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Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Menendez, Leahy, and Kaine Unveil Reforms Restricting U.S. Arms Sales to Human Rights Abusers
Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), and Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) today introduced the Safeguarding Human Rights in Arms Exports (SAFEGUARD) Act of 2020. With a growing list of foreign governments using U.S-sold arms and defense services in the commission of human rights abuses against innocent civilians in combat, the senators' new legislation reasserts the importance of Congress' role in the arms sales process … Continue Reading
09.24.20
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy Executive Business Meeting
I spoke on the Floor earlier this week about what Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg meant to the courts, what she meant to the struggle for equality for millions of Americans, and what she meant to me. Standing just over five feet tall, she was nonetheless a giant of the law. She was also overwhelmingly good and kind. We will forever be in her debt. It certainly is the job of this Committee to consider her replacement to the Supreme Court. But this is not how we should do it. Not before she is e… Continue Reading
09.22.20
Vermont Council On World Affairs
Thank you Tricia, and it is good to be with all of you. This is a somber time for our country. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg was a towering figure on the Supreme Court, whose decisions changed our society for the better in profound ways, including for generations of women. She was also a wonderful, kind, and generous person, who Marcelle and I were very lucky to know. I mention her today not just to remember her, but because of the title of this conference - Engage The World. To me, as I wil… Continue Reading
09.21.20
Address On The Passing Of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
I stand here today with an incredibly heavy heart. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg - a tireless, legendary champion of equality who reshaped our society for the better - passed away on Friday, the first eve of Rosh Hashanah. Adherents of the Jewish faith believe that a person who passes away during the High Holidays is a person of great righteousness. Truer words couldn't be spoken of Justice Ginsburg. Standing at just over five feet tall, she was a giant among us. A moral beacon whose life and… Continue Reading
09.21.20
Statement On The Continuing Resolution
I am glad that the House introduced a continuing resolution today. I strongly urge Republicans and Democrats in both the House and Senate to take it up and pass it as soon as possible. The last thing our country needs is a government shutdown in the middle of a global pandemic and an unprecedented economic crisis. But make no mistake, the urgent need for this continuing resolution is a symptom of a dysfunctional Congress. It's a senseless and entirely avoidable made-in-Washington crisis. Th… Continue Reading
09.18.20
Comment On The Passing Of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Marcelle and I are overcome with sadness. Almost exactly a year ago Marcelle introduced Justice Ginsburg during an Action For Cancer Awareness event, a memory that Marcelle will always treasure. Justice Ginsburg was brilliant and was a legend of the law. She has become a heroine and even an icon to millions of Americans. She was also unmistakably kind and funny, and a fundamentally decent human being. Difficult days are ahead. And Senators McConnell and Graham must not treat this President… Continue Reading
09.18.20
Leahy Co-Leads Letter Pressing DHS Inspector General For Swift Investigation Into Alleged Forced Hysterectomies
(FRIDAY, Sept. 18, 2020) - On Friday, Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), joined by 37 senators, called on the Department of Homeland Security's inspector general to expeditiously investigate a whistleblower complaint alleging forced hysterectomies at an ICE facility and conduct a nationwide review of reproductive health policies and practices at ICE facilities. Senator Leahy said: "Forced sterilizatio… Continue Reading
09.17.20
Leahy Joins In Urging Trump To Work With Congress To Provide Emergency Rental Assistance, Protections
Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, led 30 of his Senate colleagues in sending a letter to President Trump urging him to work with Congress on a bipartisan basis to enact legislation that provides the emergency assistance and protections renters need to stay in their homes. Millions of children and youth are at risk of being evicted from their homes due to the Trump administration's refusal to support criti… Continue Reading
09.17.20
Leahy And All Judiciary Committee Democrats Call For Review Of Political Interference In The Durham Investigation
(THURSDAY, Sept. 17, 2020) - Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Thursday joined Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and all 10 committee Democrats in calling on the Justice Department inspector general to review whether U.S. Attorney John Durham's probe into FBI activities is violating longstanding rules that protect criminal investigations from political influence. Their letter follows reports that Durham's top deputy resigned due to concerns that Durham is being p… Continue Reading
09.17.20
As New School Year Begins, Leahy Joins Senators Markey, Schumer, Cantwell, Van Hollen, Bennet, Hassan, Schatz And Other Senators In Demanding Urgent Action By FCC To Connect Students To Online Learning
(September 17, 2020) - Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) Thursday joined Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), and Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) led 29 of their colleagues in a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) urging it to immediately utilize the E-Rate program to provide internet connectivity to students at home. Due t… Continue Reading
09.15.20
Leahy Joins Rosen, Peters, Murray, Casey, Wyden And Other Senators In Calling On Postmaster General To Immediately Reverse Operational Changes To The U.S. Postal Service That Are Causing Delays Of Critical Medications To Americans
(TUESDAY, Sept. 15, 2020) - Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) Tuesday joined Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) Ranking Member Gary Peters (D-MI), Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA), Special Committee on Aging Ranking Member Bob Casey (D-PA), and Committee on Finance Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) led 30 of their Senate Colleagues in a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy calling on h… Continue Reading
09.15.20
Leahy And Other Leading Democratic Senators Decry Trump Administration On Expulsion Of Asylum Seekers From Venezuela, Cuba, And Nicaragua
(MONDAY, Sept. 14, 2020) - Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today was joined by Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) in calling on the Trump administration to end its anti-immigrant policies denying access to asylum for Venezuelans, Cubans, Nicaraguans, and others forced to flee their countries. In a letter addressed to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Department of Homeland Security Under Secreta… Continue Reading
09.10.20
Schatz, Senators Demand Answers From Census Bureau On How They Will Ensure Fair Count, Accurate Apportionmen Of Congressional Representation In 2020 Census
Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i) led a group of 19 senators in calling on the Census Bureau to provide more details on how they plan to use data from the 2020 Census to apportion congressional representation. This comes after multiple attempts by President Trump to interfere with the count for political purposes, as well as the limitations on conducting the census in full during the coronavirus pandemic. "With the president's unconstitutional memorandum excluding undocumented people… Continue Reading
09.10.20
Leahy And The Green Mountain National Forest: Construction Of Long-Sought Forest HQ Will Begin This Month
(THURSDAY, Sept. 10, 2020) -- The U.S. Forest Service will begin construction this month of a new Forest Supervisor's Headquarters building for the Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests (GMNF). The $6 million facility will be built on Route 4 in Mendon. Senator Patrick Leahy and the GMNF made the announcement on Thursday. Leahy has worked for years to support and advance this project, using his key roles as Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and as the senior memb… Continue Reading
09.08.20
Statement On Need For COVID Relief Bill
We are in the middle of a public health crisis, and the American people are hurting. Nearly 190,000 people have died. Millions have lost their jobs and are struggling to make ends meet. People are being evicted from their homes and struggling to feed their families. And the virus is still not under control. The need for another emergency funding bill to address the COVID crisis is clear. Yet four weeks ago, the Trump administration and Senate Republican Leadership walked away from the neg… Continue Reading
09.03.20
Leahy, Sanders, Welch And Chittenden County Leaders Announce FAA Awards For Sound Proofing and Noise Monitoring In Burlington
THURSDAY (Sept. 3, 2020) - The Vermont Congressional Delegation and Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger announced Thursday the Burlington Airport will receive $6.3 million in grants from the Federal Aviation Administration to address concerns about increased noise at the airport and to invest in new infrastructure at the terminal. The majority of the funds will be used to soundproof the Chamberlin Elementary School in South Burlington. Additional funds will be used to establish three sound monito… Continue Reading
09.03.20
Este No Es El Momento Para Debilitar Al Banco Interamericano De Desarrollo
Patrick Leahy George Shultz Robert Zoellick Carla Hills Septiembre 12-13 los accionistas del Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo han programado la elección del próximo presidente del Banco. Esta decisión tendrá consecuencias de amplio alcance para el Banco y para las millones de personas que el mismo sirve. Nos unimos a esos que creen que hay razones convincentes para que los accionistas tomen la decisión prudente de posponer la elecci… Continue Reading
09.03.20
This Is No Time To Weaken The Inter-American Development Bank
Patrick Leahy George Shultz Robert Zoellick Carla Hills On September 12-13, the shareholders of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) are scheduled to elect the Bank's next president. This decision will have far-reaching consequences for the Bank and the millions of people it serves. We join those who believe there are compelling reasons why the shareholders would be prudent to postpone the election until next year. Each of our countries has a stake in th… Continue Reading
09.02.20
Reaction To The Trump Administration’s Decision To Sanction Personnel Of The International Criminal Court
This announcement is what we have come to expect from a President whose idea of justice is to pardon his friends and override the Pentagon in cases of military justice. The White House blames the ICC for exceeding its mandate. In fact, the ICC has successfully prosecuted some of the world's worst war criminals, and has done so judiciously and professionally. The United States was instrumental in negotiating the treaty that established the ICC. War crimes and crimes against humanity occur in… Continue Reading
08.31.20
Leahy And Vermont Tech Announce A Nearly $8 Million Federal Investment To Establish Vermont’s First Advanced Manufacturing, Education And Development Facility
(MONDAY, Aug. 31, 2020) -- Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Vermont Technical College (Vermont Tech) President Patricia Moulton Monday announced a $7.969 million contract awarded to Vermont Tech from the U.S. Army's Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) office as part of its National Imperative for Industrial Skills. The contract, which has an additional $4 million option, will establish the first advanced manufacturing education, r… Continue Reading
