The Public Record
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.
we began public hearings on the Supreme Court nominees in 1916. Since we began those, the Senate has never denied a hearing or a vote to a pending Supreme Court nominee--never, since 1916 until last year. Last year Senate Republicans waged…
today the Senate is considering the nomination of Rex Tillerson to be Secretary of State. Mr. Tillerson is an intelligent, hard-working, and successful businessman. He is also, in my view, the wrong choice to be our Nation's top diplomat…
today, the Senate considers the nomination of Elaine Chao to be the Secretary of Transportation. Ms. Chao has served in a number of roles in both the public and private sectors throughout her career, ultimately serving as the Secretary of…
Trump's Executive order banning Muslims from seven countries, none of which was a source of terrorists who have carried out attacks in this country, was un-American, arbitrary, inhumane, and it will likely spur an increase in violence…
I want to take a moment to recognize two exceptional members of the Smithsonian Institution's board of regents: John W. McCarter, who has served as chair of the board, and Shirley Ann Jackson, who has served as the vice chair. I have had…
it has become fashionable, particularly among supporters of the Trump administration, to accuse the United Nations of just about everything. This is, however, nothing new. The U.N has been an easy target, especially for some Republicans…
I understand the majority leader may be coming to the floor to make a request. If he does, I certainly would be willing to yield to him, and I hope I won't lose my right to the floor. Mr. President, a lot has happened here in Washington in…
I ask unanimous consent to be recognized in morning business. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________
Tonight, the Senate will vote on the President's nominee to be the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. As I said on Friday, I do not believe the Senate should rush to confirm such a critical position, without the opportunity for…
I understand the order was for the distinguished senior Senator from Oregon to be recognized next. Madam President, I see the distinguished Senator from Oregon on the floor. I ask unanimous consent that I be recognized for 5 minutes and…
I want to associate myself with what the distinguished Senator from Oregon has said. My concerns--and they will be in my full statement about Mr. Pompeo--are his suggestions in the past of sweeping authority for the government to collect…
today I will vote for James Mattis to be the next Secretary of Defense. General Mattis stands out as a top practitioner in his field. He has earned--and rightly deserves--near- universal respect. While I opposed the hurried waiving of a…
the Senate is faced with a clear but complicated choice: support this expedited legislation that will pave the way for the confirmation of the next nominee to be Secretary of Defense or embroil one of the most consequential Cabinet…
I ask unanimous consent that Mara Greenberg, a detailee on the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Zachary Blau, a fellow on the Senate Judiciary Committee, be granted Senate floor privileges for the duration of the 115th Congress. The…
today, the Senate Judiciary Committee convenes for the first time in the 115th Congress, and we mark an historic moment in the committee's 200-year history. Last week, Senator Dianne Feinstein was named the committee's ranking member, the…
the 115th Congress convened just last week. I had hoped that with all the turmoil in the country that we would begin the year with a renewed sense of cooperation. But I am sorry to say, my friends in the Republican Party have chosen a…
I believe that all victims of domestic and sexual violence deserve protection.
And frankly, those who trivialize it and say it is not a crime are ignoring too many people in this country.
Thank you. I was not going to interrupt Senator Cornyn as long as you are praising the legislation you and I wrote together.
What kind of a message does it send when somebody, especially somebody in power, trivializes sexual assault, even jokes about it?
It is important to go back to the point I made in my testimony that the majority of victims of violent crime are assailed by people who they know intimately.
Politicians like Patrick Leahy
