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Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Opening Remarks Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Full Committee Markup FY 2016 State, Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill
I want to thank the Chairman and Vice Chairwoman for the support they and their staffs have given the subcommittee. And I thank Senator Graham and his staff, who have done the best they could with a very difficult allocation. They worked closely with me and my staff, which is a long tradition in our subcommittee. This bill, despite Senator Graham's and my best efforts, shows the real problems with the Republican budget. No one in this room can honestly say that it provides the necessary f… Continue Reading
07.09.15
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt., Ranking Member, State Department And Foreign Operations Subcommittee, Of The Appropriations Committee) On Passage Of Amendment To Permit U.S. Contribution To The Green Climate Fund
"The bill as drafted effectively would have barred any U.S. contribution to the Green Climate Fund. That would have been a colossal mistake - an ill-informed, misguided and counterproductive retreat -- at a time when industrialized and developing countries are finally joining together to find ways to meaningfully address climate change. We should be a leader in this, not a follower. It was very encouraging that Senator Merkley's amendment prevailed, to prevent that shortsighted outcome." # #… Continue Reading
07.08.15
After Months of Delay, Senate Republicans Finally Allow For a Vote on First Circuit Court Nominee of the 114th Congress
(Tuesday, July 7, 2015) - The Senate on Tuesday unanimously approved the confirmation of a long-pending judicial nominee to fill a vacancy on the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, marking the first time the Republican majority has allowed a vote on a circuit court nominee in the 114th Congress. The nominee, Kara Farnandez Stoll, is also the first woman of color to serve on the Federal Circuit. She has the strong support of the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA), and … Continue Reading
07.08.15
Opening Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy -- SJC Hearing on Encryption
(Wednesday, July 8, 2015) - The Senate Judiciary Committee is holding a hearing entitled, "Going Dark: Encryption, Technology, and the Balance Between Public Safety and Privacy." Ranking Member Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) has long worked to ensure cyber communications are protected, and he has raised concerns about allowing backdoor searches that could leave American consumers and companies open to potential hacks. Testimony, member statements, and a webcast of the hearing are available online. Sta… Continue Reading
07.06.15
Senator Leahy and Governor Shumlin Announce $12.4 M. Federal Grant for Statewide Expansion Of Regional Substance Abuse Prevention Partnerships
MONTPELIER, Vt. (MONDAY, July 6, 2015) - Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) joined Governor Peter Shumlin (D) at the State House Monday to announce a $12.4 million federal grant intended to reduce prescription drug abuse, marijuana use and underage drinking among youths and young adults throughout Vermont. The five-year substance abuse prevention grant, funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), will support statewide expansion of Vermont's Regional Prevention Partnerships p… Continue Reading
07.02.15
Leahy Announces Funds To Combat Deadly Bat Disease, White-Nose Syndrome
BURLINGTON, Vt. (WEDNESDAY, July 1, 2015) - Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Wednesday announced $35,645 in funding to help counter the spread of white-nose syndrome (WNS) in Vermont, a disease that has devastated bat populations, posing a significant ecological threat across New England and the country. Leahy said: "White-nose syndrome has wiped out bat populations throughout much of the eastern United States. In my home state of Vermont, some bat species have declined by as much as 90-95%. We… Continue Reading
07.01.15
Reaction Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt) To The President’s Announcement Of The Plan To Open A U.S. Embassy in Havana, Cuba
"Finally, after 55 years a failed, punitive and ineffective policy of isolation is ending. After 55 years, the wealthiest, most powerful nation -- which stands for ideals aspired to by people around the world - will be represented by an official embassy where we can put our best face forward on behalf of the American people as well as the Cuban people. I commend President Obama and President Castro for this historic step which signifies the formal beginning of a new and more constructive chapt… Continue Reading
07.01.15
Comments of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) On IBM and Global Foundries
"IBM's economic impact on Chittenden County and the State of Vermont over the past 50 years has been profound, and its Essex workforce - by far the greatest asset being acquired by Global Foundries - is among the most talented in the world. Even as operations at IBM in Vermont have evolved, the employees at Essex continue to innovate as world leaders in microelectronics. In an era of disruptive mergers and acquisitions, the deal to sell the Essex IBM plant to Global Foundries has been remarkab… Continue Reading
06.29.15
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) On The State Of The Lake Report
Knowledge about the Lake informs decision making, and ongoing monitoring and reporting on Lake Champlain is a key to effective action and progress. That's why I continue to work to secure federal support for the Lake Champlain Basin Program. This report shows that most of Lake Champlain is in good condition, and that is great news. With very good water quality overall, the Lake continues to support healthy and diverse ecosystems. Twenty-five years of controlling the sea lamprey threat is de… Continue Reading
06.29.15
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, On The Supreme Court’s Decision in Michigan v. Environmental Protection Agency Blocking Environmental Protection Agency’s Regulation of Toxic Pollutants from Coal-Fired Power Plants
"In this narrow decision, the Supreme Court has again sided with corporate interests over the health of millions of Americans. While a rule by the EPA to curb these emissions was entirely consistent with Congress' mandate, the Court decided that the EPA should have taken companies' compliance costs into account before deciding it was 'necessary and appropriate' to limit these toxic pollutants. There can be nothing more 'necessary and appropriate' than curbing poisonous pollutants that the EPA … Continue Reading
06.26.15
Leahy Joins Legislation To Further Combat Opioid Epidemic
(FRIDAY, June 26, 2015) - As opioid abuse continues its scourge across New England and other parts of the nation, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) has joined in introducing legislation to combat the epidemic on its front lines. The Overdose Prevention Act of 2015 expands access to naloxone -- a drug that counters the effects of an opioid overdose -- and overdose prevention programs, while encouraging law enforcement and public health officials to improve tabulation and analysis of overdose inciden… Continue Reading
06.26.15
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On Congressman Peter Welch’s Decision
"Peter has been an exceptional advocate for Vermont in the House and I look forward to continuing to work with him and Bernie." # # # # #… Continue Reading
06.26.15
[BREAKING] Leahy REAX On Supreme Court’s Decision In Marriage Equality Cases –
[The Supreme Court ruled in 5 to 4 decision Friday in Obergefell v. Hodges et al. that the Fourteenth Amendment protects the right of all couples to marry. The result is that every American will now be permitted to marry the person they love, regardless of the individual's sexual orientation or gender identity. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) joined in filing an amicus brief urging the Court to rule that the Constitution protects the right of LGBT individuals to marry.] "This is an historic day… Continue Reading
06.25.15
Comments Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, On The Supreme Court’s Decision In Texas Dept. Of Housing And Community Affairs v. The Inclusive Communities Project
[The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 on Thursday that the Fair Housing Act (FHA) authorizes a plaintiff to show that she was discriminated against based on a showing of "disparate impact." The FHA prohibits discrimination in the sale or rental of housing. Every circuit court that has ruled on this issue has interpreted the statute to allow for a showing of discrimination based on disparate impact, which is an allegation that a law or practice has a discriminatory effect, even if it isn't based on a di… Continue Reading
06.25.15
Leahy Comments On Supreme Court's Decision On Obamacare (ACA)
[The Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision Thursday, upheld the regulation issued by the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service through which tax credits are made available for purchasers of health insurance through the federal exchange established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Fourth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals had previously upheld the agencies' interpretation regarding tax credits, and the Supreme Court agreed that the ACA allows tax credits for purchasers of health ins… Continue Reading
06.24.15
Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, On the Introduction of the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015
This year marks the 50th anniversaries of the March from Selma to Montgomery and the passage of the landmark Voting Rights Act. Passage of the Voting Rights Act was the result of the blood, sweat, and tears of so many brave Americans who marched for justice - and the decades-long work of countless other men and women committed to seeing our country live up to its promise of equality and justice for all. Their actions transformed our nation. On this 50th anniversary year, we pay special tribut… Continue Reading
06.24.15
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, On Changes to the Administration’s Family Detention Practices
[Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) issued the following comment Wednesday after Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson announced changes to the administration's practice of detaining immigrant families and children. Senator Leahy has urged the administration to end its family detention policy, which was reinstated last summer in response to the increase in unaccompanied children and families arriving at the southern border.] "The practice of detain… Continue Reading
06.24.15
Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, On Judicial Nominations
Earlier this month, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the PATENT Act with a strong, bipartisan vote. As the Senate continues to consider this important, balanced legislation aimed at curbing abusive patent litigation practices, it is critical that the court of appeals that considers patent claims be at full strength. Legislation alone cannot solve the problems facing main street businesses from abuses of the patent system; we also need dedicated judges, like Kara Farnandez Stoll, on the be… Continue Reading
06.24.15
Leahy, Durbin, Coons & House Tri-Caucus Leaders Introduce Legislation To Restore and Advance The Voting Rights Act
(Wednesday, June 24, 2015) - Two years since the Supreme Court gutted core protections in the Voting Rights Act in Shelby County v. Holder, states and localities throughout the country have passed sweeping laws that disproportionately suppress the voting rights of minorities. These laws have left voters without the protections they need to exercise their constitutional right to vote. To restore and advance the voting protections for all Americans, a group of Senate and House Democratic lawma… Continue Reading
06.24.15
Reaction Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt., author of the human rights conditions in U.S. law) on military aid for Colombia) To Human Rights Watch’s Report Today Implicating Top Colombian Army Officers In Atrocities
"I am deeply troubled by Human Rights Watch's report. It shows that as we provided billions of dollars in aid to the Colombian army over many years, its troops systematically executed civilians. Worse yet, the officers who were in charge have escaped justice, and some remain in senior positions of authority, without the United States or the Colombian government addressing the problem. "We received continual assurances from the Departments of State and Defense that the Colombian military was … Continue Reading
