Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced Monday that he will not seek re-election in 2022 at the conclusion of his eighth term in the U.S. Senate.

“Sen. Leahy has served in the U.S. Senate with distinction for nearly four decades in a variety of roles, and I congratulate him on his retirement,” said CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle. “Credit unions and their members have appreciated Senator Leahy work on cybersecurity legislations, our fight against patent abuses, and many other priorities. We wish Sen. Leahy and his family the best going forward.”

Leahy was first elected in 1974.

“Since his election to the Senate in 1974 at the age of 34, through his eighth term and now president pro tempore of the Senate and Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Leahy has been a loyal friend and strong supporter of credit unions,” said Joseph Bergeron, president/CEO of the Association of Vermont Credit Unions. “Credit union members throughout Vermont and the country have benefitted from his steadfast belief in cooperative financial services.”

Leahy recently co-sponsored the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, which would provide protections for businesses serving legal cannabis-based businesses, as well as a bill to establish a $75 billion housing assistance fund.

CUNA supports both bills.

He has also chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee and Agriculture Committee during his tenure in the Senate.