Patrick Leahy: “I thank the Senate for voting to end debate and to pass the bipartisan 21st Century Department of Justice Authorization…”

“I thank the Senate for voting to end debate and to pass the bipartisan 21st Century Department of Justice Authorization Act conference report. I commend the Majority Leader for bringing this important legislation the floor and filing cloture in order for the Senate to take final action on the conference report. I regret that consideration and a vote on final passage on this important measure was delayed, but I thank the overwhelming majority of my colleagues for supporting cloture and passage of the conference report. This measure was passed by the House, by a vote of 400 to 4, last Thursday. All Democrats were prepared to pass the conference report that same day last week and any day this week. Given the Republicans' objection to proceed to a vote and given the refusal to agree to a time agreement, the Majority Leader was required to file cloture. I am glad that the filibuster is over. This legislation is truly bipartisan. It passed the House 400 to 4. The conference report was signed by every conferee, Republican or Democrat, including Senator Hatch and Representatives Sensenbrenner, Hyde, and Lamar Smith.”