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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 On The Nomination Of Paul J. Watford To The Ninth Circuit Court Of Appeals
(Monday, May 21, 2012) - The Senate will vote tonight at 5:30 p.m. on confirmation on the nomination of Paul Watford to be a judge on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The nomination was reported by the Senate Judiciary Committee in February. Since then, Senate Republicans have not consented to scheduling a vote on the nomination. Tonight's vote comes only after the Senate Majority Leader filed cloture on the nomination last Thursday. Senator Patrick Leahy chairs the Senate Judiciary Co… Continue Reading
05.18.12
Leahy And 5 Other Senators Want FDA To Block Misleading Sunscreens
- In an effort to ensure that sunscreen labels are clear, accurate, and provide consumers with the information they need to protect themselves, a group of U.S. senators, including Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and led by Jack Reed (D-R.I.), is asking the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reverse course and put comprehensive new sunscreen standards into effect this summer. Leahy has long been a leader on cancer research, prevention and treatment and is married to a cancer survivor, Marc… Continue Reading
05.17.12
Senator Leahy Welcomes Vermont Companies To Capitol Hill For Seventh Annual Taste Of Vermont
Senator Leahy is thrilled to welcome over 55 Vermont companies to Washington, D.C. for the Seventh Annual Taste of Vermont this evening. The event is an opportunity for Vermont businesses to showcase all of the high quality products and services that Vermont has to offer. Below is a list of many, but not all, of the businesses that will participate this year. Against the Grain Gourmet Foods Bakery at Farmhouse Kitchen Ben & Jerry's Bien Fait Specialty Cakes Bove's of Vermont Cabot Crea… Continue Reading
05.17.12
Leahy Is Among 42 Senators Making Bipartisan Call For Timely Debate On The 2012 Farm Bill
- With the clock running out on current agriculture policies authorized in the last Farm Bill, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) is part a bipartisan group of 42 senators who this week called on their leaders on both sides of the aisle to cooperate in scheduling floor debate on the next Farm Bill. The Senate Agriculture Committee approved a proposed 2012 Farm Bill on April 26 in a strong bipartisan vote of 16 to 5. Leahy is the committee's most senior member and a past chairman of the panel. The … Continue Reading
05.17.12
Judiciary Committee Approves Nominees To Privacy Board
WASHIGNTON - The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday approved a slate of nominees to reconstitute the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board. The Board was originally created by Congress in 2004, at the recommendation of the 9/11 Commission, to be located within the Executive Office of the President. However, in 2007, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, worked to make the Board an independent entity within the Executive Branch. The Board has be… Continue Reading
05.17.12
Leahy Shepherds Bulletproof Vest Grant Reauthorization Through Committee
The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), approved legislation Thursday to reauthorize the lifesaving Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program, a federal grant program that helps state and local law enforcement agencies purchase bulletproof vests for officers working in the field. Leahy authored the law establishing the matching grant program. The bill will now go to the full Senate for consideration. "This is National Police Week, and it is fitting that the… Continue Reading
05.17.12
White River Junction Mail Processing Plant to Stay Open
The U.S. Postal Service mail-sorting center at White River Junction, Vt. will remain open, Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) announced today. The Postal Service decision to continue operating the White River Junction plant once targeted for closure is part of a new national plan by Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe. The latest plan was developed after sweeping service cuts he proposed ran into widespread opposition from postal customers, busine… Continue Reading
05.16.12
Comment of Senator Patrick Leahy On House Vote On VAWA Reauthorization Legislation
"Just last month, after an open debate and votes on amendments offered by both Democratic and Republican Senators, the Senate approved strong legislation to meet the needs of all victims of domestic and sexual violence in our Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. That strong, bipartisan vote sent a clear signal to victims and advocates that politics have no place in our efforts to end these terrible crimes. "I will continue to work with the supporters of the Senate bill, including thos… Continue Reading
05.16.12
Vermont in Line for at Least $30 Million More for Irene Recovery
Gov. Peter Shumlin today joined Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) in announcing that Vermont could receive more than $30 million in additional federal funding for Tropical Storm Irene recovery projects. Shumlin on May 3 asked President Obama to increase the reimbursement rate for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's public assistance program. Leahy, Sanders and Welch wrote to Obama urging the president to grant the state's request. "Given … Continue Reading
05.16.12
Leahy: House Should Support Senate Bipartisan Bill To Support ALL Victims Of Violence
[Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) is the lead author the bipartisan Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, which was passed by the Senate in April in a strong, bipartisan vote. Later today, the House of Representatives will vote on VAWA related bill that leaves behind many victims of domestic and sexual violence. Leahy spoke on the Senate floor this afternoon urging the House to take up the Senate passed bill.] Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committe… Continue Reading
05.16.12
Leahy Chairs SJC Oversight Hearing With FBI Director Mueller
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy is chairing a hearing this morning on oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Director Robert Mueller is testifying before the panel. 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 Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation May 16, 2012 It is appropriate that we welcome Director Robert Mueller of the… Continue Reading
05.16.12
Comment of Senator Patrick Leahy On Statement Of Administration Policy On House Legislation To Reauthorize The Violence Against Women Act
"The House refusal to consider the bipartisan Senate-passed reauthorization of the lifesaving Violence Against Women Act can have devastating effects on victims of domestic violence and sexual violence who have relied on the programs it supports for nearly two decades. Unlike the carefully balanced, bipartisan Senate bill, the House bill will eliminate important, needed protections for victims of domestic and sexual violence. A victim is a victim - no matter their gender, race, ethnicity, reli… Continue Reading
05.15.12
Leahy Urges DOJ To Review Maricopa County, Ariz., Sheriff’s Office Use Of Federal Tax Dollars
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Tuesday sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder, urging the Justice Department to determine whether federal taxpayer dollars received by the Maricopa County, Ariz., Sheriff's Office (MCSO) through a federal grant program have been used in connection with the detention of individuals whose civil rights have been violated. According to Justice Department data, Maricopa County has received more than $25 million dollars since 2000 under the State Criminal Alien … Continue Reading
05.15.12
Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy On A 150-Year Milestone for USDA
Congressional Record Tuesday, May 15, 2012 MR. LEAHY. Today marks the 150th anniversary of the United States Department of Agriculture, and I would like to take a moment to pay tribute to USDA's mission and day-to-day work and to all those involved in the agriculture industry -- from farmers and ranchers and foresters, to producers and manufacturers and researchers. The Department of Agriculture is pillar and post in American agriculture, fostering durability while enabling innovation; … Continue Reading
05.14.12
On Senate Floor, Leahy Shares Observations About SCOTUS Arguments On Affordable Care Act
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, On The Supreme Court's Review Of The Affordable Care Act May 14, 2012 Full Statement, As Prepared I was fortunate to be able to attend the argument before the United States Supreme Court on the constitutionality of the provision in the Affordable Care Act providing that individuals should take personal responsibility for paying for their health care by obtaining health insurance, or pay a fine. There was a good … Continue Reading
05.11.12
Reaction of Senator Patrick Leahy To The Administration’s Decision To Resume Sales To Bahrain Of Major Military Equipment
[Senator Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., chairs the Appropriations Subcommittee on the Department of State and Foreign Operations. He is the author of the Leahy Law which prohibits U.S. aid to foreign security forces that violate human rights, and of an amendment enacted last year that restricts tear gas and other crowd control items to security forces of countries undergoing democratic transition in the Middle East.] "The U.S. and the Government of Bahrain share strategic interests, but if history has … Continue Reading
05.11.12
Senate Passes Leahy-Authored Resolution Commemorating National Peace Officers Memorial Day
(Friday, May 11, 2012) - The Senate Thursday night adopted a resolution authored by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) to commemorate the service of law enforcement officers across the country and honor those who lost their lives in the line of duty in the last year. The Senate adopted the resolution in advance of Police Week, an annual remembrance of those officers killed in the line of duty. The Leahy-authored resolution recognizes May 15, 2012, as National Peace Officers Memorial Day. Next wee… Continue Reading
05.10.12
President Taps General Dubie To Be Deputy Commander Of NORTHCOM
(THURSDAY, May 10) - The Vermont Congressional Delegation announced Thursday that President Obama has tapped the Adjutant General of the Vermont National Guard, Major General Michael Dubie, for a top post in the U.S. military's homeland defense mission. General Dubie has been nominated to be the next Deputy Commander of the United States Northern Command (NORTHCOM), the military's unified command in charge of protecting U.S. territory and providing military support for civil authorities in the… Continue Reading
05.10.12
Leahy: SJC Will Hold Hearing On Citizens United Constitutional Amendment Proposals
(May 10, 2012) - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced today that the Constitution Subcommittee will hold a hearing to examine pending constitutional proposals to remedy the Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision. Leahy has asked Subcommittee Chairman Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) to hold the hearing, which is scheduled for July 17. "The devastating effects of the Court's divisive decision in Citizens United are already being felt in states and communities across… Continue Reading
05.09.12
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On President Obama’s Announced Support For Marriage Equality
[Senator Leahy is a leading cosponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act, legislation that would repeal the 15-year-old Defense of Marriage Act. He chaired the first-ever congressional hearing examining the effects of DOMA on American families. As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, he led the panel's consideration of the legislation. The Committee approved the repeal bill in November.] "In the 15 years since the Defense of Marriage Act, Vermonters have led the way in supporting equalit… Continue Reading
