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Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Senate Judiciary Committee Holds Hearing On Comprehensive Immigration Reform Legislation
(Friday, April 19, 2013) - The Senate Judiciary Committee is currently holding a hearing on bipartisan legislation to reform the Nation's immigration system. The hearing chaired by Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) marks the Committee's fourth immigration-related hearing this year. 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 "Comprehensive Immigration Reform … Continue Reading
04.18.13
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, On Supreme Court Decision Limiting American Judicial Recourse For International Human Rights Violations
[Judiciary Committee Chairman Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) issued the following statement Thursday regarding a Supreme Court decision in Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum Co. A majority of the Court ruled that the Alien Tort Statute, a law enacted in 1789, does not apply to human rights violations committed in other countries. Specifically, the Court ruled that Nigerian citizens could not use American courts to sue a multinational oil company alleged to have aided the military dictatorship that… Continue Reading
04.18.13
Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee On the Nominations of Analisa Torres and Derrick Watson
Monday's confirmation of Judge Beverly O'Connell marked the 150th confirmation of a Federal trial court nomination by President Obama. Thanks to Senate Republicans' concerted effort to filibuster, obstruct and delay his moderate judicial nominees, it took almost one year longer to reach this milestone than it did when his Republican predecessor was serving as President, 10 months in fact. I have repeatedly asked Senate Republicans to abandon their destructive tactics. Their unwillingness to d… Continue Reading
04.18.13
Statement of Chairman Leahy Department of State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee Hearing FY 2014 Budget Request
I want to welcome our new members, Senators Shaheen, Begich, Johanns, and Boozman. This subcommittee may not be the most popular, and what we do may not get the most attention, but it is the counterpart to the Defense Appropriations subcommittee for how we project United States leadership and protect our interests around the world. I want to welcome Secretary of State Kerry who knows this budget backward and forward from his years as a member and chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. … Continue Reading
04.18.13
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt., Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, and President Pro Tempore of the Senate) On Gun Violence Votes In The Senate
The Senate has cast aside the views of the vast majority of Americans who support commonsense steps to improve gun safety, and we can only imagine the sense of abandonment felt by the parents of Sandy Hook's children and by the many other victims of senseless gun violence. This has not been the Senate's finest hour. I have such great respect and appreciation for the Senate's special role in our system of government. I have seen the Senate rise up in courage and conviction and bipartisanship t… Continue Reading
04.18.13
SJC Begins Consideration Of Leahy-Authored Legislation To Update The Electronic Communications Privacy Act
- The Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday began consideration of bipartisan legislation authored by Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) that updates the Electronic Communications Privacy Act. The Committee will continue considering the bipartisan measure cosponsored by Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) next week. "Today we have the opportunity to move forward on a bipartisan proposal, consistent with the Fourth Amendment, to better protect the "right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, pape… Continue Reading
04.17.13
Leahy: Senate Should Support Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Gun Trafficking
- Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), author of the bipartisan Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act that would make illegal the abusive practice of straw purchasing and trafficking of firearms, said Wednesday that a Republican alternative to his proposal would do nothing to help law enforcement investigate and prosecute these crimes. The Judiciary Committee approved Leahy's measure, coauthored by Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), last month on a bipartisan vote and after the pan… Continue Reading
04.17.13
Comments Of Senator Patrick Leahy, Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, On Vermont’s Priorities In Immigration Reform And The Proposals From The 'Gang Of Eight'
"Immigration reform is a national imperative, and it's also an opportunity to fix broken parts of the system that are especially important to Vermont. Vermont dairy farmers particularly have a big stake in Congress getting this right. "Vermonters will have a front-and-center seat as this comprehensive immigration reform bill is considered. In the Judiciary Committee we have had many hearings on immigration issues in recent years, and three so far this year. The next two hearings I have set,… Continue Reading
04.17.13
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) On The Unveiling Of Bipartisan Legislation To Reform The Nation’s Immigration System
[Judiciary Committee Chairman Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) issued the following statement Wednesday following the release of a comprehensive immigration reform proposal from the "Gang of Eight." The Committee has held three hearings on the issue of immigration reform this year alone and will hold a fourth hearing Friday on the bill proposed today. The Committee will hold a fifth immigration hearing on Monday.] # # # # # "Now that we have comprehensive immigration reform legislation to revie… Continue Reading
04.16.13
Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, Hearing before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights on “Oversight of the Enforcement of the Antitrust Laws”
Our Nation's antitrust laws play a vital role in protecting hardworking Americans. By ensuring vibrant competition in our markets, the antitrust laws increase consumer choice, lower prices, and promote innovation. I am pleased that the Antitrust Subcommittee is conducting its regular oversight of the Federal agencies that enforce these important laws on behalf of American consumers. Today, the subcommittee convenes its first such oversight hearing with our new chair. I welcome Chair Klobucha… Continue Reading
04.16.13
Leahy, Sanders Join In Introducing Bill To Give Seniors, Taxpayers Better Deals In Negotiating Drug Prices
[NEWS from the office of Senator Jay Rockefeller] Leahy, Sanders Join In Introducing Bill To Give Seniors, Taxpayers Better Deals In Negotiating Drug Prices As Congress Works to Responsibly Reduce the Federal Deficit, the Bill Would Help Make Sure Pharmaceutical Companies Pay Their Share WASHINGTON, D.C - Senators Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Dick Durbin (D-IL),… Continue Reading
04.15.13
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Events Monday In Boston
"Like all Vermonters, Marcelle and I are struggling to absorb the tragic news and images from Boston. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, and we anxiously await word especially about Vermonters and all who traveled to Boston for the race." # # # # #… Continue Reading
04.15.13
Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, On the Nomination of Judge Beverly O’Connell
Since the American people first elected President Obama, Senate Republicans have been engaged in a concerted effort to filibuster, obstruct and delay his moderate judicial nominees. They have already, during the last four years, filibustered more of President Obama's moderate judicial nominees than were filibustered during President Bush's entire eight years - 67 percent more, in fact - and there is no dispute that President Bush was engaged in an effort to pack the courts with ideological extr… Continue Reading
04.15.13
Leahy: Improving The Background Check System Is A Matter Of Common Sense
[Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) spoke on the Senate Floor Monday in support of a bipartisan amendment to the Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act currently before the Senate that would improve the nation's background checks system for gun purchases. The amendment, authored by Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) closes the so-called gun show loophole while protecting Americans' Second Amendment rights.] # # # # # Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Cha… Continue Reading
04.15.13
Leahy Announces Additional Hearings On Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced Monday that the Committee will hold another hearing, set for next week, to examine pending legislation to reform the Nation's immigration system. It will be the fifth immigration hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee this year. "Over the course of the next week, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold two hearings on a forthcoming, bipartisan proposal to reform the Nation's broken immigration system," Leahy said. "I am wor… Continue Reading
04.15.13
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Committee On The Judiciary On IRS Email Access Policy And The Electronic Communications Privacy Act Amendments Act of 2013 (S. 607)
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Committee On The Judiciary On IRS Email Access Policy And The Electronic Communications Privacy Act Amendments Act of 2013 (S. 607) April 15, 2013 "Like many Americans, I am concerned about the growing and unwelcome intrusions into our private lives in cyberspace. I have long believed that our government should obtain a search warrant -- issued by a court -- before gaining access to our email and other private communications. This wee… Continue Reading
04.11.13
Leahy And Coons Reintroduce Legislation To Encourage The Humanitarian Work Of American Innovators
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Committee member Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) reintroduced legislation Thursday that encourages the use of patented technology to address humanitarian needs. The bill strengthens an awards program created last year by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the Patents for Humanity Program, which recognizes patent holders who use their technology to improve the quality of life in impoverished countries. Leahy also joine… Continue Reading
04.11.13
Leahy: Republicans Must Allow Debate On Bipartisan Legislation To Reduce Gun Violence
[The Senate will vote today on a procedural motion to consider a legislative package aimed at curbing gun violence. Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), lead author of the Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act of 2013 that is included in the broader package, spoke Thursday morning on the Senate Floor in favor of the measure and called on Republicans to allow the debate to go forward, and not to impose a needless filibuster to block debate.] # # # # # Statement of Senator Pa… Continue Reading
04.10.13
Leahy Continues To Lead Open Process For Immigration Reform
[Judiciary Committee Chairman Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) issued the following statement Wednesday regarding the Committee's process for considering comprehensive immigration reform this spring. Leahy has consistently said he will lead an open and inclusive process. The Committee has so far this year heard from 16 witnesses, including Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, over the course of three hearings, and will next week hear further testimony from Napolitano and an additional pane… Continue Reading
04.10.13
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee On Judicial Nominations
Today the Judiciary Committee welcomes Sri Srinivasan. I thank Senator Coons for chairing this important hearing. This hearing was originally planned for January, having been delayed from last year when this nomination was first made by the President. I agreed to an additional delay at the request of the Ranking Member in order to allow time for our staffs to better understand what, if any, role the nominee had in his current position as Principle Deputy Solicitor General of the United States… Continue Reading
