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.
I am very concerned that our plan for the Air Force does not fully leverage the benefit of the Air National Guard's greater cost-effectiveness or the greater experience of its pilots and maintenance crews compared to the Active Component.
I look forward to working with members of Congress to devise a cost sharing arrangement that is both fair and reasonable.
We have committed so much, so much money here, and we have neglected so many things inside the borders of the United States.
I supported--9, 10 years ago now--going into Afghanistan to get Osama bin Laden. I did not support going into Iraq because I saw it as no threat to the United States.
The decision in the Air Force fiscal year 2011 budget to pull C-130s from the Air Guard and Reserve into the active duty Air Force is troubling.
If that doesn't qualify as a need for a redundant second engine, then what does?
I think it's important to maintain a quantitative edge, as well as it's important to maintain a quality edge.
Of course, Senator Bond and I have the privilege of not being within departmental guidelines and we can do what we want to do.
Had it not been for the Guard, that disaster could have been even worse than it was.
What I worry about is how the Army and Air Guard still fall short of the equipment and the aircraft they need.
I must say, Kit, as I've told you before, it was very helpful to have someone beside me who was a former Governor because you brought a perspective which was very, very helpful.
We have validated the total force concept by showing that the men and women in our formations are ready to answer the call.
Today's men and women volunteer to join, or stay, in the National Guard fully expecting to be deployed.
We urge you to reconsider the C-130 Force Structure changes and seriously review alternative courses of action that will preserve our mobility capability for both of the Air National Guard's Federal and State missions.
How much funding is included in the President's fiscal year 2011 for Army Guard and Reserve Equipment?
I have enjoyed our bipartisan cooperation, and that cooperation is one of the reasons why you have four stars on your shoulder.
The citizen-soldiers and airmen of your National Guard are adding value to America every day that they serve.
We're all aware of the number of people from all of the State Guards that are overseas, either in Iraq or Afghanistan.
DOD renewed its contract with a Vermont medical firm, Problem-Knowledge Couplers (PKC), last fall.
It is going to destroy agriculture in some part of this country--I mean, we are going to see our apple orchards disappear.
I would urge accelerating whatever you are doing because it is basically an epidemic.
Politicians like Patrick Leahy
