Press Room
Press Releases
Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Leahy: I Will Vote To End Filibuster So Senate Can Begin Debate On Health Insurance Reform
"Decision time is nearing on health insurance reform, and I will vote to end the filibuster on Saturday so the Senate can begin this important and historic debate. We cannot afford to let the health industry's sentries of the status quo kick the can down the road as they have done so often before. The country suffers when there is a failure to act on serious challenges that ordinary Americans face in their daily lives. "This is a defining moment for the Senate and for the country, ranking alo… Continue Reading
11.18.09
Leahy Introduces Legislation To Further Assist First Responders
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) today introduced legislation to modify a federal grant process to allow first responders across the country to use federal grant funding to maintain crucial emergency equipment. The legislation is cosponsored by Senator George Voinovich (R-Ohio). The Strengthening and Updating Resources and Equipment (SURE) Act would modify the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to allow grants issued to first responders to be used for costs associated with the maintenance of cr… Continue Reading
11.18.09
Statement At Hearing On “Department Of Justice Oversight”
Leahy Questions Attorney General Holder at Oversight Hearing As Prepared I commend the Attorney General for moving forward last week with plans to proceed on several cases against those who seek to terrorize the United States. He is using the full range of authorities and capabilities available to us. Just as President Obama is using our military, diplomatic, legal, law enforcement, and moral force to make America safer and more secure, the Attorney General is exercising his responsibili… Continue Reading
11.18.09
Barton Receives $2.8 Million for Water Project
Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today announced that the Village of Barton will receive $2.8 million for water system improvements funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The $2.08 million grant along with a $723,000 loan awarded to Barton was among 31 water projects announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture using economic stimulus funds to help rebuild the nation's infrastructure and create or retain jobs. "Recovery Act p… Continue Reading
11.18.09
Green Jobs for Vermont
Vermont and seven other states will share nearly $4 million in economic stimulus funding announced today under a green jobs program that was authored by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). "If we get our act together as a nation and start addressing the major environmental problems of our time - global warming and our dependence on fossil fuels - we can create millions of good paying jobs," said Sanders, chairman of the Senate's Green Jobs and the New Economy Subcommittee. "In other words," he added, … Continue Reading
11.17.09
Leahy, Hatch, Delahunt, Gohmert Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation On Retirement Benefits For Assistant U.S. Attorneys
Leaders in the Senate and House of Representatives today introduced legislation to strengthen retirement benefits for Assistant U.S. Attorneys. The legislation was introduced in the Senate by Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), a former chairman of the Committee, and in the House of Representatives by Congressman William Delahunt (D-Mass.) and Congressman Louie Gohmert (R-Texas). The Enhanced Restitution Enforcement and Equitable Treatment Act w… Continue Reading
11.17.09
Time To End Filibuster Of Moderate Judicial Nominee
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Tuesday urged the Senate to vote to end the filibuster of the nomination of Judge David Hamilton to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Hamilton's nomination has been pending on the Senate's executive calendar since June 4. President Obama nominated Judge Hamilton on March 17. He appeared before the Judiciary Committee twice, on April 1 and April 29. His nomination is supported by Indiana Senators Richard Lugar (R) and Evan Bayh (D).… Continue Reading
11.17.09
Comment On President Obama’s Intention To Nominate Julie Brill To Be A Commissioner Of The Federal Trade Commission
[President Obama this week announced his intention to nominate Vermonter Julie Brill for one of two vacancies on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Brill served for more than 20 years as Assistant Attorney General for Consumer Protection and Antitrust for the State of Vermont, from 1988 to 2009. Since February 2009 she has been the Senior Deputy Attorney General and Chief of Consumer Protection and Antitrust for the North Carolina Department of Justice. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) chairs the … Continue Reading
11.17.09
Comment On Executive Order Establishing A Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force
"President Obama's creation of a Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force to investigate and prosecute financial crime builds on the commitment made earlier this year with the enactment of the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act. Financial and mortgage fraud were major contributors to a financial crisis that has harmed millions of Americans and undermined confidence in our markets and our financial system. Large sums in private investments and taxpayers' dollars are lost to f… Continue Reading
11.17.09
Statement On Committee Progress On The Free Flow Of Information Act
[President Obama this week announced his intention to nominate Vermonter Julie Brill for one of two vacancies on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Brill served for more than 20 years as Assistant Attorney General for Consumer Protection and Antitrust for the State of Vermont, from 1988 to 2009. Since February 2009 she has been the Senior Deputy Attorney General and Chief of Consumer Protection and Antitrust for the North Carolina Department of Justice. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) chairs the … Continue Reading
11.17.09
Senate Defeats Amendment To Obstruct Government’s Ability To Securely Hold Detainees
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy Tuesday joined 56 other Senators to defeat an amendment to the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act that would have prohibited the use of funds to construct or modify prison facilities to hold individuals currently being detained at the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Leahy has opposed similar measures designed to curb the tools and resources available to the Federal Government to bring charges against detai… Continue Reading
11.17.09
Ten State Attorneys General Back Leahy-Authored Antitrust Exemption Repeal Legislation
- Ten state Attorneys General are backing legislation authored by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) to repeal the health insurance and medical malpractice insurance industries' exemption from federal antitrust laws. In a letter dated November 13, Attorneys General from Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, Oregon, Arizona, Iowa, Montana, Florida and Wyoming urge Congress to end the decades-old exemption from federal antitrust laws, which are designed to encourage competition and protect consu… Continue Reading
11.16.09
Williston Firms Keep Growing: Leahy Support Of Triosyn And MicroStrain Helps Them Revolutionize Safety Of Troops
WILLISTON, VT -- Senator Patrick Leahy visited two Williston firms, MicroStrain and Triosyn, Monday to announce a series of cutting-edge, job-creating defense contracts he secured for the firms that may lead to revolutionary advances in aircraft safety and medical practices for U.S. troops. During a tour of MicroStrain's new virtual helicopter -- a high-tech lab featuring key components of the Navy's Seahawk HH-60 helicopter - Leahy, a senior member of the Senate Appropriation… Continue Reading
11.15.09
Funds Approved To Manage Bat Disease
The $1.9 million approved recently in Congress to manage a mystery disease that's killed high numbers of bats in Vermont and New York likely will be spent to implement priorities of a national plan being written to help find a solution to white-nose syndrome as it continues to spread. The emergency money, contained in the 2010 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill, was approved in conference committee recently and is expected to be awarded to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "… Continue Reading
11.13.09
Comment On White House Counsel Gregory Craig
"Greg Craig is an exceptional public servant, as well as a gifted lawyer. Together with President Obama, he helped to bolster the integrity of the Presidency, and restore integrity to the White House Counsel's Office. I have appreciated his approach to working with Congress, and his willingness to take on great challenges in the first months of this young presidency. Vermonters value public service, and as a Vermonter himself, Greg Craig has heeded that call." # # # # #… Continue Reading
11.13.09
Comment On Decision To Pursue Certain Detainee Cases In Federal District Court
"I have always believed that the nation's federal courts are capable of trying high profile terrorism and national security cases. They have proven time and time again to be up to the job. The Justice Department's decision to pursue criminal charges against Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and four other suspects in federal court is a step toward bringing long overdue justice to the perpetrators of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. I hope these cases will move forward … Continue Reading
11.10.09
Rutland Town School
Ms. Fleming's 8th grade class As a part of the annual "Operation Caring Classroom" Initiative, the Armed Forces Foundation contacted Senator Leahy to perform an online chat with students from Rutland Town School in Rutland, VT. In order to raise awareness and appreciation for military families, Senator Leahy spoke with students discussing health care issues, the environment, the Constitution and his life. Listed below is a sample of some of the questions asked during the chat. This year's chat… Continue Reading
11.10.09
Comment On The Selection Of Dr. Rajiv Shah To Be The Next USAID Administrator
[Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) chairs the State Department and Foreign Operations Subcommittee, of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which handles the Senate's work in appropriating funds for the operations and programs of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and other agencies.] "USAID is an agency facing formidable challenges. Dr. Shah has a reputation as a leader of extraordinary intellect, creativity and vision, and I look forward to working with him to r… Continue Reading
11.10.09
Judiciary Committee Begins Examination Of Innocence Protection Act Extension
The Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday held a hearing focusing on reauthorizing and improving the landmark Innocence Protection Act, legislation enacted as part of the 2004 Justice For All Act. The Innocence Protection Act was first introduced in 2000 by Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). Leahy crafted the unprecedented criminal justice reform legislation to ensure that law enforcement officials have the necessary tools to find and convict criminals, while making sure that innocent peop… Continue Reading
11.09.09
After Five-Month Delay, Senate Confirms Davis To 4th Circuit
More than five months after the nomination was overwhelmingly reported by the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Senate Monday night confirmed Judge Andre Davis to serve on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Judiciary Committee earlier had reported the Davis nomination to the Senate by a vote of 16 to 3. He was confirmed by the Senate Monday night in a 72 to 16 vote. Amid an across-the-board slowdown orchestrated by the Senate's minority party, the Senate has been slow to confirm even conse… Continue Reading
