Press Room
Press Releases
Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Senate Continuing Resoluton For Fiscal Year 2011
Later today we will vote on H.R. 1, the House Continuing Resolution, and then the Senate substitute. I want to speak briefly about how the Senate CR compares to H.R. 1, particularly funding for the Department of State and Foreign Operations. First, Senators should know what is in the House CR or, perhaps more importantly, what is not in it. It is notable that the House defines diplomacy and international development as non-security spending, in spite of, of course, the integral part they both … Continue Reading
03.09.11
Leahy Chairs DHS Oversight Hearing With Secretary Napolitano
(Wednesday, March 9, 2011) - The Senate Judiciary Committee today is holding a Department of Homeland Security oversight hearing with Secretary Janet Napolitano. Under the Chairmanship of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), the Judiciary Committee has held periodic oversight hearings with the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. The Judiciary Committee has jurisdiction over immigration, citizenship and related issues. Member statements, witness testimony, and a live webcast are availa… Continue Reading
03.08.11
Senate Passes Historic America Invents Act
(Tuesday, March 8, 2011) - The Senate Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to approve legislation to make the first reforms to the nation's patent system in nearly six decades. The America Invents Act is the product of nearly six years of debate in Congress. The bill is sponsored by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and is cosponsored by a dozen other Senators. "The America Invents Act will promote American innovation, create American jobs and grow Ameri… Continue Reading
03.08.11
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On Senate Passage Of S. 23, the America Invents Act
Today, the Senate voted 95-5 to pass S. 23, the America Invents Act. After six years of debate and discussion, the Senate has finally acted to make the first meaningful, comprehensive reforms to the nation's patent system in nearly 60 years. Passage of the America Invents Act demonstrates what we can accomplish when we cast aside partisan rhetoric, and focus on working together for the American people and for our future. The America Invents Act will promote American innovation, create Americ… Continue Reading
03.08.11
Leahy: Now Is The Time To Act On Patent Reform
The Senate continues debate today on the America Invents Act, legislation authored by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) to make the first significant reforms to the nation's patent system in nearly 60 years. The Senate Monday night voted overwhelmingly to move to conclude debate on the legislation. Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, On The America Invents Act March 8, 2011 American ingenuity and innovation have been a cornerstone of the American… Continue Reading
03.07.11
Senate Moves Closer To Final Vote On Patent Reform Bill
(Monday, March 7, 2011) - The Senate Monday night moved closer to a final vote on pending legislation to make the first major reforms to the nation's patent system in nearly six decades. The chamber voted overwhelmingly (87-3) to bring debate to a close on the America Invents Act, sponsored by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). The Senate has been considering the long-pending legislation since February 28. Patent reform legislation was first proposed in Congress in 2005. Among the key provisions … Continue Reading
03.07.11
Senate Confirms Three District Court Judges
(Monday, Mar. 7, 2011) - The Senate Monday night unanimously confirmed three pending judicial nominees to fill vacancies on district courts in California and Illinois. The nominees confirmed were Anthony Battaglia to the District of Southern California; and Sue Myerscough and James Shadid to fill judicial emergency vacancies in the Central District of Illinois. The nominees received unanimous support from the Senate Judiciary Committee in December 2010, but the Senate did not take final action… Continue Reading
03.07.11
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Obama Administration’s Executive Orders Related To Guantanamo Bay And Detainees
"The American justice system is the envy of the world, but the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay has done immeasurable damage to that system. Today's announcement has done little to change that. The process outlined in the Executive Order falls far short of core constitutional values by failing to provide judicial review of cases considered by the review board or guaranteeing meaningful assistance of counsel. I am also concerned that these orders do little to bring us closer to closing the… Continue Reading
03.07.11
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Supreme Court’s Decision In Skinner v. Switzer
The Supreme Court today issued a ruling in Skinner v. Switzer holding that an individual seeking testing of DNA gathered at a crime scene may pursue that claim in a Federal civil rights lawsuit. "I am pleased that the Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision joined by Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Scalia, chose to expand, rather than limit, the opportunity to access testing of DNA evidence. Today's ruling that the federal courts may hear, under civil rights law, a claim by a state prison inmate… Continue Reading
03.07.11
Leahy To Chair Sunshine Week Hearing On FOIA
(Monday, March 7, 2011) - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy has scheduled an oversight hearing on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which will be held during Sunshine Week 2011. The hearing is entitled, "The Freedom of Information Act: Ensuring Transparency and Accountability in the Digital Age." The seventh annual Sunshine Week will be celebrated the week of March 14. It is a national observance of the importance of an open and transparent government, and participants i… Continue Reading
03.07.11
The America Invents Act Will Address Patent Backlog, Improve Patent Quality
(Monday, March 7, 2011) - The Obama administration today released a white board presentation by Austan Goolsbee, the Chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisors, touting the need for patent reform to help American inventors and innovators. The America Invents Act, sponsored by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), will make the first comprehensive reforms to the nation's patent system in nearly 60 years. "Chairman Goolsbee's white board presentation highlights the very things the America… Continue Reading
03.07.11
Senate Judiciary Committee Field Hearing On The Vermont Brand Postponed Due To Inclement Weather
(MONDAY, March 7) -- Due to inclement weather, today's field hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee, to be chaired by Senator Patrick Leahy, has been postponed. The hearing, entitled "Strategies to Protect and Promote Vermont Brands", was originally scheduled to be held at the Ross Gymnasium at St. Micheal's College. # # # # #… Continue Reading
03.04.11
Leahy: New Vermont Passport Office Will Aid Vermonters’ Travel, Facilitate Vermont Commerce And Cement Vermont’s Bonds To Canada
ST. ALBANS, Vt. (FRIDAY, March 4) - U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) on Friday joined senior U.S. State Department officials and other dignitaries to officially open the new Vermont Passport Agency office in St. Albans. The new office is in the old Post Office Building on South Main Street. The renovation of the 6,650 square-foot facility was funded with $2.3 million of the $15 million for new Passport Agencies that Leahy included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act - the econo… Continue Reading
03.04.11
Comments Of Senator Patrick Leahy On Delayed Implementation Of The REAL ID Act
"I appreciate Secretary Napolitano's intention to delay implementation of the Real ID Act until at least January 2013. I have made no secret of my disagreement with this policy, which was rushed through Congress with little debate or consideration. This law has saddled the states with enormous costs and burdened citizens with the prospect of what effectively would be a national identification card. "When so many states are struggling with extremely difficult budget choices, the last thing th… Continue Reading
03.03.11
Leahy, On Vermont’s Long History Of Innovation And Invention
(Thursday, March 3, 2011) - The U.S. Senate is debating legislation authored by Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy to update the nation's patent system. It has been nearly 60 years since the last comprehensive reforms were made the patent system. The America Invents Act was introduced by Leahy on January 25, and is the culmination of nearly six years of debate. Vermont receives more patents per capita than any other state in the nation. The first U.S. patent issued was awarded to Vermonter Samuel… Continue Reading
03.03.11
Leahy: First-Inventor-To-File Transition Support In Every Corner Of Patent Community
For more information about first-inventor-to-file, click here. Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, The America Invents Act March 3, 2011 The America Invents Act will promote innovation, which in turn creates new businesses and as a result, new jobs. This is bipartisan legislation that will allow inventors to secure their patents more quickly, and have better success commercializing them. The pending amendment would eliminate a major piece of t… Continue Reading
03.02.11
Opening Remarks Of Senator Patrick Leahy, Department Of State And Foreign Operations Subcommittee Hearing On FY 2012 State Department Budget
Welcome, Madam Secretary. Each member seated to my left is new to this subcommittee, so I want to take this opportunity to publicly welcome them as well. I particularly want to thank Senator Lindsey Graham for accepting the role of ranking member. Senator Graham has brought important expertise to the Judiciary Committee, and I have no doubt he will do the same here. Not only does he have unique knowledge as a former Judge Advocate General, he is someone who works across party lines, which i… Continue Reading
03.02.11
Leahy: First-To-File System Will Add Simplicity And Objectivity To U.S. Patent System
(Wednesday, March 2, 2011) - The U.S. Senate today continues debate on S. 23, the America Invents Act. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) opened today's debate on the long-pending patent reform legislation, speaking about the importance of transition to a first-inventor-to-file system. "The transition to a first-inventor-to-file system will benefit the patent community in several ways," said Leahy. "It will simplify the patent application system and provide increased c… Continue Reading
03.01.11
The Leahy Letter -- March 2, 2011
Senator Leahy: Cut Tax Breaks For Oil Giants...Not Heating Aid For Struggling Households Senator Leahy, joined by Senator Sanders and Congressman Welch, speaks out against the proposed cuts to heating aid for low-income households. On February 14, Senator Leahy joined Senator Bernie Sanders and Congressman Peter Welch at the Champlain Senior Center in Burlington to discuss the significance of proposed funding cuts to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The Congress… Continue Reading
03.01.11
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Supreme Court’s Decision In Federal Communications Commission v. AT&T Inc.
"The American people have good reason to cheer today's unanimous decision by the Supreme Court in Federal Communications Commission v. AT&T Inc., concluding that corporations do not have a right of personal privacy under the Freedom of Information Act. Openness, transparency and accountability are American values, and this decision underscores their importance to our system of government. I am also pleased that, in reaching this decision, our highest court honored congressional intent abou… Continue Reading
