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Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The President’s Address On Climate Change And Power Plant Emissions
I agree with the President that climate change represents one of the greatest challenges of our time, but it is also a challenge uniquely suited to our strengths as a country. Our scientists, researchers, universities and entrepreneurs stand ready to design and build new, less polluting energy sources. Vermont's and our country's farmers and forestland owners stand ready to grow renewable fuels. American businesses will innovate and develop new energy technologies that will reduce pollution a… Continue Reading
06.25.13
Leahy: A Vermonter’s Perspectives On Immigration, Family Values, And American Values
(TUESDAY, June 25, 2013) -Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), who is managing consideration of the comprehensive immigration reform bill before the Senate, delivered the following statement Tuesday about his family's immigration experience. "Nearly every American family has a story like mine and Marcelle's. We are more alike than we are different from today's immigrants and first-generation Americans. The majority of new immigrants will continue this proud tradition… Continue Reading
06.25.13
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, On Supreme Court Decision Shelby County v. Holder
[BACKGROUND: In a divided 5-4 decision, a narrow majority of the Supreme Court struck down the coverage formula of the Voting Rights Act, which determines which jurisdictions that have a history of discrimination require preclearance under Section 5. The Court's decision impacts the effectiveness of Section 5 of the landmark Voting Rights Act which provides significant protections against voting discrimination. The Voting Rights Act, including the coverage formula and Section 5, was reauthori… Continue Reading
06.24.13
Leahy Urges Bipartisan Compromise For Comprehensive Immigration Reform
(Monday, June 24, 2013) -The Senate will cast a procedural vote Monday on the Hoeven-Corker amendment to the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), who is managing the bill on the floor, said the Republican amendment is part of the Senate's bipartisan process to passing comprehensive immigration reform. "This is not the amendment I would have drafted," Leahy said, but "Because their amendment will incr… Continue Reading
06.24.13
Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, U.S. Senate Committee On The Judiciary, On Introduction of the FISA Accountability and Privacy Protection Act of 2013 Senate Floor
For more than a decade, the Government's ability and authority to gather information and electronic communications data about those suspected of, or connected to, potential terrorists has greatly increased. However, the Government should have such powerful authorities only if there is proper oversight, accountability, and transparency, to ensure we maintain both our nation's security and the fundamental civil liberties upon which our nation was founded. I have long been troubled by the expansi… Continue Reading
06.24.13
Leahy, Van Hollen and Members of House and Senate Join in Bicameral Effort Urging the FDA to Protect Consumers Who Rely On Generic Prescriptions
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) joined with Senate HELP Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Senator Al Franken (D-Minn.), and Representatives Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Bruce Braley (D-Iowa), Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), and Matthew Cartwright (D-Penn.) Monday to call for regulatory action by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in light of today's 5-4 Supreme Court decision in Mutual Pharmaceuticals v. Bartlett. The decision held that a New Hampshire woman who suffer… Continue Reading
06.24.13
Leahy Renews Legislative Push to Limit Surveillance Authorities & Bolster Oversight
- Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) on Monday introduced legislation that would add important reforms and improve certain provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act and FISA Amendments Act. The FISA Accountability and Privacy Protection Act of 2013 will bolster existing privacy safeguards and require greater oversight, transparency, and accountability in connection with the government's expansive domestic surveillance powers. "The recent public revelations about two classified … Continue Reading
06.21.13
Leahy Amendment To Limit Border Zone Vehicle Stops And Searches of Private Land Is Included In New Bipartisan Border Agreement
The bipartisan immigration compromise reached in the Senate Friday includes a key provision championed by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) to help protect the privacy and property rights of millions of people who live near the Northern Border. It makes significant progress in addressing the broad border zones where officials may stop vehicles and enter private land without warrants. Other Leahy-related provisions included in the compromise agreement include improvement… Continue Reading
06.21.13
Leahy Statement On Republican Border Security Amendment
(FRIDAY, June 21, 2013) -Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) made the following statement Friday about the Hoeven-Corker amendment to the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act. Leahy is managing consideration of the legislation on the floor, and led the Judiciary Committee's extensive markup process last month. "One of the reasons I decided to continue chairing the Senate Judiciary Committee is because of this once-in-a-generation cha… Continue Reading
06.21.13
New York Times article (6/21/13), “Military Says Law Barring U.S. Aid To Rights Violators Hurts Training Mission.”
New York Times article (6/21/13), "Military Says Law Barring U.S. Aid To Rights Violators Hurts Training Mission," on the Pentagon's challenge to the longstanding Leahy Amendment, the U.S. government's key human rights tool, first enacted in 1997 and made permanent in subsequent years. To read the story, click here.… Continue Reading
06.21.13
Military Says Law Barring U.S. Aid to Rights Violators Hurts Training Mission
New York Times article (6/21/13), "Military Says Law Barring U.S. Aid To Rights Violators Hurts Training Mission," on the Pentagon's challenge to the longstanding Leahy Amendment, the U.S. government's key human rights tool, first enacted in 1997 and made permanent in subsequent years.… Continue Reading
06.20.13
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Expected Nomination Of James Comey To Be The Director Of The FBI
"I congratulate James Comey, the expected nominee to be the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Mr. Comey showed the kind of independence needed to lead the FBI when he stood up to those in the last administration who sought to violate the rule of law. I hope that Senators will provide Mr. Comey with the swift and respectful confirmation he deserves. "I also congratulate Director Mueller for his unprecedented tenure at the FBI. He led the Bureau during an era of daunting n… Continue Reading
06.20.13
Reaction Of Senator Patrick Leahy To House Defeat Of The Farm Bill
House Republican leaders again have chosen to hypercharge the Farm Bill with partisanship. They have trumped practicality with ideology, at the expense of farmers and consumers and millions of families who constantly struggle to keep hunger and malnutrition at bay. The Farm Bill that came out of the House Agriculture Committee was a bipartisan bill that had the support of Republicans and some of the committee's Democrats, even with the heavy cuts to the nutrition programs. That support quickl… Continue Reading
06.20.13
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, On The Supreme Court’s Decision In Agency For International Development v. Alliance For Open Society International
[The Supreme Court ruled 6-2 Thursday that a policy of the United States Agency for International Development requiring private health organizations to denounce prostitution as a condition of receiving U.S. government assistance violates the First Amendment. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) joined an amicus brief in the case that argued the policy could not be constitutionally justified, and he has previously stated that private organizations need flexibility to effectively combat HIV/AIDS.] "The… Continue Reading
06.20.13
#CIRfloor: Manager's Amendment Will Allow Consideration Of Non-Controversial Amendments So That Debate May Proceed
From The Senate Judiciary Committee Majority Staff S. 744: The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act Manager's Amendment Will Allow Consideration of Non-Controversial Amendments so that Debate May Proceed This morning, Chairman Leahy filed a Manager's Amendment that contains 27 non-controversial amendments filed by Republican and Democratic Senators. He urged Senators to agree to vote on this amendment so that orderly consideration of amendments may proceed. … Continue Reading
06.20.13
Leahy Urges FTC To Act Against Patent Trolls
(Thursday, June 20, 2013) -Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Thursday urged the Federal Trade Commission to more aggressively pursue enforcement actions against patent trolls under its existing consumer protection authority and create a website for small businesses to report abuse. The letter follows a hearing in April in which Chairman Leahy asked Chairwoman Ramirez about the FTC's authority to prevent abusive behavior. In a letter to FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez, Lea… Continue Reading
06.20.13
#CIRfloor: Senators Must Come Together To Consider Amendments & Pass Historic Immigration Legislation
FROM THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE MAJORITY STAFF S. 744: THE BORDER SECURITY, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, AND IMMIGRATION MODERNIZATION ACT Senators Must Come Together to Consider Amendments & Pass This Historic Bill "I worked with President Bush in 2006 when he supported comprehensive immigration reform. I urge Senate Republicans to work with us now. Senators from both sides of the aisle worked together to develop this legislation. Then Senators from the Judiciary Committee considered i… Continue Reading
06.19.13
#CIRfloor: Comprehensive Immigration Reform Will Grow & Strengthen Our Economy
From The Senate Judiciary Committee Majority Staff S. 744: The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act CBO Report Shows That Comprehensive Immigration Reform Will Grow and Strengthen Our Economy The Congressional Budget Office Tuesday night released its analysis of S.744, the Border Security and Economic Opportunity Immigration Modernization Act. It concluded that S.744 would decrease federal budget deficits by $197 billion over the 2014-2023 period, and b… Continue Reading
06.19.13
Leahy Chairs SJC Oversight Hearing With FBI Director Mueller
(Wednesday, June 19, 2013) - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) is chairing a hearing this morning on oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Director Robert Mueller is testifying before the panel. Testimony, member statements, and a webcast of the hearing are available online. Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Oversight Of The Federal Bureau Of Investigation June 19, 2013 Today, the Judiciary Commit… Continue Reading
06.19.13
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, On The Congressional Budget Office Estimate For The Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act, S. 744
"The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has confirmed what supporters of comprehensive immigration reform have long understood-that reforming our Nation's broken immigration system makes economic sense. I welcome CBO's report today that confirms testimony that the Senate Judiciary Committee received months ago from economic experts and business leaders. The bipartisan immigration reform legislation before the Senate will spur the economy and reduce our deficit, and CBO's positive report t… Continue Reading
