“It’s time to get home”

Sen. Patrick Leahy announced his retirement on Monday as he will end his prominent and long career in the Senate in 2022.

Video:

Sen. Patrick Leahy, the longest-serving Democrat in the Senate, announces his resignation.

“It’s time to get home.” pic.twitter.com/QSvw9qFpCM

– Zach Purser Brown (@zachjourno) 15 November 2021

Sen. Leahy said:

I’m proud to be Vermont’s longest serving senator because I know my time in the Senate has made a difference for Vermonters and often much beyond. I know I was there for my state when I was most needed. I know I took our best ideas and helped them grow. I brought Vermont’s vote to the Senate of the United States and Vermont’s values ​​around the world.

So yes, I’m proud to be Vermont’s longest serving senator. While I will continue to serve Vermont, Marcelle and I have come to the conclusion that it’s time to put this hammer down. It’s time to give the torch to the next Vermonter, who will continue this work for our great state. It’s time to dump her and move on.

Sen Leahy is best known to political observers for his 20 years, whether as chairman or the rank member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. In the present Congress was sen. Leahy the chair of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee.

Senator Leahy was a tireless advocate for small states, and he brought the kind of seriousness and decorum to the Senate that many of the newer members lacked.

Sen. Leahy was first elected to the Senate in 1975. He announced his resignation in the same chamber where he announced his first Senate campaign in 1974.

Leahy is not a Lindsey Graham / Ted Cruz cameraman. He had just served the people of Vermont for the longest service in the state’s history.

Patrick Leahy was an old-school senator, and his presence will be missed in the Senate.