Press Room
Press Releases
Search Senator Leahy’s press releases, floor statements, and Committee speeches by date or by subject.
Statement On The Dismantling Of Democracy In El Salvador
Like the Salvadoran people, I hoped that the 1992 Peace Accords would signal the beginning of a new era of democratic governance, justice, and a better life for the people of El Salvador after 12 years of a disastrous civil war. Instead, rampant corruption, incompetence, and the unchecked personal ambitions of successive Salvadoran leaders to hold onto power have prevented the realization of those goals. The officials responsible for the dismantling of the country's democratic checks and balan… Continue Reading
11.19.21
Leahy, Sanders And Welch Laud $9.7 Million U.S. DOT Investment In Vermont Bicycle-Pedestrian Infrastructure
(FRIDAY, Nov. 19, 2021) -- Senator Patrick Leahy (D), Senator Bernie Sanders (I), Representative Peter Welch (D) and South Burlington City officials announced Friday that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded the City a Rebuilding American Infrastructure With Sustainability And Equity (RAISE) grant totaling $9,768,834, to build a bicycle and pedestrian bridge over Interstate 89. The project will provide a safe and protected way for bicyclists and pedestrians to travel betwee… Continue Reading
11.16.21
Senate Floor Remarks
Eight times, the voters of Vermont - who are my neighbors, my friends, my family - have had the great faith to send me to the United States Senate to represent them. Yesterday, I told those neighbors and friends, and my family, that I will not run for reelection. I told the Vermonters that have humbled me since my first election to the Senate in 1974 that I will resign this seat at the conclusion of my term. It is a decision I do not come to lightly, but one in which Marcelle and I find great… Continue Reading
11.15.21
Remarks Of U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy
Thank you all for being here this morning. This room is special to both Marcelle and me, and not just because as a kid I used to ride my tricycle down these halls. Having grown up right across the street, Marcelle and I gathered here with our parents, our children Kevin, Alicia and Mark, and my sister Mary and announced my candidacy for the United States Senate. At the time, I was a 33-year-old, four-term Chittenden County state's attorney, launching a campaign knowing that Vermont had never … Continue Reading
11.06.21
Leahy: Historic Infrastructure Bill’s Investments Will Yield Wide & Deep Benefits Across VT; Leahy Spotlights KEY VERMONT HIGHLIGHTS
(SATURDAY, Nov. 6, 2021) -- More than two months after the U.S. Senate passed bipartisan legislation to invest $1.2 trillion to the nation's infrastructure, the House of Representatives overnight has given final approval to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The bill next goes to the President's desk to be signed into law. Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), who has strongly supported and voted for the bill in the Senate, hailed passage of the bill as long overdue and urgently nee… Continue Reading
11.05.21
Leahy And Vermont Organic Farmers Comment On USDA Organic Funding Announcement
(FRIDAY, Nov. 5, 2021) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that it will set aside $20 million in CARES Act funding to provide assistance to organic farmers who experienced losses or additional expenses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the Biden administration announced it is reversing reductions in cost sharing assistance for farmers transitioning to organic made by the Trump administration in direct contradiction of provisions within the 2018 Farm Bill. … Continue Reading
11.04.21
Cardin, Leahy, Raskin Introduce Legislation To Improve Transparency For Prisoners And Detainees In Private Facilities
U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) today introduced legislation to require that government agencies comply with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests relating to private prisons, jails or detention facilities, including immigration detention facilities. The Private Prison Information Act (S. 3164/H.R. 5853) is essential for holding detention facilities accountable. "The PPIA would create a baseline of accountability for private c… Continue Reading
11.04.21
Approps. Chair Leahy On Need To Finish FY 2022 Appropriations Bills And Impact Of A Full-Year CR
We are now four weeks into the fiscal year, the federal government is running on auto-pilot, and we only have four more weeks until the government shuts down unless Congress takes action. This is not a theoretical exercise. The actions we take, or don't take, in this Chamber with respect to the Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations bills affect people's lives and the direction of this nation. These bills provide for our national defense, help educate our nation's children, provide medical care for… Continue Reading
11.02.21
Statement On The Desperate Situation In Tigray
The situation in Tigray continues to deteriorate. Recent bombings by the Ethiopian Government of Tigray's densely populated capital city, Mekele, has reportedly killed civilians, including children. Millions of people have been displaced and many in Tigray are facing famine. Combatants on both sides of the conflict have committed atrocities. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported recently that only 14 percent of trucks with relief aid were getting thr… Continue Reading
11.02.21
Leahy, Murkowski, Durbin And Manchin Announce Bipartisan Compromise On The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
(TUESDAY, Nov. 2, 2021) - U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) Tuesday released a bipartisan compromise on the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. This proposal - which builds on the version introduced earlier in October - reflects months of bipartisan negotiations and seeks to garner broader support in the Senate. Leahy, Murkowski, Durbin, and Manchin are committed to continuing their work on this compromise bill t… Continue Reading
11.02.21
Reaction of Appropriations Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy Following Four Corners Appropriations Meeting
"Republicans seem to want to drive us into a full year continuing resolution. Democrats made a good faith offer last month that provided a 5 percent increase in defense spending, which is consistent with the bipartisan NDAA, but it takes two to negotiate. We still have not received a topline offer in response to ours. An endless cycle of continuing resolutions is not a responsible way to govern. It means cuts to veterans, cuts to national security and defense, handcuffing our response to the pan… Continue Reading
11.02.21
Opening Statement Specialty Crops, Organics And Research
Thank you, Chairman Booker for today's hearing. We are still in the midst of a pandemic that has seen food insecurity rise, and children left behind. I am proud of the efforts we have seen to try to meet the hunger needs of those struggling in our communities. This includes the historic investment in child nutrition programs currently included in the Build Back Better Act, which will increase access to school and summer meals for millions of children. But we need to do more than just get food on… Continue Reading
11.01.21
Floor Statement On The Confirmation Of Beth Robinson To The Second Circuit Court Of Appeals
The Senate today will vote on confirmation of Vermont's own Justice Beth Robinson to serve as a Judge on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. As an advocate, Beth Robinson has been rightfully hailed as a tireless champion for equal rights and equal justice. But more importantly, her record as a Vermont Supreme Court Justice clearly demonstrates her fairness, impartiality, and loyalty to the rule of law, above all else. Vermonters overwhelmingly support her nomination, including elected offici… Continue Reading
10.28.21
Senator Leahy Joins State To Announce Most Recent Round Of Grants For Dairy Farmers And Producers
(THURSDAY, Oct. 28, 2021) - U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) has joined the Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets (VAAFM) in announcing the latest round of grants available to dairy farmers, value-added dairy producers and agricultural service providers through the Northeastern Dairy Business Innovation Center (DBIC). A wide range of grants and contracts, from implementing on-farm grazing practices, to food safety, to business technical assistance, are available at levels of up to $… Continue Reading
10.26.21
Comment On President Biden’s Nomination Of Kathi Vidal To Serve As Director Of The U.S. Patent And Trademark Office
I congratulate Kathi Vidal on her nomination to serve as the next Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Intellectual property is a vital engine for economic growth. Now more than ever, it is critical for the agency to have a permanent leader in place who will support its mission of promoting American ingenuity and competitiveness. I look forward to speaking with Ms. Vidal about her goals for the agency, including her ideas for continuing to improve patent quality while curbing abu… Continue Reading
10.25.21
Statement On Repression In Nicaragua
Mr. LEAHY. It has now been more than four months since Daniel Ortega's police arrested and subsequently disappeared political opposition leaders Félix Maradiaga and Juan Sebastián Chamorro in Nicaragua. On June 8, police stopped Maradiaga's vehicle, forcibly removed him, and took him away. Later that day, over 40 police officers forced their way into Chamorro's home and arrested him as well. For nearly three months, they were held in undisclosed locations, without access to the… Continue Reading
10.23.21
Senator Leahy Hosts 24th Annual Vermont Women’s Economic Opportunity Conference
On Saturday (Oct. 23) Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and his wife, Marcelle, hosted their 24th Annual Women's Economic Opportunity Conference (WEOC). Xusana Davis, Vermont's Executive Director of Racial Equity, was the keynote speaker. Her remarks were followed by a panel discussion with three Vermont women who own businesses about how they were able to refocus their businesses during the pandemic. The online conference drew 270 participants, half of them first-time attendees. In his opening r… Continue Reading
10.23.21
Senator Leahy Hosts 24th Annual Vermont Women’s Economic Opportunity Conference
On Saturday (Oct. 23) Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and his wife, Marcelle, hosted their 24th Annual Women's Economic Opportunity Conference (WEOC). Xusana Davis, Vermont's Executive Director of Racial Equity, was the keynote speaker. Her remarks were followed by a panel discussion with three Vermont women who own businesses about how they were able to refocus their businesses during the pandemic. The online conference drew 270 participants, half of them first-time attendees. In his opening r… Continue Reading
10.21.21
Statement On Moving The Nomination Of Justice Beth Robinson To The Second Circuit Court Of Appeals
I want to thank Chair Durbin for expeditiously moving the nomination of Justice Beth Robinson to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. I know firsthand the amount of work that is involved in the nominations process and appreciate his leadership on the Committee this year. Over the past few months I have received an outpouring of support from Vermonters across the political spectrum commending President Biden on Justice Robinson's nomination and urging this Committee's support. Justice Robinson… Continue Reading
10.19.21
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy, Hearing On: "Pride In Patent Ownership: The Value Of Knowing Who Owns A Patent"
The most fundamental underpinning of our patent system is transparency. In exchange for limited exclusive rights, inventors disclose their invention to the public, benefitting our society as a whole. This same fundamental principle of disclosure should extend to ownership information about a patent. But today, there is no requirement that ownership information be publicly available after a patent issues. Senator Tillis and I both agree that our patent system would be improved by requiring mo… Continue Reading
