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Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Leahy-Authored Bipartisan Anti-Corruption Bill
(Thursday, July 28, 2011) - The Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday approved bipartisan legislation authored by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) that will give prosecutors new tools to identify, investigate, and prosecute criminal conduct by public officials. The Public Corruption Prosecution Improvements Act (PCPIA) will strengthen existing federal criminal law for acts of public corruption, and raise maximum statutory penalties. The bill will also clarify the… Continue Reading
07.28.11
Leahy-Chaired Panel Approves Bill To Make Designer Drugs Known As “Bath Salts” Illegal
(Thursday, July 28, 2011) - A panel chaired by Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Thursday approved legislation to make synthetic drugs known commonly as "bath salts" illegal. The Combating Dangerous Synthetic Stimulants Act was approved unanimously by the Senate Judiciary Committee, and will make so-called "bath salts" a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act. Schedule I drugs have the highest abuse potential, and are not used for medical treatment in the United States. The h… Continue Reading
07.27.11
Leahy: Leadership, Stability, Continuity Needed At The FBI
(Wednesday, July 27, 2011) - The U.S. Senate later today will vote on the President's nomination of Robert S. Mueller, III, to be the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for up to two additional years. Mueller's 10-year term is set to expire on August 2. In May, President Obama requested that Congress enact legislation to provide for a one-time extension of Mueller's service. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) introduced bipartisan legislation in May to resp… Continue Reading
07.27.11
Leahy Chairs Hearing On Consular Notification Treaty Obligations
(Wednesday, July 27, 2011) - The Senate Judiciary Committee under the Chairmanship of Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) held a hearing Wednesday about U.S. obligations under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR), a key treaty ensuring access to consulates for citizens detained abroad. "Each year, thousands of Americans - including from every state represented by the Members of this Committee - are arrested overseas while they study, travel, work, and serve in the military," said Leahy. "Thei… Continue Reading
07.27.11
The Washington Post: Freedom of Information Act Needs a Push
Today, The Washington Post published an editorial endorsing the Faster FOIA Act, legislation authored by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) to make improvements to the nation's premier open government law, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Leahy has been a longtime leader in Congress on open government issues, and has partnered with Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas to author recent laws to strengthen FOIA, including the OPEN Government Act and the OPEN FOIA Act. The Senate unanimously ap… Continue Reading
07.26.11
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Renomination Of Robert S. Mueller, III, To Be The Director Of The FBI
"I am pleased the President has signed the bill to extend the FBI Director's term and sent the nomination of Robert Mueller to the Senate. I urge Senate leaders to promptly schedule a vote on the nomination. There is no time to waste to ensure that there is no lapse in leadership at the FBI." # # # # #… Continue Reading
07.26.11
Delegation Announces Northern Border Regional Commission Funding
, July 26 - Vermont's congressional delegation today announced that the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) will begin accepting applications for federal assistance beginning August 1st, with the goal of awarding approximately $1.25 million by September 30th. Vermont's delegation was influential in creating the NBRC, which directly invests federal resources for economic development and job creation in economically distressed regions of northern Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York.… Continue Reading
07.26.11
Senator Leahy's Address On The Debt Limit Crisis And The Proposed Solution Introduced Tuesday By Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
I applaud President Obama and Majority Leader Reid for real leadership and persistence over many months in trying to find a bipartisan solution to the debt crisis. Senator Reid has put forward a solution that would end the current crisis and reduce our unsustainable national debt. This is a solution that has the potential to draw support from lawmakers from both parties who are willing to put common sense and the national interest above partisanship and ideology. By repeatedly walking away fr… Continue Reading
07.26.11
Sanders And Leahy Promote New Effort to Expand Community Supported Agriculture
July 26 - Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I) and Patrick Leahy (D) on Tuesday introduced legislation to charter a competitive grant program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to promote Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). Vermont is a leader in the successful movement that directly links consumers with the farmers who grow their food. Since the concept first took hold 20 years ago there are now thousands of CSA farms across the country, with more than 100 farms in Vermont o… Continue Reading
07.26.11
Senate Confirms Two To Federal District Courts
(Tuesday, July 26, 2011) - The U.S. Senate Tuesday voted unanimously to confirm two nominees to fill vacancies on U.S. Federal District Courts. Paul Engelmayer was confirmed to fill a judicial emergency for the Southern District of New York, and Ramona Manglona was confirmed to fill a 10-year term on the District Court for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Both nominations were reported by the Senate Judiciary Committee without opposition on April 7, nearly four months ago.… Continue Reading
07.26.11
Freedom Of Information Act Needs A Push
THIS YEAR MARKS the 45th anniversary of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), a crucial, if sometimes sluggish, vehicle through which journalists can demand greater government openness and accountability. In May, in a rare moment of bipartisanship, Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and John Cornyn (R-Tex.) won unanimous Senate passage of the Faster FOIA Act, which would establish an advisory panel to examine the backlog of more than 69,000 FOIA requests. It's time for the House to take it up. While … Continue Reading
07.25.11
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On House Passage Of Legislation To Extend The Term Of FBI Director Robert Mueller
"I thank the House of Representatives, and particularly Chairman Smith and Mr. Conyers, for acting quickly on the bill to allow the term of FBI Director Mueller to be extended for two years. Now that the way is clear for the President to make his nomination, I hope Senate leaders will promptly schedule a confirmation vote on the nomination. The August 2 deadline is fast approaching and we should not delay until the eleventh hour." # # # # #… Continue Reading
07.25.11
Leahy To Chair Hearing On Consular Notification Treaty Obligations
(Monday, July 25, 2011) - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) will hold a hearing Wednesday, July 27, about U.S. obligations under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR), a key treaty ensuring access to consulates for citizens detained abroad. The hearing is entitled "Fulfilling Our Treaty Obligations and Protecting Americans Abroad." Last month, Leahy introduced the Consular Notification Compliance Act, which would give jurisdiction to federal courts to revie… Continue Reading
07.22.11
Leahy On Balanced Budget Amdt. Proposals: "Our Constitution Deserves Protection."
The Senate today defeated a proposal that would require Congress to approve a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. By a vote of 51-46, the Senate moved to table the bill, which passed the House of Representatives earlier this week. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) delivered the following remarks before the Senate vote. Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, On The Proposal Requiring An Amendment To The Constitution, H.R. 2560 July 22, … Continue Reading
07.21.11
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On Passage Of Legislation To Extend The Term Of FBI Director Robert Mueller
"Ten weeks ago, the President asked the Congress to extend the term of service of the FBI Director. I worked in a bipartisan manner to expeditiously report a bill from the Judiciary Committee to the full Senate. While no Senator opposed an extension of Director Mueller's term, some quibbled over the text of a bill to accomplish this goal, causing unnecessary delay. I believe the bill reported by the Committee was constitutional, and that the revisions to the bill are unnecessary. "Nonethele… Continue Reading
07.21.11
Senators Request Information About Special Immigrant Visa Program Backlogs
(Thursday, July 21, 2011) - A group of U.S. Senators sent a letter Wednesday requesting information from the Department of Homeland Security about backlogs at the Department that have stalled the issuance of special immigrant visas (SIVs) to Iraqi citizens who have risked their lives to help protect and assist U.S. servicemen and women, diplomats and other governmental entities supporting the U.S. mission in Iraq. The letter, led by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and signed by Senators Richard L… Continue Reading
07.21.11
Senate Panel Approves Leahy-Authored Second Chance Reauthorization Act
(Thursday, July 21, 2011) - The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee today approved legislation authored by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and cosponsored by Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) to help improve public safety and reduce prison costs for federal, state and local governments. The Second Chance Reauthorization Act improves existing assistance programs to help state and local authorities more successfully reintegrate prisoners into their communities and reduce the rate of repeat offenses. Leahy … Continue Reading
07.20.11
Leahy Chairs Historic Hearing On Bill To Repeal DOMA
(Wednesday, July 20, 2011) - The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday held the first-ever congressional hearing on proposals to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) earlier this month announced plans to hold the hearing. Testimony at the hearing focused on the damaging affect of DOMA on the lives of American families. Witnesses testified about how DOMA has caused significant economic harm to families, from how they are able to care for one… Continue Reading
07.19.11
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On White House Announcement Of Support For The Respect For Marriage Act
"I applaud the President's decision to endorse the Respect for Marriage Act, and I join with many Vermont families in celebrating his decision. Earlier this year, I was proud to join Senator Feinstein and others to introduce The Respect for Marriage Act, a bill that would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, and restore the rights of all lawfully married couples. The President understands that this civil rights issue affects thousands of American families. In these difficult economic times, we… Continue Reading
07.18.11
Senate Confirms Long-Pending District Court Judicial Nominee
(Monday, July 18, 2011) - The U.S. Senate Monday night voted overwhelmingly to confirm Paul Oetken to the Federal District Court for the Southern District of New York. Oetken will become the first openly gay federal district court judge. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) praised the historic nomination, calling Mr. Oetken "a superbly qualified nominee," and praised President Barack Obama for working to increase diversity on the federal judiciary. Oetken's nomination wa… Continue Reading
