Friend,

It is difficult to capture in words all that has happened just in the first month of 2021, especially when we compare the darkness of the insurrection early in January with the lightness imbued in Inauguration Day later in the month.

While the insurrection’s dark mark on our nation's history must be addressed and those who are responsible must be held accountable, I am looking forward with hope and determination.

Thanks to the voters in Georgia, we are now able to deliver on our commitments to the American people with a Senate majority.

This evening the Senate is conducting a marathon series of votes on the budget resolution that will set a path towards passing a significant COVID relief bill that has been too long delayed by Republican leadership. This month, we are continuing to confirm President Biden's nominees so that we can restore a functioning government ready to serve the American people. And as a personal point of pride, my deputy chief of staff will be leaving my office to assume the role of Secretary of the Senate, the first African American to hold the position.

As you may know, as the President Pro Tempore, I will next week be assuming the responsibility of presiding over the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump, so I will be taking a break from emails and press to focus on this duty. Once we have completed the trial and left a record for history, I look forward to my work as Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, where our priority will be to support the Biden-Harris administration as we build back better.

Thank you for your support and for all you have done to help put our country on a better path.

Sincerely,

Patrick Leahy
U.S. Senator