Sheldon Whitehouse
Sheldon Whitehouse
Full Name and Common Aliases
Sheldon Whitehouse is an American politician who has served as a United States Senator from Rhode Island since 2007. He previously held the office of Attorney General for the State of Rhode Island.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on October 20, 1955, Sheldon Whitehouse is still alive.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Whitehouse is an American politician and attorney by profession.
Early Life and Background
Sheldon Whitehouse was born in New York City to a wealthy family. His father, Edward Bulkeley Whitehouse Jr., was a financier, and his mother, Martha Freeman Whitehouse, was an artist. He grew up on the East Side of Manhattan and attended the prestigious Buckley School before moving to Newport, Rhode Island, where he spent most of his childhood.
Whitehouse's early life laid the foundation for his future career in politics. His family's influence and wealth opened doors to exclusive educational institutions, including Yale University, which he attended from 1974 to 1978. At Yale, Whitehouse studied history and graduated with honors.
Major Accomplishments
Sheldon Whitehouse has had a distinguished career in public service. As the Attorney General of Rhode Island from 1999 to 2003, he successfully prosecuted organized crime figures and implemented policies aimed at reducing recidivism rates. He also served as the United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island from 1993 to 1998.
In the Senate, Whitehouse has focused on issues related to national security, climate change, and consumer protection. He was a key player in the negotiations that led to the passage of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act in 2010.
Notable Works or Actions
As a senator, Sheldon Whitehouse has been an outspoken advocate for progressive causes. In 2009, he co-authored the "Repeal the 14th Amendment" bill, which aimed to eliminate the possibility of citizens born outside the United States from running for president.
Whitehouse has also been a vocal critic of the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision in 2010, arguing that it has contributed to the erosion of campaign finance laws and the increasing influence of special interest groups in politics.
Impact and Legacy
Sheldon Whitehouse's impact on American politics is multifaceted. His work as Attorney General helped to reduce crime rates in Rhode Island, while his advocacy for consumer protection legislation has made a lasting difference in the lives of Americans nationwide.
As a senator, Whitehouse continues to push for policies that promote social justice and protect the environment. His commitment to public service has earned him recognition from various organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Sierra Club.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Sheldon Whitehouse is widely quoted and remembered due to his unwavering commitment to progressive causes. As a seasoned politician with a deep understanding of the law, he has become a respected voice on issues related to national security, climate change, and consumer protection.
His willingness to challenge the status quo and speak truth to power has earned him both praise and criticism from various quarters. Regardless, Whitehouse remains a formidable force in American politics, shaping the debate on key issues and inspiring a new generation of leaders to follow in his footsteps.
Quotes by Sheldon Whitehouse
I'm not running for the U.S. Senate because I think Lincoln Chafee is a bad man.
Society is indeed better off when we share knowledge with one another and have open debates about the issues in the public arena, with the hands and motives of the players identified.
From lying about climate change, to undermining programs that make up our social safety net, to opposing laws that reduce gun violence, to fighting marriage equality, the Kochs' tentacles infiltrate all parts of America's public debates.
In many ways, the rotten effects of dark money are seen less in what we do than in what we don't do.
Legislation to level the playing field for working families is dead on arrival in the Citizens United Congress.
The dreadful decision in Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission was the culmination of the Republican appointees' careful work to open American politics to corporate influence.
Juries are the constitutional institution designed to protect ordinary citizens against the wealthy and powerful.
We've seen too often what happens when wealthy and powerful industries gain excessive influence over the agencies that regulate them. The capture of the Minerals Management Service at the Department of Interior contributed to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010.
A lot of the Citizens United problem could be solved if we knew where the money came from for all these ads. The companies create these entities with fake names - like 'Citizens for Nice Puppies' - which means that the sources of the money are unaccountable.