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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 (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee On the Nominations of Shelly Dick and Nelson Román
Over the last month, Senate Republicans have failed to refute the facts of what they have done to President Obama's judicial nominations. The Senate's work on judicial nominations should not be about partisan point-scoring; it should be about ensuring the American people have access to justice. I rejected that partisan tit-for-tat approach while moving to confirm 100 of President Bush's judicial nominees in just 17 months in 2001 and 2002. The question for the Senate is, are we doing enough … Continue Reading
05.09.13
Bipartisan Leahy-Cornyn Amendment “Leahy1” Prohibits Border Crossing Fees to Promote Commerce and Support American Border Communities
From the Senate Judiciary Committee Majority Staff The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act (S.744) Bipartisan Leahy-Cornyn Amendment "Leahy1" Prohibits Border Crossing Fees to Promote Commerce and Support American Border Communities Whether they're from northern Vermont or southwest Texas, Americans living in border communities know their lives are interwoven with their neighbors across the border. Our children play sports across the border. Our fire de… Continue Reading
05.09.13
Leahy Amendment To Bar Border-Crossing Fees Is Approved By Senate Judiciary Committee, Added To Immigration Reform Bill
- The Senate Judiciary Committee, on a bipartisan voice vote, Thursday approved legislation authored by Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and cosponsored by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) that blocks the creation of a land border crossing fee. The amendment was Leahy's first to file and be offered to the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act, which the Judiciary Committee is currently considering. The amendment responds to a request by the Department of Homeland Sec… Continue Reading
05.09.13
The Time Is Now For Comprehensive, Smart Immigration Reform
From The Senate Judiciary Committee Majority Staff S. 744: The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act The Time Is Now For Comprehensive, Smart Immigration Reform The Senate Judiciary Committee has begun consideration of the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, legislation that will bring needed reforms to the nation's immigration system, bringing millions of people into the legal system, bolstering our economy, and uniting… Continue Reading
05.09.13
Leahy Kicks Off Committee Consideration Of Comprehensive Immigration Reform
The Senate Judiciary Committee is considering the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act, a bipartisan bill to reform the Nation's immigration laws. The legislation has been posted online for three weeks, and was also the subject of three hearings in April. The Committee has devoted a total of six hearings to the issue of immigration reform this year, including the Senate's first hearing on the topic in February. Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), who in January… Continue Reading
05.08.13
Stowe Elementary School
On Wednesday, May 8, Sen. Leahy held his fifth online chat of the 113th Congress with members of Stowe Elementary School's Student Council. Using the internet to communicate with the students and their teachers, Sen. Leahy answered the students' questions on several issues, including the rising cost of higher education, the conflict in Syria and the future of gun violence legislation. Leahy has long been a leader in Congress in connecting to schoolrooms with Internet tools. Listed below are t… Continue Reading
05.08.13
Leahy, Sanders, Welch: Vermont Awarded $1.8 M. To Transform Abandoned Industrial Sites Into Community Assets
(WEDNESDAY, May 8) - U.S. Sens. Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders and Congressman Peter Welch Wednesday announced that six Vermont organizations will be receiving a share of $1.8 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help assess, clean up, and reuse polluted industrial sites. Leahy, Sanders and Welch said the EPA's Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup grant program has helped dozens of Vermont communities turn old contaminated industrial sites into pa… Continue Reading
05.08.13
Leahy On Thursday Begins Markup Process For Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill
On Thursday the Senate Judiciary Committee will begin markup sessions on the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act, first by debating the sponsors' amendment that provides technical corrections and improvements to the legislation. Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) will next recognize members wishing to offer amendments to the so-called "trigger" section of the legislation. The committee will then move to Title I of the bill, which focuses on border enforcement. T… Continue Reading
05.08.13
Leahy: General Electric/Rutland Gains $5.4 Million Navy Contract
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Wednesday announced that General Electric Aviation of Rutland has been awarded a U.S. Navy contract for about $5.4 million for the development and production of fighter engines for the F/A-18 Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft. The contract, which is being divided among several regional GE plants, totals more than $45 million and is a modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract. GE Rutland receives 12 percent - about $5.4 million -- of the… Continue Reading
05.07.13
Leahy Files Additional Amendments To Immigration Reform Bill
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) on Tuesday filed several amendments to the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act. All amendments filed by Committee members will be available later tonight online. The Committee will meet on Thursday to begin consideration of the bipartisan immigration reform bill. Among Leahy's amendments is one that provides equality in immigration law by allowing American citizens who are in long term committed rela… Continue Reading
05.07.13
SJC Chairman Leahy Hails Confirmation Of Privacy Board Chairman
- The Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB) can operate at full strength now that the Senate voted to confirm its chairman David Medine, Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) said Tuesday. Medine's nomination was approved one year after he was reported by the Judiciary Committee and nine months after the Senate moved to confirm four other nominees to the privacy board. Leahy said the delay in taking up Medine's nomination "is reminiscent of how they have obstructed t… Continue Reading
05.07.13
Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy Hearing on USAID FY 2014 Budget Request Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations
Good morning. We are meeting today to hear testimony from Dr. Rajiv Shah, Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, who will discuss USAID's fiscal year 2014 budget request. Dr. Shah, thank you for being here. We have several new members on this subcommittee and I encourage you to be in contact with them. Those of us who have been here longer know that you are an articulate, passionate advocate for USAID and its mission. I do not envy anyone who is responsible… Continue Reading
05.06.13
Leahy Files Amendment To Block Border Crossing Fees
With markup set to begin Thursday on comprehensive immigration reform legislation in the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), the panel's chairman, Monday introduced an amendment to bar the creation of a land border crossing fee. It is the first amendment to the draft bill that Leahy has filed, and he will file others tomorrow. He has set Tuesday at 5 p.m. as the deadline for filing amendments for the upcoming markup sessions, which start on Thursday and are expecte… Continue Reading
05.06.13
A Tax For Crossing The Northern Border? This Vermonter Just Says NO
Last month the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) made a misstep in including in its budget proposal a request for appropriations to study charging people admission for crossing the border into the United States. It does not take a study to know that charging Canadian relatives, friends, tourists, business people and shoppers a fee to enter the United States is a bad idea. I do not intend to let this half-baked idea see the light of day. I will be fighting this on all fronts. This week, a… Continue Reading
05.03.13
Leahy, Sanders, Welch Announce: FEMA Reimbursement For the Town of Bennington
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I) and Rep. Peter Welch (D) Friday announced that the Town of Bennington will receive $1,579,952 in reimbursement for costs incurred to repair damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene. Leahy, Sanders and Welch said: "Twenty months after Tropical Storm Irene caused millions in damage to the Town of Bennington, FEMA has finally offered help. We are pleased that the agency responded to our request to reconsider its earlier refusal to reimburse the to… Continue Reading
04.30.13
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Committee On The Judiciary, On The President’s Remarks Tuesday On Guantanamo Bay
[Judiciary Committee Chairman Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) issued the following comment Tuesday after President Barack Obama reiterated his position that the military detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, should be closed - a view that Leahy has long shared.] "I remain deeply concerned that the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay remains open, and that Congress continues to stand in the way of closing it. As the President again has acknowledged, it is unnecessary, expensive and ineff… Continue Reading
04.25.13
Leahy & Cornyn Introduce Legislation To Reauthorize Landmark Justice For All Act
U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced legislation Thursday to reauthorize the Justice For All Act, a vital law that seeks to help ensure that the criminal justice system functions fairly. The bipartisan measure, introduced during Crime Victims' Rights week and on DNA Day, builds on the 2004 law by improving support services for crime victims and providing support to help state and local governments use DNA evidence to convic… Continue Reading
04.25.13
Sen. Leahy On Committee Consideration Of Bipartisan Immigration Reform Legislation
U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) on Thursday discussed the Committee's upcoming schedule for considering the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013. Leahy announced the first markup session on this bipartisan legislation will be on Thursday, May 9th, with amendments to the measure made publicly available ahead of time. The open and transparent process for considering this important measure comes after six Committee hearings… Continue Reading
04.25.13
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, On Celebration of World IP Day
This Friday, April 26, is "World IP Day," when countries around the world celebrate the role of intellectual property in encouraging innovation and creativity. It is an opportunity for us to acknowledge the authors, artists, and musicians who enrich our lives; the inventors whose work is transforming our digital economy; and creators around the world. Whether you are an inventor, a creative artist, or a small business owner protecting your brand, you deserve the benefit of your work. By prot… Continue Reading
04.25.13
SJC Approves Leahy-Lee Electronic Communications Privacy Amendments Act
The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday favorably reported bipartisan legislation coauthored by Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) to protect the privacy of emails, texts, social media posts and other electronic communications. Both Senators hailed the Committee's strong bipartisan support of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act Amendments Act of 2013, which updates one of the Nation's most important digital privacy laws. "All Americans -- regardless of political… Continue Reading
