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Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Patrick Leahy, In Senate Floor Address, As Deadline Nears For Completion Of Budget Negotiations
Just last week we began the Second Session of the 115th Congress. It is 2018 and we should be talking about what we can accomplish for the American people in the New Year. Instead, we face a long list of unfinished business from 2017, and a very short window in which to get it done. We are four months into Fiscal Year 2018, and we still do not have a budget deal. Our agencies are operating under last year's funding levels with little flexibility to adjust for the problems of today. We stil… Continue Reading
01.09.18
Leahy And Sanders Help Net Neutrality Resolution Reach 40-Vote Milestone In The Senate
Vermont's U.S. Senators, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I), are among those who have helped reach the milestone of 40 senators joining Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) in signing on in support of a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval to overturn the anti-consumer regulations passed in December by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and supported by Donald Trump to end net neutrality. At a press conference in the Capitol, Markey and Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.… Continue Reading
01.05.18
Statement Of Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt., Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee), On The Trump White House Threat To Cut Off Aid To Vulnerable Palestinian Refugees
"Only this White House would be so cynical and delusional to think, after needlessly inciting the Palestinians' outrage over Jerusalem, that cutting off aid for Palestinian refugees would force their leaders to negotiate a peace agreement. UNRWA, which has been consistently supported by Democratic and Republican administrations, provides healthcare, education and other basic services to vulnerable refugees - men, women, and children, many of them hosted by Jordan and other U.S. allies - whose a… Continue Reading
12.22.17
Leahy Congressional Record Statement On Threats To Worldwide Press Freedom
Mr. President, we are all too familiar with President Trump's "fake news" mantra, which he has repeatedly used to discredit unfavorable news reports and undermine the credibility of the media in our country. This mantra, and the accompanying threats to freedoms of speech and of the press, have now spread far beyond our borders. Autocrats and dictators around the world are enthusiastically using the concept of "fake news," and the legitimacy granted to it by the President of the United States, … Continue Reading
12.22.17
Leahy Congressional Record Statement On Pandemic Preparedness
Mr. President, 2018 marks the 100 year anniversary of the influenza pandemic that killed an estimated 50 million people, including 670,000 Americans. I suspect most people assume that given the remarkable advances in modern medicine since 1918 nothing so disastrous could happen again, but in fact it could and next time it could be even worse. The spread of infectious diseases and drug resistance, and the accompanying threats to global security, are on the rise - and the international community… Continue Reading
12.22.17
Leahy Statement On The Situation In Peru
Mr. President, I want to speak briefly about the unfolding political crisis, which is also a crisis for justice, in Peru. Peru transitioned to democracy in 2000, after two decades of internal armed conflict and authoritarian rule. The country has made important strides in rebuilding its democratic institutions, consolidating the rule of law, and combatting impunity. But today, efforts by a majority in the Peruvian Congress to arbitrarily remove judges from the country's highest court, the Con… Continue Reading
12.22.17
Statement of Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) On Supporting The Continuing Resolution
Governing by crisis must come to an end. Since March, I have been calling for a bipartisan budget deal, based on parity, that would pave a path toward responsibly funding the government and averting this 11th hour Republican shutdown crisis. I have not lost faith that such a deal can still be reached. So, tonight I voted "aye" on the Continuing Resolution to keep the government open into January. A government shutdown helps no one. This will allow us one more month to reach a bipartisan b… Continue Reading
12.21.17
Sens. Paul, Wyden, Lee, and Leahy Release Joint Statement on FISA Reform
Today, U.S. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Mike Lee (R-UT), and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) released the following statement opposing any long-term extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) without the serious and public debate the American people deserve and should expect from their elected representatives: "Congress should not vote on any long-term reauthorization of Section 702 until both the House and Senate have fully debated meaningful reforms in … Continue Reading
12.21.17
Leahy Statement On The Need To Pass The DREAM Act
We are a nation of immigrants. That should be an obvious point, but it bears repeating at a time when our president sees political advantage in trafficking in xenophobic scapegoating. Unless you are Native American, you come from a line of people who come from somewhere else. Indeed that simple fact is an integral part of the American story. We are also a Nation that believes that anything is possible. Our ancestors and relatives journeyed here because, in Americ… Continue Reading
12.21.17
Leahy REAX To The President’s Threat To Cut Support To The UN And To Countries That Oppose His U.S. Embassy/Jerusalem Decision
[Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) is the Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of its State Department and Foreign Operations Subcommittee.] "The President's decision to ignore his national security advisors about moving our embassy at this fragile moment was cause enough for concern. Now he is compounding that error by threatening the United Nations itself, as well as other countries, many of which are close allies, with a cutoff of the support we provide that serv… Continue Reading
12.20.17
Leahy Statement In Support of Democracy in Honduras
Mr. President, on Monday the head of the Honduras Supreme Electoral Tribunal declared Juan Orlando Hernandez the next President of Honduras. Shortly thereafter, the Secretariat of the Organization of American States, one of the principal international observers, announced that it could not certify the election as free and fair and called for a new election. Yesterday, after his top advisors rebuked the OAS for infringing on Honduras' sovereignty, President Hernandez, stating that "the Honduran … Continue Reading
12.19.17
Sen. Patrick Leahy, On His NO Vote, As Senate Tues. Night Nears Final Passage Of Republican TAX PLAN
Little more than a month ago, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was unveiled in the Senate. Just a few short weeks later, we are on the verge of passing a colossal bill, publicly available for just four days, that makes sweeping changes to every aspect of our economy. We are moving so fast that the American people would be forgiven for thinking we were addressing a national emergency. And yet, fires are still blazing in California, power in Puerto Rico is still not fully restored, and victims around … Continue Reading
12.18.17
Leahy Reaction To The TSE's Declaration Of Juan Orlando Hernandez As The Winner In The Honduran Election
"Unfortunately, the announcement by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal leaves too many questions unanswered. There were multiple opportunities for fraud in this election, and only a determination by impartial international observers that the vote tally was fair and transparent will provide the necessary credibility to the process. The Honduran people deserve no less. I urge the EU and the OAS to insist on whatever action - including a complete recount or a new election - is necessary to eliminate a… Continue Reading
12.14.17
Leahy: USDA Economic Development Investments In Washington County This Year Now Top $5.1 Million
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced Thursday that USDA economic development investments in Washington County now total more than $5.1 million during fiscal year 2017. Area businesses, nonprofits and economic development organizations received 12 awards from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Rural Development (USDA-RD) to assist with a diverse range of projects that included business assistance, capital for startup businesses and energy efficiency improvements. Leahy is a leadin… Continue Reading
12.14.17
Leahy: USDA Economic Development Investments In Windham County This Year Now Top $3.1 Million
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced Thursday that U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) economic development investments in Windham County now total more than $3.1 million during fiscal year 2017. Area businesses, nonprofits and municipalities received 16 awards from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Rural Development (USDA-RD) to assist with a diverse range of projects that included business assistance, infrastructure upgrades and energy efficiency improvements. The USDA-RD inv… Continue Reading
12.14.17
Leahy-Authored Farm Bill Provision Nets Millions For Northeast Kingdom
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced Thursday that U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) economic development investments in the Northeast Kingdom now total more than $9.1 million during 2017. NEK-area businesses, nonprofits and municipalities received 36 awards from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Rural Development (USDA-RD) to assist with a diverse range of business assistance, infrastructure upgrades and energy efficiency improvement projects. More than $5.5 million of the a… Continue Reading
12.14.17
Leahy: USDA Economic Development Investments In Vermont This Year Now Top $222 Million
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced Thursday that U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) economic development investments in the Vermont now total more than $222 million during fiscal year 2017. Federal funds supported a broad range of activities in thirteen Vermont counties, including business development, housing construction and purchases, municipal investments in infrastructure and awards to academic institutions of higher education. The funds were made available through the U.S. Depa… Continue Reading
12.14.17
Leahy, Sanders Join Markey On Resolution To Restore FCC’s Net Neutrality Rules
Vermont's two U.S. senators - Sen. Patrick Leahy (D) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I) have joined Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, and 13 other senators on Thursday in announcing their plan to introduce a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution that would undo Thursday's action by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and restore the 2015 net neutrality rules. The FCC Thursday afternoon approved an item that guts the 2015 Open I… Continue Reading
12.14.17
Reaction Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) To The FCC’s Vote To Repeal Net Neutrality Protections
[Following is the statement of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) about the FCC's action Thursday to dismantle the FCC's earlier net neutrality rules. Leahy has long been a leading advocate of net neutrality and brought the Senate Judiciary Committee to Vermont to hear testimony from small Vermont businesses, libraries and ordinary Vermonters about the importance of keeping the internet unhindered by 'toll lanes' and other discriminatory practices.] "Today the FCC took a wrecking ball to the pillar… Continue Reading
12.14.17
Leahy: Vermont Is A Crucial Step Closer To Improved Air And Rail Travel With Canada
Senator Patrick Leahy hails action this week by the Canadian Parliament to pass new customs preclearance language into law that will make possible improved rail and air travel between Vermont - and other points in the United States -- and Canada. The Canadian Senate passed the legislation, known as C-23, last week, and the bill took its last step in the Canadian legislative process on Tuesday night, receiving Royal Assent. The bill is companion legislation to Leahy's Promoting Travel, Commerce… Continue Reading
