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Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
$5 Million Emergency Aid Approved for Storm-Damaged Vermont Roads and Bridges
BURLINGTON, Vt., Aug. 31 - The U.S. Department of Transportation released $5 million in emergency funds to rebuild and repair roads and bridges destroyed or damaged in Vermont by Tropical Storm Irene, Vermont's congressional delegation announced today. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Tuesday evening notified U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), a member of the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. Sanders had been in discussion with LaHood to explain the magnitude of … Continue Reading
08.29.11
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy On Vermont Flooding Due To Hurricane Irene
Middlesex -Senator Patrick Leahy issued the following statement on the historic and catastrophic flooding in Vermont due Hurricane Irene. Leahy will tour hard hit areas of Vermont by helicopter today with Governor Shumlin. "Marcelle and I are keeping all Vermonters who are suffering due to Hurricane Irene in our thoughts and prayers. We are resilient and strong, but are faced with devastating flooding in many of our communities, worse than most Vermonters can remember. "My staff and I have… Continue Reading
08.26.11
Leahy: Justice Sonia Sotomayor To Headline Vermont’s 15th Annual Women’s Economic Opportunity Conference
(FRIDAY, Aug. 26) -- Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) says this year's 15th Annual Vermont Women's Economic Opportunity Conference, set for Saturday, Oct. 8, in Randolph, will feature a special guest: U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Leahy said Justice Sotomayor will begin this year's sessions with a question-and-answer forum with conference-goers. "Marcelle and I are delighted that she is coming to Vermont," said Leahy. "She personifies the American Dream, and her life and achiev… Continue Reading
08.26.11
Reaction Of Senator Patrick Leahy To State Department Announcement On The Keystone Pipeline
"I have raised concerns about this project since last year. The State Department's conclusions are disappointing and represent a missed opportunity for this Administration to draw the line at a type of oil that, in ways which should be unacceptable today, destroys the landscape when it is mined and poisons the air when it is burned. The Earth's climate is changing, and this is no time for business as usual by making commitments that will dramatically increase greenhouse gas emissions and do noth… Continue Reading
08.23.11
Leahy: Vermont To Receive More Than $9.2 M. In Homeland Security Grants
(TUESDAY, August 23) - U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced Tuesday that Vermont has secured more than $9.2 million in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to help with prevention and preparedness. "Preserving our national security starts with prevention and preparedness," said Leahy. "First responders in Vermont are on the front lines each and every day, protecting our communities, securing our borders and ports of entry, and keeping our citizens safe. … Continue Reading
08.18.11
Comment Of Senator Leahy, Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, And Cosponsor Of The DREAM Act, On DHS Relief Policy For Certain Noncitizens
"I commend Secretary Napolitano for exercising the discretion available to her by law to offer relief for certain noncitizens whose deportation would not serve United States' interests. We can do better for the American economy, the military, our communities, and hardworking immigrants by enacting the DREAM Act and the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2011, which I joined with Senator Menendez to introduce in June. I will continue to fight for those bills, and the important provisions i… Continue Reading
08.18.11
Delegation announces $1 million grant to Montpelier-based Institute for Sustainable Communities
Vermont's congressional delegation - Sen. Patrick Leahy (D), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I) and Rep. Peter Welch (D) - today announced a one million dollar grant to the Montpelier-based Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC). Through the grant, ISC will work with the joint HUD-DOT-EPA Partnership for Sustainable Communities (PSC), which coordinates federal housing, transportation, water, and other infrastructure investments to make neighborhoods more prosperous, allow people to live closer to job… Continue Reading
08.17.11
Leahy, Sanders, Welch: 10 Vt. Farms And Businesses Net Energy-Saving Grants
(WEDNESDAY, Aug. 17) -- Vermont's Congressional Delegation - Senator Patrick Leahy (D), Senator Bernie Sanders (I) and Congressman Peter Welch (D) - said Wednesday that ten Vermont farms and rural businesses will share almost $100,000 in grants through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to launch energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy projects. Vermont farms and businesses are receiving $96,754 in grants, divided across ten projects. Foxch… Continue Reading
08.16.11
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Administration’s Further Extension Of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) Provisions For Liberian Nationals In The United States
"I commend the President for extending deferred enforced departure for Liberians, and for doing so well ahead of the September 30 expiration of their current status. I joined Senator Jack Reed in asking President Obama to take this step and appreciate the President's timely action. "Liberia continues to make great strides under the leadership of the freely elected President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, with whom I was pleased to meet again recently in Washington. Liberia faces continuing challenge… Continue Reading
08.16.11
Comment From The Office Of Senator Patrick Leahy On August 16th Haaretz Article On U.S. Aid To Particular IDF Units
"Senator Leahy does not discuss private conversations he has had for decades with Israeli leaders. "However, the Haaretz article contains significant inaccuracies. He has not proposed legislation to withhold U.S. aid to units of the Israel Defense Forces. "By way of general background about the Leahy Amendment, the law applies to U.S. aid to foreign security forces around the globe and is intended to be applied consistently across the spectrum of U.S. military aid abroad. Under the law … Continue Reading
08.15.11
Leahy And U.S. Interior Secretary Salazar Tour Vermont’s Natural Places, Examine Economic Impact Of Interior Programs
(MONDAY, August 15) -- U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar joined Senator Patrick Leahy in Vermont Monday to announce several new Interior Department initiatives in Vermont aimed at boosting recreation-related economic development and advancing the President's American's Great Outdoors initiative. During the visit, Salazar and Leahy were also briefed on key land and wildlife conservation projects. At Bibens Ace Lakeshore Hardware in Colchester Salazar announced an expanded role for the … Continue Reading
08.12.11
Senators Push Administration for Action to Protect Air Quality
(THURSDAY, Aug. 11) - Nine U.S. senators Thursday urged the Obama Administration to take action to protect air quality and public health. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) was joined by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), John Kerry (D-Mass.), Frank Lautenberg (D-N.Y.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in sending a letter to President Barack Obama expressing concern for the Administration's co… Continue Reading
08.11.11
Leahy Urges Debt Committee To Adopt Transparency, Accountability Measures
(THURSDAY, Aug. 11, 2011) - Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to the Co-Chairs of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction congratulating them on their appointments and asking that the panel conduct its proceedings with transparency and accountability to the American people. In his letter, Leahy - a longtime champion of the Freedom of Information Act and the public's right to know - urges the Select Committee's members to adopt rules… Continue Reading
08.04.11
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Presidential Proclamation And Study Directive On Suspension Of Entry As Immigrants And Nonimmigrants Of Human Rights And Humanitarian Law Violators
"I commend President Obama for recognizing the moral responsibility of the United States to prevent mass atrocities. The United States must be a leader in protecting human rights and taking action to protect those who are threatened. The United States failed to act to stop the Rwandan genocide, and acted far too slowly during the Balkan wars of the 1990s. But the action taken by the President today is welcome, even if overdue. The authority granted to the Secretary of State will be equally i… Continue Reading
08.03.11
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Enhancements To The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
"When U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services first proposed positive steps to improve the EB-5 Regional Center Program in May, I commended Director Mayorkas and the Obama administration for recognizing the positive impact of the EB-5 Regional Center Program as an important economic engine for communities across the country. Now, after reviewing feedback and comments from across the spectrum, USCIS is developing a plan to implement these enhancements in the coming weeks. "The EB-5 Regional C… Continue Reading
08.03.11
FDA Announces Long-Awaited Standards for Labeling of Gluten-Free Food
(Wednesday, Aug. 3) - After more than four years of inaction, the Food and Drug Administration has announced that a final rule setting standards for the labeling of gluten-free food will move forward. U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) two weeks ago had written to FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, asking that the agency end more than four years of silence and fulfill FDA's statutory requirement to establish standards for the growing gluten-free food industry. "I am del… Continue Reading
08.03.11
Leahy, Blumenthal Press Leading National Mortgage Servicing Companies About Foreclosures In Bankruptcy Courts
(Wednesday, August 3, 2011) - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Committee Member Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) last week sent letters to several of the nation's leading mortgage servicers, requesting information about policies and practices related to foreclosures in the bankruptcy courts. Leahy and Blumenthal, in letters to 11 leading mortgage services, inquired about steps the companies are taking to ensure that homeowners are treated fairly, consistently and honest… Continue Reading
08.03.11
Senate Confirms Just Four Of 24 Pending Judicial Nominees Before Recess
(Tuesday, August 2, 2011) - The Senate Tuesday evening confirmed just four pending judicial nominees before the chamber recessed for the August in-state work period, leaving 20 nominees approved by the Judiciary Committee on the Senate's calendar. The Senate has confirmed just 11 judicial nominations since the Memorial Day recess in May, and just 35 nominees this year. "The Senate's failure to take action and vote on 20 of the 24 judicial nominees reviewed by the Judiciary Committee and report… Continue Reading
08.02.11
Comment Of Senator Leahy On The Senate Motion To Proceed To The America Invents Act
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid today filed cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 1249, the House-passed Leahy-Smith America Invents Act. The Senate will vote on cloture on the motion to proceed to the bill when it returns to session in September. "Congress is closer than ever to enacting meaningful reforms to give American inventors and innovators the 21st century patent system they need to compete in an evolving global marketplace. The product of six years of debate, the America Invent… Continue Reading
08.02.11
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On Application Of Material Support Laws To Humanitarian Relief In Somalia
"I have long urged reform of our laws governing so-called material support for terrorism. The current law is so broad as to be unworkable. Aid workers trying to provide relief to starving Somalis fear they could be prosecuted if some of it were to end up in the hands of al-Shabab, an al Qaeda affiliate that controls parts of Somalia. And so while the situation in Somalia grows more desperate each day, with children dying needlessly, the delivery of food and medicines is hampered, first by al-… Continue Reading
