groups, said Senator Whitehouse. These findings point to troubling gaps in the EPA's funding and oversight of the network, which can disproportionately affect people of color and low-income communities. Congress and the EPA ought to act swiftly on the GAO's recommendations. The State of Maine, located at the end of our nation's air pollution tailpipe,' is on the receiving end of pollution generated in other states, said Senator Collins. Understanding the occurrence of harmful air pollutants is critical for public health, particularly for Maine which has among the highest rates of asthma in the country. This report also under… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/whitehouse-wicker-bill-to-level-playing-field-for-international-sport-becomes-law | Whitehouse-Wicker Bill to Level Playing Field for International Sport Becomes Law | 2020-12-07 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | 12.07.20 Whitehouse-Wicker Bill to Level Playing Field for International Sport Becomes Law Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act will help crack down on state-sponsored doping Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) today announced that the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act, which they introduced last year, has been signed into law by President Trump. The Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act aims to level the playing field for international sport by cracking down on state-sponsored doping schemes like the one deployed by the Russian government in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. This law sends a strong bipartisan signal that the United States will stand up for whistleblowers and against criminal interference in international sport, said Senator Whitehouse. The World Anti-Doping Agency and the International Olympic Committee have failed to hold the Russian government accountable for systemic cheating in Sochi. Ahead of the next Olympics, we've established stiff penalties for doping and sent a message to Russia and the world that state-sponsored fraud will not be tolerated. This law is a great bipartisan accomplishment for the rights of athletes, the protection of whistleblowers, and our common goal of keeping criminals out of international sports, said Senator Wicker. The world's top athletes should not have a life achievement ripped away from them through fraudand no whistleblower should live in fear of retaliation for exposing that fraud, as Dr. Rodchenkov has been forced to do. Whitehouse and Wicker both serve on the Helsinki Commission, an independent commission of the U.S. government charged with monitoring compliance with the Helsinki Accords and advancing comprehensive security among the 57 member countries. As a professional athlete, it's encouraging to see impactful anti-doping measures like whistleblower protection and information sharing supported by the federal government. There… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/greenpeace-oceans-campaign-director-john-hocevar-remarks-for-eeo-day | Greenpeace Oceans Campaign Director John Hocevar Remarks for EEO Day | 2020-12-04 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | About Services Agency Assistance Success Stories Grants Flag Requests Visiting D.C. Student Resources Email Sheldon Events Community Dinners Community Outreach … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/rep-cicilline-remarks-for-eeo-day | Rep. Cicilline Remarks for EEO Day | 2020-12-04 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | About Services Agency Assistance Success Stories Grants Flag Requests Visiting D.C. Student Resources Email Sheldon Events Community Dinners Community Outreach … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/rep-langevin-remarks-for-eeo-day | Rep. Langevin Remarks for EEO Day | 2020-12-04 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | About Services Agency Assistance Success Stories Grants Flag Requests Visiting D.C. Student Resources Email Sheldon Events Community Dinners Community Outreach … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/sen-reed-remarks-on-eeo-day | Sen. Reed Remarks on EEO Day | 2020-12-04 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | About Services Agency Assistance Success Stories Grants Flag Requests Visiting D.C. Student Resources Email Sheldon Events Community Dinners Community Outreach … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/sen-schatz-remarks-for-eeo-day | Sen. Schatz Remarks for EEO Day | 2020-12-04 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | About Services Agency Assistance Success Stories Grants Flag Requests Visiting D.C. Student Resources Email Sheldon Events Community Dinners Community Outreach … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/sen-whitehouse-appears-on-bbc-world-to-discuss-the-covid-19-response-in-rhode-island | Sen. Whitehouse Appears on BBC World to Discuss the COVID-19 Response in Rhode Island | 2020-12-04 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | About Services Agency Assistance Success Stories Grants Flag Requests Visiting D.C. Student Resources Email Sheldon Events Community Dinners Community Outreach … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://langevin.house.gov/press-release/langevin-statement-withdrawal-us-forces-somalia | Langevin Statement on the Withdrawal of U.S Forces from Somalia | 2020-12-04 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Jim Langevin | L000559 | langevin.house.gov | legacy | WARWICK, R.I. Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee's Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee, issued the following statement regarding President Trump's announcement to draw down United States forces from Somalia. The President's decision to withdraw forces from Somalia is a surrender to al Qaeda and a gift to China. Al Qaeda's affiliate al Shabaab is a formidable presence in Somalia, and our special operators have partnered with elite Somali units to tackle this threat. Our security presence also enables intelligence, diplomacy, food assistance, and disaster relief. When U.S. forces leave Somalia in response to today's order, it becomes harder for diplomats and aid workers to help people resolve conflicts without violence and loss of life. With upcoming elections in Somalia and conflict raging in neighboring Ethiopia, abandoning our partners could not come at a worse time. Al Shabaab will message our withdrawal as a victory, which may propel some of their political affiliates into government. All the while, China will seize the opportunity to build their influence in the region, to the detriment of those who care about representative governance and equality. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/whitehouse-legislation-to-support-mental-health-needs-of-veterans-named-in-honor-of-johnston-native-lance-cpl-daniel-j-harvey-jr | Whitehouse Legislation to Support Mental Health Needs of Veterans Named in Honor of Johnston Native Lance Cpl. Daniel J. Harvey Jr. | 2020-12-03 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | 12.03.20 Whitehouse Legislation to Support Mental Health Needs of Veterans Named in Honor of Johnston Native Lance Cpl. Daniel J. Harvey Jr. Bipartisan bill would create pilot program to better support veterans transitioning to civilian life Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) has introduced bipartisan legislation to better support the mental health needs of servicemembers and veterans as they return home. The Daniel J. Harvey Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act would create a new pilot program embedded in the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) to provide more robust counsel to servicemembers about mental health and services available at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers. The bill was named to honor the memory of two Marines who lost their lives to post-traumatic stress disorderone of whom was Johnston native Lance Cpl. Daniel J. Harvey Jr., a combat veteran who served in Afghanistan and passed away in 2015 at the age of 22. Johnston's own Lance Corporal Daniel Harvey Jr. was a hero to Rhode Islanders and to our nation. Our community lost Lance Corporal Harvey long before his time, said Whitehouse. We have to do better by servicemembers who return home bearing invisible wounds of war. Every veteran should have easy access to the very best carefor both mental and physical healththat this nation has to offer. Harvey attended Johnston High School, where he was captain of the Johnston/North Providence co-op hockey team. He graduated in 2010 and enlisted in the Marines. The legislation would establish a pilot program at ten different Transition Assistance Center locations. As part of the pilot, TAP counseling would include discussion related to possible loss of community or identity crises while transitioning to civilian life. Servicemembers would be provided with information regarding the mental health programs and benef… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://cicilline.house.gov/press-release/cicilline-remarks-bill-authorizing-105-million-blackstone-national-heritage-corridor | Cicilline Remarks on Bill Authorizing $10.5 Million for Blackstone National Heritage Corridor | 2020-12-03 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | David Cicilline | C001084 | cicilline.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) spoke on the House floor moments ago to urge passage of the National Heritage Area Act, legislation that authorizes $10.5 million for the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor over the next 14 years. Click the image below to watch Cicilline's speech on the House floor. The full text of his remarks is embedded at the end of this email. David N. Cicilline National Heritage Area Act December 3, 2020 I rise in strong support of H.R. 1049, the National Heritage Area Act. Since 1984, the National Heritage Area program has played a vital role in preserving the history, culture, and natural beauty of our nation's most historically and naturally significant communities. It has worked closely with those communities to help make them vibrant and ensure their place as part of the national landscape. In my home state of Rhode Island, the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor plays a vital role in preserving the history of communities in the Blackstone Valley, the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. In addition to preserving this history, the coordinating entity for the Blackstone Valley Heritage Corridor works hand-in-hand with the National Park Service to support the continued development of the Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, which runs from Providence and Pawtucket, through Worcester, Massachusetts. I was proud to lead the House effort to establish this National Park in 2014 and look forward to seeing its continued growth and development in close coordination with the Heritage Corridor. The relationship between the Heritage Corridor and the Blackstone Valley National Historical Park plays a vital role in telling the story of how America became a prosperous nation through its mills and factories, and the immigrant communities in Rhode Island and Massachusetts that worked in those industries and helped build the foundation of this country. The National Heritage Area Act will ensure that this re… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://langevin.house.gov/press-release/national-cyber-director-act-will-be-included-year-end-defense-bill | National Cyber Director Act Will Be Included in Year-end Defense Bill | 2020-12-03 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Jim Langevin | L000559 | langevin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Cyberspace Solarium Commissioner Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee and co-chair and co-founder of the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus, today announced that legislation he has led to establish a National Cyber Director has been included in the Conference Report for the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) released today. The provision, which is based on Langevin's National Cyber Director Act, would create a Senate-confirmed position in the Executive Office of the President with policy and budgetary authority to oversee development and implementation of the national cyber strategy and to coordinate national cyber incident response efforts. I've been working on bolstering our nation's cybersecurity for more than a decade, and it is abundantly clear the country needs someone in charge of cybersecurity at the highest levels of government, said Langevin. The inclusion of the National Cyber Director Act in this year's National Defense Authorization Act brings us closer to establishing an overarching and more effective cyber strategy to protect the nation. With increased reliance on information technology infrastructure for communication, commerce and personal use, as well as national security purposes, it is more critical than ever that there is an expert bringing all the elements of government together and ensuring that we are pulling oars in the same direction to protect Americans. I thank Congressman Mike Gallagher for helping to advance this bipartisan bill, House Oversight and Reform Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney for holding a hearing on this important legislation, Senator Angus King for championing this provision in the Senate, and Senator Mike Rounds for helping us refine the language to move forward. In 2010, Langevin first introduced legislation to create a White House cyber director based on a recommendation from the Center for Strategic and International Studies Commission on Cybersecurity for the 44th Presidency, which he c… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/senate-approves-whitehouse-cotton-als-disability-insurance-access-act | Senate Approves Whitehouse-Cotton ALS Disability Insurance Access Act | 2020-12-02 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | 12.02.20 Senate Approves Whitehouse-Cotton ALS Disability Insurance Access Act Legislation would eliminate five-month waiting period before ALS patients can access disability benefits Washington, DC U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) today applauded Senate passage of the ALS Disability Insurance Access Act, bipartisan legislation to eliminate the five-month waiting period before ALS patients can receive the Social Security Disability Insurance benefits they earned by contributing to Social Security. The legislation would build on previous steps by Congress and the Social Security Administration to accommodate the difficult prognosis for those diagnosed with ALS. The bill passed in a 96-1 vote. Allowing Americans who face this difficult diagnosis to immediately receive the benefits they have earned is a simple act of humanity that will make life easier for ALS patients and their families, said Whitehouse. I hope the House will act quickly so we can finally eliminate this bureaucratic obstacle. Americans suffering from ALS shouldn't have to wait for assistance, especially given their tragically short life expectancyand now they won't have to, said Cotton. By waiving the statutory disability benefits waiting period, our bill makes support available to those suffering from this terrible disease much faster. I'm grateful to my Senate colleagues for supporting this important legislation, and I strongly urge the House to do the same. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a neurodegenerative disease affecting the ability of the brain to control muscle movements. Individuals with ALS progressively lose the ability to speak, walk, and breathe. The intended purpose of a five-month waiting period is to allow temporary conditions to reverse. However, there is currently no cure or treatment to halt or undo the effects of ALS, and some ALS patients l… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/speeches/time-to-wake-up-276-another-peek-into-the-web-of-denial | Time to Wake Up 276: Another Peek Into the Web of Denial | 2020-12-02 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | 12.02.20 Time to Wake Up 276: Another Peek Into the Web of Denial Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, today is my 276th climate speech, and my increasingly battered graphic is showing its wear, but for the first time in a really, really long time, there is real hope for climate action in America. The light of science will shine in a Biden administration. Our U.S. Government will heed actual data. Agencies will act on facts. The White House will care about the harm carbon pollution does right now across the country. President Biden will restore the EPA to its role of safeguarding our air and water and will task the State Department to surge climate policy abroad. Every Department--from Transportation to the USDA, to HUD, to the SEC--will have a role in turning this ship around before catastrophe. At last, the Biden administration will cleanse America's government of its grimy infestation of polluter lackeys, stooges, and hangers-on and will shut off the disastrous handouts to fossil fuel industry donors. A flood of cleansing executive actions will wash away the grime. The American Presidency, with its great power, will shake free of the polluters' grip, but the Presidency alone cannot spare us. Congress must pass a comprehensive climate bill, stop rewarding polluters from polluting, and clean up our energy market so it is not corrupted by or for the fossil fuel industry--for instance, putting a real price on carbon to pay for the fossil fuel damage. We have to invest in new, green infrastructure to create millions of jobs. We need to prepare communities along our coasts for rising seas, others for higher temperatures, and other climate dangers. We need to address the dangerous systemic financial risks fossil fuel presents to our economic system. There is work to be done, and it is overdue. So what has been stopping us? Four years ago, Senate Democrats came to the Senate floor and here exposed this web of denial and obstruction that had been built by the fossil fuel industry to prevent meaningful action… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/sen-whitehouse-delivers-remarks-on-his-als-disability-insurance-access-act-on-the-senate-floor | Sen. Whitehouse Delivers Remarks on his ALS Disability Insurance Access Act on the Senate Floor | 2020-12-02 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | About Services Agency Assistance Success Stories Grants Flag Requests Visiting D.C. Student Resources Email Sheldon Events Community Dinners Community Outreach … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/sen-whitehouse_-environment-and-public-works-committee-on-the-american-nuclear-infrastructure-act | Sen. Whitehouse - Environment and Public Works Committee on the American Nuclear Infrastructure Act | 2020-12-02 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | December 2 | Sen. Whitehouse speaks in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on the American Nuclear Infrastructure Act of 2020, which was approved by the committee today. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/time-to-wake-up-276-another-peek-into-the-web-of-denial | Time to Wake Up 276: Another Peek Into the Web of Denial | 2020-12-02 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | About Services Agency Assistance Success Stories Grants Flag Requests Visiting D.C. Student Resources Email Sheldon Events Community Dinners Community Outreach … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/whitehouse-sullivan-menendez-marine-debris-bill-heads-to-presidents-desk | Whitehouse-Sullivan-Menendez Marine Debris Bill Heads to President’s Desk | 2020-12-01 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | 12.01.20 Whitehouse-Sullivan-Menendez Marine Debris Bill Heads to President's Desk Senate approves technical changes to Save Our Seas 2.0 Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) are applauding final Senate passage of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act this evening, sending the bill to the President's desk. The Save Our Seas 2.0 Act was introduced in June 2019 to address the plastic debris crisis threatening coastal economies and harming marine life. The legislation seeks to help reduce the creation of plastic waste, find uses for the plastic waste that already exists to keep it from entering the oceans, spur innovation and tackle the problem on a global scale. It builds on the initial progress secured by the Save Our Seas Act, which was sponsored by Whitehouse and Sullivan and signed into law by President Trump in 2018. While marine debris presents a massive international challenge, it's a manmade problem that we can solve by finding creative solutions at home and abroad, said Senator Whitehouse, who co-founded the bipartisan Senate Oceans Caucus to find common ground in responding to issues facing the oceans and coasts. Save Our Seas 2.0 is a wide-reaching, bipartisan bill that builds on progress we've already made addressing ocean pollution. There's much more that needs to be done to tackle the scourge of plastic waste washing up on our shoresSave Our Seas 3.0 is already in the pipeline. Save Our Seas 2.0 is the most comprehensive marine debris legislation ever to pass Congress, said Senator Sullivan. This proves that major bipartisan achievements on some of the biggest environmental challenges are possible. The progress we have made over the past few years on the marine debris crisis, beginning with the original Save Our Seas Act, is historic and constitutes a whole-of-government approach to helping protect our pristine environment across the globe… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://cicilline.house.gov/press-release/statement-death-former-risd-president-roger-mandle | Cicilline Statement on Death of Former RISD President Roger Mandle | 2020-12-01 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | RI | David Cicilline | C001084 | cicilline.house.gov | legacy | Cicilline Statement on Death of Former RISD President Roger Mandle Nov 30, 2020 PAWTUCKET U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) issued the following statement this morning: "The American arts and higher education communities have lost a giant. Roger Mandle was a passionate advocate for art and design. I was privileged to get to know and work with him during his time at RISD. He was an extraordinary man, and a great civic leader in Providence. As the longest tenured president in RISD's history, he ensured that Rhode Island remained home to the top arts and design school in the world. Equally important, he believed deeply and understood fully the important role of great universities and colleges in the success of cities. He will be deeply missed." "My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Gayle, and their entire family." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/press-releases/whitehouse-congratulates-president-elect-biden-and-vice-president-elect-harris | Whitehouse Congratulates President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris | 2020-11-28 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | Providence, RI – U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today issued the following statement regarding the election of Joe Biden to serve as the 46th President of the United States of America: “After four long years, President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will restore heart, decency, and competence to the White House. The Biden administration will govern for every American as they steer the country through a number of urgent crises: a once-in-a-century pandemic, a lopsided economic disaster, a dramatically changing climate, and a reckoning for racial justice. The work begins immediately to ensure every American can get affordable health care, a quality education, and a job that pays a living wage. “President Trump has wielded the power of the presidency toward one goal: to turn Americans against one another. There is hard work ahead of us to bring the country together again and repair America’s standing in the world. But the people have spoken and, by a resounding margin of more than four million votes, have set a new course for history. The democratic process worked, and we intend to see through a peaceful transition to the new administration.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-06-28T00:39:51Z | ||
| https://langevin.house.gov/press-release/chairs-langevin-and-speier-issue-statement-support-mich%C3%A8le-flournoy-secretary-defense | Chairs Langevin and Speier Issue Statement in Support of Michle Flournoy as Secretary of Defense | 2020-11-26 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Jim Langevin | L000559 | langevin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee's Subcommittee on Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities, and Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA), Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Military Personnel, today issued the following statement encouraging President-elect Biden to nominate Michle Flournoy as Secretary of Defense. We encourage President-elect Biden to seriously consider nominatingMichle Flournoy to be Secretary of Defense. As chairs of the House Armed Services Committee's Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities subcommittee and the Military Personnel subcommittee, we are keenly aware of the critical need for a leader with Flournoy's expertise on complex national security issues. Ms. Flournoy's sound policy experience will be vital to ensuring strong civilian oversight of the military, professionalism and ethics in our special operations forces, workforce diversity, and activities to strengthen our technological edge through science and innovation. Flournoy would be the first woman nominated to be Secretary of Defense. As the Department struggles with toxic workplace culture even as it opens special operations and the combat arms to women, breaking this glass ceiling is long overdue. The U.S. military has had difficulty attracting and retaining a diverse workforce, and the top ranks at the Pentagon remain unreflective of America. Ms. Flournoy understands that a diverse workforce is essential to innovation and improving the effectiveness of national security problem solving. Asseniormembers of Congress, we sincerelyappreciate thatMs. Flournoy isheld in thehighestregard as a preeminent defensepolicy expertwho has worked tirelessly todevelop effectivebipartisan solutions to the nation's problems. She is trusted and empoweredby those she works with and those who work for her.Following the tumultuous past four years, Ms. Flournoy's steady leadership, future vision, and firm grasp of strategy, personnel policy, andthenext generationof defense tech… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/whitehouse-statement-on-democratic-leadership-of-senate-judiciary-committee | Whitehouse Statement on Democratic Leadership of Senate Judiciary Committee | 2020-11-24 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | 11.24.20 Whitehouse Statement on Democratic Leadership of Senate Judiciary Committee Washington, DC Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement today regarding new Democratic leadership on the Judiciary Committee: In the wake of Ranking Member Feinstein's announcement, I look forward to the question of succession on the Senate Judiciary Committee being decided by the caucus. I will abide by the caucus's decision. Print Email Tweet Previous Article | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://langevin.house.gov/press-release/chairman-langevin-supports-defense-department-reorganization-strengthens-civilian | Chairman Langevin Supports Defense Department Reorganization that Strengthens Civilian Oversight of Special Operations | 2020-11-24 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Jim Langevin | L000559 | langevin.house.gov | legacy | WARWICK, R.I. Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee's Subcommittee on Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities, today sent a letter to Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller expressing his support for Miller's memo requiring the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict to report directly to the Secretary of Defense. This reorganization effort clarifies the Department's chain of command and strengthens civilian oversight of Special Operations Forces. The following statement may be attributed to Congressman Langevin. Today, I have sent a letter to Acting Secretary of Defense Miller regarding his decision to have the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict (ASD SO/LIC) report directly to him. While I was not informed of the reorganization in advance, I support it because it will clarify the administrative chain of command between the Secretary of Defense and ASD SO/LIC in a manner consistent with Congressional intent. I support efforts to strengthen civilian oversight of Special Operations Forces, who conduct some of our most secretive and sensitive missions. I will follow implementation closely to ensure the reorganization does not remove the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy from the development and oversight of special operations policy. As he prepares to take office, I urge President-elect Biden to prioritize the Senate confirmation of an ASD SO/LIC who will singularly represent the position, perform no other duties, and provide stable, civilian leadership. While for the past two decades our primary adversaries have been terrorist groups, today we are faced with state actors who employ proxies, exhibit diplomatic and economic influence, and wage sophisticated information operations. Special Operations Forces will continue to perform some of the military's most dangerous missions but as part of a broader strategy that equally relies on other U.S. forces. An empowered ASD… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://langevin.house.gov/press-release/langevin-names-mike-deangelis-district-director | Langevin Names Mike DeAngelis District Director | 2020-11-24 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Jim Langevin | L000559 | langevin.house.gov | legacy | WARWICK, R.I. Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) today announced that Mike DeAngelis is joining his staff as District Director. DeAngelis will take on the role held by Seth Klaiman, who is departing to be Chief of Staff for Rhode Island General Treasurer Seth Magaziner. I want to thank Seth for his invaluable work as a member of my team, said Langevin. While Seth certainly leaves big shoes to fill, I am confident that Mike will excel in this new role as we continue our diligent work for the Second Congressional District. Mike offers a wealth of knowledge and understanding of Rhode Island and has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to making our state better. I am fortunate to have him at the helm of my district operations. DeAngelis has served as Campaign Manager and Finance Director for the Langevin for Congress campaign since 2013. Prior to that, he worked as Deputy Campaign manager in support of Langevin's successful reelection efforts. He also served as Finance DirectortoPedro Segarra's successful bid for mayor of Hartford, Connecticut,in 2011,andwasDeputy Campaign Manager for StevenCostantino'sProvidence mayoral campaign in 2010. DeAngelis is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. His first dayasDistrict Director will be December 1st. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://langevin.house.gov/press-release/langevin-statement-president-elect-biden-nominating-haines-director-national-0 | Langevin Statement on President-Elect Biden Nominating Haines as Director of National Intelligence | 2020-11-24 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Jim Langevin | L000559 | langevin.house.gov | legacy | Langevin Statement on President-Elect Biden Nominating Haines as Director of National Intelligence Nov 24, 2020 November 23, 2020 WARWICK, R.I. Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), chair of the House Armed Services Committee's Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee and a member of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, released the following statement regarding President-elect Joseph R. Biden's announcement that he intends to nominate former Deputy National Security Adviser Avril Haines to be Director of National Intelligence: President-elect Biden promised to break with President Trump's politicization of the intelligence community, and his pick of Avril Haines as Director of National Intelligence is an excellent first step. President Trump has regularly ignored and degraded the intelligence professionals who put their lives on the line to keep us safe, and I do not envy the task Haines will have in rebuilding trust in our political leadership. However, from the first time she briefed me on the Intelligence Committee while serving as Deputy Director of the CIA, I have been impressed by Ms. Haines's candor, insight, and deep policy knowledge, and I know she will do a terrific job as the first woman to lead the intelligence community. People often say that personnel is policy,' and President-elect Biden is making clear that he will bring a thoughtful, sober approach to the intelligence collection and analysis so important to our national security. I commend him for his selection of Avril Haines, I offer her my heartfelt congratulations for this well-deserved honor, and I look forward to working with both of them to combat the array of threats facing our nation. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://langevin.house.gov/press-release/langevin-thompson-introduce-bipartisan-resolution-recognizing-national-career | Langevin, Thompson Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing National Career Development Month | 2020-11-24 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Jim Langevin | L000559 | langevin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Congressmen Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Glenn GT' Thompson (R-PA), co-chairs of the Congressional Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus, today introduced a resolution recognizing National Career Development Month, which is observed every November. Every November, we underscore career development because when we help students think and plan for their future, they're one step closer to being successful, said Rep. Langevin. Whether pursuing a higher education, participating in an apprenticeship, or exploring entrepreneurship, career development is a lifelong skill that can help ensure success no matter a student's interests and background. National Career Development Month serves as an opportunity to show students the possibilities of tomorrow. A highly skilled and trained workforce is a business's best competitive edge, saidRep. Glenn GT' Thompson. Designating November as National Career Development Month is an opportunity to promote career development and to encourage employees, jobseekers, and students to take advantage of the resources available, which can lead to high-paying, family-sustaining jobs. National Career Development Month marks a time for students and workers of all ages to consider and focus on future career options. Career exploration is essential in shaping the students of today into the leaders of tomorrow. National Career Development Month is also a time to recognize the professionals who guide and advise students as they explore career options. Throughout this month, schools, businesses, and organizations host activities that promote experiences and engagements that connect students with professionals who work and thrive in their own careers, offering students a first-hand look at different career possibilities that align with their interests and skills. These opportunities promote self-assessment and help students learn vital social and performance skills, build confidence, and set career goals. Text of the resolution. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/whitehouse-applauds-appointment-of-secretary-kerry-to-serve-as-first-ever-climate-envoy-on-national-security-council | Whitehouse Applauds Appointment of Secretary Kerry to Serve as First-Ever Climate Envoy on National Security Council | 2020-11-23 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | 11.23.20 Whitehouse Applauds Appointment of Secretary Kerry to Serve as First-Ever Climate Envoy on National Security Council Washington, DC Today, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following statement on President-elect Joe Biden's announcement of former Secretary of State John Kerry as Special Presidential Envoy for Climate. Kerry will be the first-ever member of the National Security Council focused exclusively on climate change. Appointing Secretary Kerry to this role is a very good move. John Kerry brings an array of important talents and knowledge to the administration: a long record of leadership on climate change policy; many remarkable achievements as Secretary of State; and a deep knowledge of and appreciation for protecting our oceans, which are at the center of so many climate-related challenges. As important as the person the president-elect selected for this position is the creation of the position itself. Climate change is a massive threat to national security. It's past time for our president to have a member of their National Security Council focused squarely on the climate crisis. I commend the President-elect and his team on this appointment and look forward to working with John in the battles ahead. Print Email Tweet Previous Article | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/whitehouses-anti-doping-bill-passes-senate-goes-to-president-for-signature | Whitehouse’s Anti-Doping Bill Passes Senate, Goes to President for Signature | 2020-11-23 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | 11.23.20 Whitehouse's Anti-Doping Bill Passes Senate, Goes to President for Signature Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act to help level playing field for international sport Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today announced that the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act has passed the U.S. Senate, completing its course through both chambers of Congress. The bill now goes to the President for signature. The Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act aims to level the playing field for international sport by cracking down on state-sponsored doping schemes like the one deployed by the Russian government in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. Russia's malicious, corrupt behavior on the international stage demands a strong rejoinder, said Whitehouse. The World Anti-Doping Agency and the International Olympic Committee have failed to hold Russia accountable for its brazen cheating program in Sochi. Ahead of the next Olympics, the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act will create stiff penalties for doping and send a message to Russia and the world that state-sponsored fraud will not be tolerated. Passage of the bipartisan legislation has been spearheaded in the Senate by Whitehouse and Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS). Whitehouse and Wicker both serve on the Helsinki Commission, an independent commission of the U.S. government charged with monitoring compliance with the Helsinki Accords and advancing comprehensive security among the 57 member countries. The Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act advanced through the legislative process entirely on consensus-based procedures, demonstrating wide bipartisan support for the measure. The legislation also has received overwhelming support from amateur and professional sport organizations, including the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee Athletes' Advisory Council, the U.S. Olympians and Paralympians Association, Major League Baseball, the Na… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://langevin.house.gov/press-release/langevin-statement-president-elect-biden-nominating-haines-director-national | Langevin Statement on President-Elect Biden Nominating Haines as Director of National Intelligence | 2020-11-23 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Jim Langevin | L000559 | langevin.house.gov | legacy | Langevin Statement on President-Elect Biden Nominating Haines as Director of National Intelligence Nov 23, 2020 WARWICK, R.I. Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), chair of the House Armed Services Committee's Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee and a member of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, released the following statement regarding President-elect Joseph R. Biden's announcement that he intends to nominate former Deputy National Security Adviser Avril Haines to be Director of National Intelligence: President-elect Biden promised to break with President Trump's politicization of the intelligence community, and his pick of Avril Haines as Director of National Intelligence is an excellent first step. President Trump has regularly ignored and degraded the intelligence professionals who put their lives on the line to keep us safe, and I do not envy the task Haines will have in rebuilding trust in our political leadership. However, from the first time she briefed me on the Intelligence Committee while serving as Deputy Director of the CIA, I have been impressed by Ms. Haines's candor, insight, and deep policy knowledge, and I know she will do a terrific job as the first woman to lead the intelligence community. People often say that personnel is policy,' and President-elect Biden is making clear that he will bring a thoughtful, sober approach to the intelligence collection and analysis so important to our national security. I commend him for his selection of Avril Haines, I offer her my heartfelt congratulations for this well-deserved honor, and I look forward to working with both of them to combat the array of threats facing our nation. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/reed-and-whitehouse-call-on-gsa-administrator-to-end-unprecedented-delay_provide-critical-transition-resources-to-president-elect-biden | Reed & Whitehouse Call On GSA Administrator to End Unprecedented Delay & Provide Critical Transition Resources to President-Elect Biden | 2020-11-20 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | 11.20.20 Reed & Whitehouse Call On GSA Administrator to End Unprecedented Delay & Provide Critical Transition Resources to President-Elect Biden GSA Administrator's needless delay in providing resources to Biden transition creates unacceptable risks to pandemic response & national security WASHINGTON, DC Today, after a six-day hand recount of ballots in Georgia reaffirmed that President-elect Joe Biden won a clear victory in the Peach State, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) are urging the head of the General Services Administration (GSA) to expeditiously sign off on the transition process. The Senators say it is critical for the GSA to release $9.9 million in transition funds for the incoming Administration, allow the President-elect to receive high-level briefings, and begin the security clearance and background check process for future Biden Administration employees. However, President Trump's political appointee, Emily Murphy, administrator of the GSA, and formerly a staffer for the Republican National Committee (RNC) has yet to ascertain that Joe Biden won the election and sign off on the official paperwork. Voters decide elections, not presidential appointees. It is clear that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris won the election and the recount in Georgia is further proof of a resounding victory. Ms. Murphy's refusal to ascertain President-elect Biden's win is a dangerous political stunt that puts America's public health and national security at risk and could create unnecessary financial hardship on taxpayers, said Senator Reed. In trying to delay the inevitable, Ms. Murphy's partisan intransigence is doing the nation a real disservice. She bears full responsibility for damage caused by knowingly and needlessly truncating the transition process, which the bipartisan 9-11 Commission Report cited as a contributing factor to America's unpreparedness for the terrorist atta… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://cicilline.house.gov/press-release/cicilline-bill-will-promote-civics-ed | Cicilline Bill Will Promote Civics Ed | 2020-11-20 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | David Cicilline | C001084 | cicilline.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) introduced legislation today to study the availability of civics education for young people in the United States. "For decades, civics education has become less and less of a priority in our schools. It's not only a shame, it hurts our democracy. At a time when misinformation runs rampant, we need to give young people a solid footing in knowledge of our government, said Cicilline. Right now, only nine states and the District of Columbia require at last a year of civics education before you earn a K-12 degree. This bill is the first step towards fixing that." The Commission on American Civics Education Act establishes a high-level commission to study the most effective civics education programs throughout the country. The commission will identify effective programs and courses of study, as well as deficiencies that exist in state programs. It will then produce a report outlining its findings, programs that may be used as a national model, and potential actions for the Department of Education to take. Commission members would be appointed by Democratic and Republican leaders in the House and Senate, with each chamber appointing 5 members. Both the House and Senate will each appoint a co-chair to lead the commission's activity. Click here to read the text of the bill. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://langevin.house.gov/press-release/national-apprenticeship-bill-langevin-pre-apprenticeship-amendment-passes-house | National Apprenticeship Bill with Langevin Pre-Apprenticeship Amendment Passes House | 2020-11-20 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Jim Langevin | L000559 | langevin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), Co-chair of the Congressional Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus, today voted in favor of the National Apprenticeship Act of 2020, legislation that reauthorizes the National Apprenticeship Act of 1937 for the first time since its enactment. The bill will invest more than $3.5 billion over five years to expand opportunities and access to Registered Apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships, and pre-apprenticeships to boost the nation's workforce and economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill passed the House by a vote of 246 to 140. The National Apprenticeship Act of 2020 is a significant investment to help Americans get back to work as millions of unemployed workers rely on unemployment benefits each week to stay afloat. The legislation supports the creation of nearly 1 million new apprenticeship opportunities on top of the expected growth of the apprenticeship system. It also includes a Langevin led amendment that allows pre-apprenticeship programs to use grant funds to provide stipends for participants to cover out-of-pocket costs such as housing, transportation, and childcare. Pre-apprenticeship programs are usually unable to provide income support to participants during the program, which has been noted as a challenge for program completion. I'm proud to have voted for theNational Apprenticeship Act of 2020, which is critical to expanding important work-based learning experiences during the deep economic downturn we're facing because of the pandemic, said Langevin. To build America back better and ensure an economic comeback, we have to have a workforce that is ready to get the job done. By expanding and strengthening the Registered Apprenticeship program, more workers can earn while they learn,' more businesses will have the talent they need, and our economy will be able to recover from these unprecedented headwinds. I'm also pleased that the final bill includes my amendment that allows pre-apprenticeship programs to provide stipends for particip… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/uri-and-friends-of-green-hill-pond-win-coastal-resilience-grant-from-whitehouse-created-program | URI & Friends of Green Hill Pond Win Coastal Resilience Grant from Whitehouse-Created Program | 2020-11-19 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | 11.19.20 URI & Friends of Green Hill Pond Win Coastal Resilience Grant from Whitehouse-Created Program $129K federal grant will support dune and habitat restoration along Green Hill Pond Providence, RI U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today announced that a partnership between the University of Rhode Island and the nonprofit Friends of Green Hill Pond has received a $129,191 matching grant from the National Coastal Resilience Fund, which was developed by Whitehouse to restore and strengthen the natural infrastructure protecting coastal communities. The partners will use the award to restore dunes and habitat along Green Hill Pond, a salt pond located in South Kingstown and Charlestown. Restoration of the dunes and habitat surrounding Green Hill Pond will boost one of the area's first lines of defense against flooding, said Whitehouse, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Scientists predict that rising sea levels will encroach on Rhode Island's coastline in the years ahead, so I'm working to prepare homes and businesses now by delivering funding for projects like this one. An undeveloped section of the dune protecting Green Hill Pond has a relatively low profile, placing the pond, as well as nearby homes, at risk of flooding during even modest storms. Based on recent studies, the adjacent community is among the most vulnerable areas to coastal flooding in Rhode Island. The University of Rhode Island and Friends of Green Hill Pond will use the federal grant to design and permit plans for a nature-based dune restoration to alleviate flood risk for nearby homes and to improve water quality. The design team will also develop a plan in conjunction the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to support plover nesting habitat in the area. Many coastlines across the U.S., including the southern shore of Rhode Island, are facing an accelerating rate of erosion and flooding due to sea level ris… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://langevin.house.gov/press-release/langevin-chairs-ietc-briefing-impact-covid-19-defense-it-systems | Langevin Chairs IETC Briefing on Impact of COVID-19 on Defense IT Systems | 2020-11-19 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Jim Langevin | L000559 | langevin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Chairman Jim Langevin (D-RI) and the House Armed Services Committee's Subcommittee on Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities (IETC), today held a briefing by Department of Defense officials including Chief Information Officer Dana Deasy and Director of the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) and Commander of the Joint Force Headquarters Department of Defense Information Network (JFHQ-DODIN) Vice Admiral Nancy A. Norton, focusing on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the nation's information and communications technology. The following statement may be attributed to Congressman Langevin, who chaired the briefing: Today, I hosted a briefing on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Department of Defense IT systems. I hosted similar calls this year with Department officials on our chem-bio defense program, biological research, and threat reduction efforts with other countries. We must gather lessons learned from the COVID-19 response as we prepare for the next phase of the pandemic and other bio threats in the future. Tragically, cases have soared in recent weeks, hospitals are filling up, and deaths are rising. This brief focused on the vulnerabilities of the Department of Defense's information and communications technology. This year, the Department has worked to secure information networks and enable teleworking, even with sensitive information. Going forward, we must continue to modernize so that we harness the latest digital technology and, ultimately, never send our servicemembers into a fair fight. We must also take this moment to identify how we can better fight through a pandemic. This year, scientists and engineers advanced our bio detection and response capabilities. Scientists also built on defense research from earlier years that accelerated our vaccine production process. We must continue to support American ingenuity and early-stage, basic research. This is how we confront challenges before they become crises. As we approach winter, we cannot let our guard down. Nor c… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://langevin.house.gov/press-release/reps-langevin-and-smith-pre-apprenticeship-stipend-amendment-added-national | Reps. Langevin and Smith Pre-Apprenticeship Stipend Amendment Added to National Apprenticeship Bill | 2020-11-19 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Jim Langevin | L000559 | langevin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Representatives Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Adam Smith (D-Wash.) successfully included an amendment to the National Apprenticeship Act of 2020 that would allow pre-apprenticeship programs to use grant funds under the legislation to provide stipends for participants to cover certain out-of-pocket costs such as housing, transportation, and childcare. Pre-apprenticeship programs are valuable training opportunities that serve as the starting point of rewarding careers, and they are even more critical as we wrestle with the economic disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Rep. Langevin, co-chair of the Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus. I'm joining Chairman Smith to advance legislation to provide financial support for out-of-pocket costs for hard-working Americans participating in these programs because it will help them advance and help the nation meet the growing demand for highly skilled workers. This legislation underpins the earn and learn' approach that will prepare workers in areas ranging from advanced manufacturing to healthcare for success in a 21st century economy. With persistent inequities in our society and a struggling economy further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, we must do more to help people obtain the education and skills they need to succeed, said Rep. Adam Smith. Rep. Langevin and I have heard from pre-apprenticeship programs in our districts that some of the biggest barriers people face entering and completing these programs are the costs to cover living expenses and fees associated with the programs themselves. This amendment would help pre-apprenticeship programs remove those barriers for students so they can obtain the initial credentials they need to enter an apprenticeship program and put them on a pathway to quality, high-paying jobs. This amendment that passed today was based on legislation recently introduced by Langevin and Smith, The Pre-Apprenticeship Wrap-around Support Services Fund Act of 2020. This legislation would establish a new grant program … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/whitehouse-leads-senate-democrats-in-introducing-tax-credits-to-protect-children-from-home-lead-hazards | Whitehouse Leads Senate Democrats in Introducing Tax Credits to Protect Children From Home Lead Hazards | 2020-11-18 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | 11.18.20 Whitehouse Leads Senate Democrats in Introducing Tax Credits to Protect Children From Home Lead Hazards Legislation would provide federal tax credits up to $4K to cover costs of removing dangerous toxin Washington, D.C. With lead hazards lurking in about 3.6 million homes of families with young children nationwide, U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today introduced legislation to help American families cover the cost of eliminating lead from their homes. The Home Lead Safety Tax Credit Act of 2020 would significantly broaden the national response to this public health challenge by providing refundable tax credits for homeowners, landlords, and tenants to remove lead from homes. Every parent should have the peace of mind of knowing their child is safe in their own home. Yet, millions of older houses have hidden lead hazards that can set children up for a lifetime of heartbreakingly needless challenges. Our tax credits would go a long way toward removing lead from those homes once and for all, said Senator Whitehouse, who has a long history of fighting lead contamination. While serving as Rhode Island Attorney General in 1999, Whitehouse initiated legal action to hold lead paint manufacturers accountable for the hazards of their products. Lead poisoning is an irreversible, preventable tragedy that robs many families and children of their future. We need to do everything we can to eliminate this hazardous lead from American homes, which are vulnerable because so many were built before 1978 when lead paint was banned, said Senator Schumer. These new federal tax credits will help America's families and communities cover the cost of removing lead hazards in their homes and protect the health of their children. We need to act now and w… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/speeches/time-to-wake-up-275-georgia-on-my-mind | Time to Wake Up 275: Georgia on My Mind | 2020-11-18 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | 11.18.20 Time to Wake Up 275: Georgia on My Mind Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, it is timely that I should be giving my ``Time to Wake Up'' speech with the distinguished Senator from Louisiana presiding because I am going to be talking about sea level rise, and seeing him in the chair reminds me of a recent report on what sea level rise is doing to the great State of Louisiana, ``the sportsman's paradise,'' in which a scientist from Tulane University--a Tulane University geologist--was asked about the report about what the State had to look forward to from sea level rise, and he said: ``What it says is we're screwed.'' NOLA, the news website in New Orleans, in Louisiana, ran that headline. So I know the Senator is sympathetic to it. But today, all eyes are on Georgia, which for the first time in generations voted for a Democratic Presidential candidate, and the two Senate races are headed for runoff elections, which will decide the balance of power in this body. Georgians of every race and background turned out to reject the politics of fear and division that came from the White House for the last 4 years and to reject the disdain for facts and science that has cost Americans so much in battles like COVID and climate change. Perhaps buried in the election outcome in Georgia was Georgia's knowing the threat of climate change. For people along Georgia's coast, climate change is no Chinese hoax; it is a clear and present danger. In the spring of 2014, I took a climate trip along the coast of the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. I met with scientists and students, outdoorsmen, faith leaders, and State and local officials, who cherish their coastal communities, as Louisianans do and as Rhode Islanders do. They saw the seas rising and acidifying due to carbon pollution. Georgians told me how deeply they care about their coast. That caring has powered them through some tough battles. They fought hard against fossil fuel development off Georgia's shores, and they won. It is not hard to understand why Geo… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/time-to-wake-up-275-georgia-on-my-mind | Time to Wake Up 275: Georgia on My Mind | 2020-11-18 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | About Services Agency Assistance Success Stories Grants Flag Requests Visiting D.C. Student Resources Email Sheldon Events Community Dinners Community Outreach … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://cicilline.house.gov/press-release/cicilline-statement-house-leadership-elections | Cicilline Statement on House Leadership Elections | 2020-11-18 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | David Cicilline | C001084 | cicilline.house.gov | legacy | Cicilline Statement on House Leadership Elections Nov 18, 2020 WASHINGTON U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) issued the following statement today: I want to congratulate my friend, Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark, on her election a few moments ago. This was a hard fought campaign and a spirited discussion of the future direction of our caucus. Now, as we always do, we will come together and work together to deliver on the promises we have made to raise wages rebuilding our infrastructure, lower health care costs, take on climate change, deliver racial justice, and crack down on corruption. I look forward to being a part of those efforts and doing whatever I can to make real progress for the people we serve. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://langevin.house.gov/press-release/langevin-condemns-firing-cisa-director-christopher-krebs | Langevin Condemns Firing of CISA Director Christopher Krebs | 2020-11-18 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Jim Langevin | L000559 | langevin.house.gov | legacy | WARWICK, R.I. Congressman Jim Langevin (RI-02), a senior member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, member of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, and co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus, decried the removal of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director Christopher Krebs. The death throes of the Trump Administration increasingly put our national security in jeopardy, said Langevin. Chris Krebs is a public servant of impeccable integrity. His work at CISA has drawn praise from across the political spectrum, and his team has done an exemplary job improving our election security over the past four years. It is sadly ironic that Chris's greatest success is the reason he has been removed from office. The President's inability to accept the election results and his lashing out at those willing to speak the truth about his lies has gone from petulant to downright dangerous. Krebs is CISA's inaugural director, and he presided over the standup of the agency in 2018. He has made improving the nation's election security in the wake of the 2016 Russian interference campaign the hallmark of his work, and CISA has operated a Rumor Control page that debunks dis- and misinformation about the 2020 election. Krebs was fired after making statements and posting content on the page that contradicted the President's false narrative that the election has been stolen from him. The President provided no evidence to back up his assertions in the tweets announcing his firing of Krebs. Director Krebs's departure opens the door for our adversaries to target us in cyberspace, continued Langevin. His service to the country deserves more than his firing for refusing to lie for the President. I wish Director Krebs and his family the best of luck in his future endeavors, and I hope all Americans will take a lesson from his integrity. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/sen-whitehouse-questions-jack-dorsey-and-mark-zuckerberg-on-spread-of-misinformation | Sen. Whitehouse Questions Jack Dorsey and Mark Zuckerberg on Spread of Misinformation | 2020-11-17 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | About Services Agency Assistance Success Stories Grants Flag Requests Visiting D.C. Student Resources Email Sheldon Events Community Dinners Community Outreach … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://langevin.house.gov/press-release/langevin-statement-nagorno-karabakh-conflict | Langevin Statement on Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict | 2020-11-16 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Jim Langevin | L000559 | langevin.house.gov | legacy | November 14, 2020 WARWICK, R.I. Congressman Jim Langevin (RI-02), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee and a member of the House Armenia Caucus issued the following statement regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: I want to offer my deep sympathies to the Armenian people who have lost so much in the past few weeks. Since September, Azerbaijan has conducted a punishing campaign on the peaceful residents of Artsakh. With the help of Turkish mercenaries, Azerbaijani troops bombed churches and schools. The toll of their attacks has been devastating. I am deeply disappointed that the United States did not play a more active role in resolving this conflict and promoting the interests of peace and prosperity. Our country, at its finest, is an honest broker between conflicting parties. Our diplomats facilitate agreements that are fair and uphold human rights. Unfortunately, Secretary Pompeo let this moment slip and surrendered it to Russia, which in turn facilitated a one-sided deal against Armenia. The Trump Administration ignored the warning signs of Azerbaijani aggression and signaledagainthat it will not protect those who share our values. As one of the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, the U.S. remains responsible for working on a lasting peace settlement. I urge our government to work with France to revisit this agreement with Russia to prevent Azerbaijan from being rewarded for shedding innocent blood. We must hold bad actors like Turkey and Azerbaijan accountable so that others do not follow their example. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://cicilline.house.gov/press-release/cicilline-statement-ongoing-situation-armenia | Cicilline Statement on the Ongoing Situation in Armenia | 2020-11-14 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | David Cicilline | C001084 | cicilline.house.gov | legacy | PAWTUCKET U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement today: "Since Azerbaijan's unprovoked attacks in September, Armenia and Azerbaijan have been locked in conflict. I stand with Armenia's democratic government, which has defended its ancestral land from Azerbaijan's military." "Azerbaijan has attacked Armenians along the shared border and on civilian populated lands. Azerbaijan has used illegal cluster bombs and shelled churches, community centers and schools. Rather than attempt to mediate the conflict, the United States has stayed silent. Our silence has allowed the violence to continue; it has allowed Turkey to instigate further hostilities, and it must stop." "As a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and a member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, I was deeply disappointed that the United States failed to play a role in the peace agreement that was announced this week. The agreement does not resolve the core issues at play, including the status of Nagorno Karbakh. As a member of the Minsk Group, the United States should be actively working to resolve the conflict, not ceding the region to Russia and Turkey. Now more than ever, American leadership is needed to protect Armenia and Artsakh and prevent additional regional conflicts." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://cicilline.house.gov/press-release/cicilline-european-charges-amazon-abused-its-dominance-dual-role-market | Cicilline on European Charges that Amazon Abused its Dominance, Dual Role in the Market | 2020-11-11 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | David Cicilline | C001084 | cicilline.house.gov | legacy | Cicilline on European Charges that Amazon Abused its Dominance, Dual Role in the Market Nov 11, 2020 Issues: Consumer Protection and Financial Reform PAWTUCKET This morning, the European Commission filed a statement of objections as part of its investigation into whether Amazon has abused its dominance online. The Commission noted that Amazon has abused its dual role as a platform as both a marketplace for independent sellers and a competitor in this marketplace through its use of non-public marketplace seller data allows Amazon to avoid the normal risks of retail competition and to leverage its dominance in the market for the provision of marketplace services. House Antitrust Subcommittee Chairman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) issued the following statement in response to today's filing: As we found as part of a 16-month bipartisan investigation, Amazon has monopoly power over sellers on its platform. Because of its immense power, Amazon currently can get away with arbitrarily suspending sellers, increasing and changing seller fees overnight, and free riding off of entrepreneurs' investments and hard work by appropriating their ideas and competitively sensitive data. Sellers do not have recourse or a competitive alternative to Amazon's marketplace. They are stuck. I applaud the European Commission for thoroughly examining Amazon's dominance in this market, and encourage the Federal Trade Commission to do the same. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://cicilline.house.gov/press-release/cicilline-remarks-ubs-european-virtual-conference | Cicilline Remarks at the UBS European Virtual Conference | 2020-11-11 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | David Cicilline | C001084 | cicilline.house.gov | legacy | PAWTUCKET Antitrust Subcommittee Chair David Cicilline (RI-01) delivered the remarks below today at the UBS European Virtual Conference. David N. Cicilline UBS European Virtual Conference November 10, 2020 Thank you very much for that kind introduction, Charles. It is a pleasure to join you for today's virtual conference. I know we all wish that we could have met in person, but I am glad that we are able to have this important conversation, even if virtually. As Charles mentioned, as the Chairman of the House Antitrust Subcommittee, I have led a comprehensive, bipartisan investigation into the state of competition online over the past year and a half. One of our main goals of this top-to-bottom review was to really roll up our sleeves and understand how these markets work. It has been decades since Congress conducted an antitrust investigation. And many of the markets we investigated were highly technical, dynamic, and complex, so we wanted to be sure to get it right by having as thorough and inclusive a process as possible as this work was long overdue. As part of this process, we collected a significant volume of evidence during the investigation, including tens of millions of pages of documents, interviews with nearly 250 market participants, and dozens of hearings and roundtables with leading experts. Last month, we released a 450-page report with our findings and recommendations. We found that Google, Amazon, Facebook, and Apple each serve as a gatekeeper over a key channel of distribution in the digital economy. The evidence we reviewed showed that by controlling access to certain markets, these companies can pick the winners and losers throughout the economy. Not only are they dominant, but the evidence showed they abuse their dominance in two key waysby exploiting firms that rely on their platforms and excluding rivals. This has real consequence on businesses that operate online, and whether these markets are open and fair, or increasingly controlled by just a few dominant firms. The evidence we gath… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/whitehouse-statement-on-supreme-court-arguments-in-challenge-to-affordable-care-act | Whitehouse Statement on Supreme Court Arguments in Challenge to Affordable Care Act | 2020-11-10 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | 11.10.20 Whitehouse Statement on Supreme Court Arguments in Challenge to Affordable Care Act Washington, DC Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Finance and Judiciary committees, released the following statement today on Supreme Court arguments in California v. Texas, a challenge to the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act: The Republican campaign to tear down the Affordable Care Act comes before a Supreme Court packed with donor-approved justices who have signaled clearly their ill intentions for the health care law. If the justices side with the special interests propping up this attack on the ACA, Americans with pre-existing conditions, patients at risk of reaching lifetime caps on care, children on their parents' plans, and the over 62,000 Rhode Islanders with coverage thanks to the Medicaid expansion face losing the care they need. A host of other important parts of the law like the accountable care organizations that drive health care innovation in places like Rhode Island would fall away, too. And we are in the midst of the most deadly public health crisis in our nation's history, making ACA protections more important than ever. I hope the Court considers what tearing down the ACA would mean to the American people before it yields to the will of right-wing donors and special interests. With the constitutional challenge to the health care law before the Court, over 130 million Americans with pre-existing conditions could lose protections; the law's Medicaid expansion covering 17 million people nationwide could end; insurance companies could once again charge women more than men; and insurance companies could stop covering basic services like maternity care, cancer screenings, and contraception. In September, Whitehouse joined Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) in issuing a Senate Democrats Captured Courts report on the special-interest campaign to control the federal judiciary. That campaign has targeted a tremendous amount of dark-money spending on undermining the… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/speeches/time-to-wake-up-274-glimmer-of-light | TIme to Wake Up 274: Glimmer of Light | 2020-11-10 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | 11.10.20 TIme to Wake Up 274: Glimmer of Light Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Madam President, as I begin my remarks, let me thank my friend Senator Lankford for his eloquent comments about our veterans and those who have served and given their lives for us. I am here with my trusty and battered "Time to Wake up" graphic because, after 4 dark years on climate, there is at last a glimmer of light on the horizon. President-Elect Biden has promised to redirect the executive branch to address climate change in the clear light of real science, out of the dark swamp of fossil fuel denial and obstruction trying to head off a climate catastrophe while there is still time, if there is still time. There is a lot the executive branch can do. The President can lead diplomatic and international trade initiatives. The environmental regulatory agencies of government can be freed from corrupting influence to do their duty with vigor based on science and the law. Securities regulators can put climate risk to the economy at the forefront, as the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has just done. Purchasing decisions can be directed toward a clean energy future. Permitting decisions can be made with the social cost of carbon pollution in mind, as courts have already begun to demand even in the corrupt Trump era. On the investigative side, the administration can begin a hard look at the forces of corruption that have blockaded action on climate change: Who did this and how? Did their political spending violate campaign finance, conflict of interest, or other laws? Did their toxic propaganda violate laws against fraud, as the tobacco industry's did? Was their occupation of regulatory agencies a rolling conspiracy to violate the Administrative Procedures Act, and if so, how and for whom was it organized? Has their interference in the judiciary compromised the rights of parties or the integrity of courts? American citizens deserve a full and fearless exposition of why Congress has thwarted the public will to do something--anything--… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/sen-whitehouse-on-election-interference-in-the-4th-day-of-crossfire-hurricane-hearings | Sen. Whitehouse on Election Interference in the 4th Day of Crossfire Hurricane Hearings | 2020-11-10 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | About Services Agency Assistance Success Stories Grants Flag Requests Visiting D.C. Student Resources Email Sheldon Events Community Dinners Community Outreach … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/sen-whitehouse-on-stonewalling-from-the-department-of-justice | Sen. Whitehouse on Stonewalling from the Department of Justice | 2020-11-10 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | About Services Agency Assistance Success Stories Grants Flag Requests Visiting D.C. Student Resources Email Sheldon Events Community Dinners Community Outreach … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/time-to-wake-up-274-glimmer-of-light | Time to Wake Up 274: Glimmer of Light | 2020-11-10 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | About Services Agency Assistance Success Stories Grants Flag Requests Visiting D.C. Student Resources Email Sheldon Events Community Dinners Community Outreach … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/whitehouse-congratulates-president-elect-biden-and-vice-president-elect-harris | Whitehouse Congratulates President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris | 2020-11-07 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | 11.07.20 Whitehouse Congratulates President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris Providence, RI U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today issued the following statement regarding the election of Joe Biden to serve as the 46th President of the United States of America: After four long years, President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will restore heart, decency, and competence to the White House. The Biden administration will govern for every American as they steer the country through a number of urgent crises: a once-in-a-century pandemic, a lopsided economic disaster, a dramatically changing climate, and a reckoning for racial justice. The work begins immediately to ensure every American can get affordable health care, a quality education, and a job that pays a living wage. President Trump has wielded the power of the presidency toward one goal: to turn Americans against one another. There is hard work ahead of us to bring the country together again and repair America's standing in the world. But the people have spoken and, by a resounding margin of more than four million votes, have set a new course for history. The democratic process worked, and we intend to see through a peaceful transition to the new administration. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://langevin.house.gov/press-release/langevin-statement-biden-harris-winning-presidential-election | Langevin Statement on Biden, Harris Winning Presidential Election | 2020-11-07 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Jim Langevin | L000559 | langevin.house.gov | legacy | WARWICK, RI Congressman Jim Langevin (RI-02) today issued the following statement on Joe Biden and Kamala Harris being elected as President and Vice President of the United States: The American people in historic fashion have made their voices heard and elected Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as our next President and Vice President of the United States. I commend them for running a strong and truly inspiring campaign that sought to unite us and restore faith not only in our democracy, but also in each other. I am confident that they will serve with dignity, uphold our democratic principles, and work incredibly hard for all Americans. "Our nation continues to wrestle with unprecedented division and daunting economic and public health challenges that we will overcome if we all work together. Strong and competent leadership is especially critical during this challenging time, and President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris are committed to facts and science, leading through hope, and promoting mutual respect and understanding. I look forward to working with the Biden-Harris Administration to turn the corner on the pandemic, create economic opportunity for middle-class families, and protect our nation from foreign and domestic threats, including malicious cyber adversaries who present a greater risk to our country with each day that passes. The road ahead of us is long and it will be anything but easy, but with President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris at the helm, I am certain that we will build a better America together. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://langevin.house.gov/press-release/trump-signs-langevin-bill-improve-intercountry-adoption-information | Trump Signs Langevin Bill to Improve Intercountry Adoption Information | 2020-11-02 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Jim Langevin | L000559 | langevin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), co-chair of the Bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth and a member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, today announced that President Donald J. Trump has signed into law H.R. 1952, the Intercountry Adoption Information Act. The bill ensures prospective adoptive parents have access to the information they need when attempting to adopt a child from another country. Langevin introduced the bill with Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) in the House, while the Senate version was led by Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Ben Cardin (D-MD). The Intercountry Adoption Information Act will ensure families ready to welcome children into their homes and hearts have the proper information to successfully navigate the international adoption process, said Langevin. There are millions of children here and abroad who are yearning to join their forever families and we can help by closing the information gap that many families face when adopting from another country. Providing prospective parents with clear and updated information on policies and processes related to intercountry adoptions will help fulfill the dreams of children in need. Langevin and Collins introduced the Intercountry Adoption Information Act on March 28, 2019. The legislation unanimously passed the House of Representatives on May 20, 2019, and the Senate on September 30, 2020. "It is critical that all U.S. government efforts and policies that impact permanency and adoption are transparent, accessible and publicly available, said Adoption RI Chief Executive Officer Darlene Allen. Making the decision to bring a child into your home through foster care, public adoption or inter -country adoption, is life changing. That decision must include all relevant, up-to-date and factual information as possible." The Intercountry Adoption Information Act requires the Department of State include in an annual report information on countries that have carried out a new policy or law that has reduced or prevented adoptions involvi… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/whitehouse-resolution-declares-november-pancreatic-cancer-awareness-month | Whitehouse Resolution Declares November Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month | 2020-10-31 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | 10.31.20 Whitehouse Resolution Declares November Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), along with Representatives Andr Carson (IN-07) and Anna Eshoo (CA-18), has introduced a resolution to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer and to support the designation of this November as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. The bicameral effort comes as the world continues to mourn several American leaders who battled the very aggressive cancer, including Congressman John Lewis and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I'm proud to join Representatives Eshoo and Carson to designate November as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month and to recognize the Rhode Islanders battling this heartbreaking disease, said Whitehouse, who last year helped establish a federal research program to find a cure for pancreatic cancer. This November, I hope people across the country will join the fight to find a cure for pancreatic cancer. Approximately 57,000 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year. Described as a silent killer, pancreatic cancer does not have an early detection test. The resolution recognizes the importance of increasing funding for pancreatic cancer research at the Department of Defense and the National Institutes of Health, and of reducing the disease's outsized effect on communities of color. As a 14-year survivor of pancreatic cancer, many thousands of Americans have perished from this terrible cancer since my diagnosis, said Diane Borrison of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. I am grateful to Representatives Carson and Eshoo and Senator Whitehouse for this resolution, designating November 2020 as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, as a means of raising awareness about the disease and the urgent need for additional research funding. The passing of Congressman John Lewis and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has brought this need into sharp focus. No early detection methods, too few treatment options, and for too many no … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/whitehouse-statement-on-barrett-confirmation-vote | Whitehouse Statement on Barrett Confirmation Vote | 2020-10-27 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | 10.27.20 Whitehouse Statement on Barrett Confirmation Vote Washington, DC U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement this evening on the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett for the Supreme Court vacancy left by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg: It is a sad day for the Senate and for the Court. My Republican colleagues smashed norms and traditions of the world's greatest deliberative body' in a headlong pursuit, for someone, of Supreme Court power. They put the rule of because we can' over the traditions and precedents of the Senate, the principles we hold dear as an institution, and the integrity of the federal judiciary. This Trump Supreme Court nomination, like the two that preceded it, arose from a massive, sophisticated, dark-money campaign. Big corporate and right-wing donor interests, likely with business before the Court, are behind that campaign. Their influence is a rot that undermines the credibility of the Court, and a stain on our judiciary. The rushed, special-interest ram job in the midst of a pandemic shows why we must expose that rot, from the private groups channeling hundreds of millions of dollars into judicial selection and confirmation, to the armada of orchestrated groups lobbying courts for outcomes the anonymous donors want. With this vote, my Republican colleagues forfeit their right to call procedural fouls. And they disrespect Justice Ginsburg's fervent' wish that her replacement be chosen by the president elected on November 3rd. Republicans may rue the day they chose the rule of because we can.' Print Email Tweet Previous Article | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://langevin.house.gov/press-release/langevin-statement-confirmation-amy-coney-barrett-supreme-court | Langevin Statement on the Confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to Supreme Court | 2020-10-27 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Jim Langevin | L000559 | langevin.house.gov | legacy | WARWICK, R.I. Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) issued the following statement regarding the Senate confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States: It is outrageous that Senate Republicans and the Trump Administration have pushed through a Supreme Court nominee just a week before one of the most critical elections of our lifetimes. Senate Republicans have effectively dismissed the voices of voters on a selection that could impact healthcare, voting rights, and many other foundational issues for decades to come. Justice Ginsburg was animated by a passion for advancing equality and protecting the marginalized from the powerful. During the rushed Senate confirmation process, I heard no evidence that Justice Barrett will be a judge in the mold of Justice Ginsburg. Rather, time and again, it seemed clear that she would represent an ideological extreme in the service of corporate interests, not the American people. The hypocrisy of this nomination process is astounding. When Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to even hold a hearing, never mind a vote for President Obama's Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland, seven months before the election, he proclaimed: The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice,' and advocated for the confirmation to proceed after a new president was elected. By fast-tracking this process even as Americans are casting their votes, Majority Leader McConnell is ignoring the will of the American people to advance his political agenda. What is even more frustrating is that this rushed confirmation has been prioritized over a COVID-19 relief bill. The country continues to wrestle with a pandemic that has shuttered businesses, infected nearly 9 million Americans, and claimed the lives of more than 225,000. More than five months ago the House passed the Heroes Act to provide critical aid to those in need, and earlier this month we passed a revised version of that aid package to meet Sena… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/sen-whitehouse-appears-on-the-week-with-joshua-johnson-to-discuss-dark-money-in-the-courts | Sen. Whitehouse Appears on the Week With Joshua Johnson to Discuss Dark Money in the Courts | 2020-10-26 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | About Services Agency Assistance Success Stories Grants Flag Requests Visiting D.C. Student Resources Email Sheldon Events Community Dinners Community Outreach … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/videos/watch/sen-whitehouse-delivers-remarks-on-court-capture-on-the-senate-floor | Sen. Whitehouse Delivers Remarks on Court Capture on the Senate Floor | 2020-10-26 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | About Services Agency Assistance Success Stories Grants Flag Requests Visiting D.C. Student Resources Email Sheldon Events Community Dinners Community Outreach … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://cicilline.house.gov/press-release/cicilline-statement-pompeo-investigation | Cicilline Statement on Pompeo Investigation | 2020-10-26 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | Senate | RI | David Cicilline | C001084 | cicilline.house.gov | legacy | PAWTUCKET Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC) Chair David N. Cicilline (RI-01), who introduced The White House House is Not a Political Prop Act (H.R.8655) last week to strengthen prohibitions against conducting campaign activity in Federal buildings, issued the following statement today after learning that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is under investigation for his speech last summer to the Republican National Committee: This is the most corrupt administration in modern times. Each day, it seems, we learn more about how President Trump, his Cabinet, and White House officials are undermining the rule of law in order to advance their own personal and political ambitions. It will take a long time to reverse the damage this administration has done. One of the first things we need to do is strengthen existing anti-corruption laws. No future president should feel free to use the White House, Federal buildings, National Parks, Air Force One, or other taxpayer-financed facilities and vehicles as political props for a campaign like this president has. That's why I introduced legislation last week that establishes a clear red line prohibiting the use of Federal property for campaign activities. We cannot let President Trump's actions become the new normal. Whenever he leaves office, we will have to get to work restoring decency and integrity to the Oval Office. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://cicilline.house.gov/press-release/cicilline-statement-supreme-court-confirmation-vote | Cicilline Statement on Supreme Court Confirmation Vote | 2020-10-26 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | Senate | RI | David Cicilline | C001084 | cicilline.house.gov | legacy | Cicilline Statement on Supreme Court Confirmation Vote Oct 26, 2020 Issues: Health Care, LGBT Issues, Women's Issues PAWTUCKET Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC) Chair David N. Cicilline (RI-01) issued the following statement today: The American people should have a say in who gets a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court. Instead, just eight days before a presidential election, Republicans will vote today to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett, a nominee who threatens the progress our country has made over the years to expand access to health care, protect the LGBTQ+ community from discrimination, address the threat of climate change, and guarantee that women can make their own health care decisions. President Trump has made clear that he wants the Supreme Court to strike down the Affordable Care Act, even though he has no plan to replace it. In fact, he's in court right now trying to strike the law down and take away protections from millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions. The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in that case in just 15 days. By confirming Judge Barrett later today, Republicans are making clear that they stand with the President in this shameful scheme to rip away health care from millions in the middle of a once-in-a-century pandemic. The American people deserve better. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/whitehouse-offers-resolution-condemning-dark-money-effort-to-pack-supreme-court | Whitehouse Offers Resolution Condemning Dark Money Effort to Pack Supreme Court | 2020-10-24 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | Senate | RI | Sheldon Whitehouse | W000802 | www.whitehouse.senate.gov | legacy | 10.24.20 Whitehouse Offers Resolution Condemning Dark Money Effort to Pack Supreme Court Sweeping special interest campaign to influence the federal judiciary underlies Republican hypocrisy in rushed SCOTUS push; GOP presses forward with SCOTUS packing while seeking to block COVID relief Washington, DC Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, just offered a resolution on the Senate floor expressing a sense of the Senate that unlimited anonymous spending to influence our judiciary undermines the integrity of our judicial system and damages Americans' confidence that all people receive equal justice under law. Whitehouse offered the resolution as an alternative to a Republican measure seeking to limit Congress's longstanding authority over the federal judiciary. The GOP measure comes as Republicans go to extraordinary lengths to pack the courts, including seeking to jam through a Supreme Court nominee within days of a presidential election. Republicans' rush to fill the vacancy left by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg culminates an unprecedented, norm-smashing effort to pack the Supreme Court. Republican Leader Mitch McConnell refused to move forward with Judge Merrick Garland's nomination in March 2016 citing proximity to an election even with that election eight months away. Numerous Republicans joined McConnell in arguing against considering a Supreme Court nominee during a primary election season. McConnell later fabricated a new standard to justify moving forward on a Supreme Court nominee, and, in late September, the Republican leaders signaled his party would take up a replacement for Ginsburg. Now, with over 50 million votes already cast in the general election, Republicans are pushing to jam through their extreme, partisan nominee to a lifetime appointment on the Court. To illustrate the cause of Republicans' strange, hypocritical behavior, Whi… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://cicilline.house.gov/press-release/cicilline-bill-prohibits-use-white-house-political-conventions | Cicilline Bill Prohibits Use of White House for Political Conventions | 2020-10-23 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | Senate | RI | David Cicilline | C001084 | cicilline.house.gov | legacy | PAWTUCKET Following President Trump's outrageous decision to accept the 2020 Republican nomination from the South Lawn of the White House, Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC) Chair David N. Cicilline (RI-01) today introduced legislation that will prevent future presidents from abusing their public office for political gain. More than any president in modern times, Donald Trump has used and abused his office to benefit his re-election campaign. Each day, it seems, he pushes past a new boundary, said Cicilline. The White House is not a political prop. It belongs to the American people. Donald Trump doesn't get that. His actions make clear that we need to rewrite the ethics laws to prohibit future presidents from using the White House and other taxpayer-funded buildings or vehicles for political purposes. The White House is Not a Political Prop Act makes clear that it is unlawful for the President of the United States to use Federal property for campaign activities. The bill would prohibit actions like hosting a political convention from the White House, giving a campaign speech from the White House Press Briefing Room, or using Air Force One as a backdrop for a campaign rally. In August, shortly before Trump accepted the Republican nomination, Vice President Mike Pence delivered his own acceptance speech from the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. First Lady Melania Trump also spoke from the Rose Garden during a convention that helped the Republican Party raise $76 million. Observers denounced Trump's decision to deliver his acceptance speech with the Truman Balcony as a backdrop, calling it a gross misuse of public resources that turned federal employees, including Marine guards, into props. Cicilline's bill, which has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee, would block future commanders-in-chief from wantonly abuse their office in a similar manner. The full text of Cicilline's bill is available here. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://cicilline.house.gov/press-release/cicilline-statement-recognizing-artsakh%E2%80%99s-independence | Cicilline Statement on Recognizing Artsakhs Independence | 2020-10-23 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Democrat | Senate | RI | David Cicilline | C001084 | cicilline.house.gov | legacy | PAWTUCKET U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement today: "Today as Secretary Pompeo prepares to meet with the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, he should know that there is a strong historical case to be made for Artsakh's Independence. This land has been part of historical Armenia and populated by Armenians for thousands of years. An early cradle of Christianity, its landscape is covered in churches and monasteries, built hundreds of years ago. These are the same churches that are being bombed and shelled today by the Azerbaijani military." "There is, as well, a compelling legal argument for Artsakh's liberty, one based on international law and the commonly accepted principles of democratic self-determination. But, today, Artsakh's most urgent claim to independence is one of survival. Now entering the fourth week of Azerbaijan's brutal attacks, the citizens of Artsakh are left sheltering against a rain of illegal cluster-bombs, they know that any return to Azerbaijani control will exile them from their historic homeland." "If Azerbaijan ever had a claim to Artsakh, based on Soviet gerrymandering or any other tenuous assertion of sovereignty, they have today, by their own actions, forfeited any such rights. Each bomb launched, each bullet shot, each drone attack targeting the civilians of Artsakh strengthens this democratic Republic's already strong case for freedom." "With history and international law already on the side of Artsakh recognition, we see today that this proud land's very survival depends on United States and international recognition of the independent status of the Artsakh Republic. For this reason, I join with my Congressional colleagues in calling for full and formal United States recognition of Artsakh." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |
Advanced export
JSON shape: default, array, newline-delimited, object
CREATE TABLE [releases] (
[url] TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
[title] TEXT,
[date] TEXT,
[year] TEXT,
[month] TEXT,
[party] TEXT,
[chamber] TEXT,
[state] TEXT,
[member_name] TEXT,
[bioguide_id] TEXT,
[domain] TEXT,
[scraper] TEXT,
[source] TEXT,
[date_source] TEXT,
[text] TEXT,
[has_text] INTEGER,
[collected_at] TEXT,
[updated_at] TEXT
);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_date]
ON [releases] ([date]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_year]
ON [releases] ([year]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_party]
ON [releases] ([party]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_chamber]
ON [releases] ([chamber]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_state]
ON [releases] ([state]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_bioguide_id]
ON [releases] ([bioguide_id]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_has_text]
ON [releases] ([has_text]);