Enewsletters
December Highlights from the House
December 21, 2016
Peter hosted a live, statewide Telephone Town Hall Meeting on the evening of November 29 to hear from Vermonters about their hopes, concerns and priorities as a new President and Congress take office in January. More than 11,000 Vermonters participated in at least a portion of the call and over 300 questions were asked.
September Highlights from the House
October 18, 2016
Last month, Peter demanded an oversight committee hearing to put a spotlight on Mylan’s pricing of Epipen, which is used in emergencies to treat severe allergic reactions.
August Highlights from the House
August 4, 2016
On July 22nd, President Obama signed into law two initiatives authored by Peter to fight the opioid epidemic plaguing New England and the nation. The provisions will help states and communities increase their capacity to treat patients in recovery and provide additional tools to prevent addiction and overdoses.
America Pays Its Bills
November 23, 2015
In late October, some in Congress were once again threatening a first-ever U.S. government default unless they got their way on unrelated issues. Peter rallied 190 of his colleagues around the simple notion that America pays its bills.
Enough is Enough!
June 4, 2015
America needs a long-term highway bill with a sustainable funding source. No more patches. No more gimmicks.
Here's to biomass
March 26, 2015
Peter has teamed-up with Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) to introduce legislation that would put privacy safeguards in place as domestic drone use dramatically increases. Read more here about the Welch-Markey legislation.
I am humbled and honored
February 11, 2015
January 6th marked the beginning of a new Congress. Read on Facebook what Peter had to say after taking the Oath of Office.
$28,299
October 9, 2014
At a press conference at the University of Vermont, Peter outlined legislation he is advocating that would allow borrowers, including parents, to refinance federal and private student loans to take advantage of lower interest rates.
Peter explains his vote on the President's plan to recruit and train Syrian rebels
September 18, 2014
Click here to watch Peter explain why he voted "No" yesterday on the President's plan to recruit and train Syrian rebels to fight ISIS in Syria.
Update on vet health records, American privacy, and breaking Congressional gridlock
August 19, 2014
The Problem Solvers' is a bipartisan coalition aimed at breaking Congressional gridlock. "This is a positive step towards making Congress work again that is rooted in the Vermont tradition of civility, bipartisanship and practicality," Welch said.
"Back off our cheese"
July 2, 2014
Good news for Vermont's cheese makers and cheese lovers: Responding to pressure from Peter, FDA deputy commissioner Mike Taylor sent Peter a letter last week officially backing down from his agency's intent to ban the use of wood in the cheese aging process.
Times Argus: Welch reaches across the aisle
June 23, 2014
Peter Welch and David Schweikert are two Congressmen who probably have more political differences than similarities.
Welch statement on EPA Climate Plan
June 2, 2014
Rep. Peter Welch made the following statement today after the Obama administration announced a plan to reduce power plant emissions...
If George and Martha Washington did it, why can't Vermont's farmers and brewers
May 27, 2014
At the Alchemist Cannery in Waterbury, Peter unveiled a bipartisan effort to block a federal rule that ends an important partnership between brewers and farmers that has endured since the time of George and Martha Washington's farm at Mount Vernon.
BFP: Welch worries about brewery-farm grain rule
May 16, 2014
A "gravitational pull" compelled U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., to exit the highway one day in late March and stop at the Alchemist, the Waterbury brewery that makes Heady Topper beer.
Highlights From the House: May
May 16, 2014
Rep. Welch introduced legislation to increase the tax credit for purchasing an electric vehicle and make it immediately available to consumers at the point of sale rather than when filing your tax return.
Highlights from the House: April
April 10, 2014
Rep. Welch's legislation to boost funding for pediatric research at the National Institute of Health was just signed into law.
Highlights from the House: March
March 5, 2014
By a vote of 375-36, the U.S. House of Representatives this afternoon approved energy efficiency legislation authored by Representative Peter Welch.
Highlights from the House: February
February 6, 2014
Currently, the budgets of all 16 intelligence agencies are considered classified information, meaning the American people are not permitted to know how much taxpayer funds go to agencies like the NSA and the CIA.
Highlights from the House: December
December 19, 2013
President Obama recently approved Rep. Welch's call to extend an executive branch program that uses private companies to make federal buildings more energy efficient at no increased cost to the taxpayer.
Highlights from the House: November
November 6, 2013
America just endured a reckless and manufactured crisis due to the determined efforts of a faction in Congress intent on repealing the Affordable Care Act in spite of it being passed by Congress and upheld by the Supreme Court of the United States.
Update on health care reform, student loans, and Irene recovery
May 9, 2013
The Affordable Care Act is making a difference in the lives of Vermonters. According to HealthCare.gov, as a result of reforms enacted three years ago, nearly 5,000 Vermonters under the age of 26 are receiving coverage under their parents' insurance plans, Vermonters on Medicare are saving $11.7 million on prescription drugs, and 151,000 Vermonters are receiving free preventive care.
Free tax filing service available
March 20, 2013
With tax day fast approaching, I wanted to let you know about a free tax filing service available to those making $57,000 or less annually.
Fighting for downtowns, student aid, and online privacy
March 5, 2013
Jeff Wheel of Advance Music in Burlington loses $2,000 a month because of a loophole that lets online giants like eBay avoid collecting sales tax, a major competitive advantage that is making it harder for Vermont's Main Street businesses to compete.
Just Now: Congress passes Violence Against Women Act
February 28, 2013
For over a year, House Republicans leaders displayed a willful, implacable but ultimately failed resistance to protecting LGBT, immigrant, and Native American women from domestic violence.
What I heard tonight
February 12, 2013
President Obama campaigned and won convincingly on pursuing an energetic agenda for middle class progress, ending the war in Afghanistan, confronting the real threat of climate change, and agreeing on a balanced approach to reducing our national debt.
Working through Congressional gridlock, fighting taxpayer giveaways
February 5, 2013
In an effort to break the gridlock in Congress, Rep. Welch co-founded the bipartisan 36-member "Problem Solvers" group that will work to find common ground on America's pressing challenges.
Problem Solving
January 18, 2013
It's no secret that Washington is broken. Most issues are seen as ideological battles to be won rather than practical problems to be solved. Rep. Welch is working to change that.
Check out this video of Rep. Welch
January 8, 2013
America pays its bills. As Congress embarks on yet another round of political wrangling over the nation's debt ceiling, Rep. Welch is fighting to put an end to it. He is pushing to reinstate the Gephardt Rule, which sets the debt ceiling at the amount required to pay for the budget passed by Congress, thereby ending the debt ceiling drama and the economic uncertainty that goes with it.
Highlights from the House: August 2012
September 12, 2012
Rep. Welch commemorated the one-year anniversary of Tropical Storm Irene with Vermonters in Woodstock, Pittsfield, Bartonsville and Randolph.
Highlights from the House: July 2012
August 7, 2012
In meetings with Vermont small businesses after Tropical Storm Irene, Rep. Welch heard one recurring message: Federal disaster relief programs did not always meet their urgent needs.
Highlights from the House: June 2012
July 13, 2012
Rep. Welch helped pass legislation to block the scheduled doubling of interest rates on Federal Direct Stafford Student Loans.
Highlights from the House: May 2012
May 29, 2012
Vermont got good news on May 17th with the announcement by the Postal Service that the White River Junction mail sorting facility will remain open. The facility, which employees over 200 Vermonters, had been slated for closure but will be spared under a new plan announced by the Postmaster General.
Highlights from the House: April 2012
May 8, 2012
With student loan debt topping one trillion dollars nationwide and Congress working to avoid a doubling of some student loan interest rates set for July, Rep. Welch is urging Vermonters to share their stories about student debt and college affordability on his website.