Restoring the Middle Class Print
Rebuilding the Economy

Spotlight on the Middle Class

Rep. Welch has worked to protect middle class consumers from abusive credit card company practices by sponsoring a Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights (H.R. 5244), which first passed the House in September 2009. Welch attempted to strengthen the legislation in April 2009 by proposing an 18 percent cap on credit card interest rates. The bill – which protects consumers from arbitrary rate increases, double-cycle billing and due-date gimmicks – was signed into law by President Obama in May 2009.

"Even before the current economic crisis, hardworking Vermonters were feeling the squeeze of low wages and ever-increasing costs. The United States has a long history of supporting the middle class, but we must recommit to ensuring that those who work hard to make a living have the resources they need to support their families, get ahead and save for a secure retirement. With every issue I face in Congress – from health care to education to energy – I am focused on increasing affordability and expanding the middle class."

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Rep. Welch's Recent Work on the Middle Class

VPR News: "Welch Urges Colleagues To Hold Their Ground On Tax Debate"

December 2, 2010

(Host) The U.S. House has taken the first step in what's expected to be a major battle over tax policy during the current lame duck session.

With a lot of Democratic support, the House has voted to extend the so called Bush income tax cuts, but only for families with incomes under $250,000 dollars a year.

As VPR's Bob Kinzel reports, Congressman Pe... Read More


VPR News: "Welch Urges Colleagues To Hold Their Ground On Tax Debate"

December 2, 2010

(Host) The U.S. House has taken the first step in what's expected to be a major battle over tax policy during the current lame duck session.

With a lot of Democratic support, the House has voted to extend the so called Bush income tax cuts, but only for families with incomes under $250,000 dollars a year.

As VPR's Bob Kinzel reports, Congressman Pe... Read More


Welch votes for, House passes middle class tax cut extension

December 2, 2010

Rep. Peter Welch voted to extend tax cuts for middle- and lower-income Americans on Thursday, while blasting Republican maneuvers to hold legislative business hostage as the party fights for tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires.

Passed by a vote of 234 to 188, the Middle Class Tax Relief Act (H.R. 4853) would permanently extend tax cuts enacted in 2001 and 2003 for all income below $200,000 for individuals and $250,000 ... Read More


Vt. Digger: "Vermont selected for federal health care project"

November 17, 2010

Vermont is one of eight states that has just been chosen to participate in a new federal health care demonstration project.

The Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services has established an "innovation center," designed to encourage states to develop new ways of delivering and paying for health care under the Affordable Care Act just passed this year.

Read More


Medicare Announces Quality Bonus Payment Demonstration For Medicare Health Plans

November 12, 2010

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) made three significant announcements today: (1) updated star plan ratings for 2011 Medicare health and drug plans, (2) a 3-year demonstration to provide Medicare Advantage plans financial incentives to provide high-quality care, and (3) proposed regulations to implement several provisions of the Affordable Care Act to strengthen and improve the Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug programs.

... Read More