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Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Shocking Detainee Report, Flawed Legal Opinions Stress Need For Inquiry
(Thursday, April 2, 2009) - In a statement released Thursday, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) continued his push to establish a nonpartisan "Commission of Inquiry." In contrast to reports circulating on the Internet, Leahy said he is continuing to explore the proposal. "I am not interested in a panel comprised of partisans intent on advancing partisan conclusions," Leahy said. "I regret that Senate Republicans have approached this matter to date as partisans. That was not my intent or f… Continue Reading
04.02.09
Vermont National Guard Nets $3.5 M. From Stimulus Package For Energy Efficiency Upgrades
Senator Leahy On National Guard Funding For Energy Efficiency Upgrades (THURSDAY, April 2) -- The Vermont National Guard will receive $3.5 million in federal stimulus funds to renovate its buildings, which Senator Patrick Leahy says will benefit Vermont and the Guard three ways. "This is a three-fer for Vermont," Leahy said. "This work will create local jobs, offer our Guard better facilities, and give us greater budget leeway for other Guard projects down the road." He said the … Continue Reading
04.02.09
Senate Panel Reports Patent Reform Legislation
(Thursday, April 2, 2009) - At a business meeting Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to report critical legislation to make reforms to the nation's dated patent reform system. The 19-member panel voted 15-4 to report the bipartisan Patent Reform Act of 2009 after debating the measure in three executive sessions over the last week. The bill was introduced in early March by Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and former Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah). It is the t… Continue Reading
04.02.09
Leahy Announces Grant For Spectrum Youth Services
(THURSDAY, April 2) -- Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Thursday announced that Spectrum Youth and Family Services of Burlington has been awarded a $100,000 grant to help fund transitional living programs at the center. Spectrum is a nonprofit agency founded in 1970 to assist Vermont at-risk youth and families with housing and support services. The grant was awarded through a federal program initiated by Leahy and authorized under the renewed charter Leahy authored for the Runaway and Home… Continue Reading
04.01.09
Statement On Kerry-Lugar-Leahy-Durbin Amendment To The Budget Resolution
MR. LEAHY. I rise to speak in strong support of the amendment offered by Senators Kerry and Lugar - which I and many other Senators on both sides of the aisle are cosponsoring - to restore $4 billion to the international affairs function of the budget. This amendment would not have any effect on the top line for non-discretionary spending. It is budget neutral. We have two choices. Cut $4 billion from the President's Fiscal year 2010 budget for national security and diplomacy progra… Continue Reading
04.01.09
Agreement Reached On Key Patent Reform Issues
(Wednesday, April 1, 2009) - Leaders on the Senate Judiciary Committee have reached an agreement on several key issues in the debate over patent reform, Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced Wednesday. The Committee is scheduled to meet in executive session on Thursday, April 2, to consider amendments to S. 515, the Patent Reform Act of 2009. It will be the third Committee meeting this year to mark up patent reform legislation. The agreement reached by Leahy, Ranking Member Arlen S… Continue Reading
04.01.09
Making Work Pay Tax Credit Takes Effect Today
, April 1 - Senators Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders and Congressman Peter Welch announced Wednesday that the Making Work Pay tax credit created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will take effect today. More than 300,000 Vermont families will receive $100 million in tax cuts through the federal stimulus bill, which was signed into law in February. Working Vermonters can expect to see an increase of at least $65 a month in their paychecks. The tax credit - one of the fastest … Continue Reading
04.01.09
Comment On The Justice Department’s Request To Dismiss Charges Against Senator Ted Stevens
"The decision of Attorney General Holder to withdraw the indictment against Ted Stevens shows clearly that he is committed to the rule of law, regardless of politics. As he works to rebuild the public's faith in the Justice Department after the scandals of the previous administration, the new Attorney General has sent an unequivocal message that prosecutions of any kind, whether against Republicans, Democrats, Independents, or others, must be done right, and in accordance with the law. P… Continue Reading
04.01.09
Leahy Urges Attorney General To Examine Pistachio Recall
(Wednesday, April 1, 2009) - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Tuesday sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder urging the Justice Department to look into the recall ofpistachios marketed by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc., and asking the Department to review existing legal avenues for addressing the distribution of contaminated food products. On Tuesday, the California-based company voluntarily recalled nearly two million pounds of pistachios under sus… Continue Reading
04.01.09
Statement At State And Foreign Operations Subcommittee Hearing On Assistance For Civilian Victims Of War
Twenty-one years ago I visited a field hospital in the jungle bordering Nicaragua and Honduras. It was during the war between the Contras and Sandinistas, and it was civilians who bore the brunt of the casualties. There was a young boy there who had adopted the hospital as his home. He had lost a leg from a landmine and had only a homemade wooden crutch. He had no idea who had put the landmine on the trail where he walked near his home, but it made no difference. His life was ruined.… Continue Reading
03.31.09
Leahy Secures $4 Million For Vermont Workforce Development Projects
(TUESDAY, March 31) -- U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced Tuesday that Vermont will receive $4,068,000 for several adult and youth workforce development programs across the state. 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 month. Leahy said, "Training and practical experience can turn the liability of unemployment and underemployment into ass… Continue Reading
03.31.09
“Closer Than Ever” To Patent Reform Agreement
(Tuesday, March 31, 2009) - The Senate Judiciary Committee continued to make progress on patent reform legislation at an executive business meeting Tuesday morning. The Committee adopted an amendment sponsored by Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and senior Member Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) that adds a provision to increase the ability of government-operated, contractor-owned facilities to reinvest licensing royalties for scientific research, development and education. The amend… Continue Reading
03.30.09
Remarks At The Economic Recovery Conference
Thank you all for coming to this timely conference at the beautiful and historic Latchis Theatre. We welcome this opportunity to offer Vermonters, Vermont businesses, and Vermont communities a chance to learn more about how they can take advantage of the recently passed federal economic recovery act. And the more rapidly and effectively that Vermont puts these resources to work, the better we will be able to keep Vermonters working today, and the better we will be able to lay the ground… Continue Reading
03.27.09
Vermont Health Centers Get $1.5 Million in Stimulus Funds
, March 27 - In another round of economic stimulus funds for Vermont, eight community health centers in the state will receive more than $1.5 million to expand services and create jobs. "This is one of the most significant steps forward that we have seen in decades in addressing the primary health care crisis in our country," Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said of the funds, part of $2 billion for Federally Qualified Health Centers included at his urging in the economic rec… Continue Reading
03.27.09
The Leahy Letter - March 27, 2009
Leahy To Host Second American Recovery And Reinvestment Act Workshop Senator Leahy, Governor Douglas and Vermont Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin will open Monday's free conference to help Vermonters get an early start in learning how to access the funds available in the recently enacted economic recovery act. This second conference was organized after more than 700 Vermonters attended the earlier March 6 conference in northern Vermont, also organized by Leahy and Douglas… Continue Reading
03.26.09
Statement On Senate Passage Of H.R. 1388, The “Serve America Act”
I am pleased that the Senate is moving forward to vote on final passage of the bipartisan "Serve America Act." Practical participation in the goals and ideals of our country through service is a cornerstone of our success as the world's most enduring democracy, and we must continue to work together to promote such volunteerism on a national level. Senator Kennedy has worked tirelessly to promote national service by authoring and passing the National and Community Service T… Continue Reading
03.26.09
Judiciary Committee Begins Work On Patent Reform Legislation, Mark Up To Continue Next Week
(Thursday, March 26, 2009) - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) said Thursday that backers of patent reform legislation are making progress to resolve key issues that would make the first significant changes to the nation's patent system in more than 50 years. Leahy and senior Committee member Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) introduced the Patent Reform Act At on March 3. On March 10, the Judiciary Committee heard testimony from stakeholders and interested p… Continue Reading
03.26.09
Judiciary Committee Reports Three Justice Department Nominees
(Thursday, March 26, 2009) - The Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday voted to report three executive nominations to the Senate for consideration. The three nominees, Tony West to be Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division, Lanny A. Breuer to be Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division, and Christine Anne Varney to be Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division, appeared before the Judiciary Committee at a hearing on March 10, 2009. Sen… Continue Reading
03.25.09
Judiciary Committee Hearing Noticed To Consider First Judicial Nomination
(Wednesday, March 25, 2009) - The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing April 1 to consider the first judicial nomination of the 111th Congress, Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced Wednesday. One executive nomination will also be considered on April 1. On March 17, President Obama nominated Indiana District Court Judge David Hamilton to fill a vacancy on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. The nomination has the support of Indiana's two U.S. Senators, Richard … Continue Reading
03.25.09
Senate Confirms Kris To Lead National Security Division
(Wednesday, March 25, 2009) - The Senate Wednesday unanimously confirmed David Kris to be the Assistant Attorney General in the National Security Division at the Department of Justice. Kris is the fifth nominee to be confirmed for a leadership post at the Justice Department. The Senate has confirmed nominees to four of the Department's top leadership posts: Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr., Deputy Attorney General David W. Ogden, Associate Attorney General Thomas J… Continue Reading
