Bills About Government Operations And Politics Sponsored by Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.)

Sen. Leahy sponsored 44 bills about government operations and politics in the 116th Congress (2019-20).

Introduced	Number	Title	Cosponsors	Cosponsor Party	Latest Action
Aug. 5, 2020	S.4438	A bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to protect Federal employees from retaliation for the lawful use of Federal records, and for other purposes.	0		Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
July 22, 2020	S.4263	A bill to amend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to revise the criteria for determining which States and political subdivisions are subject to section 4 of the Act, and for other purposes.	47	Bipartisan	Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Feb. 26, 2019	S.561	A bill to amend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to revise the criteria for determining which States and political subdivisions are subject to section 4 of the Act, and for other purposes.	46	Bipartisan	Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
June 22, 2017	S.1419	A bill to amend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to revise the criteria for determining which States and political subdivisions are subject to section 4 of the Act, and for other purposes.	49	Bipartisan	Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3733-3734)
June 14, 2017	S.1353	A bill to require States to automatically register eligible voters to vote in elections for Federal offices, and for other purposes.	12	Bipartisan	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3490-3491)
July 14, 2016	S.3252	A bill to require States to automatically register eligible voters to vote in elections for Federal office, and for other purposes.	3	Bipartisan	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5168-5169)
July 22, 2015	S.1838	A bill to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to clarify the treatment of coordinated expenditures as contributions to candidates, and for other purposes.	3	All Democrats	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5459-5460)
June 24, 2015	S.1659	A bill to amend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to revise the criteria for determining which States and political subdivisions are subject to section 4 of the Act, and for other purposes.	45	Bipartisan	Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4604-4606)
Jan. 12, 2015	S.J.RES.3	A joint resolution providing for the reappointment of David M. Rubenstein as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.	0		Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
June 24, 2014	S.2520	A bill to improve the Freedom of Information Act.	7	Bipartisan	Held at the desk.
Jan. 16, 2014	S.1945	A bill to amend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to revise the criteria for determining which States and political subdivisions are subject to section 4 of the Act, and for other purposes.	12	All Democrats	Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights. Hearings held.
Nov. 12, 2014	S.J.RES.45	A joint resolution providing for the reappointment of David M. Rubenstein as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.	2	Bipartisan	Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
July 8, 2014	S.J.RES.40	A joint resolution providing for the appointment of Michael Lynton as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.	2	Bipartisan	Became Public Law No: 113-184.
March 4, 2014	S.J.RES.32	A joint resolution providing for the reappointment of John W. McCarter as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.	2	Bipartisan	Became Public Law No: 113-91.
Dec. 11, 2013	S.J.RES.28	A joint resolution providing for the appointment of John Fahey as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.	2	Bipartisan	Became Public Law No: 113-84.
Dec. 11, 2013	S.J.RES.29	A joint resolution providing for the appointment of Risa Lavizzo-Mourey as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.	2	Bipartisan	Became Public Law No: 113-85.
July 31, 2013	S.RES.210	A resolution recognizing and honoring Robert S. Mueller, III, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.	8	Bipartisan	Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6138; text as passed Senate: CR S6133)
Aug. 1, 2012	S.J.RES.49	A joint resolution providing for the appointment of Barbara Barrett as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.	2	Bipartisan	Became Public Law No: 112-262.
Aug. 1, 2011	S.1466	A bill to establish the Commission on Freedom of Information Act Processing Delays.	1	All Republicans	Held at the desk.
March 17, 2011	S.627	A bill to establish the Commission on Freedom of Information Act Processing Delays.	3	Bipartisan	Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S5156-5158, S5158-5162, S5164-5170, S5171-5178, S5183-5184)
Feb. 28, 2011	S.J.RES.7	A joint resolution providing for the reappointment of Shirley Ann Jackson as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.	2	Bipartisan	Became Public Law No: 112-19.
Feb. 28, 2011	S.J.RES.9	A joint resolution providing for the reappointment of Robert P. Kogod as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.	2	Bipartisan	Became Public Law No: 112-20.
Feb. 28, 2011	S.J.RES.8	A joint resolution providing for the appointment of Stephen M. Case as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.	2	Bipartisan	Became Public Law No: 112-12.
Sept. 16, 2010	S.3794	A bill to amend chapter 5 of title 40, United States Code, to include organizations whose membership comprises substantially veterans as recipient organizations for the donation of Federal surplus personal property through State agencies.	2	Bipartisan	Became Public Law No: 111-338.
March 15, 2010	S.3111	A bill to establish the Commission on Freedom of Information Act Processing Delays.	4	Bipartisan	Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Feb. 10, 2009	S.J.RES.9	A joint resolution providing for the appointment of France A. Cordova as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.	2	Bipartisan	Became Public Law No: 111-64.
June 25, 2009	S.1372	A bill to provide a vehicle maintenance building to house the Smithsonian Institution's Vehicle Maintenance Branch at the Suitland Collections Center in Suitland, Maryland.	2	Bipartisan	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7089)
Feb. 10, 2009	S.J.RES.8	A joint resolution providing for the appointment of David M. Rubenstein as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.	2	Bipartisan	Became Public Law No: 111-17.
March 17, 2009	S.612	A bill to amend section 552(b)(3) of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Freedom of Information Act) to provide that statutory exemptions to the disclosure requirements of that Act shall specifically cite to the provision of that Act authorizing such exemptions, to ensure an open and deliberative process in Congress by providing for related legislative proposals to explicitly state such required citations, and for other purposes.	1	Bipartisan	Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3175-3176)
Nov. 16, 2007	S.J.RES.25	A joint resolution providing for the appointment of John W. McCarter as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.	3	Bipartisan	Became Public Law No: 110-197.
March 12, 2008	S.2746	A bill to amend section 552(b)(3) of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Freedom of Information Act) to provide that statutory exemptions to the disclosure requirements of that Act shall specifically cite to the provision of that Act authorizing such exemptions, to ensure an open and deliberative process in Congress by providing for related legislative proposals to explicitly state such required citations, and for other purposes.	2	Bipartisan	Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2001)
Dec. 14, 2007	S.2488	A bill to promote accessibility, accountability, and openness in Government by strengthening section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Freedom of Information Act), and for other purposes.	17	Bipartisan	Became Public Law No: 110-175.
March 8, 2007	S.J.RES.8	A joint resolution providing for the reappointment of Patricia Q. Stonesifer as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.	2	Bipartisan	Became Public Law No: 110-155.
Dec. 6, 2007	S.2427	A bill to promote accessibility, accountability, and openness in Government by strengthening section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Freedom of Information Act), and for other purposes.	1	Bipartisan	Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S14854-14855)
March 8, 2007	S.J.RES.7	A joint resolution providing for the reappointment of Roger W. Sant as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.	2	Bipartisan	Became Public Law No: 110-119.
March 13, 2007	S.849	A bill to promote accessibility, accountability, and openness in Government by strengthening section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Freedom of Information Act), and for other purposes.	16	Bipartisan	Held at the desk.
March 8, 2007	S.J.RES.6	A joint resolution providing for the reappointment of Walter E. Massey as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.	2	Bipartisan	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
Nov. 18, 2005	S.2076	A bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to provide to assistant United States attorneys the same retirement benefits as are afforded to Federal law enforcement officers.	20	Bipartisan	Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia.
March 15, 2005	S.622	A bill to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-296) to provide for the protection of voluntarily furnished confidential information, and for other purposes.	3	All Democrats	Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2737-2738)
March 18, 2003	S.640	A bill to amend subchapter III of chapter 83 and chapter 84 of title 5, United States Code, to include Federal prosecutors within the definition of a law enforcement officer, and for other purposes.	17	Bipartisan	Committee on Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Financial Management, the Budget, and International Security.
March 12, 2003	S.609	A bill to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-296) to provide for the protection of voluntarily furnished confidential information, and for other purposes.	7	Bipartisan	Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Oct. 17, 2002	S.3137	A bill to provide remedies for retaliation against whistleblowers making congressional disclosures.	0	All Democrats	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.
Dec. 13, 2001	S.1828	A bill to amend subchapter III of chapter 83 and chapter 84 of title 5, United States Code, to include Federal prosecutors within the definition of a law enforcement officer, and for other purposes.	11	Bipartisan	Committee on Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on International Security, Proliferation and Federal Services.
Feb. 9, 1996	S.1567	A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to repeal the amendments relating to obscene and harassing use of telecommunications facilities made by the Communications Decency Act of 1995.	3	Bipartisan	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

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