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Press Releases
Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Ludlow Elementary School
On November 19, Senator Leahy held an online chat with 12 students from Ludlow Elementary School's 6th grade classroom. The Senator enjoyed answering the students' challenging questions related to immigration policy, the recent midterm elections and the ways that Democrats and Republicans can work together to solve the nation's problems. He enjoyed telling the students the story of when he brought batman to visit the Kellogg Hubbard Library in Montpelier.… Continue Reading
11.19.14
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Committee On The Judiciary, On Record-Breaking Fraud Enforcement Penalties In 2014
[Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) commented Thursday on news that the Department of Justice has recovered a record-breaking $24 billion in settlements and judgments under the False Claims Act and similar laws in 2014. Much of these penalties were paid by financial institutions, including Citibank and JPMorgan, for their roles in the mortgage and financial crisis that began in 2008. Senator Leahy is the author of the Fraud Enforcement Recovery Act, a law that strengthens tools… Continue Reading
11.19.14
Leahy, Sanders, Welch Encourage Vermont Dairy Farmers To Enroll In New Dairy Safety Program
We want to get this message to every Vermont dairy farmer as quickly as possible, because the deadline for taking advantage of the new dairy safety net program is just around the corner. We are encouraging every Vermont dairy farmer to consider participating in the new Margin Protection Program (MPP) for Dairy that we worked to include as a part of the 2014 Farm Bill. With the end of the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) program, MPP is now the only federal safety net available for dairy farme… Continue Reading
11.19.14
Danville, Vermont Post Office Named After Thaddeus Stevens
, Nov. 19 - Vermont's congressional delegation today announced that Congress has passed a measure that will rename the post office in Danville after Thaddeus Stevens. The Vermont native led efforts in the Civil War-era to pass a constitutional amendment to abolish slavery in the United States. The legislation will be sent to the president. The Academy Award winning movie "Lincoln" provided a fresh look at Stevens' role in fighting for the passage of the 13th Amendment to end slavery. Stevens i… Continue Reading
11.18.14
Senate Republicans Block Historic Legislation To Reform Nation’s Sweeping Surveillance Laws
(Tuesday, November 18, 2014) - Senate Republicans on Tuesday night blocked the Senate from even debating widely supported legislation to reform the nation's surveillance laws and protect Americans' privacy rights. The USA FREEDOM Act of 2014, which is strongly supported by privacy advocates, technology leaders, and reformers from across the political spectrum, would usher in the most significant surveillance reforms since the USA PATRIOT Act was enacted in 2001. Key provisions in that law are… Continue Reading
11.18.14
Reaction Of Senator Patrick Leahy To Senate Defeat Of The Keystone XL Pipeline Bill Tuesday Night
"The Senate has narrowly avoided a wrong turn that would have reflected the energy policy of the past. "I hope this will help open the door to a constructive debate about energy policy. We need to continue to promote a cleaner energy future. For our national interest, for our economic vitality, and for cleaner air to counter climate change, America needs renewable energy sources and greater efficiencies and the new jobs that go with them." # # # # # [Leahy voted "no" on the bill and spoke a… Continue Reading
11.18.14
Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, On the USA FREEDOM ACT of 2014
It has been more than a year since Americans first learned that the government had been secretly sweeping up the telephone records of innocent Americans - regardless of whether there was any connection whatsoever to terrorism or criminal activity. I introduced the original USA FREEDOM Act last October with Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner, and the Judiciary Committee held six public hearings to address these issues. During those hearings, we learned that the bulk phone records collection program… Continue Reading
11.18.14
Senate Floor Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) In Opposition To S.2280, The Bill To Approve The Keystone XL Pipeline
Later today, the Senate will vote on whether to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline. I strongly oppose the fast-tracking of this process. This pipeline poses considerable safety and environmental risks here in the United States, and it threatens the natural landscapes that are in the heartland of America. This pipeline is one of the most striking examples of how our unquenchable thirst for oil is destroying our environment. This destruction will continue until we move forward with the implement… Continue Reading
11.18.14
Leahy Calls On Senators To Protect Americans’ Privacy Rights & Support NSA Reform
(Tuesday, November 18, 2014) - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) urged Senators to take up and pass the USA FREEDOM Act of 2014, which faces a critical procedural vote Tuesday night. Leahy introduced the bipartisan legislation in July, after the Judiciary Committee had six public hearings on the nation's surveillance authorities. Ahead of Tuesday night's procedural vote, editorials in the Washington Post and the New York Times each called on the Senate to act before the … Continue Reading
11.17.14
Leahy Applauds Senate Passage Monday Night Of The Child Care Development Block Grant Act of 2014
(MONDAY, Nov. 17, 2014) - U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) released the following statement after the Senate gave its final approval to the Child Care Development Block Grant Act (CCDBG). The CCDBG serves as the primary federal grant program providing child care assistance for low-income families and child care initiatives. Vermont uses the block grants to assist low-income families gain access to quality child care and after school programs. "It is promising to see such strong bipartisan s… Continue Reading
11.17.14
Supporters Amp Up Pressure For Senate To Take Up & Pass Historic NSA Reform Ahead Of Key Vote Tuesday
(Monday, November 17, 2014) - Supporters of the USA FREEDOM Act of 2014 continued urging Senators to take up and pass the legislation, which faces a critical procedural vote on Tuesday. An unprecedented coalition of the nation's leading technology companies sent an open letter to the Senate on Monday declaring that "Now is the time to move forward on meaningful change to our surveillance programs." The letter was signed by AOL, Apple, Dropbox, Evernote, Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Tw… Continue Reading
11.15.14
2015 Health Care Open Enrollment - November 15, 2014 – February 15, 2015
For Vermonters already enrolled in Vermont Health Connect: If you have changes to your information (income, employment, personal), you must complete this form and mail to: VERMONT HEALTH CONNECT, 103 SOUTH MAIN STREET, WATERBURY, VT 05671-8100. You may visit Vermont Health Connect at any time to estimate your premium tax credit and browse new plans. Useful information on the Affordable Care Act Tax Provisions can be found here. For Vermonters signing up for the first time: If… Continue Reading
11.14.14
Leahy: Vermont’s Village Revitalization Initiative Recognized With Award By The National Trust For Historic Preservation
(FRIDAY, Nov. 14, 2014) - The Village Revitalization Initiative - a cooperative effort between Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and the Preservation Trust of Vermont - is drawing more national recognition as the recipient of a National Trust for Historic Preservation Richard H. Driehaus Award for the preservation and restoration of Vermont's historic buildings and communities, in downtowns across the state. The award to the Trust and to Leahy was presented at the annual National Preservation Confe… Continue Reading
11.14.14
Further Comments Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The FairPoint Labor Impasse
I am encouraged to see that FairPoint, IBEW, and CWA have responded positively to the meeting requested by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services (FMCS), scheduled to convene in Boston on November 18. Hopefully the exploratory nature of this meeting, as part of the FMCS process, will present an opportunity for the parties to re-engage in dialogue. Thousands of Vermonters and customers throughout New England rely on FairPoint for their businesses, residential, and emergency services. … Continue Reading
11.14.14
Leahy Statement on President’s $3 Billion Climate Change Pledge Friday, November 14, 2014
(FRIDAY, Nov. 14, 2014) - U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) released a statement about the announcement of President Obama's pledge that the United States will contribute as much as $3 billion to a new international fund, the Green Climate Fund (GCF), to help the world's poorest countries limit the impacts of climate change. The GCF has many similarities with Global Environment Facility (GEF), which was strongly supported by the administration of President George W. Bush. With this announceme… Continue Reading
11.14.14
Broad Coalition of Stakeholders Line Up In Support Of NSA Reform Ahead Of Key Senate Vote Next Week
(Friday, November 14, 2014) - Privacy advocates, technology leaders, and reformers from across the political spectrum are urging the Senate to take up and pass the USA FREEDOM Act of 2014 next week. Senators are expected to vote on a procedural motion Tuesday on the bipartisan legislation. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), the author of the bipartisan bill to end the government's dragnet collection of phone records, is urging Senators to act ahead of next year when key… Continue Reading
11.13.14
Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Committee on the Judiciary On Senate Consideration of the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act
As another polar vortex bears down on states across the country this week, we must consider how the dropping temperatures across the nation will impact those who do not have refuge from the cold. The issue of homelessness is especially urgent in places like my home state of Vermont. For those of us lucky enough to have warm homes, winter brings a magical beauty. But for those without shelter, the cold nights can be deadly. Unfortunately, for homeless teens, winter can also mean even greater vu… Continue Reading
11.13.14
Leahy Recognized For Leadership In Addressing Global Water Issues
(THURSDAY, Nov. 13, 2014) - Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Wednesday was presented with the WASH Advocate Award for his strong support for ending the global safe drinking water crisis. In a presentation in the U.S. Capitol, Leahy was joined by Vermont advocates Carolyn Meub and Barbara Carris of Pure Water For The World. Also on hand was his wife, Marcelle Leahy, a Registered Nurse. In one of Leahy's visits to Haiti to inspect relief efforts funded by Leahy's panel in the aftermath of the mas… Continue Reading
11.13.14
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, On Judicial Nominations
As we return from recess for the remaining days of the 113th Congress, I begin by congratulating my friend, Senator Chuck Grassley, who will become Chairman of the Judiciary Committee beginning in the 114th Congress. We have a very good working relationship, and I hope that this will continue when he assumes the chairmanship in January. We still have several weeks left in this Congress with much work left to be done. As history shows, when both sides work together, the lame duck session can b… Continue Reading
11.12.14
Senate Poised To Take Up USA FREEDOM Act of 2014 This Month
(Wednesday, November 12, 2014) -Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) on Wednesday urged swift passage of the USA FREEDOM Act in the final weeks of the 113th Congress, after the Senate moved toward a vote on the historic legislation. The bipartisan bill, which Leahy introduced in July, will restore Americans' privacy rights by ending the government's dragnet collection of phone records and by requiring greater oversight, transparency and accountability for domestic surveillance aut… Continue Reading
