Former U.S. Senator

Patrick J. LeahyNo longer serving

State VT Party Democratic In office 1975–2023

Fact sheet Spreadsheet

Bills introduced

456

As sponsor, from the 107th Congress

Became law

Of the bills they introduced

Cosponsored

3,420

Signed on to someone else's bill

Recorded votes

2,882

Roll calls tied to a bill

Floor speeches

4,648

In the Congressional Record, from 2001

456 bills introduced

Across 11 Congresses, most in the 111th at 67. In the 117th, 28 — 29 fewer than the median senator, who filed 57. Volume is not influence: the great majority of bills, from every member, never get a vote.

Bills introduced, against the typical senator 107th to 117th

median for the chamber, that Congress

Biography

A Senator from Vermont. Born in Montpelier, Washington County, Vt. , March 31, 1940. Graduated, St. Michael's College, Winooski, Vt. , 1961. Received J. D. Degree from Georgetown University 1964. Admitted to the Vermont bar in 1964 and commenced practice in Burlington. State's attorney, Chittenden County, Vt. , 1966-1974. Elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate in 1974. Reelected in 1980, 1986, 1992, 1998, 2004, 2010, and again in 2016, and served from January 3, 1975, to January 3, 2023. President pro tempore (December 17, 2012-January 3, 2015. January 20, 2021-January 3, 2023). Chair, Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry (One Hundredth through One Hundred Third Congresses), Committee on the Judiciary (One Hundred Seventh Congress [January 3-20, 2001. June 6, 2001-January 3, 2003], One Hundred Tenth to One Hundred Thirteenth Congresses), Committee on Appropriations (One Hundred Seventeenth Congress). Was not a candidate for reelection to the Senate in 2022.

Focus

Drawn from the 456 bills this member introduced: the subjects the record assigns them, and the members who most often sign on.

Subjects

Bills carry several subjects each, so these add up to more than 456.

Most frequent cosponsors

Times each has cosponsored a bill this member introduced.

Record

Every recorded vote, bill and floor speech, newest first.

Search these bills

Congress

Recorded votes tied to a bill, including procedural motions on it such as cloture. Votes on nominations are not listed.

Bill	Question	Voted	Date
HR 493	On Passage of the Bill H.R. 493	Yea	Apr 24, 2008
S 1315	On Passage of the Bill S. 1315	Yea	Apr 24, 2008
HR 2831	On the Cloture Motion H.R. 2831	Yea	Apr 23, 2008
S 1315	On the Cloture Motion S. 1315	Yea	Apr 22, 2008
HR 1195	On Passage of the Bill H.R. 1195	Yea	Apr 17, 2008
HR 1195	On the Motion to Table the Motion to Recommit H.R. 1195	Yea	Apr 16, 2008
HR 1195	On the Cloture Motion H.R. 1195	Yea	Apr 14, 2008
S 2739	On Passage of the Bill S. 2739	Yea	Apr 10, 2008

Bill	Title	Status	Latest action
SCONRES 52	A concurrent resolution providing for a correction in the enrollment of H.R. 4373.	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.	Dec 23, 2022
SCONRES 51	A concurrent resolution providing for a correction in the enrollment of H.R. 2617.	Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1531, S. Con. Res. 51 is considered passed House. (text: CR H10074-10075)	Dec 23, 2022
S 5353	Refugee Protection Act of 2022	Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.	Dec 21, 2022
S 2773	Unleashing American Innovators Act of 2022	Held at the desk.	Dec 7, 2022
SRES 830	A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of October 24, 2022, to October 31, 2022, as "Bat Week".	Referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.	Nov 14, 2022
SCONRES 45	A concurrent resolution providing for a correction in the enrollment of H.R. 6833.	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.	Sep 30, 2022
S 4916	Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act of 2022	Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.	Sep 21, 2022
S 4807	Nulhegan River and Paul Stream Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2022	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.	Sep 8, 2022

Bill	Title	Status	Signed on
S 5306	Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Conflict Act	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.	Dec 20, 2022
SRES 875	A resolution declaring racism a public health crisis.	Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S9627-9629)	Dec 20, 2022
S 4587	Benjamin Berell Ferencz Congressional Gold Medal Act	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.	Dec 19, 2022
S 4787	Afghan Adjustment Act	Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.	Dec 14, 2022
S 736	Assault Weapons Ban of 2021	Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.	Dec 14, 2022
S 2706	DIVERSE Trials Act	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.	Dec 8, 2022
S 5098	Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program Act of 2022	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S6697-6698)	Nov 30, 2022
S 5133	DUE PROCESS Act of 2022	Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.	Nov 17, 2022

Sections of the Congressional Record in which this member spoke or entered a written statement, as the Government Publishing Office tags them; floor business such as amendment texts is left out. Each links to the official Record.

Date	Record section	Where
Dec 22, 2022	Recognizing Higher Education in Vermont	Senate floor
Dec 22, 2022	Recognizing Center for Civilians in Conflict	Senate floor
Dec 22, 2022	Cybersecurity and Assured Microelectronics	Senate floor
Dec 22, 2022	Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry	Senate floor
Dec 22, 2022	Immigration Policy	Senate floor
Dec 22, 2022	Shireen Abu Akleh	Senate floor
Dec 22, 2022	Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2023--Continued	Senate floor
Dec 22, 2022	Making Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief for the Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2023	Senate floor

Committees

Current committees first, each with its role and years, and the subcommittees held now beneath it. Full history opens every role with its date and official record, and earlier subcommittee seats.

Earlier committees

Joint Committee on the LibraryMember2011–2023

Full history

Committee	Role	Served	Record
Joint Committee on the Library	Member	May 26, 2021 to Jan 3, 2023	S.Res. 244 · End of the 117th Congress
	Member	Mar 28, 2017 to Jan 3, 2021	S.Res. 101 · End of the 116th Congress
	Member	Mar 27, 2015 to Jan 3, 2017	S.Res. 126 · End of the 114th Congress
	Member	Mar 21, 2013 to Jan 3, 2015	S.Res. 88 · End of the 113th Congress
	Member	Mar 16, 2011 to Jan 3, 2013	S.Res. 103 · End of the 112th Congress

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry CommitteeMember2001–2023

Full history

Committee	Role	Served	Record
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee	Member	Jan 25, 2001 to Jan 3, 2023	Congressional Record, S558 · End of the 117th Congress
Nutrition, Agricultural Research, and Specialty Crops	Member	Listed Oct 2011 to Dec 2022	Congressional Directory, Dec 2011
Conservation, Climate, Forestry, and Natural Resources	Member	Listed Oct 2011 to Oct 2022	Congressional Directory, Dec 2011
Livestock, Marketing, and Agriculture Security	Member	Listed Oct 2011 to Oct 2022	Congressional Directory, Dec 2011
Production, Income Protection and Price Support	Member	Listed Apr 2007 to Oct 2009	Congressional Directory, Aug 2008
Rural Revitalization, Conservation, Forestry, and Credit	Member	Listed May 2008 to Oct 2009	Hearing, May 2008
Production and Price Competitiveness	Member	Listed Mar 2005 to Mar 2005	Congressional Directory, Sep 2006
Forestry, Conservation, and Rural Revitalization	Member	Listed Sep 2001 to Mar 2005	Congressional Directory, Oct 2002
Research, Nutrition, and General Legislation	Member	Listed Sep 2001 to Mar 2005	Congressional Directory, Oct 2002
Marketing, Inspection, and Product Promotion	Member	Listed Sep 2001 to Sep 2001	Congressional Directory, Oct 2002

Appropriations CommitteeChair2001–2023

Full history

Committee	Role	Served	Record
Appropriations Committee	Chair	Feb 3, 2021 to Jan 3, 2023	S.Res. 28 · End of the 117th Congress
	Ranking Member	Jan 5, 2017 to Jan 3, 2021	S.Res. 8 · End of the 116th Congress
	Member	Jan 25, 2001 to Jan 3, 2017	Congressional Record, S558 · End of the 114th Congress
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies	Member	Listed Jul 2020 to Oct 2022	Congressional Directory, Jul 2020
Defense	Member	Listed Feb 2001 to Oct 2022	Hearing, Feb 2001
Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies	Member	Listed Feb 2005 to Oct 2022	Hearing, Feb 2005
Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies	Member	Listed Mar 2001 to Oct 2022	Hearing, Mar 2001
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs	Member	Listed Mar 2005 to Oct 2022	Congressional Directory, Sep 2006
Legislative Branch	Member	Listed Apr 2021 to May 2022	Hearing, Apr 2021
Department of Homeland Security	Member	Listed Feb 2020 to May 2022	Hearing, Feb 2020
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies	Member	Listed May 2021 to May 2022	Hearing, May 2021
Financial Services and General Government	Member	Listed Jul 2021 to May 2022	Hearing, Jul 2021
Energy and Water Development	Member	Listed Jun 2021 to Apr 2022	Hearing, Jun 2021
Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies	Ex Officio	Listed Nov 2017 to Nov 2017	Hearing, Nov 2017
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies	Member	Listed Mar 2015 to Apr 2016	Hearing, Mar 2015
Department of Homeland Security	Member	Listed Mar 2011 to Mar 2014	Hearing, Mar 2011
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies	Member	Listed Feb 2007 to Feb 2014	Hearing, Feb 2007
Department of Homeland Security	Member	Listed Apr 2003 to Mar 2008	Hearing, Apr 2003
Transportation, Treasury, the Judiciary, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies	Member	Listed Mar 2005 to Mar 2006	Hearing, Mar 2005
Foreign Operations	Member	Listed May 2001 to Apr 2004	Hearing, May 2001
VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies	Member	Listed Apr 2001 to Feb 2004	Hearing, Apr 2001
Interior	Member	Listed Mar 2001 to Jun 2003	Hearing, Mar 2001
Commerce, Justice, State, and the Judiciary	Member	Listed Sep 2001 to Jun 2003	Congressional Directory, Oct 2002
Transportation	Member	Listed Sep 2001 to Jun 2002	Congressional Directory, Oct 2002

Judiciary CommitteeMember2001–2023

Full history

Committee	Role	Served	Record
Judiciary Committee	Member	Jan 5, 2017 to Jan 3, 2023	S.Res. 8 · End of the 117th Congress
	Ranking Member	Jan 7, 2015 to Jan 3, 2017	S.Res. 22 · End of the 114th Congress
	Chair	Jan 12, 2007 to Jan 3, 2015	S.Res. 27 · End of the 113th Congress
	Ranking Member	Jan 15, 2003 to Jan 3, 2007	S.Res. 20 · End of the 109th Congress
	Chair	Jul 10, 2001 to Jan 3, 2003	Congressional Record, S7417 · End of the 107th Congress
	Member	Jan 25, 2001 to Jul 10, 2001	Congressional Record, S558 · Congressional Record, S7417
Competition Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights	Member	Listed Jul 2018 to Oct 2022	Congressional Directory, Oct 2018
Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism	Member	Listed Apr 2021 to Oct 2022	Hearing, Apr 2021
Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights	Member	Listed Jul 2018 to Oct 2022	Congressional Directory, Oct 2018
Intellectual Property	Chair	Listed Jul 2020 to Oct 2022	Congressional Directory, Jul 2020
Border Security and Immigration	Member	Listed Jul 2018 to Jul 2020	Congressional Directory, Oct 2018
Privacy, Technology and the Law	Member	Listed Jul 2018 to Jul 2018	Congressional Directory, Oct 2018
Oversight, Federal Rights and Agency Action	Member	Listed Aug 2013 to Mar 2014	Hearing, Aug 2013
Immigration, Refugees and Border Security	Member	Listed Oct 2009 to Feb 2014	Congressional Directory, Dec 2009
Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights	Member	Listed Mar 2011 to Dec 2012	Hearing, Mar 2011
Administrative Oversight and the Courts	Member	Listed Jun 2011 to May 2012	Hearing, Jun 2011
Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights	Member	Listed Sep 2001 to Jul 2008	Congressional Directory, Dec 2001
Corrections and Rehabilitation	Member	Listed Mar 2005 to Sep 2006	Congressional Directory, Sep 2006
Intellectual Property	Member	Listed Mar 2005 to May 2006	Congressional Directory, Sep 2006
Immigration, Border Security and Citizenship	Member	Listed Mar 2003 to Sep 2004	Hearing, Mar 2003
Administrative Oversight and the Courts	Member	Listed Jun 2001 to Apr 2004	Hearing, Jun 2001
Crime and Drugs	Member	Listed Dec 2001 to Jul 2002	Hearing, Dec 2001
Constitution	Member	Listed Jun 2001 to Jul 2002	Hearing, Jun 2001
Crime and Drugs	Member	Listed Sep 2001 to Sep 2001	Congressional Directory, Oct 2002

Rules and Administration CommitteeMember2011–2023

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Party, state and chamber are those of this member's most recent term. Bills and cosponsorships are held from the 107th Congress onwards and recorded votes from the 101st, so a member who served before those points will show fewer than they filed, or none. Committee service is held from the 107th Congress onwards, dated from the House and Senate resolutions and Congressional Record notices that seat and remove members. Subcommittee assignments are made inside each committee and carry no official date, so a subcommittee seat is shown from the first to the last printed hearing, Congressional Directory edition or official roster that lists the member. Vote counts cover roll calls tied to a bill; the chambers also vote on procedure and nominations, which are not listed here. Office, telephone and website are not shown for a member who has left, because the ones on file were theirs while serving. Records come from Congress.gov and the Biographical Directory of Congress.