Press Room
Press Releases
Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Ludlow Elementary
On October 31, 2018, Senator Leahy continued his series of online chats with Vermont students - this time, with Ludlow Elementary School's 6th grade class, taught by Ms. Heidi Baitz. He enjoyed answering their questions about environmental issues facing Lake Champlain, and about what being a senator entails. Senator Leahy also discussed the important role that immigrants have played in shaping the United States, and about what students can do to lead healthy and active lives.… Continue Reading
10.31.18
Appropriations Vice Chair Patrick Leahy, On Secy. Of State Pompeo’s Call For An End To Fighting In Yemen
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt., Vice Chairman Of The Senate Appropriations Committee, And Ranking Member Of The State Department And Foreign Operations Subcommittee) On Secretary Of State Pompeo's Call For An End To Fighting In Yemen "For two years the Trump Administration has wasted countless millions of U.S. taxpayer dollars to support an ill-conceived, poorly executed air war instigated by the impulsive Saudi Crown Prince, that has caused immense civilian suffering. After repeatedly… Continue Reading
10.31.18
Commentary/Statement Of Sen. Patrick Leahy On The Caravan/Birthright Citizenship/Troops To Southern Border
The President Doubles Down On Diversion, Demagoguery And Demonization By Patrick Leahy Unable to credibly defend his corporate tax giveaways or Republicans' unending zeal to strip healthcare and coverage of pre-existing conditions from millions of Americans, President Trump, one week ahead of an election that could place a check on his presidency, is returning to a familiar playbook: deploying demagoguery to distract and divide us. This time by using a caravan of vulnerable migrants and asylum… Continue Reading
10.26.18
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) About The Arrest Of A Terror-Bomb Suspect
"We're proud, again, of the men and women of law enforcement at every level for their grit, their courage and their professionalism in investigating these bombs that were intended to incite terror and chaos. We thank them for their service in defending our democracy, pursuing justice and keeping Americans safe."… Continue Reading
10.19.18
Reaction Of Senator Patrick Leahy To The Saudi Account Of The Death Of Jamal Khashoggi
If ever a story reeked of a coverup, it is this one. It has been unraveling since it began. It's taken nearly three weeks for the Saudis to even admit that an American resident and journalist died in the Saudis' own consulate. And throughout this ordeal, the only urgency apparent in our President's handling of this crisis has been a compulsion to buy time for the Saudis to construct a story to protect the royal family. The American people need and deserve to know what the White House a… Continue Reading
10.17.18
Colchester High School
On October 17, 2018, Senator Leahy hosted an online chat with Colchester High School's "Senior Seminar Civics" class. He regularly holds these live chats with Vermont students, and this was his first of the new school year. Senator Leahy was impressed by the students' questions on how things have changed in his four decades in the Senate. He also enjoyed answering their questions about his thoughts on current issues of interest including climate change to school safety.… Continue Reading
10.17.18
Statement Of Senator Patrick leahy On Jamal Khashoggi
Credible, detailed reports from the Turkish government and the international press that Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi was tortured and murdered after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2nd have shocked the world. While we do not yet have definitive proof, neither is there any other plausible explanation. Saudi authorities first insisted that Mr. Khashoggi left the consulate unharmed, without offering any evidence of that. No video footage, nothing. After no on… Continue Reading
10.17.18
Leahy And 8 Other Senators Press For Full Disclosure Of Trump Family Business Ties To Saudi Arabia
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and eight other senators Wednesday wrote to President Donald Trump and to the Trump Organization seeking a full accounting of any financial ties between the Trump Organization and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The senators' letters follow the disappearance and reported killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a resident of the United States and Washington Post journalist, whose whereabouts have been unknown since he entered a Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey on October 2nd. … Continue Reading
10.16.18
Leahy And Others Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Marking Today’s WORLD FOOD DAY
Leahy And Others Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Marking Tuesday's World Food Day (TUESDAY, Oct. 16, 2918) - Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) is one of four senators who have joined across the aisle to introduce a resolution marking Tuesday's "World Food Day." Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) is chief sponsor, and the other cosponsors with Leahy are Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.). Global hunger has been on the rise for the last three years, and an estimated 821 million peopl… Continue Reading
10.15.18
Leahy Announces $525,000 Federal Grant To Boost Howard Center’s “Safe Recovery” Program To Fight Opioid Abuse
Senator Patrick Leahy Monday announced that a $525,000 federal grant will be awarded to the Howard Center's Safe Recovery Program, so that those in immediate need of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder will have access to buprenorphine on the same day they request it. Leahy was joined for the announcement by Bob Bick, Howard Center's Chief Executive Officer; Vermont Attorney General T.J. Donovan; Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger and Safe Recovery Program Coordinator Grac… Continue Reading
10.13.18
Senator Leahy Saturday Hosts 22nd Annual Women’s Economic Conference
Senator Patrick Leahy Saturday hosted the 22nd Annual Vermont Women's Economic Conference at Vermont Technical College. This year's conference, which was presented in partnership with Change the Story Vermont for the second year in a row, featured keynote speaker Corinne Prevot and more than 24 workshops on topics as diverse as effective communication in the workplace, to the impact of the #MeToo movement. More than 400 women attended. Leahy has organized and hosted the Women's Economic Oppor… Continue Reading
10.12.18
Leahy Joins Durbin, Boozman And Others In Pressing President Trump On Decision To Continue Providing Assistance To Countries That Use Child Soldiers
(FRIDAY, Oct. 12, 2018) - Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) is among the senators who Friday pressed President Trump for information regarding his recent decision to invoke troublingly broad waivers for continued United States military assistance to countries that use child soldiers - assistance prohibited under the Child Soldier Prevention Act of 2008, which was originally introduced by Durbin and former-Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS). The letter was sent by Leahy and Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Joh… Continue Reading
10.11.18
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy, Senator Bernie Sanders, And Representative Peter Welch, On The Grounding Of F-35s For Safety Inspections
"For every aircraft, including every new aircraft, safety must always be the top priority. This plane is no different. The Pentagon has said that it will inspect every aircraft for the suspected part. They must continue to thoroughly investigate this issue until they have corrected the problem."… Continue Reading
10.11.18
Leahy & Shaheen Legislation to Support Small Businesses with National Guard and Military Reservists Clears Key Committee Hurdle
U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) Thursday issued the following statements after their legislation to support small businesses with National Guard and Military Reservists unanimously passed the Senate Small Business Committee. The National Guard and Reserve Entrepreneurship Act will assist small businesses when essential employees, including small business owners, are called up as part of National Guard or Reservist duties by improving existing loan and deferral pro… Continue Reading
10.10.18
Corker/Menendez/Graham/Leahy Letter Triggers Global Magnitsky Investigation Into Disappearance Of Journalist Jamal Khashoggi
In a letter to President Donald Trump, U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, Wednesday triggered an investigation and Global Magnitsky sanctions determination regarding the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist an… Continue Reading
10.10.18
Leahy Comment On The Failure Of The CRA Resolution To Nullify The Trump Administration's "Junk Insurance" Rule
"The Trump Administration's 'junk insurance' rule, and the Senate's failure to nullify the rule, is yet another effort by Republicans in Congress and the White House to undermine the protections of Affordable Care Act. This harmful and cynical rule will expand the sale of short-term 'junk' plans that can deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions, and that do not have to cover essential services like prescription drugs, emergency room visits, substance abuse, and maternity care. We s… Continue Reading
10.10.18
Leahy, Sanders, Welch: Vermont Community Lenders Net $1.2 Million In Federal Funds
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) announced Tuesday that two Vermont organizations have received $1.2 million in federal funds from the U.S. Treasury Department's Community Development Financial Institutions Fund. The CDFI Fund awarded $184 million in grants and loans to 264 community credit unions and loan funds across the country that provide affordable financial products and services in economically distressed areas. Two Vermont programs re… Continue Reading
10.06.18
Senate Floor Statement Of Senator Leahy On The Confirmation Vote On The Nomination Of Judge Kavanaugh To The U.S. Supreme Court
This is not a normal confirmation vote. I have now served in the Senate for 19 Supreme Court nominations, more than any other senator. I have never seen so much at stake with a single seat. And I have never seen this much at stake precisely because this is about so much more than one seat. Indeed, the integrity of two of the three coequal branches of our republic is at stake. This vote will decide whether the United States Senate - which, at its best, can serve as the conscience of the nati… Continue Reading
10.05.18
Comment Of Senator Leahy On The Cloture Vote On Judge Brett Kavanaugh's Nomination To The U.S. Supreme Court
I am disappointed that the Senate, by the narrowest margin, has voted to end debate on Judge Kavanaugh's nomination, which sets up a confirmation vote over the weekend. Judge Kavanaugh is not fit to serve on our nation's highest court. His relentless dishonesty under oath is disqualifying, as is his temperament and partisan zeal. And still-developing and credible allegations of sexual assault cannot be ignored in a manic rush to fill this seat. I will continue to talk to any senator willing … Continue Reading
10.05.18
Leahy Announces $2.5 Million Investment In Northeast Kingdom Affordable Housing
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced Friday that RuralEdge, a regional housing nonprofit based in Lyndon, will receive a $2.5 million loan package from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to preserve and rehabilitate three housing properties in Newport, West Burke and Ryegate. The projects received funding as part of the USDA's Northeast Kingdom Rural Economic Area Partnership (REAP) Zone and will provide quality affordable homes for 46 families. Leahy was instrumental in enacting the REA… Continue Reading
