Press Room
Press Releases
Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Fiscal Cliff Agreement
It is not the agreement that I or any one of us would have written on our own, but it does includes several important provisions that will benefit every Vermonter, our state's economy and the nation. The agreement continues unemployment benefits for those still struggling to find work during the fragile economic recovery. It prevents tax hikes that would have suddenly hit middle income families across Vermont. Something especially important to Vermont and our state's dairy farmers is the time… Continue Reading
01.02.13
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On Republican Objections To The Nomination Of David Medine As Chairman of The Privacy And Civil Liberties Oversight Board
[U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) issued the following comment Wednesday after Senate Republicans objected to confirming the nomination of David Medine to serve as chairman of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB). The Senate confirmed four PCLOB nominees in August, but without its chairman the board cannot fully function. Medine's nomination was pending on the Senate calendar since May.] "I am disappointed that Senate Republicans have refused to … Continue Reading
01.02.13
Comments Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Passing Of Bishop Moses Anderson
[Bishop Moses B. Anderson, retired auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Detroit, died on Jan. 1. He had been living in Livonia, Mich. Bishop Anderson and U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont became lifelong friends while both were at Saint Michael's College in Winooski, Vt.] "Bishop Moses Anderson and I became close friends at Saint Michael's College, where I was an undergraduate student. And after Marcelle and I married, he became a close friend of our family, even baptizing one of our … Continue Reading
01.02.13
Leahy Hails Passage of Legislation to Make Technical Improvements to the Bipartisan Leahy-Smith America Invents Act
(Wednesday, January 2, 2013) - The House Tuesday passed legislation, amended last week by the Senate, to make technical corrections to the bipartisan Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, which was signed into law in 2011. The legislation seeks to clarify and improve the patent reform law, and to streamline its implementation. With yesterday's House vote, the bill now goes to the President's desk for signature. "The important reforms made by the America Invents Act go a long way toward improving the… Continue Reading
01.01.13
Leahy Secures Key Additions To Dairy Safety Net In 'Cliff' Package
(TUESDAY, Jan. 1) -- The fiscal cliff fix passed by the Senate in the wee hours of the new year Tuesday morning also includes a dairy cliff fix crucial to Vermont dairy farmers, secured during intense negotiations by Senator Patrick Leahy. The package also extends the farm bill through the end of this September. The Senate-passed bill will continue the MILC safety net program, including crucial "feed cost adjuster" formulas insisted on by Leahy that are vital in helping dairy farmers cope with… Continue Reading
12.31.12
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On Chief Justice Roberts’ Year-End Report On The Federal Judiciary
"Chief Justice John Roberts, in his annual year-end report, chose to focus much of his attention on cost-saving measures by the Federal courts, and he rightly calls on the other two branches to support the judiciary with needed resources so that the justice system can work for all Americans. I thank the Chief Justice for continuing to raise this issue and I applaud the dedicated work of so many public servants who work in our nation's Federal courts. "I echo the Chief Justice's call for the ap… Continue Reading
12.31.12
Senate Approves Leahy-Backed Bill To Reduce Rape Kit Backlog
(Monday, December 31, 2012) - U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) on Monday hailed the Senate's passage late Sunday of legislation to improve the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Reduction Program, a successful grant initiative aimed at reducing the backlog of untested rape kits throughout the country. The provision coauthored by Leahy and attached as an amendment to the SAFER Act improves the Debbie Smith Program, a program enacted in 2004 to reduce a national backlog of r… Continue Reading
12.30.12
Senate Confirms Nominee To Lead Antitrust Division At Department Of Justice
(Sunday, December 30, 2012) - U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) welcomed Sunday the Senate's vote to confirm William Baer to be an Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division in the Department of Justice. Baer's nomination was favorably reported by the Judiciary Committee in September. # # # # # Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, On the Confirmation of William Baer to be Assistant Attorney General D… Continue Reading
12.27.12
Leahy Urges Senate To Support Stronger Oversight And Shorter Sunset For FISA Amendments Act
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Thursday urged lawmakers to adopt the Judiciary Committee's substitute amendment to extend expiring surveillance authorities under the FISA Amendments Act (FAA), which includes important reporting and oversight provisions and a shorter sunset to ensure a more thorough Congressional review. The Senate Thursday afternoon began debate on Leahy's amendment to the pending FISA legislation. "While there is no question that the surveillance powers established in the FISA … Continue Reading
12.27.12
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy On H.R. 5949, Extension Of The FISA Amendments Act Of 2008
When Congress passed the FISA Amendments Act of 2008, it granted the Government sweeping new electronic surveillance powers which, if abused or misused, could impinge on the privacy rights of Americans. Congress enacted these controversial authorities with the understanding that it would re-examine these provisions within four years, and determine whether to allow these authorities to continue. While there is no question that the surveillance powers established in the FISA Amendments Act have … Continue Reading
12.21.12
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Removal Of Leaks Provisions In The Intelligence Authorization Act
"I commend the authors of this bill for eliminating the provisions in the original legislation that would have undermined the freedom of the press. The public's right to know is a cornerstone of our American democracy, and a free and vibrant press ensures that every citizen has access to information about what their government is doing. "The unauthorized disclosure of classified information is wrong. The individuals who perpetrate these improper disclosures should be punished. But we must a… Continue Reading
12.21.12
Leahy’s Bill To Improve Program That Supports Injured First Responders Clears Congress, Goes To President’s Desk
(FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2012) - Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Friday won final congressional approval of his "Dale Long Act," which will remedy coverage gaps in the federal program that provides a crucial safety net for the families of first responders who are killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. Leahy noted that millions of Americans in recent days saw the heroism of EMTs working for such local private nonprofit first-responders as Connecticut's Newtown Ambulance Corps. "Their inval… Continue Reading
12.21.12
Leahy Warns About The Impending 'Dairy Cliff'
Remarks Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) On The Farm Bill Impasse And The "Dairy Cliff" December 21, 2012 Congressional Record I have spent time on the Senate floor this week talking about the emergency supplemental appropriations bill to address Hurricane Sandy. But today I remind the Congress of another impending disaster. Unlike Sandy, but exactly like the fiscal cliff crisis, this is a man-made disaster that can and must be averted by December 31. Unfortunately, this calamity has been… Continue Reading
12.21.12
Leahy Supports Passage Of Legislation Updating The Video Privacy Protection Act
(Friday, December 21, 2012) - U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) welcomed the Senate's passage of legislation updating Video Privacy Protection Act. With the Senate's unanimous approval on Thursday night, the legislation now goes to the President for signature. The legislation, which passed the House of Representatives last week and is sponsored by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), allows consumers to share video viewing information via the Internet, while preserving priva… Continue Reading
12.20.12
Leahy Calls On House To Pass Senate VAWA Bill Before Adjourning For The Year
(Thursday, December 20, 2012) - U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), lead author of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, called on Thursday for House Republicans to do the right thing in the final days of the 112th Congress and pass the Senate-passed measure that protects all victims against domestic and sexual violence. In a statement, Leahy noted that he has sought a bipartisan compromise with House Republicans on the key tribal provision in the Senate bi… Continue Reading
12.20.12
Leahy Hails Passage Of Senate Resolution Honoring Civil Rights Icon Rosa Parks
(Thursday, December 20, 2012) - The Senate unanimously passed Wednesday night a resolution observing the 100th birthday of Rosa Parks, the civil rights icon whose heroism helped inspire the civil rights movement. As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) was a leader in championing the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006. Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), on the Passage of… Continue Reading
12.19.12
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On His Decision To Continue To Chair The Senate Judiciary Committee
"Chairing the Judiciary Committee and maintaining my seniority on the Appropriations Committee will allow me to protect both the Constitution and Vermont." # # # # #… Continue Reading
12.19.12
House Approves Leahy Bill to Address Trade Secret Theft
(Wednesday, December 19, 2012) -- The House of Representatives late Tuesday overwhelmingly approved legislation authored by Judiciary Committee Chairman Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) to address the theft of trade secrets. The bill clarifies the scope of the Economic Espionage Act (EEA), in response to a recent Second Circuit decision that interpreted the law narrowly. It makes clear that the EEA protects all trade secrets related to a product or service used in interstate commerce, strengtheni… Continue Reading
12.19.12
Judiciary Holds Hearing On Voting Rights Act And The 2012 Elections
(Wednesday, December 19, 2012) - The Senate Judiciary Committee is currently holding a hearing on "The State of the Right to Vote After the 2012 Election." Committee Chairman Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) had a lead role in reauthorizing the Voting Rights Act in 2006 and has long championed voting rights and voting access for all citizens. Numerous reports before and during the 2012 elections highlighted the adverse effects of various state laws and practices on the voting rights of many Americ… Continue Reading
12.18.12
Leahy Hails President’s Signing Of Legislation To Implement Patent Law Treaties
(Tuesday, December 18, 2012) - President Barack Obama Tuesday signed into law legislation authored by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) to implement two patent law treaties that will help American businesses expand into foreign markets. The Patent Law Treaties Implementation Act of 2012 implements two treaties that will help American businesses expand into foreign markets by reducing obstacles for obtaining patent protection ove… Continue Reading
