Patrick Leahy

I do not want to cut law enforcement in these cities to make a political point because in the long run we are all going to suffer.

I think we need more help. We need more officers on our northern border.

Are you saying we should hold back our aid?

Well, it is one thing to get their attention. We can give a speech, it will get their attention. I want to get some results.

But do we cut the aid if they do not come through?

I think very direct statements of support from the U.S. Congress to these efforts must continue.

For fiscal year 2017, we appropriated $655 million for the Northern Triangle countries.

Thank you. You said two or three of the programs have been successful. Which ones?

Central America gets too little attention here. These countries are our neighbors.

I strongly support this aid, but we need to see real sustainable results.

Since 1980 alone, the United States has provided billions and billions of dollars in military and economic aid to the Northern Triangle countries.

For most of the twentieth century, there was a concern that our policy towards Central America consisted primarily of propping up corrupt and abusive regimes led by families of oligarchs that benefitted from the exploitative practices of…

U.S. foreign assistance programs in support of democracy, rights, and governance abroad provide technical assistance to partners.

The arc has been forward, and all were concerned that the United States might say, 'Okay, we've been there done that, let's go on to something else.'

Defending freedom of expression and democrat institutions is a long-term investment, not a short-term investment.

We have a moral responsibility to do that. Let the people in those countries decide, but we can help them do it.

I worry when our President calls Vladimir Putin a strong leader or calls Egypt's President el-Sisi a fantastic guy.

How are you working to change the perception that mental healthcare is something that only applies to some, possibly broken, individuals?

I am proud that the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from the Vermont Army National Guard is associated with the 10th Mountain Division.

I am not saying Vermont is a microcosm of the world.

But you understand my concern. I can see a lot of benefits from your training. I can also see the concerns of employers who say, 'Okay. The great benefits, but I may lose you for 3 months or 4 months.'

Many employers have enthusiastically embraced the benefit.

Our decisions here in Congress by how to fund the Government and national defense directly impacts how both of our National Guard and Reserve respond to threats at home and abroad.

One thing that brings us together, Republicans and Democrats, is support of the Guard as our appreciation and commitment to support the citizen soldiers of the National Guard and Reserves.

I want Egypt to succeed, but certainly not in a way where critics of the government are being repressed.