Press Room
Press Releases
Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Statement On Guatemala’s Constitutional Crisis
Guatemala will never become a stable democracy that attracts significant and sustained foreign investment without an independent judiciary that the people trust. Judges should be free of conflict of interest, selected on the basis of their professional qualifications, integrity, and commitment to justice. The country's courts have faced repeated threats from corrupt influences, and today the Constitutional Court - the guardian of the Constitution, the foundation of Guatemala's democracy - is u… Continue Reading
06.26.20
Statement On 9th Circuit Ruling Halting Transfer Of Military Funds To President Trump’s Wall
"In a decisive victory for the Constitution and the American people, the Ninth Circuit wisely ruled that President's Trump effort to raid congressionally appropriated funds for our military troops and their families to build his wall was plainly illegal. In upholding the lower court's decision to halt the transfer of military funds to President Trump's wall - a wall that Congress refused to fully fund, prompting this President to lash out and shut down the government - the Ninth Circuit reaffirm… Continue Reading
06.26.20
Senate Passes Durbin Resolution To Reaffirm U.S. Commitment To Global Effort To Find COVID-19 Vaccine
U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) praised the unanimous passage of his resolution encouraging U.S. engagement with the international community on the COVID-19 response to research, develop, and distribute vaccines and therapeutics. The resolution, led by Durbin and supported by 39 of his Senate colleagues, noted the historic international effort to eradicate smallpox as an example of why concerted global collaboration and coordination is needed for the COVID-19 pandemic. "In the m… Continue Reading
06.26.20
Declaración del Senator Patrick Leahy Sobre El Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo
Sr. LEAHY. Según reportes de prensa, la administración del presidente Trump planea nominar a Mauricio Claver-Carone para ser el próximo presidente del Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID). También, según tengo entendido, un númerode países latinoamericanos ya han expresado su apoyo a esta nominación. Como alguien que ha apoyado al BID por décadas, incluyendo cuando se propusieron enmiendas para eliminar o reducir la contribuci&… Continue Reading
06.26.20
Statement On The Inter-American Development Bank
Mr. LEAHY. According to press reports, the Trump Administration plans to nominate Mauricio Claver-Carone to be the next President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). It is also my understanding that a number of Latin American governments have already expressed support for his nomination. As someone who has supported the IDB for decades, including at times when amendments were proposed to eliminate or reduce the U.S. contribution, it is important to be aware that this nomination coul… Continue Reading
06.24.20
Klobuchar, Colleagues Call For Immediate Hearings on Political Interference in Antitrust Enforcement Decisions at Department of Justice
Senators' letter calls on Sens. Graham and Lee to hold hearing with Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim and career Justice Department attorney John W. Elias WASHINGTON (WEDNESDAY, June 24, 2020) - U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, sent a letter to Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights… Continue Reading
06.24.20
Statement On Policing Reform Legislation Before The Senate
Since I last spoke on the Senate Floor in the wake of George Floyd's murder, the American people's calls for justice and accountability have not diminished. They have only grown stronger, and rightfully so. And since then our nation has had to confront yet another needless killing of an African American man, when an Atlanta police officer shot Rayshard Brooks twice in the back while he was fleeing from officers. No one will dispute that police officers have incredibly challenging jobs. No o… Continue Reading
06.24.20
Warren, Senate Democrats Introduce Legislation to Rename All Bases & Other Military Assets Named for the Confederacy Within One Year
Today, United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and 35 Senate Democrats introduced standalone legislation requiring the Pentagon to remove all names, symbols, displays, monuments, and paraphernalia that honor or commemorate the Confederate States of America and anyone who voluntarily served it from all military bases and other assets of the Department of Defense. The Pentagon must rename the assets within one year. "Senate Democrats are putting forward legislation to change the names o… Continue Reading
06.23.20
Collins, Leahy Urge USDA to Finalize Rule Critical to Small Organic Dairy Producers Throughout New England
U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) sent a letter urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to finalize the National Organic Program 'Origin of Livestock' Rule, which would close a loophole that has put small organic dairy producers at a disadvantage and discredited the organic label. Senators Collins and Leahy worked to secure language in the fiscal year (FY) 2020 Agriculture Appropriations package directing the USDA to complete the National Organic Program 'Orig… Continue Reading
06.23.20
Merkley, Leahy And Colleagues Introduce Urgently-Needed Legislation To Help Hard-Hit Agricultural Workers Amid Pandemic
(TUESDAY, June 23, 2020) -- Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) was joined by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and others Tuesday in introducing the Frontline At-Risk Manual (FARM) Laborers Protection Act, groundbreaking legislation that establishes critical protections, including 10 days of paid leave and hazard pay, for America's agricultural workers. The bill is also cosponsored by Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).… Continue Reading
06.23.20
Ahead Of The 2020 Election, Senate Democrats Call For Proactive Efforts To Counter Voter Suppression Amid COVID-19 Safety Measures
Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) led all Democrats on the Senate Rules Committee in calling for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the National Association of State Election Directors, and the National Association of Secretaries of State to work proactively to counter any attempts to suppress vulnerable and historically-disenfranchised voters during the COVID-19 crisis. In letters to Assistant Attorney General Eric S. Dreiband, head of the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division,… Continue Reading
06.18.20
Comment On The Supreme Court’s Ruling Rejecting President Trump’s DACA Termination And Protecting The Nation’s Dreamers
In a victory for both the dignity and rights of our nation's Dreamers and the rule of law, the Supreme Court this morning ruled that President Trump's zeal to dismantle President Obama's DACA program was arbitrary, capricious, and plainly illegal. The Court reaffirmed that nearly 800,000 Dreamers - who arrived in the United States as children, through no fault of their own - have a protected place in our society. This landmark decision affirms what the vast majority of Americans feel in their … Continue Reading
06.18.20
After More Than A Month Of Senate Inaction, Merkley (Joined By Leahy And Others) Presses To Bring The HEROES Act COVID-19 Relief Bill To Floor For Debate And Vote
(WEDNESDAY, June 18, 2020) - After more than a month of inaction since the U.S. House of Representatives passed major legislation to address the ongoing health and economic crisis caused by the coronavirus, Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) Wednesday led a group of 19 senators, including Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), in urging Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solution (HEREOS) Act to the Senate floor for a debate and vo… Continue Reading
06.17.20
REAX To Senate Republicans Delaying Fiscal Year 2021 Markups
Senate Democrats are committed to producing bipartisan bills. There is bipartisan agreement that we need to address the COVID pandemic. And if we want to truly address the issues of racial injustice that George Floyd's tragic death has brought to the surface, we need more than symbolism, we need to appropriate money for programs that advance these issues. Offering and considering amendments related to appropriations to address the most important issues of the day is not partisan, it is the jo… Continue Reading
06.17.20
Leahy, Sanders And Welch Announce 2-Month Extension Of Farmers To Families Food Box COVID-19 Relief Program In Vermont
(WEDNESDAY, June 17, 2020) -- Senator Patrick Leahy (D), Senator Bernie Sanders (I), and Representative Peter Welch (D) announced Wednesday that two Vermont-based entities, the Abbey Group and Willing Hands, have secured extended contracts through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to continue the delivery of food boxes throughout this summer through the end of August. These two contracts will bring an additional $8.5 million in nutrition assistance to Vermont and the Upper Valley commun… Continue Reading
06.17.20
Statement On The Nominations Of Justin Walker To The D.C. Circuit And Cory Wilson To The Fifth Circuit
This morning the Senate narrowly invoked cloture on the nomination of Justin Walker to the D.C. Circuit. Within a week the Senate is expected to confirm by the thinnest of margins both Judge Walker and a separate nominee, Cory Wilson to the Fifth Circuit, filling the final two available seats on our circuit courts. This will complete Leader McConnell's rush to pack our appellate courts with President Trump's nominees. It is fitting that both Judge Walker and Judge Wilson are partisan ideologu… Continue Reading
06.17.20
Leahy And Sanders Welcome Senate Passage Of The Great American Outdoors Act
, June 17 - Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) Wednesday welcomed the Senate passage of the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) to fully and permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and address long overdue maintenance backlogs on our public lands and waters. The bill now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives for passage before becoming law. Since its passage in 1965, the LWCF has provided over $140 million for Vermont parks, athletic facili… Continue Reading
06.17.20
Statement On Senate Passage Of The Great American Outdoors Act
This nation faces an uncertain future. Gripped by a pandemic, economic disruption, and racial injustice, the American people are yearning for bold, forward-thinking leadership. Now is the time for elected leaders to stand up and make the investments necessary to secure a better world for our children and grandchildren. The Great American Outdoors Act, which I am proud to cosponsor, does that. While it addresses a narrow set of challenges and opportunities, it should remind us all that we are cap… Continue Reading
06.16.20
Senate Approves Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery And Hostage-Taking Accountability Act
(TUESDAY, June 16, 2020) - Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chris Coons (D-De.), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) today released the following statements after the Senate unanimously approved S.712, the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act. Named in honor of former FBI agent Robert Levinson, whose unlawful detention by the Iranian regime is recognized as… Continue Reading
06.15.20
Hirono Leads 20 Senate Democrats In Calling For DOJ Inspector General Investigation Into Attorney General Barr’s Conduct In Suppressing Peaceful Protests Around Lafayette Square On June 1
Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) led 20 Senate Democrats in requesting that Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz open an investigation into the conduct of Attorney General William Barr and the Department of Justice in directing the use of force against peaceful protestors around Lafayette Square on June 1, 2020. The Senators also called on the Inspector General to probe the deployment of federal law enforcement to suppress protests and intimidate protestors across the coun… Continue Reading
