Majority News Releases
Statement of Chairman Leahy on the FY 2022 National Defense Authorization Act
The Senate will soon have the opportunity to vote on passage of the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). As they do every year, I am sure Senators are preparing their press releases touting all of the things in this bill they support-a pay raise for the military, increases for medical research, investments to counter Chinese aggression-all things worthy of talking about. But let's be honest with the American people about what we are doing and what we are not. We can al… Continue Reading
12.02.21
Chairman Leahy Statement on the Further Extending Government Funding Act
It is my hope that soon the Senate will vote on a bipartisan agreement to keep the government open and funded through February 18th. I am pleased we reached this agreement. The only thing worse than running the government under a continuing resolution (CR) is a government shutdown. A shutdown only hurts the American people and wastes billions in taxpayer dollars. I am glad that the bill includes critical funding to support Afghan refugees as we help them get resettled here in the United Sta… Continue Reading
12.02.21
Leahy Statement On The Continuing Resolution
I am glad that we have reached a bipartisan agreement to keep the government funded through February 18 that includes needed funding to support Afghan refugees. These brave men and women were our allies through 20 years of war, and we have an obligation to support them as they begin their new lives. Since May, I have called for bipartisan, bicameral negotiations with the White House to establish toplines. On October 18, Senate Democrats released a comprehensive opening offer in an effor… Continue Reading
11.04.21
Chair Leahy on Need To Finish FY 2022 Appropriations Bills and Impact of a Full-Year CR
We are now four weeks into the fiscal year, the federal government is running on auto-pilot, and we only have four more weeks until the government shuts down unless Congress takes action. This is not a theoretical exercise. The actions we take, or don't take, in this Chamber with respect to the Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations bills affect people's lives and the direction of this nation. These bills provide for our national defense, help educate our nation's children, provide medical care for… Continue Reading
11.02.21
REAX of Appropriations Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy Following Four Corners Appropriations Meeting
"Republicans seem to want to drive us into a full year continuing resolution. Democrats made a good faith offer last month that provided a 5 percent increase in defense spending, which is consistent with the bipartisan NDAA, but it takes two to negotiate. We still have not received a topline offer in response to ours. An endless cycle of continuing resolutions is not a responsible way to govern. It means cuts to veterans, cuts to national security and defense, handcuffing our response to the… Continue Reading
10.19.21
Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) On The Release Of The Nine Remaining Appropriations Bills
Yesterday the Senate Appropriations Committee released nine appropriations bills that allocate important resources to help address the pressing priorities of America's families and communities, and promote U.S. national security. The appropriations bills made public include the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies bill; the Department of Defense bill; the Financial Services and General Government bill; the Department of Homeland Security bill; the Department of Interior, Environmen… Continue Reading
10.18.21
Chairman Leahy Releases Remaining Nine Senate Appropriations Bills
WASHINGTON (Monday, Oct. 18, 2021) - Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Monday released the remaining nine Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations Bills. Monday's announcement follows months of Leahy calling for bipartisan, bicameral negotiations with the White House on topline spending and the successful, bipartisan passage of the Energy & Water, Military Construction and Veteran's Affairs, and Agriculture and Rural Development appropriations bills out of the Committee … Continue Reading
09.30.21
Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Leahy Statement On The Continuing Resolution
The substitute amendment before us is identical to H.R. 5305, the House-passed continuing resolution, except that the provision raising the debt ceiling has been removed. This stop-gap measure will keep the government funded through December 3rd. It provides $28 billion to help states ravaged by hurricanes and wildfires. And it provides critical assistance to Afghan refugees who have fled the Taliban in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. I urge all members to vote for it. Bu… Continue Reading
09.27.21
Statement of Chairman Leahy Objecting to Unanimous Consent To Take Up And Pass The Republican Substitute For The FY 2022 Continuing Resolution
I rise to object. The substitute offered by my friend and the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Shelby, does not solve the problem in front of us. It fails to address the looming debt crisis facing our nation, choosing instead to pretend it doesn't exist. While my colleagues on the other side of the aisle may want to wash their hands of this, they cannot. Much of this debt was incurred under a Republican President, and under a Republican controlled-Senate. Debt rack… Continue Reading
09.27.21
Appropriations Committee Chairman Leahy Statement On The Continuing Resolution And The National Debt
Today the Senate will hold a vote to allow for the consideration of a temporary stop-gap measure to keep the government funded through December 3rd. The measure also provides $28 billion to help states ravaged by hurricanes and wildfires, like Hurricane Ida that recently tore through the south and the northeast. It provides critical assistance to Afghan refugees who have fled the Taliban in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Finally, it will raise the debt ceiling through Dece… Continue Reading
09.21.21
Leahy Statement On H.R. 5304, The Extending Government Funding And Delivering Emergency Assistance Act
I support the continuing resolution introduced today by my friend and colleague, House Appropriations Committee Chair DeLauro. This bill will keep the government funded through December 3rd while we continue to work on the Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations bills. It also includes critical relief for those impacted by the devastating hurricanes that have destroyed communities along the Gulf Coast and in the northeast, as well as for communities ravaged by wildfires and other natural disasters. … Continue Reading
08.04.21
Leahy Holds First Markups As Chair Of Appropriations Committee
WASHINGTON (Wednesday, August 4, 2021) - Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Wednesday held the first markups of the Senate Appropriations Committee as Chairman, advancing the Agriculture, Energy and Water, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs fiscal year 2022 appropriations bills through the Committee with strong bipartisan support. Leahy said: "These bills make important investments in mitigating the climate crisis, our veterans, and our farmers. I'm also glad to announce that we have in… Continue Reading
08.04.21
Chairman Leahy Opening Statement at the E&W, Agriculture, and MilCon VA Markup
I am glad to be here at the first markup of the Appropriations Committee for Fiscal Year 2022. Today we will consider three Appropriations bills: the Energy &Water Development bill; the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies bill; and the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies bill. Typically at the first mark up of a fiscal year, the Chairman would bring a recommended allocation for each of the 12 appropriations bills b… Continue Reading
08.04.21
SUMMARY: Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, And Related Agencies Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations Bill
Washington, D.C. - The Committee provided $124.4 billion in discretionary funding for Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Activities, $11.2 billion more than fiscal year 2021 and $1.1 billion more than the President's budget request. Additionally, the bill includes $155.4 billion in mandatory funding for VA to provide disability compensation and education benefit payments to veterans. U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Chair of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and … Continue Reading
08.04.21
SUMMARY: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
Washington, D.C. - The fiscal year 2022 appropriations bill for the Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration provides discretionary funding of $25.855 billion, which is an increase of $2.5 billion over fiscal year 2021 enacted levels. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Chair of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, said: "This bipartisan legislation is the product of Democrats and Republicans working together to… Continue Reading
08.04.21
SUMMARY: Energy and Water and Related Agencies Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations Bill
Washington, D.C. - The Energy and Water Development fiscal year 2022 appropriations bill totals $53.625 billion in discretionary budget authority, $1.873 billion more than fiscal year 2021 and equal to the President's request. The bill provides $10.662 billion to improve the nation's water infrastructure, which includes a record level of funding for the Army Corps of Engineers' Civil Works program at $8.7 billion, an increase of $906 million over fiscal year 2021. Funding for the Corps will be … Continue Reading
08.02.21
SUMMARY: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2022
Washington, D.C. - The fiscal year 2022 appropriations bill for the Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration provides discretionary funding of $25.855 billion, which is an increase of $2.5 billion over fiscal year 2021 enacted levels. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Chair of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, said: "This bipartisan legislation is the product of Democrats and Republicans working together to… Continue Reading
07.29.21
Leahy Statement on the Bipartisan Senate Security Supplemental
I rise on the Senate Floor today to urge that the Senate take up and pass H.R. 3237, the Emergency Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021, with an amendment at the desk. The amendment is the result of bipartisan compromise between myself and Vice Chairman Shelby, and I want to thank him for his hard work and his friendship. This $2.1 billion dollar package is designed to address the aftermath of the violent insurrection that took place on January 6, heal the remaining scars of the C… Continue Reading
07.27.21
Leahy Announces Bipartisan Agreement On Security Supplemental
WASHINGTON (Tuesday, July 27, 2021) - Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Tuesday announced a $2.1 billion bipartisan agreement on an emergency security supplemental to address the fallout of the January 6 insurrection, the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, and expenses incurred on the Capitol complex as a result of the COVID pandemic. Leahy said: "We have the responsibility to take care of the Capitol Police in the wake of their incredible service on J… Continue Reading
07.12.21
Leahy Introduces Emergency Security Supplemental
WASHINGTON (Monday, July 12, 2021) - Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Monday introduced a comprehensive emergency security supplemental to address the urgent security needs facing the Capitol and the country. The $3.7 billion bill would address the violent insurrection that took place on January 6, provide funding for costs incurred on the Capitol complex and the Department of Defense related to the COVID pandemic, and provide the resources to support our Afghan pa… Continue Reading