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Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Leahy: Debate On Chen Nomination Long Overdue
The Senate today is debating on the nomination of Edward Chen to fill a judicial emergency vacancy on the Federal District Court for the Northern District of California. Chen was first nominated for the vacancy on August 6, 2009. He has four times been reported by the Judiciary Committee. Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, On the Nomination Of Ed Chen To The District Court For The Northern District Of California May 10, 2011 Today the Sen… Continue Reading
05.10.11
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On Comprehensive Immigration Reform
"I listened with interest to President Obama's remarks in Texas today about our broken immigration system. I am committed to comprehensive immigration reform, as I always have been. That is why I supported the comprehensive proposal introduced by Senator Menendez last Congress, and I supported President George W. Bush's efforts before that. "Immigration reform is a complicated and emotional topic, and while there are many differences of opinion, there are more areas in which we are in agreeme… Continue Reading
05.10.11
Stowe Elementary School
On May 10, 2011 Senator Leahy held an online chat with 4th and 5th grade students on the Stowe Elementary School Student Council. Using Skype to communicate with students, their advisors, and principal, Senator Leahy spoke about what it was like to be a young Senator and his favorite parts of the job. Students also asked questions about the conflicts in Libya and Afghanistan, the death of Osama Bin Laden, and the recent flooding and tornadoes around the country. This was Senator Leahy's fourth t… Continue Reading
05.10.11
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy On the Subcommittee On Privacy, Technology And The Law Hearing On “Protecting Mobile Privacy: Your Smartphones, Tablets, Cell Phones and Your Privacy.”
Today, the Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law holds a very important hearing on the privacy implications of Smartphones and other mobile applications. I commend the Subcommittee's Chairman, Senator Franken, for holding this timely hearing -- the first for this new subcommittee -- and I thank him for his dedicated leadership on consumer privacy issues. Throughout my three decades in the Senate, I have worked to safeguard the privacy rights of all Americans. Ensuring that our Fede… Continue Reading
05.09.11
Leahy: “No Justification” For Failure To Act On Cole Nomination
The Senate is expected to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of James Cole to be the Deputy Attorney General of the United States around 5:30 p.m. this evening. Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee On Cloture On The Nomination Of Jim Cole To Be Deputy Attorney General May 9, 2011 As Prepared For Delivery The Majority Leader has been required to file cloture in an attempt to overcome a Republican filibuster of the nominatio… Continue Reading
05.09.11
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Failed Vote On The Motion To Invoke Cloture On The Nomination Of James Cole To Be The Deputy Attorney General
"One week ago, a successful operation led to the death of the world's number one terrorist. Experts and the American people believe that we are now facing a heightened terrorism threat in the wake of the raid upon Osama bin Laden's compound. Our success in protecting our Nation depends on the ability of the President to rely on his national security team. Jim Cole is a key member of that team, with a well-deserved reputation for toughness, fairness, and integrity. He has demonstrated the lea… Continue Reading
05.05.11
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Cloture Motion On The Nomination Of Jim Cole To Be The Deputy Attorney General
"The Deputy Attorney General - the number two position at the Department of Justice - is a critical national security position. Jim Cole is serving in this post now, but his nomination has been held up for far too long. Former Deputy Attorneys General who served under Democratic and Republican Presidents wrote to the Senate last year, explaining the importance of this position, and urging us to take action and vote on the nomination, which has received significant bipartisan support. "The Jud… Continue Reading
05.05.11
The Leahy Letter -- May 5, 2011
After A Decade, Justice: Senator Leahy Speaks About The Death Of Osama Bin Laden Following the announcement of the attack by U.S. Navy SEALS on a compound in Pakistan housing Osama bin Laden and his subsequent demise, Senator Leahy made the following remarks on the floor of the Senate. "Today is a memorable day in our Nation's history. Osama bin Laden, a man responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians, including so many Americans lost on September 11, 2001, has been killed. … Continue Reading
05.05.11
Leahy, Grassley Roll Out New Anti-Fraud Legislation
(Thursday, May 5, 2011) - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) introduced legislation Thursday to bolster law enforcement's ability to investigate and prosecute fraud. The Fighting Fraud to Protect Taxpayers Act builds on successful efforts by Leahy and Grassley in the last Congress to enact legislation to help the Department of Justice and other agencies fight fraud. The Fighting Fraud to Protect Taxpayers Act will enhance exist… Continue Reading
05.04.11
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy On Republican Filibuster Of The District Court Nomination Of Jack McConnell
NOTE: The Senate is expected to vote after 12:15 on the motion to invoke cloture on the McConnell nomination. I hope that all Senators have had a chance to consider the remarks of the Senators from Rhode Island on this nomination. I do not think that anyone could listen to the remarks of the distinguished senior Senator from Rhode Island yesterday and today and come away doing anything other than voting for cloture. Likewise, Senator Whitehouse, who spoke this morning and has shepherded this … Continue Reading
05.04.11
Senate Confirms Long Pending District Court Nomination
(Wednesday, May 4, 2011) - The U.S. Senate Wednesday overcame a filibuster driven by Senate Republicans and confirmed a long-pending federal district court nomination. A majority of the Senate voted to confirm district court nominee John McConnell to the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island. "There was no need for cloture to be filed on this nomination," said Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). "There were no 'extraordinary circumstances' that held up … Continue Reading
05.04.11
Leahy Chairs SJC Oversight Hearing With Attorney General Holder
(Wednesday, May 4, 2011) - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy Wednesday morning chaired an oversight hearing of the U.S. Department of Justice. Attorney General Eric Holder testified 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 Department Of Justice May 4, 2011 The Committee holds this oversight hearing today… Continue Reading
05.03.11
Senate Adopts Resolution Designating May 2011 National Inventors Month
News Brief WASHINGTON (Tuesday, May 3, 2011) - The U.S. Senate Tuesday night adopted a resolution sponsored by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) designating May 2011 as National Inventors Month. Every May, a new class of inventors is inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. The 2011 induction ceremony is scheduled to take place Wednesday, May 4. Congress has moved forward this year with legislative efforts to help inventors and innovators by updating… Continue Reading
05.03.11
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy On Republican Filibuster Of The District Court Nomination Of Jack McConnell
Last night, Majority Leader Reid was forced to file another cloture petition on a Federal judicial nominee, the fifth required to be filed during President Obama's term. Among the highly-qualified nominees being stalled is Jack McConnell, who is nominated to a vacancy on the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island. I am concerned that we have to file cloture on nominations that should simply have an up-or-down vote. I hope we are not returning to the situation we had durin… Continue Reading
05.02.11
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On Cloture Motion On The Nomination Of John McConnell To Be A District Court Judge
"Senate consideration of John McConnell's nomination is long overdue. This nomination - reported three times by the Senate Judiciary Committee with bipartisan support - is strongly supported by the Senators from Rhode Island. Mr. McConnell's nomination has drawn bipartisan support from leading figures in Rhode Island. These facts have traditionally propelled district court nominations to up-or-down votes in the Senate. Shifting standards by Senate Republicans have changed the rules. Even th… Continue Reading
05.02.11
Leahy: Bin Laden “Suffered The Consequences Of His Atrocities”
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered the following remarks on the floor of the U.S. Senate today. Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, On The Death Of Osama Bin Laden Senate Floor May 2, 2011 Today is a memorable day in our Nation's history. Osama bin Laden, a man responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians, including so many Americans lost on September 11, 2001, has been killed.… Continue Reading
05.01.11
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The President's Announcement Of The Death Of Osama Bin Laden
When Secretary Clinton called me at home to alert me that the President would be announcing that Bin Laden was dead, many thoughts and emotions came quickly to the surface. I thought of the countless lives ended and disrupted by this malevolent figure. Thousands of Americans and thousands more of other nationalities were innocent victims of his self-righteous venom, and so many brave men and women have died in the struggle to bring him to justice. Our thoughts and prayers again are with the 9… Continue Reading
04.29.11
Leahy Urges That U.S. Take Appropriate Steps, Including Review Of Visa Access For Haitian Officials Who May Have Been Involved In Election Fraud, On Behalf Of Fair And Untainted Certifications Of The Recent Parliamentary Elections
Friday, April 29, 2011 [Following is the text of a letter sent Friday to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on State Department and Foreign Operations that handles U.S. foreign assistance. Leahy, who visited Haiti last month, urges appropriate steps to signal to Haitian authorities U.S. concern that results of Haiti's recent legislative elections be fairly resolved and certified.] April 29, 201… Continue Reading
04.28.11
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On Decision By Google And Apple To Testify At May 10 Hearing
Google, Inc., and Apple, Inc., have informed the Senate Judiciary Committee that each company will testify at the May 10 hearing before the Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law on "Protecting Mobile Privacy: Your Smartphones, Tablets, Cell Phones and Your Privacy." Yesterday, Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy sent letters to the CEOs of Apple and Google, encouraging them to consider the Committee's invitation to appear. "I am pleased that both Google and Apple have accepted the Commi… Continue Reading
04.28.11
With Green Light For Southwest-AirTran Merger, Leahy, Sanders And Welch Urge Southwest To Resume AirTran’s Service To Vermont
(THURSDAY, April 28) - Two days after the U.S. Department of Justice announced that it will not challenge the proposed merger of two major low-fare air carriers, Vermont's congressional delegation - Sen. Patrick Leahy (D), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I) and Rep. Peter Welch (D) - are asking the soon-to-be-expanded Southwest Airlines to consider re-starting service to Vermont that AirTran suspended in the fall of 2009. AirTran has maintained its gate and desk space at Burlington International Airport i… Continue Reading
