Chairwoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on Retirement of Senate Appropriations Chair Senator Patrick Leahy
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, released the following statement on the retirement of Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT):
“For decades as the longest serving Senator, Chairman Leahy has served the people of Vermont with dignity, humility, and compassion. He has left an indelible mark on this country and our world, and Congress will miss his principled leadership.
“I’ve worked closely with Senator Leahy for years on many different issues. As a fellow Appropriator, each day we worked hand-in-hand to invest in the needs of everyday Americans. In addition to his commitment to foreign policy, agriculture, and protecting our environment, he and I shared a passion for investment in diplomacy and protection of human rights and dignity. Over the years, Senator Leahy has been a fierce advocate for rethinking U.S. policy to Cuba to put the rights and needs of the Cuban people at the center of our approach, as he and I worked relentlessly to improve U.S. – Cuban relations.
“It is a pleasure to serve with Senator Leahy. We will all miss his positive spirit, his commitment to a government that works for the people, and of course, his love for capturing the picture-perfect moment. I look forward to continuing to work with him in this Congress, and upon his retirement, I wish he and his family well with God’s blessings.”