Chairman's Press
Senator Whitehouse on Impending June Default, Republican Hostage-Taking
Washington, D.C.—Today, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, issued the following statement after the Treasury Department announced its “best estimate” that the government will be unable to pay all its obligations as early as June 1 if the debt limit is not raised. The Congressional Budget Office similarly now projects “a significantly greater risk that the Treasury will run out of funds in early June” than it did in February. “Republicans’ failure to a… Continue Reading
04.24.23
WHITEHOUSE: CLIMATE CHANGE IS DRIVING UP HEALTH CARE COSTS, DRAGGING DOWN ECONOMIC GROWTH
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Budget Committee, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing entitled, “Under the Weather: Diagnosing the Health Costs of Climate Change.” Chairman Whitehouse’s remarks, as prepared for delivery: Ranking Member Grassley, members of the committee, witnesses, and guests, welcome to our seventh committee hearing. Today, we will continue our series on the economic costs of climate change, costs t… Continue Reading
04.20.23
WHITEHOUSE: “THIS DISASTER OF A PLAN IS A NONSTARTER”
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, issued the following statement after the release of Speaker McCarthy’s debt limit plan. “This disaster of a plan is a nonstarter. By eliminating clean energy tax credits and investments, House Republicans are rolling back our progress on the climate crisis and putting their fossil fuel megadonors over hundreds of thousands of clean tech workers—even in their own backyards. Their message is sta… Continue Reading
04.18.23
Credit Suisse Maintained Nazi-Linked Accounts into 21st Century, Subpoenaed Records Show
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Multiple reports shine a new light on Credit Suisse's historical servicing of Nazi clients and Nazi-linked accounts, which in some cases continued until as recently as 2020. The reports, released by the Senate Budget Committee on Holocaust Remembrance Day, detail a multi-year internal investigation by a forensic research firm retained by Credit Suisse and initially overseen by an Independent Ombudsperson who was inexplicably terminated by the bank during the course of the review… Continue Reading
04.18.23
WHITEHOUSE: DIFFERENT SET OF RULES FOR THE WEALTHY, WELL CONNECTED PRODUCES RIGGED, CORRUPTED, DEFICIENT TAX SYSTEM
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Budget Committee, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing entitled, “A Rigged System: The Cost of Tax Dodging by the Wealthy and Big Corporations.” Chairman Whitehouse’s remarks, as prepared for delivery: There are two sides to the budget: spending and revenues. While some colleagues only want to look at the spending side, the US has never run a modern-era balanced budget unless revenues… Continue Reading
04.07.23
Whitehouse Applauds IRS Plan to Crack Down on Wealthy Tax Cheats, Improve Taxpayer Services
Washington, D.C.—Today, Senator Whitehouse (D-RI), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, issued the following statement after the IRS unveiled its $80 billion multiyear spending plan to ensure big corporations and wealthy tax dodgers pay what they owe, improve customer service for everyday taxpayers, and close the tax gap. “The IRS, starved for resources, has long been unable to keep up with sophisticated wealthy and corporate tax evaders. Special interests have taken advantage, gaming th… Continue Reading
03.29.23
WHITEHOUSE: “TO AVOID THE WORST ECONOMIC DISRUPTIONS OF A CARBON BUBBLE, WE NEED AN ORDERLY TRANSITION TO ZERO-CARBON ENERGY”
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Budget Committee, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing entitled, “Left Holding the Bag: The Cost of Oil Dependence in a Low-Carbon World.” Chairman Whitehouse’s remarks, as prepared for delivery: Ranking Member Grassley, colleagues, welcome to the fifth Committee hearing in our series on the economic and budgetary havoc that climate change threatens to wreak. The last four hearings on … Continue Reading
03.22.23
WHITEHOUSE: CLIMATE CHANGE UPSETS INSURANCE MARKETS, CASCADES TO MORTGAGE AND HOUSING MARKETS
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Budget Committee, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing entitled, “Risky Business: How Climate Change is Changing Insurance Markets.” Chairman Whitehouse’s remarks, as prepared for delivery: We are here today for the fourth Committee hearing examining the budgetary perils associated with climate change. Today, we focus on the danger to the National Flood Insurance Program and private in… Continue Reading
03.15.23
WHITEHOUSE: PRESIDENT’S BUDGET DECIDEDLY NOT FOR “CREEPY BILLIONAIRES AND FOSSIL FUEL OVERLORDS”
Washington, D.C.-U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Budget Committee, delivered the following opening statement at today's hearing entitled, "The President's Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Proposal." Chairman Whitehouse's remarks, as prepared for delivery: Ranking Member Grassley, members of the Committee: Welcome. And a special welcome to our witness as well, Director Young, who I know has had a very busy past few weeks. We look forward to hearing your testimony.… Continue Reading
03.14.23
CBO Analysis Blows Gaping Hole in Republicans’ Balanced Budget Pledge
Washington, D.C.—A new analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) torpedoes House Republicans’ promise to balance the federal budget while also making permanent the Trump tax cuts. In response to a request from Senator Whitehouse (D-RI), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, and Senator Wyden (D-OR), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, CBO examined how much federal spending would need to be reduced in order to achieve House Republicans’ stated goal of balancing th… Continue Reading
03.09.23
WHITEHOUSE: “Our cards are on the table. Unlike MAGA Republicans who are hiding their budget plan.”
Washington, D.C.— Senator Whitehouse (D-RI), Chair of the Senate Budget Committee, joined Senate Majority Leader Schumer (D-NY); Senator Murray (D-WA), Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee; Senator Wyden (D-OR), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee; and Senator Van Hollen (D-MD) to discuss the President’s 2024 Budget Request. “As of today, our cards are on the table. Unlike MAGA Republicans who are hiding their budget plan. It’s time for them to level with the American people. … Continue Reading
03.08.23
WHITEHOUSE: PREVIEWS PRESIDENT’S BUDGET REQUEST
Washington, D.C.— Senator Whitehouse (D-RI), Chair of the U.S. Senate Budget Committee, joined Senate Majority Leader Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Murray (D-WA) to discuss the president’s budget request, which will be released Thursday, March 9, at noon. VIDEO: Senator Whitehouse discusses president’s budget, how Republicans are only here for the well-off and well-connected His remarks, as prepared for delivery: On Thursday, President Biden will deliver … Continue Reading
03.08.23
WHITEHOUSE: WILDFIRES ONE MORE WAY COSTS OF FOSSIL FUEL EMISSIONS HIT FEDERAL BUDGET
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Budget Committee, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing entitled, “A Burning Issue: The Economic Costs of Wildfires.” Chairman Whitehouse’s remarks, as prepared for delivery: Ranking Member Grassley, members of the committee, welcome. Last week, we examined the economic and budget consequences of sea level rise and ocean storms on our coastal communities. Today, we turn from coasts to … Continue Reading
03.01.23
WHITEHOUSE: CLIMATE CHANGE TO UPEND LIFE IN COASTAL COMMUNITIES, PUT IMMENSE BURDENS ON GOVERNMENT
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Budget Committee, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing entitled, “Rising Seas, Rising Costs: Climate Change and the Economic Risks to Coastal Communities.” Chairman Whitehouse’s remarks, as prepared for delivery below. Video of is available here. Ranking Member Grassley, members of the committee, witnesses, and guests, welcome to our second hearing. After our first hearing’s high level… Continue Reading
02.15.23
Chairman Whitehouse Statement on CBO Outlook
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Today, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, issued a statement following the annual release of the Congressional Budget Office's (CBO) Budget and Economic Outlook and a projection that the debt limit must be raised "between July and September" or the federal government would default on its debt. "Today's CBO Outlook shows just how far we have come from the depths of the pandemic recession; it shows the importance of investments in workers and fa… Continue Reading
02.15.23
WHITEHOUSE: COSTS AND ECONOMIC RISKS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ARE PILING UP
Washington, D.C.-U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Budget Committee, delivered the following opening statement at today's hearing entitled, "Climate-Related Economic Risks and Their Costs to the Federal Budget and the Global Economy." Chairman Whitehouse's remarks, as prepared for delivery: Ranking Member Grassley, colleagues, particularly our new members, let me welcome you to what I hope will be a busy, revived, impactful and lively Budget Committee. I want… Continue Reading
02.02.23
Whitehouse to Take on Senate Budget Committee Gavel for 118th Congress
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today announced that he will step into the role of Chairman of the U.S. Senate Budget Committee for the 118th Congress. "I very much look forward to taking the helm," said Whitehouse. "Together with the members of the Committee, we will examine a range of subjects that have enormous consequences for American families, the economy, and the federal budget. Chief among these is climate change, as economic experts warn of serious financial… Continue Reading
06.03.22
MEDIA ADVISORY: Chairman Sanders to Hold Budget Committee Hearing on Saving and Expanding Social Security
WASHINGTON, June 3 - Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, announced today that the committee will hold a hearing Thursday, June 9, at 11:00 a.m. titled "Saving Social Security: Expanding Benefits and Demanding the Wealthy Pay Their Fair Share or Cutting Benefits and Increasing Retirement Anxiety." Signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Social Security today remains one of the most popular and successful government programs in the history of the Unit… Continue Reading
05.09.22
MEDIA ADVISORY: Chairman Sanders to Hold Budget Committee Hearing on Medicare for All
WASHINGTON, May 9 - Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, announced Monday that the committee will hold a hearing Thursday, May 12, at 11:00 a.m. titled "Medicare for All: Protecting Health, Saving Lives, Saving Money." Today in the United States, some 112 million Americans, about 44 percent of the adult population, are struggling to pay for the medical care they need and over 70 million Americans are uninsured or under-insured because of high deductibles and pre… Continue Reading
05.02.22
MEDIA ADVISORY: Chairman Sanders to Hold Budget Committee Hearing on Amazon and Ending Federal Contracts to Companies Engaged in Illegal Anti-Union Activities
Chairman Sanders has invited Jeff Bezos to testify. WASHINGTON, May 2 - Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, announced Monday that the committee will hold a hearing Thursday, May 5, at 11:00 a.m. titled "Should Taxpayer Dollars Go to Companies that Violate Labor Laws?" Thursday's hearing comes at a time when the federal government spends more than $600 billion each year on contracts to thousands of companies who employ more than four million contract workers. H… Continue Reading
