Whitehouse Secures $91.1 Million in Direct Investments for Rhode Island

78 Whitehouse-backed projects successfully included in FY2026 federal spending legislation so far

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today announced that $91.1 million is heading to the Ocean State to support a total of 78 projects that will spur strategic investments in Rhode Island's health care system, schools, affordable housing stock, small businesses, and transportation infrastructure. Whitehouse has now voted to pass 11 out of 12 FY2026 appropriations bills. Legislation funding the Department of Homeland Security is still pending passage in Congress.

"I am extremely pleased to deliver over $91 million in federal investments for the Ocean State. Securing this Congressionally Directed Spending is more important than ever because of the chaos and vindictiveness of the Trump administration," said Whitehouse. "This funding will help alleviate Rhode Island's housing crisis, boost our mental health care system, strengthen afterschool and workforce development programs, and create more opportunities for Rhode Islanders."

Many of the earmarks backed by Whitehouse were secured in partnership with Senator Jack Reed, Congressman Seth Magaziner, and Congressman Gabe Amo.

Whitehouse hauled in 50 investments totaling $61,655,000 for Rhode Island in the most recent package including full-year funding for the Defense, Financial Services-General Government, Labor-Health and Human Services-Education, National Security-Department of State, and Transportation-Housing-Urban Development bills. This latest batch of funding awards include $2,390,000 to expand health care training facilities at CCRI, $3,740,000 for Thundermist Health Center to expand access to behavioral health services, and $480,000 for the Rhode Island Marine Trade Association for workforce training for high school students, among many others.

In early January, Whitehouse secured $27,790,000 to support a total of 23 Rhode Island projects in a package including the Commerce-Justice-Science, Energy-Water Development, and Interior-Environment funding bills. The Whitehouse-supported spending awards included $449,000 to allow the Scituate Police Department to purchase new vehicles and equipment, $650,000 for wastewater treatment upgrades in Charlestown, and $1,031,000 to allow the City of East Providence to remove marine debris from the Providence River.

In November, Whitehouse won $1.65 million to support five Rhode Island projects in a package including the Agriculture, Military Construction-Veterans Affairs, and Legislative Branch spending bills. The funding awards included $250,000 for the Block Island Maritime Institute to support marine mammal response, rescue and conservation efforts; $248,000 for the Jamestown Fire Department for a fire sub-station; and $500,000 for the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management to address aquatic invasive species.

The full list of Whitehouse-backed earmarks, totaling $91.1 million, is available here.