Patrick Leahy: “I thank Senator Reid for expediting passage of legislation I introduced today with him and Senators Specter, Reid…”

“I thank Senator Reid for expediting passage of legislation I introduced today with him and Senators Specter, Reid, Feinstein, and Cornyn to authorize cost-of-living adjustments for the salaries of United States Justices and judges for fiscal year 2007. This is a step I supported taking--and that we should have taken--in the last Congress. I am glad that a holdup on the Republican side that prevented us from passing this last week was resolved so that we could move forward in a unanimous and bipartisan way to take care of this unfinished business in the Senate. I hope that the House of Representatives will join us in making cost-of-living increase for judges an early item of business. The legislation we pass today is a modest step towards addressing the issues raised by Chief Justice Roberts in his 'Year End Report on the Federal Judiciary.' I have commended the Chief Justice for speaking out on behalf of the judiciary and for seeking to strengthen the independence of the judicial branch. Judicial independence is critical for preserving our system of government and protecting the rights of all Americans.”