Major Controversies Surrounding Patrick Leahy: A Detailed Timeline

Public opinion and media debates around Patrick Leahy—discover key moments of controversy.

Patrick Leahy is an American politician and attorney who served as a U.S. Senator for Vermont from 1975 to 2023. As a member of the Democratic Party, he held the position of president pro tempore of the Senate twice, from 2012 to 2015 and again from 2021 to 2023.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

March 11, 1982: Leahy Votes Against Measure Seeking to Reverse Roe v. Wade

On March 11, 1982, Leahy voted against a measure sponsored by Orrin Hatch that sought to reverse Roe v. Wade and allow Congress and individual states to adopt laws banning abortions.

1995: Leahy Votes Against Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act

In 1995, Leahy voted against the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, demonstrating his support for abortion rights.

1997: Leahy Votes For Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act

Between 1997 and 2003, Leahy voted for the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act.

September 13, 2002: Leahy Calls for West Nile Virus Investigation

On September 13, 2002, Senator Leahy suggested in a radio interview that an investigation should be launched to determine whether the West Nile virus was a biological terrorism effort.

2003: Leahy Votes For Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act

Between 1997 and 2003, Leahy voted for the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act.

June 22, 2004: Cheney and Leahy Exchange Words

On June 22, 2004, after a U.S. Senate class photo, Vice President Dick Cheney rebuked Senator Leahy for his criticism of Halliburton's activities in Iraq, reportedly telling him, "Go fuck yourself."

December 2006: Leahy on White House Power Plays after 9/11

In December 2006, Leahy spoke at Georgetown University, stating that after the September 11 attacks, the White House accelerated its power plays, undermined other government branches, and illegally wiretapped Americans without warrants.

January 18, 2007: Leahy Cross-Examines Attorney General Alberto Gonzales

On January 18, 2007, Leahy received widespread coverage for his cross-examination of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales regarding the Maher Arar affair and extraordinary rendition of Arar to Syria.

2008: Leahy criticizes alleged human rights violations during Operation Cast Lead

In 2008, Senator Leahy voiced his criticism of alleged human rights violations in the region, especially following Operation Cast Lead.

2011: Leahy promoted bill to cut military aid to IDF units

In 2011, Senator Leahy initially promoted a bill to cut military aid to three elite IDF units after reports of human rights violations during the Gaza flotilla raid and in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

February 2016: Leahy requests investigation into human rights violations by Egyptian and Israeli forces

In February 2016, Senator Leahy joined ten House of Representatives members in requesting the State Department to investigate suspected human rights violations by Egyptian and Israeli security forces. They cited claims of extrajudicial killings, which could trigger the Leahy Law and potentially suspend American military aid.

October 2016: Leahy requests halt to Dakota Access Pipeline

In October 2016, Senator Leahy and four other senators signed a letter to President Obama, requesting that the administration halt work on the Dakota Access Pipeline. They emphasized the need for transparency, tribal consultation, and environmental review in the permitting process.

January 2017: Leahy Questions Jeff Sessions on Sexual Assault

In January 2017, during a hearing, Leahy questioned Jeff Sessions, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general, about sexual assault and the ability to investigate elected officials accused of such acts, referencing comments made by Trump.

February 2017: Leahy signs letter regarding Trump campaign and Russia

In February 2017, Patrick Leahy was among 11 senators who signed a letter to United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The letter expressed concern about allegations of collusion between the Trump campaign, transition team, and Administration with the Russian government. The senators requested an independent Special Counsel to investigate potential collusion by General Flynn and other Trump officials.

March 2017: Leahy warns of Medicaid cuts' impact on substance abuse treatment

In March 2017, Senator Leahy and 20 other senators signed a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, warning that the American Health Care Act could negatively impact substance abuse treatment due to inadequate funding. They highlighted that Medicaid finances one-third of treatment for opioid and other substance use disorders and that cuts could lead to a "death spiral" for those affected.

March 2017: Leahy criticizes American Health Care Act

In March 2017, after House Republicans withdrew the American Health Care Act, Senator Leahy issued a statement highlighting the achievements of the Affordable Care Act. He criticized Republicans for attempting to repeal it with a bill he characterized as a tax cut for the wealthiest Americans.

June 1, 2017: Leahy and Franken Release Statement on Sessions and Russia

On June 1, 2017, Leahy and Senator Al Franken released a joint statement disclosing their prior request of James Comey to investigate contacts between Attorney General Sessions and Russian officials, raising questions of perjury in Senate testimony.

June 2017: Leahy criticizes Trump's withdrawal from Paris Agreement

In June 2017, Senator Leahy responded to President Trump's announcement that the U.S. would withdraw from the Paris Agreement by calling it a "great leap backward." He stated his intention to protect Vermont's efforts in combating climate risk and to support clean energy innovation.

May 2018: Leahy urges Trump not to withdraw from Iran nuclear deal

In May 2018, Senator Leahy was among 12 senators who signed a letter urging President Trump not to withdraw the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal. They argued that doing so would either isolate the United States or allow Iran to resume its nuclear activities, both of which would be detrimental to U.S. national security interests.

June 2018: Leahy cautions Trump on lifting sanctions against North Korea

In June 2018, Senator Leahy was one of seven Democrats who cautioned President Trump against lifting sanctions against North Korea unless a nuclear agreement met specific standards. Following the North Korea-United States summit, Leahy commended Trump for beginning direct negotiations but expressed concern over halting military exercises with South Korea without verifiable commitments from North Korea.

June 2018: Leahy expresses concern over military lawyers prosecuting immigration cases

In June 2018, Senator Leahy, along with Senators Gillibrand and Ernst, wrote a letter to Secretary of Defense James Mattis. They expressed concern over the decision to send active and reserve JAGs to the border to prosecute immigration cases, deeming it an inappropriate use of military personnel.

August 2018: Leahy demands action on reuniting migrant children with families

In August 2018, Senator Leahy was one of 17 senators who signed a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen, urging the Trump administration to take immediate action to reunite 539 migrant children with their families.

September 2018: Leahy criticizes transfer of FEMA budget to ICE

In September 2018, following the transfer of nearly $10 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) budget to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Senator Leahy criticized the move and accused the administration of using demagoguery against immigrants.

October 2018: Leahy urges reversal of policy affecting LGBTQIA+ diplomats' same-sex partners

In October 2018, Senator Leahy and 19 other senators urged Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to reverse the rollback of a policy that granted visas to same-sex partners of LGBTQIA+ diplomats whose unions were not recognized by their home countries. Leahy supported the Student Non-Discrimination Act and an LGBTQIA+-supportive amendment in the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act.

December 2018: Leahy argues against administration's use of Affordable Care Act section

In December 2018, Senator Leahy joined 41 other senators in signing a letter to Trump administration officials. They contended that the administration was misusing Section 1332 of the Affordable Care Act. They believed it would raise healthcare costs for millions and weaken protections for those with pre-existing conditions.

April 2019: Leahy introduces resolution to restore aid to West Bank and Gaza

In April 2019, after the Trump administration ceased providing money to the West Bank and Gaza, Senator Leahy and five other Democratic senators introduced a resolution to restore U.S. humanitarian aid to the region.

May 2019: Leahy Criticizes USDA for Using Farm Bailout Money to Purchase Pork from JBS USA

In May 2019, Leahy and eight other Democratic senators criticized the USDA for using farm bailout money to purchase pork from the Brazilian-owned JBS USA, arguing it was counterproductive to use taxpayer dollars to benefit foreign corporations instead of American farmers.

July 2019: Leahy opposes ending protection from deportation for families of active-duty service members

In July 2019, Senator Leahy and 21 other senators signed a letter opposing the Trump administration's plan to end the protection from deportation for spouses, parents, and children of active-duty service members. They argued that this protection allowed service members to focus on their duties without worrying about their families' deportation.

July 31, 2019: Leahy Introduces Bill to Ban the Death Penalty

On July 31, 2019, after the Attorney General announced the resumption of the death penalty, Leahy, along with Cory Booker and Dick Durbin, introduced a bill to ban the death penalty, citing its finality and juries' propensity to mistakenly convict.

September 12, 2019: Leahy Condemns Persecution of Falun Gong Practitioners in China

On September 12, 2019, Leahy condemned the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China and called for an end to torture, organ harvesting, and propaganda against minorities by the Chinese government.