Press Room
Press Releases
Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Senate Poised To Begin Debate Of Historic Immigration Reform Bill
Senate Poised To Begin Debate Of Historic Immigration Reform Bill Legislation The Result Of Five Markups In Judiciary Committee WASHINGTON (Friday, June 7, 2013) -Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), who led the Judiciary Committee in hours of markups to consider the bipartisan immigration reform bill now poised for debate in the full Senate, called on lawmakers to allow for the same open and transparent process on the Senate floor. In a floor statement Friday, Leahy outlined the Committee's extens… Continue Reading
06.07.13
Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, S.744 and Immigration Modernization Act
Last month, the Senate Judiciary Committee held lengthy and extensive public markup sessions to consider the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act, S. 744. We worked late into the evenings debating the bill and considering hundreds of amendments. The public witnessed our consideration first hand, saw our proceedings streamed on the internet and broadcast on television. We posted proposed amendments on our website and updated the Committee's website to incl… Continue Reading
06.06.13
Comments Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Committee On The Judiciary, On Government Surveillance And The USA PATRIOT Act
"The powerful law enforcement tools authorized by the USA PATRIOT Act require careful monitoring and close oversight. That is why I pressed for sunset provisions, judicial review and other safeguards, many of which were included in the original law. Since then I have continued to push for greater oversight and transparency in the way the government conducts electronic surveillance. The privacy rights of Americans can be especially fragile when powerful technologies are applied in secrecy. I … Continue Reading
06.06.13
Vermont Delegation Urges Obama to Act on Disaster Aid Request
, June 5 - Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today urged President Barack Obama to support Gov. Peter Shumlin's request for disaster assistance in the wake of damaging floods caused by heavy rains and a freak May snowstorm. Up to eight inches of rain and a more than a foot of snow fell in parts of Vermont from May 22 to May 26. The heaviest downpours in northern Vermont caused flash flooding that severely damaged roads, bridges and homes. Altog… Continue Reading
06.05.13
Reaction Of Senator Patrick Leahy To The Selection Of Susan Rice To Be The Next National Security Advisor, And Samantha Power To Be The Next U.S. Ambassador To The United Nations
"I applaud the President for his selection of Ambassador Rice and Samantha Power. They are intellectually gifted advisors of the highest integrity, devoted to defending the interests and values of the United States. While many speak of the daunting challenges of the job of National Security Advisor, I prefer to focus on its opportunities, and Ambassador Rice will embrace them in ways that will enhance the security and reputation of the nation. I know of no one more capable than Samantha Power… Continue Reading
06.05.13
George Will Writes About The Leahy-Paul Justice Safety Valve Act, And The Problem Of Mandatory Minimum Sentencing –
Link to George Will's column, "Seeking Sense On Sentencing," here. Information about the Leahy-Paul bill, here.… Continue Reading
06.04.13
The Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013 has reached the Senate Floor
After being approved on a bipartisan vote from the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee in May, the 2013 Farm Bill has moved to the Senate Floor. Vermonters again had a front and center seat in the writing of the Farm Bill through the advocacy of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), the most senior member of the Agriculture Committee and a former chairman of the panel. The Senate's bipartisan bill would accomplish the most far-reaching reform of U.S. agriculture policy in decades, replacing direct payme… Continue Reading
06.04.13
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) On the Nomination Of Patricia Millett, Nina Pillard, and Judge Robert Wilkins to the D.C. Circuit
[Judiciary Committee Chairman Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) issued the following comment after attending the Rose Garden event Tuesday, during which President Barack Obama nominated Patricia Millett, Nina Pillard, and Judge Robert Wilkins to fill the three vacancies on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. Leahy also made a floor statement Monday about the process for considering the nomination of Sri Srinivasan, who was recently confirmed to fill a vacancy left open since 2005. Srinivasan was con… Continue Reading
06.04.13
Reaction of Senator Patrick Leahy To The Convictions In Egypt Of 43 NGO Workers
[Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) chairs the State Department's budget panel, the Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on State Department And Foreign Operations. He is the author of the conditions on U.S. military aid to Egypt.] "The unjust convictions of Egyptian and American citizens by the Egyptian Government, for nothing more than working to defend the fundamental rights of all Egyptians, is appalling and offensive to people of goodwill in Egypt and across the globe. It is part of an ominou… Continue Reading
06.04.13
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, On The White House Proposal To Combat Patent Trolls
[Judiciary Committee Chairman Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) issued the following comment Tuesday on the White House's release of proposals and administrative actions to combat patent troll abuse. Leahy said recently that he will soon introduce legislation this Congress to ensure American retailers and innovating businesses are not impeded by misuse of the patent system. Leahy is also a lead author of the bipartisan Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, the landmark patent reform law which was signe… Continue Reading
06.03.13
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee Correcting the Record On Judicial Nominations
Before the Senate went into recess, I was disappointed with statements made to the Senate that misstated the history of Judge Srinivasan's confirmation process. The Senator who said that the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee made "no effort, no effort" to have a hearing on Judge Srinivasan until late last year was misinformed. We made efforts in the fall before the election to schedule such a hearing and renewed our push to have a hearing on his nomination before the end of the session. I w… Continue Reading
06.03.13
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) On The Passing Of Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.)
"Frank Lautenberg was a true public servant. From his courageous service in the Army during World War II, to his dedication to the residents of New Jersey, his record represents the spirit and commitment of the greatest generation of which he was a part. The Senate will miss his statesmanship and his leadership. And I will miss a very dear friend. Marcelle and I send our sympathy to Bonnie and his family." # # # # #… Continue Reading
05.31.13
Leahy/Sanders/Welch/Shumlin: Joint Statement On The Air Force’s Revised Draft Environmental Impact Statement On F-35 Basing
NEWS from Senator Patrick Leahy | Senator Bernie Sanders Congressman Peter Welch | Governor Peter Shumlin Joint Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy, Senator Bernie Sanders, Congressman Peter Welch and Governor Shumlin On The Air Force's Revised Draft Environmental Impact Statement On F-35 Basing Friday, May 31, 2013 "The revised draft Environmental Impact Statement is lengthy, at more than 2500 pages, and will take time to carefully and thoroughly review. We understand that the major cha… Continue Reading
05.29.13
Remarks of Senator Patrick Leahy: "Leahy Center Environmental Summit: Blue Water In Green Mountains" Echo At The Leahy Center For Lake Champlain
Good morning, and welcome to the Leahy Center Environmental Summit. When I think about it, it is hard to believe that 10 years have passed since the doors were opened to this center for learning, research, and the exchange of ideas. Since then, well over one million visitors have passed through its doors. Children and adults alike have explored its exhibits, learned about our "Great Lake," and opened their eyes to the world of environmental science. This is a true public-private partnership,… Continue Reading
05.27.13
Memorial Day Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy
Memorial Day is when Americans set aside time to remember those who died in service to our country. It is important to keep them in thoughts and prayers not only on Memorial Day, but every day. Vermonters have always answered their nation's call to duty. Our state suffered disproportionate losses in Iraq and Afghanistan. Throughout our state, as families plant flowers on the graves of their loved ones, and veterans place the American flag at the graves of all who served, let us all thin… Continue Reading
05.23.13
Comments Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The President’s National Security Address
The President's speech today underscores that in order to keep our nation safe and secure, we must do so in ways consistent with our values and in accordance with the rule of law. I applaud his renewed vow to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, which I have long said contradicts our most basic principles of justice, undermines our national security, and degrades our standing abroad. I am also encouraged that the administration is taking steps to improve transparency as it pertains… Continue Reading
05.23.13
Senate Votes To Confirm D.C. Circuit Court Nominee
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) hailed the unanimous confirmation Thursday of Sri Srinivasan to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. Leahy also criticized Republican efforts to delay a floor vote of the highly qualified nominee, who waited months for a confirmation hearing and who was first nominated nearly one year ago. "For the second time this year, the Majority Leader was forced to file cloture on one of President Obama's well-qualified nominees to the D.C. Circuit,… Continue Reading
05.21.13
#CIRmarkup: DAY FIVE RECAP: COMMITTEE CONCLUDES CONSIDERATION OF IMMIGRATION REFORM BILL
From The Senate Judiciary Committee Majority Staff S. 744: The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act Day Five Recap: Committee Concludes Consideration of Immigration Reform Bill The Senate Judiciary Committee today completed consideration of S.744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act. The immigration reform bill will make the first truly comprehensive reforms to the nation's immigration system in a generation. The bi… Continue Reading
05.21.13
Judiciary Committee Completes Historic Consideration Of Comprehensive Immigration Reform
The Senate Judiciary Committee approved Tuesday the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act, a bipartisan bill to reform the nation's immigration laws. The Committee held five markup sessions to consider the bipartisan legislation, debating more than 200 amendments offered by members of both parties. Tuesday's vote also comes after six hearings in the Judiciary Committee on the issue of immigration reform, including three focused specifically on the legislation… Continue Reading
05.21.13
Leahy Statement On Removing Discrimination From Broken Immigration System
(TUESDAY, May 21, 2013) -Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) made the following statement Tuesday about his amendments to the comprehensive immigration bill to provide equality in immigration law by allowing American citizens who are in long term committed relationships to sponsor their foreign partners or spouses for green cards. "I take the Republican sponsors of this important legislation at their word that they will abandon their own efforts if discrimination is remov… Continue Reading
