Apr 21, 2023
I can say with absolute certainty that the proposed rules directly conflict with the legislation on a variety of matters, especially on provisions that limit access to the PTAB.
Patrick Leahy
The Public Record
Patrick Leahy is a former United States Senator from Vermont, serving from 1975 until 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the longest-serving senator in Vermont's history and held significant leadership roles, including President pro tempore of the Senate. Throughout his tenure, Leahy was known for his work on issues such as civil liberties, health care, and environmental protection. He played a key role in various legislative efforts, including the Violence Against Women Act and initiatives to reform the criminal justice system.
Most widely reported
by number of sources- today, I am pleased to introduce the Honest Services Restoration Act with Senator Whitehouse and Senator Kaufman. The legislation will restore critical tools used by investigators and prosecutors to combat public corruption and corporate fraud, which the Supreme Court dramatically weakened in Skilling v. United States. In Skilling, the Court sided with an Enron executive who had been convicted of fraud, and in doing so, held that the honest services fraud statute may be used to prosecute only bribery and kickbacks, but no other conduct. That leaves other corrupt and fraudulent conduct which prosecutors in the past addressed under the honest services fraud statute to go unchecked. Most notably, the Court's decision excluded undisclosed ``self-dealing'' by state and federal public officials, and corporate officers and directors, which is when those officials or executives secretly act in their own financial self-interest, rather than in the interest of the public or, in the private sector cases, their shareholders and employees. The Honest Services Restoration Act restores the honest services statute to cover this undisclosed ``self-dealing'' by state and Federal public officials, and corporate officers and directors.3 sources2010govinfo.gov
- I am pleased to join with my friend from California, Senator Feinstein, in introducing the Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act of 2013. It is identical to the bill that she and I have introduced in prior years, and I commend her for her persistence on this important humanitarian issue. I come to this issue having devoted much effort over many years to shining a spotlight on and doing what can be done to help innocent victims of war. In the last century, and continuing into this new century, noncombatants increasingly have borne the brunt of the casualties in armed conflicts across the globe. Limiting the use of weapons that are inherently indiscriminate, such as landmines, and that have indiscriminate effects, such as cluster munitions, are tangible, practical, meaningful things we can do to reduce these unnecessary casualties. Cluster munitions, like any weapon, have some military utility. But anyone who has seen the indiscriminate devastation that cluster munitions cause over wide areas understands the unacceptable threat they pose to noncombatants. These are not the laser guided weapons the Pentagon showed destroying their targets during the invasion of Baghdad. To the contrary. Cluster munitions can kill and maim anyone within the 360 degree range of flying shrapnel.…3 sources2013govinfo.gov
- I am pleased to join Senators Feinstein and Cruz in cosponsoring a resolution recognizing the 59th anniversary of the Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule--March 10, 2018 as ``Tibetan Rights Day.'' Fifty-nine years ago, Tibetans took a stand, together, for the freedom of their homeland. The people of the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, fearing for the life of the Dalai Lama, surrounded his residence, organized a guard, and called for the withdrawal of Chinese forces from Tibet and the restoration of Tibet's freedom. Chinese statistics estimate 87,000 Tibetans were killed, arrested, or deported to labor camps during the suppression of the 1959 uprising, which also led to the forced exile of the Dalai Lama and tens of thousands of other Tibetans. Today, 59 years later, the Government of the People's Republic of China remains engaged in the severe repression of Tibet's unique religious, cultural, and linguistic heritage, and is engaged in gross violations of human rights in Tibet, including extrajudicial detentions, disappearances, and torture. At least 152 Tibetans in Tibet are known to have self-immolated in protest in the past decade. Yet the Tibetan people have not given up their struggle for fundamental human rights and freedoms. We stand by the Tibetan people, who have long been our unwavering friends.…3 sources2018govinfo.gov
- The ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka that has waxed and waned for decades costing the lives of tens of thousands of people, has exploded into a full scale war and it is civilians who are bearing the brunt of the carnage.2 sources2009congress.gov
congress.gov
Apr 21, 2023
I can say with absolute certainty that the proposed rules directly conflict with the legislation on a variety of matters, especially on provisions that limit access to the PTAB.
Apr 20, 2023
I can say with absolute certainty that the proposed rules directly conflict with the legislation on a variety of matters, especially on provisions that limit access to the PTAB.
Mar 22, 2023
Do not turn your material, do not turn your reports over to the Executive Branch and let them tell you what is or is not classified.
Mar 22, 2023
Congress was the original classification authority (OCA). It let that power essentially slip away to the Executive Branch.
Feb 22, 2023
On February 23rd of this year, Senators Schumer and Coburn and I wrote you a letter commending your decision to sever ties with the Council on American-Islamic Relations, CAIR.
Dec 22, 2022
the 11th of December marked the 6-month anniversary of the violent death of widely respected Palestinian- American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. On May 19, I echoed Secretary of State Blinken's call for an ``independent, credible…
Dec 22, 2022
I spoke on this matter earlier this week, and I still agree with the Senator from Florida that we have a responsibility to help Americans in the wake of disasters. It does not matter if you are a Republican or a Democrat, or if you are…
Dec 22, 2022
the most important technology connections are ones between people. Vermont is a place where people connecting is not only important to life, but is the very fabric of it. It was natural, I think, for me to see cyberspace as a continuation…
Dec 22, 2022
I brought a lot of bills to the floor here. This will be the last one I bring to the floor of the Senate. But it is one that we have to act on quickly or we risk a government shutdown. This omnibus appropriations bill provides $1.7…
Dec 22, 2022
in 2023 the Center for Civilians in Conflict will celebrate its 20th anniversary. This is a significant milestone, as I vividly recall when CIVIC, originally named the Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict, was created by Marla…
Dec 22, 2022
I have been a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee for 48 years, since I was elected in 1974. I have helped to write nine farm bills, and I have overseen the creation of programs that have helped farmers, food systems, and consumers…
Dec 22, 2022
the Johnson amendment asks us to cede the power of the purse to public servants in the executive branch who are unaccountable to the voters. These public servants, dedicated though they may be, cannot possibly share the depth of knowledge…
Dec 22, 2022
I rise today to celebrate the incredible institutions of higher education in my home State. Like many Vermonters, I was the first in my family to attend college--I chose a small, liberal arts, Catholic college--Saint Michael's College in…
Dec 22, 2022
throughout my 48 years in the Senate, I worked to uphold the American tradition of a humane immigration policy and fought to advance comprehensive immigration reform. As an advocate for refugees and asylum seekers fleeing violence and…
Dec 20, 2022
reserving the right to object, and I will object. I agree with the Senator from Florida that we have a responsibility to help Americans in the wake of disasters. It does not matter if you are a Republican or a Democrat or if you are from a…
Dec 20, 2022
I am pleased to announce that late last night, I introduced the bipartisan, bicameral, fiscal year 2023 omnibus appropriations bill. This bill invests $772.5 billion in nondefense discretionary programs, including $118.7 billion--a…
Dec 20, 2022
I thank the Presiding Officer for the recognition, and I thank all who are here. There are some things we experience in life that we can never prepare for no matter how hard we try. Embarking on a life with the person you love is one…
Dec 19, 2022
Marcelle and I have been involved with a wonderful charity for more than 20 years, with Marcelle on its board for over a decade. Tracy's Kids helps children with cancer or blood disorders cope with the emotional toll imposed by their…
Dec 19, 2022
veterans make a valuable addition to any workplace. Vermont companies know this, which is why most employers in the State do their best to recruit former servicemembers. But some go far beyond others in their commitment to employing…
Dec 15, 2022
a continuing resolution to March 10 is short-sighted and wholly unnecessary. It imperils our national security, and it ignores the real pain and consequences of inflation. Without funding from a full-year omnibus appropriations bill, the…
Dec 14, 2022
I am going to take the prerogative as President Pro Tempore to speak because I know the distinguished Republican leader has already spoken, and I, of course, would have yielded to him had he not. It is always hard to say goodbye to…
Dec 13, 2022
I rise today to celebrate the 90th anniversary of World Learning, a nonprofit organization based in Brattleboro, VT, that is dedicated to building stronger human connections through people-to-people exchanges, international education, and…
Politicians like Patrick Leahy
