Patrick Leahy

Simply the power to bring or to withhold prosecution is probably the most significant power in the whole criminal justice system.

I think it is very, very important to have transparency in sentencing.

It is unfortunate that the three synthetic drug bills that the Judiciary Committee passed last summer have been unable to move on the Senate floor because they have been held up by one Senator. They have been cleared for Senate passage on…

I agree. I want to be sure that the amendment to be included will be Senator Portman's amendment that corresponds precisely to the bills that were considered by the Judiciary Committee. Adding chemicals to schedule I of the Controlled…

Yes. That amendment is the same in substance as three bills that the Senate Judiciary Committee passed last year--the Combating Dangerous Synthetic Stimulants Act, S. 409; the Combating Designer Drugs Act, S. 839; and the Dangerous…

I ask to engage in a colloquy with Senator Harkin. I thank the Senator from Iowa for his hard work as chairman of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and, in particular, on the Food and Drug Administration Safety and…

I think we should have our air control alert locations, and the Air National Guard explosive ordinance disposal.

I don't think that these cuts in the Air Guard and the Reserves are going to save us money.

Have you seen any analysis that persuades you that relying more on the Active component is going to save money?

As long as I'm the co-chair of the National Guard Caucus, you're not going to be ignored, none of you will.

That's not a capability you can turn on and off like a switch.

I worry that they're not listening to some of the concerns of the Governors.

It certainly is. And the Violence Against Women Act aims to provide financial support for communities that need it most so they can continue to keep women safe.

I agree that is one of the intents of section 202, which focuses on enforcement of domestic violence, stalking and child abuse laws for victims and families in rural areas. Transportation is a necessary component of enforcing these laws…

I agree that this language is intended to cover a variety of crucial victim services including transportation services.

I agree that helping women access these services is absolutely consistent with the intent of the Violence Against Women Act.

Have you found that transportation is something that crisis centers are currently able to provide?

Would you agree that the availability of transportation is critical to making sure all women have access to the services provided by crisis centers, shelters, and other service providers?

I thank the Senator from New Hampshire for bringing attention to this important issue and for all her hard work addressing issues of domestic and sexual violence. As a Senator and a prosecutor, I have found that transportation is a…

I joined with Senator Feinstein in introducing S. 2003, the Due Process Guarantee Act, to ensure that U.S. citizens apprehended on American soil are not detained indefinitely without charge or without trial.

Should I be expecting a specific legislative proposal from the FBI or the administration in the near future?

I introduced the Criminal Justice and Forensic Science Reform Act. This would be for a nationwide forensics reform act, including research and standards.

I am sure you agree with me that, when the government has experts testify, that testimony, especially on things of a scientific nature, is the best possible.

This is a very troubling trend. I continue to work on the Bulletproof Vest Grant Program.

But we have to be sure that we are conducting sufficient oversight to ensure that we protect the privacy rights and civil liberties of law-abiding Americans.