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Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Letter By Appropriations Vice Chair Patrick Leahy And Other Senators To Secretary Of State Tillerson, Warning About Effects Of Slashing Cuts To The State Department
The Honorable Rex TillersonSecretary of StateDepartment of StateWashington, DC 20520 Dear Secretary Tillerson: Your thoughtful opening remarks to Department of State personnel on February 2, and extensive executive experience gave hope that you would effectively lead the Department and its many talented professionals through this otherwise turbulent transition amid a host of pressing international challenges. However, we write today out of concern that the Department of State is experiencing s… Continue Reading
03.09.17
At House Hearing, Leahy And Grassley Again Press For Reforms To Foreign Investment Program (EB-5)
Problems plaguing the EB-5 Regional Center program must be addressed through bipartisan legislation once and for all, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) said Wednesday. Appearing before the House Judiciary Committee, Leahy noted that the Obama administration's proposed rules to rein in abuses of the program "represent a significant step forward," but that a lasting legislative fix is needed. Leahy pressed the Trump administration to uphold the proposed rules, which will better ensure that the EB-5 … Continue Reading
03.08.17
Appropriations Vice Chair Leahy's Statement At Subcommittee Hearing: "Investing in America: Funding our Nation’s Transportation Infrastructure Needs"
The infrastructure needs of every community are unique, yet we all share similar stories of our crumbling roads and bridges, and we contemplate high speed rail and hope for improved airport systems. I, like many, am tired of talking about our withering infrastructure systems and Congress doing nothing, especially when we have the power to improve them. It was not all that long ago when transportation and infrastructure investments were bipartisan efforts. Since that time, small, intransigent… Continue Reading
03.08.17
Appropriations Vice Chair Leahy's Statement At Subcommittee On Labor, Health and Human Services Hearing: “Saving Lives Through Medical Research”
I want to thank Chairman Blunt and Ranking Member Murray for holding this important hearing to discuss the importance of medical research in saving lives. Medical research holds tremendous promise and is responsible for breakthroughs with diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's. Federal research dollars provide the nation's top professions with the resources they need to continue expanding medical knowledge. The tireless devotion of researchers to finding cures has served as a catalyst for nati… Continue Reading
03.07.17
Leahy Reintroduces Legislation To Restore The Rights Of Americans Affected By Forced Arbitration
Senator Patrick Leahy on Tuesday reintroduced legislation to restore the rights of Americans who too often are forced out of the courthouse and into mandatory arbitration in civil rights cases, employment disputes, and other lawsuits. Leahy was joined by Senator Al Franken (D-Minn.), who is the lead cosponsor of the legislation. A House companion bill was introduced by Congressman David Cicilline (D-R.I.). Leahy announced the reintroduction of his legislation at a Capitol Hill press conference… Continue Reading
03.07.17
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On Congressional Republicans’ Trumpcare Plan
"This plan falls far short of the false promises that President Trump and Republicans in Congress have made to 'improve' our health insurance system. Instead this bill will only unravel the progress we have made, while kicking millions off their health insurance plans. This proposal would eliminate affordable health care access for millions of patients and their families, and it would also derail key Medicaid provisions that currently offer coverage to seniors, children, and individuals with d… Continue Reading
03.07.17
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy Hearing On Russia's Policies In Europe
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this hearing. I join you in welcoming our witnesses, each of whom brings a firsthand perspective on the challenges we are here to discuss. This is the second congressional hearing on Russia since the beginning of the Trump Administration. I suspect there will be many more. It is also the first in which we have the benefit of hearing directly from representatives of countries that have experienced Russia's military aggression and economic and political int… Continue Reading
03.06.17
Leahy Statement On The 150th Anniversary of the Appropriations Committee
Today, we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Established on March 6, 1867, its powers are rooted in Article 1, section 9 of our Constitution which states, "No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law." The founders of our country recognized the power of the purse as one of the most important tools Congress has to ensure our system of checks and balances, and to conduct oversight of the Executive and Judicial B… Continue Reading
03.06.17
Leahy Comment On The President’s Revised Muslim Ban Executive Order
"The latest version of the President's travel ban - the latest outgrowth of his call for an entry ban on Muslims - is another shameful attempt to fulfill a misguided campaign promise. Like the previous ban, this new ban targets individuals in Muslim-majority countries. Recent reports from the President's own Department of Homeland Security have revealed just how ineffective and irresponsible this type of blanket travel ban is to preventing terrorism. Refugees are already the most stringently … Continue Reading
03.02.17
Leahy: Attorney General Sessions’ Partial Recusal Does Not Go Far Enough
"Make no mistake: Attorney General Sessions' partial recusal does not go far enough. He must appear in public before the Senate Judiciary Committee to explain why he twice gave misleading testimony under oath and why he failed to disclose such false testimony until prompted by news reports. Such conduct is unacceptable from our nation's top law enforcement official. Most importantly, Attorney General Sessions cannot be a part of any investigations into the Trump Administration's ties to Russi… Continue Reading
03.02.17
Comment of Senator Patrick Leahy On The FY 2017 Defense Appropriations Bill
(THURSDAY, March 2, 2017) - Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Thursday issued the following statement on the FY 2017 Defense Appropriations bill. The House of Representatives is expected to debate the FY 2017 Defense Appropriations bill next week. The bill is the result of the work of Republicans and Democrats in the House and the Senate and is consistent with the discretionary spending caps in the Bipartisan Budget Act.] "It's constructive that the appropria… Continue Reading
03.02.17
Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy On Berta Caceres
Mr. President, I want to call the Senate's attention to the fact that it has now been one year since the assassination of Berta Caceres, a renowned indigenous Honduran environmental activist who devoted her life - and ultimately lost her life - defending the land, water, and other natural resources of the Lenca people. After an initial attempt by the Honduran police - and even some high ranking officials - to falsely portray the murder as a crime of passion, which is a not uncommon ploy to cov… Continue Reading
03.02.17
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Nominations Of Ryan Zinke To Be Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Rick Perry To Be the Secretary of Energy
I want to explain my opposition to the nominations of Ryan Zinke to be Secretary of the Interior and Rick Perry to be the Secretary of Energy. I have closely reviewed their records, testimony, and responses to questions for the record. The Secretary of the Interior is one of the most important jobs in the Federal Government, and has a far reach when it comes to coordinating our Federal policy in the 50 states and U.S. territories for our public lands, parks, and cherished natural resources. The… Continue Reading
03.02.17
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Nomination Of Wilbur Ross To Be Secretary Of Commerce
Today, Mr. Ross joins the growing list of billionaires appointed by the Trump administration. It is not their wealth that concerns me, but their past conflicts with the agencies they are promoted to lead and support, providing guidance for policy and for administration of the laws. It is for this reason I cannot support Mr. Ross today. Every American has a stake in the strength of our economy. We rely on the Department of Commerce to facilitate trade, investment, and innovation in a directio… Continue Reading
03.02.17
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Nomination Of Benjamin Carson To Be Secretary Of The Department Of Housing And Urban Development
The Department of Housing and Urban Development plays a vital role ensuring that all Americans have access to safe affordable housing. Affordable housing should not be a political issue. It is a moral issue. Programs like Section 8 and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program keep families in their homes, and support and maintain affordable housing. That is not up for debate. I am disappointed that President Trump did not look to our knowledgeable housing advocates across the c… Continue Reading
03.02.17
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Need For An Independent Investigation Into Connections Between Russia And The White House
With each day, we continue to learn more about the troubling connections between the Russian government and President Trump's campaign and administration. But last night's revelation that Attorney General Sessions met with Russian officials during the height of the presidential campaign raises a new level of alarm. Now we know that the Attorney General, under oath, misled the Senate Judiciary Committee in response to my direct question about his contacts with Russian officials. I asked then-S… Continue Reading
03.02.17
Leahy: Attorney General Sessions Must Step Aside To Ensure Independent Investigation Into Connections Between Russia And The White House
"My message to the Attorney General is this: No more excuses, recuse yourself and appoint a Special Counsel immediately, and come clean about any contacts you had with the Russians. "I am deeply concerned that Attorney General Sessions, under oath, misled the Senate Judiciary Committee in response to direct questions from myself and Senator Franken about his contacts with Russian officials. It is an egregious breach of public trust that Attorney General Sessions has not already recused himsel… Continue Reading
03.01.17
Appropriations Vice Chair Patrick Leahy On Reports That Trump Budget Will Propose Slashing State Dept. Budget By 37 Percent
"I hope the American people, particularly those who voted for President Trump, will come to understand the likely impacts of the budget cuts he is proposing for 2018. A President who claims to care about them and who promises to 'make America great again' would harm our country and our economy by slashing resources for the very programs that enable the United States to project the leadership on which the physical and economic security of the American people depend. "The protection of our embas… Continue Reading
02.28.17
Comments As President Trump Addresses A Joint Meeting Of Congress
Comments Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Vice Chairman, Senate Appropriations Committee, As President Trump Addresses A Joint Meeting Of Congress Tuesday Night, Feb. 28, 2017 It's a long speech, to say so little. Once again, President Trump seems intent not on addressing the entire nation, but his most ardent followers. Another speech, with some gestures toward unity, and another 'reset.' Yet nothing seems to change. President Trump needs to respect all of the American people he represents, … Continue Reading
02.28.17
Leahy And Grassley Head Bipartisan Letter Asking The President To Support The Violence Against Women Act In The Trump Budget
As President Donald Trump prepares to submit a federal budget proposal to Congress, a bipartisan group of senators, led by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley and Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy, is calling for the White House to prioritize programs that assist victims of sexual and domestic abuse. In a letter today, the senators urge Trump to support programs established by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). VAWA was enacted in 1994 to support su… Continue Reading
