Press Room
Press Releases
Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Comment On Supreme Court Decision In Dolan v. United States
"This morning, the Supreme Court upheld the clear purpose of the Mandatory Victims Restitution Act. When Congress passed that important law, it did so to protect the victims of crimes like the serious assault that Brian Dolan committed. In his case, the district court failed to determine the precise amount of restitution owed by the 90-day deadline, but made it clear that he owed restitution under the statute. I am heartened that the judges and justices interpreting that law did so in a way t… Continue Reading
06.14.10
Comment On The Supreme Court’s Denial Of Certiorari In Arar v. Ashcroft
"The United States' secret rendition of Maher Arar to Syria, where he was tortured for nearly a year, remains a stain on this nation's legacy as a human rights leader around the world. We know that Mr. Arar was detained by American authorities, who deported him not to his country of residence, Canada, where he would have been questioned and investigated, but to Syria, a country known for torturing detainees. The Canadian government has publicly cleared Mr. Arar of any links to terrorism, yet t… Continue Reading
06.11.10
West Rutland Project Wins $4.5 Million Energy Grant
, June 11 - NeighborWorks of Western Vermont won a $4.5 million grant for innovative energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, the Vermont congressional delegation announced today. The Rutland County nonprofit housing lender was awarded the grant - one of only 20 nationwide - for its proposal to save energy and create jobs retrofitting homes and municipal buildings. The award comes through a nationwide energy efficiency block grant program created in legislation authored by Sen. Bernie … Continue Reading
06.11.10
Then Vs. Now: More Kagan Files Are Available – And Faster – Than Were Available For The Roberts And Alito Nominations
The National Archives have now produced more than 87,000 pages of documents from the Clinton administration related to Elena Kagan's work both on the Domestic Policy Committee and in the White House Counsel's office. This production of paper files is more thorough than that which was completed for either the Roberts or Alito nominations in 2005. It has also been completed faster than the document production for either of those nominations - more than two weeks before the hearings are set to be… Continue Reading
06.11.10
Vermont Senators Statement on Senior Prescription Drug Rebates
Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today issued a joint statement about the state of Vermont's plans to ask some seniors, who participate in the state's VPharm supplemental prescription assistance program, to turn over part or all of their new federal Medicare prescription drug rebates. "At a time when Vermont seniors are hurting, the state should reconsider its plans to ask many low-income seniors to return this much-needed help. The state's rebate recall also would add co… Continue Reading
06.11.10
Comment On Production Of Documents By The National Archives Related To Solicitor General Elena Kagan’s Nomination To The Supreme Court Of The United States
"Any argument that the Committee does not have the materials necessary to evaluate this nomination is misguided and misplaced. All paper files related to Elena Kagan that were located by an extensive search at the Clinton Library have now been produced to the Committee. With more than two weeks before the start of the confirmation hearing, the Archives has completed its review and production of her White House files and there is more than enough time for Senators and their staff to review them… Continue Reading
06.11.10
Guard Caucus Leaders Leahy And Bond Request $870 M. To Address Guard And Reserve Equipment Shortfalls
(FRIDAY, June 11) -- U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Kit Bond (R-Mo.), the co-chairs of the Senate National Guard Caucus, are requesting an additional $870 million to help the National Guard and Reserves address critical equipment shortfalls. The National Guard Caucus request was sent to Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Vice Chairman Thad Cochran (R-Miss.). Bond and Leahy also are senior members of the Appropriations Committee and of its Defense Sub… Continue Reading
06.10.10
Comment On Elena Kagan’s Work For Justice Thurgood Marshall
"Elena Kagan clerked for one of the most revered Justices in American history, Justice Thurgood Marshall. It is unsurprising that her evaluation of cases as a law clerk were mindful of Justice Marshall's longstanding jurisprudence, and that her recommendations to him applied the lens through which he viewed cases and the law. It is surprising, however, to see these documents described by some as 'newly discovered,' since they have been publicly available since Justice Marshall left his documen… Continue Reading
06.10.10
Leahy, Schumer, Whitehouse Press For Accountability From Oil, Drilling Companies
Leahy Joins Oil Rig Victims' Families In Call For Accountability WASHINGTON - Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) on Thursday joined with the families of many victims of the April 20 explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico to press for accountability from the oil and drilling companies responsible for the tragedy in the Gulf. Leahy, Schumer and Whitehouse held a press conference on Capitol Hill with the wid… Continue Reading
06.10.10
Leahy: Derivatives Reform Should Remain An Ingredient Of Wall Street Reform
[Following are the opening remarks of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), a Senate conferee on the House-Senate conference on the Wall Street reform bill. The first meeting of conferees was held today (Thursday).] C-SPAN: Leahy Joins Wall Street Reform Bill Conferees for First Meeting I want to congratulate Agriculture Chairwoman Blanche Lincoln and Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd for shepherding this significant piece of legislation through the United States Senate. G… Continue Reading
06.10.10
Statement On The Murkowski Resolution of Disapproval
Leahy Opposes Murkowski Resolution on Greenhouse Gases Mr. President, I rise today to speak in opposition to the proposed resolution from the Senator from Alaska. This resolution of disapproval reminds me of a skills competition for young people, promoted by the National Football League, called "Punt, Pass, and Kick." In fact, this resolution is an engraved invitation for the Senate to make a big league handoff of a basketful of illness, economic stalemate and environmental pollution, to o… Continue Reading
06.09.10
FTC Chairman To Leahy: Antitrust Laws Shouldn’t Prohibit Oil Companies From Assisting In Gulf Spill
The Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission has told Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) that federal antitrust laws should not prohibit oil companies from discussing ways to address the ongoing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. In a letter sent June 8, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Jon Leibowitz said, "Although we must always be watchful when competitors collaborate, industry efforts to work with Federal officials and provide expertise to combat this ecological disaster are unlikely to ra… Continue Reading
06.09.10
Leahy Introduces Bill To Strengthen Penalties For Environmental Crimes
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Wednesday introduced legislation to hold accountable oil and other companies responsible for environmental crimes. The Environmental Crimes Enforcement Act will also protect victims of environmental crime by mandating restitution for criminal violations of the Clean Water Act. The legislation is aimed at deterring environmental crime and protecting and compensating victims of environmental crime. The Environmental Crimes Enforcement Act (ECEA) will deter schemes … Continue Reading
06.09.10
Plymouth Elementary School
On June 9, 2010 Senator Leahy conducted an online chat with the 13 students of Plymouth Elementary School. Plymouth Elementary School closed at the end of the school year on June 17, 2101. As part of the school's closing activities Senator Leahy used Skype to speak with the students ranging in grades kindergarten through six grade about their hometown of Plymouth, Senator Leahy's life as a U.S. Senator and his childhood. A sample of the questions asked during the chat follows. What schools and … Continue Reading
06.08.10
Leahy and Sanders Back New Push To Restore Medicaid Relief To Jobs Bill That Senate Will Debate This Week
- U.S. Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) announced Tuesday that a $24 billion fund to assist states with their Medicaid populations will be included in a jobs bill package now pending action by the full Senate. The provision backed by Sanders and Leahy would extend for six additional months an enhanced federal funding match to states that was enacted as part of last year's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Vermont estimates that extending this Medicaid relief … Continue Reading
06.08.10
Leahy Introduces Survivors Equality Act To Allow Families Of Oil Rig Victims To Seek Justice In Court
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Tuesday introduced legislation to permit families of victims killed on the high seas to seek non-economic damages in the wake of tragedies like that of the explosion on British Petroleum's Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. The Death on the High Seas Act is one of few exclusive federal remedies for families of those killed in international waters, yet the law does not permit families to recover for losses such as the loss of care or companionship. Ho… Continue Reading
06.08.10
Judiciary Committee Hears Testimony About Risky Business Of Big Oil
(Tuesday, June 8, 2010) - The Senate Judiciary Committee this morning is holding a hearing on "The Risky Business of Big Oil: Have Recent Court Decisions and Liability Caps Encouraged Irresponsible Corporate Behavior" Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) delivered the following opening statement. Witness testimony and a live webcast are available online. Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee,Hearing On "The Risky Business Of Big Oil: Have Rec… Continue Reading
06.07.10
Senate Confirms Three District Court Judges
The Senate Monday night confirmed three nominations to fill vacancies on federal district courts across the country. The votes marked the first Senate action on pending judicial nominations in nearly a month. The last confirmation vote was held on May 11. The Senate unanimously confirmed district court nominees Audrey Fleissig to the federal district court for eastern district of Missouri; Lucy Koh to the federal district court for the northern district of California; and Jane Magnus-Stinson … Continue Reading
06.07.10
Leahy On Kagan Nomination: Senators Should Reject The Ideological Litmus Test
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) delivered brief remarks on the Senate Floor today regarding the nomination of Elena Kagan to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. The full text of his statement follows. Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.),Chairman, Senate Judiciary CommitteeOn The Nomination Of Elena Kagan To The Supreme CourtJune 7, 2010 Leahy Urges Senators To "Reject The Ideological Litmus Test" On Kagan Nomina… Continue Reading
06.07.10
Health Care Law Improves Prescription Drug Coverage
BURLINGTON, Vt., - U.S. Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) announced today that almost 9,000 Vermont seniors will receive a one-time $250 rebate check beginning this week as the new federal health care law begins to close a gap in Medicare coverage for prescription medicine. The first checks will be mailed June 10 for people whose out-of-pocket expenses already total more than $940 for the year, the senators said during a joint press conference at the Champlain Senior Center… Continue Reading
