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Improving the Economy

Rep. Welch at the groundbreaking for Otter Creek's new brewing facility

"While Vermont has bounced back from the Great Recession of 2008, too many Vermonters are still struggling to make ends meet.  My top priority in Congress is to ensure that Vermonters have good jobs, affordable health care, access to higher education, and lower energy bills.”

 

Spotlight on the Economy

Rep. Welch has been a vocal advocate in the House for creating good new jobs by investing in America’s highways, bridges, water projects, airports, railways, and the internet.  He led a coalition that forced House leaders to pass a sustainable highway bill.  Working with Senator Patrick Leahy and Senator Bernie Sanders, he secured critical funding to jump start passenger rail service along Vermont’s western corridor.

More on Improving the Economy

Leahy, Sanders, Welch Announce Availability of $1.7 Million in Vermont Northern Border Grants

March 30, 2016 Press Release
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Representative Peter Welch (D-Vt.) Wednesday announced the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) will begin accepting applications for the next round of grants to encourage economic development and job creation along the norther border of Maine, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont. The Commission has approximately $1.7 million in federal funding to award to projects in Franklin, Lamoille, Caledonia, Essex and Orleans counties.

WCAX: Castleton University leasing dorm space in downtown Rutland

March 11, 2016 In The News

RUTLAND, Vt. - For years, Rutland has been working toward redeveloping its downtown. Now, Castleton University is jumping in with extended student housing.

Lawmakers: Congress Must Act on Ethanol Mandate

November 30, 2015 Press Release
Following the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) release of the final rules for the 2014-2016 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), Reps. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Steve Womack (R-Ar.), and Jim Costa (D-Calif.) released the following statement.

VPR: Welch Supports New 2-Year, $80 Billion Budget Deal

October 28, 2015 In The News
Rep. Peter Welch is supporting a new proposed two-year budget deal that increases federal spending by $80 billion over the next two years. Welch says he hopes the agreement will bring a new bipartisan approach to the business of the House.

Rutland Herald: Vermont gets final $10M for Western rail corridor

October 27, 2015 In The News
Passenger rail service to Burlington is four years away, state and federal officials said Monday. Vermont’s congressional delegation announced they had secured a $10 million grant for the Western rail corridor. “I am so proud and so excited at Rutland’s persistence paying off,” Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., said Monday after jointly announcing the grant with Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. and Sen. Bernard Sanders, I-Vt. “Lots of people have reason to be proud of this grant.”

Welch Calls on Congress to Revive Export-Import Bank

July 21, 2015 Press Release
At Northern Power Systems in Barre this morning, Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) called on Congress to re-authorize the recently-lapsed Export-Import Bank of the United States. Welch was joined by representatives of Vermont's business community as well as businesses that have received loans from the Bank, including Northern Power Systems.

House sends Welch Energy Efficiency Bill to President Obama for Signature

April 21, 2015 Press Release
This afternoon, the U.S. House of Representatives approved bipartisan energy efficiency legislation authored by Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) and Rep. David McKinley (R-WV). President Obama is expected to sign the bill into law.

Times Argus: Welch provisions in Medicare bill

March 27, 2015 In The News

Times Argus

Welch Reintroduces Legislation to Reform Federal Ethanol Mandate

March 23, 2015 Press Release
At Frank's Motorcycle Sales and Service in Essex Junction, Representative Peter Welch announced the reintroduction of bipartisan legislation that would reform the federal requirement to blend biofuels, such as corn ethanol, into gasoline. The RFS Reform Act (H.R. 704) would repeal the mandate to blend corn based ethanol into gasoline which results in serious damage to small engines.

Welch Reintroduces Legislation to Reform Federal Ethanol Mandate

March 23, 2015 Press Release
At Frank's Motorcycle Sales and Service in Essex Junction, Representative Peter Welch announced the reintroduction of bipartisan legislation that would reform the federal requirement to blend biofuels, such as corn ethanol, into gasoline. The RFS Reform Act (H.R. 704) would repeal the mandate to blend corn based ethanol into gasoline which results in serious damage to small engines.