Press Room
Press Releases
Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Leahy, Sanders And Welch Welcome USDA Steps to Help Struggling Dairy Farmers
(WEDNESDAY, August 24, 2016) - Vermont's Congressional Delegation - Sen. Patrick Leahy (D), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I) and Rep. Peter Welch (D) - are welcoming the "small steps" that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced to help dairy farmers coping with declining milk prices. USDA will purchase 11 million pounds of cheese from private inventories to help dairy farmers by reducing a cheese surplus, while also supplementing food shelves that serve needy families across the country… Continue Reading
08.24.16
Irene’s Lessons Echo In Baton Rouge
One of the first calls I had in the immediate aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene was from a Republican senator from a far-distant state. He told me of his concern about what he and his constituents were hearing about the storm's devastation in Vermont, and he pledged to me his support for the congressional action that would be needed to help Vermont recover and rebuild. I've made similar calls when disasters have struck other parts of our nation. As we mark the fifth anniversary of Irene, our … Continue Reading
08.23.16
The National Park Service At 100: Showcasing America’s Ideal Of Stewardship
The National Park Service At 100: Showcasing America's Ideal Of Stewardship By Patrick Leahy It's been called "America's Best Idea." This week (on August 25) we celebrate an important date in our nation's history. 100 years ago the United States made a bold and thoughtful declaration about our country's future by choosing to forever preserve our nation's past, as reflected in our finest natural and cultural treasures, with the creation of the National Park Service. Thanks to a passionate crus… Continue Reading
08.22.16
Leahy, Vermont State Police Announce Expansion of Vermont Drug Task Force
WILLISTON, VT. (Monday, Aug. 22, 2016) - Joined by Vermont State Police Commander Matthew Birmingham, U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) on Monday announced that six new positions - including five detectives - have now been added to the Vermont Drug Task Force to strengthen heroin trafficking investigations in Vermont. This expansion of the Task Force was made possible with a $1.4 million grant from the Department of Justice's Anti-Heroin Task Force program that was awarded last September. The… Continue Reading
08.18.16
Comment of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Announcement by the Department of Justice Regarding Private Prisons
Comment of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, On The Announcement by the Department of Justice Regarding Private Prisons August 18, 2016 "For too long, the dangerous conditions found in many private prisons have placed inmates and officers at risk. Today's announcement from the Justice Department is an important first step in addressing this unacceptable situation. But it is not enough. We must see greater transparency and accountability for the private … Continue Reading
08.05.16
Leahy, Sanders, Welch, Shumlin Announce $1.2 M. In U.S. Aid To VT’s N. Border Communities
Leahy, Sanders, Welch, Shumlin Announce $1.2 Million In Federal Aid to Vermont's Northern Border Communities ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. (Friday, August 5, 2016) -- As part of a continuing effort to bolster economic development in Northern Vermont, Senator Patrick Leahy (D), Senator Bernie Sanders (I), Congressman Peter Welch (D) and Governor Peter Shumlin (D) joined Northern Border Regional Commission Chair Mark Scarano in announcing more than $1.8 million in federal grants on Friday. In a joint state… Continue Reading
08.04.16
Broad Coalition of Senate Democrats Call on Top Consumer Agency to Move Swiftly to Limit Unfair Arbitration Agreements in Everyday Financial Contracts
Broad Coalition of Senate Democrats Call on Top Consumer Agency to Move Swiftly to Limit Unfair Arbitration Agreements in Everyday Financial Contracts WASHINGTON (Tuesday, August 4, 2016) - Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and a group of nearly 40 Democratic Senators-including Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), and Senators Al Franken (D-Minn.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio)-this week called on one of the nation's top consumer advocacy agencies to quickly finalize an important proposal to lim… Continue Reading
07.30.16
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On President Obama Signing The Bill To Implement The ‘Deal’ To Nullify Vermont’s GMO Labeling Law
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On President Obama Signing The Bill To Implement The 'Deal' To Nullify Vermont's GMO Labeling Law July 30, 2016 Honoring consumers' right to know is the heart and soul of Vermont's law. Letting powerful corporate interests get by with doing as little as possible is the motivation behind this so-called 'deal.' I remain concerned that this is a very bad deal for consumers. Vermont's law is the reason that this issue has come to the fore. The power of Vermont's e… Continue Reading
07.28.16
Leahy, Sanders, Welch Press USDA For Market-Balancing Help For Struggling Dairy Farmers
Leahy, Sanders, Welch Press USDA For Market-Balancing Help For Struggling Dairy Farmers (THURSDAY, July 28, 2016) - On Thursday Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Representative Joe Courtney (CT-02), Senator Bob Casey (D-Penn.) and Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), joined by a bipartisan coalition of 57 other members of the House and Senate that includes Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Representative Peter Welch (D-Vt.), sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack … Continue Reading
07.26.16
Grassley, Leahy Press Federal Investigators on Breach of Democratic National Committee
Grassley, Leahy Press Federal Investigators on Breach of Democratic National Committee WASHINGTON - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley and Ranking Democrat Patrick Leahy are seeking more information on the government's response to cyberattacks targeting American political organizations. The inquiry follows a reported data breach at the Democratic National Committee and the selective publishing of stolen documents and emails. In a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch and FBI… Continue Reading
07.23.16
Two Bills Championed By Leahy Signed Into Law
Two Bills Championed By Leahy Signed Into Law Comprehensive Addiction And Recovery Act Supports Community-Based Approaches To Combatting Opioid Addiction POLICE Act Supports Active Shooter Training For Officers and First Responders Leahy Calls On Congress To Pass Criminal Justice Reform In September WASHINGTON (SATURDAY, July 23, 2016) - Two bills championed by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) to promote public safety were signed into law Friday by President Obama. The Comprehensive Addiction … Continue Reading
07.19.16
Republicans’ Unprecedented Obstruction Makes Chief Judge Merrick Garland Longest Pending Supreme Court Nominee in U.S. History
(Tuesday, July 19, 2016) - Today marks the 125th day since the Senate received the nomination of D.C. Circuit Chief Judge Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court. Senate Republicans' unprecedented blockade of Chief Judge Garland's nomination has made him the longest pending Supreme Court nominee in the history of the United States. Senate Republicans' treatment of Chief Judge Garland is without precedent. Since public hearings began in 1916, the Senate has never denied a hearing or a vote to a p… Continue Reading
07.15.16
Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy On the Introduction of the Automatic Voter Registration Act of 2016
Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, On the Introduction of the Automatic Voter Registration Act of 2016 July 14, 2016 My friend John Lewis often says that "the right to vote is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have in a democracy." I could not agree more with him. We are a better and more representative nation when more Americans participate in our democracy, and we can help foster greater participation by modernizing the way we register … Continue Reading
07.15.16
Senate Passes, Obama To Sign Key Housing Reforms Backed By Leahy
Senate Passes, President To Sign Key Housing Reforms Backed By Leahy . . . Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act Will Reduce Homelessness And Increase Access To Housing In Vermont And Other States WASHINGTON (FRIDAY, July 15, 2016) - Before leaving for the summer recess, the U.S. Senate Thursday night approved legislation championed by Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy (D) to make needed and long overdue reforms to several federal housing programs. The Housing Opportunity Through Moderniz… Continue Reading
07.14.16
Senate Republicans Leave Town, Refusing to Act on Judicial Backlog And Hurting Courts Across America
(THURSDAY, July 14, 2016) - Senate Republicans control the Senate schedule and whether any nominee will receive a vote. Despite repeated pleas by Democrats to confirm dozens of uncontroversial judicial nominees, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has refused to allow these confirmation votes and is sending Senators out of town for seven weeks. Republicans have even blocked consideration of uncontroversial nominees who would fill vacancies in their home states. Their obstruction has resu… Continue Reading
07.14.16
Leahy & Senate Dems Introduce Bill To Increase Voter Participation
(THURSDAY, July 14, 2016) - Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) introduced legislation Thursday to make it easier for all Americans to vote and to participate in our democracy by making registration automatic. The Automatic Voter Registration Act of 2016 requires states to automatically register those who are eligible to vote when they interact with certain state and federal agencies, unless those people decline. The bill would streamline the voter registration pro… Continue Reading
07.14.16
Leahy-Authored Legislation To Preserve Historic Film & Sound Recordings To Be Signed Into Law
(THURSDAY, July 14, 2016) - Legislation authored by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) to preserve the nation's most treasured films and sound recordings passed both the Senate and House this week and is on its way to the White House for signature. The bipartisan Library of Congress Sound Recording and Film Preservation Programs Reauthorization Act, which Leahy introduced with Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) in May, reauthorizes the National Film Preservation Program and the National Sound Recording… Continue Reading
07.14.16
Leahy And Lofgren Lead Bicameral Introduction Of Refugee Protection Act
Leahy And Lofgren Lead Bicameral Introduction Of Refugee Protection Act WASHINGTON (THURSDAY, July 14, 2016) - With refugees fleeing violence worldwide, Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and House Judiciary Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) introduced bicameral legislation Thursday to bolster and update the nation's laws to promote a more fair and efficient asylum and refugee process. Over the past five years, more … Continue Reading
07.14.16
Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy On Recent Developments in Honduras
Mr. President, yesterday I made a statement about the situation in Honduras, where the March 3rd assassination of environmental activist Berta Caceres remains under investigation. I also mentioned the brutal killing last week of Lesbia Janeth Urquia. In that statement I said that Ms. Urquia was a member of the organization COPINH, which stands for the Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras. According to information I received today, she was not a "member" of COPINH.… Continue Reading
07.14.16
Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy On Another Environmental Activist Assassinated in Honduras
Mr. President, it has been four months and 8 days since Berta Caceres, an internationally respected indigenous Honduran environmental activist, was shot and killed in her home. Ms. Caceres had led her Lenca community in a campaign over several years against the Agua Zarca hydroelectric project financed in part by a Honduran company, Desarrollos Energeticos (DESA), on the Gualcarque River which the Lenca people consider to be sacred. Honduran police officers tampered with the crime scene, and … Continue Reading
