Tessa Quinn
Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy, the longest-serving member of the Senate, was hospitalized on January 26, 2021, and again on October 13, 2022, after feeling unwell. The 80-year-old senator, who was set to preside over the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump, was taken to George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C., out of an abundance of caution, according to his spokesperson, David Carle. Leahy was discharged from the hospital the following day and returned home, with Carle stating that the senator looked forward to getting back to work.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of hospitalization | January 26, 2021 |
| Reason for hospitalization | Feeling unwell |
| Hospital | George Washington University Hospital |
| Age at hospitalization | 80 years old |
| State | Vermont |
| Party | Democrat |
| Position | Senator |
| Length of stay | Brief; discharged the same day |
| Spokesperson | David Carle |
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What You'll Learn
Senator Leahy's hospitalisation hours before Trump's impeachment trial
On January 26, 2021, Senator Patrick Leahy was hospitalized just hours after he was sworn in to preside over former President Donald Trump's second impeachment trial. Leahy, the top Democrat and Senate president pro tempore, was reportedly “not feeling well” in his Capitol office and was examined by the Capitol physician. Hours before his hospitalization, he had sworn in his senatorial colleagues as jurors for Trump's impeachment.
The 80-year-old senator was taken to a local hospital for observation and evaluation "out of an abundance of caution," as stated by his spokesperson, David Carle. Leahy's hospitalization raised concerns about his ability to head the impeachment trial proceedings, which were expected to begin the week of February 8. However, Democratic Illinois Senator Dick Durbin expressed optimism, stating that Leahy's wife, Marcelle, a nurse, reported that things were going well, and they hoped for his return the following day.
Leahy was released from the hospital later that day and returned home to rest. He expressed his eagerness to get back to work, indicating that his hospitalization was brief and did not significantly impact his responsibilities.
Leahy's health scare highlighted the importance of his role in the impeachment trial, as he was the only sitting senator who had served during the Ford administration and one of two during the Carter administration. His seniority and experience were crucial in presiding over the trial, ensuring fairness and constitutional adherence.
The brief hospitalization of Senator Leahy, the longest-serving current U.S. Senator at the time, served as a reminder of the demanding nature of political office and the importance of prioritizing health and well-being.
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Senator Leahy's health condition
On January 26, 2021, Senator Patrick Leahy was hospitalized after feeling unwell at his office in the US Capitol. The 80-year-old Vermont senator, who is the longest-serving current US senator, was taken to George Washington University Hospital at the recommendation of the Capitol's attending physician "out of an abundance of caution". Leahy's spokesperson, David Carle, released a statement saying:
> After getting test results back, and after a thorough examination, Senator Leahy is now home [...] He looks forward to getting back to work.
Leahy's hospitalization came just hours after he was sworn in to preside over the Senate's impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump. Leahy is the Senate president pro tempore, making him third in the presidential line of succession.
Leahy was briefly hospitalized again in June 2021. In June 2022, he fractured his hip after falling at his home in McLean, Virginia, and underwent emergency hip surgery. He was hospitalized for tests in October 2022, and retired from the Senate at the end of that year after serving for eight terms.
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Senator Leahy's return home
Senator Patrick Leahy, the longest-serving current U.S. Senator, was briefly hospitalized in 2021 and again in 2022. Leahy, 80, "was not feeling well" at his Capitol office, according to his spokesperson, David Carle. The Vermont senator was examined by the attending physician, who recommended that he be taken to a local hospital for further evaluation and observation.
Leahy's hospitalization in 2021 came just hours after he was sworn in to preside over the Senate's impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump. Despite the concern, Leahy was soon discharged and allowed to return home. Carle assured the media that the senator was looking forward to getting back to work.
> After getting test results back, and after a thorough examination, Senator Leahy is now home. He looks forward to getting back to work.
> — David Carle, Spokesperson for Senator Leahy
Leahy's brief hospitalization raised questions about his ability to oversee the upcoming impeachment trial. However, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin expressed optimism about Leahy's swift return to the Senate, saying, "She says things are going well, so we've all got our fingers crossed that he'll be back tomorrow."
In 2022, Leahy was once again hospitalized after experiencing health issues at his Virginia home. At 82, the senator underwent emergency hip surgery following a fall earlier that year. His office described the hospital visit as a precaution, and he was released the next day.
Senator Leahy's health has been a concern in recent years, but each time, he has been able to return home and resume his duties after brief hospitalizations.
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Senator Leahy's hip surgery
On June 29, 2022, Senator Patrick Leahy, the longest-serving current US Senator, suffered a fall at his home in McLean, Virginia, which resulted in a hip fracture. The 82-year-old Democrat was born blind in his left eye and has dealt with reduced depth perception his entire life. Despite this, he has served in the Senate since 1975 and was set to preside over the impeachment trial of former President Trump before his injury.
Doctors determined that surgery was the best option to repair Leahy's hip, and he underwent the procedure the day after his fall. He also had a second operation related to his hip injury on July 19, 2022. Leahy was expected to make a full recovery and begin physical therapy immediately.
Leahy's office released a statement about the incident, acknowledging his lifelong challenge with reduced depth perception due to his blindness in one eye. They also expressed the Senator's determination to return to work, with a full schedule of events planned in Vermont shortly after his discharge from the hospital.
Leahy's hip surgery and recovery highlighted the importance of his vote in the Senate, especially regarding the passing of a tax and spending reconciliation package before the August recess. His absence also briefly deprived Democrats of their slim majority in the Senate. Leahy's health setback occurred just before his planned retirement at the end of 2022, after serving eight terms in the Senate.
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Senator Leahy's retirement
Senator Patrick Leahy, the longest-serving U.S. senator, announced his retirement in 2022, leaving the presidential line of succession and the seat he held for nearly 50 years. Leahy was first elected to the Senate in 1974, making him the third-longest-serving U.S. senator in history. He was the longest-serving member of the United States Congress to serve solely as a senator.
Leahy's career included chairing the Senate Appropriations Committee, the Senate Judiciary Committee, and the Senate Agriculture Committee. He also voted on every member of the sitting Supreme Court and was one of two senators targeted in the 2001 anthrax attacks. Leahy was the first Democrat ever elected to the U.S. Senate from Vermont and was one of the few Senate Democrats to vote against the Brady Bill.
Leahy's signature legislation is the Leahy Law, which forbids the United States from funding foreign military units that violate human rights. In 2013, he received the annual U.S. Senator John Heinz Award for Greatest Public Service by an Elected or Appointed Official. In 2014, the Congressional Management Foundation awarded him a Silver Mouse Award for his website and a Gold Mouse Award for his engagement on social media.
Leahy's retirement plans include spending more time with his wife, Marcelle, a registered nurse, with whom he celebrated his 60th wedding anniversary in August 2022. He also plans to focus on his passion for Batman, having cameoed in five separate Batman films. In recognition of his service, Burlington International Airport was renamed after him, and he was awarded an Honorary OBE from the British Government for services to UK/USA relations.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Senator Patrick Leahy was released from the hospital and returned home on Tuesday night.
Senator Leahy was hospitalised after he "was not feeling well" at his Virginia home.
Yes, Senator Leahy's office described his hospital visit as a precaution.
Senator Leahy is a Democrat.
It is unclear if Senator Leahy's hospitalisation impacted his work. However, his office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Senator Leahy is the only sitting senator who has served during the Ford administration.
