[S]en. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., is leaving his leadership post on Senate Judiciary to become the ranking member of Senate Appropriations.
As the Democratic leader on Judiciary, Leahy had backed President Barack Obama’s pick, Merrick Garland, to replace U.S. Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia who died in February. Republicans in Congress blocked hearings for Garland’s nomination, insisting that a new president should choose the next justice. With the election of Donald Trump, the future of Garland’s nomination is now in doubt.
Leahy, a former prosecutor, said in a statement that he believes that he can do more to advocate for the interests of Vermonters as ranking member of Senate Appropriations.
The senior senator says he did not take the decision to shift leadership positions lightly, but he believes Vermonters need a front and center seat on the Appropriations Committee.
The state is highly dependent on federal funding. About $2 billion of the state’s $5.7 billion budget comes from the federal government for everything from Medicaid to environmental regulation.
“Both the Appropriations Committee and the Judiciary Committee are on the front lines of so many of today’s pressing issues,” Leahy said in a statement. “These include the priorities we decide in funding the federal government in our annual appropriations bills, and the future of the Supreme Court. And as the senior Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, I will continue to offer a strong and outspoken voice in defending our Constitution, protecting and promoting human and civil rights, defending Americans’ privacy, and fighting for judicial independence.”
The ranking member sets the Democratic agenda for committees, organizes hearings and manages information about issues taken up by committee members.
Leahy says the election has “reshaped the policymaking landscape in Washington and show the need for checks and balances, now that one party controls the White House as well as both houses of Congress.”
Among other government programs, Trump has threatened to eliminate funding for the Environmental Protection Agency, which funds environmental regulation efforts nationwide and in each state. Trump has also said he would not move the Paris agreement on climate change forward.
Leahy, who is the most senior member of the U.S. Senate and was recently re-elected to his eighth term, says as the Democratic leader on Senate Appropriations he will be able to block efforts by Senate Republicans and the new administration of President-elect Trump to gut government programs that protect the environment and advance climate change initiatives.
Leahy said in his new role he will better be able to protect the state’s interests, especially the cleanup of Lake Champlain.
“My priorities also continue to include championing crime victims and addressing the opioid scourge, supporting research on cancer and infectious diseases, and advancing food security and human rights around the world,” he said. “All of these issues are at the forefront of Vermonters’ interests and concerns. I am committed to continue working as the steward of the trust Vermonters have again invested in me.”
Luke Albee, a former longtime chief of staff for Leahy, says it’s likely that “he based his decision on what was best for the folks who elected him.”
On Appropriations, Leahy will be able to do more to directly help average Vermonters, Albee said, and will be in a position to negotiate with other senators over budget priorities.
Albee says Leahy had the option to serve as the party leader on Appropriations a few years and “it was a very, very close call,” but he decided at the time to stay on as ranking member of Judiciary.
In 2012, Leahy turned down an opportunity to chair appropriations after Sen. Daniel Inouye died and instead opted to head the Judiciary Committee. He has been the leading Democrat on Judiciary since 1997.
“I think that he is like all of us, there was real soul searching in the aftermath of this last election, and he based his decision on what was best for the folks who elected him,” Albee said.
Leahy will remain a force on Judiciary, leading the Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security and will be working with Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., the new ranking member of Judiciary.
“He remains the most senior member of Senate Judiciary, and his voice and influence will continue to be heard,” Albee said. “He will be a large and looming presence there for some incredible battles that will affect the future of country.”