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Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Statement On Signing Of The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act For Commonsense Gun Safety Reforms
[The new law includes Senator Leahy's bill to strengthen penalties for straw purchasing and gun trafficking. And as President Pro Tem of the U.S. Senate, Leahy and Speaker Pelosi signed the bill, the required step before transmitting it to the President.] Today the President signed into law a much-needed step forward to addressing our nation's gun violence epidemic. As we continue marking mass shootings with more and more frequency, and the nation calls on its elected officials to legislate … Continue Reading
06.24.22
Reaction To The Supreme Court’s Opinion In Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
[Patrick Leahy is the President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate, and a former Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He is the current Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.] Today's opinion from a narrow majority of the Court is not the end of abortion. It is the end of a woman's right to safe reproductive health care. It is the end of women's choice. It sets us back. It does not move us forward. What message does this send to women? That their choice - that their… Continue Reading
06.23.22
Statement On The Urgent Need For Additional COVID Funding
As Senators prepare to return to their home states for the July 4th holiday, it is frustrating that we have once again kicked the can down the road on providing the needed funding to address the ongoing COVID pandemic. For months, the Administration, scientists, and health care experts have raised the alarm that we do not have the resources we need to stay ahead of this virus. And with COVID, if you are not staying ahead of it, you are slipping behind, to the detriment of all Americans. To ke… Continue Reading
06.23.22
Statement On The Supreme Court Decision In Bruen
"How ironic that on this, the day the United States Senate is poised to act for the first time in decades on commonsense gun safety legislation, the Supreme Court has created greater uncertainty for states as they try to address the dangers of gun violence. Commonsense safeguards can be enacted to provide for the safety of our children and our communities, while respecting the constitutional right enshrined in the Second Amendment. "The conservative majority of the Supreme Court got it wrong … Continue Reading
06.22.22
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy Hearing On: “The Patent Trial And Appeal Board: Examining Proposals To Address Predictability, Certainty, And Fairness”
Patents drive our economy, allowing innovators to do what they do best while knowing they can reap the benefits of their hard work. Good quality patents thus give small businesses and inventors certainty that they can defend their inventions from others who didn't put in the work. Without the rights guaranteed by patents, the engine of our economy, American innovation, simply would not be as strong. Given the power that a patent conveys, though, a patent issued by the U.S. Patent and Tradema… Continue Reading
06.21.22
Senator Menendez, Congressman Lieu Lead Colleagues In Introducing Resolution In Observance Of World Refugee Day
On the heels of World Refugee Day (June 20), U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Representative Ted Lieu (D-CA-33) were joined by 20 of their Senate colleagues, 67 of their House colleagues, and 11 leading refugee advocacy and human rights organizations in unveiling a resolution reaffirming the United States' commitment to promote the welfare of refugees and displaced persons worldwide - including children - as they flee conflict, persecuti… Continue Reading
06.21.22
Statement On Commemorating World Refugee Day 2022
On June 20, yesterday, we commemorated World Refugee Day, an important reminder that we must rededicate ourselves to a cornerstone of our Nation's founding - providing refuge to the persecuted and oppressed. Since the days of the earliest European settlers, America has provided safe harbor to waves of refugees throughout our history. Many Americans today can trace their ancestry back to refugees who fled their homelands seeking freedom and security. Welcoming refugees is not just something Ameri… Continue Reading
06.21.22
Reaction To The White House Announcement Of Changes To U.S. Anti-Personnel Landmine Policy
"It is an important step which makes official what has been de facto U.S. practice for two decades. The Administration has recognized what our NATO allies declared long ago: Inherently indiscriminate weapons that disproportionately harm civilians have no place in the 21st Century, and those who use them - like Russia in Ukraine today - should be universally condemned. I commend President Biden for taking this step, which further aligns U.S. policy with the international treaty. It mirrors bi… Continue Reading
06.16.22
Statement On Passage Of The PACT Act
The passage of The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022, or PACT Act, is an example of what can happen when the Congress puts aside partisanship and comes together for the good of the country, and importantly, our veterans. Each of us, in every state and in every Congressional district across the country, has a friend, a neighbor, or a constituent, a veteran or an active duty servicemember, who has become sick or died from exposure… Continue Reading
06.16.22
Leahy, Cornyn, And Tillis Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Ensure the Patent Trial and Appeal Board Is A Fair And Predictable Forum For All Parties
(THURSDAY, June 16, 2022) -- On Thursday, Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Reform Act of 2022, bipartisan legislation that supports strong, reliable, and predictable intellectual property rights for all parties. Patents drive innovation, benefitting the economy and the public. Patents protect inventors, allowing them to commercialize their ideas and bring products to market. But for American innovator… Continue Reading
06.16.22
Leahy Leads Vermont And New York Lawmakers To Introduce Bill To Reauthorize Lake Champlain Basin Program
(THURSDAY, June 16) - U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) Thursday introduced legislation to reauthorize the Lake Champlain Basin Program, which supports restoration and protection efforts for Lake Champlain and its surrounding watershed. Vermont Congressman Peter Welch (D-Vt.) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. For more than 30 years, the Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) ha… Continue Reading
06.09.22
Leahy And Lee Introduce Bill To Curtail Secret Government Surveillance Of Americans’ Digital Data
(THURSDAY, June 9, 2022) -- Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Mike Lee (R-UT) Thursday introduced the Non-Disclosure Order Fairness Act. House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-WI) introduced a companion bill in the House that passed by unanimous consent in the House Judiciary Committee on April 6. Over the last decade, federal law enforcement agencies have increasingly taken advantage of an outdated provision in the 35-year-old Electronic Communi… Continue Reading
06.08.22
Leahy And Cornyn Lead Letter Asking Patent Office To Address Anti-Competitive Patent Thickets
(WEDNESDAY, June 8, 2022) -- Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and John Cornyn (R-TX) led a bipartisan letter Wednesday asking the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to address an issue that is a significant cause of soaring drug prices. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Susan Collins (R-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Mike Braun (R-IN) also joined the letter. The senators explained that drug companies and other large companies sometimes artificially extend the period in which they can charge high … Continue Reading
06.08.22
Leahy Joins Klobuchar And Others To Introduce Legislation To Make Registering To Vote Easier For All Americans
(WEDNESDAY, June 8, 2022) -- U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chairwoman of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, led nine of her colleagues in introducing legislation to make registering to vote easier for all Americans. The Register America to Vote Act would require every state to create a system to register all eligible citizens to vote when they turn 18 and ensure all eligible voters are covered by automatic registration through motor vehicle agencies. Automatic voter registrati… Continue Reading
06.08.22
Address On The Epidemic Of Gun Violence Of America
It is hard really to know where to start. I am here on the Senate Floor to talk about guns. In a world in chaos, we cannot forget about the chaos right here at home. Gun violence is killing our children. Nineteen students, and two of their teachers, in Uvalde two weeks ago. Twenty children, and seven others, in Newtown, Connecticut - nearly 10 years ago. Twelve students, and a teacher, at Columbine - 23 years ago. In between? Las Vegas - 58 dead. The Pulse Nightclub - 49 dead. Marjory … Continue Reading
06.07.22
Statement On Domestic Terrorism Threat After Buffalo Attack
Mr. Chairman, I appreciate you holding this hearing. But I find it difficult to comprehend that we are still in this position, having the same conversation about domestic terrorism and the racist ideologies motivating violence that are spreading across this country with little to no check against them. Instead, each day and each week seems to bring new tragic incidents, with an increasing number committed by individuals who hold white supremacist ideologies. No one should be afraid of being m… Continue Reading
06.06.22
Sanders, Welch And Ag Leaders Thank Leahy For Work On Behalf Of Vermont Farms And Farmers
RICHMOND, Vt. (MONDAY, June 6, 2022) - More than 100 Vermonters and representatives of agricultural organizations gathered at the West Monitor Barn on Saturday to thank U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) for his years of advocacy on behalf of farms and farmers. Leahy, who announced last November that he will not seek re-election to a ninth term in the Senate, said, "I am honored and humbled. I've been saying that a lot lately, but that's because it's true. Marcelle and I deeply appreciate the… Continue Reading
05.30.22
Memorial Day Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy
On this Memorial Day, Marcelle and I remember and pay tribute to those who gave their lives in service to the people and ideals of the United States. Their devotion has left an indelible mark on the character of our country, and in remembering them this day we are called to carry on their struggle - one to make our land more free, more fair, and a boon to those who have the least. As the Senate closes in on passage of the SFC Heath Robinson PACT Act, Marcelle and I also remember in a special w… Continue Reading
05.26.22
Leahy And Allies Introduce Bill To Close Tax Loophole That Lets Corporations Write Off Penalties For Wrongdoing As Ordinary Business Expenses
(THURSDAY, May 26, 2022) - U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Thursday reintroduced legislation to close a tax loophole that allows corporations to write off the punishment they receive for egregious wrongdoing as an "ordinary" business expense. Punitive damages are rarely imposed, and only on bad actors whose reckless misconduct resulted in extreme consequences, and usually great harm to peoples' lives. Such damages are intended to impose a punishment on the wrongdoer so that more responsible… Continue Reading
05.25.22
Statement On The Reappointment Of Guatemalan Attorney General Maria Consuelo Porras
Many hoped that President Giammattei would reject the corruption and impunity that his predecessors institutionalized. The reappointment of Attorney General Porras, who according to the State Department has "repeatedly obstructed and undermined anti-corruption investigations," shows that it's business as usual. Democracy cannot survive without an independent judiciary, which Attorney General Porras has sought to dismantle by persecuting prosecutors and judges who have stood up for the prin… Continue Reading
