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Press Releases
Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Fight Drug Crimes And Ensure Justice, Accountability
The need for international cooperation to crack down on drug cartels is beyond question. Just a few weeks ago, gunmen killed Mexico Chief of Police Edgar Eusebio Millán Gómez in his home. In a single week, more than 100 people, including about 20 police officers, were killed in drug-related violence. Some of those suspected of having a hand in these crimes are police officers themselves, moonlighting for the cartels. On May 22, the U.S. Senate approved $450 million for the f… Continue Reading
06.11.09
Statement On the Passage of S. 982 The “Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act”
I am pleased the Senate is moving once again to pass legislation to regulate tobacco products in the United States. Senator Kennedy's lifetime efforts to improve the public's health are exemplified in his fight to pass the "Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act." Despite many setbacks, Senator Kennedy has worked tirelessly to pass this legislation and I am proud to join him again as a cosponsor of this bill. This legislation is long overdue and I look forward to… Continue Reading
06.10.09
Comment On The Appointment Of Miriam Nisbet As The First Director Of The Office Of Government Information Services
"I applaud President Obama and Acting Archivist of the United States Adrienne Thomas for appointing Miriam Nisbet as the first Director of the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) within the National Archives and Records Administration. As one of the key FOIA reforms enacted under the Leahy-Cornyn OPEN Government Act of 2007, OGIS will provide essential policy guidance and mediation services for the government's Freedom of Information Act activities. Ms. Nisbet brings a weal… Continue Reading
06.10.09
Remarks At The World Copyright Summit “New Frontiers For Creators In The Marketplace”
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) delivered the following remarks at the World Copyright Summit on Wednesday morning in Washington, D.C. As Prepared Thank you. I always appreciate the opportunity to be in such talented company. I would like to thank the President of CISAC, Robin Gibb, and the Chairman of the Board, Brett Cottle, for inviting me here today. I am an avid fan. I see intellectual property rights as an important way to ensure that inventors and cr… Continue Reading
06.10.09
Leahy Panel Hears Testimony From Director Of Vermont Network Against Domestic And Sexual Violence
A Senate panel chaired by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) heard testimony this morning from Karen Tronsgard-Scott, the Director of the Vermont Network Against Domestic Violence, at a hearing in Washington, D.C. Tronsgard-Scott and others testified about how the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) has been used to help combat domestic violence and other violent crimes against women. The hearing focused on "The Continued Importance of the Violence Against Women Act." The Violence Against Wome… Continue Reading
06.10.09
Vermont Congressional Delegation Announces Nine Vermont Communities Will Share $3.9 Million In Stimulus Funds For New Public Transit Vehicles
- Vermont's Congressional Delegation -- Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Representative Peter Welch (D-Vt.) - Wednesday announced that nine Vermont public transit providers will share $3.9 million in economic recovery funds for new vehicles. The list was formally approved Wednesday by the U.S. Federal Transit Administration. The Vermont Agency of Transportation will use the $3.9 million to purchase 33 buses and vans for nine local transit providers around… Continue Reading
06.09.09
Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee Holds Hearing To Examine ‘Prolonged Detention’
(Tuesday, June 9, 2009) - A Senate Judiciary Committee panel Tuesday morning will consider the consequences of 'prolonged detention' of detainees held in U.S. custody. The Subcommittee on the Constitution, chaired by Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wis.), will hear testimony from a panel of six witnesses. Member statements, witness testimony, and a live webcast of the hearing are available online. Full Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) issued the following statement at the hearing. … Continue Reading
06.09.09
Sotomayor Confirmation Hearing To Begin July 13
Sen. Leahy Sets Time For Sotomayor Hearing WASHINGTON - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Tuesday announced that hearings to consider the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court will begin on July 13. In a statement on the Senate floor, Leahy said, "This is a schedule that tracks the process the Senate followed by bipartisan agreement in considering President Bush's nomination of John Roberts to the Supreme Cour… Continue Reading
06.09.09
Leahy Announces Grant For Vermont Network Against Domestic And Sexual Violence
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced Tuesday that the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence will receive a federal grant of more than $156,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice. The funds were provided in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which was signed into law earlier this year. The grant was awarded by the Justice Department's Office of Violence Against Women. The funding will provide direct support and resources to the Network to rai… Continue Reading
06.08.09
Vermont Is Getting A New Passport Office
It happens all the time in Vermont: You've booked an overseas flight and days before your departure you discover your passport has expired. The only way to make sure you get your passport renewed in time is to drive to Boston, which has the nearest Passport Agency, offering a greater range of passport services to U.S. citizens than can local clerks and post offices are able to offer. Passport help and services in Vermont soon will be closer to home. Senator Patrick Leahy announced th… Continue Reading
06.08.09
Attorney General To Testify Before Senate Judiciary Committee
(Monday, June 8, 2009) - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Monday announced that the Committee will hold its first Department of Justice oversight hearing of the 111th Congress on June 17. Attorney General Eric Holder will testify. The Senate Judiciary Committee holds periodic oversight hearings of the Department of Justice. The oversight hearing will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2009, at 10:00 a.m., in room 226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The hear… Continue Reading
06.05.09
Vermont Nets More Than $5 M. In Forest Upgrades In Latest Installment Of Economic Recovery Funds
Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest and its surrounding communities will benefit from the next wave of economic recovery act funds coming to the state. Vermont's Congressional Delegation - Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Congressman Peter Welch (D-Vt.) - said the U.S. Forest Service will invest $5.295 million in economic stimulus funds on projects that range from road upgrades to waterway improvements that will help conserve endangered species such a… Continue Reading
06.04.09
Statement On The Situation In Sri Lanka
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, the recent defeat of Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers, otherwise known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, or LTTE, is a very welcome development. Led by a reclusive, cult-like figure who apparently saw no evil in forcibly recruiting and brainwashing young children to become suicide bombers, the LTTE long ago forfeited any legitimate claim to representing the interests of the Tamil population. This resounding victory offers the possibility--after 30 long years of co… Continue Reading
06.04.09
Senate Judiciary Committee Reports First Judicial Nominations
(Thursday, June 4, 2009) - The Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday reported the first judicial nominations of the 111th Congress. Judge David Hamilton is a nominee to fill a vacancy on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and Judge Andre Davis is a nominee to fill a vacancy on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. The Committee also reported one executive nomination to the Senate for consideration. Thomas Perez is nominated to be Assistant Attorney General for t… Continue Reading
06.04.09
Comment On The Questionnaire For Judge Sonia Sotomayor To Be Associate Justice Of The Supreme Court
"It has taken just one week for Judge Sotomayor to complete and return this detailed, bipartisan questionnaire to the Senate. She has an exceptional record in public service, and her record is open and impressive. From her years in law enforcement as a tough prosecutor, to more than 17 years on the federal bench, Judge Sotomayor's commitment to the rule of law is clear and unequivocal. I was impressed when I met with her earlier this week, and I know many other Senators have been impres… Continue Reading
06.04.09
Leahy, Sessions Release Completed Sotomayor Questionnaire
UPDATE: In addition to the bipartisan Committee questionnaire, all of the attachments submitted are now available on the web. Judge Sotomayor has submitted a limited number of video and audio files as well. A list will be posted and made available, where possible, Friday. WASHINGTON - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Ranking Member Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) Thursday released the completed bipartisan questionnaire submitted by Judge Sonia Sotomayor in connecti… Continue Reading
06.04.09
The Leahy Letter - June 4, 2009
Senator Leahy Meets With Judge Sonia Sotomayor As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Leahy will oversee the confirmation hearings of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be on the U.S. Supreme Court. On Tuesday, Senator Leahy and Judge Sotomayor met to discuss her nomination. You can click here to find out more about the upcoming confirmation process. You can also listen to or watch Senator Leahy's news conference that followed their meeting by clicking here. _____________________… Continue Reading
06.03.09
Vermont Witness To Be Joined By Actress Gabrielle Union At Hearing Before Leahy Panel
The Director of the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, Karen Tronsgard-Scott, will testify June 10 before a panel chaired by Senator Patrick Leahy. The hearing will focus on the importance of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which supports the work of law enforcement officers, prosecutors, courts, shelters, and other programs to stem domestic and dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. The Act was signed into law in 1994. Leahy has also invited actress … Continue Reading
06.03.09
Statement On The Uniting American Families Act: Addressing Inequality in Federal Immigration Law
For too long, gay and lesbian American citizens whose partners are foreign nationals have been denied the ability to sponsor their loved ones for lawful permanent residency. Under current immigration law, many citizens have been forced to choose between their country and their loved ones. No American should face such a choice. The preservation of family unity is at the core of our immigration legal system. This American value must apply to all families. During the past several years, A… Continue Reading
06.02.09
Leahy Applauds Extension For State Compliance With Sex Offender Registration And Notification Act
Tuesday applauded the Justice Department's decision to give a one-year extension to states and other jurisdictions struggling to comply with the provisions of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). The Act was included as part of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, which was signed into law in 2006, and required states to comply with the provisions by July of this year. In March, Leahy and other congressional leaders urged Attorney General Eric Holder to extend… Continue Reading
