Patrick Leahy (born March 31, 1940) is an American politician who served as a United States Senator from Vermont from 1975 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the longest-serving current senator and the last remaining senator from the Vietnam War era. Leahy chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee and served on the Appropriations Committee, championing civil rights, environmental protection, and judicial reform. He authored key legislation including the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act and the Leahy Act for wetland protection. Known for bipartisanship, he also gained attention as a photographer and comic book collector. Upon retirement, he left a legacy of legislative achievement and institutional stability.
