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Patrick Leahy on War & Peace

Democratic Sr Senator (VT)

 


Wrote first law banning export of anti-personnel landmines

He has long been a leader in the campaign to ban anti-personnel landmines writing the world's first law to ban the export of these indiscriminate weapons. He led congressional efforts to create ongoing practical support through a program his colleagues later renamed The Leahy War Victims Fund, which provides up to $12 million a year for humanitarian work in clinics in war-torn countries across the globe.
Source: 2021 Vermont Senate campaign website LeahyForVermont.com , Jun 22, 2021

Caution about applying anti-terrorism laws to others

The [Administration's anti-terrorism] proposals have sparked opposition from a wide array of civil liberties groups-including liberals as well as conservative libertarians-and there were abundant signs yesterday that many lawmakers are also uneasy. People familiar with Leahy's thinking for, example, say the Vermont lawmaker is concerned that the bill would permit the indefinite detention of suspected terrorists without any meaningful judicial review and would greatly enhance government surveillance powers in all areas of law enforcement, not just those that relate to terrorism.

Leahy is also said to have reservations about the sharing of information among law enforcement and intelligence agencies, fearing that it could be abused for political purposes.

The last concern is shared by Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), who yesterday recalled the "savage campaign of defamation waged by J. Edgar Hoover as head of the FBI against Dr. Martin Luther King."

Source: John Lancaster and Walter Pincus, Washington Post, p. A5 , Nov 25, 2001

Condemns anti-Muslim bigotry in name of anti-terrorism.

Leahy co-sponsored the Resolution on bigotry against Sikh Americans:

Title: Condemning bigotry and violence against Sikh Americans in the wake of terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001.

Summary: Declares that, in the quest to identify, locate, and bring to justice the perpetrators and sponsors of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, the civil rights and liberties of all Americans, including Sikh-Americans, should be protected.

Source: House Resolution Sponsorship 01-HR255 on Oct 4, 2001

Deploy UN multinational peacekeeping force in Darfur.

Leahy co-sponsored deploying UN multinational peacekeeping force in Darfur

Calling for the urgent deployment of a robust and effective multinational peacekeeping mission with sufficient size, resources, leadership, and mandate to protect civilians in Darfur.

Legislative Outcome: Agreed to by Senate by Unanimous Consent.

Source: Resolution on Darfur (S.RES 276) 07-SR276 on Jul 19, 2007

No military force against Iran without Congress approval.

Leahy voted YEA the Iran War Powers Resolution

Axios.com summary: The House passed a symbolic war powers resolution directing President Trump to halt the use of military force against Iran unless he obtains approval from Congress.

The big picture: A classified briefing on the killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani [by the US military] left Democrats and even some Republicans deeply skeptical, with many claiming that officials did not provide evidence that there was an `imminent` threat from Iran. Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Rand Paul (R-KY) said they will vote in favor of a similar resolution in the Senate [S J Res 68].

What opponents are saying: Former national security adviser and notorious Iran hawk John Bolton tweeted: `The 1973 War Powers Resolution is unconstitutional. It reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of how the Constitution allocated foreign affairs authority between the President and Congress. The Resolution should be repealed.` Pres. Trump quote tweeted Bolton and added: `Smart analysis, I fully agree!`

What supporters are saying: Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) was one of the few Republicans to vote in favor of the resolution, stating on the House floor: `Killing Soleimani was the right decision, but engaging in another forever war in the Middle East would be the wrong decision.` Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced legislation that would block funding for offensive military force against Iran without congressional authorization. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) is also seeking to repeal the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF), which has been used repeatedly to justify war in the Middle East in the wake of 9/11. Lee was the only member of Congress to vote against the AUMF in 2001, criticizing it as a `blank check.`

Legislative outcome: H Con Res 83 Passed House 224-194-13 on 1/9/20; S J Res 68 passed Senate 55-45-0 on 2/13/20. Vetoed 5/6; Senate veto override failed 5/7/20.

Source: Congressional vote 20-SCR33 on Jan 9, 2020

Sponsored resolution to repeal 2002 AUMF against Iraq.

Leahy co-sponsored AUMF Repeal Act

Politico.com in OPPOSITION, 3/25/21: Republicans who opposed repealing the 2002 authorization said that it should be replaced because Iraq is still home to terror groups that threaten the United States. Rep. Michael McCaul called for consultations with first in order to craft a replacement. `Real AUMF reform requires Congress and the administration working together on actual text to replace the aging 2001 and 2002 AUMFs to provide authorities needed to keep the American people, and, most importantly, our deployed troops, safe from terrorists,` McCaul said.

Heritage Foundation in SUPPORT (1/6/20): There has been an open and vibrant debate about whether the 2001 AUMF covers ISIS, a terrorist organization that did not even exist when the 2001 statute was passed and has disavowed and formally broken away from al-Qaeda, the group that is covered by the 2001 AUMF. Yet both the Obama and Trump Administrations claim that the 2001 AUMF covers ISIS and associated forces. Congress has shied away from the much-needed debate about whether the 2002 Iraq AUMF is no longer necessary.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 268-161-2 on H.R.256 on 6/17/2021 (rollcall 172; no vote on S.J.R.10 nor H.R.3261 in 2021)

Source: SJ10/H3261/H256 21-SJR10 on Jun 17, 2021

Other candidates on War & Peace: Patrick Leahy on other issues:
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Brenda Siegel
Esther Charlestin
Peter Duval
Phil Scott
Scott Milne
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