Press Room
Press Releases
Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Statement On The Release Of Parole Guidelines For Asylum Seekers
I have long questioned the policy of detaining asylum seekers who present genuine claims for protection under our laws. Asylum seekers who express a fear of return to their country, and who can establish their identity and show that they are neither a flight risk nor a threat to the community, should be allowed to pursue a claim for relief in the United States free from custody. Yesterday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced new guidelines for release of asylum seekers tha… Continue Reading
12.17.09
Emergency Dairy Payments Approved
, December 17 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture today detailed plans to distribute $290 million to struggling dairy farmers. The assistance is part of a $350 million dairy assistance measure Congress approved at the request of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), a senior member of the Senate appropriations committee, and Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), cochairman of the Congressional Dairy Farmers Caucus, helped guide the measure through the congressional appropriations process… Continue Reading
12.16.09
Comment On Two-Month Extension Of Expiring Provisions Of The USA PATRIOT Act
Senate and House leaders have included a two-month extension of expiring provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act in the Department of Defense appropriations bill. "I am disappointed that House and Senate leaders were not able to reach an agreement to enact the USA PATRIOT Act Sunset Extension Act before December 31. More than two months ago, the Senate Judiciary Committee reported legislation to extend these expiring provisions for four years, and to strengthen congressional oversight of these intel… Continue Reading
12.16.09
Comment On Two-Month Extension Of The Distant Signal Satellite License
Senate and House leaders have included a two-month extension of the distant signal satellite license in the Department of Defense appropriations bill. The extension will allow Windham and Bennington counties in Vermont to continue to receive Burlington stations through DirecTV. "While Senate and House leaders were not able to reach an agreement to pass a long-term extension of the law governing the retransmission of broadcast signals, I am pleased that Congress will provide for a two-month ex… Continue Reading
12.16.09
Comment On U.S. Immigration And Customs Enforcement Parole Procedures For Asylum Seekers
"I have long questioned the policy of detaining asylum seekers who present genuine claims for protection under our laws. Asylum seekers who express a fear of return to their country, and who can establish their identity and show that they are neither a flight risk nor a threat to the community, should be allowed to pursue a claim for relief in the United States free from custody. Today's announcement of new guidelines for release of asylum seekers overrides an unduly harsh policy implemented i… Continue Reading
12.16.09
Comment On Two-Month Extension Of Expiring Provisions Of The USA PATRIOT Act
Senate and House leaders have included a two-month extension of expiring provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act in the Department of Defense appropriations bill. "I am disappointed that House and Senate leaders were not able to reach an agreement to enact the USA PATRIOT Act Sunset Extension Act before December 31. More than two months ago, the Senate Judiciary Committee reported legislation to extend these expiring provisions for four years, and to strengthen congressional oversight of these intell… Continue Reading
12.16.09
President Signs Leahy Legislation Aimed At Reducing Heavy Truck Traffic In Vermont Downtowns
(WEDNESDAY, Dec. 16) - President Obama Wednesday signed into law a bill that includes legislation authored by U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) that will create a pilot program in Vermont to move heavy trucks off state secondary roads and onto the state's Interstate highways for one year, using the practical experience to evaluate impacts on highway safety, bridge and road durability, commerce, truck volumes and energy use in Vermont. Leahy said, "Overweight trucks have become a reality in Ver… Continue Reading
12.16.09
Comment On Two-Month Extension Of The Distant Signal Satellite License
Senate and House leaders have included a two-month extension of the distant signal satellite license in the Department of Defense appropriations bill. The extension will allow Windham and Bennington counties in Vermont to continue to receive Burlington stations through DirecTV. "While Senate and House leaders were not able to reach an agreement to pass a long-term extension of the law governing the retransmission of broadcast signals, I am pleased that Congress will provide for a two-month exte… Continue Reading
12.15.09
Comment On The Government's Purchase Of A Prison Facility In Illinois To House Detainees
"I have opposed measures to prohibit the transfer of detainees to federal prisons in the past because our facilities in the United States are clearly capable of securely holding detainees. Maximum security facilities are both safe and secure. President Obama is taking prudent steps to ensure we are able to finally close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. Doing so will make us safer and is critical to restoring our reputation as a nation of laws. I am committed to working with him to accom… Continue Reading
12.15.09
Judiciary Committee Examines Use Of DNA Evidence To Solve Rape Cases
(Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009) - The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing Tuesday to examine the problems facing crime labs across the country in processing backlogs of untested rape kits. Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) presided. Leahy has been a champion of the Debbie Smith Rape Kit Backlog Reduction Act, which was enacted as part of the 2004 Justice For All Act. The Debbie Smith grant program has been successful in helping many jurisdictions across the country reduce or eliminate b… Continue Reading
12.15.09
Leahy Praises Resolution In Alvarado Asylum Case, Pushes Administration To Issue Regulations
(Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009) - Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Tuesday praised the conclusion of a 14-year legal struggle that has resulted in the United States granting asylum to a domestic abuse survivor from Guatemala. Last week, an immigration judge granted asylum to Ms. Rody Alvarado, who fled to the United States in the 1990s seeking protection under the nation's asylum laws. "The details of Ms. Alvarado's case are shocking," said Leahy. "She suffered from horrific domestic violence in her hom… Continue Reading
12.15.09
Leahy Renews Call To Confirm Pending Nominations Before Recess
(Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009) - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Tuesday renewed his call for the Senate to consider more than 25 Judiciary Committee-reported nominations pending on the Senate's executive calendar. The Senate is poised to confirm fewer nominations to fill circuit and district court vacancies in this first year of the Obama administration than were confirmed in the first years of the last four presidencies. Only 10 lower court judicial nominations have been … Continue Reading
12.15.09
Comment On The Government’s Purchase Of A Prison Facility In Illinois To House Detainees
"I have opposed measures to prohibit the transfer of detainees to federal prisons in the past because our facilities in the United States are clearly capable of securely holding detainees. Maximum security facilities are both safe and secure. President Obama is taking prudent steps to ensure we are able to finally close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. Doing so will make us safer and is critical to restoring our reputation as a nation of laws. I am committed to working with him to a… Continue Reading
12.15.09
On Prescription Drug Importation, Amendment #2793, To H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Making medicine affordable is part of what health reform should be. Today we have the opportunity to include a measure long-championed by Senator Dorgan, which makes affordable prescription drugs more widely available to Americans. Americans pay some of the highest prices for prescription drugs of any country in the world - despite the fact that many of these drugs are made right here, and they are often made with the benefit of taxpayer supported research. Prescription drugs are a lifeline, … Continue Reading
12.14.09
Comment On Announced Settlement Over “Lost” Bush Administration Emails
"The Senate Judiciary Committee never accepted the Bush administration's conclusion that millions of its emails were "lost." In fact, President Bush's spokesperson was dismissive of congressional requests that the administration recover the emails. This was another example of the Bush administration's reflexive resistance to congressional oversight and the public's right to know." # # # # #… Continue Reading
12.14.09
Leahy Secures More Than $26 M. For Vermont Economic Development, Crime Prevention And Lake Cleanup Priorities
(MONDAY, Dec. 14) - Vermont's priorities fared well Sunday, during a rare weekend session, as Congress gave final approval to a package of six annual appropriations bills. The budget package will fund much of the federal government through the remainder of the fiscal year. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, secured more than $25 million for Vermont projects that will create jobs, prevent crime, and continue efforts to improve the condition of … Continue Reading
12.13.09
Time for health insurers to compete
As the Senate considers historic reforms to health care and the health insurance industry, it should repeal the health and medical malpractice insurance industries' exemption from federal antitrust laws. The exemption, enacted nearly 65 years ago, has served the financial interests of the insurance industry at the expense of consumers for far too long. Meaningful reforms to our health-care system must protect consumers and promote competition. Just as we believe that a strong public option will… Continue Reading
12.11.09
Statement On El Salvador
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I want to briefly discuss a subject that should interest all Senators concerning the country of El Salvador, which recently elected a new President and last month suffered extensive loss of life and devastating property damage as a result of torrential rains caused by Hurricane Ida. First, I congratulate the people of El Salvador on the election, which was historic in that President Funes is the country's first President since the end of the civil war who is a member o… Continue Reading
12.10.09
After Seven Months, Judiciary Committee Reports Media Shield Legislation
(Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009) - The Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday approved legislation to establish a qualified privilege for journalists to protect their confidential sources and the public's right to know. The bipartisan Free Flow of Information Act was first listed for Committee consideration in April, and Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) has worked with the bill's chief sponsors to move the legislation forward. The media shield legislation was introduced by Senators Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) a… Continue Reading
12.09.09
Community Health Center Of Burlington Wins $11 Million For New Building
, December 9 - The Community Health Center of Burlington was awarded $10.9 million in federal stimulus funds for construction of a new building that will double the center's and allow it to serve more patients throughout Chittenden County, Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) announced. "We are making significant progress in improving access to affordable primary health care in Vermont. In the last few years we have gone from two Federally Qualifie… Continue Reading
