Patrick Leahy

Senator Leahy Speaks About Threats To The Prosperity Of America's Rural Post Offices

Senator Leahy joined Senator Bernie Sanders and Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) on February 6 to brief the press on the looming threat of closure that faces so many of America's rural post offices. The United States Postal Service continues to struggle to maintain its financial footing and rural mail handling facilities are first in line to feel the pain of the cuts proposed by the USPS to save money.

Senator Leahy and Senator Sanders attended a community meeting in White River Junction in January to discuss the detrimental impact the closure of the mail handling facility in the town would have on Vermonters.

Click here to read Senator Leahy's statement to the press. »

Senator Leahy Visits DR Power Equipment Of Winooski

On January 18, Senator Leahy visited DR Power Equipment in Winooski, VT to discuss the impact of the EB-5 Regional Center Program on the company's business. Joined by Governor Shumlin, the Senator talked with Country Home Products CEO, Joseph Perrotto, about the positive influence of foreign investments in the firm.

At the event, Mr. Perrotto announced that the company has attracted more than 20 foreign investors who will contribute more than $10 million in capital through Vermont’s EB-5 Regional Center Program.  The capital will help the firm retain about 200 jobs at the company’s Vergennes headquarters and Winooski assembly facility.

Above, Senator Leahy tries one of the company’s newest products, a mechanized log splitter that the company says splits wood six times faster than ordinary log splitters -- the DR RapidFire Log Splitter.

Click here to read more about the EB-5 Regional Center Program in Vermont. »

Senator Leahy Attends The Opening Of The Vermont Food Venture Center In Hardwick

On January 6, Senator Leahy attended the opening of the new Vermont Food Venture Center in Hardwick, VT. The Center, which gives Vermont's producers and entrepreneurs new tools to convert crops and dairy products into value-added foods, was supported by $450,000 in federal funds secured by Senator Leahy.

Above, Senator Leahy cuts the ceremonial ribbon and officially opens the Center. From left to right: Chuck Ross, Vermont Secretary of Agriculture; Monty Fischer of the Center for an Agricultural Economy; Senator Leahy; Marcelle Leahy;  Molly Lambert, State Director of USDA Rural Development; Lawrence Miller, Vermont Secretary of Commerce; and Tom Stearns of the Center for an Agricultural Economy

Click here to read more about the Vermont Food Venture Center. »

An Historic Step Forward In The Fight For Justice And Equality

On November 10, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved legislation to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a critical step forward in restoring the rights of all lawfully married couples. The Respect for Marriage Act would repeal DOMA, which was enacted in 1996.  Under the current law, legally married, same-sex couples cannot take advantage of federal protections available to every other married couple. The Respect for Marriage Act was introduced in March by Senator Dianne Feinstein of California, and is cosponsored by 30 other Senators.  All 10 Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee support the legislation.

Above, Senator Leahy is pictured at a press conference following the vote with his colleagues, from right to left, Senator Dianne Feinstein, Senator Christopher Coons, and Senator Richard Blumenthal.

Click here to watch Senator Leahy in action >>

Click here to read Senator Leahy's opening statement. »

Senator Leahy Is Honored As Technology Policymaker Of The Year

On December 6, Senator Leahy was honored by the Washington, D.C. publication Politico as Technology Policymaker of the Year. Alongside his colleague from the House of Representatives, Congressman Lamar Smith (R-TX), Senator Leahy accepted the award and made brief remarks. Congressman Smith was also honored in the Technology category for his work with Senator Leahy to pass the landmark America Invents Act earlier this year. Their bipartisan effort to pass patent reform legislation has been cited as an example of what is possible when lawmakers come together on an issue and seek compromise.

Above, Senator Leahy is pictured with Congressman Smith on stage at the award ceremony. Photo courtesy of Politico.

Click here to read Politico's article on this year's policy report card. »

Senate Okays Leahy-Graham Bill To Give The National Guard A Seat On The Joint Chiefs Of Staff

The U.S. Senate Monday night approved legislation by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) to give the National Guard its first seat on the nation’s highest military council, the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  Their bill, which has 71 Senate cosponsors, was added by voice vote as an amendment to the annual Defense Authorization Bill.

Leahy said, “These reforms will bolster our national security and facilitate the Guard’s enhanced role in our national defense.  At home and abroad, we are asking the Guard to take on more responsibilities than ever.  The Guard has grown to become a front-line, 21st Century force, but it is trapped in a 20th Century Pentagon bureaucracy.  This will help clear away those cobwebs and give the Guard a voice in the Pentagon that befits the scale of its missions here and overseas.”

The above photo was taken in 2009 when Senator Leahy spoke to members of the Vermont Army Guard’s 86^th Infantry Brigade Combat Team at Norwich University. Photo credit: AP Photo/Toby Talbot.

Click here to watch Senator Leahy in action giving a speech on the National Guard Empowerment Amendment on the Senate floor.

Click here to read the full press release. »