Patrick Leahy

I have been a supporter of this bill and a cosponsor since it was first introduced in the 107th Congress.

The DREAM Act serves the interests of the United States. It certainly encourages and rewards military service.

While estimates of intellectual property theft are hard to get exactly the amount, we know that it costs billions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of lost jobs.

I can think of some these advertisers that have done this, and at some point I would hope that they would realize voluntarily they should work with you because, otherwise, there will have to be real pressure from the Congress on this.

I do not care what the economic climate is. That would be unacceptable.

It is not like a bank robbery where you could look at the surveillance cameras.

I reintroduced my Personal Data Privacy and Security Act to establish a national standard for data breach notification.

I look forward to working with all of you as the administration's proposal goes forward and is amended and amplified through the legislative process.

I think this is probably one of the greatest challenges facing our country today.

I want to just conclude by, again, commending you, Senator Whitehouse, for being a true leader on this issue.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Kyl, and Senator Blumenthal, for this opportunity.

This is not a Democratic or Republican issue. It is one where we want to protect our own personal privacy and liberties.

I like to think we have moved from the days where if you know something, you might tell them; otherwise, you do not.

Incidentally, when you hear him talk about his concerns for law enforcement, he does not say it just here.

We passed legislation to provide funding to State and local law enforcement to create communications interoperability.

I have never lost sight of how important this is. It is one of the best investments we can make in Congress.

I agree with President Obama that that was a systemic failure.

Cooperation and interoperability are especially critical among State and federal partners.

I think his strong commitment to supporting state and local law enforcement comes across very, very well.

For me, it is a passion, and you can be very helpful.

Continuing federal support for State and local law enforcement is extremely important.

Former Senator Biden was the one who pushed for that.

I did not support the invasion of Iraq, which distracted us from that goal.

I think we have to dramatically accelerate our withdrawal of troops from that country.

I don't think we can continue to sacrifice so many lives and spend billions of dollars a week in a war with no end.