Sen. Patrick Leahy was sworn in today as President pro Tempore. The Vermont senator has served since 1975, and was accompanied by his wife, Vice President Biden, and fellow Vermont senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). As President pro Tempore, Sen. Leahy is third in line to the Presidency, after Vice President Biden and Speaker Boehner. Senator Leahy assumed the role due to the death of Senator Inouye yesterday. When Senator Leahy was first asked about the new role yesterday, he was too overcome by emotion to discuss it.