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Press Releases
Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Statement on Sessions Amendment Number 4173
Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, I wish to speak about the Sessions amendment to the supplemental appropriations bill. This is the amendment that would cap discretionary spending this year and for future years, irrespective of the needs of the government and the American people. I know our distinguished chairman, Senator Inouye, has already spoken about it. I note this is the fourth time the Senate has been asked to vote on this amendment. The last three times it was defeated. Now we have to v… Continue Reading
05.25.10
Comment On Repeal Of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Policy
"I support congressional action to move past the policies that discriminated against men and women serving or wanting to serve in our Nation's military, on the basis of their sexual orientation. I commend Admiral Mullen, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Defense Secretary Gates, and the President for their leadership on this important issue. America is defended by the finest military in the world. There should be no place in America, including in our military, for discrimination. "W… Continue Reading
05.25.10
Statement On The Nomination Of Elena Kagan To The Supreme Court Of The United States
Senator Leahy Speaks on Kagan Nomination on Senate Floor Two weeks ago, President Obama nominated Elena Kagan to succeed Justice John Paul Stevens as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Much has been written and said about this nomination during the last two weeks, and more will be said over the next month, as we prepare for the Judiciary Committee's hearing, which will begin on June 28. So far, there has been too much talk about process and too much partisanship … Continue Reading
05.24.10
Comment On The Supreme Court’s Decision In American Needle Inc. v. National Football League
[The Supreme Court today issued a ruling in American Needle, Inc., v. National Football League. In a unanimous decision, the Court reversed the Seventh Circuit and held that NFL teams can be held liable for agreements among League members that constitute an unreasonable restraint of trade.] "The Court's unanimous decision will ensure that the antitrust laws apply to concerted actions by teams of the National Football League. This ruling is a rare win for sports fans, and in fact for all Amer… Continue Reading
05.23.10
Leahy Calls on Napolitano To Close Morses Line Border Crossing
(SUNDAY, May 23, 2010) - Following Saturday's public meeting in Franklin regarding the Morse's Line Border Crossing, Senator Patrick Leahy has written to Secretary Janet Napolitano calling for closure of the crossing. Leahy, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, told Napolitano that he was prepared to close the port during the Appropriations process if necessary. May 23, 2010 The Honorable Janet NapolitanoSecretaryUnites States Department of Homeland Security Washington, DC … Continue Reading
05.21.10
Comment On National Archive And Clinton Library Efforts To Identify Materials In Connection With Solicitor General Elena Kagan’s Nomination To Be An Associate Justice Of The United States Supreme Court
A copy of the letter from David S. Ferriero to Chairman Leahy and Ranking Member Sessions is available online. "The National Archives and Records Administration and the Clinton Library are undertaking an exhaustive and thorough search for records responsive to the requests of the White House and the Senate Judiciary Committee. The search methodology they have outlined appears to be more comprehensive than that undertaken in response to Senate Democrats' narrow request for high-priority documen… Continue Reading
05.20.10
Statement On Wall Street Reform Legislation
Mr. President, I strongly support the reform bill before us, S.3217, the Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010. I commend Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd and Majority Leader Harry Reid for shepherding this significant piece of legislation through the Senate. Getting to this point was no small feat given the near-unanimous opposition to Wall Street reform that this effort has encountered from the other side of the aisle. But Senators Dodd and Reid persevered because t… Continue Reading
05.20.10
Leahy Pushes For Public Access To Oil Spill Information
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Thursday sent a letter to President Barack Obama urging him to press federal executive agencies to make publicly available information related to the ongoing oil spill and growing environmental crisis in the Gulf of Mexico. Leahy is a longtime leader Congress in promoting government transparency, and in strengthening the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the nation's premier open government law. "I write to urge you to take immediate steps to increase public acc… Continue Reading
05.20.10
Leahy Joins Franken, Others To Introduce Student Non-Discrimination Act
Senator Patrick Leahy on Thursday joined Senator Al Franken (D-Minn.) and 21 other senators to introduce the Student Non-Discrimination Act to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) students from harassment, bullying, and violence at school. "The Student Non-Discrimination Act will ensure that under federal law, all public school children are protected equally from discrimination. Children deserve a safe environment where they can learn the skills and knowledge necessary to be go… Continue Reading
05.19.10
Director Of Vermont Immigration And Asylum Advocates Testifies Before Leahy-Chaired Panel
(Wednesday, May 19, 2010) - Vermont Patrick Giantonio, the Executive Director of Vermont Immigration and Asylum Advocates testified Wednesday morning before a panel chaired by Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy. Leahy is the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction over immigration and refugee related issues. Vermont Immigration and Asylum Advocates provides legal services to immigrants and asylum seekers. Wednesday's hearing, "Renewing America's commitment to the Refugee Co… Continue Reading
05.19.10
Leahy, Sessions Request Kagan Documents From Clinton Library
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Ranking Member Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) on Tuesday sent a letter to the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum, requesting documents related to the nomination of Solicitor General Elena Kagan to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. On Tuesday, Solicitor General Kagan returned the responses to the bipartisan Committee questionnaire, which requested information in the possession of the nominee. … Continue Reading
05.19.10
Green Mountain Valley School
On May 19, 2010, Senator Leahy conducted an online chat with 19 students from Green Mountain Valley School in Waitsfield, Vermont. Students used Skype to ask Senator Leahy questions about the dairy industry in Vermont and Senator Leahy's efforts to assist dairy farmers. They also asked a variety of questions about Senator Leahy's life as a United States Senator, his personal interests and his thoughts on Elena Kagan's nomination for Supreme Court Justice. Senator Leahy chats via video with st… Continue Reading
05.19.10
Kagan Confirmation Hearing To Begin June 28
Senator Leahy Sets Date For Kagan Confirmation Hearing To Begin June 28 WASHINGTON - At a hearing Wednesday morning, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced that proceedings to consider the nomination of Solicitor General Elena Kagan to be an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court will begin on June 28. "This is a reasonable schedule that is in line with past practice," said Leahy. "Last year, we proceeded with the hearing on the nomination of Justice Soto… Continue Reading
05.18.10
Comment On The Questionnaire For Solicitor General Elena Kagan To Be Associate Justice Of The Supreme Court
"Solicitor General Kagan has promptly returned the Committee's bipartisan questionnaire. She is completing her meetings with each Senator on the Judiciary Committee soon, although some Republican members have asked that their meetings take place next week. The White House has already requested that the Clinton Library expedite requests for materials about her work in the Clinton administration. These materials, along with the record we compiled last year in connection with her nomination to b… Continue Reading
05.18.10
The Way Forward On Anti-Personnel Landmines
Way Forward On Anti-Personnel Landmines Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, earlier today I, along with 67 other Senators, sent a letter to President Obama on an issue that has concerned the Congress since the late 1980s. Our letter, signed by more than two-thirds of the Senate, commends the President for conducting a comprehensive review of the U.S. Government's policy on antipersonnel mines. That review has been underway for some time, and I expect it will be completed later this summer. It has i… Continue Reading
05.17.10
Comment On The Supreme Court’s Decision In U.S. v. Comstock
[In a 7-2 decision released today by the U.S. Supreme Court in U.S. v. Comstock, the Court upheld a provision of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act which allowed for the civil commitment of a mentally ill federal prisoner who is also a convicted sex offender, beyond the date the convicted offender would have otherwise been released. In 2006, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), then the Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, played a leading role in the Senate's efforts to ena… Continue Reading
05.17.10
Leahy, Sanders And Welch Urge Vermont Broadband Infrastructure Funding Under Next Federal Stimulus Bill Round
The members of Vermont's Congressional Delegation -- U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D), U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I) and U.S. Rep. Peter Welch (D) -- are urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) to invest in Vermont's broadband infrastructure. The lawmakers wrote to the agencies this week in support of the more than $219 million in broadband infrastructure applications submitted by Vermont companies and nonprofit organizations seeking Vermont's share … Continue Reading
05.14.10
Senate Unanimously Passes Leahy-Authored Bill To Improve Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act
The Senate Thursday night unanimously passed legislation authored by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) to improve the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA). Leahy was a lead author of LEOSA, which permits active and qualified retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms across state lines. The Act was originally signed into law in 2004. Leahy introduced the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act Improvements Act in May 2009. He steered the bipartisan legislation through the Se… Continue Reading
05.13.10
Judiciary Committee Advances Liu Nomination To Senate Floor
(Thursday, May 13, 2010) - The Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday voted to advance the nomination of Goodwin Liu to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to the full Senate. The Committee also advanced Second Circuit nominee Ray Lohier, and District of Delaware nominee Leonard Stark, as well as four U.S. Marshal nominees and a U.S. Attorney nominee. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), the chairman of the Committee, made the following remarks the executive business meeting.] Statement Of Senator Pa… Continue Reading
05.13.10
Leahy, Sessions Release Kagan Questionnaire
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Ranking Member Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) Thursday released the bipartisan questionnaire the Senate Judiciary Committee has asked Solicitor General Elena Kagan to complete in connection with her nomination to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Responses to the Committee questionnaire will be made available online once received. Print copies will be made available upon request. A PDF of the questionnair… Continue Reading
