Statement Of Senator Leahy Unofficial Preliminary Transcript Vermont Marks A COVID Vaccination Milestone

Madam president, we had interesting news in Vermont this morning. Our governor, Governor Scott, announced that we've reached 80% immunity – vaccinations – so the state will in effect reopen.

Now, I mention this because right from the beginning, and I've worked closely with our governor, we tried to show no partisanship in this. I'm a Democrat. He's a Republican. We are both first and foremost Vermonters. And restrictions were put in place. Efforts were made to vaccinate. I know my wife, Marcelle, and I went to some of these vaccination centers. We had everybody from the Vermont National Guard, to veterans groups, to schools, to nurses who are volunteering, all over in those places. And everybody would line up and they had -- they'd say: “I'm scheduled at 9:20. I'll be there at 9:20.” And people wanted to get the vaccination.

VIDEO:  Click here to watch Senator Leahy’s Floor remarks.