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Press Releases
Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Leahy Asks DOJ Acting IG If Ongoing Investigation Includes Review Of Past ATF Operations
(Monday, Nov. 7, 2011) - U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) sent a letter Monday asking the Department of Justice's Acting Inspector General whether the office's investigation of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' (ATF) Operation Fast and Furious includes a review of tactics developed and used in prior ATF operations. Documents recently released by the Department of Justice revealed that the ATF used similar investigative techniques dating back … Continue Reading
11.03.11
Senate Unanimously Confirms Two District Court Nominations
(Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011) - The U.S. Senate Thursday afternoon unanimously confirmed two district court nominations reported by the Judiciary Committee nearly two months ago. Another 20 nominations are pending on the Executive Calendar, and the Judiciary Committee reported an additional five nominations to the full Senate during a business meeting today. The Senate has been slow to confirm judicial nominations during the Obama administration, with many nominations reported unanimously by the Ju… Continue Reading
11.03.11
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Justice Department’s Decision To Withdraw A Proposed Rule To Revise Freedom Of Information Act Regulations
"I commend Attorney General Holder and the Obama administration for promptly withdrawing the Department's proposed rule on the treatment of requests for sensitive law enforcement records under the Freedom of Information Act. For five decades, the Freedom of Information Act has given life to the American value that in an open society, it is essential to carefully balance the public's right to know and government's need to keep some information secret. The Justice Department's decision to withdr… Continue Reading
11.03.11
Senate Judiciary Committee Set To Vote On DOMA Repeal Bill Next Thursday
(Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011) - The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee today began debate on legislation to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), setting the path for a vote on the measure at a business meeting next Thursday. Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) kicked off the Committee's consideration of the Respect for Marriage Act. "The Respect for Marriage Act would restore the power of states to define and determine 'marriage' without the federal government imposing its restrictive definition o… Continue Reading
11.02.11
Local Farms, Food And Jobs Act Would Shorten Supply Chains, Connect Farmers And Families
(WEDNESDAY, Nov. 2) -- Senator Leahy has joined as an original cosponsor of reforms to support Vermont's family farms and expand rural farming businesses, while creating jobs and investing in local and regional food economies. The Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act (S.1773) is a comprehensive package of Farm Bill reforms that would help Vermont's farmers and expand upon Vermont's Farm to Plate Initiative by addressing production, aggregation, marketing and distribution needs. The bill also priori… Continue Reading
11.02.11
Leahy: More Help For Disaster Victims In Vermont
(WEDNESDAY, Nov. 2) - Low-income Vermonters struggling to rebuild and recover in the wake of Tropical Storm Irene will receive support for civil legal assistance through a grant from the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) was informed Tuesday that Legal Services Law Line of Vermont has been awarded more than $65,000 under the grant program. "This will help some Vermonters who are struggling in Irene's aftermath," said Leahy. "The need for this help is acute among m… Continue Reading
11.01.11
Reaction of Senator Patrick Leahy To The State Department’s Response To A Senate Letter On The Process Of Considering The Keystone/XL Pipeline Project
"As problematic as the process has been, I have been even more concerned about the project's fundamental defects. The environmental harm and risks associated with this project far outweigh any benefits, and I hope the Administration will use this opportunity to advance a long overdue change of course away from our dependence on polluting fossil fuels such as tar sands." # # # # #… Continue Reading
11.01.11
Senate Passes Transportation Funding Bill, Including Leahy Cost Waivers Crucial for Vermont In Repairing Roads In Irene’s Aftermath
(TUESDAY, Nov. 1) - The U.S. Senate Tuesday approved a transportation budget bill that includes crucial cost waivers included in the bill by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), which Governor Shumlin and others consider to be crucial to the repair and rebuilding of roads and bridges damaged by Tropical Storm Irene. The vote on the bill was 69 to 30. The bill also includes Leahy's truck weight provisions for Vermont, to move heavy trucks from smaller state roads, including roads crossing through the… Continue Reading
11.01.11
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Transportation-HUD Appropriations Bill And Vermont's Disaster Recovery Needs
I am encouraged by the progress made on the Transportation-HUD Appropriations Bill, which the Senate has now approved. In addition to funding our Nation's ongoing transportation infrastructure investments, this legislation also includes crucial emergency disaster funding for Vermont and other states struggling to recover from Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene and other natural disasters. This bill is part of the response needed from Congress by thousands of Vermonters and millions of other Ameri… Continue Reading
11.01.11
Delegation Announces Immediate Release Of Over $11 Million In Heating Assistance To Vermont
, Nov. 1 - On the heels of the first winter storm of the season, Vermont's congressional delegation - Sens. Patrick Leahy, Bernie Sanders and Rep. Peter Welch - today announced the immediate release over $11 million in heating assistance to eligible Vermonters. The funds will provide assistance through the Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP). With continued uncertainty over the final FY2012 funding levels for LIHEAP, Leahy, Sanders and Welch have pushed in recent weeks for the funds… Continue Reading
10.31.11
Senate To Vote On Pending Circuit Court Nomination
(Monday, Oct. 31, 2011) - The U.S. Senate tonight will vote on a long-pending nomination to fill a judicial emergency vacancy on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Senate Judiciary unanimously reported the nomination of Stephen Higginson to the Fifth Circuit in July. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) spoke on the Senate floor in advance of the vote.] Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, On Judicial Nominations October 3… Continue Reading
10.31.11
The Leahy Letter -- October 2011
Coming Home From Iraq: Senator Leahy's Reaction To The President's Announcement "I was pleased to hear President Obama announce that our troops will finally come home, by the end of this year. Our two countries need to finally and fully turn the page on this costly and unnecessary war. "The plan to finally end this misbegotten war is bittersweet news. From the beginning, this war was a matter of choice - a poor choice - and not necessity. Our troops and their families have shouldered the he… Continue Reading
10.31.11
Leahy Welcomes President’s Actions Targeting Prescription Drug Shortages
(MONDAY, Oct. 31) - Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Monday lauded action by President Obama to step up efforts to remedy the widening shortages of some prescription drugs needed by millions of Americans. Between 2005 and 2010, shortages of some medications nearly tripled, forcing many, including in Vermont, to switch to less-effective drugs or to stop their courses of treatment. The President Monday signed an Executive Order directing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to work with the Depar… Continue Reading
10.31.11
Leahy Announces Department Of Justice Oversight Hearing
(Monday, Oct. 31, 2011) - Attorney General Eric Holder will testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, November 8, 2011, Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced today. Under Leahy's chairmanship, the Senate Judiciary Committee has held regular oversight hearings with the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, and other agencies and offices in the executive branch. The hearing will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2011, at… Continue Reading
10.25.11
Leahy Announces DOMA Repeal Debate To Begin In Senate Judiciary Committee On Nov. 3
(Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011) - The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee will begin debate on legislation to repeal the Defense of Marriage (DOMA) on November 3, Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced Tuesday. Leahy announced earlier this month his intention to schedule Committee consideration of the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill that would repeal DOMA. Leahy announced the agenda Tuesday for the Committee's November 3 executive business meeting. The agenda includes a number of items held over fro… Continue Reading
10.24.11
Leahy’s Website Garners High Honor In Congressional Awards
(Monday, Oct. 24) - Senator Patrick Leahy's website has been honored once again by the Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) with a Silver Mouse Award. The CMF, a non-profit, nonpartisan organization, assesses all official Congressional websites every two years and ranks them based on various criteria related to ease of use and quality. The CMF began studying congressional websites in 1998 with the objective of providing members of Congress with feedback on how best to communicate with cons… Continue Reading
10.24.11
Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats Urge Removal Of Controversial Detainee Provisions From National Defense Authorization Act
(Monday, Oct. 24, 2011) - Democratic Senators on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Judiciary Committee last Friday sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), expressing opposition to the controversial detainee provisions included in the National Defense Authorization Act and requesting that the provisions be removed. Intelligence Committee Chair Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) are the lead signatories … Continue Reading
10.24.11
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The President’s Announcement Of The Total Withdrawal Of U.S. Troops From Iraq
"I was pleased to hear President Obama announce that our troops will finally come home, by the end of this year. Our two countries need to finally and fully turn the page on this costly and unnecessary war. "The plan to finally end this misbegotten war is bittersweet news. From the beginning, this war was a matter of choice - a poor choice - and not necessity. Our troops and their families have shouldered the heaviest burdens of this war, and our small state has endured more than its shar… Continue Reading
10.21.11
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The President's Nomination Of Mark Lippert To Be Assistant Secretary Of Defense For Asian And Pacific Security Affairs
(FRIDAY, Oct. 21) -- "I commend the President for nominating Mark Lippert to be the next Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs. Mark is a person of extraordinary intellect and the highest integrity. He did an outstanding job for me on the Appropriations Committee where he focused on U.S. policy and programs in Asia, and went on to serve at the National Security Council and as an officer in the U.S. Navy. He will do an excellent job at the Department of Defense… Continue Reading
10.20.11
Leahy Marks 25th Anniversary Of ECPA, Announces Plan To Mark Up Reform Bill
(Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011) - As the Electronic Communications Privacy Act approaches the 25th anniversary of its enactment, the law's lead Senate author, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), announced Thursday that he plans to schedule Judiciary Committee consideration of legislation to make needed updates to the privacy law before the end of the year. Leahy chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee. "When I led the effort to write the ECPA 25 years ago, no one could have contemplated the many emerging t… Continue Reading
