Sheldon Whitehouse

Sheldon Whitehouse was born on October 20, 1955, in New York City. He is the son of Mary Celine and Charles Sheldon Whitehouse, a career diplomat and foreign service officer who served as White House Chief of Protocol under President Dwight Eisenhower and as U.S. Ambassador to Laos and Thailand. His great-great-grandfather Elihu Root was Secretary of State and Secretary of War in the early 20th century.

After attending Yale University and the University of Virginia School of Law, Sheldon Whitehouse began his career in public service by joining the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office in 1986. During his tenure, he worked as a Special Assistant Attorney General, where he gained valuable experience in prosecuting various criminal cases and developed a focus on public corruption and white-collar crime.

In February 1994, Sheldon Whitehouse was appointed by Rhode Island Governor Bruce Sundlun as the state's Policy Director and Counsel. In this role, Whitehouse was responsible for advising the governor on various policy issues, coordinating legislative agendas, and managing legal aspects of state governance. This position expanded his expertise and further solidified his career in politics and governance.

In January 1999, Sheldon Whitehouse was sworn in as the Attorney General of Rhode Island, a position he held until 2003. As Attorney General, Whitehouse emphasized public safety, government accountability, and environmental conservation. He tackled organized crime, sophisticated financial frauds, and fought to uphold laws protecting the environment and public health.

On November 19, 2002, Sheldon Whitehouse ran for Governor of Rhode Island as the Democratic candidate. Despite his efforts and a campaign focused on issues like education reform, healthcare, and government transparency, he was defeated by Republican Donald Carcieri. This setback did not stop Whitehouse from continuing his political career, and he later successfully transitioned to a national political role as a U.S. Senator.

Sheldon Whitehouse assumed office as a United States Senator from Rhode Island on January 3, 2007, after defeating incumbent Republican Senator Lincoln Chafee in the 2006 elections. A Democrat, Whitehouse focused his campaign on progressive issues including health care reform, environmental protection, and social justice. Since taking office, he has been an advocate for environmental policies and a critic of climate change denial.

In December 2012, Sheldon Whitehouse started a series of weekly speeches from the Senate floor, known as the "Time to Wake Up" speeches, to call attention to the risks and urgency of climate change. These speeches, which number over 200 as of 2023, cover scientific findings, the economic impact of environmental degradation, and criticisms of climate change denial. His advocacy has made him a prominent figure in environmental policy discussion.

On August 13, 2015, Sheldon Whitehouse played a key role in the formation of the Senate Climate Action Task Force, a group of Senators dedicated to educating the public and advocating for comprehensive climate legislation. This coalition seeks to coordinate legislative efforts across committees and push for policies that address the environmental crisis by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting renewable energy.

In June 2017, Sheldon Whitehouse published the book 'Captured: The Corporate Infiltration of American Democracy', co-authored with Melanie Wachtell Stinnett. The book examines how corporate interests have captured and corrupted American democracy. It explores the influences of corporate money on political campaigns, the judiciary, and regulatory agencies, arguing for solutions to restore balance and integrity in the American political system.

On April 27, 2021, during the Earth Day summit organized by President Joe Biden, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse delivered a notable speech emphasizing the urgency of tackling climate change. He highlighted the need for significant policy reforms to reduce carbon emissions and invest in renewable energies. Whitehouse has been a vocal advocate for strong environmental policies and often speaks about the financial implications of climate change.

On May 2, 2023, Sheldon Whitehouse was appointed as the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights. In this capacity, he oversees judicial nominations and has a platform to address judicial ethics and corporate influence, particularly in the selection and behavior of judges. His role is critical in shaping judicial policy and upholding the rule of law as it pertains to federal courts.