Landmark Bill Introduced in Congress

to Honor Senator Patrick Leahy’s Legacy in Humanitarian Demining

On December 17th, Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) led his colleagues in introducing the Conventional Weapons Destruction and Legacy of Senator Patrick Leahy Act, a bill aimed at strengthening U.S. efforts to remove landmines and other unexploded ordnance (UXO). Representative Ami Bera (D-CA-06) introduced companion legislation in the House. The legislation paid tribute to Senator Welch’s predecessor, Patrick Leahy, a global leader in humanitarian demining and civilian protection for over three decades.

Landmines and UXO present ongoing dangers to civilians, particularly in post-conflict regions. For decades, Senator Leahy championed U.S. demining programs that have saved lives around the world and secured the U.S. as the world's top contributor to humanitarian demining programs. Senator Leahy also initiated the Leahy War Victims Fund in 1989, which provides survivors of landmines and other explosives with prosthetics and rehabilitative care, securing the first U.S. ban on anti-personnel landmine exports, and championing the Ottawa Treaty.

The Senate bill was jointly introduced by Senators Welch, Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Patty Murray (D-WA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Tim Kaine (D-VA).

The United States continues to lead the world in clearing landmines and other unexploded ordnance, and U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction programs provide life-saving support to communities in over 80 countries. As the world's largest humanitarian demining and weapons security organization, The HALO Trust is proud to endorse Representative Bera and Senator Welch's resolution reaffirming Congress' commitment to the global effort of clearing landmines, protecting communities from unsecure weapons, and ensuring all civilians can live without fear.

Read the full text of the bill here, and Senator Welch's press release here.