Amid allegations of ethical conflicts, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse faces scrutiny from a prominent watchdog group.
Fox News reported that Senator Whitehouse is accused of voting on legislation that reportedly benefited a nonprofit where his wife is employed.
Whitehouse, a Democrat from Rhode Island, is currently under the microscope for his legislative decisions, which the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust (FACT) suggests may have improperly aided his wife's employer.
FACT has formally requested that the Senate Select Committee on Ethics, led by James Lankford and Chris Coons, investigate these potential conflicts of interest.
Sandra Whitehouse has been involved with the Ocean Conservancy, a prominent environmental organization, through her consultancy Ocean Wonks LLC. Since 2008, she has held various roles at the Conservancy, significantly influencing its strategies and initiatives.
According to FACT's accusations, Senator Whitehouse supported two key pieces of legislation that funneled substantial federal funds to Ocean Conservancy.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the annual appropriations bill of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are central to these claims, as they included grants totaling $6.9 million in 2024 for projects closely aligned with the Conservancy's goals.
While Sandra Whitehouse does not receive direct financial benefits from these grants, her position within the organization, combined with the timing and focus of her husband's legislative efforts, raised alarms about potential indirect benefits. Ocean Conservancy has been a beneficiary of more than $14.2 million in federal grants since 2008, the year Sandra began her tenure in a senior role.
Jeff Watters, Vice President of External Affairs at Ocean Conservancy, emphasized the rigorous and competitive nature of the grant selection process.
He assured that the process was independent and that the Conservancy's projects had garnered bipartisan support, underscoring its longstanding commitment to marine conservation.
"Dr. Sandra Whitehouse, a well-respected marine ecologist and ocean policy consultant, has not received compensation from these federal grants allocated to Ocean Conservancy," stated Jeff Watters. This clarification highlights the nonprofit's attempt to distance Sandra Whitehouse's employment from the financial aspects of the federal funding.
Jeff Watters further detailed the extent of the organization's initiative, "For 40 years, Ocean Conservancy has been a global leader in marine debris cleanup through our signature initiative, the International Coastal Cleanup."
He noted that the grants received by Ocean Conservancy from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) stemmed from laws that enjoyed widespread legislative support and led to a significant environmental impact.
"With the support of these bipartisan federal funds, Ocean Conservancy plans to remove hundreds of thousands of pounds of trash from beaches and waterways around the U.S.," Watters added, illustrating the direct environmental benefits derived from the funded projects.
While Senator Whitehouse's actions are currently under scrutiny, FACT emphasized the broader implications of his legislative decisions.
Kendra Arnold, FACT Executive Director, pointed out, "While these two grants alone appear to be a conflict of interest, it is even more egregious in the context of Senator Whitehouse's long history of working on legislation being lobbied for by organizations tied to his wife."
Arnold's statement sheds light on a repeated pattern where legislative initiatives championed by Senator Whitehouse align closely with the lobbying efforts and financial interests of Ocean Conservancy. This pattern, according to FACT, necessitates a thorough investigation to uphold the integrity of Senate ethics.
The ongoing investigation by the Senate Select Committee on Ethics is expected to examine these allegations closely to determine if Senator Whitehouse's actions constitute an ethical violation.
The outcome could have significant implications not only for Whitehouse's career but also for standards of conduct within the Senate.