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Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, Unanimous Consent Request Seeking Passage of S. 2520 The FOIA Improvement Act of 2014
The Freedom of Information Act is one of our Nation's most important laws. For nearly 50 years, FOIA has given Americans a way to access government information, ensuring their right to know what their government doing. Today, the Senate is poised to build on that important legacy with passage of the Leahy-Cornyn FOIA Improvement Act. The FOIA Improvement Act will codify what the President laid out in his historic executive order in 2009. It will require Federal agencies to adopt a "Presumpti… Continue Reading
12.08.14
Leahy & Cornyn Urge Senate To Pass FOIA Improvement Act TODAY
(Monday, December 8, 2014) -- Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) urged Senators Monday to pass historic legislation that strengthens the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the nation's premier open government law. The FOIA Improvement Act of 2014, which was approved unanimously by the Judiciary Committee last month, requires Federal agencies to operate under a "presumption of openness" when considering the release of government informatio… Continue Reading
12.05.14
Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, Urging Passage of H.R. 1447, the Death in Custody Reporting Act of 2013
I have long worked to pass legislation to bring additional transparency and accountability to the government. I do so again today by calling on all Senators to support the Death in Custody Reporting Act, a bill that has moved multiple times through the Senate Judiciary Committee and should pass the Senate without further delay. This is about an open and fair government. The Death in Custody Reporting Act requires that local and Federal law enforcement officials report deaths that occur while p… Continue Reading
12.05.14
Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee On Passage of H.R. 5108, To Establish the Law School Clinic Certification Program of the United States Patent and Trademark Office
Today, the Senate has acted to ensure that law school students can gain valuable experience providing legal assistance to inventors before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This legislation is a clear win-win: students will gain tangible, hands-on experience in a vital area of the law, and inventors and small businesses will receive valuable legal assistance with their patent and trademark applications. By promoting innovation and helping creators turn their inventions in… Continue Reading
12.05.14
Leahy: Vermont Nets $250,000 For Low-Income Housing Improvements
(THURSDAY, Dec. 4, 2014) - Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Thursday joined in announcing $250,000 in awards to four organizations across Vermont to improve housing conditions for low-income rural residents. Two of the grants were given preference because of the Leahy-led Rural Economic Area Partnership (REAP) Zone in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom -- a USDA Rural Development Designation recognizing the unique rural nature of a region that prioritizes the region's grant applications. Thanks in part … Continue Reading
12.05.14
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, On Supporting Government Transparency And Urging Passage of The FOIA Improvement Act of 2014
The Freedom of Information Act is one of our Nation's most important laws. James Madison said the people "must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives." For nearly 50 years, FOIA has given Americans a way to access government information ensuring their right to know what their government doing. The FOIA Improvement Act advances this fundamental democratic principle. It is why I urge all Senators to support the FOIA Improvement Act of 2014, without delay. This legislation builds on what … Continue Reading
12.04.14
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, On the Expiring Authorization for the Bulk Records Collection Program Under Section 215 of FISA
[The current FISA court authorization for the government to engage in the bulk collection of phone records under Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act expires on Friday. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) is the author of the bipartisan USA FREEDOM Act of 2014, which would end this dragnet collection of Americans' phone records.] "Last month, Senate Republicans filibustered the USA FREEDOM Act of 2014, which would have ended the NSA's bulk collection of innocent American… Continue Reading
12.04.14
Leahy, Sanders, Welch: Thursday’s Final Extension Of Enrollment Deadline For New Dairy Insurance Program Will Further Help Vermont Farmers Weigh Their Options
Vermont's congressional delegation - Sen. Patrick Leahy (D), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I) and Rep. Peter Welch (D) - commended U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack for announcing Thursday that the application deadline for the new dairy Margin Protection Program (MPP) will be extended until Dec. 19, 2014. In a joint statement, Leahy, Sanders and Welch said: "This final extension is helpful to Vermont's dairy farmers as well as those across the country who may still be weighing their… Continue Reading
12.03.14
Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On Mexico And The Leahy Law
"There are two laws -- both of which I wrote and defend each year against attempts by some in Congress and the Pentagon to weaken them -- which tie a portion of our aid to foreign governments, and to Mexico specifically, on protection of human rights and punishment of those who violate human rights. The Mexican Army and police have a long history of violating human rights with impunity, and no one in Congress has worked harder than I have to keep our aid to Mexico from going to those who commit… Continue Reading
12.03.14
Judiciary Committee Approves Nominee To Lead Key Immigration Office
(Wednesday, December 3, 2014) - The Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday approved the nomination of Sarah Saldaña to be Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security, where she will lead the office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) hailed the nominee and called on the Senate to quickly confirm her. "Ms. Saldaña has earned a reputation as a tough but fair prosecutor. She has stated unequivocally that she will enforce the law, and w… Continue Reading
12.02.14
Senate Judiciary Committee To Hold Hearing On Families & Immigration Next Week
(Tuesday, December 2, 2014) - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced on Tuesday that the Committee will hold a hearing next week about the impact of the President's executive action on immigrant families and the need to keep children and their parents together. The hearing follows up on the Committee's hearing last year entitled "How Comprehensive Immigration Reform Should Address the Needs of Women and Families." Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), an immigrant who … Continue Reading
12.02.14
Leahy: Vermont Nets $100,000 To Connect Schools And Local Farms
(TUESDAY, Dec. 2, 2014) - A farm-to-school program championed by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) is investing $100,000 in bringing locally grown food to cafeteria tables and classrooms in Vermont. Leahy, who has led the national farm-to-school efforts in the Senate, commended VT FEED, a partnership of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-Vt.), and Shelburne Farms, which Tuesday received a federal grant to support farm-to-school initiatives across the Green Mountain State. L… Continue Reading
12.01.14
ADVISORY for TOMORROW (Tues.): Judiciary Chairman Leahy Meets With Atty Gen. Nominee Loretta Lynch
********N E W S A D V I S O R Y ********* TOMORROW: SJC Chairman Leahy To Meet With AG Nominee Loretta Lynch Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) will meet with Loretta Lynch, President Obama's nominee to be the next Attorney General of the United States, TOMORROW, Tuesday, December 2, around 11 a.m. in Room S-126 in the Capitol. Photo-op at the top of the meeting, around 11 a.m. Camera pre-set at 10:50 a.m. Contact: Jessica Brady, 202-224-7703, David Carle, 202-224-3… Continue Reading
12.01.14
Leahy & Cornyn Press For CIA To Retain Email Records
(Monday, December 1, 2014) -Responding to reports that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is seeking to adopt a new email retention policy that would allow the agency to purge thousands of emails from nearly all of its employees, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) are urging the archivist of the United States to reject the proposal that undermines oversight of the agency. "We are concerned that this policy would undermine the ability o… Continue Reading
11.25.14
Judiciary Chair Leahy Urges Visa, MasterCard To Recommit Their Efforts To Address Illegal Activity Online
(Tuesday, November 25, 2014) -Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) is urging leading payment processors to prevent use of their payment networks by websites that are dedicated to online copyright infringement. While Visa and MasterCard both have policies prohibiting the use of their cards for illegal activities, a recent study released by the Digital Citizens Alliance and NetNames revealed that 29 of 30 leading websites known as "cyberlockers," which exist to unlawfully sto… Continue Reading
11.24.14
Comments Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The President's Announcement Of The Departure Of Defense Secretary Hagel
"I thank Secretary Hagel for his decades of military and public service, and for his commitment to the American people and American values, at home and abroad. "Having worked with Chuck in the Senate, as well as during his tenure leading the Defense Department, I know firsthand of his integrity, decency and tirelessness. He was the first former enlisted combat soldier to serve as defense secretary, and it was this experience that has been ever present in his work at the Pentagon. His vocal s… Continue Reading
11.21.14
Comment of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman Of The Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, And Related Programs, On The Ongoing Nuclear Negotiations With Iran
"I strongly support the ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran and hope that a verifiable agreement that prevents Iran from developing a nuclear weapon can be reached by the November 24th deadline. I recognize that some of our allies in the region have voiced concerns about the process. I urge all parties to engage in a constructive dialogue, which is crucial for progress and for the integrity of any outcome. Over the past year there has been progress toward eliminating the possibility of a n… Continue Reading
11.21.14
Senate Extends Satellite TV Law To Ensure Continued Coverage for Viewers
(FRIDAY, November 21, 2014) - The Senate Thursday night approved bipartisan legislation shaped by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and others that will ensure that 1.5 million satellite TV subscribers in Vermont and across the country will continue to receive access to their current television content for the next five years. The legislation reauthorizes the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act, a law known as "STELA," that provides consumers access to distant broadcast television content … Continue Reading
11.20.14
Leahy Reminds Congress That Immigration Executive Action Is ‘No Substitute For Legislation’
(THURSDAY, Nov. 20, 2014) - In a Senate floor statement Thursday, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) said the President's expected action on immigration is necessary, but noted that the move is not a replacement for legislation like the bill he steered to passage in the Senate last year. The Senate passed a comprehensive immigration reform bill with a bipartisan vote last year, but the House has failed to take up that measure or any other to address the nation's broken immigration system. Leahy said… Continue Reading
11.20.14
Judiciary Committee Unanimously Approves Leahy-Cornyn FOIA Improvement Act
(Thursday, November 20, 2014) -- The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday unanimously approved bipartisan legislation authored by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) that strengthens the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the nation's premier open government law. The FOIA Improvement Act requires Federal agencies to adopt a "Presumption of Openness" when considering the release of government information under FOIA, and it aims to reduce the overuse of exemptions to… Continue Reading
