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Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Leahy Aide Nominated To Air Force Post
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) released a statement Tuesday after President Barack Obama announced his intention to nominate Daniel Ginsberg, currently a defense aide to Leahy, to be Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. "President Obama has made another superb choice for his administration," said Leahy. "Daniel Ginsberg combines the talents of being a keen analyst with the knowledge of how to get things done in the legislative process and in the defense bureauc… Continue Reading
05.12.09
Committee Report Filed On Patent Reform Legislation
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) filed a Committee report Tuesday to accompany the Patent Reform Act of 2009. The patent reform legislation was ordered reported by the Senate Judiciary Committee on April 2. If enacted, the legislation would make the first major reforms to the nation's antiquated patent system in more than 55 years. Leahy said, "After weeks of consideration, the Senate Judiciary Committee last month voted overwhelmingly to send critical patent reform l… Continue Reading
05.11.09
Leahy Invites Burlington Police Officer To Testify In Washington
Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) has invited Lieutenant Kris Carlson of the Burlington Police Department to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington. The hearing, which will explore the needs of state and local law enforcement, will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, May 12. Leahy is the chairman of the Senate panel. This week, thousands of law enforcement officers and officials are expected to travel to Washington to celebrate National Police Week. Last week, Leahy introduce… Continue Reading
05.08.09
EPA Brownfield Grants - Region 1, Vermont 2009
Summary Information The State of Vermont will receive $2,000,000. Seven recipients will receive funding. Four are regional recipients; Windham Regional Commission, Lamoille County Planning Commission, Northwest Regional Planning Commission, and Rutland Regional Planning Commission. Assessment grants amount to $1,400,000. Cleanup grants amount to $600,000. Recovery Act grants amount to $400,000. Regular Competition grants amount to $1,400,000. The City of Burlington will receive a $20… Continue Reading
05.08.09
E.P.A. Sends $2 Million in Clean-Up Funds to Vermont
Vermont's congressional delegation announced today $2 million in "Brownfields" grants for the state. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Congressman Peter Welch (D-Vt.) said the Environmental Protection Agency funding, $400,000 of which came from the economic stimulus plan, will go towards clean up of and reinvestment in properties blighted by hazardous waste. The City of Burlington will receive a $200,000 grant; the City of St. Albans will receive $400,000 in cleanup… Continue Reading
05.07.09
Army Inks $37 M. Contract Expansion For Vermont-Led Production Of Protective Armor For U.S. Troops
(Thursday, May 7, 2009) - Vermont will solidify its role in protecting mobile U.S. soldiers from death and injury from arms fire and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) under a new $37 million contract from the U.S. Army, according to Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). Leahy said the Vermont-based unit of General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products has received a new contract to manufacture additional reactive armor tile sets for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, the Army's basic troop transpo… Continue Reading
05.07.09
Leahy-Chaired Panel Reports Vermont Nominee To Senate Floor
A panel chaired by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Thursday reported the nomination of Judge William K. Sessions, III, to be the Chair of the U.S. Sentencing Commission to the full Senate for consideration. Judge Sessions is a member of the Sentencing Commission. President Obama nominated him to Chair the Commission on April 20. Sessions is a federal judge on the Vermont District Court, where he has served since 1995. He was first appointed to the U.S. Sentencing Commissio… Continue Reading
05.07.09
Comment of Chairman Patrick Leahy
"I value the contributions of all members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, including the longstanding service of Senator Specter. I am consulting with Senator Sessions, our Republican Ranking Member, in light of our recently revised Committee membership to consider any necessary adjustments to Judiciary Committee subcommittees. I hope to have a decision by early next week." # # # # #… Continue Reading
05.07.09
Senate Panel Reports Leahy-Authored Bill To Strengthen Violence Against Women Act
(Thursday, May 7, 2009) - The Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday reported legislation to help address the needs of domestic violence victims by strengthening key components of the 1994 Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The Improving Assistance to Domestic and Sexual Violence Victims Act was introduced in January by Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). "This legislation was developed with the help and assistance of a number of the outstanding advocacy groups that hav… Continue Reading
05.07.09
Senate Confirms National Drug Control Policy Director
(Thursday, May 7, 2009) - The Senate Thursday afternoon confirmed the nomination of Chief R. Gil Kerlikowske to be the Director of National Drug Control Policy. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) chaired a hearing on Kerlikowske's nomination on April 1, and the Committee reported the nomination to the full Senate for consideration on April 23. Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.),Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, On The Nomination Of Gil Kerlikowske To … Continue Reading
05.06.09
Comment On Inspector General Report On The FBI’s Terrorist Watchlist Nomination Practices
"Today's report follows a 2008 audit which found that the FBI's terrorist watchlist is often either inaccurate or incomplete. That the FBI continues to fail to place subjects of terrorism investigations on the watchlist is unacceptable. Disturbingly, today's report reveals that in 72 percent of the cases, the FBI has also failed to remove subjects from the list in a timely manner. In fact, one individual remained on the list for nearly five years after the case had been closed. Given … Continue Reading
05.06.09
Senate Judiciary Committee Holds Oversight Hearing With Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano
(Wednesday, May 6, 2009) - The Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday held its first Department of Homeland Security oversight hearing of the 111th Congress. The hearing marked the first appearance by Secretary Janet Napolitano before the Committee. Testimony, member statements, and video are available online. Below is the full text of Chairman Patrick Leahy's prepared statement. Leahy Questions Secretary NapolitanoOn H2A Visas And I-91 Border Checkpoint Sen. Leahy Questi… Continue Reading
05.06.09
Comment On House Passage Of The Fraud Enforcement And Recovery Act, As Amended
The House of Representatives today approved the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act. The legislation was authored by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and was passed by the Senate on April 28. The legislation is supported by the White House, the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and several law enforcement organizations. The Senate must again approve the amended legislation before it is sent to the President for signature. … Continue Reading
05.05.09
The Leahy Letter - May 5, 2009
Delegation Introduces 'Greener Gardens Bill' Last week, Senator Leahy, Senator Sanders, and Representative Welch introduced legislation that would offer consumers a 25 percent tax credit for the purchase of lower-emissions yard equipment. By providing a financial incentive to purchase and operate clean, alternative power equipment, the Vermont Congressional Delegation is helping to protect Vermont's air and water and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Click here to read more about ho… Continue Reading
05.05.09
Comment On Ranking Member Jeff Sessions
"As I told Senator Sessions when I congratulated him on his new role as the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, I look forward to working with him. The Committee has a full legislative agenda, critical oversight responsibilities and a number of key nominations, and we will be considering an important nomination to the United States Supreme Court. Senator Sessions and I have worked together in the past on a number of matters and I look forward to working w… Continue Reading
05.05.09
Senate Judiciary Committee To Hold Law Enforcement Hearing During Police Week
The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on May 12 to examine how law enforcement funding provided in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has been used to support local law enforcement efforts in communities across the country. Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) scheduled the hearing to coincide with the National Police Week, which was established by Congress in 1962. Leahy worked to include nearly $4 billion for law enforcement programs in the econo… Continue Reading
05.05.09
Bat Disease Emergency Funds Sought
, May 5 - Citing "profound public health, environmental, and economic implications," the Vermont congressional delegation today asked the Obama administration for emergency funds to investigate the cause of mysterious bat deaths. "We ask for your help in providing immediate, emergency funding for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Geological Survey for research, management, coordination, and outreach in order to provide an appropriate coordinated response to this deadly, newly emer… Continue Reading
05.04.09
Leahy Announces $1 Million Federal Appropriation For Burlington Technical Center Aviation Technology Program
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced Monday that he had secured a $1 million NASA grant for the Burlington Technical Center's Aviation Technology Center during a press conference at the Aviation Technology Center at the Burlington International Airport. Leahy, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, secured the funds in the annual appropriations bill passed by the Congress signed into law by President Obama earlier this year. The Aviation Technology Program te… Continue Reading
05.02.09
Leahy Honored By Vermont Girls and Boys Clubs
ESSEX, Vt. (Saturday, May 2) - Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Saturday was honored by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Vermont for the leadership role he has played in supporting clubs throughout the state and across the country. At the event on Saturday, Leahy announced a commitment from the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation to support Vermont clubs with more than $100,000 for equipment, camp scholarships and program supplies. In 2008 Leahy successfully appealed to the Boys and Girls Clubs America to r… Continue Reading
05.01.09
Free Press A Cornerstone Of Democracy
The Senate Thursday night unanimously adopted a resolution commemorating World Press Freedom Day, which will be celebrated around the world on Sunday, May 3. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) cosponsored the bipartisan resolution commemorating and honoring the principles of expression. Leahy is a longtime open government leader, and has supported enactment of a federal shield law. As Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Leahy has scheduled Committee consideration of th… Continue Reading
