Press Room
Press Releases
Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Leahy: Senate Should Pass Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act Today
(Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013) - U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) on Thursday called on Democrats and Republicans to support the bipartisan Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA), which the Senate is debating today. The Leahy-authored bill updates and reauthorizes VAWA, the landmark law enacted in 1994 and twice reauthorized by Congress, which provides important protections for victims of domestic and sexual violence. The Senate passed a nearly identical measu… Continue Reading
02.05.13
Leahy Embassy Security Bill Passes Senate
-- The U.S. Senate Monday night approved legislation authored by Senator Patrick Leahy to transfer surplus funds for Iraq to U.S. embassy security needs in several locations that have been identified in the post-Benghazi review. Leahy's bipartisan bill would authorize the State Department to transfer to embassy security purposes up to $1.1 billion in previously appropriated funds that are no longer needed in Iraq because of reduced operations there. Leahy chairs the Appropriations Committee's… Continue Reading
02.04.13
Senate Begins Consideration Of Leahy-Crapo Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act
(Monday, February 4, 2013) - The Senate voted overwhelmingly Monday night to proceed to the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA), bipartisan legislation that provides important protections to victims of domestic and sexual violence. U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), lead author of the bill, said the Senate's procedural vote Monday was an important first step in advancing the measure. "Our bill has more than 60 bipartisan Senate cosponsors, and togeth… Continue Reading
02.01.13
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Retirement Of United States Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan
[Judiciary Committee Chairman Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) issued the following comment Friday on the announcement that Mark Sullivan, U.S. Secret Service director, will step down from his position later this month. Sullivan began serving as Secret Service director in 2006.] "I thank and congratulate Director Sullivan on his three decades of service in federal law enforcement, and particularly the last seven years that he has served as director of the Secret Service. I have known Director Su… Continue Reading
02.01.13
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Departure Of FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz
[Judiciary Committee Chairman Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) issued the following comment Friday on the announcement that Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz will step down from his position later this month.] "I applaud the excellent work that Chairman Leibowitz has done at the Federal Trade Commission to protect consumers, preserve competition and safeguard privacy. For instance, Jon worked diligently both with the Judiciary Committee and in the courts to stop the anticompetitive… Continue Reading
02.01.13
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On Senate Consideration Of S.47, The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act
[FRIDAY, February 1, 2013-The Senate on February 4 will begin consideration of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) is the lead author of this bipartisan legislation, which is coauthored by Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho.) and cosponsored by 60 Senators. Similar legislation was approved overwhelmingly by the Senate last year, but the House of Representatives failed to act on the bill.] "I am pleased the Senate will next week turn its focus to reauthorizing t… Continue Reading
01.31.13
Senator Leahy's 'Dear Colleague' Letter, Urging Senate Support For His Bill To Renew And Strengthen The Violence Against Women Act
On January 28, Senator Leahy joined with Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) to send this 'dear colleague' letter to members of the Senate, urging them to. his bill to renew and strengthen the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). # # # # #… Continue Reading
01.31.13
First Payments To Dairy Farmers Set For Next Week Under Leahy’s MILC Fix In The New Year’s Day ‘Cliff’ Package
(THURSDAY, Jan. 31, 2013) -- Vermont dairy farmers will be eligible for safety net payments retroactive to last September under legislation that U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) included in the New Year's Day 'fiscal cliff' rescue package, and the first payments will be made next week. USDA Farm Service Agency Vermont State Executive Director Robert Paquin says that in implementing Leahy's provisions, USDA will issue the first payments beginning Feb. 5, under the Milk Income Loss Contract (MI… Continue Reading
01.31.13
Senate Judiciary Committee Adopts Memberships For Subcommittees For 113th Congress
(Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013) - The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday approved the proposed subcommittees, jurisdictions, chairs and ranking members, and membership rosters for the 113th Congress. The Committee now has seven subcommittees, including two new subcommittees: the Bankruptcy and the Courts Subcommittee; and the Oversight, Federal Rights and Agency Action Subcommittee. The Committee's rules were also adopted Thursday. For information about upcoming hearings, nominations, legislation… Continue Reading
01.30.13
Judiciary Committee Holds First Congressional Hearing On Gun Violence
(Wednesday, January 30, 2013) - The Senate Judiciary Committee is currently holding a hearing entitled "What Should America Do About Gun Violence?," a hearing called by Committee Chairman Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) in the wake of the tragedy that recently struck Newtown, Conn., and Sandy Hook Elementary School. Testimony, member statements, and a webcast of the hearing are available online. # # # # # On December 14, America's heart was broken when 20 young children and six dedicated educ… Continue Reading
01.29.13
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On President Barack Obama’s Announcement On Immigration Reform
[TUESDAY, January 29, 2013-- U. S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) issued the following comment Tuesday after President Barack Obama announced his proposals for comprehensive immigration reform. The Judiciary Committee is the primary committee of jurisdiction for immigration reform, and Chairman Leahy announced Tuesday that the Committee will hold its first hearing on immigration reform in two weeks, on Feb. 13.] "President Obama should be commended for making Comprehe… Continue Reading
01.29.13
Casey, Leahy Call for Independent Investigation into Possible War Crimes by Sri Lankan Government, LTTE
Today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) called for an independent, international investigation into potential war crimes committed by the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE during the civil war in Sri Lanka. In a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Senators said such an investigation is needed because the legitimate concerns of the Sri Lankan people have not been answered by the government. "The Sri Lankan people deserve better," Senator Casey said. "Sri Lan… Continue Reading
01.29.13
The New York Times: A New Push On Domestic Violence (Editorial)
In an editorial Tuesday, The New York Times calls on the Senate to quickly take up and pass the bipartisan Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, and for the House to quickly follow suit. U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Senator Michael Crapo (R-Idaho) reintroduced VAWA just last week. Leahy is pushing for prompt Senate action on the Leahy-Crapo bill, and floor consideration is expected to begin next week. Excerpts: "The reintroduced Senate bill … Continue Reading
01.29.13
The New York Times: A New Push On Domestic Violence (Editorial)
In an editorial Tuesday, The New York Times calls on the Senate to quickly take up and pass the bipartisan Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, and for the House to quickly follow suit. U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Senator Michael Crapo (R-Idaho) reintroduced VAWA just last week. Leahy is pushing for prompt Senate action on the Leahy-Crapo bill, and floor consideration is expected to begin next week. Excerpts: "The reintroduced Senate bill … Continue Reading
01.28.13
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy Commemorating Data Privacy Day
Today I join privacy advocates, industry leaders and national, State and local government officials from across our Nation in celebrating Data Privacy Day -- a day to recognize the need to better secure our privacy and security in cyberspace. I am also pleased to join Senators on both sides of the aisle in cosponsoring a Senate resolution to commemorate Data Privacy Day. In the Digital Age, Americans face new threats to their digital privacy and security as consumers and businesses alike coll… Continue Reading
01.25.13
Leahy Announces Witnesses For January 30 Hearing On Gun Violence
(Friday, January 25, 2013) - The Senate Judiciary Committee Friday released a list of witnesses invited to appear at a January 30 Senate hearing focusing on gun violence in America. Earlier this month, in a speech laying out his priorities for the Committee at Georgetown University Law Center, Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) highlighted the need to examine national gun policies and announced his intention to hold the first congressional hearings on gun violence of the 113th Congress. … Continue Reading
01.25.13
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, On Report On LGBT Victims Of Domestic And Sexual Violence
[Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), lead author of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, issued the following comment Friday after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released its first-ever report on domestic and sexual violence in the LGBT community. The study found that lesbians and gay men reported higher rates of intimate partner violence and sexual violence than heterosexuals. The VAWA bill that Leahy introduced Tuesday with Sena… Continue Reading
01.25.13
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy In Support of the Compromise on Senate Rules Reform
During my 38 years in the Senate, I have served with Democratic majorities and Republican majorities, during Republican administrations and Democratic ones. Whether in the majority or the minority, whether the Chairman or Ranking Member of a Committee, I have always stood for the protection of the rights of the minority. Even when the minority has voted differently than I have or opposed what I have supported, I have defended their rights and held to my belief that the best traditions of the S… Continue Reading
01.24.13
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Nomination Of Senator John Kerry To Be Secretary Of State
MR. LEAHY. Mr. President, I commend President Obama for nominating Senator Kerry to be our next Secretary of State. There are few, if any, people in America today who have had the breadth of experience that Senator Kerry has had - as a military officer, as a Lieutenant Governor, as a U.S. Senator, and as the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. He is exceptionally well qualified to be the next Secretary of State. John Kerry is a leader of extraordinary intellect, wisdom and insight… Continue Reading
01.24.13
The Leahy Letter -- Inauguration Photo Special Edition
This inaugural was all the more meaningful that it took place on our national day of remembrance of the life and example of Dr. Martin Luther King. Once again, it was moving especially to see the vast tapestry of so many people drawn together in common purpose on the Mall. And once again it was a special thrill and a point of pride to hear the Marine Band perform under the baton of a fellow Vermonter. The President's address was a bold call to action that he rooted in our enduring ideals. Th… Continue Reading
