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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.
on the first day of this millennium, January 1, 2000, the newest Federal judge, and the first of the millennium, was sworn in. Richard Linn became a member of the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals at the stroke of midnight, standing in the…
I ask unanimous consent that the cloture motion with respect to the Verrilli nomination be withdrawn, and at 5:30 p.m. the Senate proceed to vote, without intervening action or debate, on Calendar No. 118, the motion to reconsider be…
I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There is a sufficient second. The clerk will call the roll. The assistant bill clerk called the roll.
today, I reintroduce the Civilian Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act, CEJA. The United States has dramatically more Government employees and contractors working overseas than ever before, but the legal framework governing them is unclear…
reserving the right to object, I ask unanimous consent that the agreement be modified to include the Leahy- Paul amendment with the same time for debate and a vote under the usual procedures. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
if the Senator would yield for a moment, he referred to that last line that this should be offered as a freestanding bill. I assure the leader it will be offered as a freestanding bill and I hope it is one that, because of bipartisan…
earlier this month, the President requested that Congress provide a limited exception to the statutory limit on the service of the FBI Director in order to allow Robert Mueller to continue his service for up to two additional years, until…
reserving the right to object, I would first ask unanimous consent that an editorial in today's Washington Post in favor of my amendment be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the…
as the Senate prepares to adjourn for the Memorial Day recess, I had hoped that we would be allowed to proceed with the consensus judicial nominees ready for confirmation and who are so needed to fill vacancies on Federal courts around the…
I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator does not have the floor. The leader has the floor.
I am disappointed that we have not been able to work out an agreement that will allow consideration of my amendment to the pending USA PATRIOT Act sunset extension legislation. I think that a bipartisan majority of the Senate would have…
I commend the Senate for unanimously passing the Faster FOIA Act of 2011. This important bill will establish a bipartisan commission to examine the root causes of agency delays in processing Freedom of Information Act--FOIA--requests, and…
further reserving the right to object, I find it extremely difficult--and I have great respect for Senator Paul as a cosponsor of my amendment--that one more time we have a case where we could have two amendments on the Republican side and…
today I am pleased to introduce the Fighting Fraud in Bankruptcy Act of 2011. I thank Senator Whitehouse and Senator Blumenthal for joining me as cosponsors of this legislation. This bill will give the Department of Justice and the United…
Tragic events in Iraq in 2007 made clear the need to strengthen the laws providing for jurisdiction over American Government employees and contractors working abroad.
nearly 10 years after the attacks of September 11, 2001, every one of us in the Senate knows America continues to face threats of terrorism. Our allies know this, as well. The President's dogged pursuit and success earlier this month…
I ask unanimous consent the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Franken). Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered.
President Obama has been working hard to improve America's credibility in the world, our reputation for justice, and our commitment to the rule of law.
Accountability is crucial, not just for our image abroad and our diplomatic relations, but for ensuring our national security.
Unfortunately, the bill now before the Senate merely extends the expiring authorities to June 1, 2015. Regrettably, these authorities have not been refined since 2006. If that remains the case through the extensions that are contemplated…
One of the improvements Congress should make is to repair a constitutional infirmity in the current law. Three years ago, in Doe v. Mukasey, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit found that the nondisclosure provision of the…
I would like to take a moment to congratulate Hal David on his upcoming 90th birthday. Hal is a pioneer in the music industry and a world class lyricist, having composed some of the most enduring songs in American popular music. Marcelle…
today I am proud to introduce the National Guard Empowerment and State-National Defense Integration Act of 2011 along with my National Guard Caucus Co-Chair, Senator Lindsey Graham. Our bill builds upon earlier reforms proposed and enacted…
The administration has expressed its desire to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund, in response to the overwhelming public support for this program.
For an asylum-seeker with a valid claim of persecution in her home country, denial of asylum may be tantamount to giving her a death sentence.
Politicians like Patrick Leahy
