Biography
Sheldon Whitehouse, born on October 20, 1955, in New York City, is a Democratic U.S. Senator representing Rhode Island. Raised in a Foreign Service family, he lived in various countries, including Vietnam, Cambodia, South Africa, Congo, Guinea, Laos, and Thailand, which instilled in him a deep appreciation for public service. Elected to the Senate in 2006, Whitehouse has been a vocal advocate for progressive values, focusing on climate change, environmental protection, and healthcare reform. He has played a pivotal role in bipartisan efforts to overhaul federal education policy, rebuild national infrastructure, and reform the criminal and juvenile justice systems.
Education and Political Experience
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Education:
- Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Yale University
- Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law
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Political Experience:
- Clerk for the Supreme Court of West Virginia
- Special Assistant Attorney General, Chief of the Regulatory Unit, and Assistant Attorney General in Rhode Island
- Executive Counsel and Director of Policy for Rhode Island Governor Bruce Sundlun
- Director of Business Regulation for Rhode Island
- U.S. Attorney for the District of Rhode Island
- Attorney General of Rhode Island
- U.S. Senator from Rhode Island
Notable Achievements and Positions
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Legislative Initiatives:
- Authored the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, the first significant bipartisan law addressing the opioid crisis.
- Established a dedicated fund to support ocean and coastal research and restoration.
- Passed bipartisan legislation to confront marine plastic and other waste polluting oceans.
- Advocated for measures to reduce carbon pollution and boost America's clean energy economy.
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Committee Assignments:
- Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
- Co-Chair of the Caucus on International Narcotics Control
- Senior Member of the Judiciary Committee
- Member of the Budget Committee
- Member of the Finance Committee
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Advocacy:
- Staunch defender of Social Security and Medicare.
- Champion of efforts to root out dark money from elections and enhance government accountability.
Whitehouse resides in Newport, Rhode Island, with his wife Sandra, a marine biologist and environmental advocate. They have two grown children.
