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Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On The Nomination Of Neil Gorsuch To Be An Associate Justice Of The Supreme Court
Today marks the first time that the Senate Judiciary Committee has met publicly to take action on the Supreme Court vacancy that resulted from Justice Scalia's death 13 months ago. Just hours after we learned of Justice Scalia's sudden passing, the Majority Leader declared that the Senate would not provide any process to any nominee selected by President Obama, despite the President having nearly a year left in his term. This was an extraordinary blockade, and one backed by then-candidate Dona… Continue Reading
03.16.17
Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) On President Trump’s “Skinny Budget” Proposal
The Trump budget shows as much foresight as TrumpCare. Like some of the President's tweets, the Trump budget is a hasty list of appallingly unbalanced, shortsighted, politically driven priorities. We cannot make America "Great Again" at the expense of middle class families and the most vulnerable among us, and you do not make America "stronger" by eliminating the very programs that make our nation more secure. The President's proposal would abandon months of bipartisan negotiations, and break… Continue Reading
03.15.17
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Vice Chairman, Senate Appropriations Committee, On President Trump’s Announced Rollback Of EPA Fuel Economy Standards
"This is another giant step backward in President Trump's race to the bottom, environmentally and economically. After President Obama's actions saved the American auto industry, U.S. automakers have met fuel economy standards, while thriving economically as never before. They would have met the existing standards as well, as they always have in the past. The current standards would have saved consumers and businesses billions of dollars in fuel costs at the pump, and this is especially import… Continue Reading
03.13.17
During Sunshine Week, Leahy Calls On Judge Gorsuch To Provide Complete & Truthful Answers To The Judiciary Committee
Sunshine Week's emphasis on transparency should continue into the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court nominee Judge Neil Gorsuch next week, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) said Monday. "I hope next week, when the president's Supreme Court nominee will appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee, he provides transparent, truthful answers to Senators' questions," Leahy said. "I will insist on real answers from Judge Neil Gorsuch, because there are real concerns about his record and his judicia… Continue Reading
03.13.17
Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Nomination of David Friedman to be U.S. Ambassador to Israel
Mr. President, the Senate will soon consider the nomination of David Friedman to be U.S. Ambassador to Israel. Unlike several of President Trump's other nominees, we know a great deal about Mr. Friedman's views on the challenges he would confront if confirmed. Unfortunately, that is because he has made a career of disparaging and inflammatory statements about U.S. policy in the Middle East, about former U.S. officials, about the Palestinians, and about American Jews who have views that dif… Continue Reading
03.13.17
Appropriations Vice Chair Leahy Releases Letter To Senate Budget Committee, Warning Of Dangerous Double-Impact Of Trump Budget + Budget Sequestration
Ahead of the Trump Administration releasing its budget proposal later this week, Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy Monday released a letter to the Senate Budget Committee outlining the consequences that sequestration has already had on the American people and warning of the dangerous cuts proposed by the Trump Administration for Fiscal Year 2018. In the five years since the passage of the Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA), discretionary programs have been slashed by $2 … Continue Reading
03.13.17
Clouds On The Horizon: The Public’s Right To Know Is Under Attack
This is the first Sunshine Week, since it began in 2005, when the public's right to know has been under direct assault, and on several fronts. "Fake news," "alternative facts," retaliatory restrictions of press access by the White House, and demonizing attacks on the working press are eroding the public's access to real facts and real information about what their government is doing. Next week the Senate Judiciary Committee will convene for crucial hearings to consider the nomination of Judge … Continue Reading
03.13.17
Clouds On The Horizon: The Public’s Right To Know Is Under Attack
By Patrick Leahy This is the first Sunshine Week, since it began in 2005, when the public's right to know has been under direct assault, and on several fronts. "Fake news," "alternative facts," retaliatory restrictions of press access by the White House, and demonizing attacks on the working press are eroding the public's access to real facts and real information about what their government is doing. Next week the Senate Judiciary Committee will convene for crucial hearings to consider the no… Continue Reading
03.11.17
Comment On The Firing Of Preet Bharara And Other U.S. Attorneys
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Firing Of Preet Bharara And Other U.S. Attorneys "The abrupt, Friday night firing of all remaining U.S. Attorneys -- including Preet Bharara, a well respected, tough prosecutor who the President promised could stay -- is another reminder that the independence of the Justice Department is at risk under this administration. The President and Attorney General demanded resignations immediately, not even allowing them to remain until successors are nominated a… Continue Reading
03.10.17
Cornyn, Leahy, Cruz Introduce Bill to Enhance Cybersecurity
. . . Bill Would Allow DHS to Work with Consortium to Train States, Local Governments on Cybersecurity WASHINGTON (FRIDAY, March 10, 2017) - U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), and Ted Cruz (R-TX) have introduced the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act to authorize the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to work with the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium (NCPC) to help prepare for and respond to cybersecurity risks at the national, state, and lo… Continue Reading
03.09.17
Leahy Statement On The ASCE Infrastructure Report Card
. . . 'Infrastructure Investment Must Again Become A High Priority, A Bipartisan Priority, And A Balanced Effort That Meets The Needs Of Both Rural America And Urban Regions' Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Thursday issued the following statement on the American Society of Civil Engineers Report Card, which was released this week. In January, Leahy joined other leading Senate Democrats in introducing the Blueprint to Rebuild America's Infrastructure. This… Continue Reading
03.09.17
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
