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FIRST ON FOX: Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat from Rhode Island, is facing allegations of ethical misconduct after his support for legislation that financially benefited an environmental nonprofit linked to his wife.
The senator has voted for significant laws that provided funding to an environmental organization where his wife, Sandra Whitehouse, holds a leadership role. She is associated with Ocean Wonks LLC, a consulting firm that employs her as president.
In a move to address these concerns, the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust (FACT) has requested an investigation by the Senate Select Committee on Ethics, led by Chairman James Lankford, a Republican from Oklahoma, and Vice Chairman Chris Coons, a Democrat from Delaware. The objective is to determine whether Whitehouse has violated any Senate ethics regulations regarding conflicts of interest.
Whitehouse’s spouse, Sandra, has been with Ocean Wonks LLC since 2017, as stated on her LinkedIn profile. Her previous role was as a Senior Policy Adviser for Ocean Conservancy, where she worked from 2008 until her transition to the consulting firm.
According to USASpending.gov, Ocean Conservancy has acquired over $14.2 million in federal grants since 2008. In 2024 alone, the organization received two notable grants: a $5.2 million award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for marine debris cleanup and another $1.7 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, also earmarked for similar cleanup efforts.
The $5.2 million grant was funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) that the Biden administration promoted, and Senator Whitehouse supported. The $1.7 million grant came from the EPA’s annual appropriations bill, which Whitehouse also voted for.
In the opinion of FACT Executive Director Kendra Arnold, the situation becomes especially concerning in light of the substantial lobbying efforts by Ocean Conservancy. Arnold stated, “While these two grants alone appear to present a conflict of interest, this situation is further exacerbated by Senator Whitehouse’s history of supporting legislation lobbied for by organizations associated with his wife.”
Over the years, Ocean Conservancy has expended millions on federal lobbying related to oceans, climate change, and environmental cleanup. These are issues that Senator Whitehouse has consistently championed as a long-standing member of the Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee and co-founder of the Senate’s “Oceans Caucus.”
Tax documents reveal that since 2010, Ocean Conservancy has compensated Whitehouse through her consulting firm a total of $2,686,800.
In response to the allegations, Ocean Conservancy’s Vice President of External Affairs, Jeff Watters, emphasized that Dr. Sandra Whitehouse, a noted marine ecologist and ocean policy consultant, has not received any compensation from the federal grants awarded to Ocean Conservancy.
“For over 40 years, Ocean Conservancy has led marine debris cleanup initiatives, including the International Coastal Cleanup. The NOAA grants fell under laws with broad bipartisan backing and underwent a rigorous competitive selection process that identified Ocean Conservancy among numerous NGOs deserving of support due to its extensive expertise in tackling marine debris and protecting ocean health,” Watters stated.
With the infusion of these federal funds, Ocean Conservancy aims to eliminate hundreds of thousands of pounds of litter from U.S. beaches and waterways, a measure that will enhance the environment and bolster the fishing and tourism sectors for future generations.
Watters also highlighted the significant Republican support that both the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the EPA appropriations bill garnered in the Senate, indicating that these initiatives transcended partisan lines.
As of now, both Senator Whitehouse, Senator Lankford, and Senator Coons have not provided any comments in response to the situation before publication.
This development raises critical questions about ethics in politics, particularly regarding the potential influences of personal relationships on legislative actions. It also underscores the need for ongoing scrutiny of lawmakers to ensure transparency and accountability in their decision-making processes. The implications of such alleged missteps may reverberate within public trust and the functioning of political institutions.
