Press Room
Press Releases
Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Senators Leahy And Cornyn Are Joined By Senators Klobuchar And Tillis In Introducing The Patrick Leahy And Orrin G. Hatch Justice For All Reauthorization Act Of 2022
(THURSDAY, Sept. 29, 2022) -- Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), joined by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Amy Klobuchar (MN), Thursday introduced the Patrick Leahy and Orrin G. Hatch Justice For All Reauthorization Act of 2022. The Justice for All Act was originally enacted in 2004 as a groundbreaking piece of bipartisan criminal justice legislation, authored by a bipartisan coalition of senators including Leahy. Leahy and Cornyn led the reauthorizations of the Justice For A… Continue Reading
09.29.22
Statement On Final Senate Passage Thursday Afternoon Of The Continuing Resolution
Before I begin, I want to acknowledge that this morning, countless Floridians woke up to a world turned upside down in the wake of Hurricane Ian. And hundreds of thousands in Puerto Rico remain without power more than 10 days after the storm that ravaged the island. Vermonters will stand by your side as you rebuild your communities and your lives, and so will this chamber. The continuing resolution we are about to consider contains $18.8 billion for the FEMA Disaster Relief Fund, which would… Continue Reading
09.27.22
Leahy Statement On The Continuing Appropriations And Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act Of 2023
Today, the Senate will vote to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 6833, and take up a substitute amendment containing a continuing resolution to fund the federal government through December 16. I will vote to invoke cloture and move the process forward. I urge my colleagues to do the same. Funding the federal government is the most basic responsibility of Congress. The continuing resolution before the Senate today will keep vital services running for the American people through… Continue Reading
09.27.22
Leahy Secures $1 Billion For LIHEAP In The Continuing Resolution
(Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022) - Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Tuesday announced that $1 billion in new funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) was included in the Continuing Resolution. Leahy said: "No family should have to choose between 'heat or eat' in Vermont or in any community across the country. The third hottest summer on record had already put a strain on LIHEAP funding, so I am glad that we were able to secure these new resource… Continue Reading
09.22.22
Rubio, Durbin Introduce Bill To Ban U.S. Recognition Of Any Ukrainian Territory Annexed By Russia
Vladimir Putin announced plans to hold referendums in four Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine with the goal of annexing these regions into the Russian Federation. Announcing annexation is intended to paint Ukrainian efforts to restore its territorial integrity as aggressive actions against the Russian Federation so as to depress the West's assistance to Ukraine. In order to bolster support for Ukraine and defend against efforts to force Ukraine to give up its sovereign territory, U.S. Senators… Continue Reading
09.21.22
Leahy Lauds GAO Reports Tracking Congressionally Directed Spending
(Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022) - Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Wednesday praised the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) publication of six reports tracking the implementation of Congressionally Directed Spending and Community Project Funding in the Fiscal Year 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act. The reports were published at the direction of the Chairman under new rules to increase transparency and accountability on the process commonly referred to "earmark… Continue Reading
09.21.22
Yarmuth, Bacon, Leahy, And Collins Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill To Help Runaway And Homeless Youth
(WEDNESDAY, Sept. 21, 2022) -- Representatives John Yarmuth (D-KY) and Don Bacon (R-NE) and Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Susan Collins (R-ME) Wednesday introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act. The legislation will reauthorize key federal grant programs to provide states with funding to help thousands of homeless young people nationwide The landmark Runaway and Homeless Youth Act was first passed by Congress in 1974, providing nationwi… Continue Reading
09.20.22
U.S. Department Of Commerce Invests $1.5 Million For Water And Sewer System Upgrades In Support Of Job Creation And Workforce Development In Franklin County, Vermont
(TUESDAY, Sept. 20, 2022) - Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.5 million grant to the town of Highgate/Village of Swanton, Highgate Center, Vermont, to support business and job growth efforts by extending water and sewer service from Swanton to the Franklin County Airport. This project will provide added water and sewer system service capacity to support the development of seven industrial pr… Continue Reading
09.15.22
Leahy Invites Vermonters To Register For 25th Women’s Economic Opportunity Conference By Thursday, Sept. 22
(THURSDAY, September 15, 2022) - Just one week remains to register for the 25th Annual Women's Economic Opportunity Conference on Oct. 1 at Vermont Technical College in Randolph. Registration for the free conference, hosted by Senator Patrick Leahy and Marcelle Leahy, closes on Sept. 22. Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen will deliver the keynote address, sharing her experience, expertise and perspective on what the future holds for women in the economy. Conference participants can also at… Continue Reading
09.15.22
Leahy Invites Vermonters To Register For 25th Women’s Economic Opportunity Conference By Thursday, Sept. 22
(THURSDAY, September 15, 2022) - Just one week remains to register for the 25th Annual Women's Economic Opportunity Conference on Oct. 1 at Vermont Technical College in Randolph. Registration for the free conference, hosted by Senator Patrick Leahy and Marcelle Leahy, closes on Sept. 22. Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen will deliver the keynote address, sharing her experience, expertise and perspective on what the future holds for women in the economy. Conference participants can also at… Continue Reading
09.15.22
Leahy, Sanders And Welch Praise $500,000 Grant To Restore Historic Shelburne Farms’ Coach Barn
(THURSDAY, Sept. 15, 2022) - Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Representative Peter Welch (D-Vt.) Thursday announced the award of a $500,000 grant through the National Park Service's Save America's Treasures program to restore the historic Coach Barn at Shelburne Farms. With the funding, Shelburne Farms will be able to make critically needed fire safety and other building repairs to protect and preserve one of the great barns in America, including completing rest… Continue Reading
09.15.22
Statement On Shireen Abu Akleh
Mr. LEAHY. On May 19th, I echoed Secretary of State Blinken's call for an "independent, credible investigation" of the violent death of widely respected Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. At that time, several Members of Congress called for the FBI to be involved, as did I. That would be customary and appropriate after a tragedy like this involving a prominent American killed overseas under questionable circumstances. Secretary Blinken later said, and I agree, that "[w]hen th… Continue Reading
09.13.22
As UN General Assembly Convenes, Leading Senators Unveil Resolution Urging International Cooperation To Address Sri Lanka’s Political And Economic Crisis
(TUESDAY, Sept. 13, 2022) - As the United Nations General Assembly convenes in New York this week, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was joined by Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) in introducing a Senate resolution calling for a comprehensive international approach to address Sri Lanka's current political and economic crisis, including challenges related to poor governance and economic policy unde… Continue Reading
09.09.22
See Letter Signed By Leahy And 38 Other Members Of Congress On Defending Free And Fair Elections In Brazil
The Biden Administration must make unequivocally clear that any attempt to subvert free and fair elections in Brazil will have serious consequences for our relations with that country. See letter signed by myself and 38 other Members of Congress. https://www.leahy.senate.gov/download/brazil… Continue Reading
09.08.22
Statement On The Passing Of Queen Elizabeth II
(THURSDAY, Sept. 8, 2022) - Marcelle and I extend our condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Her reign was not only the longest for her nation, but witnessed momentous transitions that have made the United Kingdom the thriving, multicultural society it is today. Her grace, her commitment to service and the steadiness of her character are examples for all to admire and emulate. As a longtime member of the British-American Parl… Continue Reading
09.08.22
Senator Patrick Leahy Announces Presenters, Workshops For 25th Annual Women’s Economic Opportunity Conference
(THURSDAY, Sept. 8, 2022) - U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy is pleased to announce the lineup of workshops and presenters for the 25th Annual Women's Economic Opportunity Conference (WEOC) on Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Vermont Technical College campus in Randolph. "Every year the WEOC organizing committee does an exemplary job of bringing in experts who are willing to share their knowledge and expertise, at no cost, with Vermonters. It's an opportunity for attendees to improve their skills, learn abou… Continue Reading
09.08.22
Leahy, Sanders And Welch Introduce The Nulhegan River And Paul Stream Wild And Scenic River Study Act
(THURSDAY, Sept. 8, 2022) - U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) Thursday introduced the Nulhegan River and Paul Stream Wild and Scenic River Study Act to begin the process of possibly designating segments of these waterways as part of the National Wild and Scenic River system. Vermont Congressman Peter Welch (D-Vt.) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Wild and Scenic Rivers System, overseen by the National Park Service, preserv… Continue Reading
09.07.22
Statement Of Senator Leahy, Hearing On: Oversight Of The U.S. Copyright Office
Billions of people around the world are inspired daily by art-music, film, photography, theater, books, and more. Art can make us laugh and cry, entertain us, and reflect the human condition. Art can rouse us to take action against injustice and cause us to acknowledge our shared humanity. It can be powerful, beautiful, and enlightening. From the very beginning of the Republic, our Founders anticipated the importance of rewarding artists for their hard work. The Constitution, our foundation… Continue Reading
09.06.22
Remarks At The State Dept. Conf. On Leahy Law Implementation
Here is a video link to Senator Leahy's remarks today at the State Department's conference on implementation of the Leahy Law, which has become the most significant tool in the U.S. human rights toolbox. The video includes Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman's introduction of Leahy. And below that is Leahy's prepared text. VIDEO LINK: https://www.youtube.com/StateDept Senator Patrick Leahy Remarks Department of State 2022 Leahy Law Conference September 6, 2022 Thank you Wendy, and… Continue Reading
09.06.22
Biden Nominates Leahy To Join US Delegation To The UN For This Month’s 77th Annual mtg. Of The UN General Assembly
President Biden today (Tuesday) nominated Senator Leahy to join the U.S. Delegation to the United Nations, for the upcoming annual meeting of the UN General Assembly later this month. Leahy has long led on U.S. foreign policy matters, including U.S. support for the United Nations. He chairs the Appropriations Committee and for decades has been either the chair or the ranking member of the Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on State Department and Foreign Operations, which handles the Sena… Continue Reading
