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Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Opening Remarks: Protecting A Precious, Almost Sacred Right: The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
[A day after Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) introduced his long-awaited bill modifying his John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday is holding a hearing on Leahy's bill. Leahy has long been the author and chief sponsor of the Senate bill to remedy Supreme Court decisions that undermined the Voting Rights Act. Leahy's opening statement FOLLOWS:] Today, the Committee is discussing the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, a bill that I have champione… Continue Reading
10.05.21
Leahy Leads 48 Senators In Introducing John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
(TUESDAY, Oct. 5, 2021) - U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Tuesday along with Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and 45 other Senators introduced legislation to restore the landmark Voting Rights Act (VRA) and stop the spreading scourge of voter suppression. The legislation - the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act - is named for an icon of the Civ… Continue Reading
10.05.21
Statement On Introduction Of The Senate John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
It is with hope, pride, and optimism that I rise today to honor the legacy of an icon of the Civil Rights Movement, a hero of democracy, and a dear friend of mine: John Lewis. More than anything, John Lewis was a man of action. Where he saw suffering, he tried to end it. Where he saw injustice, he tried to correct it. Where "good trouble" was needed, he showed up for it. The most fitting way to honor the legacy of John Lewis is to take action ourselves. So it is with pride that today I int… Continue Reading
10.05.21
Leahy Remarks Hearing On “Renewing And Strengthening The Violence Against Women Act”
Thank you to Chair Durbin and Ranking Member Grassley for holding this hearing. The Violence Against Women Act has been a bedrock of the Federal Government's response to domestic violence and sexual assault since it was enacted in 1994, and it is certainly one of the most consequential pieces of legislation within this Committee's jurisdiction. But with our evolving world comes the need to not only reauthorize this law, but to update and strengthen it as well. In 2013, passing a strong, bipa… Continue Reading
10.05.21
Maj. Leader Schumer Floor Remarks On The Introduction Of The New John Lewis Voting Advancement Act (sponsored and Introduced by Leahy)
(TUESDAY, Oct. 5, 2021) - Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor regarding the introduction of the new John Lewis Voting Advancement Act, legislation that, as a complement to the Freedom to Vote Act, would restore critical safeguards of the original Voting Rights Act. Below are Senator Schumer's remarks, which can also be viewed here: Despite all we must do in the coming weeks, Senate Democrats remain strongly committed to advancing legislation in this cham… Continue Reading
09.30.21
Letter On Firearms Exports To Mexico
Letter On Firearms Exports To Mexico.… Continue Reading
09.30.21
BREAKING: Senate Passes Leahy Amendment To Avert Shutdown At Midnight And To Fund Government Through Dec. 3
(THURSDAY, Sept. 30, 2021) - The U.S. Senate Thursday passed the Leahy Amendment to fund the government by continuing resolution through December 3rd with a strong bipartisan vote of 65 to 35. As Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) was the chief architect of the legislation to stave off a government shutdown that would have taken effect at Midnight tonight (Thursday). In addition to funding the government through December 3rd, the Leahy Amendment prov… Continue Reading
09.29.21
Leahy And Cornyn Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Support American Innovation And Reduce Litigation
(WEDNESDAY, Sept. 29, 2021) -- Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas), both, members of the Senate Intellectual Property Subcommittee, on Wednesday introduced a new bill, the Restoring the America Invents Act, to address problems for small businesses and ordinary Americans caused by poor-quality patents. Leahy chairs the Subcommittee. The patent system creates incentives to promote the progress of science and the useful arts for the benefit of the public. High-quality… Continue Reading
09.29.21
Statement On Recent Verdicts In Honduras
Mr. LEAHY. I want to speak briefly about the recent decision by the National Jurisdiction Sentencing Court in Honduras to acquit Honduran nationals Edwin Espinal and Raúl Álvarez. Both men were found to have been falsely accused of aggravated property damage, aggravated arson, and the use of homemade explosives, charges for which it turned out the government had no credible evidence. Espinal and Álvarez spent 19 months in a maximum-security prison awaiting trial. They w… Continue Reading
09.28.21
Senate Sponsors Laud House Passage Of EQUAL Act
Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Rob Portman (R-OH), Rand Paul (R-KY), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Patrick Leahy (D-VT), the bipartisan Senate sponsors of the EQUAL Act, issued the following statement: "Today, House Republicans and Democrats joined together in passing the EQUAL Act, legislation that will once and for all eliminate the unjust federal crack and powder cocaine sentencing disparity. Enjoying broad support from faith groups, civil rights organizations, law enforcement, a… Continue Reading
09.27.21
Durbin, Leahy Urge President Biden To End Lethal Force Outside Of War Zones, Revise Nation’s Counterterrorism Policies
U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today sent a letter to President Biden urging the administration to revise our nation's policy regarding use of lethal force. Over the course of the past three administrations, Durbin and Leahy have raised questions about the legal bases and consequences of lethal strikes. As the Biden administration is reportedly deliberati… Continue Reading
09.27.21
Statement On The Continuing Resolution And The National Debt
Today the Senate will hold a vote to allow for the consideration of a temporary stop-gap measure to keep the government funded through December 3rd. The measure also provides $28 billion to help states ravaged by hurricanes and wildfires, like Hurricane Ida that recently tore through the south and the northeast. It provides critical assistance to Afghan refugees who have fled the Taliban in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Finally, it will raise the debt ceiling through Dece… Continue Reading
09.23.21
Leahy: Save America’s Treasures Program Awards More Than $950,000 For Vermont Historic Preservation
(THURSDAY, Sept. 23, 2021) - Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) is announcing that the National Park Service (NPS) has awarded $967,933 in Save America's Treasures grants to three Vermont projects. Save America's Treasures funds the preservation, rehabilitation and conservation of nationally significant historic properties and collections. Shelburne Farms will receive $500,000 for rehabilitation of the 1891 Breeding Barn, which the organization hopes to turn into a three-season gathering place. The … Continue Reading
09.22.21
Leahy, Sanders And Welch Lead Regional Push For Organic Dairy Support
(WEDNESDAY, Sept. 22, 2021) - Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Representative Peter Welch (D-Vt.) Wednesday led a bicameral group of Northeastern lawmakers in urging Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to close organic loopholes, strengthen enforcement, and use every tool available to support small- and mid-sized organic dairy farmers. The letter follows news that Horizon Organic, a subsidiary of multinational food conglomerate Danone, plans to terminate contracts… Continue Reading
09.21.21
Leahy And Tillis Introduce Bipartisan Bills To Boost American Innovation
(TUESDAY, Sept. 21, 2021) -- Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Intellectual Property Subcommittee, on Tuesday introduced a pair of bipartisan bills aimed at improving the participation of Americans from all backgrounds in the patent system and ensuring that the public knows the true owners of patents. The Unleashing American Innovators Act builds on the legacy of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, which was enacted ten y… Continue Reading
09.21.21
Statement On H.R. 5304, The Extending Government Funding And Delivering Emergency Assistance Act
I support the continuing resolution introduced today by my friend and colleague, House Appropriations Committee Chair DeLauro. This bill will keep the government funded through December 3rd while we continue to work on the Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations bills. It also includes critical relief for those impacted by the devastating hurricanes that have destroyed communities along the Gulf Coast and in the northeast, as well as for communities ravaged by wildfires and other natural disasters. … Continue Reading
09.16.21
Leahy, Issa, Eshoo Lead Letter Asking Patent Office To Reverse Policy Keeping Drug Prices Out Of Americans’ Reach
(THURSDAY, Sept. 16, 2021) - Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, and Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.), Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, joined by Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Congressman Tom… Continue Reading
09.09.21
Intellectual Property Chairman Leahy And Ranking Member Tillis Ask Patent Office To Address Soaring Drug Prices
(THURSDAY, Sept. 9, 2021) - Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, along with Ranking Member Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Thursday asked the Patent Office to address an issue that is a significant cause of soaring drug prices for Vermonters and all Americans. In a letter to the Patent Office, Leahy, joined by Tillis, explains that drug companies sometimes try to artificially extend their monopolies on existing drugs by seeking a new patent … Continue Reading
09.01.21
Comments About Vermont Welcoming Afghan Refugees
"I am gratified that Vermont is volunteering to welcome and resettle one hundred Afghans who have fled their country in recent weeks. Many of these Afghans supported the U.S. military and our government over the past two decades, risking their lives and the safety of their families. Vermonters recognize that it is our moral obligation to provide them refuge from retaliation and persecution by the Taliban and other extremist groups in Afghanistan. "Vermont has a long history of warmly welcomin… Continue Reading
08.31.21
Comment On The End Of U.S. Military Operations In Afghanistan
Twenty years ago, the United States embarked on a military campaign to bring Osama bin Laden and those who carried out the September 11th terrorist attacks to justice. That mission was achieved a decade ago, yet we stayed in Afghanistan another decade in pursuit of the unrealistic and unachievable goal of turning Afghanistan into a unified, democratic society. It cost the lives of thousands of Americans and coalition supporters, and hundreds of thousands of Afghans, many, civilians. It was lo… Continue Reading
