Patrick Leahy

Separation of powers is the rock bed of our republic, and independence is very important.

The Justice Department has been slow, ineffective, and sometimes obstructionist in implementing these programs.

I do want to help President-elect Obama. It is very important. There are enormous problems facing this country.

It is very clear I am going to vote for you.

I believe Eric is competent, capable, and a fair-minded lawyer who will not hesitate to uphold and defend the laws and the Constitution of the United States.

I urge the Senate to confirm Eric Holder as the next Attorney General of the United States. He will make us all proud.

I think there is no better person than Eric Holder to restore integrity and honor to the entire Department of Justice.

The budget priorities of the Bush administration have weakened some of our most important federal anti-crime programs.

I directly assisted the Senator in his role as a senior member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.

The 95-member U.S. Senate National Guard Caucus, which I co-chair along with Senator Kit Bond of Missouri, played an integral role in that review and implementation of new policies.

At the same time, the Guard and Reserve support for homeland duties was at an all time high.

It has been a great privilege to assist you in your work as a tireless champion for Vermont and the men and women of the National Guard.

At a time of increasing inter-party rancor on the Hill, we forged a bipartisan, bicameral consensus on the need to better support the efforts of the Guard and, in turn, the Reserves.

I can't think of a better person to fill this position.

It has been a singular and unforgettable experience to be able to play a supporting role in your efforts to help strengthen this critical component of the Total Force.

I am pleased to be with you this morning to express my strong support for Daniel Ginsberg who has been nominated by President Obama to be Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.

I hope I have your commitment that you would make sure the Department pays attention to the Organic Standards Act.

We can't have parts of the country without broadband. We can create a lot of jobs in my State of Vermont.

I learned how difficult farming is and how difficult it is to make a living.

I think the thing that will keep it working is if the standards are kept strict.

I was pleased when the President-elect announced that he was going to nominate you.

The former Chairman of this Committee, Joe Biden, who is soon to leave the Senate for another job, worked so hard on.

The coordination. Commissioner, the need for better coordination.

We seem to be robbing that public--nothing against protecting this country from terrorism, but when you do so by robbing hometown security at the expense of homeland security

I think that we've done that at great expense to, what I would call, 'hometown security'.