Patrick Leahy
U.S. Senator from Vermont
Patrick Joseph Leahy was born in March 1940 in Montpelier, Vermont. He earned an undergraduate degree in political science from Saint Michael’s College, and received his Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center. He entered into the private practice of law.
Several years later, he was appointed as State’s Attorney of Chittenden County, and was later elected to two full terms.
Leahy was elected to the United States Senate and assumed office in January 1975. He has twice served as the president pro tempore of the Senate.
He is married to Marcelle Pomerleau and they have three children. Leahy has been legally blind in his left eye since birth. He is a Roman Catholic.
In the News…
Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont introduced a bill with the support of 46 co-sponsors that would fully restore the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965.
The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act aims to counter the Supreme Court’s controversial 2013 ruling which blocked a requirement for states with a history of racial discrimination to gain federal approval before changing voting laws.
Representative Lewis, for whom the bill is named, passed away earlier this month. He fought his entire life to secure equal voting rights and was considered a “lion” of the civil rights movement.
The Senate bill named in his honor would also provide the federal government with “other critical tools to combat what has become a full-fledged assault on Americans’ right to vote,” Leahy said in a statement.
In a speech on the Senate floor, Leahy said, “John called voting ‘the most powerful nonviolent tool we have to create a more perfect union.’ He was right. And that’s why we cannot stand idly by while states engage in flagrant suppression schemes to take this tool away from marginalized communities.”
Contact this Leader…
Did you pray for Senator Leahy today? You can let him know at:
The Honorable Patrick Leahy
Senator from Vermont
437 Russell Senate Building
Washington, DC 20510
