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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.
we are enacting legislation to update the Video Privacy Protection Act, VPPA, in order to permit the ongoing sharing of video viewing information via the Internet. This bill contains important digital privacy provisions that I authored in…
I have been saying for weeks and months that we are overdue to pass into law the Leahy-Crapo Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, which the Senate approved in April with 68 bipartisan votes. I am disappointed that the House still…
I wish to praise the senior Senator from Maryland. I was out here listening to what she said but not just the words. She believes them. It is a passion. She cares. She and I have served on the Appropriations Committee for about 100 or 200…
I yield to the distinguished majority leader. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader is recognized.
I withdraw the pending substitute amendment No. 3338. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator has that right and the amendment is withdrawn.
I am pleased the Senate will agree to S. Res. 618, a resolution observing the 100th birthday of civil rights icon Rosa Parks, and commemorating her legacy. It is hard to believe that 57 years have passed since Rosa Parks refused to give up…
I see the distinguished senior Senator from New Mexico on the Senate floor, and I yield to him. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from New Mexico.
I know we have Senators who have talked about bringing amendments to the floor. I know the distinguished majority leader is trying to get a finite list and a time to vote on them. I hope that can be done. I hope Senators who have…
I ask unanimous consent that upon the completion of the distinguished Senator's remarks the Senate stand in recess subject to the call of the Chair. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The Senator from Indiana.
is the substitute now pending? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is correct. Amendment No. 3338 Withdrawn
I thank my distinguished colleague. We have shared this colloquy on two different occasions. I thank the Senator. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Indiana.
Yes. The Corps is directed to submit a report to the Committee on Appropriations on its proposed process for determining cost-effectiveness, in accordance with the aforementioned intentions, no later than 45 days following enactment of…
It is my understanding that the Senator is not going to seek action on it now, it is simply to file it?
Yes. The funding is tied to estimates of natural disaster damages relayed to Congress by the Corps, however, the funding is not earmarked to specific projects. The Corps utilizes this funding to restore essential project functions based on…
Yes, that is correct. The Supplemental Appropriations bill includes some funding related to natural disasters other than Hurricane Sandy.
Yes. The language does not intend for the Corps of Engineers to disqualify studies under consideration for construction authorization based on increased costs and decreased economic benefits as a result of Hurricane Sandy. In addition, the…
The bill does not define ``natural disaster,'' but the near record water level lows in the Great Lakes caused by drought and unusually warm weather leading to increased evaporation are certainly contributing to significant drought-like…
I am pleased to work with Senator Lautenberg on this issue. New Jersey, New York, and other States throughout the region were devastated by Hurricane Sandy. In particular, flood-prone areas and the coastline experienced severe damage. That…
I thank the distinguished Presiding Officer. I assume that we are going back and forth. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Louisiana.
I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Vermont.
I am seeing the distinguished Senators from Arizona and others who may wish to speak in morning business. May I suggest that we close morning business, go back on the bill, and then if somebody wishes to speak, as many do, for our departed…
today is the first day since Hawaii became a State that it is not represented by Dan Inouye, either as a House Member or as Senator. As I look at my dear friend's desk with the traditional white flowers, I can't tell you how much it pains…
first, I wish to join my thoughts on those of the two Senators from Connecticut and the Senator who just spoke, Senator Blumenthal. He and I talked this weekend during these terrible times, and I told him the Judiciary Committee and the…
what is the parliamentary situation? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senate is in a period of morning business.
today the Senate is finally being allowed to vote to confirm two consensus judicial nominees who should have been voted on months ago. Both Judge Fernando Olguin and Thomas Durkin were voted out of the Judiciary Committee before the August…
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