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Press Releases
Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Statement On The Situation In Sri Lanka
Mr. LEAHY. The ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka that has waxed and waned for decades costing the lives of tens of thousands of people, has exploded into a full scale war and it is civilians who are bearing the brunt of the carnage. The origins of the conflict arise from decades of the Sinhalese majority's systematic discrimination against the Tamil minority, and its denial of the Tamils' meaningful participation in the political process. The Sri Lankan army is almost exclusively Sinhales… Continue Reading
02.03.09
Leahy Notices Confirmation Hearing For Associate Attorney General, Solicitor General Nominees
(Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009) - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) on Tuesday noticed a hearing to consider the nominations Thomas Perrelli to be the Associate Attorney General, the number three position at the Department of Justice, and Elena Kagan to be the Solicitor General of the United States. Perrelli and Kagan will appear before the Committee on February 10, at 10:00 a.m. The Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing Thursday on the nomination of David W. Ogden to b… Continue Reading
02.03.09
Comment On President Obama’s Nomination Of Senator Judd Gregg To Be Secretary Of Commerce
"Judd Gregg will be a credit to the new administration just as he has been a credit to the Senate. I will miss serving with my friend but I admire his commitment to our country. "He is a senator of extraordinary intellect and discipline who is able to rise above partisanship. Together he and I have led the Senate Appropriations panel that oversees one of the largest and farthest-reaching federal agencies, the State Department, and the close relationship we have forged has yielded practi… Continue Reading
02.03.09
Protect Health Privacy Provisions In Recovery Package
(Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009) - Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Tuesday urged Congress to support critical health information privacy protections included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which the Senate is considering this week. The legislation includes funding for investments and incentives in health information technology. The increased use of technology and the Internet can help reduce health care costs and increase Americans' accessibility to health care services. Leahy has… Continue Reading
02.02.09
Holder Confirmed In Overwhelming Senate Vote
(Monday, Feb. 2, 2009) - The United States Senate Monday night overwhelmingly voted 75-21 to confirm Eric H. Holder Jr. to be the 82nd Attorney General of the United States. Attorney General Holder's designation was first announced more than two months ago, on Dec. 1, 2008. Last month, the Senate Judiciary Committee held two days of hearings to consider the nomination. Holder responded to hundreds of questions submitted for the record before the Committee voted to report the nomination … Continue Reading
02.02.09
Leahy Opens Debate On Holder Nomination; Senate To Vote Tonight
Sen. Leahy Opens Debate On Eric Holder's Nomination WASHINGTON (Monday, Feb. 2, 2009) - The Senate is expected to vote later tonight on the nomination of Eric H. Holder Jr. to be Attorney General of the United States. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), opened the Senate's debate on the nomination this afternoon. Holder's nomination was reported by the Judiciary Committee in a 17-2 vote on Jan. 28. A vote is expected around 6:15 p.m. Statement Of Senator Pat… Continue Reading
01.31.09
Comment On HHS Nominee Tom Daschle
"Tom Daschle has dedicated his life to public service. I have every confidence that he will be a great Secretary of Health and Human Services. I look forward to working with him to finally deliver real health care reform for the American people." # # # # #… Continue Reading
01.30.09
Reaction To The Announcement That The Department Of Justice Will Investigate Possible Criminal Violations By Peanut Corporation Of America
Earlier today, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) sent a letter to Acting Attorney General Mark Filip urging the Justice Department to launch a criminal investigation into the actions of the Peanut Corporation of America. A report from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed that the PCA knowingly provided tainted peanut products to food producers. The tainted products have led to an outbreak of salmonella poisoning. Four cases in Vermont have been linked to the outbreak, and more t… Continue Reading
01.30.09
Vermont Stands To Gain $492.3 Million In Grants Under Senate’s Economic Recovery Bill
(Friday, Jan. 30) - New official estimates released late Friday by the Senate Appropriations Committee show that Vermont would garner a two-year minimum of $492.3 million in formula grants under the Senate's version of the economic recovery and reinvestment package that will reach the Senate Floor next week, according to Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), the panel's third most-senior member. The new Senate Appropriations Committee analysis does not include hundreds of millions more to Vermonter… Continue Reading
01.30.09
Leahy Calls For Criminal Investigation Into Peanut-Salmonella Outbreak
(Friday, Jan. 30) - Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) is calling for a criminal investigation of Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), which, according to a report by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), knowingly sold peanut products containing salmonella. The salmonella outbreak has resulted in one of the largest food recalls in history and has been linked to the deaths of eight people, and more than 500 people have fallen ill. The outbreak has affected people in 43 states. In Vermont,… Continue Reading
01.30.09
The Leahy Letter - January 30, 2009
Reinvestment Plan Will Help America And Vermont On Tuesday January 27, 2009, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan to provide assistance to hardworking Americans struggling during the widening economic crisis. As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Leahy has been working to incorporate priorities important to Vermont, including expanded broadband access, an increase in nutrition programs, and much needed improvements … Continue Reading
01.29.09
Statement On S. 275, The Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act Of 2009
Sen. Leahy Comments On The Importance Of CHIP Mr. President, I wish to express my strong support for the reauthorization of the Children's Health Insurance Program. At a time when our country is moving in a new direction, it is fitting that we are considering this important measure among the first bills considered this Congress. I believe the extension of CHIP will stand out as one of the great accomplishments of this body. By passing this legislation, we would state clearly that t… Continue Reading
01.29.09
Leahy Notices Confirmation Hearing For Deputy AG Nominee
(Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009) - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) on Thursday noticed a hearing to consider the nomination of David W. Ogden to be Deputy Attorney General of the United States. Ogden is a former Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's Civil Division, and a former counsellor and chief of staff to the Attorney General. Ogden will testify before the panel on February 5. President Obama announced Ogden's designation to fill the number two… Continue Reading
01.28.09
Statement On The Shurrab Family
MR. LEAHY. Mr. President, we have all seen the photographs of houses, schools and other civilian infrastructure destroyed in Gaza, and the reports of civilian deaths, including over 400 children, and many thousands more injured. Behind each of these statistics is a story of a family tragedy. I want to take this opportunity to talk about one that has touched the lives of Vermonters, and which should cause each of us deep concern. Amer Shurrab is arecent graduate ofMiddlebury College, wh… Continue Reading
01.28.09
Statement On Martinez Amendment On Mexico City Policy
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I have listened to the debate on the amendment offered by Senator Martinez to reverse President Obama's decision to overturn the Mexico City policy. I have been struck by the statements of proponents of the amendment that the President's action means federal funds will now be used for abortions overseas. That is nothing more than a scare tactic and a flagrant misrepresentation of fact. As those who make such statements know well, U.S. law has banned the use of… Continue Reading
01.28.09
Comment Commemorating
"Today, privacy advocates, industry leaders and government officials from across the nation and around the world celebrate Data Privacy Day - a day to raise awareness about data privacy practices and rights. As the nation answers President Obama's call for an immediate investment in health information technology, Data Privacy Day is an important opportunity to remind all of us about the important work that the Congress must complete to protect Americans' health privacy rights." "Yesterd… Continue Reading
01.28.09
Judiciary Committee Reports Holder Nomination To Senate
Sen. Leahy's Statement Before the Judiciary Committee On Eric Holder's Nomination WASHINGTON (Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009) - The Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday reported the nomination of Eric H. Holder Jr., to be the next Attorney General to the full Senate for consideration. The nomination was reported by the Committee by a vote of 17-2. The Committee held a hearing on Holder's nomination January 15 and January 16. Holder's designation by President Obama was first reported mo… Continue Reading
01.27.09
Comment On House Passage Of The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act
"In the first week of the Obama Administration, this new Congress has achieved what could not be done last year: legislate to provide equal pay for equal work, and strike down immunity given to employers by the Supreme Court to covertly discriminate against their workers. Last week, the Senate overcame the Republican filibusters of the last Congress and passed this important legislation. It will be one of first laws signed by President Obama. In these troubling economic times, we cannot… Continue Reading
01.27.09
Leahy Says Plan OKd Tuesday By Appropriations Committee Is ‘Good Match’ For Vermont’s Budget Deficit And Economy
Sen. Leahy Comments On The Stimulus Plan Passed By Appropriations Committee WASHINGTON (Tuesday, Jan. 27) - Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) says the economic stimulus plan approved Tuesday by a key Senate panel is "a good match" to ease Vermont's widening state budget deficit and to bolster Vermont's economy. Leahy is one of the most senior members of the Appropriations Committee, which approved the plan and advanced it to the full Senate. Leahy said, "Bit by bit, Vermont's economy and o… Continue Reading
01.27.09
Comments On Senator Specter’s Decision To Support Eric Holder’s Nomination
"I am glad that Senator Specter has resolved his concerns and will support Eric Holder's nomination to be the next Attorney General. He joins the dozens of organizations and individuals across the political spectrum that for more than two months have praised the qualifications, integrity, and independence of this nominee. Tomorrow the Committee will move forward to report this historic nomination to the Senate, and I hope the Senate will debate and vote on Mr. Holder's nomination without… Continue Reading
