Press Room
Press Releases
Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Full Congressional Record Statement Thursday Of Sen. Patrick Leahy, On The Senate Resolution On Yemen And Saudi Arabia
Mr. President, I hope the Saudi royal family was paying attention to yesterday's debate in the United States Senate. The bipartisan vote on Senate Joint Resolution 54, introduced by Senators Bernie Sanders, Mike Lee, and Chris Murphy, of which I am a cosponsor, was significant for multiple reasons, but most of all for what it says about the potency of the outrage and disgust in this country and in the Congress about the conduct of Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Crown Prince. That outrage has … Continue Reading
11.28.18
Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy On the Confirmation Vote of Thomas Alvin Farr To the Eastern District of North Carolina
Our constitutional obligation as Senators is to provide advice and informed consent to a President's nominees. I do my best to scrutinize each nominee on the merits, regardless of party, and decide whether they deserve a lifetime appointment to our esteemed federal bench. And during my 44 years in the Senate, I have voted for more Republican nominated judges than almost all Republican Senators in this body today. The simple fact is, given his track record of working to systematically dismantl… Continue Reading
11.27.18
Statement of Vermont’s Congressional Delegation In Response to Swanton Sector Border Patrol’s Planned Immigration Checkpoints
In a joint statement, Senator Patrick Leahy (D), Senator Bernie Sanders (I) and Representative Peter Welch (D) said: "While we sincerely appreciate the work of the U.S. Border Patrol in keeping our country safe along the Northern Border through their actions to interdict dangerous criminal behavior such as human trafficking, we are concerned to learn of the U.S. Border Patrol's plans to operate a number of immigration checkpoints in the interior of Vermont. While these checkpoints will cause n… Continue Reading
11.21.18
Leahy Statement On Forest Management Provisions In The Farm Bill, And The California Wildfires
"It is outrageous that House Republicans and the Trump Administration are continuing to hold up the Farm Bill negotiations over harmful and extreme forestry provisions. Secretaries Perdue and Zinke shockingly are trying to co-opt the terrible tragedies in California to push for the Trump Administration's crass, cynical and unaccountable logging of the public's national forests. "Both have failed to mention that Congress, in March of this year, a mere eight months ago, already provided both of … Continue Reading
11.16.18
Portman And Leahy Introduce Second Chance Reauthorization Act To Reduce Recidivism And Help Ex-Offenders, As Congress Considers Criminal Justice Reform
As Sentencing Reform Moves To Congress's Front Burner In The Post-Election Lame Duck Session- Portman And Leahy Introduce Second Chance Reauthorization Act To Reduce Recidivism And Help Ex-Offenders, As Congress Considers Criminal Justice Reform … Program Has Helped Vermont Achieve A Steady And Dramatic Reduction In Incarceration Numbers WASHINGTON (FRIDAY, Nov. 16, 2018) - U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) on Thursday introduced their Second Chance Reauthori… Continue Reading
11.15.18
Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Nom. Of Retired Essex Police Chief Brad LaRose To Be Vermont’s Next U.S. Marshal
The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday advanced the nomination of retired Essex Police Chief Brad LaRose to be Vermont's next U.S. Marshal. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Governor Phil Scott (R) had jointly recommended LaRose to President Trump in January to fill the vacancy, and the President nominated him in June. The nomination now goes to the full Senate for a confirmation vote. Once confirmed by the full Senate, LaRose will oversee all U.S. Marshals Service operations in Vermont… Continue Reading
11.14.18
Leahy And Shaheen Ask Acting Attorney General Whitaker Whether "Zero Tolerance" Policy Has Drained Resources From Drug-Trafficking Prosecutions
Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), the Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, are asking Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker about reports that the Justice Department's resources for serious drug-trafficking prosecutions are being drained by the resources required to prosecute minor immigration offenses under President Trump's "zero tolerance" policy. As part of the… Continue Reading
11.14.18
Sheldon Elementary
On November 14, 2018, Senator Leahy continued his series of online chats with Vermont students - this time, with Sheldon Elementary School's 8th grade class, taught by Mr. Edward Kolnaski. He was very impressed by the students' questions about the legislative process, and other topics such as religious freedom. Senator Leahy also discussed his life experiences, work for Vermont in the Senate and the importance of reading in his life.… Continue Reading
11.13.18
Leahy Announces A Record $13.4 Million In Federal Funding For Vermont Organizations Supporting Victim Service Programs
U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced Tuesday that Vermont organizations will receive 15 grants totaling nearly $13.4 million from the U.S. Department of Justice to support crime victims and to strengthen services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The $13.4 million in fiscal year 2018 funding represents a $6 million increase in funding for crime victims, including survivors of domestic and sexual violence, over fiscal year 2017 levels. As Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropr… Continue Reading
11.08.18
Statement On The “Nobody Is Above The Law Protest”
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The "Nobody Is Above The Law Protest" [Delivered On Senator Leahy's Behalf By Leahy Vermont Director John Tracy] Burlington, Vermont Thursday, November 8, 2018 I am so proud of the Vermonters here today and across our state, and across our country, who are speaking out in support of the rule of law. You are doing your country a great service, and your collective voice may very well prevent a constitutional crisis. We all owe you our sincere thanks and app… Continue Reading
11.07.18
Comment On The Resignation Of Jeff Sessions As U.S. Attorney General
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) On The Resignation Of Jeff Sessions As U.S. Attorney General November 7, 2018 President Trump has wanted to hobble the Russia investigation from its inception. The only reason why he regularly disparaged and belittled Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and ultimately asked for his resignation, is that he was unhappy that his Attorney General followed mandatory Department of Justice regulations and recused himself from the Russia investigation. And the Pres… Continue Reading
11.05.18
Comment On Prevailing Over Voter Suppression Efforts
Comment of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) On Prevailing Over Voter Suppression Efforts November 5, 2018 The right to vote in the United States has never come easy. For minorities, for women, and for marginalized communities across the country, first gaining and then exercising the right to vote has required endless sacrifice and relentless perseverance. Just one day away from an election that will shape the foreseeable trajectory of our democracy, that foundational right - the franchise - requi… Continue Reading
11.01.18
Comments Of Senator Patrick Leahy About The President's Vitriolic Remarks On Thursday About Immigration And Asylum Policy
The President's fact-free vitriol today on immigration was yet another transparent descent into fear-mongering politics just days before national elections that could place a check on his presidency. It wasn't about a new crisis at our Southwest Border. It wasn't about public safety. Instead this was another cynical ploy to divert attention from his party's efforts to take away coverage of preexisting conditions and cut Social Security and Medicare to plug part of the gaping hole they caused … Continue Reading
10.31.18
Ludlow Elementary
On October 31, 2018, Senator Leahy continued his series of online chats with Vermont students - this time, with Ludlow Elementary School's 6th grade class, taught by Ms. Heidi Baitz. He enjoyed answering their questions about environmental issues facing Lake Champlain, and about what being a senator entails. Senator Leahy also discussed the important role that immigrants have played in shaping the United States, and about what students can do to lead healthy and active lives.… Continue Reading
10.31.18
Appropriations Vice Chair Patrick Leahy, On Secy. Of State Pompeo’s Call For An End To Fighting In Yemen
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt., Vice Chairman Of The Senate Appropriations Committee, And Ranking Member Of The State Department And Foreign Operations Subcommittee) On Secretary Of State Pompeo's Call For An End To Fighting In Yemen "For two years the Trump Administration has wasted countless millions of U.S. taxpayer dollars to support an ill-conceived, poorly executed air war instigated by the impulsive Saudi Crown Prince, that has caused immense civilian suffering. After repeatedly… Continue Reading
10.31.18
Commentary/Statement Of Sen. Patrick Leahy On The Caravan/Birthright Citizenship/Troops To Southern Border
The President Doubles Down On Diversion, Demagoguery And Demonization By Patrick Leahy Unable to credibly defend his corporate tax giveaways or Republicans' unending zeal to strip healthcare and coverage of pre-existing conditions from millions of Americans, President Trump, one week ahead of an election that could place a check on his presidency, is returning to a familiar playbook: deploying demagoguery to distract and divide us. This time by using a caravan of vulnerable migrants and asylum… Continue Reading
10.26.18
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) About The Arrest Of A Terror-Bomb Suspect
"We're proud, again, of the men and women of law enforcement at every level for their grit, their courage and their professionalism in investigating these bombs that were intended to incite terror and chaos. We thank them for their service in defending our democracy, pursuing justice and keeping Americans safe."… Continue Reading
10.19.18
Reaction Of Senator Patrick Leahy To The Saudi Account Of The Death Of Jamal Khashoggi
If ever a story reeked of a coverup, it is this one. It has been unraveling since it began. It's taken nearly three weeks for the Saudis to even admit that an American resident and journalist died in the Saudis' own consulate. And throughout this ordeal, the only urgency apparent in our President's handling of this crisis has been a compulsion to buy time for the Saudis to construct a story to protect the royal family. The American people need and deserve to know what the White House a… Continue Reading
10.17.18
Colchester High School
On October 17, 2018, Senator Leahy hosted an online chat with Colchester High School's "Senior Seminar Civics" class. He regularly holds these live chats with Vermont students, and this was his first of the new school year. Senator Leahy was impressed by the students' questions on how things have changed in his four decades in the Senate. He also enjoyed answering their questions about his thoughts on current issues of interest including climate change to school safety.… Continue Reading
10.17.18
Statement Of Senator Patrick leahy On Jamal Khashoggi
Credible, detailed reports from the Turkish government and the international press that Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi was tortured and murdered after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2nd have shocked the world. While we do not yet have definitive proof, neither is there any other plausible explanation. Saudi authorities first insisted that Mr. Khashoggi left the consulate unharmed, without offering any evidence of that. No video footage, nothing. After no on… Continue Reading
