Washington, DC - Rep. Peter Welch received a 100 percent score for supporting legislation to help the middle class during his first term in Congress.

Welch was a featured speaker at a Capitol Hill press conference held by Drum Major Institute for Public Policy, a non-partisan non-profit that released the TheMiddleClass.org 2007 Congressional Scorecard today.

"As a country, we have always been at our best when we've focused on building a strong middle class," said Welch. "This is only a down payment for what must be a long-term, day-in-and-day-out commitment to restoring economic priorities that help hard working Vermonters get ahead."

The scorecard included votes on college affordability, health care costs, energy policy, government accountability, affordable housing, and consumer protection issues, among others.

"In just over a year, Congressman Welch has quickly demonstrated himself as a persistent leader for the issues and concerns of the middle class," said DMI Executive Director Andrea Batista Schlesinger.

Welch's vote history can be found at http://themiddleclass.org/legislator/peter-welch-598.

Sens. Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders also received a 100 percent ranking, making Vermont and Rhode Island the only two states to have perfect congressional delegation scores.

Welch called many of the policies in the rankings "common sense priorities." He cited legislation requiring the government to negotiate fair prescription drug prices and revoking tax breaks for oil companies currently making record profits in order to fund efficiency programs for the middle class.

Welch's "Middle Class Commitment" can be viewed by clicking here.