"First and foremost, I always keep my word," he said. The Latest: Leahy backs Sanders in shift from 2016 February 19, 2019 Bernie Sanders WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential bid (all times local): 2:30 p.m. On the first day of his presidential campaign, Bernie Sanders picked up the support of his fellow home-state senator, Democrat Patrick Leahy. Leahy and Sanders Welcome Senate Passage of the Great American Outdoors Act Wednesday, June 17, 2020. WASHINGTON, June 17 – Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) Wednesday welcomed the Senate passage of the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) to fully and permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and address long overdue … The bill now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives for passage before becoming law.Since its passage in 1965, the LWCF has provided over $140 million for Vermont parks, athletic facilities, recreational areas, and other public projects, conserving more than 275,000 acres. Leahy has endorsed Hillary Clinton over his fellow Vermont senator as his party's choice for president. It would allow Vermont to create conservation jobs, greatly expand opportunities for hiking and recreation in our beautiful state, benefit our local economy through outdoor tourism, and help us combat climate change. Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy said he'd "happily campaign all over the country" for Bernie Sanders if Sanders gets the Democratic nomination. Withdrawing his support for Clinton would violate his integrity, he said.Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy said he'd "happily campaign all over the country" for Bernie Sanders if Sanders gets the Democratic nomination.
WASHINGTON, June 17 – Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) Wednesday welcomed the Senate passage of the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) to fully and permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and address long overdue maintenance backlogs on our public lands and waters. The FLP has delivered more than $39 million in federal investments to help private landowners conserve working forest lands, support timber sector jobs, and boost the forest products economy.In a joint statement, Leahy and Sanders said: “While we must see the Senate immediately address our country’s unprecedented economic and public health crisis and pass emergency relief legislation, passage of the Great American Outdoors Act would deliver tremendous value to current and future generations of Vermonters. Patrick Joseph "Pat" Leahy (born March 31, 1940) is an American politician and the senior United States Senator from Vermont.He has been in office since 1975. Passage of this bill will bring an additional $7.6 million to Vermont next year alone, and will double Vermont’s average annual LWCF funding going forward.Sanders is a senior member of the Senate Natural Resources Committee that shepherded the GAOA through the Senate. And, as then-Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee in the 1990 Farm Bill, Leahy created the Forest Legacy Program (FLP), which is funded through the LWCF. As President pro tempore, he was third in the presidential line of succession. "Certainly Sen. Sanders would never ask me to break my word, nor has he," Leahy said, saying that keeping one's word was a touchstone of the Leahy family.Leahy also said Sanders was a good friend and he was proud of a lot of the issues the democratic socialist has raised.Leahy said earlier he would start campaigning for Clinton after the New Hampshire primary.He said casting his super delegate vote for Clinton was a matter of "conscience and commitment," but added he had a feeling that by the time the Democratic National Convention rolls around this summer, one of the candidates would have a clear majority of support. WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders' presidential bid (all times local): 2:30 p.m. On the first day of his presidential campaign, Bernie Sanders picked up the support of his fellow home-state senator, Democrat Patrick Leahy. A member of the Democratic Party, Leahy served as the President pro tempore of the United States Senate from December 17, 2012, to January 6, 2015. At a news conference in Burlington on Monday, Leahy said he had urged then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to run and had promised her that he'd support her. During this pandemic, safe recreation and outdoor exercise are more essential than ever. Vermonters would benefit from this legislation’s investments in well-maintained forests, hiking trails and public lands.