Murray, Welch, Colleagues Introduce the Conventional Weapons Destruction and Legacy of Senator Patrick Leahy Act

 Bill strengthens assistance efforts in humanitarian removal of land mines

WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Senator Patty Murray joined U.S. Senator Peter Welch in introducing the Conventional Weapons Destruction and Legacy of Senator Patrick Leahy Act, a new bill to honor Senator Welch’s predecessor, Senator Patrick Leahy, for his tireless advocacy over more than three decades to clear landmines and other unexploded ordnance (UXO), as well as obtain funding for humanitarian demining and for the work of eliminating and securing conventional weapons.  

Landmines and other UXO pose grave threats to civilian populations globally and hinder recovery efforts in areas of conflict and war. Senator Leahy championed a fund for civilian victims of armed conflict in 1989 which became the “Leahy War Victims Fund,” the first ban on the export of anti-personnel landmines in 1992, and contributed significantly to the international campaign that culminated in the Ottawa Treaty (also known as the Mine Ban Treaty) — now signed by 164 nations. Senator Leahy served as Chair or Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs for more than 30 years.   

Joining Senators Murray and Welch in introducing the Conventional Weapons Destruction and Legacy of Senator Patrick Leahy Act were Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Tim Kaine (D-VA). Companion legislation was introduced in the House by Representative Ami Bera (D-CA-06).  

The Conventional Weapons Destruction and Legacy of Senator Patrick Leahy Act:  

• Acknowledges Senator Leahy’s instrumental role in championing humanitarian causes, including efforts to rid the world of land mines.  
• Recognizes the grave threats posed by land mines and explosive remnants of war to the safety, health, and lives of civilian populations. 
• Emphasizes the importance of ensuring the safe return of affected populations to their land, facilitating agricultural productivity, and integrating demining efforts with broader assistance programs. 
• Highlights the significant assistance provided by the United States in conventional weapons destruction globally—exceeding $4.6 billion since 1993, and aiding over 120 countries.  
• Amends the Department of State Authorities Act of 2006 to clarify the purposes of assistance related to humanitarian demining and conventional weapons elimination or securing activities. This bill provides a framework for more effective and coordinated assistance efforts, ensuring that resources are directed towards initiatives that have a tangible impact on humanitarian and security outcomes. 

Learn more about the Conventional Weapons Destruction and Legacy of Senator Patrick Leahy Act. 

Read the full text of the bill. 

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