The Public Record
James M. Jeffords is a former U.S. Senator from Vermont, known for his independent stance after leaving the Republican Party in 2001. He served in the Senate from 2001 to 2007 and was previously a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1975 to 1989. Throughout his political career, Jeffords focused on environmental issues, education, and healthcare reform. He was instrumental in promoting legislation aimed at reducing pollution and addressing climate change, advocating for the establishment of uniform standards for industrial emissions.
last Thursday I submitted a statement expressing my concerns with the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to the United States Supreme Court. I am here today to reiterate these concerns as we move toward a final vote on this nomination. There…
there is no higher legal authority in the United States than the U.S. Supreme Court. It is the final arbiter on the meaning of laws and the U.S. Constitution. The Supreme Court gives meaning to the scope of the right of privacy; whether…
the people of Vermont are proud of the important role that Senator Patrick Leahy is serving in trying to improve the USA PATRIOT Act. My colleague from Vermont rightly believes that security and civil liberties need not be mutually…
today I am introducing the Tire Derived Fuel Safety Act of 2005 to ensure that Americans living near pulp and paper mills that burn tires for energy are protected from the potential harmful effects of air pollutants such as fine…
generally when we vote, the decisions we make can be revisited within a few months or years. This year's appropriations policy can be replaced by a new one next year. Unintended consequences can be rectified, legislation fine tuned. But…
I am here today to ask for my colleagues' support for a resolution designating September as Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma Awareness Month. Today, I want to speak specifically about leukemia, a disease that affects nearly 200,000…
I will be brief but concise. This is not a vote about reducing mercury by 90 percent by 2009 or even 70 percent by the year 2030. That is a red herring. This is not a vote about the opponents' wildly outdated claims on the potential cost…
as we prepare to give the final approval to the highway bill conference report I would like to thank Chairman Inhofe and Senators Bond and Baucus and all of the Senators and staff who have helped to move this bill forward. The bill we are…
exactly 1 month ago I praised the Appropriations Committee's efforts to fund the State Revolving Fund for Wastewater Treatment and for Drinking Water at the highest possible levels. Today, however, I am gravely concerned about the overall…
tomorrow marks a milestone for the Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA. July 26 is the 15th anniversary of the ADA's enactment into law. The ADA is one of the most significant initiatives to become law during my 30 years in the Congress…
I came to the floor today to commend our colleagues and extend my appreciation to them because last night the Senate unanimously passed S. 544, the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005. I do not believe it is too great an…
throughout my 30 years in the Congress, I have considered myself a free-trader. I believe that breaking down barriers to trade and opening access to markets in a fair and balanced way in the long run benefits all economies, both consumers…