hearings

Vermont Edition

Next steps in punishing sex offenders

By Jane Lindholm | October 16, 2008

Sen. Dick Sears recaps the public testimony his committee has taken on how to punish and treat sex offenders, and gives us a preview of draft recommendations for the Legislature. Also, VPR’s Neal Charnoff goes backstage with a production of "Well" by playwright Lisa Kron.

VPR News

Leahy says Mukasey nomination is in trouble

By Bob Kinzel | October 31, 2007

Senator Patrick Leahy says the nomination of judge Michael Mukasey as the country’s next Attorney General is in a lot of trouble. According to Leahy, Mukasey won’t say whether he believes an interrogation technique known as waterboarding is illegal.

VPR News

Leahy not sure he’ll vote for Mukasey

By Bob Kinzel | October 23, 2007

Senator Patrick Leahy says he’s not sure if he’ll vote for Attorney General nominee, Michael Mukasey. Leahy, who chairs the U.S. Senate Judiciary committee, says he has some serious concerns that Mukasey doesn’t oppose the use of torture in the interrogation of suspected terrorists.

VPR News

Leahy: Mukasey will be confirmed if he proves independence from White House influence

By Bob Kinzel | October 16, 2007

Senator Patrick Leahy says Attorney General nominee Michael Mukasey will be confirmed by the U.S. Senate if Mukasey convinces members of the Senate Judiciary committee that he’ll be independent of the political influence of the White House. The committee will begin its review of this nomination tomorrow morning.

VPR News

Midday Newscast: September 4, 2007

By Mitch Wertlieb | September 4, 2007

August is typically one of the rainiest months in Vermont. But not this year; the chairman of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee says he doesn’t plan any confirmation hearings on a new attorney general until he gets more answers from the Bush administration; a Middlebury College biology professor says three years of research have concluded the best way to control an invasive plant in Vermont ponds and lakes is an insect.