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Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Leahy Introduces Cybersecurity Legislation
(Wednesday, July 22, 2009) - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Wednesday introduced legislation to better protect Americans' privacy and personal information and to improve the nation's cybersecurity. The comprehensive Personal Data Privacy and Security Act will require data brokers and companies to establish and implement data privacy and security programs. Leahy has introduced the legislation in two previous Congresses, and twice the Judiciary Committee has repo… Continue Reading
07.22.09
Remarks On Receiving An Award From The American Association Of People With Disabilities
Thank you, Sarah, for your gracious introduction and for presenting me with one of this year's Justice for All Awards. Since taking over as Executive Director of Vermont's Center for Independent Living a few months ago, Sarah has done great things and I look forward to continuing to work with her to make sure Vermonters with disabilities have access to the important services the Vermont Center for Independent Living provides. I am also glad that all of you had the opportunity to hear from Secr… Continue Reading
07.22.09
Statement, Hearing On “The Role Of Agriculture And Forestry In Global Warming Legislation”
Thank you Chairman Harkin and Ranking Member Chambliss for holding this important hearing today to discuss agriculture and forest's critical role in global warming legislation. There should be no doubt in any of our minds that agricultural and forestry have a great opportunity to play an important role in efforts to reduce global warming. In fact, some farms and forestry operations are already leading the way to reduce their carbon footprint and have a phenomenal story to tell, while also contr… Continue Reading
07.21.09
Vermonter To Testify Before Leahy-Chaired Panel About Key Foreign Investor Program
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) has invited the President of Jay Peak Resort, Bill Stenger, to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee at a hearing scheduled for Wednesday, July 22. The hearing will focus on the importance of a key foreign investor program, the EB-5 Regional Center Program. Stenger will testify about the success of Vermont's Regional Center program, of which Jay Peak Resort is an active participant. Since its establishment in 1997, Vermont's Regional Center project… Continue Reading
07.20.09
Amendment Critical Step Forward To Address Growing Problem Of Hate Crimes
- Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) on Monday negotiated bipartisan agreements on a handful of measures related to a key amendment to the national defense authorization bill that would broaden federal hate crimes law. Leahy is the lead sponsor of the amendment, which he introduced earlier this year as independent legislation. The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act has the bipartisan support of more than 45 Senators, including that of Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.). The legislation… Continue Reading
07.17.09
NUARI And Senator Leahy Announce $7.7 Million In Funding For Cyber Security Research
NORTHFIELD, Vt. -- In a Friday afternoon visit to the campus, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced $7.7 million in new federal funding for Norwich University to carry out cyber-security projects, solidifying the university's place as a leader in protecting the nation's computers against cyber attacks. The school's applied research arm will provide the Department of Homeland Security with training and software that will improve the country's ability to ward off the kind of cyber attacks… Continue Reading
07.16.09
The Leahy Letter - July 16, 2009
Photos From The Confirmation Hearing For Judge Sonia Sotomayor To Be An Associate Justice Of The Supreme Court Thursday night Senator Leahy prepared to gavel to a close four days of Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Some 2,000 attended the hearings in person and millions more were able to watch by television or webcast. Senator Leahy, an avid photographer, took several photographs during b… Continue Reading
07.16.09
Closing Statement On The Confirmation Hearing For Judge Sonia Sotomayor To Be An Associate Justice Of The Supreme Court Of The United States
Judge Sotomayor, this hearing has extended over four days. And the first day you listened to our opening statements rather extensively. You shared with us a very concise statement about your own fidelity to the law. I suspect it will be in law school text in years to come. Over the last three days, you've answered our questions from senators on both sides of the aisle. And I hope I speak for all the senators, both Republican and Democratic, on this committee when I thank you for answering … Continue Reading
07.16.09
Statement On Cloture On The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act Of 2009 As An Amendment To The National Defense Authorization Bill
The Senate is considering the bipartisan Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 as an amendment to the pending National Defense Authorization Bill. This important civil rights bill has been pending for more than a decade and has passed the Senate numerous times - in 2007, 2004, 2000, and 1999. It also has the support of the Attorney General, and the President has asked Congress to take swift action on this bill. I thank Senator Collins, Senator Snowe, and the 33 other bipar… Continue Reading
07.15.09
Vermont Delegation Announces $683,000 In Recovery Funds For Barre’s Northern Power Systems
- U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and U.S. Representative Peter Welch (D-Vt.) on Wednesday announced $683,388 in recovery funding for Barre's Northern Power Systems. Northern Power was one of just 28 wind energy projects nationwide to receive nearly $13.8 million in Department of Energy funding intended for research, testing and analysis. The federal investment was made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. In announcing the fund… Continue Reading
07.15.09
Leahy Builds Coalition Urging Temporary Boost In Dairy Price Supports
WEDNESDAY (July 15) -- Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) has organized a multi-regional Senate coalition to support a significant short-term hike in the floor price the federal government pays for milk and dairy products. Leahy said that significantly raising the floor price would help reverse the plummeting milk prices that are threatening family farms in Vermont and across the nation. Leahy, the most senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, asked Senator Herb Kohl (D-Wisc.), wh… Continue Reading
07.14.09
Leahy Asks Sotomayor About
Sen. Leahy Asks Sotomayor About "Wise Latina" Remarks July 14, 2009… Continue Reading
07.13.09
Opening Statement, Confirmation Hearing On The Nomination Of Judge Sonia Sotomayor To Be An Associate Justice Of The U.S. Supreme Court
Sen. Leahy's Opening Statement at the Confirmation Hearings For Judge Sonia Sotomayor As Prepared Today, we consider the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be a Justice of the United States Supreme Court. Our Constitution assigns just 101 of us the responsibility to act on behalf of all 320 million Americans in considering this important appointment. The President has done his part and made an historic nomination. Now it is up to the Senate to do its part on behalf of the Ame… Continue Reading
07.13.09
Leahy Announces Intent To Introduce Hate Crimes Amendment To DOD Authorization Bill
Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Monday announced his intent to introduce the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act as a bipartisan amendment to the National Defense Authorization bill this week. Leahy joined with Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) earlier this year to introduce the legislation, which would broaden federal hate crimes law to include crimes based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. Kennedy has a been a long-time advocate of th… Continue Reading
07.10.09
Vermont Delegation Announces $10.3 Million In Recovery Funds To Create Jobs And Provide Affordable Housing In Vermont
- U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and U.S. Representative Peter Welch (D-Vt.) on Friday announced nearly $10.3 million in funding to the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) to spur development of affordable housing in Vermont. The funding, made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), will allow the VHFA to provide sufficient equity funding to complete ongoing construction projects in Windsor, Colchester and Montpelier. The… Continue Reading
07.10.09
Vermont In Line For $17 Million For Weatherization
U.S. Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today announced $6.7 million in federal grants for home weatherization projects in Vermont, with another $8.4 million to come later. The funds, secured in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, will help weatherize more than 1,800 Vermont homes, cutting energy costs, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and creating green jobs across the state. The funds will be directed through the Vermont Office … Continue Reading
07.10.09
Leahy Hires Seasoned Policy Advisor
U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) on Friday announced that he has tapped Tom Berry to be his next policy advisor on agriculture, conservation, energy and natural resource issues in Leahy's Montpelier office. Berry will replace Bob Paquin, who was appointed last week by Agriculture Secretary Vilsack as State Executive Director of USDA's Farm Service Agency for Vermont. Berry joins Leahy's staff with ten years of Senate experience already under his belt; he worked for Senator Jim Jeffo… Continue Reading
07.10.09
Comment On Inspector General Report On The President’s Surveillance Program
"The Inspector General today released a review of the Bush-Cheney administration's Terrorist Surveillance Program. I voted against the final version of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Amendments Act of 2008 because adequate safeguards had been excluded from the bill. Those flaws needlessly risked the freedom that all Americans should have from unchecked government powers. However, I worked to include a provision to ensure that this review was included to provide some measure of a… Continue Reading
07.10.09
Leahy And Sanders Announce Federal Funds For Williamstown Sidewalk Project
- U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) report that Williamstown will be receiving $177,840 in federal highway funds to complete a new sidewalk project in the village. Leahy and Sanders secured the funding in a transportation appropriations bill signed into law earlier this year. The project will construct approximately 1740 feet of new concrete sidewalk and two pedestrian bridges along the west side of Vermont Route 14 in Williamstown. By connecting an existi… Continue Reading
07.09.09
Leahy, Sessions Announce Witness List For Sotomayor Hearing
(Thursday, July 9, 2009) - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Ranking Member Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) Thursday announced the witness list for the confirmation hearing for Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. The confirmation hearing is scheduled to begin on July 13 at 10:00 a.m. The lists of witnesses invited by the Majority and Minority of the Judiciary Committee follow. A panel of witnesses from the American Bar Associati… Continue Reading
