Patrick Leahy

It seems to me that when years have passed, people under investigation ought to be told if the investigation is over.

The Director has been very open in his efforts to balance the efforts in law enforcement while maintaining the values and the freedoms that we hold dear as Americans.

Oversight is one of our most important responsibilities, and this Committee has taken it very seriously.

It is going to affect the communities we live in.

It is a great honor for me to have the chance to introduce Sol Rodriguez.

We are going to consider the important issue of how best to ensure that when people get out of prison, they become productive members of society rather than turning to a life of crime.

I hope we have the same bipartisanship again.

I apologize for being late.

It gives me a sense of confidence, when I go home to Vermont.

The Second Chance Act builds on this important work.

I think it is unfair.

The crack and powder cocaine disparity has bothered me greatly.

The fundamental opportunities of America depend upon those goals.

There is nothing equal by separate and we know that today.

The Supreme Court decision had real impact on real people's lives.

I want a Justice who is going to follow legal precedent.

It's very difficult for us to legislate--to pass legislation to expand rights.

I know we felt that way, my wife and I felt that way about our son. We worried about him in the Marine Corps, but we were so proud of what he was doing.

It is a fair question to ask a nominee in what direction would you move the Court.

They assured Senators that as lawyers for a Presidential administration they were representing the views of the President.

I cannot imagine anybody saying we should go back to Plessy v. Ferguson because that was decided first.

I was really shocked by former Chief Justice Rehnquist's position on the Laird case.

Is there any doubt after the Court's decision in Heller and McDonald that the Second Amendment to the Constitution secures a fundamental right for an individual to own a firearm, use it for self-defense in their home?

Our constitutional duty of advice and consent is imperative and should not be taken lightly.

The Court should have a broader range of perspectives than just gleaned from the appellate branch.