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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.
this week, the Nation commemorates Sunshine Week, a time to educate the public about the importance of open government. In recognition of Sunshine Week 2011, I am pleased to join with Senator Cornyn to reintroduce the Faster FOIA Act of…
today the Senate will vote on the sixth continuing resolution of the fiscal year. While this is not a record for Congress, it is certainly a number far higher than is appropriate for responsibly funding the government. I want to take a…
today I am introducing the Creating American Jobs Through Foreign Capital Investment Act. This bill does one simple thing: It makes the EB-5 regional center program permanent. The EB-5 Regional Center Program has been highly successful…
I thank the majority leader for scheduling this confirmation vote today. I have been talking about this nomination since last year. Amy Jackson is one of four nominees to the vacancies that have plagued the District Court for the District…
Regrettably, the progress we made during the first 2 years of the Bush administration has not been duplicated, and the progress we made over the 8 years from 2001 to 2009 to reduce judicial vacancies from 110 to a low of 34 was reversed…
I am pleased that the Senate is proceeding to consider legislation to reauthorize the Small Business Innovation Research Program and Small Business Technology Transfer Program, SBIR/ STTR. Our Nation's small businesses and start-ups are…
today I join the senior Senator from California and others to introduce the Respect for Marriage Act of 2011. This legislation would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, DOMA, so that same-sex marriages authorized under State law will be…
I was disappointed to see the President's budget proposal cut Lake Champlain funding by 65 percent from the fiscal year 2010 level.
I once said that I didn't know whether to offer her a congratulations or condolences on the job.
Especially if you had to make decisions in your own life based on those answers.
I was also pleased when in March 2009, when Attorney General Holder issued new FOIA guidelines, it, I believe rightfully, restored the presumption of disclosure.
I appreciate the efforts made by Congress and President Obama to open our Government to scrutiny.
FOIA remains an indispensable tool in protecting the people's right to know.
Senator Cornyn and I have joined together for years now on strengthening FOIA.
I have worked for years on a bipartisan basis to reinvigorate FOIA, and I am pleased by the support we have gotten for that.
We will give it to you. And then they said to us at court, 'By the way, that report is not final.'
I would like to see a better understanding of what should be classified and what is not.
Well, let us go to some of the agencies--in fact, 12 of them had pending FOIA requests that go way back.
the report released yesterday by the National Security Archives found only half of the Federal agencies surveyed have taken concrete steps to update their FOIA policies and procedures in light of this guidance.
on March 10, my friend from California, Senator Feinstein, and I introduced S. 558, the Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act of 2011. It is identical to the bill she and I introduced last year and similar to those in prior years…
Regrettably, the progress we made during the first 2 years of the Bush administration has not been duplicated, and the progress we made over the 8 years from 2001 to 2009 to reduce judicial vacancies from 110 to a low of 34 was reversed…
today the Senate will finally consider a judicial nomination I have been talking about since last year. Judge Boasberg is one of four nominees to the vacancies that have plagued the district court for the District of Columbia, this…
I appreciate the help of the Senator from Alabama on the patent bill which passed last night. It will help us increase jobs without adding anything to the deficit. We made what I think was a terrible mistake when the Congress voted to…
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