Changes

==Senate career==

==Senate career==

[[File:https://media2.fdncms.com/sevendaysvt/imager/u/slideshow/3736512/leahy1.jpg|thumbnail|left|A picture of Leahy in 1975, soon after being elected for the first time.]]

[[File:https://media2.fdncms.com/sevendaysvt/imager/u/slideshow/3736512/leahy1.jpg|thumbnail|left|A picture of Leahy in 1975, soon after being elected for the first time.]]

Leahy was elected to the Senate, replacing retired titan George Aiken after 34 years (seems like his state has a tendency to not be able to elect anyone else), in 1974. Leahy's campaign coincided with the Watergate scandal, and he stated during a campaign rally that he would "reverse the 'frustration and disillusionment' many felt in government..." and would bring a "fresh, new approach" to governance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/forty-two-years-a-senator-has-leahy-served-long-enough/Content?oid=3736492|title="Forty-Two Years a Senator: Has Leahy Served Long Enough?"|date=October 12, 2016}}</ref> Of course, Leahy would soon become a swamp monster himself, switching gears in recent years and believing that politicians should have a steady hand at the wheel, versed in the ways of Washington.  

Leahy was elected to the Senate, replacing retiring senator [[George Aiken]] after 34 years (seems like his state has a tendency to not be able to elect anyone else), in 1974. Leahy's campaign coincided with the Watergate scandal, and he stated during a campaign rally that he would "reverse the 'frustration and disillusionment' many felt in government..." and would bring a "fresh, new approach" to governance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/forty-two-years-a-senator-has-leahy-served-long-enough/Content?oid=3736492|title="Forty-Two Years a Senator: Has Leahy Served Long Enough?"|date=October 12, 2016}}</ref> Of course, Leahy would soon become a swamp monster himself, switching gears in recent years and believing that politicians should have a steady hand at the wheel, versed in the ways of Washington.  

Somewhat redeemingly, however, Leahy has opposed the authoritarian Patriot Act.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/leahy-paul-team-up-to-stop-provisions-of-the-patriot-act|title="Leahy, Paul Team Up To Stop Provisions Of The PATRIOT Act."|date=May 23, 2011}}</ref> He worked with [[libertarian]] Senator [[Rand Paul]] in 2011 to amend certain sections of it. In doing so, Leahy opposed fellow Democrat Dianne Feinstein who claimed "the three expiring provisions [the one's opposed by Paul and Leahy] were essential to protecting the United States." Leahy is also opposed to the death penalty, and has sponsored (sometimes bipartisan) legislation to reform the criminal justice system in the U.S.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/senate-bill/486|title="Innocence Protection Act of 2002."|date=March 7, 2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/231775-rand-paul-revives-mandatory-sentencing-reform-bill|title="Rand Paul revives mandatory sentencing reform bill."|date=February 4, 2015}}</ref>

Somewhat redeemingly, however, Leahy has opposed the authoritarian [[Patriot Act]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/leahy-paul-team-up-to-stop-provisions-of-the-patriot-act|title="Leahy, Paul Team Up To Stop Provisions Of The PATRIOT Act."|date=May 23, 2011}}</ref> He worked with [[libertarian]] Senator [[Rand Paul]] in 2011 to amend certain sections of it. In doing so, Leahy opposed fellow Democrat [[Dianne Feinstein]] who claimed "the three expiring provisions [the one's opposed by Paul and Leahy] were essential to protecting the United States." Leahy is also opposed to the death penalty, and has sponsored (sometimes bipartisan) legislation to reform the criminal justice system in the U.S.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/senate-bill/486|title="Innocence Protection Act of 2002."|date=March 7, 2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/231775-rand-paul-revives-mandatory-sentencing-reform-bill|title="Rand Paul revives mandatory sentencing reform bill."|date=February 4, 2015}}</ref>

Leahy has, however, been all over the place on other key issues, take gun control for example. Leahy stated, in regards to DC v. Heller, that "the Supreme Court held the Second Amendment guarantees to Americans the individual right to keep and bear arms. I am a gun owner, as are many people in Vermont, and I agreed with the Heller decision."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ontheissues.org/Archive/Media_ScotusBlog_Patrick_Leahy.htm|title="'Heller case established a fundamental individual right.' - Patrick Leahy"|access-date=February 15, 2021}}</ref> He also supported allowing firearms in checked baggage on Amtrak trains,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_2009-S145.htm#:~:text=Patrick%20Leahy|title="Senate votes on 2009-S145."|date=Apr 2, 2009}}</ref> and opposed foreign & UN aid that restricts US gun ownership.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_2007-321.htm#:~:text=Patrick%20Leahy|title="Senate votes on 2007-S321."|date=September 6, 2007}}</ref> Nonetheless, Leahy voted yes on banning high-capacity magazines of over 10 bullets<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_13-SV103.htm|title="Senate votes on 2013-SV103."|date=April 17, 2013}}</ref> and voted no on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_2005-219.htm#:~:text=Patrick%20Leahy|title="Senate votes on 2005-S219."|date=July 29, 2005}}</ref>

Leahy has, however, been all over the place on other key issues, take gun control for example. Leahy stated, in regards to [[D.C. v. Heller]], that "the Supreme Court held the Second Amendment guarantees to Americans the individual right to keep and bear arms. I am a gun owner, as are many people in Vermont, and I agreed with the Heller decision."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ontheissues.org/Archive/Media_ScotusBlog_Patrick_Leahy.htm|title="'Heller case established a fundamental individual right.' - Patrick Leahy"|access-date=February 15, 2021}}</ref> He also supported allowing firearms in checked baggage on Amtrak trains,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_2009-S145.htm#:~:text=Patrick%20Leahy|title="Senate votes on 2009-S145."|date=Apr 2, 2009}}</ref> and opposed foreign & UN aid that restricts US gun ownership.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_2007-321.htm#:~:text=Patrick%20Leahy|title="Senate votes on 2007-S321."|date=September 6, 2007}}</ref> Nonetheless, Leahy voted yes on banning high-capacity magazines of over 10 bullets<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_13-SV103.htm|title="Senate votes on 2013-SV103."|date=April 17, 2013}}</ref> and voted no on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_2005-219.htm#:~:text=Patrick%20Leahy|title="Senate votes on 2005-S219."|date=July 29, 2005}}</ref>

Leahy was made presiding officer of the second impeachment trial of private citizen [[Donald Trump]] in 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/leahy-trump-impeachment-trial-fairness|title="Leahy, presiding over Trump impeachment in Senate, vows to conduct trial 'with fairness to all'."|date=February 10, 2021}}</ref> The Constitution proscribes that all impeachment trials be presided over by the Chief Justice. Justice Roberts' refusal to attend<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2021/01/27/john-roberts-refusal-to-sit-for-trump-impeachment-trial-sparks-concerns/|title="John Roberts’ refusal to sit for Trump impeachment sparks constitutional concerns."|date=January 27, 2021}}</ref> and the riddled-with-errors prosecution<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.louderwithcrowder.com/show-notes-february-15|title="TRUMP ACQUITTED! TOP 3 LIES FROM THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL"|date=February 15, 2021}}</ref> all add to the veracity that the impeachment was a show trial.

Leahy was made presiding officer of the second impeachment trial of private citizen [[Donald Trump]] in 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/leahy-trump-impeachment-trial-fairness|title="Leahy, presiding over Trump impeachment in Senate, vows to conduct trial 'with fairness to all'."|date=February 10, 2021}}</ref> The Constitution proscribes that all impeachment trials be presided over by the Chief Justice. [[Justice Roberts]]' refusal to attend<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2021/01/27/john-roberts-refusal-to-sit-for-trump-impeachment-trial-sparks-concerns/|title="John Roberts’ refusal to sit for Trump impeachment sparks constitutional concerns."|date=January 27, 2021}}</ref> and the riddled-with-errors prosecution<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.louderwithcrowder.com/show-notes-february-15|title="TRUMP ACQUITTED! TOP 3 LIES FROM THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL"|date=February 15, 2021}}</ref> all add to the veracity that the impeachment was a show trial.

==ACORN==

==ACORN==