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Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
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
12.18.12
Remarks of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Passing Of Senator Daniel K. Inouye
Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to one of the greatest members of this body ever to have served, and one of my dear friends. Daniel Inouye was perhaps the best role model for public service any American could ask for. Senator Inouye's story is one of great passion for his people, commitment to his calling in public service, and dedication to finding a better way forward for all Americans. He was a true patriot, a soldier in World War II, a veteran of our armed forces, he fought for t… Continue Reading
12.17.12
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy On the Nominations of Fernando Olguin and Thomas Durkin
(Monday, December 17, 2012) - The Senate on Monday night confirmed two district court nominees who had been pending on the Senate calendar since before the August recess. Judiciary Committee Chairman Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) applauded the confirmation of these two qualified nominees and called on the Senate to confirm all remaining names on the calendar before the end of the year. Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, On the Nominations of … Continue Reading
12.17.12
Comments Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Passing Of Senator Daniel K. Inouye
Senator Inouye was the best of the ideals and the great promise of the nation that he loved and served so valiantly. What better role model for public service could any American ask for. What a remarkable life he led. A veteran of World War II and the Greatest Generation, he received the Congressional Medal of Honor. A pioneer who helped forge Hawaii's emergence as a state, he was his beloved home's first member of Congress. We worked together on so many matters, large and small, and over … Continue Reading
12.17.12
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Emergency Supplemental Spending Bill
Mr. President, on behalf of Chairman Inouye, today I would like to introduce an emergency supplemental and disaster aid bill that will help respond to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Sandy. The eyes, ears, and hopes of tens of millions of our fellow Americans who were in this storm's path are now trained upon the United States Senate. And with us in this effort, as well, is the good will of the entire Nation. When 'Superstorm' Sandy hit the East Coast seven weeks ago, it had swelled to… Continue Reading
12.17.12
Former Florida Governor Charlie Crist And Voting Rights Leaders To Testify Before Senate Judiciary Committee This Week
(MONDAY, December 17, 2012) - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced Monday that former Florida Governor Charlie Crist will join the witness panel at the Committee's hearing on voting rights this week. Crist will offer testimony about the impact of restrictions on voting and the importance of the Voting Rights Act on Wednesday during the Committee's hearing on "The State Of The Right To Vote After The 2012 Election." As Florida governor from 2007 to 2011, long lines… Continue Reading
12.17.12
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy, On The Tragedy In Connecticut
"Few events in my lifetime have emotionally roiled the Nation - all of us - as deeply as have the senseless killings last Friday in Newtown, Connecticut. Wrenching images and personal stories that spilled out from that tragedy have forever been imprinted on our collective memories. "In my family, and I know in families from coast to coast, parents called their children. Brothers called sisters. Neighbors reached out to neighbors. Over the weekend and again today, in discussions across churc… Continue Reading
12.14.12
Comment of Senator Leahy on the school shootings in Newtown, Conn.
"What a tragedy on so many levels. Our hearts and prayers are with the victims and their families in Connecticut."… Continue Reading
