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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.
Let me say one last time that we can ban landmines. We can ban landmines certainly within this century. We can ban them if the most powerful nation on Earth, the United States, takes the leadership role that it must in this. If we do what…
I plan to work closely with these Vermont programs so that they can continue to providing services through AmeriCorps. And I appreciate all of the work the Senators have done to come to a bipartisan agreement on funding for AmeriCorps. I…
I think, Mr. President, my friend from Utah would agree with me that the various times he and I were with Morton Gould and talking about these copyrights and other issues, not only did we find that a pleasant chore, but we usually left the…
I must repeat what a great privilege it has been to have known Morton Gould over these years.
If I might ask a further question of my friend, he is familiar with normal court procedures. I spent years as a prosecutor. I think, from my own judgment, if any assistant prosecutor in my office had gone on an expensive witch hunt like…
My experience from Vermont, a State with maybe two-thirds of the people considering themselves Republican, my experience has been in letters I receive constantly, in things that people say to me when I am home on weekends, over and over…
I have listened to what has been said here. Am I correct that, in all, the Senate investigation has spent 1.3 million of tax dollars, heard from over 150 witnesses, collected more than 45,000 pages of documents, and have not proven any…
It is important that these amendments be correctly drafted if they are included in the final bill. Would my colleague agree that we will work together in conference to develop a provision based on the following principle: Swampbuster…
I also have a package of amendments that have been worked out with the other side. One on behalf of Mr. Johnston, Mr. Pryor, Mr. Breaux, and Mr. Bumpers; another which adds the term ``education'' to the EQUIP program. A third is a…
I hope when we debate this amendment we consider how it will affect the average dairy farmer. This compact was an idea that came from Vermont. It could help Vermont's hard working farmers get a better return for their work. It will also…
In the 21 years that I have been here, the most successful farm legislation has been bipartisan farm legislation. The most successful farm legislation has been that where we have worked together. There are a lot of issues in this, from the…
He and I throughout those years, with our former colleague, Senator Stafford, joined to keep Amtrak going up in our area. He is absolutely right to praise them. I know he uses the train. It is not just a case of saying, ``I want it for…
We have seen a fair amount of snow here in the last few days. I have sometimes taken the floor of the Senate and been critical of things closing down for 2 or 3 inches of snow, and have said we do not do it that way in Vermont. But I must…
I hope some of these Members when they return to Washington will have a fresh perspective on the human toll this foolish Government shutdown has taken. This foolish Government shutdown has taken a human toll. In fact, it is ironic that the…
I believe the House has named a number of Judiciary Committee members to their conference. Yet, we do not have anybody from the Judiciary Committee here. There are significant antitrust issues. There are significant consumer issues. There…
Mr. President, I am concerned about the welfare bill before us, the Republican version. ... The Senate Republican plan cuts spending on welfare now, but you can be sure that local taxpayers will be picking up the tab later.
We are amending the Constitution. We are the most powerful nation on Earth. We are also the most powerful democracy history has ever known. No other country has achieved, in economic or military power, the diversity the United States has…
I have met very few men or women in my life who even begin to match the bravery shown by Bob Dole in the service of this country. His life is one marked by bravery, great physical suffering, and by great physical courage.
The day of the memorial service I read from an Italian writer. I quoted, In one sense there is no death. The life of a soul on Earth lasts beyond his departure. You always feel that life touching yours, that voice speaking to you, that…
I support a reorganization of USDA which would streamline the 43 separate agencies and better coordinate the 250 individual programs under its authority. I do not believe the Department, as it is presently structured, is adequately…
Some terms in this bill are not defined. Is it the Senator's understanding that definitions in 40 CFR 170 will apply in those instances?
I know that efforts are underway to try to reach some type of accommodation with the distinguished senior Senator from Mississippi and his amendment. I discussed it briefly with him this morning. As chairman of the Senate Agriculture…
Today, WTOP is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its all-news format. I am sure Charles Osgood will have something in rhyme to commemorate the occasion, but I would like to add my appreciation, on behalf of the Senate, for the tremendous…
I do not know of anybody in leadership in either party that has ever given as strong, as powerful, as cogent, and as compelling a speech as my friend from Maine did. We are not here, any of us, from any State because we own a seat in the…
From December 6 to 9, 1993, I traveled to Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua in my capacity as chairman of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee. The purpose of my trip was to discuss with local and U.S. officials the implications of the…
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