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Press Releases
Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Leahy & Cornyn Press For CIA To Retain Email Records
(Monday, December 1, 2014) -Responding to reports that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is seeking to adopt a new email retention policy that would allow the agency to purge thousands of emails from nearly all of its employees, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) are urging the archivist of the United States to reject the proposal that undermines oversight of the agency. "We are concerned that this policy would undermine the ability o… Continue Reading
11.25.14
Judiciary Chair Leahy Urges Visa, MasterCard To Recommit Their Efforts To Address Illegal Activity Online
(Tuesday, November 25, 2014) -Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) is urging leading payment processors to prevent use of their payment networks by websites that are dedicated to online copyright infringement. While Visa and MasterCard both have policies prohibiting the use of their cards for illegal activities, a recent study released by the Digital Citizens Alliance and NetNames revealed that 29 of 30 leading websites known as "cyberlockers," which exist to unlawfully sto… Continue Reading
11.24.14
Comments Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The President's Announcement Of The Departure Of Defense Secretary Hagel
"I thank Secretary Hagel for his decades of military and public service, and for his commitment to the American people and American values, at home and abroad. "Having worked with Chuck in the Senate, as well as during his tenure leading the Defense Department, I know firsthand of his integrity, decency and tirelessness. He was the first former enlisted combat soldier to serve as defense secretary, and it was this experience that has been ever present in his work at the Pentagon. His vocal s… Continue Reading
11.21.14
Comment of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman Of The Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, And Related Programs, On The Ongoing Nuclear Negotiations With Iran
"I strongly support the ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran and hope that a verifiable agreement that prevents Iran from developing a nuclear weapon can be reached by the November 24th deadline. I recognize that some of our allies in the region have voiced concerns about the process. I urge all parties to engage in a constructive dialogue, which is crucial for progress and for the integrity of any outcome. Over the past year there has been progress toward eliminating the possibility of a n… Continue Reading
11.21.14
Senate Extends Satellite TV Law To Ensure Continued Coverage for Viewers
(FRIDAY, November 21, 2014) - The Senate Thursday night approved bipartisan legislation shaped by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and others that will ensure that 1.5 million satellite TV subscribers in Vermont and across the country will continue to receive access to their current television content for the next five years. The legislation reauthorizes the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act, a law known as "STELA," that provides consumers access to distant broadcast television content … Continue Reading
11.20.14
Leahy Reminds Congress That Immigration Executive Action Is ‘No Substitute For Legislation’
(THURSDAY, Nov. 20, 2014) - In a Senate floor statement Thursday, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) said the President's expected action on immigration is necessary, but noted that the move is not a replacement for legislation like the bill he steered to passage in the Senate last year. The Senate passed a comprehensive immigration reform bill with a bipartisan vote last year, but the House has failed to take up that measure or any other to address the nation's broken immigration system. Leahy said… Continue Reading
11.20.14
Judiciary Committee Unanimously Approves Leahy-Cornyn FOIA Improvement Act
(Thursday, November 20, 2014) -- The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday unanimously approved bipartisan legislation authored by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) that strengthens the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the nation's premier open government law. The FOIA Improvement Act requires Federal agencies to adopt a "Presumption of Openness" when considering the release of government information under FOIA, and it aims to reduce the overuse of exemptions to… Continue Reading
11.19.14
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
