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Press Releases
Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Statement On Recent Verdicts In Honduras
Mr. LEAHY. I want to speak briefly about the recent decision by the National Jurisdiction Sentencing Court in Honduras to acquit Honduran nationals Edwin Espinal and Raúl Álvarez. Both men were found to have been falsely accused of aggravated property damage, aggravated arson, and the use of homemade explosives, charges for which it turned out the government had no credible evidence. Espinal and Álvarez spent 19 months in a maximum-security prison awaiting trial. They w… Continue Reading
09.28.21
Senate Sponsors Laud House Passage Of EQUAL Act
Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Rob Portman (R-OH), Rand Paul (R-KY), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Patrick Leahy (D-VT), the bipartisan Senate sponsors of the EQUAL Act, issued the following statement: "Today, House Republicans and Democrats joined together in passing the EQUAL Act, legislation that will once and for all eliminate the unjust federal crack and powder cocaine sentencing disparity. Enjoying broad support from faith groups, civil rights organizations, law enforcement, a… Continue Reading
09.27.21
Durbin, Leahy Urge President Biden To End Lethal Force Outside Of War Zones, Revise Nation’s Counterterrorism Policies
U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today sent a letter to President Biden urging the administration to revise our nation's policy regarding use of lethal force. Over the course of the past three administrations, Durbin and Leahy have raised questions about the legal bases and consequences of lethal strikes. As the Biden administration is reportedly deliberati… Continue Reading
09.27.21
Statement On The Continuing Resolution And The National Debt
Today the Senate will hold a vote to allow for the consideration of a temporary stop-gap measure to keep the government funded through December 3rd. The measure also provides $28 billion to help states ravaged by hurricanes and wildfires, like Hurricane Ida that recently tore through the south and the northeast. It provides critical assistance to Afghan refugees who have fled the Taliban in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Finally, it will raise the debt ceiling through Dece… Continue Reading
09.23.21
Leahy: Save America’s Treasures Program Awards More Than $950,000 For Vermont Historic Preservation
(THURSDAY, Sept. 23, 2021) - Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) is announcing that the National Park Service (NPS) has awarded $967,933 in Save America's Treasures grants to three Vermont projects. Save America's Treasures funds the preservation, rehabilitation and conservation of nationally significant historic properties and collections. Shelburne Farms will receive $500,000 for rehabilitation of the 1891 Breeding Barn, which the organization hopes to turn into a three-season gathering place. The … Continue Reading
09.22.21
Leahy, Sanders And Welch Lead Regional Push For Organic Dairy Support
(WEDNESDAY, Sept. 22, 2021) - Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Representative Peter Welch (D-Vt.) Wednesday led a bicameral group of Northeastern lawmakers in urging Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to close organic loopholes, strengthen enforcement, and use every tool available to support small- and mid-sized organic dairy farmers. The letter follows news that Horizon Organic, a subsidiary of multinational food conglomerate Danone, plans to terminate contracts… Continue Reading
09.21.21
Leahy And Tillis Introduce Bipartisan Bills To Boost American Innovation
(TUESDAY, Sept. 21, 2021) -- Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Intellectual Property Subcommittee, on Tuesday introduced a pair of bipartisan bills aimed at improving the participation of Americans from all backgrounds in the patent system and ensuring that the public knows the true owners of patents. The Unleashing American Innovators Act builds on the legacy of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, which was enacted ten y… Continue Reading
09.21.21
Statement On H.R. 5304, The Extending Government Funding And Delivering Emergency Assistance Act
I support the continuing resolution introduced today by my friend and colleague, House Appropriations Committee Chair DeLauro. This bill will keep the government funded through December 3rd while we continue to work on the Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations bills. It also includes critical relief for those impacted by the devastating hurricanes that have destroyed communities along the Gulf Coast and in the northeast, as well as for communities ravaged by wildfires and other natural disasters. … Continue Reading
09.16.21
Leahy, Issa, Eshoo Lead Letter Asking Patent Office To Reverse Policy Keeping Drug Prices Out Of Americans’ Reach
(THURSDAY, Sept. 16, 2021) - Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, and Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.), Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, joined by Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Congressman Tom… Continue Reading
09.09.21
Intellectual Property Chairman Leahy And Ranking Member Tillis Ask Patent Office To Address Soaring Drug Prices
(THURSDAY, Sept. 9, 2021) - Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, along with Ranking Member Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Thursday asked the Patent Office to address an issue that is a significant cause of soaring drug prices for Vermonters and all Americans. In a letter to the Patent Office, Leahy, joined by Tillis, explains that drug companies sometimes try to artificially extend their monopolies on existing drugs by seeking a new patent … Continue Reading
09.01.21
Comments About Vermont Welcoming Afghan Refugees
"I am gratified that Vermont is volunteering to welcome and resettle one hundred Afghans who have fled their country in recent weeks. Many of these Afghans supported the U.S. military and our government over the past two decades, risking their lives and the safety of their families. Vermonters recognize that it is our moral obligation to provide them refuge from retaliation and persecution by the Taliban and other extremist groups in Afghanistan. "Vermont has a long history of warmly welcomin… Continue Reading
08.31.21
Comment On The End Of U.S. Military Operations In Afghanistan
Twenty years ago, the United States embarked on a military campaign to bring Osama bin Laden and those who carried out the September 11th terrorist attacks to justice. That mission was achieved a decade ago, yet we stayed in Afghanistan another decade in pursuit of the unrealistic and unachievable goal of turning Afghanistan into a unified, democratic society. It cost the lives of thousands of Americans and coalition supporters, and hundreds of thousands of Afghans, many, civilians. It was lo… Continue Reading
08.24.21
Senator Patrick Leahy On The Calamity In Afghanistan
We have all watched in dismay as the Taliban have taken control of Kabul triggering a humanitarian crisis. Tens of thousands of desperate people, including American citizens, Afghans who courageously supported U.S. forces and aid workers, and others at risk have sought safety at the Kabul Airport and the United States and our allies are conducting an unprecedented air evacuation. The scenes are extraordinarily heartbreaking and infuriating, and there is plenty of blame to go around for a faile… Continue Reading
08.19.21
USDA Announces Improvements To The Dairy Safety Net And New Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program
Burlington, VT, Aug. 19, 2021 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the details of the Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program as part of meetings with farmers and a tour of farms with Senator Leahy. In June, Secretary Vilsack committed to providing additional pandemic assistance for dairy farmers in an exchange at a hearing with Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Leahy. Through the program, USDA will provide about $350 million in pandemic assistance payments to… Continue Reading
08.18.21
In Bennington, Leahy Announces Resource Support For Southwestern Vermont Health Care Child Care Facility
BENNINGTON, Vt. (WEDNESDAY, Aug. 18, 2021) - U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) visited Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) Wednesday to announce his support of the hospital's proposed expansion of their child care center. Leahy, the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, included a request for $750,000 to support child care expansion in Bennington in his 2021 Congressionally Directed Spending requests. Let's Grow Kids, a statewide campaign advocating for equitable access to high-… Continue Reading
08.17.21
Leahy And 45 Other Senators, In Bipartisan Letter, Urge Biden Administration To Protect Afghan Women Leaders In Wake Of Taliban Takeover In Afghanistan
(TUESDAY, Aug. 17, 2021) - Senate Appropriations Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) has joined Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) in a bipartisan letter signed by 46 senators to urge the Biden administration to take swift action to protect and support Afghan women leaders facing unparalleled danger following the Taliban's violent sweep across Afghanistan and seizure of Kabul. Joining Senators Menendez and Shaheen in signing the lett… Continue Reading
08.13.21
In A Letter To The Secretary Of State, Senators Leahy, Sullivan, Coons, Schumer And Others Urge The Evacuation Of Afghan Partners
We write today with extreme concern regarding the ongoing civilian situation in Afghanistan as U.S. forces withdraw. As the Taliban rapidly seizes control of cities across the country, we strongly urge the Department of State to also swiftly expand its overly narrow interpretation of eligibility for the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program to include not only those staff members who have worked under U.S. government contracts, but also those employed under and associated with grants or co… Continue Reading
08.13.21
Senator Patrick Leahy -- Saving Our Afghan Partners
As the Taliban take over the country at breakneck speed, commandeering everything from artillery to helicopters and executing gov't soldiers who surrender, our Afghan partners - judges, lawyers, teachers, scholars, journalists, human rights defenders - many of them women, are desperate to escape to safety in a third country. This is no time to be questioning whether they qualify for visas. We have a moral obligation to evacuate them and their families. ###… Continue Reading
08.10.21
Leahy Praises Passage Today Of Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment And Jobs Act
(TUESDAY, Aug. 10, 2021) -- Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) is hailing Senate passage Tuesday of a bipartisan bill to help build back the United States' crumbling infrastructure. The infrastructure package includes $550 billion in new federal investments over five years and $650 billion in authorizations. Leahy, who chairs the Appropriations Committee, said: "Once again, the Senate has shown that infrastructure is - as it always has been - a bipartisan issue. The Infrastructure Investment and… Continue Reading
08.09.21
Durbin, Leahy, Booker, Colleagues: It’s Time To End The Federal Death Penalty
U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), both members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today led 14 of their Senate Democratic colleagues in urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to take further steps to end the federal death penalty once and for all. In a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, the Senators commend the recent decision to impose a moratorium on federal executions p… Continue Reading
