{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"Senate\", party = \"Democrat\" and state = \"VT\" sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-criticizes-trump-admin-for-failing-basic-responsibility-to-protect-citizens-abroad-and-demand-accountability/", "Welch Pushes Bipartisan Vote on Resolution Demanding Answers for Deaths and Mistreatment of U.S. Citizens at the Hands of Israeli Security Forces", "2026-09-30", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Welch: \u201cThe real question here is not what Israel is doing but what the United States government is not doing on behalf of its own citizens.\u201d\n\nWelch joins nearly all Democratic Senators in bipartisan rebuke of Netanyahu government\u2019s failure to hold Israeli officers responsible for unjustified killings of American citizens\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) this week joined U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in urging Senate passage of their resolution requiring a Department of State report to Congress on increasing violence in the West Bank, including the killings of Americans. Nine Americans have been killed in the West Bank in recent years, and many more have been detained without charge or trial. None of their cases have been credibly investigated or resulted in punishment of the perpetrators.\n\nThe Senators\u2019 resolution would require the State Department to provide information regarding investigations of the killing of United States citizens by violent Israeli settlers and Israeli security forces in the West Bank, as well as an assessment of the human rights situation in the West Bank, specifically related to the detention of Palestinian children.\n\n\u201cThe real question here is not what Israel is doing, but what the United States government is not doing on behalf of its own citizens. Some of whom have been killed, others of whom have been detained. So, this resolution is asserting the will of Congress that our government do its job to protect American citizens when they\u2019ve been injured or they\u2019ve been killed; to demand accountability and an investigation. It\u2019s certainly within the power of this government to use its influence so that Israel does comply with our laws,\u201d said Senator Welch ahead of the vote. \u201cI urge all of our colleagues to stand up for the right of all of our citizens to have the full protection of the United States government.\u201d\n\nIn his remarks before the vote, Senator Welch highlighted the story of Dylan Collins, a Vermonter and AFP video journalist who was wounded during a deadly October 13, 2023 , targeted strike by the Israeli military on a clearly marked group of journalists on the Israel-Lebanon border.\n\n\u201cAnother reporter, Dylan Collins, a constituent from Vermont, a very accomplished photojournalist. He was not in the West Bank, but he was reporting from the Israeli-Lebanese border. He was also in a group of journalists prominently stationed on an open hillside. They had the usual identification of a press vest, blue helmets, and a vehicle clearly marked \u2018press\u2019 where they were clearly visible. They were fired on by an Israeli tank and heavy machine gun fire. There has been no significant investigation on the part of the Israeli government to get to the bottom of how that happened,\u201d said Senator Welch.\n\nWhile hospitalized from injuries sustained in the strike, Collins reported the targeted attack to the U.S. Embassy in Beirut and later presented video evidence of the strike to FBI and DHS investigators and the State Department in May 2024. Senator Welch has led and joined eight letters to the U.S. government requesting answers about the attack and demanding accountability. To date, the U.S. has failed to undertake an independent and transparent investigation resulting in accountability for this deadly attack. Senator Welch welcomed Collins to Capitol Hill last year to demand justice for journalists killed and injured in the Middle East.\n\nWatch the Senator\u2019s full remarks below:\n\nRead a key excerpt from the Senator\u2019s remarks on the Senate Floor:\n\n\u201cToday we\u2019re here on this resolution that is about protecting Americans: 17 Americans who\u2019ve been the victim of violence in the West Bank. Today, this resolution is about the obligation that our State Department has, our government has, to protect American citizens abroad by demanding a report, by getting information, and by insisting on accountability. So, whatever one\u2019s position may be with respect to the hostilities in the Middle East, what this resolution is requiring is that the State Department do the job with respect to American deaths in the West Bank; the same request that we would make if this were another government, not Israel, and American citizens were the victims of violence in other countries.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s the basic responsibility of this United States government to protect U.S. Citizens. That\u2019s what this is profoundly about. The failure for the State Department and our government to do the basic responsibility of citizen protection and accountability has to be wired up into the policy of this administration to look the other way when these things are happening.\n\n\u201cIt has been the policy of the United States to support a two-state solution. It is the policy of the Netanyahu government to occupy and ultimately annex the West Bank. And the result of that, there is in many cases settler violence toward citizens of the West Bank, in some cases Americans who are there. It also is the reason why in many cases where this violence is occurring, very much in front of the eyes of the American military, they\u2019re looking the other way and doing nothing to protect the victims.\u201d\n\n\u2022\u2022\u2022\n\nThe resolution draws upon Section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act, which allows Congress to file a privileged resolution that would require the State Department to provide information on any country receiving U.S. security assistance and that country\u2019s observance of internationally-recognized human rights. The resolution would also require the Trump Administration to submit the report within 30 days, or the majority of security assistance of Israel would be prohibited. Following the receipt of a State Department report, Congress may consider any necessary changes to U.S. security assistance to that country in light of the information received. If the administration declines or fails to submit the required report, the administration\u2019s decision would prompt the termination of certain covered security assistance programs for Israel.\n\nSenators Welch, Van Hollen, Kaine, and Sanders were joined in introducing the resolution by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ed Markey (D-Mass), Tina Smith (D-Minn.),Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-N.M.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.).\n\nRead and download the full text of the resolution.\n\n###", 1, "2026-10-01T11:23:28Z", "2026-10-01T11:25:15Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-delivers-over-2-million-in-federal-investments-to-improve-rural-health-care-in-vermont/", "Welch Delivers Over $2 Million in Federal Investments to Improve Rural Health Care in Vermont", "2026-09-30", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Welch secured funding for the projects through congressional appropriations\n\nBURLINGTON, VT \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care, today announced the delivery of more than $2 million in federal funding to Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital and the University of Vermont (UVM) Health Network to support and improve access to rural health care in Vermont. Senator Welch nominated project recipients through the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) process.\n\nThis federal funding secured by Senator Welch includes $1.4 million to Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital to construct new pharmacies in Caledonia County to address the recent loss of pharmacies in Caledonia towns, and $694,000 million to the UVM Health Network for hospital safety improvements.\n\n\u201cRural communities are facing more barriers to affordable health care than ever before, making it harder for Vermonters to easily reach a pharmacy and get the care they need. I\u2019m proud to deliver this federal funding to increase health care access in the NEK by building more local pharmacies in rural communities and investing in safety improvements at medical facilities,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cI\u2019m committed to doing everything I can to expand access to health care and affordable prescription drugs in every corner of our state.\u201d\n\n\u201cA local pharmacy is an essential part of a healthy, thriving community. We\u2019re excited to move forward with restoring this critical service in Hardwick and thankful to Senator Welch and NVRH for their partnership and investment in the community\u2019s health and well-being,\u201d said Chris Towne, Chief Executive Officer, Northern Counties Health Care.\n\n\u201cWe are grateful for Senator Welch\u2019s support in helping to stabilize our regional pharmacy landscape. Rural communities deserve local access and choice, especially given the fragility of our healthcare systems,\u201d said Shawn Tester, Chief Executive Officer, Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital.\n\n\u201cHealth care organizations across the country have grappled with rising violence for several years, especially against frontline caregivers, and Vermont is not immune,\u201d said Stephen Leffler, MD, University of Vermont Health Chief Executive Officer and University of Vermont Medical Center President. \u201cThe challenge is complex, and we are grateful Sen. Welch recognizes hospitals cannot solve it alone. The funding he has secured will help us implement visitor management and enhanced weapons screening systems at UVM Medical Center, where our teams care for the largest patient population. These initiatives are an important part of the health system\u2019s ongoing work across the region to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all of our patients, staff and visitors.\u201d\n\nSenator Welch secured nearly $60 million in federal funds to support 38 Vermont projects through the CDS process for FY26. Learn more about Senator Welch\u2019s work by visiting his website or by following him on social media.\n\n###", 1, "2026-10-01T11:23:28Z", "2026-10-01T11:25:15Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-to-host-common-grounds-listening-session-in-windham-county/", "Welch to Host Common Grounds Listening Session in Windham County", "2026-09-30", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "BRATTLEBORO \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) will travel to Windham County on Monday, October 5th as part of his Common Grounds Listening Session series.\n\nThis event will be held at the Brooks Memorial Library in Brattleboro from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Vermonters are invited to join Senator Welch for a discussion about how Washington can work better for the Green Mountain State.\n\nThe Senator will host Common Grounds events in every county of Vermont in 2026. So far, Senator Welch has hosted Common Grounds events in Essex, Bennington, Franklin, Addison, Windsor, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, and Caledonia counties.\n\nLOGISTICS:\n\nWHO: U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.)\n\nWHEN: Monday, October 5, 2026; 2:00-3:00 p.m.\n\nWHERE: Brooks Memorial Library: 224 Main St., Brattleboro, VT 05301\n\nRSVP: Vermonters canRSVP HERE for Senator Welch\u2019s Common Grounds Listening Session in Windham County.\n\n###", 1, "2026-10-01T11:23:28Z", "2026-10-01T11:25:15Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/republicans-block-passage-of-welch-and-gillibrands-bill-to-end-trumps-trade-war-with-canada/", "Republicans Block\u00a0Passage of\u00a0Welch and\u00a0Gillibrand\u2019s\u00a0Bill to\u00a0End\u00a0Trump\u2019s Trade War with\u00a0Canada", "2026-09-29", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Average Vermont household has paid an additional $4,500+ for goods and services from rising costs under Trump, due in large part to his trade war\n\nWelch: \u201cThis is just bone-crushing, business-crushing, job-crushing. And there\u2019s no rationale for it.\u201d\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Senate Republicans today blocked passage of the Banning Antiquated Duties and Delivering Equitable American Levies (BAD DEAL) Act, legislation co-led by U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), which would repeal President Trump\u2019s reckless tariffs on Canada and reclaim Congress\u2019 constitutional role in setting our trade policy. Senator Welch\u2019s request to pass the BAD DEAL Act comes as President Trump enforced a new ban on Canadian imports, including beer, wine, cider and some liquors, dairy products, motor vehicles, and molasses.\n\nThe BAD DEAL Act would repeal Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 and refund all duties paid under this authority. The bill would also repeal President Trump\u2019s import ban on various Canadian products that went into effect today. Senator Welch\u2019s request to pass the bill with unanimous consent was blocked by U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Chair of the Finance Committee.\n\n\u201cThe President of the United States, acting in my view without any legal authority, is imposing unilateral tariffs on Canada. Those tariffs are now being reciprocated by Canada on us. They are doing enormous damage today to Vermonters and to Americans. They are doing enormous damage to our Canadian neighbors and their businesses. They are doing nothing beneficial for our long-term relationship with our major trading partner,\u201d said Senator Welch, a member of the Senate Finance Committee. \u201cSenator Gillibrand and I have introduced the BAD DEAL Act to repeal these extraordinarily damaging, unjustified tariffs, give relief to commerce on both sides of the U.S.-Canadian border, and begin the process of healing our relationship with our closest ally.\u201d\n\nSenator Welch concluded: \u201cIt\u2019s time for us to accept our responsibility for taxing authority, not capitulate to an executive who is reaching into the powers of this Congress, and we have the opportunity now, by acting, to end these punitive tariffs, these punitive taxes that are leading to higher costs everywhere.\u201d\n\nWatch the Senator\u2019s full remarks below:\n\nRead excerpts from his remarks on the Senate Floor:\n\n\u201cThe other point that I think is absolutely essential for every single one of us in the United States Senate to acknowledge is that the taxing power of this country is vested in the United States Congress, not in the President of the United States. And when the President is claiming emergency authority to justify these tariffs\u2014when there is no emergency and where even the grant of emergency authority in a bipartisan way in years past was based on the premise there would be restraint on the part of the executive and only use it in the moment of a real emergency \u2014 that authority is just rampantly being abused by the Executive. And we, with our responsibility under the Constitution, Republican or Democrat, must insist that it is this body that decides yes or no on taxes that are imposed on the American people. And, make no mistake, a tariff is a tax.\u201d\n\n\u2022\u2022\u2022\n\n\u201cThis is just bone-crushing, business-crushing, job-crushing. And there\u2019s no rationale for it. And then when you add onto that the rhetoric: the 51st state, the governor of Canada\u2026Our tourism industry\u2014very close with Canada\u2014is down with Canadian visitors by about 47%.\u201d\n\n\u2022\u2022\u2022\n\n\u201cOur bill, Senator Gillibrand\u2019s and I, on these tariffs that are invoked under Section 338, a never-before-applied section of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, that notorious act that was an accelerant of driving this country into the Great Depression, would repeal that authority. It\u2019s called the Banning Antiquated Duties and Delivering Equitable American Levies, or the BAD DEAL Act. It would also repeal President Trump\u2019s import ban on various Canadian products.\n\n\u201cIn Vermont, the average household is going to be paying $4,500 more for goods and services due to rising costs, due in large part to the president\u2019s trade war. In Vermont, these Section 338 tariffs, according to our Agency of Commerce, will cost Vermont businesses an additional $193 million. And for what?\u201d\n\n\u2022\u2022\u2022\n\nIn addition to the BAD DEAL Act, Senator Welch also cosponsors the bipartisan Trade Review Act, which seeks to restore Congress\u2019 constitutional role in trade policy. He also led the Creating Access to Necessary American-Canadian Duty Adjustments (CANADA) Act, legislation that would exempt United States-owned small businesses from tariffs imposed on Canada under International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) authorities.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-30T10:57:52Z", "2026-09-30T10:59:04Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-shaheen-kaine-urge-trump-admin-to-stop-meddling-in-brazils-elections-recognize-certified-outcome-and-support-brazils-democracy/", "Welch, Shaheen, Kaine Urge Trump Admin to Stop Meddling in Brazil\u2019s Elections, Recognize Certified Outcome and Support Brazil\u2019s Democracy", "2026-09-29", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), along with U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), today sent a letter raising concerns that the Trump Administration is using diplomatic, economic, and political pressure to deliberately weaken Brazil\u2019s democratic institutions ahead of its October 4, 2026, presidential election.\n\nIn their letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Senators outline how the Trump Administration\u2019s actions undermine confidence in Brazil\u2019s electoral process ahead of its upcoming election and inflict further damage on the United States\u2019 relationship with a strategic ally and trading partner. The Senators also highlight how the Administration\u2019s actions reflect a broader and deeply troubling pattern of interference in recent electoral processes across Latin America, as seen during Argentina\u2019s midterm elections and the presidential elections in Honduras and Colombia.\n\nThe Senators detail how, over the course of President Trump\u2019s second term, U.S. officials have engaged in a campaign of interference and destabilization in Brazil. They write: \u201cThis effort first escalated sharply during the summer of 2025, with the administration deploying tariffs and targeted sanctions to attempt to shape the Brazilian Supreme Court\u2019s verdict in the trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro on charges of attempting to foment a military coup to stay in power. Despite some subsequent measures of de-escalation in the months that followed, including direct and cordial talks between Presidents Trump and Lula, the campaign directed at Brazil\u2019s authorities resumed with the appointment of Darren Beattie as a senior advisor on Brazil issues in the State Department. Beattie, a noted far-right extremist and white supremacist, came into this post with a record of public statements signaling an overt ideological commitment to undermining Brazil\u2019s democratic institutions and advancing the interests of the Brazilian far-right.\u201d\n\nThe Senators continue: \u201cMore recently, the administration again targeted Brazilian imports with steep tariffs following a Section 301 investigation by the U.S. Trade Representative. The investigation was reportedly initiated at President Trump\u2019s direction at the same moment that he publicly criticized Brazilian court actions against former President Bolsonaro and U.S. social media companies. The administration\u2019s most recent actions point toward an effort to interfere with, and potentially undermine, Brazil\u2019s general election in October. Senator and presidential candidate Fl\u00e1vio Bolsonaro\u2019s recent Oval Office meeting with President Trump, undertaken while attempting to mitigate a domestic political scandal, underscored the administration\u2019s willingness to insert itself in the election.\u201d\n\nThe Senators underscore how the Trump Administration\u2019s actions this election cycle contrast with the United States\u2019 approach during Brazil\u2019s previous presidential election could not be clearer: \u201cImmediately following the announcement of the election results in 2022, the United States moved swiftly\u2014in coordination with allies and partners\u2014to recognize President Lula\u2019s victory, helping to deny legitimacy to efforts to contest or reverse the outcome. Following the January 8, 2023, attacks on Brazil\u2019s democratic institutions, the United States stood firmly with Brazil\u2019s newly elected government and played a key role in rallying support across the region for Brazil\u2019s efforts to defend its hard-won 1988 constitution and the democratic institutions it established.\u201d\n\nGiven the administration\u2019s actions, the Senators request answers to the following questions:\n\nHow does the Department coordinate its democracy and human rights objectives with regional partners in the Western Hemisphere, particularly regarding technical assistance or monitoring of electoral and judicial processes?\n\nWill the administration commit to recognizing the certified outcome of Brazil\u2019s 2026 democratic elections and to supporting normal diplomatic relations with whichever candidate is freely and fairly chosen by the Brazilian people?\n\nRead and download the Senators\u2019 full letter to Secretary Rubio.\n\n###\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-30T10:57:52Z", "2026-09-30T10:59:04Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-underscores-legitimacy-of-jack-smiths-investigation-into-president-trump-what-continues-to-be-beyond-dispute-is-that-january-6th-did-happen/", "Welch\u00a0Underscores Legitimacy of\u00a0Jack Smith\u2019s Investigation into President Trump:\u00a0\u201cWhat continues to be beyond dispute is that January 6th\u00a0did happen.\u201d", "2026-09-29", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, discussed the legality of the Department of Justice\u2019s (DOJ) investigation into President Trump\u2019s role in the January 6, 2021, insurrection with former DOJ Special Counsel Jack Smith.\n\nIn his remarks, Senator Welch emphasized how President Trump\u2019s repeated falsehoods about the results of the 2020 presidential elections and his conduct leading up to the January 6th riots warranted Smith\u2019s investigations into President Trump.\n\n\u201cMany of the questions or statements directed toward this prosecutor\u2014you could put any other prosecutor there\u2014but whoever was the one that was pursuing the question of legality of January 6th and documents in Mar-a-Lago, be facing the same personal attacks, system attacks, as Mr. Smith. What keeps puzzling me is why we can\u2019t make a distinction between our legitimate political differences\u2014we can fight it out\u2014and the reality that January 6th happened. That happened,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cThe idea that we are going to put a blindfold on as though January 6th didn\u2019t happen, as though there weren\u2019t documents down in Mar-a-Lago, means that we\u2019re just giving a pass to what was the first time in the history of our country that violence was used in the United States Capitol in an effort to overturn the will of the American people.\u201d\n\nWatch the Senator\u2019s full remarks below:\n\nRead key excerpts from Senator Welch\u2019s exchange with Mr. Smith:\n\nSen. Welch: From a justice standpoint, January 6th happened. So, Mr. Smith, you didn\u2019t have any decision on whether or not to bring the prosecution, except after you were appointed, correct?\n\nMr. Smith: Yes.\n\nSen. Welch: And you had to do what any prosecutor has to do, and that\u2019s to make an exhaustive effort to accumulate the evidence and come to a conclusion about whether you have probable cause to proceed to convict beyond a reasonable doubt. Is that correct?\n\nMr. Smith: That\u2019s correct, we sought to collect facts, look at the law, and make a decision.\n\nSen. Welch: Alright, and the other point that I think is really disturbing my colleagues\u2014and with some understandable basis, as Ranking Member Durbin said\u2014is getting the phone logs of Members of Congress. But as I understand your explanation, if you were doing an investigation that involved information that Rudy Giuliani called certain numbers\u2014and he was a suspect, and you had his own words talking about pressuring to delay the outcome of this election\u2014you\u2019re not going after me individually. My number shows up in his call log, so then that\u2019s how you get my number. Is that correct?\n\nMr. Smith: Yes, and that we had an ample basis, in my view, evidentiarily to seek these toll records because they corroborated other information that we had from a variety of sources about this attempt to exploit the violence of January 6th in furtherance of the conspiracy.\n\n\u2022\u2022\u2022\n\nSen. Welch: We all know January 6th happened\u2014we all were here, most of us were here. It was an assault, people were injured, property was desecrated, and it was a determined effort to overturn that election. And you proceeded on the basis of the facts found during your investigation, is that correct?\n\nMr. Smith: Yes, that\u2019s why and how we proceeded.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-30T10:57:52Z", "2026-09-30T10:59:04Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-demands-answers-on-why-doj-hired-attorney-convicted-of-election-interference-to-monitor-elections/", "Welch Demands Answers on Why DOJ Hired Attorney Convicted of Election Interference to Monitor Elections", "2026-09-28", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and member of the Senate Rules Committee, demanded answers from Assistant Attorney General (AAG) Harmeet Dhillon, head of the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), on why DOJ hired an attorney convicted of election interference to conduct election monitoring for the Department.\n\n\u201cAccording to credible reports, the Civil Rights Division sent a recently hired attorney to conduct election monitoring for the Department of Justice who was previously convicted of election interference. Deploying politically motivated individuals to carry out DOJ\u2019s poll monitoring efforts threatens to undermine Americans\u2019 faith in the electoral process ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections,\u201d wrote Senator Welch.\n\n\u201cIn 2016, David Levin pleaded guilty to conducting a cyberattack to obtain the credentials of a Supervisor of Elections for Lee County, Florida, which he then used to enter restricted portions of the state\u2019s Division of Elections and the county\u2019s election websites. He served 20 days in jail and received two years of probation. According to Mr. Levin\u2019s arrest warrant, he demonstrated how he hacked the website in YouTube videos and a local television interview,\u201d the Senator continued. \u201cThe Department has not confirmed whether Mr. Levin is working for the Civil Rights Division. But publicly available images and videos from the Department\u2019s election monitoring activities during the recent Minnesota primary elections captured Mr. Levin with William Mohrman, who is a Senior Counsel in the Division. One video shows a local election judge interacting with Mr. Levin and Mr. Mohrman as they monitored Minnesota\u2019s August primary.\u201d\n\n\u201cOn August 25, 2026, you stated in an interview with Bloomberg News that the Department would send approximately 1,000 employees to monitor the 2026 midterm elections. In that interview, you declined to state where those monitors would be sent, but DOJ has already deployed primary election monitors to eleven states and hundreds of polling locations. This announcement, combined with Mr. Levin\u2019s presence at election monitoring activities in Minnesota, raises serious questions about who the Division will send to conduct election monitoring during the midterm elections,\u201d the Senator concluded.\n\nSenator Welch requested answers to the following questions by October 8, 2026, to better understand the Division\u2019s election-related work:\n\nPlease identify the factors that the Civil Rights Division considers when determining whether election monitors will be sent to a particular polling location.\n\nDoes the Civil Rights Division have a policy prohibiting individuals convicted of, or charged with, election-related offenses from participating in election monitoring on behalf of the DOJ?\n\nDid Mr. Levin participate in DOJ election monitoring during the 2026 primary election in Minnesota? If so, what was his authority and who approved of his participation?\n\nDoes the Civil Rights Division intend to have Mr. Levin participate in election monitoring during the 2026 midterm election in November?\n\nAre there other Civil Rights Division employees who have been convicted of, or charged with, election interference offenses?\n\nWere DOJ officials aware of Mr. Levin\u2019s convictions for hacking election websites before he was hired?\n\nPlease describe Mr. Levin\u2019s involvement in the Division\u2019s election-related work.\n\nRead and download the full text of Senator Welch\u2019s letter to AAG Dhillon.\n\nSenator Welch has led efforts pushing back on AAG Dhillon\u2019s leadership of the DOJ\u2019s Civil Rights Division and the Trump Administration\u2019s efforts to deny millions of Americans their right to vote. In August, Senator Welch urged the Department of Homeland Security to reverse a policy that restricts states from receiving full disbursement of the Federal Emergency Management Agency\u2019s Homeland Security Grant Program counterterrorism funding if they do not comply with new election-related conditions, including participation in the agency\u2019s flawed SAVE system and disclosing sensitive voter information.\n\nEarlier this year, Senator Welch delivered a scathing criticism of statements and actions by AAG Dhillon and others in her division for pushing the mass collection of sensitive and private voter data. The Senator emphasized that the division\u2019s actions\u2014in light of the upcoming 2026 midterm elections\u2014risk disenfranchising eligible voters and are contrary to the Civil Rights Division\u2019s statutory mandate to ensure all Americans can freely vote.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-29T11:07:12Z", "2026-09-29T11:08:49Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-statement-on-senate-passage-of-the-bipartisan-protect-college-sports-act/", "Welch Statement on Senate Passage of the Bipartisan Protect College Sports Act", "2026-09-28", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and former Member of the Senate Commerce Committee, released the following statement on the Senate\u2019s passage of the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act, which he cosponsored:\n\n\u201cThe bipartisan Protect College Sports Act is significant progress in the effort to establish clear national rules and combat consolidation for a broken system. No compromise is perfect, but this bill proves bipartisanship is still a winning play for Congress. The Protect College Sports Act codifies protections for student athletes and athletic programs, supports smaller schools\u2014including those in Vermont\u2014by allowing revenue sharing, and it helps get big money out of college sports. It\u2019s a win-win for student athletes and fans alike.\u201d\n\nThe Protect College Sports Act, led by Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), will stabilize college sports and set new rules. This bipartisan bill will codify student athletes\u2019 rights to earn compensation when their Name, Image or Likeness (NIL) is used, replacing a patchwork of state laws, protect women\u2019s and Olympic sports programs, provide access to scholarships and health care protections, expand revenue for all schools, and give student athletes a seat at the table.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-29T11:07:12Z", "2026-09-29T11:08:49Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-reintroduces-bill-to-ban-toxic-substances-in-plastic-bottles-address-plastic-pollution-in-our-communities/", "Welch Reintroduces Bill to Ban Toxic Substances in Plastic Bottles, Address Plastic Pollution in our Communities", "2026-09-25", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) led U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in introducing the Banning Toxics from Plastic Bottles Act, legislation to prohibit the sale of plastic beverage containers that contain toxic substances and dyes linked to adverse health and environmental impacts, including forever chemicals like Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS). The bill also creates a grant fund through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that would provide local waste management and water infrastructure facilities with resources to address plastic pollution. The bill requires the EPA to prioritize rural and historically underserved communities when issuing pollution remediation and restoration grants.\n\n\u201cBig companies are producing more toxic chemicals, dyes, and non-recycled plastic than ever, prioritizing profits over Americans\u2019 health and welfare. Our communities are left to clean up their toxic mess, an especially heavy burden for rural and lower income communities already overburdened by pollution,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cIn Vermont, we\u2019ve taken strong action to restrict the sale of products containing PFAS and harmful chemicals, because Vermonters shouldn\u2019t have to shoulder companies\u2019 environmental burdens. The Banning Toxics from Plastic Bottles Act follows Vermont\u2019s lead and takes a major step forward to protect public health and the environment.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe plastics crisis is not only an environmental disaster but also a public health emergency that demands urgent action,\u201d said Senator Merkley, who serves as the Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works subcommittee overseeing environmental justice and chemical safety. \u201cResearch continues to show us how the chemicals used in plastics are linked to negative health outcomes, including cancer. Transitioning away from toxic, single-use plastics with the Banning Toxics from Plastic Bottles Act is the bold action America needs to protect the health of current and future generations.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor years, I have fought to protect Americans from toxic chemicals that can linger in our bodies and cause lasting damage,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cIt\u2019s unacceptable that there are dangerous chemicals, like PFAS, in the plastics we use every day. This legislation will get several dangerous substances out of the plastics we drink from and protect the health of our families.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe cannot allow big corporations to continue to put profits over the health of the American people and of our planet. This important legislation puts an end to the use of toxic chemicals in plastic beverage containers that make people sick and hinder recycling efforts. It\u2019s time we stop giving polluters a free ride and start protecting public health,\u201d said Senator Van Hollen.\n\nForever chemicals such as PFAS threaten public health and disproportionately impact marginalized communities. PFAS chemicals are linked to kidney and liver cancers, thyroid disruption, and immune system weakening. Scientists have not identified any safe level of exposure for these forever chemicals, yet they are found in 45% of the tap water in the United States.\n\nThe State of Vermont has taken strong steps to protect people and the planet by prohibiting sale or use of harmful chemicals and toxins in food, drinking water, and various consumer products. Vermont has regulated PFAS and other harmful chemicals in drinking water since 2019, and in 2023 banned the manufacture and sale of food packages, cosmetics, clothing, ski wax, and other products that intentionally included PFAS.\n\nThe Banning Toxics from Plastic Bottles Act would follow Vermont\u2019s example by prohibiting the sale of plastic beverage containers that contain toxic substances and dyes linked to adverse health and environmental impacts, including PFAS. Retailers that violate this provision would be fined for each product line sold in violation. These funds would be used to create a grant fund through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that would provide local waste management and water infrastructure facilities with needed resources to address plastic pollution. The bill also requires the EPA to prioritize rural and historically underserved communities when issuing the grants.\n\nSubstances included in the Banning Toxics from Plastic Bottles Act list have been identified by the national expert group, the U.S. Plastics Pact Group, as problematic or unnecessary due to their harm to human and environmental health, a high likelihood of being littered, ability to be avoided or replaced by another substance, hinderance waste processing, or inability to be recyclable, reusable, or composted. Large food and beverage companies, waste processors, trade associations, and nonprofits are supporters of the U.S. Plastics Pact.\n\nThe Banning Toxics from Plastic Bottles Act is endorsed by Ocean Conservancy.\n\n\u201cPlastic bottles, like other single-use plastics, are made with a cocktail of harmful chemicals that can contaminate the beverages we drink and, if littered, can leach into the surrounding environment. In fact, last year plastic bottles were the number one most commonly found item polluting beaches and waterways worldwide by International Coastal Cleanup volunteers. The Banning Toxics in Plastic Bottles Act would eliminate these harmful chemicals from plastic beverage containers to help protect our health, the environment, and the ocean. We applaud Senator Welch for reintroducing this critical piece of legislation,\u201d said Dr. Anja Brandon, Director, Plastics Policy, Ocean Conservancy.\n\nLearn more about the Banning Toxics from Plastic Bottles Act.\n\nRead and download the full text of the bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-26T09:43:57Z", "2026-09-26T09:44:55Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-tillis-kaine-lead-bipartisan-effort-urging-trump-admin-to-fight-for-release-of-political-prisoners-in-azerbaijan/", "Welch, Tillis, Kaine Lead Bipartisan\u00a0Effort Urging Trump Admin to Fight for Release\u00a0of\u00a0Political\u00a0Prisoners in Azerbaijan", "2026-09-25", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Bipartisan Senators call on Trump Admin to include release of all political prisoners held in Azerbaijan as part of efforts to strengthen the U.S.\u2013 Azerbaijan partnership\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today joined U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) in leading a bipartisan effort calling on the Trump Administration to secure the release of more than 300 political prisoners currently held in Azerbaijan to advance the cause of peace in the region. In their letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Senators express great concern with the pattern of arbitrary detentions and denial of due process under Azerbaijani President Aliyev\u2019s administration and emphasize that the success of the U.S.\u2013 Azerbaijan bilateral relationship is dependent on Azerbaijan making reciprocal good faith commitments, including the release of political prisoners.\n\nThe Senators underscore that for the U.S.\u2013 Azerbaijan partnership to thrive, it must be grounded in a commitment to strengthening democratic institutions, the rule of law, and protect fundamental rights: \u201cThere are more than 300 political prisoners in Azerbaijan, and the repression of independent journalists, opposition leaders, and civil society advocates continues throughout the country. We share the Administration\u2019s interest in advancing peace in the region and urge that the release of all political prisoners held in Azerbaijan be a condition of the Strategic Partnership. We have been encouraged by the Administration\u2019s success in obtaining the release of political prisoners in Belarus and urge the Administration to pursue a similar approach with Azerbaijan.\u201d\n\nThe Senators emphasize that obtaining the release of political prisoners should start by prioritizing the release of the following individuals, who are emblematic of different sectors of Azerbaijani civil society that have been targets of longstanding repression: Ali Karimli, Alasgar Mammadli, Anar Mammadli, Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu, Farid Mehralizada, Rufat Safarov, Tofig Yagublu, and Ulviyya Guliyev.\n\nThe Senators highlight how the Republic of Azerbaijan\u2019s continued practice of wrongfully detaining individuals for political purposes undermines the credibility of its commitments to peace, the rule of law, and partnership with the United States: \u201cAll those wrongfully detained should have direct access to their families, legal counsel, and medical treatment. Ali Karimli, Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu, Tofig Yagublu, Farid Mehralizada, Ulviyya Guliyeva, Rufat Safarov, Alasgar Mammadli, and Anar Mammadli should be immediately released. All charges and travel bans against those who are released should be withdrawn.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Administration\u2019s decision to waive Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act reflects a willingness to deepen engagement with Azerbaijan in pursuit of broader U.S. interests. As the United States has taken this significant step in good faith, we urge the Administration to press the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan to demonstrate a similar commitment to strengthening bilateral relations,\u201d the Senators conclude. \u201cThe immediate release of the above identified individuals, as well as all others unjustly detained, would represent a meaningful demonstration of that commitment. Such action would underscore that an enduring U.S.-Azerbaijan partnership is strengthened by both shared strategic interests and respect for fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.\u201d\n\nRead and download the Senators\u2019 full letter to Secretary of State Rubio.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-26T09:43:57Z", "2026-09-26T09:44:55Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-introduces-bill-to-address-vermonts-housing-crisis-by-exempting-affordable-housing-development-grants-from-income-tax/", "Welch Introduces Bill to Address Vermont\u2019s Housing Crisis by Exempting Affordable Housing Development Grants from Income Tax", "2026-09-24", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "New legislation would exempt small, rural housing developers from paying unreasonable income tax on grants they receive to help address Vermont\u2019s housing crisis\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, this week introduced the Supporting Small Affordable Housing Developers Act, new legislation that would exempt grants supporting affordable housing development from taxation to empower small, rural housing developers to build more affordable housing. The bill would also exempt income from the sale of transferable state tax credits from federal taxation, allowing developers to put more proceeds toward housing development.\n\n\u201cThe nationwide housing crisis has been absolutely brutal on Vermont\u2019s rural communities, making it harder than ever for folks to afford a home. Small developers like Village Venture, which devote its time and labor to building affordable housing in our rural communities, shouldn\u2019t be penalized for helping us address this crisis\u2014yet that\u2019s what\u2019s happening under our current tax code,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cI\u2019m leading this legislation to right this wrong and ensure small and rural housing developers aren\u2019t forced to bear unreasonable financial burdens for building desperately needed affordable housing.\u201d\n\nAmerica\u2019s nationwide housing crisis has hit the state of Vermont especially hard, with median home sale prices surging 40% since 2019. In addition to skyrocketing housing costs, dwindling market supply has made it even tougher for lower-income families\u2014including the nearly 4,000 Vermonters facing homelessness\u2014to purchase a home. Vermont is projected to need an additional 24,000\u201336,000 housing units by 2030 to replace outdated housing stock and meet demand.\n\nRising inflation and labor costs make it increasingly difficult for developers to build affordable housing. This has been especially devastating for the state\u2019s rural communities, where multimillion-dollar companies are buying up homes meant for families.\n\nThe current U.S. tax code creates hurdles that discourage small, local developers from building in rural areas. In 2022, Vermont-based Village Ventures received $1.1 million in federal grant funds to support the development of six new affordable housing units in Bradford, Vermont. After investing roughly $1.3 million to develop the property, Village Ventures faced over $500,000 in income taxes on the grant. The completed building was only appraised at $650,000, leaving Village Ventures with a roughly $400,000 loss.\n\n\u201cIn rural communities, affordable housing gets built by small, local developers, not large firms with tax departments. We built six units of permanently affordable housing in Vermont, and every dollar of grant funding went into construction. Then we were hit with a six-figure tax bill on that grant money. To pay the IRS, I had to take out a loan with my personal guarantee, and I\u2019ll be paying it off for the next 30 years. When developers are taxed on grants they\u2019re required to spend on construction, the math stops working and the housing doesn\u2019t get built. Senator Welch\u2019s legislation makes sure the next builder doesn\u2019t have to learn that lesson the hard way,\u201d said Jonah Richard, Principal, Village Ventures.\n\nLearn more about the Supporting Small Affordable Housing Developers Act.\n\nRead and download the full text of the bill.\n\nSenator Welch has led bipartisan efforts to address Vermont\u2019s affordable housing crisis. In March, Senator Welch joined Sens. Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) in introducing the bipartisan FARM Home Loans Act, bipartisan legislation to spur rural economic growth by helping more homebuyers qualify for rural housing assistance. The Senator is also a cosponsor of the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act, legislation that aims to support middle-class Americans purchasing their first home, and the End Rent Fixing Act, which would crack down on companies that help landlords increase rents in already high-priced markets. The Senator is also a cosponsor of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which was signed into law earlier this year.\n\nThe Senator\u2019s bipartisan, bicameral HOPE for HOMES Act, which helps lower energy costs for homeowners and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while also investing in the workforce, was included as part of the Biden-Harris Administration\u2019s historic Inflation Reduction Act.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-25T10:04:52Z", "2026-09-25T10:05:46Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-joins-van-hollen-and-15-senate-democrats-in-pushing-trump-to-negotiate-ai-guardrails-with-china/", "Welch Joins Van Hollen and 15 Senate Democrats in Pushing Trump to Negotiate AI Guardrails with China", "2026-09-24", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Senators\u2019 letter calls for global cooperation on AI development to preserve public safety and human control\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Member of Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, joined U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and 15 Senate Democrats in calling on President Trump to negotiate a formal agreement between the U.S. and China on guardrails and global standards for the development, testing, and use of frontier Artificial Intelligence (AI) models with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Senators also urged President Trump to consider enacting a mutual pause in frontier AI development to prevent potential cyberattacks, the development of biological weapons, and other dangerous activities that could threaten humanity.\n\nThe Senators caution that, as extraordinary as the promise of some of AI\u2019s advanced capabilities are, safety incidents make clear that both national and international infrastructure is threatened by unregulated testing and release of AI models: \u201cIt is incumbent upon both governments to discuss necessary guardrails and global standards for the development, testing, and use of AI in order to mitigate the risks of unfettered advancement. As you prepare for the upcoming summit, we urge you to engage with President Xi directly to discuss efforts to avoid the potential harms of this technology for the safety and benefit of the world\u2026 Protecting American safety and leadership in AI will require international cooperation with many countries, but it must start with serious engagement by the Trump Administration and China at this summit.\u201d\n\nThe Senators urge President Trump that the conversations should include specific focus on the standards needed for development and testing processes, oversight and monitoring of models, enforcing human control over the use of autonomous systems, and technological verification of any agreed upon terms to ensure that an agreement is being enforced: \u201cAmerica leads in AI innovation, and we must lead the world in AI safety and international cooperation, including by working with China to develop a formal agreement that would slow down, and potentially enact a mutual pause in, frontier AI development to prevent cyberattacks, the development of biological weapons, and other dangerous activities that threaten the lives of the American people and humanity writ large.\u201d\n\n\u201cAI technology is too powerful, and its risks too many, for the U.S. and China to forgo discussions on parameters around its development and use. What our two countries develop as guardrails will serve as a standard for how the technology is used worldwide. Given how quickly AI technology is developing and how transformative it may be, we cannot delay our pursuit of diplomatic efforts to mitigate its risks. Those efforts must start with direct engagement with China to ensure the safety and well-being of all people as AI innovation continues,\u201d the Senators conclude.\n\nJoining Senators Welch and Van Hollen on this letter are Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-N.M.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.).\n\nRead and download the Senators\u2019 full letter to President Trump.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-25T10:04:52Z", "2026-09-25T10:05:46Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-on-iran-war-its-time-for-us-to-say-end-this-war-end-this-war-now/", "Welch on Iran War: \u201cIt\u2019s time for us to say, end this war. End this war now.\u201d", "2026-09-24", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "\u201cThis war in Iran, absolutely, immediately, must end. And it will only end if the person who started it with the unilateral decision to go to war, decides to end the war.\n\n\u201cWe in this Senate have voted numerous times to end this war. We can\u2019t do it unless we get votes from the other side of the aisle. But it is absolutely disgraceful that the United States is in this war. It was a decision of two men\u2014not two legislative bodies, not two votes of the American people, two men\u2014Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu was in the situation room, making his case that we should go to a war with Iran. Any of the advisors to the president said it was a bogus claim that it would be done overnight, which is essentially what the assertion was.\n\n\u201cSo, our president made a decision\u2014and it was a unilateral decision by him\u2014a unilateral decision, that we go to war. And he told the American people that it would be over in a couple of days, just like Venezuela; hat the people of Iran would rise up and take out the ayatollah. Many Iranians did rise up, and they got slaughtered.\n\n\u201cThe president bragged about the military might\u2014and we do have a strong military \u2014 but his strategic thinking was totally flawed and foolish. He thought bombing could resolve something that it couldn\u2019t. So, yes, we bombed. Yes, leadership in Iran was wiped out. But then, Iran did what military advisors knew it would do, but the president could not listen. They used asymmetric response, drones, to close the Strait of Hormuz.\n\n\u201cThe impact here has been going on for over six months. And the only way we can assess what has happened is come to the conclusion that the president\u2019s policy was a complete failure. It is not working. The president continues to promote a non-policy, asserting we\u2019re putting the squeeze on Iran.\n\n\u201cMr. President, you\u2019re putting the squeeze on farmers in Iowa. You\u2019re putting the squeeze on the tourism industry in Vermont. You\u2019re putting the squeeze on manufacturers in Wisconsin. You\u2019re putting the squeeze on the American people. You know, for a farmer in the Midwest who wants to fill up his combine with diesel, it\u2019s $1,500 extra a day.\n\n\u201cAnd for what? For what? For the ego of a man who capitulated to the pressures of Benjamin Netanyahu? That\u2019s what he did. And who does not have the leadership ability, or the character, to assess what\u2019s happened in these past six months? And acknowledge it\u2019s time for a change? This is a day-to-day catastrophe, and the man who started this must end it. But we, as U.S. senators, with the responsibility and the trust given to us by the people who elected us, have a say. And it\u2019s time for us to say: end this war. End this war now.\n\n\u201cArrogance is not a substitute for good judgment. Arrogance is not an expression of toughness and resolve. It\u2019s time to end this war.\u201d", 1, "2026-09-25T10:04:52Z", "2026-09-25T10:05:46Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/statement-on-cuba/", "Statement on Cuba", "2026-09-23", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Statement of Senator Peter Welch\n\nOn Cuba\n\nSeptember 23, 2026\n\nMr. President, in the midst of all the chaos and cruelty inflicted by the White House on the American people and around the world, I suspect not many Americans are aware that we are also carrying out an illegal blockade against Cuba, a country the size of Tennessee that poses no threat to the United States, but whose government we have tried to depose by one means or another for more than 60 years.\n\nThere is plenty to not like about the Cuban government, which has defended a failed economic model and repressive political system for decades. The Cuban people deserve freedom and opportunity. But that does not justify the United States imposing a naval and financial blockade against an impoverished country that has neither attacked us nor threatened to attack us.\n\nThe consequences for the Cuban people have been devastating. Today, they are suffering from daily electrical blackouts that have made everyday life a virtual nightmare. Schools, hospitals, public transportation, food production, trash collection, and many other life necessities have been brought to a practical standstill. Ironically, even our own Embassy has been impacted to the point that they are unable, or unwilling, to provide the necessary support for Members of Congress who have a legitimate interest in observing first-hand the consequences of the policy of collective punishment against the Cuban people being carried out by our government. According to an article in the New York Times on September 17, 2026:\n\n\u201cThousands of containers filled with food, medicine and other goods bound for Cuba have been stranded throughout the Caribbean since two shipping giants stopped deliveries to avoid tough U.S. sanctions, according to diplomats, Cuban officials, merchants and others involved in the imports.\n\n\u201cThe containers stranded in various ports include humanitarian aid, from solar panels to medication to colostomy bags. Dozens of containers of aid purchased by different United Nations agencies are among them.\n\nU.S. sanctions have also hobbled shipments by air, and forced the World Health Organization to scrap planned deliveries of cancer drugs.\u201d\n\nSecretary of State Rubio claims that \u201cif Cuba is a humanitarian disaster, it is because their regime is a disaster, because the economic model they follow doesn\u2019t work.\u201d That heartless statement ignores the fact that no such humanitarian crisis existed before the Trump Administration launched what amounts to a unilateral policy of economic warfare against Cuba.\n\nMr. President, this is unconscionable, it\u2019s immoral, and it\u2019s a clear violation of international law. If any country were to engage in such aggression against the United States, we would condemn it as an act of war.\n\nDuring the past year, Cuba\u2019s authorities have announced wide-ranging and long overdue economic reforms. While they are aspirational goals, they represent the kind of transformational reforms the United States has been calling for as long as I can remember. But has it made any difference to the Trump Administration? To the contrary. The Administration has only increased sanctions on Cuba, making it even harder to implement structural changes to the economy. It is apparent that nothing will satisfy the White House short of regime change\u2014or regime collapse, with the consequent risk of social upheaval and mass migration. President Trump confirmed as much in his speech at the UN General Assembly earlier today, when he said that Cuba \u201cwill fall.\u201d\n\nEarlier this year I spelled out steps that I and many others believe both governments can and should take to address the legitimate concerns of the other. Among other things, on the U.S. side those steps include ending the failed economic embargo and removing Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, which has no factual or legal basis. On the Cuban side, it includes economic reforms to increase foreign investment and unshackle the private sector, and releasing prisoners whose only offense is criticizing Cuba\u2019s repressive one-party system. Back then, neither government showed interest in taking the initiative, and conditions for the Cuban people, and for Americans whose own government has prevented them from freely traveling to Cuba, have only gotten worse.\n\nBut the Cuban government has finally recognized that its antiquated centralized economic system needs to change, and they are trying to move in that direction. They have also released some political prisoners, including celebrated artist Luis Manuel Otero Alc\u00e1ntara, although he was forced into exile in the U.S. Others, including Maykel \u201cOsorbo\u201d Castillo P\u00e9rez, must be released.\n\nThe Trump Administration, which routinely insists that its policy is to support the Cuban people, should match its rhetoric with action. It should support economic reforms that have the potential to significantly improve life on the island. Ending the illegal blockade would be an obvious and necessary step. No legitimate U.S. interest is served by compounding the misery of the Cuban people by preventing other countries and companies from sending life-saving fuel and supplies to Cuba.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-09-24T10:30:22Z", "2026-09-24T10:31:42Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-bennet-release-proposal-to-establish-new-federal-agency-to-prevent-catastrophic-ai-risk-regulate-big-tech/", "Welch, Bennet Release Proposal to Establish New Federal Agency to Prevent Catastrophic AI Risk, Regulate Big Tech", "2026-09-23", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Federal Digital Commission would have pre-clearance review of frontier AI models, ability to pause release without necessary safeguards, and assess civil penalties of up to 15% of a firm\u2019s prior-year global revenue\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, joined U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) today in announcing a new proposal that would build off of their landmark legislation to create a new independent federal agency to regulate frontier artificial intelligence (AI) models and social media.\n\nThe AI Regulator Act would require pre-certification for frontier AI models, delay the public release of any AI model that could pose catastrophic risks without necessary safeguards, and issue formal rulemakings to set guardrails that keep pace with the speed of innovation. It could also conduct investigations, engage in research, and impose penalties of up to 15% of a firm\u2019s prior-year global revenue for violations. These new authorities add to the proposed Federal Digital Commission\u2019s mission to regulate the largest digital platforms and ensure that a dedicated agency is empowered to protect Americans from catastrophic AI risk, safeguard our kids online, reduce harmful market concentration, and prevent national and economic security risks.\n\n\u201cAmericans in Vermont and across the country are freaked out by the warnings of AI researchers, and I\u2019m right there with them. It\u2019s clear we can\u2019t leave it to AI companies to self-regulate\u2014just like we don\u2019t let drug companies, or Wall Street, or Big Oil self-regulate. Americans need reassurance that an independent expert agency will advocate on behalf of the public good and public safety,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cOur commonsense bill would provide the comprehensive oversight of Big Tech and AI that is sorely needed.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe challenge posed by a new technology and a new industry able to profoundly transform our economy and society is one we have faced before,\u201d said Senator Bennet. \u201cIn the past, we created new expert agencies to regulate aviation, pharmaceuticals, and telecommunications. But today, no such agency exists for AI or social media platforms. Oversight is fragmented between states and federal agencies, while Congress tries to address each new problem one bill at a time. The Federal Digital Commission would keep pace with innovation, act before serious harm occurs, and have the authority to hold companies accountable when they break the rules.\u201d\n\nThe proposed AI Regulator Act would:\n\nGive regulators the power to pause certain AI releases by allowing a pause of up to six months on the public distribution of AI models with the potential for catastrophic risk, or until reasonable safeguards are in place.\n\nPut major tech companies under closer oversight by allowing the Commission to designate systemically important digital platforms or developers for additional reporting and regulation.\n\nBack its rules with substantial penalties by establishing a five-member commission that could hold hearings, investigate, conduct research, issue rules, and impose civil penalties of up to 15 percent of a firm\u2019s prior-year global revenue in a year for violations.\n\nSet safeguards for frontier AI by requiring developers to meet risk-mitigation, catastrophic risk incident-reporting, and transparency requirements.\n\nProtect kids and consumers online by establishing age-verification and age-appropriate design standards, consumer protections, and transparency requirements for platforms\u2019 terms of service and content-moderation policies.\n\nAddress national and economic security risks by including provisions concerning Americans\u2019 data held by foreign AI companies, U.S. subsidiaries for certain foreign firms, and transparency about where online content originates.\n\nThe Senators first introduced the Digital Platform Commission Act in the Senate and House in 2022 and reintroduced the bill in the Senate in 2023. The proposal seeks to bring oversight of digital platforms into a dedicated agency. Today, responsibility for competition, consumer protection, privacy, online safety, and national security remains spread across the federal government.\n\nLearn more about the proposed AI Regulator Act and read a Section-by-Section summary of the legislation.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-24T10:30:22Z", "2026-09-24T10:31:42Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-joins-center-for-american-progress-to-discuss-challenges-facing-rural-america-building-policy-around-needs-of-rural-vermonters/", "Welch Joins Center for American Progress to Discuss Challenges Facing Rural America, Building Policy Around Needs of Rural Vermonters", "2026-09-23", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Welch: \u201cWe really have to stand up for rural America.\u201d\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, today joined Center for American Progress (CAP) President and CEO Neera Tanden for a conversation on the challenges facing rural America and what it will take to build an agenda that delivers for rural Vermonters and rural communities across the country. In his discussion with Ms. Tanden, the Senator underscored the importance of preserving rural values in policies that address challenges facing Vermont\u2019s farmers, community hospitals and health care industry, and streamline natural disaster recovery efforts.\n\n\u201cThere are certain things that every American needs, but where the stress is even more intense in rural America. We should have a health care system in this country, rural or urban, where everybody has access to health care. We pay two times as much for health care as any other major industrial country and get less. So that would be a shared goal that would be beneficial to urban and rural America,\u201d said Senator Welch.\n\nFollowing the conversation between Senator Welch and Ms. Tanden, a panel of rural experts spoke about the importance of supporting rural communities\u2014digging into where the gaps are\u2014and where the possibilities lie\u2014for reducing the cost of living, creating jobs and opportunity, and cutting red tape for rural America. Ben Doyle, President of the Preservation Trust of Vermont, was featured on the panel and spoke about his work to expand opportunity and strengthen rural communities.\n\n\u201cOne of the challenges with bureaucracy is that investment isn\u2019t always equitable\u202671% of the communities in Vermont are 2,500 or fewer\u2014that\u2019s what rural looks like, right? But those communities only get 30% of the investment from those Rural Development programs. So, there\u2019s a disconnect,\u201d said Mr. Doyle. \u201cThe idea that you\u2019re going to be able to deliver those programs and those services in an equitable way to truly rural communities; it\u2019s just not structurally possible at this point. I think the greatest asset that rural America has, truly, are its people. So, we need to invest in wastewater, we need to invest in loan programs, we need to invest in housing, but we need to invest in people, too\u2014the people who can deliver those programs and be those partners in those small towns to make stuff happen.\u201d\n\nWatch the full event below:\n\nRead key excerpts from Senator Welch\u2019s remarks below:\n\n\u201cIf I ask my rural colleagues: \u2018what\u2019s going on with community hospitals in your area\u2014Iowa, or Nebraska?\u2019 their answer is the same as the answer I would give them if they asked me. And that is: it\u2019s not great; they\u2019re under enormous pressure; the distances they have to drive are too long; birthing centers are having to be closed down. So, the challenge that we face in rural America with hospitals is not a red-state blue-state deal. It\u2019s not a Republican or Democratic deal. It\u2019s about the needs of people who live there.\u201d\n\n\u2022\u2022\u2022\n\n\u201cThere are certain things that every American needs, but where the stress is even more intense in rural America. We should have a health care system in this country, rural or urban, where everybody has access to health care. We pay two times as much for health care as any other major industrial country and get less. So that would be a shared goal that would be beneficial to urban and rural America.\u201d\n\n\u2022\u2022\u2022\n\n\u201cThere\u2019s an agricultural issue here that I think is absolutely vital, and we associate with rural America. The farm communities across this country are under incredible stress. The U.S. Department of Agriculture put out a graph that showed that of eleven major commodities, farmers who were producing those crops were spending more money to produce them than they were getting paid to sell them. That is absolutely not sustainable. It\u2019s also an agriculture policy that has looked the other way at some of the input cost pressures that our farmers are facing\u2014consolidation and meatpacking as an example\u2014puts enormous pressure on the farm community.\u201d\n\n\u2022\u2022\u2022\n\n\u201cWe have to have an agriculture policy that, in many ways, puts the farmer first. You can\u2019t have a productive and sustainable agricultural program if it costs more to produce than a farmer gets paid to produce it. I also think that there has to be a lot more localism in our agriculture, because people who live in rural communities\u2026they really value what the farmers do. They keep the land open; they care about the land\u2026One of the things that amazes me: you see farmers, they work hard, and they like it. It\u2019s amazing. And their big goal is that their next generation will have a shot at being able to decide if they want to stay on the farm. What\u2019s wrong with that? That\u2019s what we\u2019re trying to preserve.\u201d\n\n\u2022\u2022\u2022\n\n\u201c[Rural Americans are] incredibly attentive to their neighbors when they need their help\u2014even as they mind their own business when their neighbor has a different point of view than them. So, there\u2019s an ethic that I actually find very appealing, where community is first and foremost what the people there care about\u2026it\u2019s just part of who they are; want to use some of their ability to help the local small bank, or the local fire department, or coaching little league. Those are values that tie us together and are under an immense amount of stress in our country. And I think those values are really, really important.\u201d\n\n\u2022\u2022\u2022\n\nLearn more about Senator Welch\u2019s work fighting for Vermont\u2019s rural communities by visiting his website or by following him on social media.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-24T10:30:22Z", "2026-09-24T10:31:42Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-schiff-barragan-unveil-bicameral-legislation-to-expand-access-to-affordable-meals-for-college-students-address-food-insecurity-on-college-campuses/", "Welch,\u00a0Schiff,\u00a0Barrag\u00e1n\u00a0Unveil\u00a0Bicameral\u00a0Legislation\u00a0to Expand Access to Affordable Meals for College Students, Address Food Insecurity on College Campuses", "2026-09-22", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, joined U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and U.S. Representative Nanette Barrag\u00e1n (D-CA-44) in introducing the Food for Thought Act, bicameral legislation to create a grant program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide free meals to low-income college students, including those at minority-serving institutions and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).\n\n\u201cStudents from underserved communities face enough challenges in higher education without the added burden of wondering where their next meal is coming from. We should do all we can to provide the resources necessary to give a helping hand to students facing food insecurity on campus,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cI\u2019m proud to join Senator Schiff and Rep. Barrag\u00e1n in leading the Food for Thought Act to ensure students from Vermont to California never have to decide between their next meal or pursuing their future.\u201d\n\n\u201cCollege students should never have to worry about where their next meal will come from or have to drop out because they can\u2019t afford food and tuition. This bill is a commonsense approach to addressing student hunger and strengthening higher education,\u201d said Senator Schiff.\n\n\u201cStudents should never have to choose between putting food on the table and earning a college degree,\u201d said Rep. Barrag\u00e1n. \u201cFor too many students, especially those from low-income families, hunger is another barrier standing between them and their education. The Food for Thought Act will help colleges provide free meals, strengthen campus food resources, and connect students with the assistance they need to succeed. When we invest in a student\u2019s basic needs, we are investing in their ability to stay in school, graduate, and build a better future. No student should have to go hungry while working toward their education.\u201d\n\nThe Food for Thought Act would amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to institutions of higher education to provide free meals to low-income students. The bill would authorize funds that schools may use to conduct campus outreach on student eligibility for federal food assistance programs, operate on-campus food pantries, and update or purchase critical food infrastructure such as refrigerators and microwaves for student use. Additionally, the legislation would ensure grantees will collect and report data on the prevalence of food insecurity on their campuses to inform and expand national anti-hunger programming.\n\nThe Food for Thought Act is endorsed by 60 organizations and community colleges, including Hunger Free Vermont and the Congressional Hunger Center, Hope Center for Student Basic Needs, Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS), National Urban League, SwipeOut Hunger, UAW 4811, UnidosUS, and more. Read the full list here.\n\n\u201cEarning a college degree is challenging, especially for low-income students who balance school, jobs and family while working to put food on the table. National studies show time and again that students attending community colleges are more likely to face challenges when it comes to getting enough food for themselves and their families. In fact, nearly one in four students at community colleges struggle to afford groceries,\u201d said Ivy Enoch, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Hunger Free Vermont. \u201cWe celebrate Senator Welch and his colleagues for introducing this important legislation. Senator Welch recognizes the power of education to change lives, and that being able to afford food to stay healthy and nourished while pursuing a degree is a must. The Food For Thought Act would allow institutions and individual students alike to be better positioned to thrive. No one should ever have to choose between food or books for class, and we thank Senator Welch for leading on legislation that relieves that impossible choice for students.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs the educators who do the majority of frontline teaching at UC, UAW 4811 members know that no student should face hunger or food insecurity while pursuing their degree. UAW 4811 members back the Food for Thought Act because our students deserve to focus on their studies, not on where their next meal will come from,\u201d said Rafael Jaime, President of UAW 4811.\n\n\u201cMillions of students across the country struggle to access and afford sufficient and nutritious food, forcing them to work long hours, take on unmanageable debt, or stop out. Recent SNAP cuts have only made the problem worse. The Food for Thought Act is a necessary and sensible bill that would provide meals to students who too often go hungry, allowing them to focus on what really matters: thriving in their studies and fulfilling their potential,\u201d said Mark Huelsman, Director of Policy & Advocacy, The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs.\n\n\u201cAs college food insecurity worsens and resources for on-campus food programs become more scarce, the Food for Thought Act shows how policy can provide much-needed solutions today. With this legislation, more students will be able to access the meals they need to be successful in school, and more schools will be able to support their students all the way to graduation day,\u201d said Zoe Duffield, Director of Advocacy at SwipeOut Hunger.\n\n\u201cRoughly 1 in 4 college students experience food insecurity, and the OBBBA\u2019s historic cuts to SNAP will make it harder for students at or near poverty to access federal food assistance. We must invest in policies to fill this gap so that students can focus on their studies, not on affording their next meal,\u201d said Valerie Crespin-Trujillo, Senior Director of College Completion & Basic Needs, The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS). \u201cThe Food for Thought Act pilots new approaches to addressing food insecurity among low-income students, which can in turn increase student success.\u201d\n\nLearn more about the Food for Thought Act.\n\nRead and download the full text of the bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-24T10:30:22Z", "2026-09-24T10:31:42Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-hosts-2026-womens-economic-opportunity-conference/", "Welch Hosts 2026\u00a0Women\u2019s Economic Opportunity Conference", "2026-09-21", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "WEOC featured keynote remarks from Vermont Entrepreneur and GameTheory Founder Marguerite Dibble, Senator Welch, and Margaret Cheney, followed by interactive skills-building workshops\n\nRANDOLPH, VT \u2013 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and his wife, Margaret Cheney, hosted the 2026 Women\u2019s Economic Opportunity Conference this weekend. The event was held at Vermont State University in Randolph, and included interactive workshops on growing economic opportunity, cultivating new audiences, fostering business skills, and more. The conference opened with remarks from Senator Welch and Vermont entrepreneur Marguerite Dibble, who was interviewed by Margaret Cheney.\n\n\u201cIn really hard times we have to remember that we have agency, that we can act and that we change things for the better. Just five short decades ago, Gloria Steinem was ridiculed for talking about equal pay and reproductive freedom. Without her fight, it wouldn\u2019t be possible for us to be here today, offering opportunities that help everyone to pursue their dreams and make a difference in their own lives and communities. That\u2019s why, at its heart, the Women\u2019s Economic Opportunity Conference has always been about collective effort in the feminist movement,\u201d said Senator Welch.\n\n\u201cWEOC is so fortunate to have such an amazing network of innovative organizations and hardworking business leaders and dreamers who are committed to supporting not only their own personal growth, but the growth of their communities\u2014it\u2019s what makes this event such a huge success year after year,\u201d the Senator continued. \u201cThe message from our keynote speaker, entrepreneur Marguerite Dibble, and Margaret was uplifting and empowering. Through shared goals, we can support one another in these unprecedented times. I\u2019ll continue to champion community-building efforts that help more Vermonters achieve their professional and personal aspirations.\u201d\n\nView photos from the event below:\n\nVermont\u2019s nearly 25,000 women-owned businesses\u2014which make up 43% of all businesses in Vermont\u2014employ more than 40,000 Vermonters and add nearly $2.5 billion to the state\u2019s revenue.\n\nThe Women\u2019s Economic Opportunity Conference was created by former Senator Patrick Leahy and his wife, Marcelle, and has been a Vermont tradition for decades. Senator Welch and his wife, Margaret Cheney, have continued this tradition of bringing Vermonters together to learn, network, and build economic opportunity for Vermonters. The event was held in partnership with the Vermont Women\u2019s Fund and the Vermont Community Foundation.\n\nInteractive workshops included: The One Sentence That Changes How You Show Up; AI Guardrails and Policies That Protect Your Business; Turning Potential into Impact: From Aspiration to Action; The Price Is Right: What Will Customers Actually Pay?; Metalsmithing 101, presented by Generator Makerspace; Invisible No More: How to Get Found in the Age of AI Search; 2026 Women, Work & Wages Report: Using data to advance gender equity in Vermont; Your Business Checkup: Are All the Pieces in Place?; and Scam Prevention Through a Multigenerational Lens: Protecting People & Businesses. Learn more and read the full list here.\n\nWorkshop leaders included: Margaret Romney, Dorien Morin-van Dam, Akua Smith, Heather Turner, Veronica Newton, Rachel Donegan, Mimi Damm, Rhoni Basden, Cary Brown, Emily Bush, Tamie-Jo Dickinson, Crystal Baldwin, and Sheri Rockcastle. The closing panel featured Elizabeth Roma, Janet Lee, Kristin McCole and was facilitated by Mercy Connections business leader Ruchi Nadkarni.\n\nLearn more about Senator Welch\u2019s work and upcoming events by visiting his website or by following him on social media.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-24T10:30:22Z", "2026-09-24T10:31:42Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-conducts-ice-oversight-visit-at-northwest-state-correctional-facility-in-saint-albans-meets-with-people-detained-by-ice/", "Welch Conducts ICE Oversight Visit at Northwest State Correctional Facility in Saint Albans; Meets with People Detained by ICE", "2026-09-18", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Welch: \u201cThis is so wrong, and so cruel.\u201d\n\nSAINT ALBANS\u2014U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today visited people detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Northwest State Correctional Facility in Saint Albans. The Senator met with five people in detention.\n\nAfter, Senator Welch posted a video discussing oversight of ICE and President Trump\u2019s illegal mass deportation, anti-immigrant agenda:\n\nVideo Transcript:\n\n\u201cI\u2019m at the Northwest Correctional Center, and I came here to visit people who were picked up by ICE.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s pretty shocking. I met five people, two of whom worked on farms, one of whom was there 16 years. Another was a roofer. Another was driving a truck for Lowe\u2019s. And another also was working on a farm. Absolutely no criminal convictions among the five. Every single one has a family. Every single one was picked up suddenly at work or out getting lunch. And some were picked up when they were reporting to ICE, because they had legal status to be here.\n\n\u201cThis is so wrong, and so cruel. This mass roundup that is just something that the Trump administration won\u2019t stop, has to stop. These are good people that are here\u2014working people, with families, making a contribution to our farms and to our community, to construction of the housing that we need.\n\n\u201cSo I\u2019m going to continue to fight against this rampant, mass roundup of people. It makes no sense. We need an immigration policy that is fair and humane.\u201d\n\nThis afternoon, Senator Welch convened immigration leaders and advocates from across Vermont to discuss ICE\u2019s recent raids in Vermont and his strong opposition to the Trump Administration\u2019s violent and brutal immigration policies.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-24T10:30:22Z", "2026-09-24T10:31:42Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/media-advisory-senator-welch-to-discuss-farm-bill-with-organic-farmers/", "MEDIA ADVISORY: Senator Welch\u202fto\u00a0Discuss Farm Bill with Organic Farmers", "2026-08-25", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "Welch will tour and hold roundtable at Honey Field Farm\n\nNORWICH, VT \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, will join Vermont farmers and the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT) on Thursday, August 27th at 10:00 AM for a farm tour of Honey Field Farm. While visiting the farm, Senator Welch will discuss the future of the Farm Bill and his fight to improve the bill for Vermont\u2019s organic farmers.\n\nSenator Welch will be joined at Honey Field Farm by NOFA-VT, and farmers from Honey Field Farm, Luna Bleu Farm, Cedar Mountain Farm, Flying Dog Farm, Rockbottom Farm, Strafford Organic Creamery, and more.\n\nEarlier this month, Senate Republicans\u2019 partisan Farm Bill failed to advance in the Agriculture Committee. The bill is expected to be considered again by the Committee when the Senate returns to Washington in September. Senator Welch introduced several amendments and changes to Senate Republicans\u2019 Farm Bill to better support organic farmers, including amendments to make it easier to enter the organics market, halt the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s (USDA) reorganization plan, improve access to farm loans and credit, expand eligibility and access to conservation programs, support Farm to School nutrition programs, and cut red tape for small-scale meat producers in rural communities.\n\nSenator Welch is the Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit.\n\nLOGISTICS:\n\nWHO: U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.); Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT); Organic farmers from across Vermont\n\nWHEN: Thursday, August 27th, 2026; 10:00 a.m. ET\n\nWHERE: Honey Field Farm: 55 Butternut Rd., Norwich, VT\n\nRSVP: Media are kindly asked to RSVP to Elisabeth_St.Onge@welch.senate.gov.\n\nMedia Note: Senator Welch is available to speak about the Farm Bill and President Trump\u2019s trade war with Canada after the event.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-26T05:33:32Z", "2026-08-26T05:34:56Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/media-advisory-welch-to-bring-together-vermont-small-businesses-farmers-for-event-near-u-s-canada-border-on-trumps-reckless-trade-war/", "MEDIA ADVISORY: Welch to Bring Together Vermont Small Businesses, Farmers, for Event Near U.S.-Canada Border on Trump\u2019s Reckless Trade War", "2026-08-25", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "\u201cNobody wins a trade war. President Trump is on an economic rampage, and his policies are destructive on both sides of the border,\u201d said Welch ahead of the event.\n\nJAY, VT \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, will bring together Vermont small businesses, farmers, and community leaders on Tuesday, September 1st for a press event near the U.S.-Canada border to push back on President Trump\u2019s reckless trade war against Canada, which is hurting the economy of Vermont and northern border states.\n\n\u201cNobody wins a trade war. President Trump is on an economic rampage, and his policies are destructive on both sides of the border. This is going to do great harm to Americans and Canadians alike. President Trump must listen to our businesses, farmers, and manufacturers\u2014they\u2019re going to be hurt by his trade policies and need him to drop these reckless tariffs on our neighbor and long-standing ally,\u201d said Welch ahead of the event.\n\nSenator Welch will be joined by small business owners, manufacturers, farmers, and tourism and hospitality leaders hurt by tariffs and President Trump\u2019s trade war. Jay is about 5 miles south of the U.S.-Canada border.\n\nSenator Welch cosponsors the bipartisan Trade Review Act, which seeks to restore Congress\u2019 constitutional role in trade policy. He also led the Creating Access to Necessary American-Canadian Duty Adjustments (CANADA) Act, legislation that would exempt United States-owned small businesses from tariffs imposed on Canada under IEEPA authorities.\n\nRead Senator Welch\u2019s full statement on the president\u2019s new 50% tariffs on Canada here.\n\nLOGISTICS:\n\nWHO: U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.); Vermont business owners, farmers, community leaders\n\nWHEN: Tuesday, September 1st, 2026; 10:30 a.m. ET\n\nWHERE: Jay Peak Resort, 830 Jay Peak Rd, Jay, VT 05859", 1, "2026-08-26T05:33:32Z", "2026-08-26T05:34:56Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-blumenthal-schiff-demand-answers-on-dhs-464-million-no-bid-contract-to-trump-allied-company-for-luxury-jets-and-airplanes/", "Welch, Blumenthal, Schiff Demand Answers\u00a0on\u00a0DHS $464 Million\u00a0No-Bid Contract\u00a0to Trump-Allied Company\u00a0for Luxury Jets and Airplanes", "2026-08-25", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "Owner of company that received no-bid contract linked to allegations of soliciting kickbacks from former DHS official and Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, and U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee in sending a letter demanding answers from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) about Department\u2019s purchase of ten airplanes for $464 million via a no-bid contract to a company led by William Walters, a strong political ally of President Trump.\n\nIn the letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, the Senators called out the Department\u2019s reliance on no-bid contracts since the beginning of the second Trump Administration and raised concerns that the owner of the company that received the award also runs a company alleged to have solicited kickback payments from former DHS official Corey Lewandowski.\n\nThe letter comes after the Senators demanded that two companies implicated in apparent pay-to-play accusations against Lewandowski preserve records of their interactions ahead of likely multiple probes into violations of federal law. Senators Welch and Blumenthal previously demanded answers from Secretary Mullin about Lewandowski\u2019s role in DHS contracting decisions in light of reports that Lewandowski potentially steered contract awards to benefit himself and his political allies while serving as a special government employee and advisor at DHS.\n\n\u201cRecent reporting reveals that, beginning in the fall of 2025, DHS pursued and eventually awarded a no-bid contract to purchase 10 aircraft, including three \u2018luxury business jets\u2019 and seven \u2018Boeing 737 passenger jets,\u2019 and that most of these aircraft have sat idle for months since DHS acquired them. Although DHS claims that the contract was undertaken during Secretary Noem\u2019s tenure, contracting records indicate that the cost of the contract \u2018increased by $303 million on the day that Mr. Mullin was sworn in as secretary,\u2019\u201d the Senators wrote.\n\nThe Senators continued: \u201cThe apparent waste generated by idle, multi-million-dollar government assets belies the Department\u2019s claim of urgency. To date, there is no public indication that any of these aircraft have ever been used for DHS\u2019s claimed purpose of removing noncitizens from the United States. One of the luxury jets was leased to the FBI for use by Director Kash Patel who, in February 2026, incurred estimated costs of $75 million to fly to the Olympic Winter Games in Italy, using the same make of luxury aircraft as the one reportedly leased to the FBI.\u201d\n\n\u201cDHS purchased the aircraft through a $464 million no-bid contract to Daedalus Aviation Corporation (Daedalus), a Virginia-based company led by chairman William Walters\u2026In fact, Mr. Walters has allegedly created \u2018a web of companies,\u2019 that subsequently received government contracts despite having no prior government contracting experience,\u201d the Senators continued. \u201cCompanies with ties to Mr. Walters include Salus Worldwide Solutions Corporation (Salus), which, in 2025, received a hastily-awarded contract worth $915 million \u2018for air operations to support the administration\u2019s effort to persuade millions of undocumented immigrants to \u2018self-deport.\u2019 Public reporting alleges that a representative of Salus repeatedly approached a prospective subcontracting firm with proposals to undertake work for DHS only if the firm would direct millions in kickbacks to Corey Lewandowski or consulting firms connected to him.\u201d\n\nThe Senators concluded: \u201cCongress and the American people deserve the Department\u2019s full and prompt transparency with respect to the shocking waste of taxpayer funds and potential corruption involved in the Department\u2019s aircraft purchase and widespread no-bid contracting. Our offices are reviewing allegations of misconduct arising from federal contract awards to assess whether and the extent to which laws and regulations governing honest services and federal procurement may require legislative reform.\u201d\n\nRead and download the Senators\u2019 full letter to DHS Secretary Mullin.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-26T05:33:32Z", "2026-08-26T05:34:56Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-hosts-common-grounds-with-senator-welch-listening-session-in-essex-county/", "Welch Hosts \u2018Common Grounds with Senator Welch\u2019 Listening Session in\u00a0Essex\u00a0County", "2026-08-25", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "ISLAND POND, VT \u2013 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) this morning hosted a \u2018Common Grounds with Senator Welch\u2019 listening session at the scenic outdoor pavilion at Lakeside Park in Essex County. Vermonters joined Senator Welch for a discussion about how Washington can work better for the Green Mountain State.\n\n\u201cThe world we\u2019re in is completely different than the world we grew up in and that we inhabited only five or ten years ago. You know, we all have political points of view on health care, on the environment, on poverty, on education\u2014and we debate those. But in the past, we also had common reference points\u2014we believed in the rule of law, we believed in courtesy to our neighbors, we believed in free and fair elections and accepted the outcome of those elections. Those days are behind us. And it\u2019s a jump ball as to what happens when we come out on the other side. And that\u2019s the real contest of what\u2019s going on in our country right now. The basic norms that all of us depended on to help us get through our differences have been shattered,\u201d said Senator Welch.\n\n\u201cThe biggest challenges that we have here\u2014like health care, housing, education, social media\u2014are not unique to Vermont, and they\u2019re not unique to blue states or red States,\u201d the Senator continued. \u201cThey\u2019re shared problems. And in Vermont we look at what the challenges are and we face them together. Sure, we\u2019ll have a debate about how best to address them. But we always start from the proposition that the problems we have to solve are shared, and that we want to solve them for the well-being of our community and for the future of our kids.\u201d\n\nSenator Welch has hosted Common Grounds events in Addison, Bennington, Caledonia, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, and Windsor counties, and will host listening sessions in every county of Vermont in 2026. Sign up for the Senator\u2019s newsletter here to learn more about his upcoming events in Vermont.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-26T05:33:32Z", "2026-08-26T05:34:56Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-urges-trump-to-drop-50-tariffs-on-canada-and-end-the-trade-war/", "Welch Urges\u00a0Trump\u00a0to\u00a0Drop\u00a050%\u00a0Tariffs\u00a0on\u00a0Canada\u00a0and End the Trade War", "2026-08-22", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "BURLINGTON, VT\u2014Following failed trade negotiations, President Trump\u2019s 50% tariffs on hundreds of Canadian-made goods take effect Saturday. U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, released the following statement:\n\n\u201cPresident Trump has ratcheted up his trade war against Canada yet again. These new 50% tariffs on Canadian goods are a continuation of the president\u2019s chaotic economic policies, and a slap in the face to businesses and farmers in Vermont and northern border states across America. Cross-border business relationships, built over decades, are in the lurch. Uncertainty about a long-term trade deal with our closest ally has grown, and long-term trade negotiations seem to now be on ice.\n\n\u201cFor the sake of American businesses, American farms, and American families, I urge President Trump to drop these tariffs and find an off-ramp to his reckless trade war. It is also long past time for my Republican colleagues to stand up and take back our constitutionally-granted tariff power\u2014Congress cannot continue ceding our authority on trade and tariffs.\u201d\n\nSenator Welch is the lead sponsor of the Creating Access to Necessary American-Canadian Duty Adjustments (CANADA) Act, legislation that would exempt United States-owned small businesses from tariffs imposed on Canada. Senator Welch also cosponsors the bipartisan Trade Review Act, which seeks to restore Congress\u2019 constitutional role in trade policy.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-22T05:24:59Z", "2026-08-22T05:26:16Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/vermont-congressional-delegation-calls-on-usps-to-address-persistent-shortfalls-in-serving-vermonters/", "Vermont Congressional Delegation Calls on USPS to Address\u00a0Persistent\u00a0Shortfalls in Serving Vermonters", "2026-08-21", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "BURLINGTON, VT\u2013 The Vermont Congressional Delegation, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and U.S. Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL), urged the Postmaster General of the United States Postal Service (USPS) to address massive shortfalls in serving Vermonters, who have for years experienced postal delivery delays and egregious service issues. In their letter to USPS Postmaster General David Steiner, who was appointed in 2025, the Delegation outlined how many Vermonters have dealt with reduced deliveries and deteriorating service for several years, following adoption of the Trump Administration\u2019s flawed Delivering for America Plan.\n\nThe Delegation emphasized that the significant Postal Service issues facing Vermonters stem from decisions made by USPS leadership: \u201cAs you know, the Postal Service\u2019s Delivering for America ten-year plan was launched in 2021, supposedly to modernize and support the financial self-sustainability of the postal network. Five years into this plan, mail delivery service in Vermont is at an all-time low, staffing shortages in the state are pervasive, and USPS has not improved its financial outlook.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn the first half of 2026 alone, our offices have received over 2,000 constituent complaints about the USPS mail service. Many of our constituents currently receive just one or two mail deliveries per week. Some residential areas have received zero mail deliveries over consecutive weeks. Vermonters living in South Burlington and the greater Chittenden County region have experienced particularly egregious service issues,\u201d the Delegation continued. \u201cThese service failures have a significant impact on Vermonters: tax documents and bills are received after they are due, holiday cards come after the holiday season, and most critically, residents are forced to go without medical care when their prescriptions are not received on time.\n\nThe Delegation also underscored that inconsistent mail delivery is impeding state government services in Vermont: \u201cThe Vermont Agency of Administration has reported two separate instances over the last year when entire batches of vehicle titles were mailed out from the state Postal Center, received by USPS, and subsequently lost in transit. These incidents not only create unnecessary administrative burdens for the state, they also present real security threats to customers\u2019 most sensitive personal information. Given these repeated detrimental impacts on government services, we are greatly concerned about USPS\u2019 ability to deliver election ballots timely, which are automatically mailed by the state to all registered voters in Vermont, before they are mailed back to town and city clerks\u2019 offices in time to be counted for elections.\u201d\n\n\u201cInsufficient staff and monthslong delays in hiring and onboarding staff, mean that Vermont postal workers are working 12 hour days, seven days a week to ensure Vermonters receive their mail. USPS\u2019 centralization of hiring processes and decision-making, has taken away hiring authority from Vermont postmasters, contributing to the problem,\u201d the Delegation continued. \u201cWe deeply appreciate the hard work of Vermont\u2019s postal employees, who, despite limited\n\nresources, continue to serve with dedication. We appreciate that USPS\u2019 Northern New England\n\n(NNE) District is focused on improving recruitment and retention, including by increasing the\n\nnumber of career fairs and hiring events across the state, but these measures alone cannot remedy the chronic operational deficiencies at USPS.\u201d\n\nThe Vermont Delegation requested answers to the following questions by September 1, 2026:\n\nUSPS\u2019 stated mission is \u201cto provide the nation with reliable, affordable, universal mail service\u201d six days per week. What percentage of households in Vermont are currently receiving six days of mail delivery per week?\n\nHow many open mail carrier roles across Vermont remain vacant and what is the average length of vacancy?\n\nWill USPS meet its hiring goals in Vermont this year?\n\nWhat is the average length of time for hired personnel to complete onboarding and begin work? Please provide data for Vermont and nationally.\n\nWhat steps has USPS taken to shorten and streamline the hiring and onboarding processes? Are additional authorities or direction from Congress required to further improve efficient staff onboarding?\n\nWhat is the average length of tenure for postal employees across Vermont?\n\nIn January 2026, USPS\u2019 NNE District Office confirmed to the Vermont Congressional Delegation that Vermont lags behind its regional neighbors in new employee recruitment numbers. What resources or strategies have you committed directly to the NNE District to boost statewide hiring efforts?\n\nDue to insufficient staffing and delivery route coverage, Vermont requires the expeditious approval of Contract Delivery Service (CDS) to ensure that mail arrives timely. What steps are you taking to ensure that, while long-term hiring efforts are underway, routes are approved for contract service to ensure adequate coverage?\n\nWhat are the average on-time delivery rates for last-mile delivery for 2024 and 2025?\n\nWhat are the average on-time delivery rates for standard mail delivery services for 2024 and 2025?\n\nWhat steps has the Postal Service taken to ensure that all ballots are timely delivered to eligible voters?\n\nWhat specific elements of the ten-year plan have you identified that need to be altered or abandoned to ensure USPS can fulfill its mission?\n\nAs part of your fleet modernization plan, how many new delivery vehicles will Vermont receive to facilitate mail delivery?\n\nRead and download the Delegation\u2019s full letter to USPS Postmaster General Steiner.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-22T05:24:59Z", "2026-08-22T05:26:16Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/senator-welch-to-host-common-grounds-listening-session-in-essex-county/", "Senator Welch\u00a0to Host\u00a0Common Grounds\u00a0Listening Session in\u00a0Essex County", "2026-08-20", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "ISLAND POND, VT \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) will travel to Essex County next week as part of his \u2018Common Grounds\u2019 listening session series.\n\nThis event will be held from 10:00 -11:00 AM ET at the scenic outdoor pavilion at Lakeside Park: 32 Mill St., Island Pond, VT. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on and join Senator Welch for a discussion about how Washington can work better for the Green Mountain State.\n\nThe Senator will host \u2018Common Grounds\u2019 listening sessions in every county of Vermont in 2026. So far, Senator Welch has hosted \u2018Common Grounds\u2019 events in Bennington, Franklin, Addison, Windsor, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, and Caledonia counties.\n\nLOGISTICS:\n\nWHO: U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.)\n\nWHEN: Tuesday, August 25th, 2026 from 10:00 \u2013 11:00 AM ET\n\nWHERE: Scenic outdoor pavilion at Lakeside Park: 32 Mill St., Island Pond, VT\n\nRSVP: Vermonters canRSVP HERE for Senator Welch\u2019s \u2018Common Grounds\u2019 Listening Session in Essex County.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-21T05:30:57Z", "2026-08-21T05:32:22Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/sanders-welch-demand-dairy-farmers-of-america-end-its-illegal-retaliation-against-vermont-dairy-workers/", "Sanders, Welch Demand Dairy Farmers of America End its Illegal Retaliation Against Vermont Dairy Workers", "2026-08-19", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "BURLINGTON \u2013 Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) wrote to Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) CEO Dennis Rodenbaugh to demand that the company reverse its decision to close the St. Albans plant and creamery and lay off 80 Vermonters. DFA appears to have decided to shutter the plant following the efforts of workers to come together and form a union.\n\n\u201cThis decision will have a devastating impact on your workers, their families, Vermont dairy farmers, and the entire St. Albans community. To make matters worse, the timing of this decision following a recent union contract renegotiation raises concerns that idling the plant appears to be an attempt to illegally union-bust and set an example of the approximately 80 Vermonters represented by Teamsters Local 597,\u201d Sanders and Welch wrote. \u201cWithout a sufficient explanation, it would be reasonable to conclude that the decision to idle the plant is illegal retaliation for last year\u2019s strike. That is unacceptable.\u201d\n\nIn October 2025, St. Albans DFA workers ratified a contract after a lengthy bargaining process and a nearly two-week strike. DFA initially touted this contract. Less than a year later, it has announced plans to close the plant. Now recent public reporting indicates this closure could be in direct response to its workers efforts to form a union and a federal judge granted a restraining order against the closure on Monday.\n\n\u201cDFA has a responsibility to the workers, farmers, and community members who have built and supported this facility for generations,\u201d the senators continued. \u201cThat responsibility means making sure the constitutional rights of your workers to unionize and collectively bargain are fully respected. It means recognizing the impact this decision will have on Vermont\u2019s dairy farmers. And it means being transparent with your workers, farmers and the people of St. Albans about why this decision was made and what DFA intends to do to mitigate its consequences.\u201d\n\nSanders and Welch concluded: \u201cDo the right thing. Reverse your decision to idle the St. Albans plant and creamery. Ensure dairy farmers do not face yet another cost increase on their balance sheets. Protect Franklin County\u2019s agricultural economy. Respect your workers\u2019 constitutional right to collectively bargain. Meet your workers at the bargaining table to provide transparency for this closure and reach a fair agreement with Teamsters Local 597.\u201d\n\nRead the letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-20T05:28:41Z", "2026-08-20T05:29:58Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-discusses-farm-to-school-funding-access-to-nutrition-programs-at-school-nutrition-association-of-vermonts-2026-conference/", "Welch Discusses Farm to School Funding, Access to Nutrition Programs at School Nutrition Association of Vermont\u2019s 2026 Conference", "2026-08-18", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "More than 19,400 children face hunger in Vermont\n\nSHELBURNE, VT \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, delivered remarks Monday at the School Nutrition Association of Vermont\u2019s 2026 \u201cSeeds of Change: Growing Vermont\u2019s Future\u201d conference. At the event, Senator Welch discussed his bipartisan efforts to protect and expand access to nutrition and farm to school programs.\n\n\u201cWhat I so admire about what you do today, and every day, is you believe in nutrition for kids, and you believe in healthy nutrition for kids. That requires local farms. Just think of all of the people who engage in this process\u2014from planting a seed, to putting food on the plate of a child so she can eat a healthy, nutritious meal right in her school. What you\u2019re discussing today and what we see across Vermont is a local, community commitment. I\u2019m fighting for more of that community commitment in the Farm Bill. Our Farm Bill should be focused on small, rural farmers and small, rural communities,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cWe\u2019re living in a country where we need to make the argument that it is important to feed kids. We should not need to argue about this\u2014we know kids need healthy foods, and we know our farmers want to help feed them. I\u2019m so thankful for your work to feed our kids and I\u2019m committed to fighting for school nutrition in Washington.\u201d\n\nEarlier this month, Senator Welch filed more than 40 amendments to Senate Republicans\u2019 Farm Bill, including amendments to increase funding for the Farm to School nutrition program and support initiatives that deliver fresh, local foods to schools nationwide. He also led amendments to cut red tape for SNAP applicants. Republicans on the Senate Agriculture Committee rejected Democratic-led amendments and the bill stalled in Committee.\n\nSee photos from the event below:\n\nEarlier this year, Senator Welch\u2019s bipartisan Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which allows schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to offer students whole milk, was signed into law. The Senator has led bipartisan and bicameral legislation to help more children and families access SNAP and improve nutrition, including the COLAs Don\u2019t Count Act, Farm to School Act, Keep SNAP Funded Act, Local School Foods Expansion Act, Improving Access to Nutrition Act of 2025, School Lunch Debt Cancellation Act, and the FORK Act.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-19T05:29:02Z", "2026-08-19T05:30:24Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-joins-over-90-bicameral-lawmakers-in-demanding-trump-drop-dangerous-childhood-vaccine-executive-order/", "Welch Joins Over\u00a090\u00a0Bicameral Lawmakers in Demanding Trump\u00a0Drop\u00a0Dangerous Childhood Vaccine Executive Order", "2026-08-18", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care, joined U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), U.S. Representative Kim Schrier (D-WA-08), and 87 bicameral lawmakers in demanding President Trump reverse his executive order directing federal health agencies to overhaul longstanding childhood vaccine recommendations and encouraging states to reconsider school immunization requirements.\n\nPresident Trump\u2019s order comes in the wake of Republicans\u2019 tax bill, the so-called one One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, which gutted Medicaid, limited access to care in rural communities, and increased cost burdens for low-income families. The executive order forces families to schedule multiple doctors\u2019 appointments with multiple co-pays to get their kids vaccinated, which adds unnecessary chaos, confusion, and financial strain.\n\nNotably, single-disease shots for routine childhood vaccines, like measles, mumps, and rubella, do not exist in the U.S. market. Recommending parents and pediatricians switch to non-existent vaccines creates mass confusion, stalls routine care right as children head back to school, and forces drug manufacturers into a years-long regulatory pipeline. Families rely on science-based vaccine recommendations from the federal government to protect their children and communities from preventable diseases.\n\nIn their letter to President Trump, the lawmakers emphasize how his executive order creates chaos and confusion as millions of families across the country are preparing for the school year: \u201cAt a moment when the United States is experiencing the highest surge in measles cases in thirty-five years and an increasing number of states forced to declare public health emergencies \u2013 your administration is placing more children in harm\u2019s way rather than protecting them. This Executive Order overrides decades of scientific evidence and sows fear, chaos, and confusion. The result will not be safer or healthier children; it will be a continued decline in vaccination rates, recurring disease outbreaks, higher healthcare costs, and school disruptions that cause learning loss. Vaccines are rigorously tested and monitored for safety, and save millions of lives each year \u2013 especially the lives of children,\u201d wrote the lawmakers.\n\nSince being confirmed, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has unleashed a methodical campaign to substitute decades of science with anti-vaccine ideology, including firing every member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which provides critical guidance on vaccines, and replacing them with handpicked allies more sympathetic to his views.\n\nNow, the Trump Administration wants to break up combination vaccines into single doses, ignoring the medical community\u2019s long-standing, evidence-backed agreement that combination vaccines are safe, effective, and specifically timed to protect children when they need it most. At a time when the U.S. is experiencing the highest surge in measles cases in thirty-five years, and an increasing number of states have been forced to declare public health emergencies, Secretary Kennedy and the Trump Administration could set public health back decades.\n\n\u201cThe health and safety of America\u2019s children must not be sacrificed for political theater and ideology. American children and their families deserve robust evidence-based immunization recommendations that are rooted in science. The administration\u2019s politicization of vaccines makes American families less safe, threatens to return the U.S. to an era before routine vaccination prevented millions of infections, and is already resulting in unnecessary suffering and preventable deaths, particularly among children,\u201d continued the lawmakers.\n\nThe lawmakers concluded: \u201cEvery day this Executive Order remains in effect, more children go without the vaccines that would protect them, additional outbreaks become more likely, and lives are put at risk. We urge you to rescind this Executive Order immediately and restore evidence-based decision-making to federal public health policy.\u201d\n\nRead and download the lawmakers\u2019 full letter to President Trump.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-19T05:29:02Z", "2026-08-19T05:30:24Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-shaheen-lead-colleagues-in-pushing-for-answers-on-violent-u-s-joint-counternarcotics-operation-with-ecuadorian-military/", "Welch, Shaheen Lead Colleagues in Pushing for Answers on\u00a0Violent\u00a0U.S. Joint Counternarcotics Operation with Ecuadorian Military", "2026-08-17", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, led their colleagues in pressing for answers about the sharp discrepancy between the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and Ecuadorian military regarding a violent joint counternarcotics operation carried out in March 2026.\n\nBetween March 1 and March 6, 2026, Ecuadorian and United States armed forces carried out a violent counternarcotics operation in the remote village of San Martin, located on the banks of the San Miguel River bordering Colombia and consisting of about two dozen impoverished families located in the Amazon jungle. The operation is the subject of multiple reports by journalists and human rights organizations who either visited the site or spoke and toured the property remotely with the registered owner, an Ecuadorian farmer who raised cows, pigs, and chickens.\n\nIn their letter to DOD Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Senators wrote: \u201cOn March 6, 2026, your department released a statement that it had conducted a joint counternarcotics operation earlier that day with the Ecuadorian military. The statement included the following: \u2018We commend President Noboa, the Government of Ecuador, and the brave troops of Ecuador\u2019s defense and security forces for their partnership in the successful operation against a narco-terrorist supply complex today, disrupting their operations and logistics.\u2019 The Administration\u2019s March 9 Notification of Military Action notes that \u2018United States Armed Forces partnered with Ecuadorian Armed Forces to strike on March 6, 2026, the facilities of narco-terrorists affiliated with a designated terrorist organization . . . Although present . . .United States ground forces did not come into contact with hostile forces.\u2019 The Administration has not publicly identified the target of the strike nor its precise role in the operation.\u201d\n\nThe Senators continued: \u201cWe are aware that the Ecuadorian \u2013 Colombian border is a dangerous area known for illegal mining and cocaine trafficking. However, also well-documented is a pattern of gross human rights violations by the Ecuadorian military. Reputable U.S., Ecuadorian, and international human rights monitors report that the human rights record of the Ecuadorian military has deteriorated significantly since the Ecuadorian government announced an \u2018armed conflict\u2019 against organized crime in January 2024. According to Freedom House, in Ecuador, \u2018the deployment of the armed forces for public security and prison control, known as \u2018Plan Fenix,\u2019 has been linked to cases of extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, torture, and arbitrary detentions.\u2019 Amnesty International and the Inter-American Commission on Human\n\nRights have cited dozens of cases of enforced disappearances by the Ecuadorian military.\u201d\n\nThe Senators requested answers from Secretary Hegseth on the following questions:\n\nSince the operation, has anyone from the U.S. Government been to the site or spoken to the owner of the property, the workers, or any of the inhabitants of San Martin?\n\nWas any evidence of the production or trafficking of illicit drugs, or other criminal activity, discovered as a result of the operation? If so, what evidence?\n\nWhich narco-terrorist organization was the intended target of the operation? The Ecuadorian military claimed the target was Comandos de la Frontera, an organized crime group that has operated for years on both sides of the Colombia-Ecuador border. Is that accurate, and has Comandos de la Frontera been designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and/or a Designated Terrorist Organization?\n\nWhat U.S. capabilities were provided as part of the operation and were any U.S. Government personnel involved in the operation? Were any U.S. Government funds used for any purpose related to the operation? Were any U.S.-origin aircraft or munitions used for any purpose related to the operation? If so, pursuant to what legal authority were they used? What was the chain of command connecting U.S. and Ecuadorian forces? What measures were taken to avoid harm to innocent people present in the area?\n\nWhich U.S. agency or agencies provided the intelligence the Ecuadorian authorities say they received from the United States that was used to conduct the operation, and did that intelligence include information from current local inhabitants or recent surveillance footage of the site? Please provide a detailed summary of the intelligence used, in classified form if warranted.\n\nHas anyone from your department reviewed the intelligence Ecuadorian authorities say they received from the United States since March 1 to confirm its accuracy?\n\nWhat steps is your department taking to conduct a credible, thorough investigation of what happened?\n\nThe letter is cosigned by Sens. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.).\n\nRead and download the Senators\u2019 full letter to DOD Secretary Hegseth.\n\nIn their letter to Ecuadorian Charg\u00e9 d\u2019Affairs Maria Pena, the Senators wrote: \u201cAccording to villagers who were present, on March 1, Ecuadorian soldiers disembarked from helicopters and burned two houses. On March 3, the Ecuadorian military bombed one of these houses. Interviews and satellite imagery analysis reportedly indicate that the houses had been long abandoned. That same day, soldiers arrested four of the farmer\u2019s Colombian workers at gunpoint. The workers were taken, reportedly with their shirts covering their heads, by helicopter to a military base. They later described being subjected to torture, including beatings, suffocation, electric shocks, threats of mutilation, and mock executions. We are not aware of any evidence that any of the men had a criminal record. A prosecutor ordered their release after the military failed to provide evidence of criminal activity or about the circumstances of their arrests.\u201d\n\nThe Senators continued: \u201cOn March 6, the Ecuadorian military returned and in a joint military operation with the United States bombed the farmer\u2019s property, destroying several wooden structures. Public reporting does not confirm that the Ecuadoran military acted alone in striking these targets nor indicate that any cocaine or other illegal drugs, or any evidence of drug trafficking was found.\u201d\n\nThe Senators requested answers from Charg\u00e9 d\u2019Affairs Pena on the following questions:\n\nSince March 1, has anyone from your government been to the site or spoken to the owner of the property, the workers, or any of the inhabitants of San Martin?\n\nWhat capabilities did the United States provide in support of the joint operation? Which U.S. agency or agencies provided the intelligence to the Ecuadoran military that was used to conduct the operation, and what did that intelligence consist of? Did the intelligence include information from current local inhabitants or recent surveillance footage of the site? What was the chain of command connecting U.S. and Ecuadorian forces? What measures were taken to avoid harm to innocent people present in the area?\n\nWas any evidence of illicit drug production or trafficking, or other criminal activity discovered as a result of the operation?\n\nWhat steps is your government taking to conduct a credible, thorough investigation of what happened? How is the U.S. military collaborating with the Ecuadorian Attorney General\u2019s investigation?\n\nIf the intelligence provided by the U.S. Government was faulty and the version of events described by the farmer, the workers, and villagers is accurate, will your government compensate the farmer for his losses and the farm workers for the abuses they suffered?\n\nThe letter was cosigned by Sens. Merkley, Kaine, Warren, and Rosen. Read and download the Senators\u2019 full letter to Ecuadorian Charg\u00e9 d\u2019Affairs Maria Pena.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-18T05:27:41Z", "2026-08-18T05:29:06Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-announces-nearly-4-million-in-new-federal-funding-to-upgrade-vermonts-amtrak-fleet/", "Welch Announces\u00a0Nearly $4\u00a0Million\u00a0in\u00a0New\u00a0Federal Funding to Upgrade Vermont\u2019s Amtrak Fleet", "2026-08-14", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "BURLINGTON, VT \u2013 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today announced the delivery of $3.95 million in new federal funding, administered by the Department of Transportation (DOT), to upgrade Amtrak\u2019s intercity passenger rail operations in Vermont. This funding will help the Northwest Regional Planning Commission replace and enhance Amtrak\u2019s Vermonter Corridor East Alburgh Bridge to increase service frequency, create positive economic and employment benefits, and improve service reliability across the state. Vermont is also part of a multi-state $2 billion federal grant to Amtrak to upgrade its train fleet.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud to have played a role in helping secure this $4 million federal investment to advance the next the generation of passenger rail travel in the Champlain Valley. Upgrading infrastructure that\u2019s at the end of its service life will not only provide an economic boost and create good-paying jobs, but increase service reliability\u2014it\u2019s a win-win,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cI\u2019ll continue working to secure more federal investments in our state\u2019s railway infrastructure to keep Vermont\u2019s passenger rail service on track.\u201d\n\nLearn more about Senator Welch\u2019s work by visiting his website or by following him on social media.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-15T05:23:20Z", "2026-08-15T05:24:50Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-discusses-farm-bill-with-organic-dairy-farmers-dairy-industry-leaders-in-addison/", "Welch\u00a0Discusses Farm Bill\u00a0with Organic Dairy Farmers, Dairy Industry Leaders in Addison", "2026-08-12", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "ADDISON, VT \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today joined Organic Valley, dairy industry leaders, and organic dairy farmers for a roundtable discussion at Harrison\u2019s Homegrown Organic Dairy Farm in Addison. At the event, Senator Welch discussed the Farm Bill and highlighted his bipartisan efforts to support Vermont\u2019s dairy farmers and strengthen the state\u2019s organic industry.\n\n\u201cVermont\u2019s organic dairy industry is the best of the best\u2014this is a proud Vermont tradition and an important part of our communities. It was a real joy to spend the afternoon at Harrison\u2019s Homegrown with Melanie, Patrick, Organic Valley, and organic dairy farmers in Addison County. I\u2019m fighting on the Agriculture Committee to provide more support for the Harrisons and farmers across our state, so they can keep farming for generations to come,\u201d said Senator Welch after the event. \u201cWe have a real opportunity to improve the Farm Bill. Right now, this bill just doesn\u2019t do enough to help Vermont\u2019s small and family dairy, specialty crop, or organic farmers. I\u2019ll keep working with my colleagues on the Committee to strengthen this bill.\u201d\n\nView photos from the event below:\n\nLast week, Senator Welch filed 42 amendments to Republicans\u2019 partisan Farm Bill, including amendments that would provide free access to the Dairy Margin Coverage Program (DMC) for eligible producers, improve data collection for organic dairy farmers, and help eliminate barriers for farmers entering the organics market. Senate Republicans\u2019 partisan Farm Bill failed in Committee and will be considered again when the Senate returns to Washington next month.\n\nThe Senator has championed legislation to expand federal support for organic dairy farmers and ensure fair prices for family dairies, including the bipartisan Domestic Organic Investment Act and the Organic Dairy Assistance, Investment, and Reporting Yields Act (O DAIRY) Act. The Senator also led 14 colleagues in introducing the Opportunities in Organic Act to reduce barriers to organic farming in Vermont. Senator Welch\u2019s bipartisan bill, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, was signed into law earlier this year.\n\nSenator Welch is the Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit. Learn more about Senator Welch\u2019s work by visiting his website or by following him on social media.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-13T06:17:16Z", "2026-08-13T06:18:13Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-reaffirms-u-s-canada-partnership-at-47th-annual-meeting-of-the-new-england-governors-and-eastern-canadian-premiers/", "Welch Reaffirms U.S.-Canada Partnership at 47th\u00a0Annual Meeting of the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers", "2026-08-10", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "SHELBURNE, VT \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today joined Vermont Governor Phil Scott at Shelburne Farms for the 47th annual meeting of the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers. Senator Welch delivered remarks underscoring how the White House\u2019s rhetoric against Canada\u2014Vermont\u2019s largest partner in trade\u2014has hurt strained Vermonters\u2019 relationship with their Canadian neighbors and harmed small businesses, farmers, and families across New England and Canada. In his remarks, Senator Welch highlighted that Canada is the largest trading partner for 34 U.S. states, including Vermont. In 2024 alone, trade with Canada accounted for 35% of Vermont\u2019s exports, 67% of imports, and 56% of its total trade. One in four businesses in Vermont relies on trade with Canada.\n\n\u201cVermonters hold our centuries-old relationship with Canadians in high esteem, both emotionally and economically\u2014and that\u2019s true of all states in New England. The White House\u2019s arbitrary tariffs and endless attacks on our northern neighbors have caused undeniable harm not only to our relationship but have been brutal on businesses, no matter where you\u2019re from,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cCongress must reassert its constitutional power over trade policy and demand that President Trump answer for the irreparable economic and emotional harm his administration is creating.\u201d\n\nView photos from the event below:\n\nIn a Senate Finance Committee hearing last month, Senator Welch pushed U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer for answers about how President Trump\u2019s new proposed 50% tariffs on Canadian would hurt small businesses in Vermont. The Senator also urged Ambassador Greer, the White House, and Canadian trade officials to come to a swift resolution on unresolved matters and to maintain the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which was negotiated and signed by President Trump in his first term.\n\nSenator Welch is the lead sponsor of the Creating Access to Necessary American-Canadian Duty Adjustments (CANADA) Act, legislation that would exempt United States-owned small businesses from tariffs imposed on Canada. Senator Welch also cosponsors the bipartisan Trade Review Act, which seeks to restore Congress\u2019 constitutional role in trade policy.\n\nLearn more about Senator Welch\u2019s work by visiting his website or by following him on social media.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-11T05:54:29Z", "2026-08-11T05:56:25Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-votes-against-sanctions-bill-that-allows-trump-to-impose-tariffs-unchecked/", "Welch Votes Against Sanctions Bill that Allows Trump to Impose Tariffs Unchecked", "2026-08-07", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today voted in opposition to Republicans\u2019 Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which grants President Trump new authorities to impose massive tariffs on countries that \u2018facilitate\u2019 Russia oil sanctions evasion. The president could impose tariffs of up to 100% on nearly any country, taking this Constitutional authority out of the hands of Congress.\n\nSenator Welch released the following statement after the vote:\n\n\u201cSenator Graham\u2019s dedication to ensuring the United States uses every tool possible to stop Putin\u2019s unjust war on Ukraine was unmatched. Over the past four and a half years, Senator Graham sought every avenue to curb Russia\u2019s aggression, including going after companies and countries buying Russian oil. But this bill misses the mark in achieving the goals Senator Graham worked so tirelessly to achieve by giving President Trump a loophole to impose more destructive tariffs, which will ultimately hurt Americans and our economy. After more than 18 months of economic chaos brought about by President Trump\u2019s reckless trade policy, the Senate should not give President Trump even broader, unfettered tariff powers. I voted no.\u201d\n\nSenator Welch filed an amendment to the bill last week to remove language in Section 113 of the Act that could enable President Trump to impose tariffs on any country, for any reason. The amendment was rejected by Senate Republicans.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-08T05:41:38Z", "2026-08-08T05:43:24Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/after-senate-republicans-block-welchs-amendments-welch-votes-against-partisan-farm-bill-in-committee/", "After\u00a0Senate\u00a0Republicans Block\u00a0Welch\u2019s Amendments, Welch\u00a0Votes Against\u00a0Partisan\u00a0Farm Bill\u00a0in Committee", "2026-08-06", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "Welch offered 42 amendments to better support small and family farms, strengthen rural communities, improve access to nutrition\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, today joined all Democrats on the Committee in voting against advancing Senate Republicans\u2019 Farm Bill. The bill failed to advance out of the Committee.\n\nHistorically, Republicans and Democrats on the Agriculture Committee have worked together to craft a bipartisan Farm Bill. The Farm Bill has not been fully reauthorized since 2018. This year, Senate Republicans on the Agriculture Committee drafted a partisan bill that does not address the needs of Vermont\u2019s small and family farmers, does little to address the devastating cuts to SNAP and nutrition assistance programs in Republicans\u2019 tax bill, and fails to invest in rural communities.\n\n\u201cThe serious question that we are grappling with, and we don\u2019t have all the tools we need to do it, is the reality that American agriculture is really in crisis. Our farmers are creating an immense amount of wealth, they\u2019re just not getting any of it. I saw a graph from the Secretary of Agriculture showing that for 11 major commodity crops it costs more to plant and harvest than the revenue that our farmers get. That is not a sustainable situation. And that\u2019s the existential challenge that I think we have in this committee: to restore the vitality of American agriculture,\u201d Senator Welch said in the Agriculture Committee markup.\n\n\u201cSenate Republicans\u2019 Farm Bill failed to meet the moment. I\u2019m hopeful we can come to the table in good faith to make substantial changes to this Farm Bill, and work together in a bipartisan way to make a real difference for rural America,\u201d Welch said after the bill failed.\n\nWatch Senator Welch\u2019s remarks in Committee below:\n\nSenator Welch filed 42 amendments to improve Senate Republicans\u2019 Farm Bill. Two were called for a vote and blocked by Republicans on the Committee. Senator Welch\u2019s proposed changes to the bill include measures to better support small and family farms, strengthen rural communities, reform farm subsidy programs, and improve access to nutrition. Senator Welch\u2019s proposed amendments to the Farm Bill included measures to:\n\nBetter Support Vermont Farmers:\n\nHalt the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s (USDA) reorganization plan\n\nCut red tape for small-scale meat producers in rural communities\n\nImprove access to farm loans and credit\n\nProvide free access to the Dairy Margin Coverage Program (DMC) for eligible producers\n\nImprove data collection for organic dairy farmers\n\nExpand eligibility and access to conservation programs\n\nHelp eliminate barriers for farmers entering the organics market\n\nStrengthen Rural Communities:\n\nImprove rural broadband buildout and speed standards\n\nLower energy costs for rural communities\n\nCombat the threat of invasive species\n\nEstablish national and regional agroforestry centers\n\nProvide multi-year flexible grants to rural communities\n\nStrike the Farm Bill\u2019s E15 language, which is bad for dairy and specialty crop farmers, bad for the environment, and could raise food costs for families\n\nReform Farm Subsidy and Crop Insurance Programs:\n\nEnsure taxpayer-provided aid makes it into the hands of actual farmers\n\nImprove record-keeping requirements for farm subsidies\n\nDevelop a crop insurance product for specialty crop and diversified farms facing extreme weather events\n\nImprove Access to Nutrition:\n\nIncrease funding for the Farm to School nutrition program and support initiatives that deliver fresh, local foods to schools nationwide\n\nCut red tape for SNAP applicants\n\nImprove USDA\u2019s Food for Peace program\n\nView all of Senator Welch\u2019s amendments to the Farm Bill.\n\nThe Committee meeting will remain open for continued discussions on the Farm Bill.\n\nSenator Welch is the Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit. Learn more about Senator Welch\u2019s work by visiting his website or by following him on social media.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-07T06:11:19Z", "2026-08-07T06:12:42Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-reintroduces-cap-act-to-enhance-consumer-protection-hold-mega-corporations-accountable-for-consumer-safety-violations/", "Welch Reintroduces\u00a0CAP Act\u00a0to Enhance Consumer Protection, Hold Mega-Corporations Accountable for Consumer Safety Violations", "2026-08-06", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) todayled U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-N.M.) in reintroducing the Consumer Advocacy and Protection (CAP) Act, legislation to bolster consumer protection by incentivizing companies to prioritize and invest in product safety. The legislation aims to protect consumers from corporate negligence and create safer products by strengthening the Consumer Product Safety Commission\u2019s (CPSC) authority to impose financial penalties on large corporations that violate consumer protection laws.\n\n\u201cIntegrity and transparency are crucial to ensuring consumer protection. But right now, massive companies continue to undermine federal safety standards and evade responsibility. We need to create incentives that put consumer and product safety first,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cOur commonsense bill will hold corporations accountable when they knowingly put products on the market that endanger consumers.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur legislation will help hold corporate actors accountable when their defective products cause harm. Fundamentally faulty products like Generac portable generators and Peloton Tread+ treadmills seriously impacted consumers and more action is needed to deter manufacturers from rushing to release flawed products onto the market. By increasing penalty caps and allowing the CPSC to levee appropriate fines, the CAP Act will raise the stakes for companies and significantly bolster consumer safety,\u201d said Senator Blumenthal.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s clear existing penalties aren\u2019t enough to deter companies that are harming consumers in violation of the law,\u201d said Senator Schatz. \u201cOur bill will protect consumers by increasing fines and making sure bad actors are held accountable.\u201d\n\n\u201cConsumers deserve the confidence that the products they bring into their homes are not only effective, but safe,\u201d said Senator Luj\u00e1n. \u201cWhen major corporations knowingly market and sell unsafe products, they must be held accountable, but current penalties are just a little more than a slap on the wrist. I\u2019m proud to join Senator Welch and my colleagues in reintroducing this legislation to strengthen accountability and protect consumers.\u201d\n\nThe CPSC utilizes various tools to deter safety regulation noncompliance, promote adherence to standards, and hold companies accountable, including the imposition of civil penalties. Under current law, manufacturers, importers, and distributors of consumer products are required to report immediately to the CPSC information that reasonably supports the conclusion that a product contains a defect that could create a substantial product hazard or an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death. If violations occur, the CPSC can administer $120,000 per violation and $17,150,000 for a series of related violations. The CPSC is allowed to adjust the maximum civil penalty amounts every five years for inflation.\n\nThe CAP Act aims to increase consumer protection from corporate negligence by striking the maximum civil penalty cap on a series of violations and increasing the individual violation cap from $100,000 to $250,000. The legislation would also clarify under what offenses CPSC can fine manufacturers and ensure fines accurately reflect inflation by adjusting the inflation review period from every five years to every year.\n\nThe CAP Act is endorsed by the Consumer Federation of America, Consumer Reports, National Consumers League (NCL), Public Citizen, and the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG).\n\n\u201cEvery American, especially our children, deserve products that are safe,\u201d said Courtney Griffin, Director of Consumer Product Safety, Consumer Federation of America. \u201cUnfortunately,the current limits on civil penalties allow big corporations to treat them as little more than the cost of doing business. Consumer Federation of America applauds Senator Welch for introducing legislation that will close this gap and strengthen corporate accountability.\u201d\n\n\u201cPeople are put at risk when companies do not follow product safety laws and see civil penalties as the cost of doing business,\u201d Oriene Shin, Manager for Safety Advocacy, Consumer Reports. \u201cFor too long, the civil penalty limits have been far too low to deter giant, multibillion-dollar companies from breaking the law. The CAP Act would change this\u2014and protect consumers by improving corporate accountability. Consumer Reports supports this bill and urges all members of Congress to do the same.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe nation\u2019s product safety cop on the beat shouldn\u2019t have its hands tied when holding bad actors accountable,\u201d said Daniel Greene, Senior Director of Consumer Protection & Product Safety, National Consumers League. \u201cExisting penalty caps only permit the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to assess $100,000 penalties per violation, not to exceed $15 million total. That\u2019s a slap on the wrist\u2014merely the cost of doing business for unscrupulous actors flooding the market with dangerous, violative products. As Americans, we place a far higher value on the lives and wellbeing of our family, friends, and fellow citizens. So should our product safety laws. The National Consumers League applauds Senator Welch for his leadership on this important issue.\u201d\n\n\u201cLawmakers need to do more to hold multi-billion-dollar corporations accountable when they intentionally put consumers at risk or lie to regulators. Sure, the CPSC in 2021 raised the cap to $120,000 per individual violation and $17.5 million for a series of safety violations, but a future CPSC could ratchet those back. Congress hasn\u2019t increased the cap in nearly two decades. Companies need to face meaningful penalties for putting consumers at risk,\u201d said Teresa Murray, Consumer Watchdog Director, U.S. PIRG.\n\nLearn more about the CAP Act.\n\nRead and download the full text of the bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-07T06:11:19Z", "2026-08-07T06:12:42Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/senate-passes-welch-budds-bipartisan-bill-to-crack-down-on-foreign-robocalls/", "Senate Passes Welch, Budd\u2019s Bipartisan Bill to Crack Down on Foreign Robocalls", "2026-08-05", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Ted Budd (R-N.C.) celebrated the Senate\u2019s unanimous passage of their bipartisan Foreign Robocall Elimination Act, legislation to bring together government and private sector experts to find additional means of eliminating unlawful robocalls placed into the U.S. from abroad. The Senators\u2019 bill is the first piece of legislation related to robocalls to be advanced by the Senate since 2020.\n\n\u201cVermonters have received 27 million robocalls so far in 2026. And it\u2019s not only our state\u2014folks in red and blue states alike are sick and tired of picking up the phone and wondering if they\u2019re being scammed. As foreign robocallers step up their efforts to exploit and prey on vulnerable people, we need to do more to combat this unlawful practice and protect Americans from scams,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cI\u2019m proud to work with Senator Budd on this bipartisan legislation and am grateful for the Senate\u2019s support. I urge the House to join us in sending it to the president\u2019s desk.\u201d\n\n\u201cToo many American households have been targeted by foreign scam calls that threaten to steal identities and defraud innocent victims. We cannot allow these criminals to continue preying on Americans without consequence. I am proud this timely legislation passed the Senate with unanimous support, and I urge my House colleagues to swiftly pass it so we can strengthen international cooperation to crack down on foreign robocall scammers,\u201d said Senator Budd.\n\nAccording to recent studies, nearly 50 million U.S. adults have reported losing money to an online scam or attack. Additionally, most U.S. adults report receiving scam messages daily or weekly via phone (68%) or text (61%), and 41% of U.S. adults (106 million) say a scam email, text, or call led them to give away personal information.\n\nOnline scams are also a major threat to national security. Last year, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) documented nearly $21 billion in annual losses from internet crime\u2014a 25% increase from 2024. Accounting for under-reporting, total fraud-related losses to U.S. consumers exceed $158 billion per year.\n\nThe Foreign Robocall Elimination Act builds on landmark legislation like the TRACED Act to create an interagency task force to evaluate foreign robocalls and how best to combat them, with the goal of increasing international cooperation to reduce illegal robocalls. The task force will consist of key representatives from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Trade Commission, Department of Justice (DOJ) and experts in the field of voice service and analytics, telecommunications technology, marketing organizations, and consumer advocates.\n\nAdditionally, the task force will help ensure that the DOJ is adequately equipped to address and prosecute criminals behind the influx of foreign robocalls. The bill also extends the FCC\u2019s renewal period for the Industry Traceback Group from one year to three years. That change will help the Traceback Group, established in the TRACED Act, continue its successful work of tracing back the source of unlawful robocalls.\n\nThe Foreign Robocall Elimination Act is endorsed by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and USTelecom.\n\n\u201cAARP, which advocates on behalf of more than 100 million Americans age 50 and older, is pleased to endorse the Foreign Robocall Elimination Act. This legislation represents a critical next step in protecting Americans from fraudulent and abusive robocalls originating from outside the United States. Older Americans are disproportionately targeted by robocall scams, which often lead to financial loss, identity theft, and emotional distress. These calls not only exploit individuals but also erode trust in telecommunications systems and public institutions. The Foreign Robocall Elimination Act builds upon the TRACED Act and addresses this growing threat by convening a task force of government and private sector experts to develop actionable strategies for eliminating harmful foreign robocalls,\u201d said Bill Sweeney, Senior Vice President for Government Affairs, AARP.\n\n\u201cIllegal robocalls are not just a nuisance\u2014they\u2019re a threat to vulnerable Americans and a tool for scammers around the world. Thanks to strong partnerships between the Industry Traceback Group and federal, state, and local law enforcement, we\u2019ve made measurable progress in stopping these bad actors. The Foreign Robocall Elimination Act builds on this success to empower industry and law enforcement to use what works to crack down on the bad actors overseas preying on Americans. Big thanks to Senators Budd and Welch for their leadership and commitment to consumer protection,\u201d said Josh Bercu, Senior Vice President, Policy at USTelecom \u2013 The Broadband Association and Executive Director, The Industry Traceback Group.\n\nRead and download the full text of the Foreign Robocall Elimination Act.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-06T07:37:31Z", "2026-08-06T07:38:34Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-curtis-murkowski-schatz-lead-eight-colleagues-in-hosting-bipartisan-roundtable-on-extreme-weather-response-supporting-disaster-impacted-communities/", "Welch, Curtis, Murkowski, Schatz\u00a0Host\u00a0Bipartisan Roundtable on Extreme Weather Response,\u00a0Supporting Disaster-Impacted Communities", "2026-08-05", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "Thirteen Senators joined the bipartisan discussion\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.), John Curtis (R-Utah), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) this week hosted a bipartisan roundtable on Capitol Hill focused on the high costs of extreme weather and climate change, and how Washington can better help communities prepare for, mitigate, and recover from these disasters. Senators Welch, Curtis, Murkowski, and Schatz were joined by Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-Nev.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).\n\n\u201cFrom brutal flooding in Vermont and Alaska to destructive wildfires in Utah, California, and Hawaii, extreme weather is wreaking havoc in communities across America\u2014and it\u2019s only getting worse,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cThis roundtable made it crystal clear that Washington isn\u2019t doing enough to support rural communities and constituents recovering from climate disasters. The Senate needs to take action to ensure that Americans in disaster-impacted communities\u2014in red and blue states alike\u2014can rebuild, recover, and withstand the rising impacts of climate change.\u201d\n\n\u201cUtahns know firsthand the devastating toll that wildfires, drought, and other extreme weather events can have on families, communities, and local economies,\u201d said Senator Curtis. \u201cThis roundtable confirmed what we all know: preparing for disasters, protecting lives, and helping communities recover are shared responsibilities and non-partisan issues. I appreciated the opportunity to discuss practical solutions that improve emergency responsiveness and ensure our communities have the tools they need before and after disaster strikes.\u201d\n\n\u201cThank you to my colleagues and the experts who came to the table for this critical discussion about the growing costs and impacts of extreme weather. In Alaska, we\u2019re on the front lines for increasingly common events. Flooding, wildfires, landslides, earthquakes, and even remnants of major typhoons have devastated communities across the state,\u201d said Senator Murkowski. \u201cRural communities face especially difficult situations, making it essential that our disaster policies recognize the unique costs of preparing for, responding to, and recovering from these events. We know the most cost-effective disaster is the one that never happens, which is why investments in mitigation, forecasting, resilient infrastructure, and early warning systems are so important. I appreciated the opportunity to discuss practical solutions that will strengthen preparedness, improve recovery, and help communities build greater resilience for the future.\u201d\n\n\u201cMy heart goes out to the people of Washington who are dealing with this across our state, particularly in Spokane, and in the Lake Chelan area as well. Between Washington and Oregon, we\u2019ve hit a record for the amount of acreage that has been burning,\u201d said Senator Cantwell. \u201cTechnology can play a big role. We have to show people that the connection between the information that we can get, and then the actual action plan that we can put into place, that\u2019s where the gaps are.\u201d\n\n\u201cExtreme weather will, in one way or another, affect all Americans regardless of region, as well as our overall economy. In Virginia, we have seen the effects firsthand \u2013 from flooding at military installations in Hampton Roads, to Southwest Virginia\u2019s ongoing recovery from Hurricane Helene, to periodic drought conditions throughout the Commonwealth,\u201d said Senator Kaine. \u201cI was pleased to join a bipartisan group of my Senate colleagues and a group of experts to discuss how to invest in resilience on the front end, improve response, and support recovery efforts for those affected by extreme weather.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn California, we\u2019ve seen firsthand how extreme weather disasters like wildfires and flooding impact communities, and it\u2019s past time we expand disaster mitigation and improve disaster response,\u201d said Senator Padilla. \u201cI\u2019m proud to join this bipartisan push to help communities across the country build resilience and get better access to resources when extreme weather hits.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis was a thoughtful, informative, and eye-opening discussion on a pressing issue that impacts every state. I commend Senators Welch, Curtis, Schatz, and Murkowski for convening this forum and advancing bipartisan dialogue about how we can improve disaster response and better support communities and states,\u201d said Senator Reed. \u201cCongress must ensure the disaster declaration process is merit-based and not politicized. I have put forward legislation, the Disaster Relief Fairness Act (S.5018), which would prevent the administration from unfairly denying disaster assistance to states and communities when they have clearly met the criteria to qualify. I hope my colleagues will consider supporting this bill. Every state has different needs, but all of us are impacted by extreme weather events and we all need help at some point, regardless of who is in the White House when disaster strikes.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor years, the biggest polluters have made trillions in profits while destroying the environment and damaging our public health. The result is not only a rise in extreme weather, but an increase in Americans paying the price \u2013 from rising insurance premiums to the costs of rebuilding communities after major flood events like the one in Western Maryland last year. It\u2019s polluters who should be paying to clean up the mess they made \u2013 not the American people. This important bipartisan discussion on standing up for disaster-impacted communities makes clear that we must ensure that the communities most harmed by the effects of climate change do not have to bear the costs alone,\u201d said Senator Van Hollen.\n\nView photos from the event below and on the Senator\u2019s website:\n\nThe roundtable featured Michael Gaughan of the Vermont Bond Bank, which in 2023 launched the first-of-its-kind Municipal Climate Recovery Fund to support rural disaster recovery; Adam Smith, Senior Climate Impacts Scientist at Climate Central and the former lead scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration\u2019s (NOAA) U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters Database; and Chief Bob Roper, Senior Wildfire Advisor to the Western Fire Chiefs Association.\n\nSenator Welch has championed efforts in the Senate to better protect rural communities from the impact of extreme weather events. This Congress, Senator Welch led 13 of his colleagues in introducing the Measuring the Cost of Disasters Act, legislation that requires NOAA to restore and maintain the Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters database, which collects and publishes information on natural disasters resulting in at least $1 billion in damage each year in the United States. The Senator also introduced the Disaster AID Act, legislation that would reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to make the delivery of disaster aid more efficient and effective, provide technical assistance to small towns, and expedite funding for disaster response.\n\nIn July, Senator Welch joined U.S. Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL) and the Climate Action Network for an event in Barre, Vermont, to hear firsthand from Vermonters impacted by natural disasters and highlight how climate change is fueling more dangerous and deadly extreme weather. The Senator also led 14 colleagues in urging the Trump Administration to reinstate terminated employees at the National Weather Service (NWS) and NOAA to ensure community preparedness ahead of natural disasters.\n\nIn December 2023, Senator Welch testified before a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee and advocated for the inclusion of CDBG-DR funding in the comprehensive disaster supplemental package. The comprehensive disaster relief bill, signed by President Biden in 2024, provided more than $100 billion total in disaster relief, and contained many of Senator Welch\u2019s top priorities for Vermont: flexible spending through the Community Development Block Grant\u2013Disaster Recovery fund; support for FEMA\u2019s Disaster Relief Fund (DRF); dedicated help for flood-impacted farmers; and low-interest disaster loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to help businesses and homeowners recover, among many other resources.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-06T07:37:31Z", "2026-08-06T07:38:34Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-files-42-amendments-to-the-farm-bill/", "Welch Files 42 Amendments to the Farm Bill", "2026-08-05", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "Welch\u2019s amendments would support farmers and rural communities, reform farm subsidy programs, and improve access to nutrition programs\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 On Thursday, the Senate Agriculture Committee plans to consider Senate Republicans\u2019 partisan Farm Bill which, as written, will not adequately support Vermont farmers and families and rural communities. U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, filed 42 amendments to Senate Republicans Farm Bill. Senator Welch\u2019s proposed changes to the Farm Bill include measures to better support small and family farms, strengthen rural communities, reform farm subsidy programs, and improve access to nutrition.\n\n\u201cFarms and rural communities across the country are in crisis\u2014we need a bipartisan Farm Bill that meets the moment, but this bill isn\u2019t it. I\u2019ve introduced 42 amendments to Senate Republicans\u2019 partisan Farm Bill\u2014many of which are policies that have historically enjoyed strong bipartisan support,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cI hope my colleagues on the Agriculture Committee will work together to improve this Farm Bill and help Vermont farmers, families, and communities.\u201d\n\nSenator Welch\u2019s proposed amendments and changes to Senate Republicans\u2019 Farm Bill include measures to:\n\nBetter Support Vermont Farmers:\n\nHalt the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s (USDA) reorganization plan\n\nCut red tape for small-scale meat producers in rural communities\n\nImprove access to farm loans and credit\n\nProvide free access to the Dairy Margin Coverage Program (DMC) for eligible producers\n\nImprove data collection for organic dairy farmers\n\nExpand eligibility and access to conservation programs\n\nHelp eliminate barriers for farmers entering the organics market\n\nStrengthen Rural Communities:\n\nImprove rural broadband buildout and speed standards\n\nLower energy costs for rural communities\n\nCombat the threat of invasive species\n\nEstablish national and regional agroforestry centers\n\nProvide multi-year flexible grants to rural communities\n\nStrike the Farm Bill\u2019s E15 language, which is bad for dairy and specialty crop farmers, bad for the environment, and could raise food costs for families.\n\nReform Farm Subsidy and Crop Insurance Programs:\n\nEnsure taxpayer-provided aid makes it into the hands of actual farmers\n\nImprove record-keeping requirements for farm subsidies\n\nDevelop a crop insurance product for specialty crop and diversified farms facing extreme weather events\n\nImprove Access to Nutrition:\n\nIncrease funding for the Farm to School nutrition program and support initiatives that deliver fresh, local foods to schools nationwide\n\nCut red tape for SNAP applicants\n\nImprove USDA\u2019s Food for Peace program\n\nView all of Senator Welch\u2019s amendments to the Farm Bill.\n\nSenator Welch is the Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit. Learn more about Senator Welch\u2019s work by visiting his website or by following him on social media.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-06T07:37:31Z", "2026-08-06T07:38:34Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-and-capito-lead-bipartisan-bicameral-bill-to-improve-access-to-opioid-treatment-and-recovery-in-rural-communities/", "Welch and Capito Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Improve Access to Opioid Treatment and Recovery in Rural Communities", "2026-08-04", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care, and U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) introduced the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) Authorization Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation to maintain the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program, which was established to expand prevention, treatment, and recovery services in rural areas for substance use disorders, related behavioral health conditions, and other related public health issues.\n\n\u201cWhile Vermont has seen a decrease in overdose deaths in recent years, our work to help those struggling with addiction isn\u2019t over\u2014far from it. We need to do everything in our power to support folks on the road to recovery, especially in rural communities, where treatment and resources are harder to come by,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cWe\u2019re working across the aisle to ensure that rural communities in Vermont, West Virginia, and across the country can access vital prevention and recovery services necessary to combat the opioid crisis.\u201d\n\n\u201cWest Virginians know firsthand the devastating toll the opioid epidemic has had on our state\u2019s families and communities. We also know that recovery is possible when those struggling have access to the right resources,\u201d said Senator Capito. \u201cThe Rural Communities Opioid Response Program has helped strengthen prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts in communities that often face unique challenges accessing care. By preserving this successful program, we can provide greater certainty for rural providers and ensure communities in West Virginia and across the country continue to receive the support they need to recover.\u201d\n\nU.S. Representatives Carol Miller (R-WV-01), Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), Terri Sewell (D-AL-07), and Buddy Carter (R-GA-01) introduced companion legislation in the House.\n\n\u201cSupporting communities battling addiction remains one of my highest priorities. Representing a rural district, I know how critical it is for families to have reliable access to quality health care and recovery services. RCORP delivers essential funding to rural areas that lack the resources needed to address substance use disorders, and formally authorizing this program provides stability for the providers doing this lifesaving work. I\u2019m grateful to my colleagues for joining me in this bipartisan effort to strengthen prevention and recovery services in some of the most underserved parts of our nation,\u201d said Rep. Miller.\n\n\u201cFor the millions of Americans battling substance use disorder, having access to proven, affordable treatment can mean the difference between life and death. The RCORP program is critical in bringing those lifesaving services to our rural communities, including those in our own Capital Region. I\u2019m proud to join my colleagues to introduce this legislation that ensures those living with the disease of addiction have access to the health care treatment and resources they need to find and follow the path to recovery,\u201d said Rep. Tonko.\n\n\u201cOpioid addiction doesn\u2019t discriminate by age, income, or political party, and it\u2019s going to take all of us working together to end to this national crisis. I\u2019m proud to work with my colleagues authorize the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program. While there is no silver bullet, bipartisan solutions like this will help us save lives and support those struggling with substance use,\u201d said Rep.Sewell.\n\n\u201cRural districts like mine face significant barriers to opioid treatment and recovery. Formally authorizing the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program ensures those battling substance abuse maintain access to prevention, treatment, and recovery services. As a pharmacist, this issue is deeply personal to me. I will continue working so every American has the tools and support necessary to overcome addiction, and I thank my colleagues for working together to save lives,\u201d said Rep. Carter.\n\nThe RCORP Authorization Act would:\n\nFormally authorize the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) to ensure its predictability and long-term stability.\n\nProvide access to prevention, treatment, and recovery services for substance use disorders in rural communities.\n\nSupport local partnerships to strengthen coordinated, community-based care.\n\nProvide grants to rural organizations to address opioid use disorder and other behavioral health challenges.\n\nAuthorize funds annually from Fiscal Year 2027 through 2031 to sustain and expand the program.\n\nRead and download the full text of the legislation.\n\nSenator Welch has led his colleagues in a series of substance use disorder research, treatment, and prevention efforts. This Congress, Senator Welch cosponsored the Maximizing Opioid Recovery Emergency (MORE) Savings Act, legislation to make it easier for individuals struggling with an opioid-use disorder (OUD) to access evidence-based treatment. The Senator also reintroduced his bipartisan, bicameral Overcoming Prevalent Inadequacies in Overdose Information Data Sets (OPIOIDS ACT) to confront the devastating opioid crisis and give state and local governments additional tools to address the opioid epidemic in their communities.\n\nIn 2023, Senator Welch\u2019s bipartisan Testing, Rapid Analysis, and Narcotic Quality (TRANQ) Research Act was signed into law by President Biden.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-05T07:37:37Z", "2026-08-05T07:38:44Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-merkley-wyden-champion-fork-act-bipartisan-bicameral-legislation-to-keep-rural-kids-fed/", "Welch, Merkley, Wyden\u00a0Champion\u00a0FORK Act,\u00a0Bipartisan,\u00a0Bicameral\u00a0Legislation to Keep Rural Kids Fed", "2026-08-04", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "Nearly 1 in 6 children in Vermont face hunger\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, joined U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) in reintroducing the Feeding Our Rural Kids (FORK) Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation which would help summer meal program sponsors purchase, retrofit, or repair vehicles that expand access to summer meals for children in rural communities. U.S. Representatives Andrea Salinas (D-OR-06), Mike Lawler (R-NY-17), and Val Hoyle (D-OR-04) introduced companion legislation in the House.\n\nIn Vermont, more than 83,000 people\u2014including more than 19,400 children\u2014face hunger.\n\n\u201cVermont has the highest percentage of rural students in the nation\u2014that means food-insecure students in our state have a harder time participating in summer meal programs. Investing in food delivery programs that transport students to and from summer meal sites has to be part of the solution,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cOur bill works to close the summer meal gap and ensure rural students in Vermont, Oregon, and across the country can access nutritious meals all year long.\u201d\n\n\u201cEvery child\u2014everywhere\u2014deserves delicious and nutritious meals all year long,\u201d said Senator Merkley. \u201cCommunities in Oregon and across the United States are finding innovative ways to make sure students do not go hungry during the summer months. The bipartisan FORK Act builds on those efforts by helping rural communities expand meal delivery and meal pick-up at sites closer to where families live, so geography is never a barrier to feeding kids nationwide.\u201d\n\n\u201cThousands of Oregonians are being denied food assistance under Trump\u2019s draconian cuts to SNAP and other federal programs,\u201d said Senator Wyden. \u201cThis bill would help restore critical food assistance to kids, helping meet them exactly where they are to end the ongoing hunger crisis in Oregon\u2019s schools.\u201d\n\nThe Feeding Our Rural Kids Act would create a grant program to allow schools and Summer Food Service Program providers in rural districts to receive funding to purchase mobile food delivery vehicles for home delivery of meals. Especially because vehicle purchases are not otherwise allowed under the Summer Food Service Program, the bipartisan, bicameral legislation would establish a three-year pilot grant program to help summer meal program sponsors reduce transportation barriers and bring nutritious meals closer to children and families during the summer. The bill would also build on existing rural non-congregate summer meal flexibilities by helping sponsors acquire transportation infrastructure to fully utilize those options.\n\nThe FORK Act is endorsed by Hunger Free Vermont, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Alliance to End Hunger, FoodCorps, Marion Polk Food Share, Oregon Food Bank, Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon, Save the Children, School Nutrition Association, Share Our Strength, Umatilla School District, Woodburn School District, and AASA, the School Superintendents Association.\n\n\u201cWe know that hunger doesn\u2019t take a vacation. The summer months can be some of the hungriest for children, which is why the nourishing, balanced meals offered by the USDA summer meals program are so important. We commend Senator Welch and his colleagues for leading on this common-sense legislation, which is the key to unlocking much needed, innovative improvements to this program. A few Vermont schools have already proven the success of hitting the road and delivering summer meals to our most rural communities, and this legislation would allow our more remote communities in Vermont and across the country to be better served by this program\u2014meaning more children would have full bellies throughout the summer to play, learn, and grow,\u201d said Ivy Enoch, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Hunger Free Vermont.\n\n\u201cFor too many children, summer break means losing access to the healthy school meals they count on all year. The Feeding Our Rural Kids (FORK) Act would provide critical funding to deliver nutritious summer meals to children in need, removing transportation barriers for families across rural America and ensuring students return to school nourished and ready to learn,\u201d said Ashley Powell, PhD, RD, FAND, SNS, School Nutrition Association President.\n\n\u201cThe Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics strongly supports the Feeding Our Rural Kids (FORK) Act. This legislation will help ensure that children in rural and underserved communities have greater access to nutritious meals during the summer months by providing meal sponsors with the tools needed to reach families facing travel and access barriers. We applaud the bill\u2019s sponsors for advancing solutions that help children thrive by keeping them connected to nutritious food when school is out,\u201d said Tamara Randall, MS, RDN, LD, CDCES, FAND, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics President.\n\n\u201cWe need to help the children in our care, no matter where they live, in cities or rural areas, be able to access enough food every day, in every season, for a healthy life so they can learn to their fullest potential. Let\u2019s invest in making sure that children in rural areas have opportunities for meals to get to them,\u201d said Eric Mitchell, Alliance to End Hunger President.\n\n\u201cRural non-congregate meals have been a lifeline for families during the summer. Before this expansion, far too many kids missed out on nutritious meals because of barriers that made it difficult to access summer meals programs. Now this bill will unlock new opportunities so resources reach farther, rural communities are more connected, and more kids can be fed,\u201d said Claire Borzner, Director of Federal Government Relations of the No Kid Hungry Campaign at Share Our Strength.\n\nRead and download the full text of the bill.\n\nSenator Welch has been a leading advocate for protecting and expanding access to nutrition programs in the Senate. Earlier this year, Senator Welch\u2019s bipartisan Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which would allow schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to offer students whole milk, was signed into law. The Senator has led bipartisan and bicameral legislation to help more Americans access SNAP and improve nutrition, including the COLAs Don\u2019t Count Act, Farm to School Act, Keep SNAP Funded Act, Local School Foods Expansion Act, Improving Access to Nutrition Act of 2025, and the School Lunch Debt Cancellation Act.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-05T07:37:37Z", "2026-08-05T07:38:44Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-opposes-todd-blanches-nomination-for-attorney-general/", "Welch Opposes Todd Blanche\u2019s Nomination for Attorney General", "2026-08-04", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "\u201cWe can stop capitulating today by doing our job and rejecting a completely unqualified man to be the top law enforcement official in this country.\u201d\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today voted against advancing Todd Blanche\u2019s nomination for Attorney General (AG) of the United States. At a Judiciary Committee meeting ahead of the vote Senator Welch called out Acting AG Blanche\u2014and the entire U.S. Senate\u2014for capitulating to President Trump, who has consistently and corruptly abused his authority and the power of the Executive.\n\n\u201cThis is a story about how a young and talented and idealistic man\u2014committed to public service, a prosecutor\u2019s prosecutor\u2014became a new person in service of a corrupt president. It\u2019s a story of ambition, and loyalty, and political calculation eroding resistance and idealism. Mr. Blanche has used his considerable talents to accommodate the corrupt goals of a corrupt president\u2026But Blanche is also a story about how a once great institution is relinquishing its own power and capitulating to a corrupt president. Is there no line that the U.S. Senate will not allow this president to cross?\u201d said Senator Welch.\n\nWelch concluded: \u201cThe president is abusing his authority. But we are failing, as the U.S. Senate, to use our authority. When we fail to use our authority, we fail to meet our responsibility to the people of this country. We can stop capitulating today by doing our job and rejecting a completely unqualified man to be the top law enforcement official in this country. I will vote no.\u201d\n\nRead the Senator\u2019s full remarks as delivered here and watch more below:\n\nIn Acting AG Todd Blanche\u2019s nomination hearing, Senator Welch grilled Mr. Blanche on his relationship with President Trump and his willingness to put his personal loyalty to the president ahead of the American people. Senator Welch questioned Mr. Blanche on his previous professional relationship with President Trump and clear conflicts of interest, the creation of Trump and Blanche\u2019s so-called anti-weaponization fund, Trump\u2019s reckless presidential pardons, and Blanche\u2019s firing of career pardon attorneys, and the Trump Administration\u2019s attempts to subpoena members of the press.\n\nIn May, Senator Welch called on Acting AG Blanche to resign. He also led all Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats in demanding that the DOJ Inspector General (IG) launch an immediate, thorough, and quick investigation into President Trump\u2019s creation of the nearly $1.8 billion \u201cAnti-Weaponization Fund,\u201d emphasizing how President Trump\u2019s slush fund, created from a settlement agreement in Trump v. Internal Revenue Service (IRS), represents waste, fraud, and abuse of an unprecedented magnitude and must be subjected to independent scrutiny.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-05T07:37:37Z", "2026-08-05T07:38:44Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-joins-38-colleagues-in-demanding-trump-admin-restore-funding-for-energy-projects-that-were-illegally-canceled-and-politically-targeted/", "Welch Joins 38 Colleagues in Demanding Trump Admin Restore Funding for Energy Projects That Were Illegally Canceled and Politically Targeted", "2026-07-31", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "The letter follows an admission from the Trump Admin that the decision to cancel energy project grants in states that did not vote for Trump was \u201cbased solely\u201d on politics\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, joined U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Vice Chair of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, and 36 Senate colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Chris Wright and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought demanding that the Trump Administration restore funding for the 223 energy projects canceled in October 2025. All Senators who cosigned this letter are from states with canceled grants and funding signed the letter.\n\nThe letter comes after the Trump Administration admitted to illegally canceling energy grants because those projects were in states that did not vote for President Trump in the 2024 election.\n\n\u201cNow that court documents have confirmed what we knew to be true, we write to demand that you restore previously awarded funding that the Trump administration has weaponized in an attempt to punish perceived political enemies,\u201d the Senators wrote.\n\n\u201cOnce an administration begins punishing Americans for how they vote, the threat extends far beyond these projects: no state, community, business, or worker can trust that the federal government will apply the law fairly,\u201d the Senators continued. \u201cThis is not only an attack on jobs, affordable energy, and America\u2019s economic competitiveness. It is an attack on the rule of law and the basic democratic principle that the federal government serves the entire country\u2014not merely those who support the President.\u201d\n\n\u201cAt a time when energy prices are skyrocketing, the administration is hell-bent on political retribution instead of working to bring down costs for millions of Americans. The American people deserve to have a government that works for them\u2014not one that is willing to push energy prices even higher and put the country\u2019s energy security at grave risk,\u201d the Senators concluded. \u201cFor the good of our country, the rule of law, and the American people, we demand that you change course and restore the previously awarded funding.\u201d\n\nAlongside Senators Welch, Heinrich, and Murray, the letter was signed by U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-N.M.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Mazie Hirono (D- Hawaii), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and Angus King (I-Maine).\n\nRead and download the Senators\u2019 full letter to DOE Secretary Wright and OMB Director Vought.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-01T07:27:26Z", "2026-08-01T07:28:22Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-bills-to-support-taxpayers-advance-through-finance-committee/", "Welch Bipartisan Bills to Support Taxpayers Advance Through Finance Committee", "2026-07-30", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Two bipartisan bills championed by U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) advanced out of the Finance Committee today with bipartisan support. Senator Welch, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, partnered with U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) on the bills, which would support lower-income taxpayers in Vermont, Kansas, and across the country. Both bills were included as part of the Taxpayer Assistance and Service (TAS) Act.\n\n\u201cThere\u2019s bipartisan agreement that the IRS is difficult to navigate and a pain for everyday taxpayers. I partnered across the aisle with my friend and colleague Senator Marshall to advance policies that will make it easier for taxpayers to get help with the IRS when they need it most. I urge my colleagues to support these bills and all of the important IRS reforms in the Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act,\u201d said Senator Welch.\n\n\u201cTaxpayers shouldn\u2019t be punished for someone else\u2019s fraud or left to navigate the IRS without the resources they need. These commonsense reforms protect innocent Americans and make sure accountability falls where it belongs\u2014on bad actors, not hardworking families,\u201d said Senator Marshall. \u201cI was proud to lead these bipartisan efforts with Senator Welch, and I\u2019m glad to see both bills included in the Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act.\u201d\n\nThe Unlocking Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic Funding Act, introduced by Sen. Welch and co-led by Sen. Marshall, would make it easier for Low-Income Tax Clinics to access federal grant funding. These clinics provide free or low-cost services for taxpayers in disputes with the IRS. The Protecting Innocent Taxpayers from Endless Assessments Act, introduced by Sen. Marshall and co-led by Sen. Welch, would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to clarify the statute of limitations period for victims of preparer fraud.\n\nThe bipartisan Taxpayer Assistance and Service (TAS) Act would strengthen the rights of taxpayers, streamline IRS operations, and improve the taxpaying process for the American people. The bill passed with bipartisan support and now moves to the full Senate for consideration and a final vote.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-31T07:49:23Z", "2026-07-31T07:50:48Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-boozman-lead-colleagues-on-bipartisan-bicameral-bill-to-protect-seniors-access-to-healthcare-reform-medicares-physician-fee-schedule/", "Welch, Boozman Lead Colleagues\u00a0on\u00a0Bipartisan, Bicameral\u00a0Bill to Protect Seniors\u2019 Access to Health\u00a0Care", "2026-07-30", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "Bill would update decades-old Medicare rules that trigger harmful cuts to health care providers\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care, along with U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-Ark.), Angus King (I-Maine), Roger Marshall M.D. (R-Kan.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), introduced the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation to modernize Medicare\u2019s physician payment system to create more stability and predictability for patients and doctors.\n\nAccording to the American Medical Association (AMA), when adjusted for inflation, Medicare reimbursement for physician services has declined 33% since 2001. Outdated Medicare budget neutrality rules and a lack of inflation updates have driven down reimbursement rates. The legislation reforms key structural components of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, helping preserve physicians\u2019 ability to care for Medicare patients.\n\n\u201cSo many Vermonters rely on Medicare for their health care coverage\u2014it\u2019s critical that their health care providers are fairly compensated,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cThis commonsense, bipartisan bill updates an outdated, decades-old policy that triggers harmful cuts to provider payments. We\u2019re working across the aisle to ensure providers in Vermont and rural communities around the country can keep treating Medicare patients and get reimbursed fairly for the care they provide.\u201d\n\n\u201cProviders should not face unpredictable payment cuts that make it more difficult to care for patients. Modernizing Medicare reimbursement is an important step toward ensuring long-term financial stability for our health care providers and preserving access to quality care. Our bill is a bipartisan solution that will more accurately reflect the costs of delivering quality care, which ultimately benefits patients in Arkansas and across our country,\u201d said Senator Boozman.\n\n\u201cAccessible, reliable health care is essential for seniors across Maine, particularly in our rural communities where providers are already stretched thin,\u201d said Senator King. \u201cThe Provider Reimbursement Stability Act would help ensure that Medicare providers are fairly reimbursed so they can continue delivering the full range of care that Maine seniors depend on for their healthcare needs. I\u2019m proud to join my colleagues in supporting this commonsense bipartisan legislation to strengthen access to quality care for older Americans.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor 25 years, I cared for patients in western Kansas. Like many, I didn\u2019t go into medicine to worry about Washington\u2019s payment formulas \u2013 I went into medicine to take care of people,\u201d said Senator Marshall. \u201cWhen doctors can\u2019t make the numbers work, patients lose access to care. This legislation is a commonsense step toward stabilizing physician reimbursement so doctors can spend more time caring for patients and less time worrying about whether they can afford to stay in practice.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s critical we do all we can to ensure that Granite Staters who rely on Medicare for health insurance have access to the quality, affordable care they need,\u201d said Senator Shaheen. \u201cThis bipartisan bill would make sure physicians are fairly compensated and guarantee adequate reimbursement for providers, which would help strengthen Medicare\u2019s dependability for patients now and into the future.\u201d\n\n\u201cMore than two million Medicare beneficiaries in North Carolina depend on timely access to quality care,\u201d said Senator Tillis. \u201cYear after year, Medicare reimbursement cuts have made it harder for physicians to care for patients. This bipartisan legislation makes long overdue reforms to outdated policies to ensure physicians are fairly reimbursed and seniors continue to have access to the care they deserve.\u201d\n\nThe Provider Reimbursement Stability Act would:\n\nIncrease the budget neutrality threshold from $20 million to $57.64 million and index it to the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) every five years:\n\nRevise erroneous reimbursement cuts based on utilization rates derived from claims data instead of relying on estimates;\n\nRequire the Secretary to update all practice expenses at the same time, every five years; Limit year-to-year positive or negative variances in reimbursements.\n\nThe Provider Reimbursement Stability Act is supported by nationwide health organizations, including the Alliance of Specialty Medicine, AMA, American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, American Academy of Dermatology Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Academy of Otolaryngology \u2013 Head and Neck Surgery, American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, American Association of Neurological Surgeons, American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American College of Cardiology, American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, American College of Physicians, American College of Radiology, American College of Rheumatology, American College of Surgeons, American Gastroenterological Association, American Medical Group Association, American Optometric Association, American Osteopathic Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association Services, American Society for Radiation Oncology, American Society of Breast Surgeons, American Society of Echocardiography, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Urological Association, College of American Pathologists, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Emergency Department Practice Management Association, Medical Group Management Association, National Infusion Center Association, National Organization of Rheumatology Management, Obesity Medicine Association, Society for Vascular Surgery, and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons.\n\nView a section-by-section summary of the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act.\n\nRead and download the full text of the legislation.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-31T07:49:23Z", "2026-07-31T07:50:48Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-celebrates-300-million-in-new-federal-funding-for-vermonts-globalfoundries-to-help-make-ai-more-energy-efficient-create-jobs/", "Welch Celebrates\u00a0$300 Million in\u00a0New Federal Funding for\u00a0Vermont\u2019s\u00a0GlobalFoundries\u00a0to Help\u00a0Make\u00a0AI\u00a0More Energy Efficient, Create Jobs", "2026-07-29", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) celebrated the announcement of $300 million in new federal funding for Vermont\u2019s GlobalFoundries. This federal investment, funded through the Biden Administration\u2019s bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act and administered by the Department of Commerce, will support GlobalFoundries\u2019 research and development of next-generation silicon photonics wafer technologies, which have the potential to substantially increase the energy efficiency of AI and other critical technology infrastructure projects.\n\n\u201cGlobalFoundries is a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing, and I\u2019m glad Vermont will benefit from this $300 million federal investment to help power America\u2019s AI boom in a more energy-efficient way, reducing its impact on ratepayers and the environment,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cThis funding will help create jobs and support American innovation. I will continue to support collaborative workforce development opportunities that help boost our state\u2019s research and manufacturing economy.\u201d\n\nSenator Welch helped pass the CHIPS and Science Act in 2022 as a Member of the House of Representatives.\n\nLearn more about Senator Welch\u2019s work by visiting his website or by following him on social media.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-30T07:32:48Z", "2026-07-30T07:34:08Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-files-amendment-to-graham-blumenthal-sanctions-bill/", "Welch Files Amendment to Graham-Blumenthal Sanctions Bill", "2026-07-29", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "Amendment would reassert Congress\u2019 tariff authorities\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today filed an amendment to the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act to remove language in Section 113 of the Act that could enable the Trump Administration to impose tariffs on any country, for any reason.\n\nAs written, the legislation grants President Trump new authorities to impose massive tariffs on countries that \u2018facilitate\u2019 Russia oil sanctions evasion. However, in practice, the President could impose tariffs of up to 100% on nearly any country, taking this Constitutional authority out of the hands of Congress.\n\nSenator Welch announced his intent to file an amendment on the Senate Floor Tuesday evening:\n\n\u201c\u2026Our language must specify our intent and do so with absolute clarity: Go after the buyers. That was Senator Graham\u2019s goal. And we must have language that makes achieving that goal real. That is why when we take up the Graham-Blumenthal bill, I will offer an amendment to strike the overly-vague delegation of tariff authorities to also target \u2018facilitators\u2019 of sanctions evasions. As currently written, the facilitator provision enables the Executive, with full congressional authorization, to impose any tariffs, on any country, for any reason\u2014so long as the Executive labels the tariff country a \u2018facilitator.\u2019\n\n\u201cIf we delete the facilitator provision, as I propose, we do achieve senator Graham\u2019s goal without his bill being used for any other purposes. In doing so, the bill would retaining the original tariff authority that only targets buyers of Russian oil\u2026Senator Graham, and many of us, myself included\u2014agreed about maximizing the imperative of sanctions and tariff tools to hurt Putin and stop his aggression against Ukrainian civilians. And I hope we can honor Senator Graham by quickly coming together to pass a bipartisan bill that will specifically and effectively target the companies and countries that are buying the oil that Putin is using to pay for the missiles and the bombs that are raining down on the innocent people of Ukraine.\u201d\n\nView and download Senator Welch\u2019s amendment here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-30T07:32:48Z", "2026-07-30T07:34:08Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-leads-strong-grid-act-to-boost-americas-electric-grid-resiliency-to-extreme-weather/", "Welch Leads\u00a0STRONG GRID Act\u00a0to Boost America\u2019s Electric Grid Resiliency to Extreme Weather", "2026-07-29", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, introduced the Supporting Transformative Resilience, Operations, and Next-Generation Grid Innovation Deployment (STRONG GRID) Act, legislation to increase America\u2019s electric grid resiliency and help prevent power disruptions caused by natural disasters. The STRONG GRID Act aims to spur the adoption of microgrids\u2014localized electric grids that operate independently of the broader energy grid\u2014to reduce strain on America\u2019s electric grid and bolster our energy system from widespread damage created by extreme weather events.\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s electric grid is under more pressure now than at any point in our history, and extreme weather events are exacerbating that strain, as we\u2019ve seen in Vermont with brutal floods. By operating independently of the larger energy system, microgrids offer a solution to increase the resiliency of our grid and help reduce the burden consumers face in natural disaster recovery costs. It\u2019s a win-win,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cOur bill capitalizes on the potential of microgrids to help keep essential services online and reduce the economic impact of natural disasters.\u201d\n\nExtreme weather events are growing more frequent and intense. From wildfires to floods, hurricanes to tornadoes, Americans across the country experienced firsthand the devastation extreme weather brings to their communities. In 2025, the United States suffered 23 \u201cbillion-dollar disasters\u201d that collectively cost more than $115 billion, marking the third costliest year on record behind 2023 and 2024. Natural Disasters cause widespread damage to critical infrastructure\u2014including the electric grid. Utilities then pass these recovery costs along to ratepayers; researchers found that households are spending $35 more per year on average on their electricity bills as a result.\n\nAt the same time, America\u2019s electric grid is under immense strain. Forecasts suggest that U.S. electricity demand could increase by as much as 5.7% through 2030, a level of growth not seen since the 1960s. Peaks in electricity consumption during the hottest or coldest days of the year leave the grid ill-equipped to meet this surge in demand, especially when disaster strikes. By operating with self-sustaining electricity generation, storage, and distribution infrastructure, microgrids can alleviate pressure on America\u2019s electric grid and boost resiliency during extreme weather events.\n\nThe STRONG GRID Act is endorsed by the GridWise Alliance; Honeywell Technologies; Information Technology Industry Council (ITI); National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED); National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO); and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA).\n\n\u201cAs grid operators issue resource adequacy warnings and utilities revise demand forecasts upward at an unprecedented pace, tapping into local resources is an increasingly important way to protect communities from reliability risks,\u201d said Karen Wayland, CEO, GridWise Alliance. \u201cThe GridWise Alliance applauds Senator Welch for introducing the bipartisan STRONG GRID Act, enabling a faster path to microgrid deployment in areas at high risk where extending or hardening traditional infrastructure can take years.\u201d\n\n\u201cRising electricity demand makes microgrids essential to building a more resilient and reliable electric grid. Senator Welch\u2019s STRONG GRID Act would help deploy the practical solutions needed to modernize America\u2019s energy infrastructure, and ITI is pleased to support this legislation,\u201d said Jason Oxman, President and CEO, ITI.\n\n\u201cThe National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) applauds Senator Welch for introducing the STRONG GRID Act. Our nation needs practical, flexible, and commonsense approaches to increasing electricity supply and strengthening grid reliability. Microgrids can play an important role by helping communities, businesses, and critical facilities better manage growing demand and maintain power during grid disruptions. The funding and technical assistance in this legislation will reduce barriers to microgrid deployment and make our communities more resilient and productive. With nearly 6,000 electrical distribution facilities across the country, NAED members are ready to provide the equipment, logistics, and technical expertise needed to bring these projects online,\u201d said Wes Smith, President and CEO, National Association of Electrical Distributors.\n\nPresident of the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) David Terry congratulated Senator Welch on the introduction of the STRONG GRID Act of 2026: \u201cThe legislation supports the development and interconnection of microgrids. The bill will support energy security, electric grid resilience, and an enhanced electric system better able to respond to our present and future challenges.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s electric grid is under growing strain as electricity demand rises at a rapidly accelerating pace, increasing risks to reliability, resilience, and affordability. Protecting American families and businesses from escalating costs and risks of service disruptions requires an \u2018all-of-the-above\u2019 energy strategy. The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) applauds Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) for introducing the STRONG GRID Act. The bipartisan legislation will help strengthen the nation\u2019s electric infrastructure by accelerating the deployment and evaluation of microgrids. Expanding microgrid deployment will significantly improve grid flexibility and help meet growing electricity demand.\u201d\n\nLearn more about the STRONG GRID Act.\n\nRead and download the full text of the bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-30T07:32:48Z", "2026-07-30T07:34:08Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-joins-schiff-senate-judiciary-committee-democrats-in-probing-justice-department-subpoenas-of-new-york-times-journalists-in-air-force-one-scandal/", "Welch Joins Schiff, Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats in Probing Justice Department Subpoenas of\u00a0New York Times\u00a0Journalists in Air Force One Scandal", "2026-07-28", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, joined U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and every Senate Judiciary Committee Democrat in demanding the U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) provide information related to the issuing of subpoenas to journalists at the New York Times, their family members, and third-party record providers in the aftermath of reporting by the newspaper on President Trump\u2019s new Air Force One.\n\nThe lawmakers are specifically probing the involvement of Acting Attorney General (AG) Todd Blanche and U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) Jay Clayton, who is currently the nominee to serve as Director of National Intelligence. Clayton issued the subpoenas, including those the Justice Department withdrew after a judge scrutinized them late last week.\n\n\u201cThe Department\u2019s lack of transparency and aggressive action toward journalists \u2013 in this circumstance, seemingly directed by President Trump after he was upset by negative reporting \u2013 both follow this administration\u2019s clear pattern of pressuring news organizations, including several attempts by DOJ to subpoena or intimidate journalists,\u201d the Senators wrote in their letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.\n\nThe Judiciary Committee Democrats also highlighted how the subpoenas violate both foundational protections for press freedom and guidelines for DOJ lawyers laid out in the Justice Manual.\n\n\u201cSection 9-13.400 explicitly dictates that requested information must be \u2018essential\u2019 to an investigation or prosecution, and that subpoenas \u2018should not be used to obtain peripheral, nonessential, or speculative information.\u2019 Yet DOJ demanded records dating back to January 1, 2026,\u201d the Senators wrote, pointing to the overly broad scope of the subpoenas.\n\nThe inquiry also demands details on the steps that were taken prior to the issuance of the subpoenas, the factual basis for the orders, and decision-making that justified the inclusion of family members on the list of targeted individuals.\n\nSenators Welch and Schiff were joined on this letter by every Senate Judiciary Committee Democrat, including Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).\n\nRead and download the Senators\u2019 full letter to Acting AG Blanche.\n\nIn his nomination hearing earlier this month, Senator Welch grilled Blanche about whether he supported Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel\u2019s decision to issue subpoenas to New York Times reporters and his demands that journalists disclose confidential sources. In response to Senator Welch\u2019s question, Blanche admitted to authorizing the subpoenas.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-29T07:41:48Z", "2026-07-29T07:42:57Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-klobuchar-lead-20-colleagues-in-raising-concerns-about-usda-rural-development-reorganization/", "Welch, Klobuchar Lead\u00a020\u00a0Colleagues in Raising Concerns about USDA Rural Development Reorganization", "2026-07-28", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, alongside U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, led 20 of their Senate colleagues in raising strong concerns about the plan to reorganize the Rural Development (RD) mission area at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In their letter to Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Vaden, the Senators emphasize that rural communities, small businesses, and families will lose access to important services if the Trump Administration\u2019s proposed reorganization plan of USDA-RD moves forward.\n\n\u201cRural Development is a unique division within the Department, supporting agriculture and ensuring that rural communities prosper by administering grants and loans to support rural businesses, providing financial support for rural housing, financing the construction of rural health clinics and daycare centers, and championing critical infrastructure projects for water, electric, or broadband,\u201d the Senators wrote. \u201cIn order for rural communities to benefit from these projects, the Rural Development agency must have the capacity to process applications and disburse funds. The mission area has already lost about 36% of its staff last year, with nearly a third of those who left having more than 20 years of USDA experience. The reorganization plan for Rural Development will result in even further cuts, with 60% of staff in the National Capital Region being required to relocate to St. Louis or Dallas.\u201d\n\nThe Senators continued: \u201cRural Development\u2019s depletion of staff has already left rural America without the support it needs as the prices of gas, groceries, and agricultural inputs are skyrocketing as a result of tariffs and foreign conflicts. Without adequate and expert staff, the money that Congress has appropriated to help rural communities will not reach its intended beneficiaries.\u201d\n\nThe Senators requested answers to the following questions about the planned reorganization by August 5, 2026:\n\nWhat analysis did the Department conduct to determine the impacts of staffing cuts on delivering Rural Development services?\n\nPlease provide a current breakdown of staffing levels and projection of staffing for the next two years by sub-mission area.\n\nGiven the significant depletion of staff, is Rural Development hiring now or planning to recruit new staff in the next three months? If so, for what positions and where?\n\nIf USDA anticipates hiring new staff, how will the Department ensure they receive the training needed to effectively serve rural communities with the required expertise and level of service?\n\nHow does the USDA plan to successfully recruit the next generation of Rural Development employees?\n\nWhile we appreciate the willingness to modernize Rural Development\u2019s technology, previous efforts have been unsuccessful and costly. How will the Department ensure that these technology projects remain within budget and on time? When will these new technologies be available to staff and customers?\n\nJoining Senators Welch and Klobuchar on this letter are Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Angus King (I-Maine), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-N.M.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.).\n\nRead and download the Senators\u2019 full letter to Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Vaden.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-29T07:41:48Z", "2026-07-29T07:42:57Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-shares-new-data-on-rising-farm-fuel-prices-under-trump-vermont-farmers-paying-1479-more-on-average-to-refill-fuel-tank/", "Welch Shares New Data on Rising Farm Fuel Prices Under Trump; Vermont Farmers Paying $1,479 More on Average to Refill Fuel Tank", "2026-07-27", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 New data shared by U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, shows Vermont farmers have been forced to spend at least $1,479 more to fill their farm fuel tank because of the escalating war in the Middle East.\n\n\u201cRural Vermont is paying for President Trump\u2019s war with Iran\u2014from climbing farm fuel and fertilizer costs to rising inflation. This administration needs to get serious about lowering costs for farmers in Vermont and across the country\u2014they can\u2019t afford any more of the Trump Administration\u2019s reckless agenda,\u201d said Senator Welch.\n\nDemocrats on the Joint Economic Committee, under the leadership of Ranking Member Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), released the state-by-state data, which outlines the increase in cost to fill up a typical farm fuel tank, the increase in cost to fill up a typical grain truck, and the increase in cost to fill up a typical tractor. Democrats on the Joint Economic Committee found:\n\nA $1.4 billion increase in diesel costs \u2013 a 63% jump \u2013 this spring nationwide for farmers to plant key crops: corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, and rice\n\nThe average farmer spent as much as $1,500 more to refill their farm\u2019s onsite fuel tank compared to the same high point during the 2025 planting season\n\nView more from the Joint Economic Committee here and below:\n\nThe war in Iran and closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted the supply chain for fertilizer trade, further hurting farmers in America. A nationwide poll conducted by the American Farm Bureau in April found 70% of farmers polled said fertilizer was so expensive they wouldn\u2019t be able to buy the fertilizer needed for the spring planting season.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-28T07:37:32Z", "2026-07-28T07:38:50Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-and-blumenthal-warn-that-trumps-threats-to-bomb-civilian-infrastructure-in-iran-could-amount-to-war-crimes/", "Welch and Blumenthal\u00a0Warn that\u00a0Trump\u2019s Threats\u00a0to Bomb Civilian Infrastructure in Iran\u00a0Could Amount to War Crimes", "2026-07-24", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "The Senators request information from Central Command about how CENTCOM ensures U.S. Forces in the Middle East abide by U.S. law prohibiting strikes against targets such as bridges or power plants for the sole purpose of terrorizing civilians\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, alongside U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, expressed grave concern to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) that President Trump\u2019s recent threats to bomb civilian infrastructure in Iran, including bridges and power plants, could amount to war crimes. In their letter to CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper, the Senators seek clarification and answers about the United States\u2019 commitment to ensuring forces under CENTCOM\u2019s command abide by the domestic and international laws of war.\n\n\u201cAs you know, intentionally targeting civilian infrastructure could amount to a war crime, prohibited by domestic and international law. The mere threat of such attacks may violate the law of war,\u201d wrote the Senators. \u201cThe law of war prohibits attacks against civilian objects, indiscriminate attacks, and attacks expected to cause excessive harm to civilians in relation to the direct military advantage anticipated. The law of war also prohibits threats of violence to spread terror among the civilian population.\u201d\n\nThe Senators highlighted that in determining that Russia had committed war crimes in Ukraine, the U.S. State Department specifically cited Russia\u2019s attacks on Ukrainian critical infrastructure: \u201cGeneral Alexus G. Grynkewich, Commander of EUCOM and SACEUR, testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee that such Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, in addition to being unlawful, were strategically ineffective, noting \u2018anytime you attack a civilian population, you usually end up finding that it just hardens their resolve.\u2019\u201d\n\nThe Senators concluded: \u201cThe U.S. military has a reputation\u2014earned through the hard work and sacrifices of brave men and women who serve our nation\u2014 for honorable service and for upholding very high standards under the law of war. Not only is this a reflection of American values, but it is militarily effective. Targeting civilians undermines the mission, creating even more enemies while undermining our national security and damaging the global standing of the United States. Thank you for your service and for ensuring that CENTCOM forces uphold these values.\u201d\n\nThe Senators requested answers to the following questions by July 30, 2026:\n\nAre you legally responsible for any targeting decisions by commanders and personnel under your command? Do you consider CENTCOM officials signing off on targeting packages to be legally responsible for such decisions under the law of war?\n\nAre officers under your command aware that under the doctrine of command responsibility they have a duty to ensure subordinate personnel are following the law of war, a duty to investigate potential war crimes, a duty to hold accountable those who commit them, and that dereliction of such duties would likely constitute a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice?\n\nWill you ensure that forces under your command conduct a documented case-by-case analysis of the legality for each proposed target in Iran that could constitute civilian infrastructure, assessing whether such targets offer a concrete and direct military advantage and whether the expected harm to civilians is not excessive compared to that anticipated military advantage? And will you commit to maintaining the records of such analysis and providing them to the relevant Congressional committees, including on a classified basis, upon request?\n\nWill you order an investigation of any significant civilian casualty events resulting from U.S. military actions in Iran?\n\nRead and download the Senators\u2019 full letter to U.S. Admiral Cooper.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-25T07:13:44Z", "2026-07-25T07:15:09Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-castor-reintroduce-bicameral-legislation-to-strengthen-energy-grid-accelerate-clean-energy-growth/", "Welch, Castor\u00a0Reintroduce Bicameral Legislation to Strengthen Energy Grid,\u00a0Accelerate\u00a0Clean Energy\u00a0Growth", "2026-07-23", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, today joined U.S. Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL-14), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, in reintroducing the Enhancing Electric Grid Resilience Act, bicameral legislation that aims to make it easier for the United States to advance clean energy projects and strengthen its electric grid. The Enhancing Electric Grid Resilience Act would require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to ensure that interstate and offshore transmission infrastructure projects allocate costs to beneficiaries more fairly. The legislation would also help lower energy costs for consumers by accelerating the construction of interstate transmission lines that deliver vital clean energy to communities across the country.\n\n\u201cStrengthening America\u2019s electric grid is essential to ensuring we can meet modern electricity and climate challenges. Finding ways that make it easier to construct and complete transmission projects that boost the resiliency of our grid and lower costs for consumers is a major part of that. We\u2019re working to bolster our grid against extreme weather and help ensure every home across America has access to affordable and reliable electricity,\u201d said Senator Welch.\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s aging electric grid and growing transmission bottlenecks are driving up energy costs for Florida families, slowing the development and deployment of newer, cheaper energy resources and leaving communities more vulnerable to increasingly extreme weather,\u201d said Rep. Castor. \u201cThe Enhancing Electric Grid Resilience Act will help address these challenges by making it easier to complete essential transmission projects, reduce costly grid congestion and deliver affordable, reliable electricity where it is needed. This commonsense legislation will help build a cheaper, cleaner, stronger and more resilient energy future for families and businesses across Tampa Bay.\u201d\n\nLearn more about the Enhancing Electric Grid Resilience Act.\n\nRead and download the full text of the bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-24T07:30:11Z", "2026-07-24T07:31:13Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-courtney-host-press-conference-calling-on-congress-to-pass-bill-to-eliminate-interest-rates-on-all-federal-student-loans/", "Welch, Courtney Host Press Conference Calling on Congress to Pass\u00a0Bill to Eliminate Interest Rates on All Federal Student Loans", "2026-07-23", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "Welch and Courtney\u2019s bicameral bill comes as defaults on student loans have surged to unprecedented levels in the United States\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Member of the Senate Finance Committee, and U.S. Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT-02), Member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, alongside Tiffany Dena Loftin, Executive Director of the U.S. Student Association, held a press conference on Capitol Hill calling for Congress to take up their bill, the Student Loan Interest Elimination Act.\n\nThis bicameral legislation would refinance the interest on federal student loans for all existing and future borrowers to 0%, making higher education more affordable for the nearly 43 million Americans with existing federally held student loans.\n\n\u201cAs the cost of college has gone up, the necessity of borrowing\u2014by students, by their parents, both publicly available loans and private loans\u2014has escalated. In Vermont, the average federal student loan debt graduating from college is $38,000. That\u2019s only adding to the affordability crisis that our next generation of Americans face,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cOur generation owes the younger generation an opportunity to make the best of themselves, and they can\u2019t do it with this mountain of debt. I\u2019m proud to work with my friend, Representative Joe Courtney, on this commonsense legislation.\u201d\n\n\u201cStudent loan defaults have hit record highs in 2026. When we are already in an affordability crisis, bad policies have made crushing student loan debt with record-level interest rates an even greater burden for the 42 million student loan borrowers in the United States,\u201d said Rep. Courtney. \u201cIt\u2019s time for Congress to take up fresh ideas to address this longstanding crisis for borrowers and the entire U.S. economy. The Student Loan Interest Elimination Act would allow all current and future student borrowers to refinance their loans to 0%. Unlike other proposals, our bill includes a pay-for to save taxpayer dollars and lowers the cost of college for future students. This is the clear commonsense solution to the Student Loan Crisis. Congress shouldn\u2019t wait to take up and pass our bill.\u201d\n\n\u201cEvery day, I hear from students asking the same question: how am I supposed to afford college? Students are doing everything they are supposed to do. They\u2019re working multiple jobs, taking full-course loads, and borrowing to fill the gaps. But instead of graduating with opportunity, far too many are graduating into years and often decades of student loan debt,\u201d said Tiffany Dena Loftin, Executive Director of the U.S. Student Association. \u201cThe federal government should not profit from students trying to get an education. So, on behalf of the United States Student Association, we\u2019re proud to support this legislation. Thank you again to the leadership. Your partnership in this fight means the world because students deserve more than a lifetime of interest payments. They deserve the freedom to build careers, care for their families, buy homes, start families and businesses, and give back to their communities without student debt standing in the way.\u201d\n\nWatch a livestream of the press conference below:\n\nThe outstanding federal student loan balance in the United States tops nearly $2 trillion, with the average student borrower carrying a balance of $40,000. Federal loans also represent over 90% of all student loan debt. Student loan debt is now the second-highest source of consumer debt, only behind home mortgages, and will continue to grow as the cost of higher education rises faster than incomes. Many borrowers are unable to make a dent in their principal because of high interest rates, causing total costs to balloon and, for some, pushing repayment into decades rather than years.\n\nUnlike other proposals to lower student loan interest rates, the Student Loan Interest Elimination Act includes a pay-for to offset the cost of eliminating interest to save taxpayer dollars. Under this legislation, the Department of Education would create a Trust Fund to offset the elimination of interest. Student loan borrowers will make payments on their principal balance, which would be deposited into the Trust Fund. The returns on those investments would fund the costs of operating the student loan program, saving taxpayers from fronting the bill while saving borrowers from paying interest rates and student loan interest capitalization.\n\nThe Student Loan Interest Elimination Act is endorsed by the American Association of Colleges and Universities, EdTrust, and the Hildreth Institute.\n\nLearn more about the Student Loan Interest Elimination Act of 2026.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-24T07:30:11Z", "2026-07-24T07:31:13Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-presses-acting-ag-blanche-for-documents-detailing-ethical-concerns-regarding-his-tenure-as-trumps-personal-attorney/", "Welch\u00a0Presses\u00a0Acting AG Blanche\u00a0For\u00a0Documents\u00a0Detailing\u00a0Ethical Concerns Regarding\u00a0his\u00a0Tenure as Trump\u2019s Personal Attorney", "2026-07-23", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, yesterday pressed Acting Attorney General (AG) Todd Blanche for materials regarding the ethical advice he has received while at the Department of Justice (DOJ) surrounding his personal legal representation of President Trump.\n\nThe letter comes after Senator Welch grilled Blanche, President Trump\u2019s pick to serve as Attorney General, in his nomination hearing about his role in negotiating a settlement between President Trump\u2014his former legal client\u2014and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on behalf of American taxpayers. That settlement also established a so-called \u201canti-weaponization\u201d slush fund for the president and his Administration.\n\nBetween 2023 and 2024, Acting AG Blanche represented President Trump in multiple criminal cases and served as counsel to the president in various other civil investigations and cases. A political action committee associated with President Trump\u2014Save America PAC\u2014paid Acting AG Blanche\u2019s firm over $9 million for the legal representation he provided the president in those cases.\n\nIn his letter to Acting AG Blanche, Senator Welch underscored that DOJ attorneys are bound by strict conflict of interest requirements to prevent bias and ensure the fair administration of justice: \u201cYou confirmed in written questions for the record to me that you did receive an ethics briefing once you were sworn in as Deputy Attorney General. According to public reporting, Joseph Tirrell\u2014the Department\u2019s then-top ethics official\u2014conducted this briefing. You were reportedly advised to recuse yourself from legal cases involving President Trump in his personal capacity. Mr. Tirrell was subsequently fired on July 11, 2025, after nearly two decades with the Department. During your confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on July 15, 2026, I asked you about the ethics advice you received from DOJ ethics officials regarding your pre-existing client relationship with President Trump. I sought confirmation as to whether your ethical obligations are based on advice given to you by Mr. Tirrell, as well as the standard ethics training. You responded in the affirmative. You also testified that you follow all of the \u2018very technical rules around the ethics requirements[.]\u2019\u201d\n\nSenator Welch continued: \u201cThe ethics advice you have received is particularly relevant as the Senate considers your nomination for Attorney General given your approval of the settlement between President Trump and the Internal Revenue Service that created the \u2018Anti-Weaponization Fund\u2019 and waived all past tax liabilities for the President, his family, and businesses. It is important to understand whether you were directly advised\u2014as public reporting suggests\u2014to recuse yourself from matters involving the President in his personal capacity prior to approving the creation of this fund and waiving the President\u2019s civil and criminal tax liabilities.\u201d\n\nSenator Welch concluded by requesting materials from Acting AG Blanche no later than July 29, 2026, given the Senate\u2019s active consideration of Mr. Blanche\u2019s nomination to serve as AG permanently: \u201cI request that you promptly provide my office with copies of any documents or communications containing advice from DOJ ethics officials detailing your ethical obligations involving President Trump. This includes copies of any materials from the ethics briefing you received upon confirmation and any communications or documents you received prior to the creation of the previously mentioned fund and waiver. As you know, you may waive any attorney-client privileges related to the ethics guidance you received, if the requested documents implicate such a privilege.\u201d\n\nRead and download the Senator\u2019s full letter to Acting AG Blanche.\n\nSenator Welch has called on Acting AG Blanche to resign and expressed strong opposition to Acting AG Blanche\u2019s nomination to serve in the role permanently.\n\nIn May, Senator Welch led all Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats in demanding that the DOJ Inspector General (IG) launch an immediate, thorough, and quick investigation into President Trump\u2019s creation of the nearly $1.8 billion \u201cAnti-Weaponization Fund,\u201d emphasizing how President Trump\u2019s slush fund, created from a settlement agreement in Trump v. Internal Revenue Service (IRS), represents waste, fraud, and abuse of an unprecedented magnitude and must be subjected to independent scrutiny.\n\nLast year, Senator Welch led Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee in requesting documents from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to determine the veracity of U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche\u2019s testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee during his nomination hearing in February 2025. Mr. Blanche testified at the hearing and in subsequent written answers to Members\u2019 questions that he had no knowledge of the decision to dismiss the criminal charges against then-New York City Mayor Eric Adams, an assertion that has been contradicted by unsealed court documents\u2014including a letter from then-Interim U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon to Attorney General Bondi\u2014suggesting he was aware of the decision.\n\nThe Senator subsequently led every Senate Judiciary Committee Democrat in calling on Inspector General Michael Horowitz to investigate the truthfulness of Mr. Blanche\u2019s testimony at his confirmation hearing.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-24T07:30:11Z", "2026-07-24T07:31:13Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-warren-booker-lead-fight-to-stop-big-ag-from-ripping-off-farmers-and-families/", "Welch, Warren, Booker\u00a0Lead\u00a0Fight to Stop Big Ag from Ripping off Farmers and Families", "2026-07-23", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "Bicameral Fair Seeds for Farmers Act takes on mounting corporate power in America\u2019s seed industry\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, teamed up with U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) in introducing the Fair Seeds for Farmers Act, new bicameral legislation to stop Big Agriculture from abusing seed patents, reduce prices for farmers, and lower grocery costs. U.S. Representatives Jim McGovern (D-MA-02) and Greg Casar (D-TX-35) are leading companion legislation in the House.\n\nIf signed into law, the lawmakers\u2019 legislation would allow farmers to save seeds between seasons, which will lower farmers\u2019 input costs and help reduce downstream food prices. The bill would also help smaller seed companies break into the market, increasing competition and further helping to bring down prices.\n\n\u201cRapid consolidation in the seed industry has had a direct and brutal impact on farms in Vermont and across the country. Big corporations\u2019 abuse of the patent system is making farmers pay more to plant, and the end result is families paying more at the grocery store,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cWe\u2019re taking on corporate power in the seed industry to keep family farms in business and lower costs for hardworking Americans.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor decades, Big Ag has ripped off farmers and jacked up food prices for families,\u201d said Senator Warren. \u201cMy bill will break these companies\u2019 stranglehold on seeds to lower grocery bills for Americans and give our farmers more freedom over their crops.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhen a handful of powerful corporations dominate the seed market, they can dictate which seeds get planted and the amount of independence growers have over the crops they produce\u2014and the costs ultimately show up in the prices families pay at the grocery store,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cThis legislation gives farmers the freedom to save seeds, restores competition to the marketplace, and helps lower one of the biggest costs of producing the food we all rely on.\u201d\n\n\u201cFood is one of the most basic promises we make to one another: that the people who grow it can make a decent living, and the families they feed can afford to eat. But right now, that promise has been broken thanks to billionaire Big Ag conglomerates who are ripping off both the farmers at the beginning of the food chain and the hardworking folks at the end of it,\u201d said Rep. McGovern. \u201cWe have a system right now in this country where corporate giants are pocketing massive profits\u2014ripping off farmers and in turn ripping off families buying food at the grocery store. It\u2019s wrong, and our bill is about starting to change the broken status quo by rebuilding America\u2019s food system from the ground up.\u201d\n\n\u201cEvery working American knows that groceries are just too expensive,\u201d said Rep. Casar. \u201cBy abusing seed patents, big ag companies are putting family farms out of business and driving up the price of food for everyone else. I\u2019m proud to be working with Rep. McGovern on this new bill, which is a key part of the Progressive Caucus\u2019 New Affordability Agenda.\u201d\n\nJust four companies control over 75% of the corn and soybean seed markets in the United States. These corporations crowd out competitors and drive up prices for farmers by abusing the patent system to claim sweeping intellectual property protection over broad categories of seeds, allowing them to block smaller companies from developing their own seeds and force them instead to sign restrictive licensing agreements with the dominant seed companies.\n\nAlthough Congress enacted the Plant Variety Protection Act (PVPA) and the Plant Patent Act (PPA) to balance the IP rights of seed companies with farmers\u2019 and the public\u2019s right to research, save, and use seeds, dominant seed companies have increasingly been reaching beyond these statutes to claim that seeds are also eligible for utility patents, which sweep far more broadly and do not include exemptions for seed saving, research, or experimentation.\n\nGiant seed companies also leverage these patents to force farmers to sign exploitative contracts that ban farmers from saving seeds (which make up about 25% of their operating budgets) between seasons to force them to buy new seeds every year, and restrict them from developing or experimenting with seeds.\n\nThe Fair Seeds for Farmers Act addresses these unfair practices by clarifying that the only intellectual property protections that apply to seeds and plants are the PVPA and the PPA. This provision applies to pending and future patents, but not existing patents. The lawmakers\u2019 legislation would also restrict corporate seed companies from contractually prohibiting farmers from saving seeds between seasons or limiting their use of seeds or plants for research, breeding, experimentation, or propagation.\n\nThe Fair Seeds for Farmers Act is endorsed by the American Economic Liberties Project, Environmental Working Group, Farm Action Fund, National Family Farm Coalition, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, Northeast Organic Farming Association \u2013 Massachusetts, Open Markets Institute, and the Organic Seed Alliance, and RAFI-USA.\n\n\u201cSeeds are a foundational building block of our food system\u2014and farmers need seeds that are publicly available and adapted to organic and sustainable production in their bioregion. Our food system is at dire risk when seed intellectual property ownership resides with corporations motivated solely by their bottom line. Seed-dominating corporations leverage utility patents to restrict access to innovative and adaptable seed varieties and reduce competition. For decades, RAFI has called for reforms to seed intellectual property law that restore grower sovereignty over seeds. By limiting corporate control over seed and plant intellectual property, the Fair Seeds for Farmers Act will empower seed breeders across the food system to add to the collective biodiversity of seed and develop varieties more resilient to weather, pest, and disease pressures,\u201d said Aaron Johnson, Policy Co-Director, Rural Advancement Foundation International.\n\n\u201cThe hyper-consolidation and commodification of seeds has eroded farmers\u2019 resilience and diminished the agrobiodiversity of crops cultivated in the US at an alarming rate. Farmers play an important role in seed development by nurturing adaptable seed varieties that can help create a more resilient and affordable food system \u2013 yet commodification has recently hindered farmers ability to participate in this essential first component of farming. The Fair Seeds for Farmers Act takes an important step in curtailing corporate abuse of US Patent Law and reaffirms farmers and researchers ability to breed, experiment, propagate, and save seeds without fear of retaliation from large seed companies,\u201d said Nick Rossi, Policy Specialist, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.\n\nLearn more about the Fair Seeds for Farmers Act.\n\nRead and download the full text of the legislation.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-24T07:30:11Z", "2026-07-24T07:31:13Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-questions-trade-rep-on-tariffs-and-trade-war-chaos-people-just-dont-know-what-to-count-on-its-hurting-us-badly/", "Welch\u00a0Questions\u00a0Trade Rep\u00a0on Tariffs and Trade War Chaos: \u201cPeople just\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0know what to count on.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0hurting us badly.\u201d", "2026-07-22", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Member of the Senate Finance Committee, today questioned U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer on the Trump Administration\u2019s reckless trade war and tariff policies, which have arbitrarily hurt Vermont small businesses, farmers, and families.\n\nIn the hearing, Senator Welch pushed Ambassador Greer for answers about President Trump\u2019s new 50% tariff levied on many products from Canada\u2014Vermont\u2019s closest partner in trade. Senator Welch also shared stories of how the president\u2019s economic policies and tariffs have hurt the success of Vermont businesses. Senator Welch raised the alarm about how the tariffs have created an access economy, where only those connected to the White House can get relief.\n\n\u201cWe\u2019re just getting hit with these tariffs, and it looks like\u2014to some extent\u2014if you have access to the administration, you may get an end-around and avoid them, which is really troubling to us in Vermont. We are having trouble getting the refunds\u2026Just going through that has been really tough for us,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cI just want you to understand how tough this has been in Vermont. We really value our relationship with Canada, both emotionally, financially, and economically. The way the tariffs have changed constantly\u2014just recently, just two days ago, the president announced new tariffs may go into effect\u2014people just don\u2019t know what to count on. It\u2019s hurting us badly.\u201d\n\nWatch Senator Welch\u2019s full remarks from the hearing below:\n\nSenator Welch is the lead sponsor of the Creating Access to Necessary American-Canadian Duty Adjustments (CANADA) Act, legislation that would exempt United States-owned small businesses from tariffs imposed on Canada. Senator Welch also cosponsors the bipartisan Trade Review Act, which seeks to restore Congress\u2019 constitutional role in trade policy.\n\nSenator Welch voted against Amb. Greer\u2019s nomination to serve as U.S. Trade Representative. During Greer\u2019s nomination hearing in February 2025, Senator Welch pressed him for answers about the impact of Trump\u2019s trade war on American businesses and consumers, and outlined the cost of Trump\u2019s new proposed tariffs for Vermont industries, farmers, and families. Senator Welch has continued to demand answers from Greer on how Trump\u2019s economic policies have created global economic chaos and harmed Americans, including leading 18 colleagues in pressing for information on how the Trump Administration\u2019s tariffs will harm farmers across the nation.\n\nEarlier this month, Senator Welch urged Greer, the White House, and Canadian trade officials to come to a swift resolution on unresolved matters and to maintain the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which was negotiated and signed by President Trump in his first term.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-23T07:31:02Z", "2026-07-23T07:32:26Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-shares-new-data-showing-families-in-vermont-have-been-forced-to-pay-3700-more-because-of-trumps-reckless-economic-policies/", "Welch Shares New Data Showing Families in Vermont Have Been Forced to Pay $3,700+ More Because of Trump\u2019s Reckless Economic Policies", "2026-07-22", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 New data shared by U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) shows Vermont households have been forced to spend at least $3,700 more on everyday essentials because of the Trump Administration\u2019s reckless economic policies.\n\nDemocrats on the Joint Economic Committee, under the leadership of Ranking Member Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), found the average household in the United States has spent thousands more since the president took office last year. Inflation, President Trump\u2019s tariffs, and the war in Iran have raised the cost of housing, energy, groceries, and health care.\n\n\u201cWorking families in Vermont can\u2019t afford President Trump\u2019s economic policies\u2014they\u2019re a complete disaster. Throughout his campaign and well into his second term, the president vowed to end inflation and make America affordable again, but it was just another broken promise,\u201d said Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit. \u201cI hope this new data is the wake-up call my colleagues across the aisle need: it\u2019s time we work together to bring prices down and make Washington work for everyday people\u2014not the other way around.\u201d\n\nIn Vermont, the average family has spent $947 more on housing costs; $472 more on gas; $310 more on groceries; $218 more on heating oil; and $120 more on electricity. Many families saw their ACA health care premiums rise over 50% on average after Republicans refused to extend the ACA\u2019s premium tax credits. Nearly 5,000 in Vermont lost food assistance since the enactment of President Trump\u2019s tax bill.\n\nView the data from the Joint Economic Committee.\n\nEarlier this month, Senator Welch shared data from the JEC outlining how President Trump\u2019s reckless and illegal war with Iran has driven up gasoline costs for Vermont families, farmers, and businesses.\n\nSenator Welch is a member of the Senate Finance Committee and Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit. He was a member of the Joint Economic Committee in the 118th Congress.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-23T07:31:02Z", "2026-07-23T07:32:26Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welchs-bipartisan-bill-to-support-next-generation-of-american-aviation-advances-out-of-committee/", "Welch\u2019s Bipartisan\u00a0Bill\u00a0to Support Next Generation of American Aviation\u00a0Advances Out of Committee", "2026-07-22", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today joined U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) in celebrating the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee\u2019s advancement of their bipartisan bill, the Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act. The Senators\u2019 legislation would improve the Federal Aviation Administration\u2019s (FAA) type certification process for American Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft companies to help them succeed and cement the United States\u2019 role as a global leader in aviation.\n\nAn amended version of the Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act advanced out of Senate Commerce with bipartisan support. Updates to the bill reflect further technical assistance from the FAA and the acceptance of a modified amendment by Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.) to give airline pilots a seat at the table.\n\n\u201cBuilding on generations of leadership in aviation, American companies are spearheading electric aircraft innovation. That includes companies like Vermont\u2019s Beta Technologies, which completed its historic, first-ever electric flight last year in South Burlington. Ensuring the FAA certification process is safe, efficient, and more transparent for emerging AAM companies like Beta is critical to promoting aviation innovation,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cI\u2019m thankful for the support of my colleagues on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, including my bipartisan co-lead Senator Budd, in helping this bill fly through to the Senate Floor to support American ingenuity, good-paying jobs in Vermont, and our global leadership in aviation.\u201d\n\n\u201cBy ensuring that the FAA prioritizes the certification of novel aircraft like eVTOLs, we can quickly incorporate innovative technology into the National Airspace System. I am glad that our common-sense efforts to usher in the next generation of advanced air mobility aircraft will soon be considered by the full Senate,\u201d said Senator Budd.\n\nJoining Senators Welch and Budd as cosponsors of this legislation are Sens. John Curtis (R-Utah), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-N.M.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.).\n\n\u201cThe Committee passage today brings us one step closer to modernizing the FAA certification process for the next generation of aviation,\u201d said Senator Curtis. \u201cThis bipartisan bill will provide greater clarity and accountability, helping American Advanced Air Mobility companies innovate, compete, and lead the world in the future of flight. I\u2019m pleased to see it advance and look forward to its passage by the full Senate.\u201d\n\n\u201cNew Mexico is a strong leader in aviation technology, and this legislation will help ensure our state continues to shape the next generation of innovation,\u201d said Senator Luj\u00e1n. \u201cThis bill will streamline and update the FAA certification processes, accelerate innovation, support new technologies, and strengthen U.S. global leadership in aviation. I\u2019m proud to see this legislation advance and help keep the United States at the forefront of global aviation.\u201d\n\n\u201cStreamlining the FAA\u2019s type certification processes for advanced aviation technologies, such as advanced air mobility, is critical to bolstering America\u2019s global leadership in aviation innovation,\u201d said Senator Moran. \u201cI appreciate the bipartisan support from my colleagues for this legislation, and I\u2019m pleased by this step forward with its passage out of committee today. This legislation would support emerging aerospace technologies and strengthen the aviation industry in Kansas and across the country, and I look forward to its approval by the full Senate.\u201d\n\n\u201cCalifornia companies are leading the world in developing the next generation of electric aircraft. I\u2019m proud to see our bill advance to cut through red tape and streamline the FAA certification process, so we can maintain our competitive advantage and keep groundbreaking innovation here at home,\u201d said Senator Padilla.\n\n\u201cAs the birthplace of aviation, America must maintain dominance in this critical industry by streamlining outdated bureaucracy and allowing innovators to remain competitive through a transparent, consistent regulatory framework. The bipartisan Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act takes important steps to accomplish these ends, and I\u2019m proud to see it advance out of the Commerce committee,\u201d said Senator Sheehy.\n\n\u201cAdvanced Air Mobility platforms will revolutionize the American economy. The Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act is a crucial step to securing American drone dominance. Our bill will provide much needed clarity and certainty as we seek to establish American leadership in these critical technologies and lay the groundwork for the future of air transportation. The Commerce Committee\u2019s advancement of this bipartisan legislation marks an important step forward, and I look forward to seeing it pass the full Senate,\u201d said Senator Young.\n\nAdvanced Air Mobility (AAM) technology is a novel collection of technologies that will allow new, innovative aircraft to integrate into our airspace system. Emerging U.S.-based AAM companies are also paving the way for new and innovative electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Supporting the United States\u2019 continued leadership in AAM technology development will boost economic growth in American communities across the country.\n\nSince the introduction of the Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act, the Congressional Research Service (CRS) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) have both released reports on the AAM certification process and actions that can be taken by Congress to promote aviation innovation.\n\nSenators Welch and Budd published a bipartisan opinion piece in Newsweek in September 2025 entitled: \u201cCongress Should Help Air Innovation Take Flight.\u201d In their op-ed, they urged Congress to build on America\u2019s proud history of global aviation leadership and pass this bipartisan legislation to help AAM take flight. Senator Welch became the first sitting U.S. Senator to fly on an eVTOL aircraft in April at Beta Technologies\u2019 manufacturing facility in South Burlington, Vermont.\n\nSpecifically, the Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act:\n\nEstablishes non-binding, standard expected timelines for the FAA\u2019s type certification process for AAM aircraft for the Agency to respond to petitions for exemptions of aircraft type, and to develop means of compliance for aircraft outside of the existing types of AAM aircraft.\n\nSets transparent and reliable non-binding, standard expected ranges of time for the issue paper process, so that type certification applicants know how long reviews will take, reducing uncertainty and delays.\n\nProvides the FAA Administration with the sole discretion to exclude safety-critical matters from established timelines to ensure airspace safety is paramount.\n\nDirects the FAA to define when an issue paper is required in the certification process, while providing flexibility for the Agency on complex, safety issues.\n\nDirects the FAA to account for performance-based rules in the certification process.\n\nDirects the FAA to brief the relevant congressional committees on the status of implementing the certification regulations and managing workload.\n\nClarifies when the FAA can delegate routine compliance findings to qualified personnel, allowing Agency experts to focus on complex, safety-critical issues.\n\nUpdates delegation guidance for type certification to cover new and novel technologies related to AAM, including eVTOL aircraft.\n\nThe Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act is endorsed by the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA); Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA); Airports Council International \u2013 North America (ACI-NA); American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE); American Institutes of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA); Archer Aviation; Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI); Beta Technologies; Boeing; Eve Air Mobility; General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA); Joby Aviation; National Air Transportation Association (NATA); National Business Aviation Association (NBAA); Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO (PASS); Vertical Aviation International (VAI); and Wisk Aero.\n\nU.S. Representative Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22), Chair of the House Aviation Subcommittee; Rep. Andr\u00e9 Carson (D-IN-07), Ranking Member of the House Aviation Subcommittee; Rep. Nicholas Begich (R-AK-AL); Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05); Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS-01); Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA-23); Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19); and Rep. Tony Wied (R-WI-08) lead companion legislation in the House of Representatives.\n\nRead and download the full text of the bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-23T07:31:02Z", "2026-07-23T07:32:26Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/media-advisory-welch-courtney-to-host-press-conference-calling-on-congress-to-pass-bicameral-student-loan-interest-elimination-act/", "MEDIA ADVISORY: Welch, Courtney to Host Press Conference Calling on Congress to Pass Bicameral Student Loan Interest Elimination Act", "2026-07-21", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "Lawmakers\u2019 bicameral bill would eliminate interest rates on all federal student loans and cap future interest rates\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 On Wednesday, July 22nd at 12:00 PM EDT, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Member of the Senate Finance Committee, and U.S. Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT-02), Member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, alongside student loan borrower advocates, will host a press conference on Capitol Hill calling for Congress to take up their bicameral Student Loan Interest Elimination Act, legislation to refinance the interest on federal student loans for all existing and future borrowers to zero percent. The lawmakers\u2019 legislation would make higher education more affordable by immediately eliminating interest rates for the nearly 43 million Americans with existing federally held student loans.\n\nHigher education costs continue to skyrocket, with tuition rising 40 times higher than 1960s levels for public colleges\u2014a 312.4% increase when adjusted for inflation. As a result, average college debt has more than doubled since 2007, forcing nearly 43 million Americans\u20141 in 6 American adults\u2014to take out federal student loans to help pay for higher education. In Vermont, around 78,000 student loan borrowers hold a collective $2.9 billion in federal student loan debt.\n\nThe bicameral Student Loan Interest Elimination Act would lower the cost of college and address student loan debt by refinancing the interest rate of all existing and future federal student loans to 0%. Unlike other proposals to lower student loan interest rates, the lawmakers\u2019 Student Loan Interest Elimination Act includes a pay-for to offset the cost of eliminating interest to save taxpayer dollars. Learn more about the Student Loan Interest Elimination Act and read and download the full text of the bill.\n\nLOGISTICS:\n\nWHO: U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.);\n\nU.S. Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT-02);\n\nAdditional Members of Congress TBA\n\nStudent loan borrower advocates TBA\n\nWHEN: Wednesday, July 22nd at 12:00 PM EDT\n\nWHERE: House Triangle, Capitol Hill\n\nWATCH: Livestream of the press conference will be available here.\n\nRSVP: Media are asked to RSVP to Elisabeth_St.Onge@welch.senate.gov and Ryan.Tomsheck@mail.house.gov.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-22T07:34:13Z", "2026-07-22T07:35:16Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-joins-king-37-senators-in-renewing-demands-to-dhs-for-civilian-protections-greater-transparency-following-killings-in-maine-and-texas/", "Welch Joins King, 37 Senators in Renewing Demands to DHS for Civilian Protections, Greater Transparency\u00a0Following Killings in Maine and Texas", "2026-07-20", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "Following tragic killings in Maine and Texas last week, Senators call for reforms, body-worn camera deployment, and independent investigations\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today joined U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) and 37 Senators in calling for stronger accountability measures for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers following tragic killings involving immigration officials last week in Maine and Texas. The fatal shootings of Joan Sebasti\u00e1n Dur\u00e1n Guerrero in Maine and Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Texas occurred six days apart.\n\nIn their letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin, 39 Senators urged DHS to fulfill its previous commitments to deploy and expand the usage of body-worn cameras, strengthen officer identification requirements, and review enforcement protocols. The measures suggested by the Senators are intended to help prevent future deadly encounters involving ICE enforcement officers.\n\n\u201cThe recent fatal shootings involving U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers, specifically within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in Biddeford, Maine, and Houston, Texas, coupled with similar incidents elsewhere in the country, are completely unacceptable,\u201d the Senators wrote. \u201cRather than making our communities safer, these actions endanger our citizens and seriously undermine confidence in law enforcement generally.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe tragic deaths of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Joan Sebasti\u00e1n Dur\u00e1n Guerrero occurred less than a week apart and carry startling similarities. In both incidents, the individuals were killed in enforcement actions in which they were not the intended targets. Furthermore, both individuals were shot by DHS officials while inside a vehicle. The unnecessary loss of life in these incidents demands immediate, thorough, independent, and transparent investigations (including the full involvement of local and state law enforcement personnel) along with a comprehensive examination of enforcement protocols, training, and operational approaches necessary to prevent such tragedies,\u201d the Senators continued. \u201cThese recent events have further compromised the credibility of DHS and fractured public trust within communities across our country. In each case, DHS quickly issued statements asserting that officers were acting in self-defense, even before evidence of the facts surrounding the incidents had been gathered. Compounding this failure, no DHS officials involved in these fatal shootings wore body-worn cameras that could be reviewed by investigators or members of the public.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe remain supportive of removing dangerous convicted criminals from our communities, but this goal can and must be achieved without endangering these very communities in the process. By no stretch could either of the victims in Texas and Maine be characterized as \u2018the worst of the worst,\u2019 making these tragic deaths even more egregious. The American people deserve clarity and accountability. We urge you to honor your Department\u2019s earlier commitments and take immediate action to implement these necessary reforms. We also stand ready to work with you to codify reforms into law,\u201d the Senators concluded.\n\nIn addition to Senators King and Welch, the letter is cosigned by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-N.M.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), and John Fetterman (D-Pa).\n\nRead and download the full text of Senators\u2019 letter to DHS Secretary Mullin.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-21T07:32:02Z", "2026-07-21T07:33:33Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-reintroduces-bills-to-protect-small-scale-farms-and-support-farmworkers/", "Welch Reintroduces Bills to Protect Small-Scale Farms and Support Farmworkers", "2026-07-20", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, Poultry, and Food Safety, led Senate colleagues in reintroducing the Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers & Ranchers Act and Agricultural Worker Justice Act, a pair of bills to support workers in the agricultural industry and uplift small, family farms across the United States. The Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers & Ranchers Act aims to create a level playing field for farmers and consumers by weakening the hold consolidated interests have on the agricultural economy. The Agricultural Worker Justice Act would require major food companies to provide decent wages and safe working conditions to do business with the federal government.\n\n\u201cSmall and family farms are at the heart of Vermont\u2019s economy and culture. Without them, Vermont wouldn\u2019t be the place we know and love,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cBut rapid consolidation has jeopardized the well-being and vitality of farms across America\u2014we can\u2019t let that happen. We also need urgent, commonsense safeguards to protect workers in the agricultural industry who face hazardous and exploitative working conditions.\u201d\n\nThe Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers & Ranchers Act is cosponsored in the Senate by Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). The legislation is endorsed by the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance (FARFA), the Health, Environment, Agriculture, and Labor (HEAL) Food Alliance, National Family Farm Coalition (NFFC), and the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW).\n\n\u201cFor too long, our food system has rewarded large corporations while squeezing the workers and small farmers who feed our communities,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cThese bills are about restoring fairness to our food system, addressing decades of consolidation, protecting family farms in New Jersey and across the nation, standing up for workers, and ensuring that people, not corporate profits, always come first.\u201d\n\n\u201cMultinational food and agriculture corporations are raking in billions of dollars at the expense of farmers, workers, consumers, and our future. While their top executives and shareholders profit, consumers face rising grocery prices and farmers and ranchers teeter on the verge of bankruptcy,\u201d said Judith McGeary, Executive Director, Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance (FARFA). \u201cThe Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers & Ranchers Act stops consolidation from getting even worse through a moratorium on future corporate mergers in the sector. It also makes crucial policy changes that farmers have long asked for \u2014 including the restoration of Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling for beef, greater investment in local food systems and livestock infrastructure, and funding that helps socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers have a fair chance to make a living raising food for their communities.\u201d\n\nLearn more about the Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers & Ranchers Act and view a section-by-section summary of the bill. Read and download the full text of the legislation here.\n\n\u2022\u2022\u2022\n\nThe Agricultural Worker Justice Act is cosponsored in the Senate by Sens. Booker, Sanders, John Fetterman (D-Pa.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). The bill is endorsed by the HEAL Food Alliance and the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW).\n\n\u201cThe people who put food on our table deserve more than just our gratitude. They deserve fair pay, safe working conditions, and respect,\u201d said Senator Fetterman. \u201cI\u2019m proud to work alongside my colleagues to support the workers not only in our Commonwealth, but across the country.\u201d\n\n[\u201cFarmworkers are the backbone of our nation\u2019s economy,\u201d said Senator Wyden. \u201cThe workers that put in hours each day to keep farms running, harvest our food and help get it to our grocery stores and dinner tables are the real power behind our nation\u2019s agricultural industry, and I\u2019m proud to support this bill that will help protect this essential workforce and ensure they\u2019re earning the wage they deserve.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe U.S. Department of Agriculture spends billions of dollars every year buying food, and that food should not come from companies that mistreat their workers. The Agricultural Worker Justice Act ensures that food and agricultural companies that exploit workers cannot do so on the dime of American taxpayers,\u201d said Milton Jones, International President, UFCW. \u201cFood workers are critical to the health of our nation and deserve fair wages and safe working conditions. How we spend our tax dollars shows our values as a country, which is why the\n\nLearn more about the Agricultural Worker Justice Act and view a section-by-section summary of the bill. Read and download the full text of the legislation here.\n\n\u2022\u2022\u2022\n\nSenator Welch has championed bipartisan and bicameral legislation to support the farmers and ranchers who feed America\u2019s families, including the Milk From Family Dairies Act, Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act, Fair Credit for Farmers Act, Freedom for Agricultural Repair and Maintenance Act (FARM Act), Capital for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Act, Livestock Owned by Communities to Advance Local (LOCAL) Foods Act, Honor Farmer Contracts Act, and the Farm Ownership Improvement Act.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-21T07:32:02Z", "2026-07-21T07:33:33Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-statement-on-trumps-new-tariffs-on-canada/", "Welch Statement on Trump\u2019s New Tariffs on Canada", "2026-07-20", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Member of the Senate Finance Committee, today released the following statement on the Trump Administration imposing new 50% tariffs on Canadian goods:\n\n\u201cThese new tariff threats against Canada are an extreme escalation of President Trump\u2019s reckless and irresponsible trade war. The White House\u2019s endless attacks on our Canadian neighbors\u2014Vermont\u2019s closest partner in trade\u2014have caused undeniable harm to our state\u2019s economy, and the aftershocks of today\u2019s announcement will do lasting damage. The president is only making trade talks and diplomacy more challenging, all while the USMCA, the trade agreement governing our relationship with our closest trading partners, is up for review. I urge President Trump and U.S. Trade Representative Greer to drop these new tariff threats immediately,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cThis is yet another reason why Congress needs to take back its constitutional power over trade policy. This administration needs to answer for the economic chaos it\u2019s creating; I look forward to questioning Ambassador Greer about these careless decisions when he testifies before the Finance Committee on Wednesday.\u201d\n\nSenator Welch is the lead sponsor of the Creating Access to Necessary American-Canadian Duty Adjustments (CANADA) Act, legislation that would exempt United States-owned small businesses from tariffs imposed on Canada. Senator Welch also cosponsors the bipartisan Trade Review Act, which seeks to restore Congress\u2019 constitutional role in trade policy.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-21T07:32:02Z", "2026-07-21T07:33:33Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-joins-bicameral-legislation-to-expose-corporate-abuse-of-tax-havens-job-offshoring/", "Welch\u00a0Joins\u00a0Bicameral\u00a0Legislation\u00a0to Expose Corporate Abuse of Tax Havens, Job Offshoring", "2026-07-17", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined the Disclosure of Tax Havens and Offshoring Act, legislation led by U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (D-CO-07), which would provide transparency around corporations\u2019 use of tax havens and incentives to offshore jobs. The lawmakers\u2019 bill would require public companies to disclose their financial reporting on a country-by-country basis to give Americans insight into how the tax system incentivizes the outsourcing of American jobs or enables corporations to dodge U.S. taxes. The legislation would also provide investors with the tools they need to understand the tax structures and risks of the businesses in which they invest.\n\n\u201cOur tax law in the United States is totally broken\u2013we have a system where corporations are incentivized to ship profits and good-paying jobs overseas. The American people deserve full transparency about how companies are using these loopholes to avoid paying their fair share of taxes. We\u2019re working to ensure that corporations are held accountable for hiding profits in foreign tax havens,\u201d said Senator Welch.\n\n\u201cWhile working Americans struggle to get by, large corporations continue to ship jobs overseas and take advantage of tax loopholes to hide their profits. This bill will provide critical transparency to both the American public and investors as to how these corporations abuse our broken tax system and the risks they are taking in the use of offshore tax havens. We must stand up for American workers, end incentives for big corporations to offshore jobs, and unrig our broken corporate tax code. Sunlight is the best disinfectant \u2013 shining a light on this issue is the first step,\u201d said Senator Van Hollen.\n\n\u201cAs everyday families struggle to find jobs and pay for basic necessities, corporations are dodging taxes by shifting profits outside the country and making the rest of us pay. I\u2019m proud to support this legislation that will require companies to disclose foreign operations, and ensure corporations pay into the system here at home,\u201d said Rep. Pettersen. \u201cThe Disclosure of Tax Havens and Offshoring Act will increase transparency, and make corporations start paying their fair share.\u201d\n\nIn addition to Senators Welch and Van Hollen, the legislation is cosponsored by Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL).\n\nWhile President Trump\u2019s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act established a new global tax framework, it also introduced incentives for large U.S. companies to shift profits and jobs overseas. The so-called \u2018One Big Beautiful Bill Act\u2019 largely preserved those incentives. New research shows that last year alone, large corporations reduced their tax liability by more than $11 billion via tax havens. Firms continue to benefit from shifting profits because they can pool income and foreign taxes across affiliates in both high- and low-tax countries, while foreign income remains subject to a significantly lower U.S. tax rate than domestic income.\n\nThe Disclosure of Tax Havens and Offshoring Act would ensure greater transparency in these tax practices by requiring large corporations to disclose basic information on each of their subsidiaries, and country-by-country financial information that sums together all of their subsidiaries in each country \u2013 including profits, taxes, employees, and tangible assets. Thus, when a corporation sends jobs overseas, a country-by-country financial report would show the extent to which the U.S. tax system is rewarding their behavior.\n\nThis Disclosure of Tax Havens and Offshoring Act is supported by the Financial Accountability & Corporate Transparency (FACT) Coalition, Public Citizen, Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy, and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).\n\nLearn more about the Disclosure of Tax Havens and Offshoring Act.\n\nRead and download the full text of the bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-18T06:58:50Z", "2026-07-18T07:00:34Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-lujan-schiff-raskin-ocasio-cortez-introduce-bicameral-legislation-imposing-gift-ban-on-supreme-court-justices/", "Welch, Luj\u00e1n, Schiff, Raskin, Ocasio-Cortez Introduce Bicameral Legislation Imposing Gift Ban on Supreme Court Justices", "2026-07-17", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "Legislation cracks down on lavish gifts to Supreme Court Justices with $50 limit aligning ethics rules with Congress, other judges, and federal officials\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights, this week joined U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-N.M.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) in introducing the High Court Gift Ban Act, legislation to close a glaring ethics loophole that allows U.S. Supreme Court Justices to accept lavish gifts from wealthy benefactors and individuals with interests before the Court. U.S. Representatives Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14) introduced companion legislation in the House.\n\n\u201cFor years, conservative Supreme Court Justices have accepted expensive gifts and travel from their friends who have business before the Court. It\u2019s unethical, and it\u2019s why public trust in the Court has eroded. Those serving on the Supreme Court should be held to the same ethical standards as every other federal judge\u2014and it\u2019s high time they are,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cI\u2019m proud to partner with Senators Luj\u00e1n and Schiff on this bill to increase accountability and restore public trust in our nation\u2019s most powerful court.\u201d\n\n\u201cOver the past several years, we\u2019ve seen far too many reports detailing how lavish gifts and luxury travel have undermined public confidence in the Supreme Court,\u201d said Senator Luj\u00e1n. \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to partner with colleagues to introduce the High Court Gift Ban Act, which would hold Supreme Court justices to the same ethical standards as other high-ranking federal officials. The Supreme Court \u2014 our nation\u2019s highest and most powerful court \u2014 should be held to the highest ethical standards to protect our democracy from the influence of dark money and special interests.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Supreme Court has lost the trust of the American people, and Justices accepting lavish gifts from wealthy individuals with business before the court has only made matters worse. We need to put an end to these egregious conflicts of interest and can start by establishing basic ethical standards for the Justices,\u201d said Senator Schiff.\n\n\u201cIn every other part of the federal government, taking lavish gifts from interested parties is called corruption\u2014but at the Supreme Court, it\u2019s bizarrely been treated as a job perk. A gaping ethics loophole has allowed Justices to accept lavish gifts from individuals who may have business before the Court, which totally undermines public confidence in judicial fairness and independence. Our bill closes this indefensible loophole by saying that Supreme Court Justices should follow the same basic gift rules as every other federal official and their fellow judges. Americans shouldn\u2019t have to wonder whether wealthy litigants and interested parties are influencing Supreme Court decisions with trips to luxury resorts, flights on private jets, and cruises on luxury yachts,\u201d said Ranking Member Raskin.\n\n\u201cThe Supreme Court is facing a major corruption crisis. As it stands, Supreme Court Justices are legally allowed to accept gifts from wealthy benefactors and people with special interests before the Court, actively furthering the distrust between working-class Americans and our legal institutions. That is why I am proud to introduce the High Court Gift Ban Act, alongside Congressman Jamie Raskin and Senator Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n, to remove the influence of dark money from our nation\u2019s highest judicial body. We must pass this commonsense proposal to safeguard the sanctity of our legal institutions and democracy,\u201d said Rep. Ocasio-Cortez.\n\nUnlike other federal judges, Members of Congress, and executive branch officials\u2014who are all bound by strict gift rules\u2014Supreme Court Justices are not currently bound by any limits on the value of the gifts they can accept. Investigative reporting has shown that some Justices have exploited this loophole, taking in lavish \u201cgifts\u201d from wealthy benefactors and political allies worth tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.\n\nThe scale of these undisclosed perks is staggering. One analysis found that Justices have accepted at least 445 gifts worth nearly $5 million over the past two decades. Reports have detailed that Justice Clarence Thomas alone received more than $4.2 million in luxury travel and other benefits from wealthy individuals with interests before the Court, including trips to Bali, stays at exclusive private retreats, and even a forgiven loan to purchase a luxury motor coach.\n\nThe High Court Gift Ban Act would block Justices from receiving gifts valued at more than $50 in a single instance or more than $100 in aggregate over the course of a year. It would also cap gifts of personal hospitality, like free trips on billionaire\u2019s yachts and private jets, which are currently unregulated. This brings the Supreme Court in line with similar ethical standards applying to Members of Congress and other federal officials.\n\nThe High Court Gift Ban Act is endorsed by leading advocacy organizations, including: AFSCME, American Federation of Teachers, Alliance for Justice, American Humanist Association, Center for American Progress, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, Clean Elections Texas, Courage California, Court Accountability, Courts Matter Illinois, EarthJustice, Enough of Gun Violence, Equality California, FFRF Action Fund, Fix the Court, Free Speech for People, Government Information Watch, Greenpeace USA, Indivisible, Leage of Conservation Voters, MoveOn, National Association of Consumer Advocates, National Women\u2019s Law Center, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, Ohio Fair Courts Alliance, People for the American Way, People Power United, Public Citizen, Reproductive Freedom for All, Secular Coalition for America, Secure Elections Network, Stand Up America, Supreme Court Integrity Project, Take Back the Court Action Fund, True North Research, Voices for Progress, and The Workers Circle.\n\nRead and download the full text of the bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-18T06:58:50Z", "2026-07-18T07:00:34Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-honored-with-national-retail-federations-2026-champion-of-main-street-award/", "Welch\u00a0Honored with\u00a0National\u00a0Retail Federation's 2026 \u201cChampion of Main Street\u201d\u00a0Award", "2026-07-16", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "Welch has championed bipartisan Credit Card Competition Act to protect small retailers and businesses\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee and Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, this week received the National Retail Federation\u2019s 2026 \u201cChampion of Main Street\u201d award for his leadership and work to ensure small businesses and retailers in Vermont and across the country get their fair share. The NRF is the world\u2019s largest retail trade association, with members including department stores, catalog, Internet, and independent retailers, restaurants, grocery stores, multi-level marketing companies, and vendors.\n\nIn his remarks, Senator Welch called on Congress to pass the bipartisan Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA), which would prevent the credit card duopoly of Visa and Mastercard from charging American businesses higher fees than anywhere else in the world.\n\nPhoto Credit: National Retail Federation\n\nRetail is the nation\u2019s largest private-sector employer, driving the U.S. economy and creating jobs in communities throughout the country. In Vermont, retail directly supports more than 66,000 jobs and contributes $9.2 billion in economic activity. Vermont boasts nearly 82,000 small businesses, which represent 99% of all businesses in the state, and employ over 62% of Vermont\u2019s overall workforce\u2014higher than the national average. Small businesses in Vermont also employ a diverse workforce, with 43.8% of small businesses in the state owned by women and 6% owned by veterans.\n\nUnder the Credit Card Competition Act, the Federal Reserve would issue regulations that require banks with over $100 billion in assets to enable at least two unaffiliated credit card networks, one of which must be outside of the top two largest networks, to process transactions on credit cards the banks issue. This would empower small business owners to pick the network that best suits their needs and inject real competition into the credit card market\u2014opening the door for new market entrants, encouraging innovation and enhanced security, and exerting competitive constraints on the Visa-Mastercard duopoly. It is estimated that the CCCA would save merchants and consumers over $16 billion each year.\n\nSenator Welch has led efforts to combat market consolidation in the retail industry and ensure Vermont\u2019s small businesses get a fair shot at success. In addition to the CCCA, the Senator is a cosponsor of the Fair Competition for Small Business Act, which would help protect small retailers from monopolistic, big-box stores that make it difficult for smaller operations to succeed.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-17T07:15:58Z", "2026-07-17T07:17:05Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/senate-passes-welch-cramer-bipartisan-resolution-honoring-canada-and-mexico-as-cohosts-of-the-2026-fifa-world-cup/", "Senate Passes Welch-Cramer Bipartisan Resolution Honoring\u00a0Canada and Mexico as Cohosts\u00a0of the\u00a02026 FIFA World\u00a0Cup", "2026-07-15", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "Bipartisan resolution recognizes the first FIFA tournament to be jointly hosted by three nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senators Peter Welch and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) today celebrated the Senate\u2019s unanimous passage of their bipartisan resolution honoring the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Senators\u2019 resolution celebrates that for first time in the history of the competition, the World Cup has been jointly hosted by three nations, with matches held across 16 North American cities, including 11 in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada. The resolution underlines how this milestone was made possible by the spirit of continental unity and cooperation among America\u2019s neighbors.\n\nThe 2026 FIFA World Cup marks a milestone in sporting history as the first to feature an expanded field of 48 national teams and a record 104 matches. America\u2019s host cities for this year\u2019s competition included Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle.\n\n\u201cThe \u2018United Bid\u2019 of America, Canada, and Mexico was made possible by a shared, strong partnership between our countries, grounded in mutual respect and centered on shared values of peace and prosperity. From Boston to Seattle, we\u2019ve been thrilled to welcome folks from across the world to America to foster global peace, friendship, and fair competition. It was exciting to watch the U.S. Men\u2019s National Team compete with grit and determination, which rallied so many Americans around this historic tournament,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cI\u2019m proud to join Senator Cramer in leading this effort thanking our great neighbors, Canada and Mexico, for their collaboration in bringing the world\u2019s most popular tournament back home in a historic way.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis year\u2019s FIFA World Cup has been one for the books! Unanimously passing our resolution is a fitting way to send all teams home with respect for their accomplishments and appreciation for their sportsmanship. Welcoming the world with American hospitality while celebrating our shared love for soccer has been a highlight of the year,\u201d said Senator Cramer.\n\nThe 2026 Men\u2019s World Cup is the highest attended FIFA World Cup in the competition\u2019s history, with a current all-time attendance record of 3,605,357. Prior to this year\u2019s tournament, the 1994 FIFA World Cup, which was hosted by the United States, was the most attended tournament in history with over 3,587,000 spectators. The legacy of the 1994 FIFA World Cup fundamentally changed the trajectory of soccer in America, leading directly to the 1996 launch of Major League Soccer and the creation of new professional pathways for players from the United States.\n\nRead and download the full text of the resolution.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-16T07:21:44Z", "2026-07-16T07:23:13Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-grills-blanche-during-nomination-hearing-to-serve-as-attorney-general-todd-blanche-works-for-donald-trump-he-does-not-work-for-the-american-people/", "Welch\u00a0Grills\u00a0Blanche During\u00a0Nomination Hearing to Serve as Attorney General:\u00a0\u201cTodd Blanche works for Donald Trump. He does not work for the American people.\u201d", "2026-07-15", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "Welch pressed Trump\u2019s former personal attorney and Acting AG Todd Blanche on his conflicts of interest during tenure as Deputy AG\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, grilled Acting Attorney General (AG) and AG nominee Todd Blanche on his role in the Trump Administration\u2019s corruption of the pardon process at the Department of Justice (DOJ), and in negotiating a settlement between President Trump and the Internal Revenue Service. In his remarks, Senator Welch emphasized that Acting AG Blanche\u2019s demonstrated loyalty to President Trump\u2014his former client\u2014is prioritized ahead of the Americans he has been entrusted to serve.\n\n\u201cWe cannot have a Justice Department that makes prosecutions of American citizens\u2014whether they\u2019re in office or not\u2014on the basis of the political preferences of the president. Todd Blanche works for Donald Trump. He does not work for the American people,\u201d said Senator Welch at a press conference following the hearing.\n\nWatch Senator Welch\u2019s full remarks from the hearing below:\n\nRead and watch an excerpt from Senator Welch\u2019s exchange with Acting AG Blanche about his involvement in the settlement granting President Trump legal immunity and creating the anti-weaponization slush fund:\n\nSen. Welch: I mean, that is truly bizarre that the chief executive gets his appointed person\u2014who was formerly his personal attorney\u2014to negotiate on his behalf, where at the end of the day, taxpayers are going to pay.\n\nActing AG Blanche: The other thing I\u2019ll correct, though, is you used the word as if I negotiated. I wasn\u2019t part of the negotiation, which I\u2019ve said before.\n\nSen. Welch: Your department is\u2014you had to sign off on it. That is your signature.\n\nActing AG Blanche: Yes, that\u2019s true. Yes, that is my signature.\n\nSen. Welch: I mean, look: you\u2019re at the top of the pile here. So, you don\u2019t get involved in all the phone calls and all the details, but at the end of the day ,you have to do due diligence and satisfy yourself that you, in good faith, can sign off on the agreement. And you did. So that is your responsibility and I\u2019m sure you accept that.\n\nActing AG Blanche: Correct. Yes, oh I do have responsibility for it. I agree with that.\n\nSen. Welch: That\u2019s right.\n\n\u2022\u2022\u2022\n\nSenator Welch has called on Acting AG Blanche to resign and expressed strong opposition to Acting AG Blanche\u2019s nomination to serve in the role permanently.\n\nIn May, Senator Welch led all Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats in demanding that the DOJ Inspector General (IG) launch an immediate, thorough, and quick investigation into President Trump\u2019s creation of the nearly $1.8 billion \u201cAnti-Weaponization Fund,\u201d emphasizing how President Trump\u2019s slush fund, created from a settlement agreement in Trump v. Internal Revenue Service (IRS), represents waste, fraud, and abuse of an unprecedented magnitude and must be subjected to independent scrutiny.\n\nLast year, Senator Welch led Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee in requesting documents from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to determine the veracity of U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche\u2019s testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee during his nomination hearing in February 2025. Mr. Blanche testified at the hearing and in subsequent written answers to Members\u2019 questions that he had no knowledge of the decision to dismiss the criminal charges against then-New York City Mayor Eric Adams, an assertion that has been contradicted by unsealed court documents\u2014including a letter from then-Interim U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon to Attorney General Bondi\u2014suggesting he was aware of the decision.\n\nThe Senator subsequently led every Senate Judiciary Committee Democrat in calling on Inspector General Michael Horowitz to investigate the truthfulness of Mr. Blanche\u2019s testimony at his confirmation hearing.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-16T07:21:44Z", "2026-07-16T07:23:13Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-joins-heinrich-schatz-colleagues-to-discuss-future-of-the-energy-workforce-with-labor-leaders/", "Welch Joins Heinrich, Schatz, Colleagues to Discuss Future of the Energy Workforce with Labor Leaders", "2026-07-15", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "Welch: \u201cNow it\u2019s time to have an industrial policy that\u2019s good for workers, and good for America, and good for the economy.\u201d\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, this week joined Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Senate Democratic colleagues, and labor leaders to discuss the future of America\u2019s energy workforce, policies that support clean energy and manufacturing jobs, and the impacts of the Trump Administration\u2019s actions on workers. Senator Welch highlighted the need for Congress to invest in career and technical education opportunities to expand America\u2019s clean energy workforce.\n\n\u201cCongress plays an important role in helping meet the needs of the American people and American workers. A big part of that must be investing in clean energy\u2014not because it\u2019s the right thing to do, but because it\u2019s the necessary thing to do. We need industrial policy that\u2019s good for workers, good for America, and good for the economy,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cWe\u2019ll keep fighting for good jobs for hardworking people.\u201d\n\nWatch Senator Welch\u2019s full remarks below:\n\nSenators Welch, Heinrich, and Schatz were joined at the roundtable by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).\n\nSenators heard from panelists including President of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) Liz Shuler; General President of Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Brent Booker; President of Industrial Division of the Communications Workers of America (IUE-CWA) Carl Kennebrew; Director of Unity and Strength for Workers (USW) District 1 (Ohio/Michigan) Donnie Blatt; Maryland State Senator and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 24 Vice President Cory McCray; and Executive Director of BlueGreen Alliance Jason Walsh.\n\nWatch a livestream of the roundtable here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-16T07:21:44Z", "2026-07-16T07:23:13Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/trumps-illegal-war-with-iran-has-forced-vermont-to-pay-113-million-more-for-gas-so-far/", "Trump\u2019s Illegal War with Iran Has Forced Vermont to Pay\u00a0$113 Million More\u00a0for\u00a0Gas, So Far", "2026-07-14", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "Vermont households have spent $441 more for gas since the war began\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Democrats on the Joint Economic Committee today released new data outlining how President Trump\u2019s reckless and illegal war with Iran has driven up gasoline costs for Vermont families, farmers, and businesses. The new data shows that since the war began on February 28, Americans have spent a total of $56.4 billion more for gas. In Vermont, the increase in gas spending totals $113,105,145, with families spending $441 more on average, per household.\n\nU.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, released the following statement on the new data:\n\n\u201cVermont families are paying the price for President Trump\u2019s illegal war with Iran. The average household has spent $441 more for gas, so far\u2014and there\u2019s no end in sight. The President needs to get out of this reckless war, which has caused incredible harm to our economy and driven up costs for families in Vermont and across the country.\u201d\n\nView the data from JEC below:\n\nSenator Welch is a member of the Senate Finance Committee, and Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit. He was a member of the Joint Economic Committee in the 118th Congress.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-15T07:12:08Z", "2026-07-15T07:13:45Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-on-the-ndaa-this-national-defense-authorization-fails-to-address-the-critical-question-that-is-before-this-country-right-now-the-war-in-iran-welch/", "Welch\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0NDAA:\u00a0\u201cThis national defense authorization fails to address the critical question that is before this country right now...the war in Iran.\u201d\u00a0Welch\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0NDAA:", "2026-07-13", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today delivered remarks from the Senate floor urging his colleagues to reconsider debate or advancement of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), citing the ongoing, escalating war with Iran and the inclusion of new policy provisions that require the U.S. to deepen our defense and intelligence sharing relationship with the government of Israel.\n\n\u201cThis national defense authorization fails to address the critical question that is before this country right now, and that is the war in Iran,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cIt fails to address the changing nature of warfare, by spending half a trillion dollars more on weapons systems that are the weapons systems of yesterday\u2026It outsources, to another country, decisions on intelligence sharing and weapons production that should only be made by our country. It commits the taxpayers of this country to the obligation of another half trillion dollars, with absolutely no outline of how we\u2019re going to pay for it\u2014and this, on top of a deficit that is the highest we\u2019ve ever had in this country.\u201d\n\nWatch Senator Welch\u2019s speech below:\n\nRead an excerpt of Senator Welch\u2019s remarks:\n\n\u201cWhen it comes to sharing intelligence, I want our generals; I want our national security officials; I want our president, our chief executive and commander in chief; to have unfettered discretion to make those decisions about with whom we share information, what information we share, and under what circumstances, to be our decision and our decision alone\u2026We\u2019ve never, ever, had an obligation to relinquish the exclusive right of decision making that has to fundamentally be made on the best interest of what is in the national security interest of the people in this country. We cannot relinquish that right and that responsibility.\u201d\n\n\u2022\u2022\u2022\n\nLast week, Senator Welch joined a letter led by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) urging their colleagues to oppose the motion to proceed with a vote on the NDAA, unless it addresses provisions that lock in U.S.-Israel defense and intelligence cooperation. These new provisions were included in the bill despite reports by U.S. intelligence agencies that the Israeli government has worked to undermine the President\u2019s peace negotiations and is spying on the United States.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-14T07:08:55Z", "2026-07-14T07:10:52Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-sanders-balint-lead-reintroduction-of-bill-to-help-protect-vermont-farmland-from-flooding/", "Welch, Sanders, Balint\u00a0Lead Reintroduction of\u00a0Bill\u00a0to Help Protect Vermont Farmland from Flooding", "2026-07-10", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, alongside the Vermont Congressional Delegation, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and U.S. Representative Becca Balint (D-VT-AL), reintroduced the Building Up Farmland Frontiers for Ecological Resilience (BUFFER) Act. This bicameral legislation would ensure all states can access the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s (USDA) Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) funding to implement buffer zones, agricultural tools used by farmers to protect farmland from flooding, erosion, and water pollution.\n\n\u201cOur farmers deserve access to the tools and resources they need to fight climate change and make farmland more flood resilient. An essential part of that has to be cutting through red tape that forces Vermont farmers to jump through more hoops to receive compensation for their work than farmers in other states,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cI\u2019m proud to partner with Senator Sanders and Rep. Balint on this legislation to help Vermont farmers better mitigate flooding risk and protect our state\u2019s farmland from natural disasters.\u201d\n\n\u201cVermont farmers are still recovering from multiple years of flooding. They want to ensure their fields are better protected from future storms, especially in the face of climate change. This important legislation will cut through bureaucracy and ensure our farmers are compensated for their work to improve our state\u2019s water quality and protect their land from the kind of damage we saw over the past few years,\u201d said Senator Sanders.\n\n\u201cAs climate change brings more frequent and severe extreme weather events, it\u2019s critical that farmers in Vermont and across the country have the tools they need to protect their land and livelihoods,\u201d said Rep. Balint. \u201cAhead of the anniversary of the catastrophic 2023 and 2024 floods, I\u2019m proud to be reintroducing the BUFFER Act alongside our Senators. Our delegation stands united in support of Vermonters as folks continue to rebuild.\u201d\n\nThe delegation first introduced the legislation in direct response to Vermont\u2019s catastrophic July 2023 floods.\n\nBuffer zones are agricultural tools used by farmers to protect farmland from flooding, erosion, and water pollution, and provide a habitat for pollinators. Like many states, Vermont requires farmers to implement buffer systems. As such, farmers in Vermont have sought to use the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s (USDA) Conservation Reserve Program (CREP) to implement buffers in their fields. However, because the State of Vermont has a buffer mandate, USDA\u2019s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has required Vermont to follow an arduous process to access CREP buffer funding. These bureaucratic barriers have hampered Vermonters\u2019 ability to use this vital conservation tool and receive compensation for their preventative work.\n\nThe bicameral BUFFER Act aims to ensure that Vermont farmers are compensated for their efforts to improve water quality and protect their fields from flooding. The bill would ensure that all states can access USDA\u2019s Conservation CREP funding to implement buffer zones, even if state law already requires farmers to maintain buffer zones.\n\nLearn more about the BUFFER Act.\n\nRead and download the full text of the legislation.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-11T07:10:48Z", "2026-07-11T07:14:29Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-joins-climate-action-campaign-for-hearing-on-the-impacts-of-climate-change-and-extreme-weather/", "Welch Joins Climate Action Campaign for Hearing on\u00a0the\u00a0Impacts of Climate Change and Extreme Weather", "2026-07-09", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "Welch, Balint, and State and Community Leaders Heard from Flood-Impacted Vermonters in Barre, Vermont\n\nBARRE \u2013 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) joined U.S. Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL), Vermont State Senators Anne Watson and Andrew Perchlik, alongside the Climate Action Campaign (CAC) and its Vermont partners, at the Old Labor Hall in Barre for an Extreme Weather People\u2019s Hearing.\n\nThe event, through first person testimony, highlighted how climate change is fueling more dangerous and deadly extreme weather, and threatening the lives and livelihoods of Vermonters. Small business owners, public health experts, farmers, and community members testified about how their lives have been disrupted by climate change-fueled extreme weather, including the catastrophic flooding in July of 2023 and 2024.\n\n\u201cVermonters know firsthand the pain caused by climate-driven extreme weather. This week, we\u2019re remembering the floods of 2023 and 2024, which caused brutal damage to homes, farms, small businesses, and entire communities. Many folks are still recovering, and they need support from the federal government. I\u2019m fighting in Washington to get disaster recovery funding back to Vermont and improve disaster assistance programs to better support rural states,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cClimate change and extreme weather events can hit any community. This is a red state issue just as much as it is a blue state issue; We need bipartisan solutions and action\u2014and we need it now.\u201d\n\nPhoto Credit: Climate Action Campaign\n\nSenator Welch has advocated for disaster aid funding throughout Vermont\u2019s catastrophic back-to-back flooding in July 2023 and July 2024. On the anniversaries of Vermont\u2019s catastrophic floods, Senator Welch introduced the Disaster Assistance Improvement and Decentralization (AID) Act, which would cut red tape and support hazard mitigation efforts, make the delivery of disaster aid more efficient and effective, provide technical assistance to small towns and communities impacted by natural disasters, and block the White House from withholding funding for disaster response. The bill was inspired and shaped by the disaster recovery experience of communities across Vermont.\n\nThe Senator also introduced the Rural Recovery Act, which would create a new program at USDA Rural Development (RD) to provide RD state offices with automatic funding for emergency recovery technical assistance after disasters take place in their jurisdiction.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-10T08:20:04Z", "2026-07-10T08:21:18Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/ahead-of-2023-and-2024-flood-anniversaries-welch-highlights-importance-of-flexible-flood-recovery-funding-for-vermont/", "Ahead of\u00a02023 and 2024\u00a0Flood Anniversaries, Welch\u00a0Highlights\u00a0Importance of Flexible Flood Recovery Funding for Vermont", "2026-07-08", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "Following push by Welch and the Congressional Delegation, Vermont has been awarded nearly $68 million in flexible Community Development Block Grant\u2013Disaster Relief funds\n\nMONTPELIER \u2013 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today convened community and state leaders in Montpelier to highlight the importance of the Community Development Block Grant\u2013Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR) program, flexible disaster recovery funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) dedicated to supporting housing reconstruction and rehabilitation, infrastructure redevelopment, and flood mitigation efforts. While in Montpelier, Senator Welch visited the location of a new housing project funded by the CDBG-DR program and discussed the importance of flexible funding for Vermont\u2019s flood recovery.\n\nIn the aftermath of the 2023 and 2024 floods, Senator Welch championed a comprehensive disaster relief bill which provided more than $100 billion in relief for disaster-impacted states like Vermont. This bill included $12 billion in flexible CDBG-DR funds to help communities across the country recover from natural disasters. Vermont has received nearly $68 million in CDBG-DR funding.\n\n\u201cSo many of FEMA\u2019s recovery programs are too rigid\u2014that\u2019s why after the 2023 and 2024 floods I fought hard to secure dedicated funding for the flexible Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Relief program. This grant program puts more power in the hands of state and local leaders as they build back smarter, and that\u2019s the key to true resilience. It\u2019s only one tool in our toolbox, but this program will help us take a big step toward ensuring our communities are safer, stronger, and more prepared for whatever the future holds,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cI\u2019m proud we secured more than $67 million in CDBG-DR funding for Vermont, and today we can see this funding at work. I look forward to touring this new housing and renovation project soon.\u201d\n\nSenator Welch was joined by Doug Farnham, State of Vermont\u2019s Chief Recovery Officer; Nate Formalarie, Deputy Commissioner of DHCD; Angie Harbin, Executive Director of Downstreet Housing; Gus Seelig, Executive Director of VHCB; and Beth Sightler, CEO of Washington County Mental Health Services.\n\nIn December 2023, Senator Welch testified before a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee and advocated for the inclusion of CDBG-DR funding in the comprehensive disaster supplemental package. The comprehensive disaster relief bill, signed by President Biden in 2024, provided more than $100 billion total in disaster relief, and contained many of Senator Welch\u2019s top priorities for Vermont: flexible spending through the Community Development Block Grant\u2013Disaster Recovery fund; support for FEMA\u2019s Disaster Relief Fund (DRF); dedicated help for flood-impacted farmers; and low-interest disaster loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to help businesses and homeowners recover, among many other resources.\n\nLearn more about HUD\u2019s Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR) program here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-09T08:24:13Z", "2026-07-09T08:26:05Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-announces-nearly-2-million-in-new-fema-funding-to-lamoille-and-washington-counties/", "Welch Announces\u00a0Nearly\u00a0$2 Million\u00a0in New FEMA Funding\u00a0to\u00a0Lamoille and Washington Counties", "2026-07-07", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "MORRISVILLE, VT \u2013 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, today announced the delivery of over $1.79 million in federal funding, administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to repair catastrophic damage to the Morrisville Water & Light and the Town of Marshfield caused by severe flooding in July 2023.\n\nThe federal funding grants announced include $1.32 million to Morrisville Water & Light in Lamoille County to restore their water supply system back to pre-disaster function and capacity, including repairing building exterior and interior elements, replacing major electrical, mechanical, and chemical feed components, including the well pump motor and controls, and installing a new standby generator. Additionally, the Town of Marshfield in Washington County will receive $471,242 to support flood recovery and resiliency efforts.\n\n\u201cFlood and disaster-impacted communities depend on support from the federal government\u2014our towns and counties need to know FEMA will be there after a disaster hits, and as they strengthen their flood resiliency efforts. I\u2019m proud this federal funding is coming back to our state and will continue to fight for communities hit by the July 2023 and 2024 floods,\u201d said Senator Welch.\n\nSenator Welch has advocated for disaster aid funding throughout Vermont\u2019s catastrophic back-to-back flooding in July 2023 and July 2024. On the anniversaries of Vermont\u2019s catastrophic floods, Senator Welch introduced the Disaster Assistance Improvement and Decentralization (AID) Act, which would cut red tape and support hazard mitigation efforts, make the delivery of disaster aid more efficient and effective, provide technical assistance to small towns and communities impacted by natural disasters, and block the White House from withholding funding for disaster response. The bill was inspired and shaped by the disaster recovery experience of communities across Vermont. The Senator also introduced the Rural Recovery Act, which would create a new program at USDA Rural Development (RD) to provide RD state offices with automatic funding for emergency recovery technical assistance after disasters take place in their jurisdiction.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-08T07:27:19Z", "2026-07-08T07:28:28Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/vermont-delegation-secures-more-than-19-million-in-bipartisan-infrastructure-funding-for-u-s-route-7-reconstruction/", "Vermont Delegation Secures More than $19 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Funding for U.S. Route 7 Reconstruction", "2026-07-06", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "BURLINGTON, VT\u2013July 6, 2026\u2013The Vermont Congressional Delegation, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and U.S. Representative Becca Balint (D-Vt.) today announced $19,719,310 in federal funding to complete the reconstruction of U.S. Route 7 from Pittsford to Brandon, Vermont. The funding for the Vermont Agency of Transportation was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation\u2019s Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program and made possible by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)\u2014better known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.\n\n\u201cWe\u2019re proud to announce more than $19 million in federal funds to support the State of Vermont\u2019s work on the Ethan Allen Highway. This project will make one of the most traveled highways in our state safer and more reliable, from Pittsford to Brandon and beyond,\u201d said Sanders, Welch, and Balint.\n\n\u201cInvestments like these are critical to maintaining our infrastructure for years to come,\u201d said Governor Phil Scott. \u201cI\u2019m appreciative of the Agency of Transportation\u2019s work as well as the congressional delegation for their work in bringing this funding back home to Vermont.\u201d\n\nThe project includes roadway reconstruction, widening, shoulder improvements, drainage and culvert replacement, bridge upgrades, safety enhancements, and wildlife crossing improvements. Senator Sanders is a senior member on the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, which oversees this funding.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-07T08:20:12Z", "2026-07-07T08:22:09Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-joins-all-senate-democrats-in-demanding-trump-halt-illegal-move-to-undermine-special-ed-civil-rights-enforcement/", "Welch Joins All Senate Democrats in Demanding Trump Halt Illegal Move to Undermine Special Ed, Civil Rights Enforcement", "2026-07-06", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) joined U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Ranking Member on the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee, Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and the entire Senate Democratic Caucus in demanding the Trump administration put students first, follow the law, and immediately reverse course on transferring special education programs and civil rights enforcement out of the Department of Education (ED).\n\nOn June 16, 2026, the Trump Administration announced four Interagency Agreements (IAA) that would illegally move the administration of special education programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and vocational rehabilitation programs authorized under the Rehabilitation Act from the ED to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These IAA also transfer fundamental civil rights enforcement responsibility away from ED to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and come as the Trump Administration has successfully worked to undermine core functions and statutory responsibilities of ED, following sweeping and unlawful firings, workforce reductions, and reorganization last year that have already undermined the very goals of the Education Department. At the same time, ED moved almost all programs supporting elementary and secondary education to multiple agencies with limited capacity and expertise administering similar programs.\n\nIn their letter to ED Secretary Linda McMahon, the Senators outline how the Trump Administration\u2019s latest moves are part of the president\u2019s explicit effort to dismantle ED, threatening key funding, support and services for students, schools, and families nationwide. The Senators also emphasize that wasting time and resources to scatter education programs all over the federal government does nothing to help children and families while only making it more complicated for states and school districts to administer important federal funding.\n\nThe Senators underscore that isolating special education programs away from all other federal K-12 programs risks isolating students with disabilities themselves: \u201cThe administration\u2019s latest attempts to dismantle the Department of Education through the four Interagency Agreements (IAA) announced June 16, 2026, are outrageous and put the educational outcomes of students and their rights in the classroom at risk\u2026The administration\u2019s actions fly in the face of what Congress has required, directly undermine every child\u2019s right to a quality public education in this country, and must be immediately reversed.\u201d\n\nDespite announcing this illegal transfer of programs, the Trump Administration has refused to provide information regarding what office within HHS will carry out special education programs, leaving teachers, students, and families with even greater uncertainty about where to turn to ensure their rights are protected. The Senators emphasize that burying special education programs in a sprawling HHS with significant other responsibilities, instead of at a Department of Education a fraction of the size solely focused on education, will jeopardize outcomes for students with disabilities.\n\n\u201cSpecial education and vocational rehabilitation are education programs. Any attempt to move these programs to HHS would fundamentally alter the purposes of these services, upending fifty years of work that took place at the federal, state, and local level to improve educational and employment outcomes for people with disabilities. It appears the administration values its backward goal of dismantling ED over the faithful execution of the law and improving opportunities and outcomes for children, youth, and students with disabilities,\u201d the Senators continued. \u201cThis lack of forethought demonstrates how little concern it has for students with disabilities and their learning. The administration couldn\u2019t possibly know that this will be in the best interest of children and families because it doesn\u2019t even know where and how these programs will be administered in the future.\u201d\n\nThe most recent reauthorization of IDEA passed by Congress reiterates that the responsibility for administering the law is clearly vested with ED, along with various duties vested in the Secretary of Education, including allotting funds to States and carrying out oversight among other activities. However, the law does not contain any provisions that would permit ED to offload its responsibilities for special education or vocational rehabilitation programs to another agency. Additionally, the annual bipartisan appropriation bills approved by Congress do not provide affirmative authority to ED to transfer special education funding or vocational rehabilitation services to HHS, nor ED\u2019s civil rights enforcement responsibilities to DOJ CRT.\n\nThe Senators reiterated that Congress appropriates annual funding to ED to help States and local educational agencies carry out programs and ensure children, youth, students, and families are served in accordance with federal law: \u201cWe have a simple demand: follow our nation\u2019s education and appropriations laws as Congress wrote them to protect students\u2019 most basic right to a quality education. More than 80 education, disability, parent, and civil rights groups have vocally opposed the recent IAAs and other departmental changes. We call on this administration to immediately cease implementing these IAAs, fully implement IDEA and the Rehabilitation Act as Congressionally directed, and take immediate action to strengthen civil rights enforcement\u2014instead of burying students\u2019 cases behind more bureaucracy. Our students and their families deserve nothing less.\u201d\n\nMeanwhile, the transfer of the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) out of ED also comes as the Trump Administration has failed to uphold the federal government\u2019s obligations to protect students from unlawful discrimination. In 2025, ED\u2019s OCR reached the fewest resolution agreements in over 12 years and failed to reach a single resolution agreement related to sexual harassment, sexual violence, racial harassment, discriminatory school discipline, or the seclusion and restraint of children with disabilities, with over 12,000 pending cases that were under investigation by OCR at the start of this Administration.\n\nDespite this backlog, the Trump Administration is attempting to illegally transfer OCR\u2019s functions to the Department of Justice\u2019s Civil Rights Division (CRT), which has lost an estimated 75% of its civil rights staff attorneys since January 2025, making it wholly unequipped to handle the over 23,000 complaints OCR receives and evaluates annually. The Senators also raised concerns that while OCR is currently required to evaluate every single complaint it receives, DOJ CRT can pick and choose the cases it takes to court. Under this IAA, students whose complaints are not prioritized by DOJ CRT may never see their rights vindicated.\n\nIn addition to Senators Welch, Baldwin, Murray, and Sanders, the letter is cosigned by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Angus King (I-Maine), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Chris Coons (D-Del.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-N.M.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.).\n\nRead and download the Senators\u2019 full letter to Secretary McMahon.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-07T08:20:12Z", "2026-07-07T08:22:09Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-meets-with-health-care-leaders-in-bennington-to-discuss-future-of-rural-health-care-improving-access-to-affordable-care-statewide/", "Welch Meets with Health Care Leaders in Bennington to Discuss Future of Rural\u00a0Health\u00a0Care, Improving Access to\u00a0Affordable\u00a0Care Statewide", "2026-07-02", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "BENNINGTON, VT \u2013 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care, this week hosted a roundtable on rural health care innovation, featuring local health care leaders, medical experts, and community members. The Senator discussed challenges faced by health care providers and patients in Vermont.\n\nWhile at the Bennington Firehouse, he highlighted the Emergency Medical Services Reimbursement for On-scene Care and Support (EMS ROCS) Act, his legislation that would require the government to pay for vital EMS services provided to individuals on Medicare.\n\n\u201cThe state of health care in rural America is more than concerning: communities lack access to critical services they need, insurance costs are skyrocketing, and people are suffering. President Trump\u2019s reckless tax bill, which was signed one year ago this week, made it even more expensive to live in rural America and pushed affordable care further out of reach through cuts to Medicaid funding and our state\u2019s rural hospitals and clinics,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cI\u2019m grateful for the opportunity to sit down with Bennington\u2019s leading health care experts to hear about innovative changes that will improve and expand access to health care services in our rural communities. I\u2019ll take their insight to Washington and continue to fight to improve access to care in rural America.\u201d\n\nSenator Welch is a champion for rural health care, and has worked across the aisle to lead legislation to improve access to care, including the Rural Hospital Support Act, Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act, Rural Hospital Technical Assistance Program Act, Fair Funding for Rural Hospitals Act, Multigenerational Home Caregiver Credit Act, and the CONNECT for Health Act.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-03T08:00:00Z", "2026-07-03T08:01:30Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-hosts-common-grounds-with-senator-welch-listening-session-in-bennington-county/", "Welch Hosts \u2018Common Grounds with Senator Welch\u2019 Listening Session in\u00a0Bennington\u00a0County", "2026-07-01", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "Welch highlights how President Trump has raised costs for average Vermont households by more than $2,000\n\nBENNINGTON, VT \u2013 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today hosted a \u2018Common Grounds with Senator Welch\u2019 listening session at Bennington College\u2019s Purple Carrot Farm. The Senator heard from Vermonters about how Washington can work better for Bennington County families, farmers, and businesses.\n\n\u201cPresident Trump\u2019s policies are hurting Vermont families. A large part of the hardship facing rural communities stems from the president\u2019s so-called \u2018One Big Beautiful Bill\u2019\u2014signed one year ago this week\u2014which made life more expensive for working families and gave tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans. The president\u2019s illegal war with Iran and reckless trade war, cuts to Medicaid, and his refusal to extend health care tax credits\u2014which helped more than 30,000 Vermonters access health care\u2014have only worsened the affordability crisis gripping our country,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cAt the end of the day, President Trump\u2019s disastrous policies have raised costs for Vermont families\u2014it\u2019s an unsustainable financial burden for families who can\u2019t make ends meet. I\u2019ll keep fighting to reverse these policies and work to make life more affordable for everyday Vermonters.\u201d\n\nView photos from the event below and on the Senator\u2019s website:\n\nSenator Welch has hosted Common Grounds events in Franklin, Addison, Caledonia, Orleans, Orange, Lamoille, Grand Isle, and Windsor counties, and will host listening sessions in every county of Vermont in 2026. Sign up for the Senator\u2019s newsletter here to learn more about his upcoming events in Vermont.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-02T06:20:02Z", "2026-07-02T06:21:32Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-statement-on-the-future-of-the-usmca-trade-agreement-and-u-s-canada-trade-relations/", "Welch Statement on the Future of the USMCA Trade Agreement and U.S.-Canada Trade Relations", "2026-07-01", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) was negotiated and signed by President Trump in 2018\n\nBURLINGTON, VT\u2014U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Member of the Senate Finance Committee, today released the following statement on the Trump Administration\u2019s refusal to extend the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade agreement, which was negotiated and signed by President Trump in 2018 and went into effect in 2020:\n\n\u201cVermont\u2019s small businesses, manufacturers, and farmers rely on the USMCA to maintain strong trade relationships with our neighbors\u2014especially Canada. President Trump\u2019s anti-Canadian rhetoric and reckless tariffs have created economic chaos on both sides of the border. The ripple effects have been severe and lasting, hurting Vermont\u2019s Main Streets, our agriculture economy, and our tourism. Economic chaos has been a hallmark of the last 18 months, and today\u2019s announcement by the Trump Administration only adds fuel to the fire. To be crystal clear for Vermonters who rely on this trade agreement: the USMCA still remains intact,\u201d said Senator Welch, a member of the Senate Finance Committee. \u201cPresident Trump negotiated and signed this trade agreement in his first term. The USMCA has been a key tool in keeping trade flowing after the president lodged extreme tariffs on our closest trading partners. No trade agreement is perfect, but we need to extend the USMCA to bolster our North American supply chain and to protect and create manufacturing jobs. I urge Ambassador Greer, the White House, and Canadian trade officials to come to a swift resolution on unresolved matters and to maintain this critical agreement.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-02T06:20:02Z", "2026-07-02T06:21:32Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-hosts-common-grounds-with-senator-welch-listening-session-in-franklin-county/", "Welch Hosts \u2018Common Grounds with Senator Welch\u2019 Listening Session in\u00a0Franklin County", "2026-06-30", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "SAINT ALBANS, VT \u2013 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) hosted a \u2018Common Grounds with Senator Welch\u2019 listening session at 14th Star Brewing Co. in Saint Albans City. The Senator joined community members and local leaders to discuss the challenges facing families, farmers, and businesses in Franklin County and how Washington can work better to address them.\n\n\u201cRural communities like Saint Albans are facing more burdens than ever because of Trump Administration policies, from his disastrous war of choice in Iran to eviscerating the federal workforce. The president\u2019s tariffs hit our farmers, hospitality, and tourism especially hard,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cThe bottom line here is that we need to make Washington work better for Vermonters. I\u2019ll keep working hard to reverse this administration\u2019s reckless policies and power grabs to protect our democracy and restore the rule of law.\u201d\n\nView photos from the event below and on the Senator\u2019s website:\n\nSenator Welch has hosted Common Grounds events in Addison, Caledonia, Orleans, Orange, Lamoille, Grand Isle, and Windsor counties, and will host listening sessions in every county of Vermont in 2026. Sign up for the Senator\u2019s newsletter here to learn more about his upcoming events in Vermont.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-01T06:34:07Z", "2026-07-01T06:35:35Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-statement-on-supreme-court-ruling-to-protect-birthright-citizenship/", "Welch\u00a0Statement on\u00a0Supreme Court\u00a0Ruling to Protect Birthright Citizenship", "2026-06-30", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "BURLINGTON, VT\u2014U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on The Constitution, released the following statement in reaction to the U.S. Supreme Court\u2019s ruling in Trump v. Barbara, which overturns Executive Order 14160, President Trump\u2019s illegal attempt to eliminate birthright citizenship\u2014a constitutional right granted under the Fourteenth Amendment:\n\n\u201cThe 14th Amendment of our Constitution is clear: if you are born in America, you are an American citizen. It\u2019s not up for debate. Today, the Supreme Court reaffirmed what we know to be true\u2014the president\u2019s executive order attempting to overturn birthright citizenship was an illegal overreach and wrong,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cThis administration leads with chaos and is hell bent on advancing its mass deportation campaign. The president\u2019s attempt to subvert the clear words of the Constitution would have stripped citizenship, rights, and protections from American children while creating chaos and confusion for millions of our fellow citizens. Thankfully, the Supreme Court has stepped in to block this policy.\n\nWelch concluded: \u201cCitizenship means embracing the responsibilities every one of us has to promote the ideals that everyone is created equal and has an opportunity to contribute to the betterment of our society. Every child born in this country deserves that opportunity.\u201d\n\nSenator Welch has emphasized the grave dangers of President Trump\u2019s executive order aiming to terminate birthright citizenship during Senate Judiciary Committee hearings and outlined how Americans\u2019 constitutional and civil rights are being violated under the Trump Administration. The Senator is a cosponsor of the Born in the USA Act, legislation aimed at blocking the implementation of President Trump\u2019s executive order to end automatic citizenship for children born in the United States. The legislation would prevent any government funds from being used to carry out or enforce this directive.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-01T06:34:07Z", "2026-07-01T06:35:35Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-leads-bill-to-combat-consolidation-in-the-dairy-industry-ensure-fair-prices-for-family-dairy-farms/", "Welch Leads\u00a0Bill to\u00a0Combat Consolidation in the Dairy Industry, Ensure Fair Prices for Family Dairy Farms", "2026-06-29", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "The Milk from Family Dairies Act establishes a new Dairy Market Stabilization Program\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, Poultry, and Food Safety, and U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) this week led the introduction of the Milk from Family Dairies Act, legislation which would ensure market transparency and fair prices for family dairy farmers, maintain consumer access to reliable and reasonably priced dairy products, and revitalize rural communities by establishing a Dairy Market Stabilization Program to ensure dairy farmers get a fair price for their milk based on their cost of production.\n\nSince 2000, 75% of America\u2019s dairy farms have shuttered. In the past decade, Vermont has lost more than 400 dairies. Today, only 24,000 dairy farms remain in the United States. U.S. dairy policy has fallen short of addressing the market consolidation crisis and modern challenges facing dairy farmers and rural communities.\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s dairy industry is in crisis, and Vermont\u2019s dairy farmers know this all too well. Hardworking small and family dairy farms in our state\u2014a majority of which milk fewer than 200 cows\u2014have been hit especially hard by consolidation and price shifts over the last two decades. Too many farms are unable to break even and too many have shuttered completely. Farmers create such an immense amount of wealth, but are more and more often deprived the profits of their hard work\u2014that needs to change.\u201d said Senator Welch.\n\n\u201cDairy farms in Vermont and across this country are being forced out of business every day. Over the past decade, Vermont has lost over half of its dairy farms, many family-owned for generations. Enough is enough. It is time to give our dairy farmers the support they need. This legislation is an important step in protecting dairy farms\u2014especially our smallest\u2014and the rural economies they support,\u201d said Senator Sanders.\n\nSmall farms across the United States are struggling to cover production costs from the sale of milk, and farms are pressured to produce more milk in an attempt to recoup those costs. Additionally, lack of market stability and volatile milk prices\u2014which disproportionately impact smaller, family-scale dairies and often drive them out of business\u2014are forcing producers to scale up operations to stay competitive. This leads to a vicious cycle where increased production creates a surplus of milk, shrinking farmers\u2019 profit.\n\nAt the same time, dairy farmers have very little power to negotiate their product pricing and are extremely dependent on a select handful of processors who bottle milk and make dairy products due to the perishable nature of fluid milk. Moreover, the price farmers receive for their milk from processors can vary greatly and regularly fails to cover farmers\u2019 cost of production. Ensuring a fair price for dairy farmers would allow small- and mid-size dairies to stay afloat and put the brakes on consolidation within an ever-concentrated dairy industry.\n\nThe Milk from Family Dairies Act\u2019s Dairy Market Stabilization Program would match national dairy production to national demand for the product, ensuring producers receive a fair price for the milk they produce. Additionally, the bill would support the consumption of domestically produced dairy, and institute program governance and accountability mechanisms to ensure strong corporate accountability and prohibit financial exploitation or consolidation within the program. The new program would also initiate annual reviews of and publications on the economic impacts of dairy sector consolidation on dairy producers and grocery prices for dairy consumers.\n\nFurther, the bill would reform and create USDA programs that revive regional dairy supply chains, including through new training and apprenticeship programs, expanding access to the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives, new cost-share grants for small-scale dairy infrastructure, and more funding for the Local Agriculture Market Program.\n\nThe Milk from Family Dairies Act is supported by: Agrarian Trust; American Agriculture Movement; American Economic Liberties Project; Ashtabula, Geauga; Campaign for Family Farms and the Environment; Dakota Resource Council; Dakota Rural Action; Farm Action Fund, Farm Aid; Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance; Family Farm Defenders; Food for Maine\u2019s Future; Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement; Kansas Farmers Union; Kentucky Black Farmers Association; Lake Counties Farmers Union (Ohio); Land Stewardship Project; Michigan Organic Food and Farm Alliance; Minnesota Farmers Union; Missouri Farmers Union; Missouri Rural Crisis Center; Montana Cattlemen\u2019s Association; National Family Farm Coalition; North American Marine Alliance; Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance; Northeast Organic Farming Association \u2013 Connecticut; Northeast Organic Farming Association \u2013 Massachusetts; Northeast Organic Farming Association \u2013 New Hampshire; Northeast Organic Farming Association \u2013 New Jersey; Northeast Organic Farming Association \u2013 New York; Northeast Organic Farming Association \u2013 Vermont; Northern Plains Resource Council; Ohio Farmers Union; Pennsylvania Farmers Union; Powder River Basin Resource Council; R-CALF USA; Rural Coalition; Rural Vermont; Wisconsin Farmers Union; and the Women Food and Agriculture Network (WFAN).\n\n\u201cFarm policy has shifted away from ensuring farmers a fair price to one that sees agribusiness profit as its sole driver. This is especially true for the dairy sector,\u201d said Jim Goodman, Co-President of the National Family Farm Coalition and retired dairy farmer. \u201cFarmers and their customers need a return to common-sense farm policy that stops the endless cycle of consolidation, low prices, and overreliance on export markets. The Milk from Family Dairies Act is the best dairy legislation we\u2019ve had in many years, and we urge Congress to support this bill before we lose any more U.S. dairy farms.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmerica cannot afford to lose another generation of family dairy farmers,\u201d said Joe Maxwell, President, Farm Action Fund. \u201cFor too long, consolidation and unfair market conditions have pushed independent dairies out of business while concentrating power in the hands of a few. Senator Welch\u2019s Milk from Family Dairies Act recognizes that family farmers deserve a fair shot and that strong rural communities depend on fair markets. Farm Action Fund proudly endorses this legislation.\u201d\n\n\u201cVermont\u2019s dairy farmers, organic and conventional alike, deserve a fair price for their milk and need a dairy industry that offers a viable future for the next generation,\u201d said Maddie Kempner, Policy & Organizing Director, NOFA-VT. \u201cThe Milk from Family Dairies Act offers a pathway out from under corporate consolidation and oversupply and toward a fairer future for all dairy farmers.\u201d\n\n\u201cDairy farmers are struggling through serious economic headwinds due to low prices, market volatility, and consolidation,\u201d said Lorette Picciano, Executive Director, Rural Coalition. \u201cWe support the Milk from Family Dairies Act of 2026, and are grateful to Senator Welch for advancing real solutions through this marker bill, which would establish a Dairy Market Stabilization Program. By restoring competition in the sector and investing in infrastructure, this bill brings real solutions to the table, especially for small- and mid-sized dairies.\u201d\n\n\u201cRural Vermont and its members have, over many years, worked to inform and support the Milk from Family Dairies Act,\u201d said Graham Unangst-Rufenacht, Policy Director, Rural Vermont. \u201cWe have long supported some of its key provisions, such as a just pay price for farmers and measures that stabilize a volatile dairy market. We appreciate the work of different members of Vermont\u2019s congressional delegation working so diligently on this bill \u2013 and with farmers \u2013 for many years. In particular, the offices of Senator Welch and Senator Sanders, as well as our coalition partners at the National Family Farm Coalition.\u201d\n\nLearn more about the Milk from Family Dairies Act.\n\nRead and download the full bill text and view a section-by-section summary of the legislation.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-30T06:29:10Z", "2026-06-30T06:30:42Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-statement-on-scotus-ruling-to-expand-trumps-power-to-fire-heads-of-independent-agencies/", "Welch Statement on SCOTUS\u2019 Ruling to Expand Trump\u2019s Power to\u00a0Fire\u00a0Heads of Independent Agencies", "2026-06-29", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "BURLINGTON, VT \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Senate Finance Committee, today released the following statement on the Supreme Court\u2019s rulings in Trump v. Slaughter and Trump v. Cook. In the former, the Court gave the President power to fire the heads of independent agency without cause:\n\n\u201cThe Supreme Court\u2019s ruling in Trump v. Slaughter is a dangerous expansion of presidential power. The conservative Court just gave him a green light to fire once-independent regulators at will. These agencies and leadership positions were specifically designed by Congress to stand independently in order to avoid political interference. This decision is far-reaching, affecting the agencies that regulate everything from our skies to our elections to our public safety. Officials meant to serve the public interest will now be filled by political actors. While this ruling is a victory for the president and his enablers in Congress and the courts, it is a blow to our democracy.\n\n\u201cThe Court\u2019s exception for the Central Bank and ruling to block President Trump\u2019s unlawful firing of Fed Governor Lisa Cook is a step in the right direction but is not the end of this fight. Time and again, the President and his allies are using their bully pulpit to direct political prosecutions of leaders President Trump doesn\u2019t like. Governor Cook\u2019s case is no different, and she continues to deserve due process and a fair trial. President Trump and Bill Pulte\u2019s attempts to falsely discredit Lisa Cook must stop immediately.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-30T06:29:10Z", "2026-06-30T06:30:42Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/vermont-congressional-delegation-urges-pentagon-to-fix-military-personnel-record-issues-to-ensure-vermont-air-national-guards-158th-fighter-wing-receive-pro/", "Vermont Congressional Delegation\u00a0Urges Pentagon to\u00a0Fix Military Personnel Record\u00a0Issues\u00a0to\u00a0Ensure\u00a0Vermont Air National Guard\u2019s 158th Fighter Wing\u00a0Receive Proper Pay\u00a0and Benefits", "2026-06-26", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), alongside Vermont Congressional Delegation colleagues U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and U.S. Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL), raised the alarm that recordkeeping issues at the Department of Defense (DOD) have created unnecessary financial hardship and administrative burdens for the Vermont Air National Guard\u2019s 158th Fighter Wing while deployed under federal active-duty mobilization, first in the Caribbean and then immediately to the Middle East. The Delegation also requested a briefing on the actions DOD is taking to promptly address these issues, including making any regulatory or internal process changes needed to avoid this issue for future National Guard deployments.\n\nIn their letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Delegation called on the Department to urgently correct any errors so that military personnel records accurately reflect servicemembers\u2019 duty status, and to ensure that associated benefits are delivered in a timely manner so Guardsmen and their families can remain focused on their missions. The Vermont Air National Guard\u2019s 158th Fighter Wing was deployed under extremely difficult circumstances, and their families have experienced significant financial strain and emotional hardship after being left in the dark regarding their return to the United States.\n\nThe Delegation highlighted the Vermont Fighter Wing\u2019s critical skills that were requested by name during an unprecedented deployment: \u201cThe Vermont Air National Guard\u2019s 158th Fighter Wing was the first National Guard unit to transition directly across multiple named operations without a change in duty status, from Operation Southern Spear to Operations Absolute Resolve, Spartan Shield, and Epic Fury\u2026Our Guardsmen have demonstrated remarkable professionalism under demanding and rapidly evolving circumstances. It is imperative that military personnel records accurately reflect duty status, and that associated benefits are delivered in a timely manner so that these Guardsmen and their families can remain focused on their mission and not return home to a bureaucratic headache.\u201d\n\nThe Delegation outlined how the National Guard\u2019s unique deployment across multiple named operations without a change in duty status exposed significant gaps in the DOD\u2019s deployment attribution and personnel, accounting, and orders-management systems: \u201cThe rapid transition between operations supported with different funding authorities led to Guardsmen serving under one mission while physically executing another. These discrepancies have resulted in inconsistent mission attribution, inaccurate deployment histories, pay and entitlement calculation errors, combat zone tax exemption eligibility issues, disparities in Basic Allowance for Housing adjustments, and other administrative record problems. If not corrected promptly, these military record discrepancies could affect eligibility for VA benefits, including Post 9/11 Bill and other service-connected benefits. Additional impacts may not be fully understood until members return to Vermont.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs Congress continues to debate the FY27 NDAA, we respectfully request your urgent assistance to ensure that the 158th Fighter Wing\u2019s deployment documentation is corrected without delay, including proper operational duty location records, activation and deployment dates, and associated pay and tax treatment,\u201d the Delegation continued. \u201cWe also request a briefing on the actions the Department is taking to promptly address these issues, including making any regulatory or internal process changes needed to avoid this issue for future National Guard deployments. We request a response no later than Friday, July 24.\u201d\n\nRead and download the Delegation\u2019s full letter to Secretary Hegseth.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-27T06:16:17Z", "2026-06-27T06:17:30Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-leads-colleagues-in-seeking-answers-from-trump-admin-on-mexicos-commitment-to-addressing-illegal-deforestation-in-avocado-production/", "Welch Leads Colleagues in\u00a0Seeking Answers from Trump Admin on Mexico\u2019s\u00a0Commitment to Addressing Illegal Deforestation\u00a0in\u00a0Avocado Production", "2026-06-26", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "Letter comes two years after Welch led colleagues urging Biden Admin to address illegal deforestation linked to avocados produced in Mexico\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, Natural Resources, and Biotechnology, today led U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) in requesting the Trump Administration seek clarification from Mexican authorities about the country\u2019s commitment to addressing illegal deforestation in the avocado sector. Specifically, the Senators inquire as to how a new certification program proposed by the Mexican federal government would impact Mexico\u2019s existing voluntary Pro-Forest Agriculture (PFA) certification program, which has made significant progress in screening avocado orchards for recent deforestation and unresolved environmental violations.\n\nIn their letter to Secretary of State Secretary Marco Rubio, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, the Senators request the Trump Administration inquire with Mexican authorities regarding the credibility of the new Mexican federal initiative with the Association of Avocado Exporting Producers and Packers of Mexico (APEAM) to create a \u201czero deforestation\u201d certification for Mexican avocados exported to the United States. APEAM comprises the avocado producers and exporters association that administers the operational framework governing avocado exports to the United States.\n\nThe Senators highlight that for years, avocado production in Mexico has driven widespread illegal deforestation and other environmental harm, in some cases involving transnational criminal organizations: \u201cMost forest clearing has been illegal, yet the relevant Mexican laws go largely unenforced due in part to corruption and to threats and violence linked to affiliated criminal organizations. The consequences extend beyond Mexico: law-abiding growers on both sides of the border face unfair competition from producers operating on illegally deforested land, and major U.S. companies have faced litigation, shareholder criticism, and public scrutiny over their supply chains.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe answer to whether the Mexican federal initiative is a credible effort may hinge on how it engages with an existing one. Over the past two years, the government of Michoac\u00e1n supported civil-society initiative to create the voluntary Pro-Forest Agriculture (PFA) certification program that now operates at a national level. Administered by Guardi\u00e1n Forestal, an independent Mexican nongovernmental organization, PFA uses satellite monitoring to screen avocado orchards for recent deforestation and unresolved environmental violations,\u201d the Senators continue. \u201cIts results have been significant: several major U.S. supermarket chains now use PFA certification, and more than 60 packinghouses\u2014responsible for more than 90% of Mexican avocado exports to the United States\u2014are certified, according to Guardi\u00e1n Forestal.\u201d\n\nThe Senators urge strong U.S. support for Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum\u2019s public commitment to curbing agriculture-driven deforestation and work to address environmental crime in the avocado sector, but express concern about warnings from some Mexican environmentalists that the new \u201czero deforestation\u201d certification program\u2014intended to replace PFA certification\u2014could instead be used to paper over Mexico\u2019s longstanding failure to enforce its environmental laws while allowing products of illegal deforestation to secure export eligibility.\n\nThe Senators continue: \u201cBecause certification requires excluding orchards deforested since 2018 or facing unresolved environmental penalties, the incentive to clear forest is reduced and producers now have a market-based reason to follow enforcement orders they previously ignored. Mexico\u2019s federal government, with APEAM, is now preparing a national \u2018zero deforestation\u2019 certification. Many details remain undisclosed, but APEAM\u2019s own statements indicate that orchards with recent deforestation could be certified through administrative remediation overseen by federal authorities. APEAM has made clear it intends this new system to replace PFA.\u201d\n\n\u201cThere is reason to question whether a system created by APEAM and the federal government can replicate PFA\u2019s success, because the features that make PFA effective are ones the federal framework will not reproduce,\u201d the Senators write. \u201cNone of this means the two efforts must operate at cross-purposes. An independent, voluntary program is most useful precisely where a government program is most exposed, and PFA can continue to function even if the federal framework is delayed in the courts or weakened in practice. A credible federal initiative would build on PFA rather than displace it. Continued efforts to displace it, by contrast, could themselves become evidence\u2014including under Chapter 24 of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement\u2014that the framework is designed to replace a system that is effectively identifying and excluding illegally deforested orchards.\u201d\n\nRead and download the Senators\u2019 full letter to Secretary Rubio, Secretary Rollins, and Ambassador Greer.\n\nLast Congress, Senator Welch led his colleagues in raising concerns and urging the Biden Administration to address reports of widespread illegal deforestation and unsustainable water use linked to avocados imported from Mexico. Following the Senator\u2019s letter, then-U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar stated that Mexican avocados grown illegally should not be exported to the United States.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-27T06:16:17Z", "2026-06-27T06:17:30Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-joins-entire-senate-democratic-caucus-in-demanding-usps-abandon-proposed-rule-to-carry-out-president-trumps-illegal-executive-order-restricting-vote-by-mail/", "Welch Joins Entire Senate Democratic Caucus in Demanding USPS Abandon Proposed Rule to Carry Out President Trump\u2019s Illegal Executive Order Restricting Vote by Mail", "2026-06-25", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Member of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, this week joined the entire Senate Democratic Caucus, led by Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Ranking Member of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), in demanding the United States Postal Service (USPS) abandon its proposed rule to implement President Trump\u2019s unconstitutional executive order to restrict voting by mail.\n\nSenator Welch previously joined Sens. Peters, Padilla, Schumer, and over 30 Senate Democrats in urging USPS not to carry out the executive order, which would force states to submit absentee voters\u2019 information to the Postal Service for the creation of a federal mail-in voter list. Under the order, USPS could then refuse to deliver ballots to voters who are not included on that list, giving the agency an unprecedented and illegal role in the administration of American elections. USPS did not respond to that letter and has now issued a proposed rule that would ultimately allow the Postal Service to determine whether millions of Americans can receive and cast ballots through the mail.\n\n\u201cWe write for a second time regarding the unconstitutional and illegal attempt to transform the United States Postal Service into an election administration agency controlled by the White House and President Trump,\u201d wrote the Senators. \u201cIn April, 37 senators wrote to you after President Trump issued his Executive Order directing USPS to issue a rule to establish compulsory specifications for election mail and create a master absentee voter list of millions of American voters \u2013 with the power to refuse to deliver their ballots.\u201d\n\nThe Senators continued: \u201cDespite these grave and serious legal deficiencies, on June 2, 2026, USPS published a proposed rule that, if finalized, would establish President Trump\u2019s control over federal elections and allow USPS to adjudicate who can and cannot vote by mail. This proposed rule risks disenfranchising millions of voters. We again insist that you follow the law, refuse to implement President Trump\u2019s Executive Order, and withdraw this presidentially-directed proposed rule.\u201d\n\nThe Senators warned that the proposed rule would create a federally controlled national list of absentee voters, raising serious concerns about potential misuse and abuse. In court filings, the administration has acknowledged that the Department of Homeland Security is already in discussions with USPS about potentially comparing the list to DHS datasets. The Senators raised concerns that combining USPS data with unreliable federal records could lead to eligible voters being disenfranchised, or voters and election officials being unfairly targeted for investigation.\n\n\u201cUltimately, the proposed rule seeks to create a centralized national absentee voter database with individualized barcodes connected to the voters\u2019 names under the control of the President that contains the voting information of millions of Americans,\u201d wrote the Senators. \u201cThat information would be ripe for potential abuse or improper disclosure potentially imperiling the integrity of American elections.\u201d\n\nThe Senators concluded: \u201cAccordingly, we insist that the Postal Service abandon this proposed regulation and return to its core mission of providing universal postal services to every American. The Constitution and federal law demand nothing less.\u201d\n\nRead and download the Senators\u2019 full letter to the U.S. Postal Service.\n\nSenator Welch has been outspoken in pushing back against President Trump\u2019s executive order to restrict mail-in voting, including as a cosponsor of the Absentee and Mail Voter Protection Act. Last month, Senator Welch exorciated the Department of Justice\u2019s (DOJ) Civil Rights Division for pushing the mass collection of sensitive and private voter data. Senator Welch emphasized that statements and actions by Civil Rights Division leadership\u2014especially as the 2026 midterm elections approach\u2014risk disenfranchising eligible voters and are contrary to the Civil Rights Division\u2019s statutory mandate to ensure all Americans can freely vote.\n\nThe Senator also joined colleagues in warning Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Frank Bisignano against any illegal activity in support of President Trump\u2019s executive order.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-26T06:29:35Z", "2026-06-26T06:31:46Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/ranking-member-welch-calls-out-trump-for-turning-americas-250th-anniversary-into-a-self-promoting-moneymaking-spectacle/", "Ranking Member Welch\u00a0Calls Out\u00a0Trump for Turning America\u2019s 250th\u00a0Anniversary into\u00a0a Self-Promoting, Moneymaking Spectacle", "2026-06-24", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "Welch: \u201cIt\u2019s a bitter irony that President Trump is honoring our nation\u2019s anniversary by embracing many of the practices that the Founders rejected.\u201d\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, criticized President Trump for using America\u2019s 250th anniversary to engage in self-promotion, self-dealing, and selling access to himself. In his remarks, Ranking Member Welch emphasized how President Trump\u2019s actions mirror the concerns that shaped the United States\u2019 founding, particularly in the way the president has fostered a marketplace for influence where access goes to the highest bidder.\n\n\u201cIn 2016, Congress came together to establish a planning commission to celebrate America\u2019s 250th anniversary, and the Commission was bipartisan. The goal was to allow America and our ideals to be the focus, and not the focus being on any one person. To my dismay and regret, President Trump, in my view, has decided to create a completely separate entity\u2014called Freedom 250\u2014which was to develop its own plans for our anniversary. And this entity, with very little oversight, is estimated to cost $103 million in taxpayer funds. The official planning organization, authorized by a bipartisan vote of Congress, has received a fraction of that,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cIn my view, the president seems to be using this occasion to engage in self-promotion, self-dealing, and selling access to himself. That\u2019s not what a 250th anniversary\u2014that belongs to each of us\u2014should be about.\u201d\n\nSenator Welch continued: \u201cI can\u2019t help but notice how closely the President\u2019s actions mirror the concerns that shaped our founding. He has fostered a marketplace\u2014a marketplace for influence, where access goes to the highest bidder. And it\u2019s a bitter irony that President Trump is honoring our nation\u2019s anniversary by embracing many of the practices that the Founders rejected\u2026This celebration has to be about all of us, not about an individual person. It has to be about a shared sense of values and commitment to the future. And it has to be about a celebration, not private, personal gain. Those are the traditions we should be celebrating.\u201d\n\nRead Senator Welch\u2019s opening statement here and watch his full remarks below:\n\nTim Whitehouse, Executive Director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, testified on behalf of the Democratic minority. Witnesses for the Republican majority included Chris Griswold, Policy Director at American Compass, and Matthew Spalding, Dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government at Hillsdale College.\n\nRead and watch an excerpt from Ranking Member Welch\u2019s exchange with Mr. Whitehouse:\n\nSen. Welch: There was a separate entity that was created, and Freedom 250 has received over $100 million in taxpayer dollars for the country\u2019s 250th anniversary. There isn\u2019t apparently much oversight. Can you just give your reaction to why this is a bad idea to have this separate entity?\n\nMr. Whitehouse: What is happening through Freedom 250 and all the other things happening in our government, we\u2019re moving to a government that\u2019s not transparent, it\u2019s not accountable, it\u2019s using taxpayer funds and resources for partisan purposes in the support of a particular political person or people, and it is pay-to-play politics. So, we need accountability, we need transparency, we need guardrails, and we need oversight when organizations like Freedom 250 are created.\n\nSen. Welch: On this question of a celebration of our, and I emphasize \u2018our\u2019 250th anniversary, how does it reflect on the capacity of everyone to share in that celebration if much of the celebration is focused on one individual? In this case, of course, President Trump? Can you describe your reaction to that and how it affects our ability as a country to really enjoy this in a shared way?\n\nMr. Whitehouse: Yes. I think, you know, as the other speakers\u2014Dr. Spalding, and Dr. Griswold, and Chairman Schmitt, and Senator Welch, and others\u2014as you have mentioned, this should be a communal celebration. This should be a celebration of shared civic values, and understanding our history, and looking forward to the future. And it\u2019s sad that it\u2019s sort of come out this way into a spectacle for a political person. And it\u2019s kind of what our Founding Fathers warned against.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-25T06:30:03Z", "2026-06-25T06:31:21Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/thursday-welch-courtney-to-host-press-conference-calling-on-congress-to-pass-bicameral-student-loan-interest-elimination-act/", "THURSDAY: Welch, Courtney to Host Press Conference Calling\u00a0on Congress to Pass Bicameral\u00a0Student Loan Interest Elimination Act", "2026-06-24", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "Lawmakers\u2019 bicameral bill would eliminate interest rates on all federal student loans and cap future interest rates\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 On Thursday, June 25th at 12:00 PM EDT, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, and U.S. Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT-02), alongside the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU), will host a press conference on Capitol Hill calling for Congress to take up their bicameral Student Loan Interest Elimination Act, legislation to refinance the interest on federal student loans for all existing borrowers to zero percent and cap interest rates for future borrowers. The lawmakers\u2019 legislation would make higher education more affordable by immediately eliminating interest rates for the nearly 43 million Americans with existing federally held student loans.\n\nHigher education costs continue to skyrocket, with tuition rising 40 times higher than 1960s levels for public colleges\u2014a 312.4% increase when adjusted for inflation. As a result, average college debt has more than doubled since 2007, forcing nearly 43 million Americans\u20141 in 6 American adults\u2014to take out federal student loans to help pay for higher education. In Vermont, around 78,000 student loan borrowers hold a collective $2.9 billion in federal student loan debt.\n\nThe bicameral Student Loan Interest Elimination Act would lower the cost of college and address student loan debt by refinancing the interest rate of all existing and future federal student loans to 0%. Unlike other proposals to lower student loan interest rates, the lawmakers\u2019 Student Loan Interest Elimination Act includes a pay-for to offset the cost of eliminating interest to save taxpayer dollars. Learn more about the Student Loan Interest Elimination Act and read and download the full text of the bill.\n\nLOGISTICS:\n\nWHO: U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.);\n\nU.S. Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT-02);\n\nLynn Pasquerella, President, American Association of Colleges and\n\nUniversities;\n\nAdditional members of Congress, to be announced\n\nWHEN: Thursday, June 25th at 12:00 PM EDT\n\nWHERE: House Triangle, Capitol Hill\n\nRSVP: Media are asked to RSVP to Elisabeth_St.Onge@welch.senate.gov and Ryan.Tomsheck@mail.house.gov.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-25T06:30:03Z", "2026-06-25T06:31:21Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-statement-four-years-after-scotus-overturned-roe-v-wade/", "Welch Statement\u00a0Four Years After SCOTUS Overturned\u00a0Roe v. Wade", "2026-06-24", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care, today released the following statement on the state of abortion care and reproductive rights in America, four years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade:\n\n\u201cThe erosion of reproductive freedom in America didn\u2019t happen overnight. In exchange for the vote of the far-right, then-candidate Donald Trump promised to appoint justices to the Supreme Court that would help him limit access to health care and reproductive freedom for millions of women. For the first time in our history, women have fewer rights than their mothers and grandmothers. In the four years since the highest court in the land ruled to overturn Roe v. Wade, our worst fears have come true. The Dobbs decision was only the beginning of attacks on abortion and reproductive health care.\n\n\u201cRepublican state legislatures used the Supreme Court\u2019s Dobbs decision to cut off access to abortion care, and in many cases, outlaw it completely. Republicans in Congress went after reproductive freedom in every way they could, including cutting off funding for clinics that offer abortion care and other essential health services. As the leader of HHS, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has weaponized FDA\u2019s safety review process for abortion medication and undermined telemedicine access for patients seeking abortion care.\n\n\u201cThe rapid decline in access to abortion care in America is a public health crisis. Women deserve a Congress that will stand up for their right to make decisions about their health. We need immediate protections that protect women\u2019s reproductive rights and restore abortion access nationwide.\u201d\n\nPresident Trump appointed three of the Supreme Court Justices who ruled in the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women\u2019s Health Organization case to overturn Roe v. Wade and nearly 50 years of precedent. Since Dobbs, at least 20 states have enacted near-total or restrictive bans to prevent women from being able to access abortion, leaving over 62 million women and girls without or restricted access to safe, legal abortion care. Additionally, state legislatures across the country have introduced hundreds of bills to include medically unnecessary restrictions that limit access to abortion care.\n\nIn his second term, President Trump has continued to attack reproductive rights, including freezing funding for clinics that offer reproductive care, rolling back Biden-era emergency abortion protections, pardoning anti-abortion extremists, attempting to restrict access to abortion medication like Mifepristone, and defunding Planned Parenthood at the federal level.\n\nSenator Welch joined every Senate Democrat in cosponsoring the Women\u2019s Health Protection Act, legislation to guarantee access to abortion across the country and restore the right to comprehensive reproductive health care for millions of Americans. The Senator is also a cosponsor of legislation reaffirming the safety and efficacy of Mifepristone.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-25T06:30:03Z", "2026-06-25T06:31:21Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-applauds-advancement-of-bipartisan-paid-off-act-to-prevent-foreign-adversaries-from-influencing-u-s-policy/", "Welch\u00a0Applauds Advancement of Bipartisan\u00a0\u201cPAID OFF Act\u201d\u00a0to Prevent Foreign Adversaries from Influencing U.S. Policy", "2026-06-23", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) joined U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), John Kennedy (R-La.), and Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) in celebrating the Senate Foreign Relations Committee\u2019s advancement of their Preventing Adversary Influence, Disinformation and Obscured Foreign Financing (PAID OFF) Act. The Senators\u2019 bipartisan legislation would help close Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) loopholes that allow unregistered agents of foreign adversaries to lobby in the United States, passed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.\n\n\u201cWith one of the highest rates of misinformation and disinformation in the world, it\u2019s no wonder that the American people are losing trust in our democratic institutions. Foreign adversaries have exacerbated that distrust by using loopholes in U.S. lobbying laws to undermine U.S. decision-making and influence politics,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cCongress must pass this bipartisan legislation to close these loopholes, protect our national security, and hold bad actors accountable.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmerican policy should not in any way reflect the handiwork of foreign adversaries who are actively working to tip the scales in their favor and undermine our interests,\u201d said Senator Cornyn. \u201cBy exposing the efforts of countries of concern like China or Russia to exert malign influence, this legislation would better safeguard U.S. decision making.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhen foreign adversaries skirt loopholes to lobby Congress, they directly threaten our democracy,\u201d said Senator Whitehouse. \u201cThis bipartisan legislation is long overdue and will help prevent unregistered foreign agents from putting a thumb on the scale of American policy.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor years, the United States\u2019 biggest adversaries have exploited loopholes in U.S. lobbying laws to influence senior government officials and advance their geopolitical goals,\u201d said Senator Risch. \u201cWell-known examples include Russia\u2019s efforts to prevent sanctions against its Nord Stream 2 pipeline and Chinese surveillance firm Hikvision\u2019s attempts to avoid sanctions. This provision will close key loopholes to ensure transparency and accountability of malign foreign lobbying efforts in the United States.\u201d\n\n\u201cForeign adversaries like China and Russia should never be allowed to covertly influence American policy or public opinion,\u201d said Senator Tillis. \u201cI\u2019m proud this bipartisan legislation passed out of committee so we can close dangerous loopholes and strengthen our national security.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmericans ought to know if a foreign government is attempting to sway policy decisions in the United States,\u201d said Senator Grassley. \u201cI applaud the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for advancing our bipartisan PAID OFF Act, which will close loopholes to ensure unregistered foreign agents can no longer secretly stick their noses in American politics.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur foreign adversaries are working hard to gain influence over U.S. politics,\u201d said Senator Fischer. \u201cWe need to reform FARA \u2013 the law requiring foreign agents to disclose who they\u2019re working for \u2013 so we can better expose those who are quietly working on behalf of foreign governments. I thank Senator Cornyn for leading this important bill \u2013 let\u2019s get it over the finish line.\u201d\n\n\u201cForeign agents working for our adversaries like China and Iran shouldn\u2019t be able to hide in the shadows while they try to bend American policy to their will. If you\u2019re being paid to push the interests of our enemies, the American people deserve to know who is signing the checks and what you\u2019re up to. The PAID OFF Act strengthens our disclosure laws and ensures full transparency,\u201d said Senator Kennedy.\n\nCurrently, agents representing foreign adversaries can avoid FARA registration by claiming a commercial activity, domestic interest, or Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) exemption, which shields their influence and advocacy from the Department of Justice (DOJ). However, because the FARA has not been amended since the 1990s, the law has not kept up with modern foreign adversary influence campaigns, including those utilizing commercial activities and registration loopholes as subterfuge to advance malign interests.\n\nThe PAID OFF Act would close these loopholes by requiring agents working on behalf of a Chinese, Russian, Iranian, North Korean, or Cuban governments or commercial entities to register under FARA, providing greater transparency into their influence campaigns. The bipartisan legislation would sunset after five years. Additionally, the legislation includes a mechanism that allows the U.S. Secretary of State to propose additions or deletions to the countries of concern as listed in the State Department Basic Authorities Act. Any additions or deletions will subsequently become effective if Congress passes a joint resolution of approval.\n\nU.S. Representative August Pfluger (R-TX-11) is leading companion legislation in the House.\n\nRead and download the full text of the PAID OFF Act.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-24T06:25:30Z", "2026-06-24T06:26:49Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-curtis-heinrich-fischer-lead-ten-senators-on-bipartisan-bicameral-bill-to-protect-firefighters-from-harmful-chemicals/", "Welch, Curtis, Heinrich, Fischer Lead\u00a0Ten\u00a0Senators on\u00a0Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Protect Firefighters from Harmful Chemicals", "2026-06-23", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today joined U.S. Senators John Curtis (R-Idaho), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) in leading nine of their colleagues to introduce the Protecting Firefighters from Adverse Substances (PFAS) Alternatives Act of 2026, bipartisan, bicameral legislation to support the development of next-generation PFAS-free turnout gear to better protect firefighters from the dangers of their work. The PFAS Alternatives Act would authorize $25 million annually for fiscal years 2027-2031 to support the development of new gear, plus an additional $2 million annually to support guidance and training.\n\nFirefighting has been designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a Group 1 carcinogenic risk\u2014the highest-level indication that an occupational exposure can cause cancer. Firefighters are exposed to a variety of carcinogens and toxic chemicals during and after responding to emergency events, including toxic combustion products like liquid, gas, diesel fuel, and particulate matter. Additionally, all three layers of firefighters\u2019 protective clothing, also known as turnout gear, are coated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), chemicals that release suspected carcinogens.\n\n\u201cFrom Vermont to Idaho and everywhere in between, firefighters put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe. Their line of work is already hazardous enough without having to deal with toxic chemical exposure from the very gear meant to protect them,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cI\u2019m proud to work across the aisle on this legislation to support investments into developing new, PFAS-free turnout gear that protects firefighters across the country.\u201d\n\n\u201cUtah\u2019s firefighters shouldn\u2019t have to worry that the gear designed to keep them safe could expose them to harmful chemicals,\u201d said Senator Curtis. \u201cThis bipartisan legislation invests in the research needed to improve turnout gear, helping ensure firefighters have the proper protective equipment they deserve.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur first responders put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities, and too many suffer or lose their lives from cancers caused by toxic exposures on the job \u2014 including from harmful PFAS chemicals in their protective gear. Our firefighters shouldn\u2019t have to worry that the gear designed to protect them is putting their health at risk,\u201d said Senator Heinrich. \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m leading legislation to invest in next-generation PFAS-free firefighting gear. Because we need to do more to protect the people who protect all of us.\u201d\n\nOur firefighters put everything on the line to keep us safe, and it\u2019s our job to make sure they are taken care of,\u201d said Senator Fischer. \u201cThis bill gives us the resources for producing next-generation protective gear, free of PFAS chemicals, to protect the health and safety of firefighters in Nebraska and across the nation.\u201d\n\nGrant recipients would have to demonstrate apt leadership, experience, and knowledge of the firefighting profession in their application. The bill provides an additional $2 million annually to train firefighters on best practices for reducing harmful exposures through training on proper wearing, cleaning, and caring of PFAS-free turnout gear.\n\nThe PFAS Alternatives Act of 2026 aims to support the development of next-generation PFAS-free turnout gear for firefighters and better protect them from the dangers of their work. Specifically, the legislation would authorize a $25 million annual grant program from FY26-FY30 within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention\u2019s (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to research, develop, and test PFAS-free firefighter turnout gear.\n\n\u201cThe Professional Firefighters of Vermont are grateful for the enduring support of Senator Welch, who has always stood with us and supported issues that are important to our members. While we cannot control all aspects of the job, ensuring that the gear we are wearing is safe and free from toxic chemicals and compounds is paramount to our health. But our current gear is now the leading cause of cancer and other health-related issues among our members. Senator Welch understands that we already face enough dangers without having to worry about the gear we are wearing, and he\u2019s committed to solving this crisis,\u201d said Christopher Dube, President, Professional Fire Fighters of Vermont (PFFV). \u201cSenator Welch\u2019s bipartisan PFAS Alternatives Act is a major step forward in our quest to ensure that our members are healthy. The PFFV are proud and honored to have Senator Welch help lead this charge to ensure our concerns are heard and make progress in developing gear that will not affect our health or contribute to cancers. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Senator Welch and Congress to ensure that this quest is met.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe science is clear. Toxic PFAS chemicals are contributing to alarming rates of cancer in the fire service, and we must do everything we can to reduce fire fighters\u2019 exposure to these carcinogens \u2013 including in the gear we wear that is supposed to keep us safe. The PFAS Alternatives Act will accelerate the development of next-generation, toxin-free gear, and make sure fire fighters \u2013 not corporate interests \u2013 are at the center of research into the products we rely on for our safety. The 366,000 members of the IAFF are proud to support this bipartisan legislation, and we thank Sens. Curtis, Welch, Fischer, and Heinrich for their leadership on this critical issue,\u201d said Edward Kelly, General President, International Association of Fire Fighters.\n\nIn addition to Senators Welch, Curtis, Heinrich, and Fischer, the legislation is supported in the Senate by Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.).\n\nCompanion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and Sam Graves (R-MO-06). In the House, the legislation is also cosponsored by Reps. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), Tom Kean, Jr. (R-NJ-07), Dina Titus (D-NV-01), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Glenn Ivey (D-MD-04), and Glenn \u201cGT\u201d Thompson (R-PA-15).\n\nThis Congress, Senator Welch joined Sens. Heinrich and Fischer in cosponsoring the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act, bipartisan legislation that will expand health care coverage and benefits for first responders who become permanently disabled from service-related cancers and the families of those who pass away from these cancers.\n\nLearn more about the PFAS Alternatives Act of 2026.\n\nRead and download the full text of the bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-24T06:25:30Z", "2026-06-24T06:26:49Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-statement-on-republicans-draft-farm-bill/", "Welch Statement on Republicans\u2019\u00a0Draft\u00a0Farm Bill", "2026-06-23", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today released the following statement on Senate Republicans\u2019 draft Farm Bill:\n\nAmerica\u2019s agriculture policy is broken\u2014farmers can\u2019t afford to farm, families can\u2019t put food on the table, and rural communities have been left behind. Farmers in Vermont and across the nation create an immense amount of wealth, but they don\u2019t get anything close to a fair share of it. Senate Republicans\u2019 draft Farm Bill doesn\u2019t meet the moment\u2014it won\u2019t provide the help farmers and families need.\n\n\u201cThanks to the war in Iran, markets have closed and fertilizer and farm fuel prices are spiking. The cost of production per acre far exceeds the revenue per acre for corn, soybeans, wheat, peanuts, and rice\u2014and production costs will only get worse in 2027. Specialty crops, dairy, and small family farms are struggling to survive. This draft bill does little to lower costs for rural Americans: It neglects to expand high-speed broadband, it doesn\u2019t address rising energy costs, and it won\u2019t help communities after a natural disaster.\n\n\u201cHistorically, both parties have come together to both support farmers and the families they feed by funding nutrition assistance programs. Yet this bill fails to right the wrongs of Trump\u2019s tax bill and continues to crush state budgets while threatening access to nutrition assistance. There are people who are hungry in red states, and there are people who are hungry in blue states\u2014we need a Farm Bill that feeds America.\n\n\u201cI am pleased that this draft includes my policies to improve access to farmland and support Vermont\u2019s sugar makers and maple industry. But, as written, this bill needs work. I will continue to work with my Republican colleagues to pass a multi-year, bipartisan Farm Bill. Together, we can help American farmers and rural communities.\u201d\n\nSenator Welch serves on the Senate Agriculture Committee and is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-24T06:25:30Z", "2026-06-24T06:26:49Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-for-fox-news-trump-is-leading-us-into-another-unnecessary-war-this-time-its-cuba-2/", "Welch\u00a0for Fox News:\u00a0Trump is leading us into another unnecessary war. This time\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0Cuba", "2026-06-22", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) on Friday published an opinion piece in Fox News entitled: \u201cTrump is leading us into another unnecessary war. This time it\u2019s Cuba.\u201d In his op-ed, Senator Welch highlights that President Trump is dragging the United States into another reckless war\u2014first with Iran, and now with Cuba. The Senator also underscores how an attack by the U.S. would pose real risks for American troops and the Cuban people and outlines key elements of what a peace deal with Cuba should include.\n\nSenator Welch has been outspoken in his strong opposition to the use of military force against Cuba, as he has been against President Trump\u2019s illegal war with Iran. Earlier this month, the Senator delivered remarks from the Senate floor urging President Trump to change course on Cuba. The Senator has supported a War Powers Resolution to block the deployment of U.S. Armed Forces in hostilities against Cuba and spoke from the Senate floor to condemn Cuba\u2019s leadership for persecuting political dissidents and the island\u2019s failed centralized economy\n\nRead the Senator\u2019s op-ed and read an excerpt below:\n\nSEN PETER WELCH: Trump is leading us into another unnecessary war. This time it\u2019s Cuba\n\nBy U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.)\n\nPublished June 19, 2026, by Fox News\n\n\u201cThe American people do not want a war with Cuba, especially not after the costly, ill-conceived debacle in Iran, which has defied all the administration\u2019s rosy predictions. Rather than causing more suffering and chaos in Cuba and triggering another refugee crisis 90 miles from Florida, President Trump should seek to make history through effective deal-making, not by a violent \u2018takeover\u2019 financed by American taxpayers.\u201d\n\nRead the Senator Welch\u2019s full opinion piece in Fox News.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-23T06:27:52Z", "2026-06-23T06:29:20Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-supports-bipartisan-21st-century-road-to-housing-act-to-combat-americas-housing-affordability-crisis/", "Welch Supports Bipartisan \u201c21st Century ROAD to Housing Act\u201d to Combat America\u2019s\u00a0Housing\u00a0Affordability Crisis", "2026-06-22", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, today applauded the Senate\u2019s advancement of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.), which focuses on the root cause of rising housing costs by cutting red tape, unlocking housing supply, lowering costs for families, protecting taxpayers, and preserving local control. The legislation now heads to President Trump\u2019s desk.\n\nSenator Welch released the following statement:\n\n\u201cThe cost of housing in America has skyrocketed, while supply has dwindled. This has been especially devastating for rural communities, where multimillion-dollar companies are buying up homes meant for families. There\u2019s no question that President Trump\u2019s reckless economic policies have exacerbated financial hardships facing hardworking Americans and put homeownership further out of reach.\n\n\u201cThe housing crisis is not only unsustainable for our economy but devastating for so many families who work hard every day in hopes of achieving a key pillar of the American dream: becoming a homeowner. Our work is cut out for us. We need to cut through red tape to make it easier to build homes and protect taxpayers by preventing private equity from dominating the housing market.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m pleased to support this historic bipartisan housing package, which will make a real difference for Vermonters and create a strong foundation for Congress to continue improving housing affordability across the United States.\u201d\n\nView and download the full text of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, and read a section-by-section summary of the bill.\n\nSenator Welch has led bipartisan efforts to address Vermont\u2019s affordable housing crisis. In March, Senator Welch joined Sens. Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) in introducing the bipartisan FARM Home Loans Act, bipartisan legislation to spur rural economic growth by helping more homebuyers qualify for rural housing assistance. The Senator is also a cosponsor of the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act, legislation that aims to support middle-class Americans purchasing their first home, and the End Rent Fixing Act, which would crack down on companies that help landlords increase rents in already high-priced markets.\n\nThe Senator\u2019s bipartisan, bicameral HOPE for HOMES Act, which helps lower energy costs for homeowners and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while also investing in the workforce, was included as part of the Biden-Harris Administration\u2019s historic Inflation Reduction Act.\n\nThe Senator has also delivered millions in federal dollars to support the construction of affordable housing in Vermont through the Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) process.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-23T06:27:52Z", "2026-06-23T06:29:20Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-calls-for-support-to-advance-bipartisan-no-fakes-act-in-judiciary-committee-markup/", "Welch\u00a0Calls for\u00a0Support to\u00a0Advance Bipartisan\u00a0\"NO FAKES Act\"\u00a0in Judiciary Committee Markup", "2026-06-18", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "Bipartisan legislation would address the use of non-consensual digital replications in audiovisual works or sound recordings\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, today expressed support for the advancement of the Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe Act (NO FAKES) Act, bipartisan legislation led by Senate Judiciary Committees colleagues Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.), which would empower artists to access the courts to protect their copyrighted works when they are used to train generative AI models, and protect creators from harmful deepfakes.\n\n\u201cMy colleague and our U.S. Representative in Congress, Becca Balint, had a deep-fake experience\u2026It was pretty appalling. It was her image; it was her voice. It was not her words; it was not satire. It was asserting\u2014through her mouth\u2014positions that she absolutely and completely is against. And there was no indication that this was AI-enhanced. The reality of the world we live in is that it is very difficult for people to see that this is a fake; that this was a fake, and it was totally and completely realistic,\u201d said Senator Welch.\n\n\u201cThe NO FAKES Act, I believe, is necessary to protect truth, identity, and creativity. So, I\u2019m happy to be a cosponsor. But I think that none of us can underestimate the perils of what happens when image and likeness is appropriated illegally, now, to create confusion and chaos,\u201d the Senator concluded.\n\nWatch the Senator\u2019s remarks below:\n\nThe NO FAKES Act would address the use of non-consensual digital replications in audiovisual works or sound recordings. Learn more about the bill here.\n\nIn April, Senators Welch and Blackburn held a roundtable on Capitol Hill with more than 20 artists to discuss the Senators\u2019 bipartisan TRAIN Act, which would help creators access the courts to protect their copyrighted works if and when they are used to train generative AI models. The artists visited Capitol Hill as part of the Recording Academy\u2019s GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day.\n\nCurrently, there is no reliable way for copyright owners to determine if AI companies used their works without permission to train AI models. Copyright owners\u2014particularly small creators\u2014are struggling to navigate novel legal issues posed by AI copying their work. There are very few AI companies that share how their models were trained and nothing in current law requires them to disclose training materials to creators.\n\nWith the rapid advance of generative AI, artists and creators have already begun to see their voices and likenesses used without their consent in videos and songs created as nearly indistinguishable replicas.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-19T06:50:32Z", "2026-06-19T06:53:40Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-joins-senate-dems-in-demanding-answers-from-trumps-chief-of-staff-about-22-million-in-federal-contracts-awarded-to-firm-connected-to-trumps-january-6th-rally/", "Welch Joins Senate Dems in Demanding Answers from Trump\u2019s Chief of Staff About $22 Million in Federal Contracts Awarded to Firm Connected to Trump\u2019s January 6th\u00a0Rally", "2026-06-18", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on The Constitution, joined U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) in demanding answers about the Trump Administration\u2019s awarding of millions in federal contracts to Event Strategies, Inc. (ESI), the event management firm that organized the rally used to incite the January 6, 2021, insurrection on the U.S. Capitol. Since January 2025, ESI has received more than $22 million in taxpayer-funded contracts, including for events associated with the country\u2019s 250th anniversary.\n\nIn their letter to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, the Senators requested detailed information regarding the Trump Administration\u2019s policies and practices in awarding federal contracts and any guardrails in place to prevent potential conflicts of interest.\n\n\u201cThrough this concerning pattern of behavior, the Trump Administration continues to send Americans a clear message: it is willing to reward loyalty with political and economic favoritism at taxpayers\u2019 expense. The American people deserve an administration committed to transparency, responsible spending of taxpayer funds, and meritorious awarding of federal contracts, regardless of political association,\u201d wrote the Senators.\n\nThe Senators highlighted how the administration\u2019s relationship with politically connected firms like ESI raise obvious concerns about the driving factors behind federal contract awards: \u201cSince the January 2025 appointment of Justin Caporale, former CEO of ESI and \u2018Project Manager\u2019 of the January 6, 2021, rally, to serve as the Executive Producer for Major Events and Public Appearances in the Executive Office of the President, ESI has received at least $22.77 million in federal contracts. Furthermore, President Trump\u2019s recent proposal to withhold federal grant funding from entities promoting undefined \u2018anti-American values\u2019 or failing to \u2018demonstrably advance the President\u2019s policy priorities\u2019 exacerbates these concerns.\u201d\n\n\u201cDespite their inexperience in federal contracting, ESI cultivated a close relationship with President Trump\u2019s campaign throughout the 2020 election, securing nearly $1.8 million in disbursements from Trump-affiliated political action committees.5 By the 2024 election cycle, that number ballooned to nearly $40 million,\u201d the Senators continued. \u201cESI\u2019s close relationships with senior White House officials have proved lucrative during the second Trump Administration\u2026The Trump Administration has continued to invoke contracting loopholes to award ESI favorable, low-competition contracts related to the celebrations associated with the country\u2019s 250th anniversary. The Navy used the same aforementioned loophole to award ESI an exclusive $2.1 million contract for \u201cevents\u201d related to the 250th celebrations.\u201d\n\nThe Senators concluded: \u201cThrough this concerning pattern of behavior, the Trump Administration continues to send Americans a clear message: it is willing to reward loyalty with political and economic favoritism at taxpayers\u2019 expense. The American people deserve an administration committed to transparency, responsible spending of taxpayer funds, and meritorious awarding of federal contracts, regardless of political association.\u201d\n\nThe Senators also requested answers from the Trump Administration to carry out the Senate\u2019s oversight responsibilities and provide transparency to the American public. Read and download the Senators\u2019 full letter to White House Chief of Staff Wiles.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-19T06:50:32Z", "2026-06-19T06:53:40Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-demands-trump-admin-provide-a-report-on-human-rights-violations-and-corruption-in-honduras-congress-and-the-american-people-as-well-as-the-people-of-honduras/", "Welch\u00a0Demands\u00a0Trump Admin\u00a0Provide a Report on\u00a0Human Rights\u00a0Violations and Corruption in Honduras: \u201cCongress and the American people, as well as the people of Honduras, have every right to know.\u201d", "2026-06-17", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today spoke in support of a Resolution led by U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.), that would require the Trump Administration to produce a report on human rights abuses and corruption in Honduras. The Senator\u2019s speech comes after President Trump pardoned convicted felon former President Juan Orlando Hern\u00e1ndez in December of 2025.\n\n\u201cThe Resolution we are voting on today calls for a full accounting of the Hern\u00e1ndez Administration\u2019s violations of human rights and connections\u2014direct connections\u2014with drug traffickers, the corruption of government officials, the involvement in torture, murder, and other crimes of violence. It also requires an assessment of the likelihood that U.S. aid to the Honduran security forces was used to support activities related to drug trafficking and related crimes. None of us want our foreign aid to be used for drug running. This information, the State Department has access to, and that Congress and the American people, as well as the people of Honduras, have every right to know,\u201d said Senator Welch.\n\n\u201cThere is absolutely nothing partisan or controversial about this Resolution. All of us, all of us are against corruption; all of us demand accountability of foreign aid\u2014it is financed by taxpayers; all of us want to bring to justice those who commit crimes that involve drugs, that cause so much damage to the men and women, the young people in all of our states. I commend the Senators from Nevada and Virginia for offering the Resolution, and I urge its adoption,\u201d Senator Welch concluded.\n\nWatch Senator Welch\u2019s remarks here:\n\nRead Senator Welch\u2019s full remarks below:\n\n\u201cMr. President, I strongly support the Resolution offered by my colleagues Senator Cortez-Masto and Senator Kaine. This resolution requires a report from the State Department on the human rights practices of the Government of Honduras during the very corrupt presidency of Juan Orlando Hern\u00e1ndez, and a report on steps the United States has taken to promote human rights and bring drug traffickers and other criminals in Honduras to justice.\n\n\u201cDuring former President Hern\u00e1ndez\u2019s time in office, the United States\u2014our taxpayers\u2014provided hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to Honduras, including to the Honduran security forces. So, the information requested in this Resolution is directly relevant to Congress\u2019 oversight responsibilities\u2014we have an obligation to make certain that taxpayer dollars are served in the purpose of the United States and our citizens, and there is no reason why the State Department should not do this oversight.\n\n\u201cAccording to U.S. federal prosecutors, Mr. Hern\u00e1ndez, the former two-term President of Honduras, was at the center of one of the largest and most violent drug-trafficking conspiracies in the entire world. Mr. Hern\u00e1ndez used the Honduran military, he used the Honduran police to arrest, to imprison, to torture, and in some cases murder his political opponents and independent journalists who challenged and exposed the rampant corruption and abuses of his government.\n\n\u201cIn March of 2024, a U.S. federal jury in Manhattan found Mr. Hern\u00e1ndez guilty of three charges: conspiring to import tons of cocaine to the United States, using and carrying machine guns and destructive devices to advance that trafficking conspiracy, and conspiring to use such weapons. He was sentenced to 45 years imprisonment and fined $8,000,000.\n\n\u201cMr. Hern\u00e1ndez claimed that he was the victim of \u201cpolitical persecution\u201d\u2014there has been absolutely no credible evidence to support that fraudulent claim. His conviction and sentence were affirmed on appeal. Far from being treated unfairly, Mr. Hern\u00e1ndez was afforded every right of due process and a fair trial to criminal defendants under our system of justice. Astonishingly and to my dismay, on December 1, 2025, Mr. Hern\u00e1ndez received a \u201cfull and complete\u201d pardon from President Trump.\n\n\u201cMr. Hern\u00e1ndez is free because of President Trump\u2019s pardon, but he does remain a convicted felon. The Resolution we are voting on today calls for a full accounting of the Hern\u00e1ndez administration\u2019s violations of human rights and connections\u2014direct connections\u2014with drug traffickers, the corruption of government officials, the involvement in torture, murder, and other crimes of violence.\n\n\u201cIt also requires an assessment of the likelihood that U.S. aid to the Honduran security forces was used to support activities related to drug trafficking and related crimes. None of us want our foreign aid to be used for drug running.\n\n\u201cThis information, the State Department has access to, and that Congress and the American people, as well as the people of Honduras, have every right to know.\n\n\u201cMr. President, again, there is absolutely nothing partisan or controversial about this Resolution. All of us, all of us are against corruption; all of us demand accountability of foreign aid\u2014it is financed by taxpayers; all of us want to bring to justice those who commit crimes that involve drugs, that cause so much damage to the men and women, the young people in all of our states. I commend the Senators from Nevada and Virginia for offering the Resolution, and I urge its adoption.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-18T06:41:00Z", "2026-06-18T06:43:25Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-statement-on-u-s-iran-ceasefire/", "Welch Statement on U.S.-Iran Ceasefire", "2026-06-17", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today released the following statement on the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, details of which have been shrouded in secrecy by the Trump Administration:\n\n\u201cI am encouraged by early reports of a ceasefire deal. The bombing in Iran and Lebanon must end. I opposed the war with Iran before it began, and I oppose this war today\u2014it has been a massive failure.\n\n\u201cPresident Trump\u2019s own objectives for his illegal war\u2014to topple the regime, to dismantle Iran\u2019s nuclear capabilities, and eliminate Iran\u2019s ballistic missile program\u2014have not been met. The new Supreme Leader is upholding the status quo, there is no indication that nuclear material has been meaningfully destroyed, and our own intelligence has said 75% of Iran\u2019s missile arsenal is intact. Trump wanted \u2018unconditional surrender\u2019 but the only unconditional surrender has been by the president himself.\n\n\u201cAfter more than 100 days of fighting, the United States is worse off than before President Trump started this war. Thirteen American servicemembers have been killed and hundreds more have been injured. Thousands of innocent civilians in Iran and Lebanon have been killed by bombs. There is major destruction across the Middle East. The Strait of Hormuz is closed, and farmers and families in Vermont are paying more at the gas pump and at the grocery store.\n\n\u201cCongress has stood by as President Trump unilaterally took us to war. It is long past time we reassert our Article I powers to declare war. As the Senate debates the defense authorization bill in the coming weeks, we must ask why we would consider validating this failed war in Iran and the administration\u2019s reckless actions. And we must demand accountability for this historic blunder.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-18T06:41:00Z", "2026-06-18T06:43:25Z"], ["https://www.welch.senate.gov/welch-van-hollen-durbin-and-knight-institute-host-press-conference-with-mohsen-mahdawi-at-u-s-capitol-on-threats-to-free-speech-and-immigration-law/", "Welch, Van Hollen, Durbin,\u00a0and Knight Institute Host Press Conference with Mohsen Mahdawi at U.S. Capitol on Threats to Free Speech and Immigration Law", "2026-06-17", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "VT", "Peter Welch", "W000800", "www.welch.senate.gov", "welch", "https://www.welch.senate.gov/category/press-release/page/", "scraper", "Welch: \u201cThe whole point of free speech is that you can speak truth to power.\u201d\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.),Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, alongside U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the Knight First Amendment Institute, and Mohsen Mahdawi, a Vermonter and Columbia University student targeted by the Trump Administration for exercising his free speech rights, held a press conference following a congressional briefing on threats to freedom of speech in the United States, including the Trump Administration\u2019s use of immigration authorities to target noncitizens because of speech and association the government dislikes.\n\nWatch a livestream of the press conference here and view photos from the event below:\n\nAt the press conference, the lawmakers highlighted the need for Congress to reform the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to safeguard visa-holders and legal permanent residents whose constitutionally-protected speech and association has been targeted by the Trump Administration, including pro-Palestinian student protesters Mohsen Mahdawi, Mahmoud Khalil, and R\u00fcmeysa \u00d6zt\u00fcrk. Last week, an immigration judge ordered Mahdawi to be deported; Mahdawi is appealing the ruling with the support of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and CLEAR.\n\nIn his remarks, Senator Welch highlighted the Land of the Free Act, bicameral legislation led alongside Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), which confronts President Trump\u2019s reckless attacks on freedom of speech against visa-holders and legal permanent residents.\n\n\u201cWhenever there is stress in the country, it is a time of maximum jeopardy for the right to free speech, and it often starts with the most vulnerable members of our society. I\u2019m honored to have my fellow Vermonter, Mohsen Mahdawi here\u2014he\u2019s been an eloquent and brave spokesperson for the First Amendment, the rights of Palestinians, and the belief that everyone is entitled to dignity and respect. The notion that a president can deport someone for speaking out against his administration is extraordinarily contrary to the rights we have in the United States to speak our minds,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cCongress must pass my Land of the Free Act to stop President Trump\u2019s attempts to suppress free speech.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Constitution does not allow the government to pick and choose which voices deserve protection. It does not allow officials to punish people based on their speech. The First Amendment belongs to everyone, not just those in power, and we must continue to stand with those who the government has attempted to silence, including Mohsen and others who have been illegally targeted,\u201d said Senator Van Hollen.\n\n\u201cThe First Amendment protects the freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and the right to petition the government. These five freedoms form the bedrock upon which our Constitution is based. But today, we see these freedoms threatened by President Trump and his MAGA allies,\u201d said Senator Durbin. \u201cThroughout his second term, Trump has sought to use his power to punish his perceived opponents and those whose speech he dislikes. But the First Amendment is stronger than any one President. And I will continue to fight to ensure that all those on our shores have access to its protections.\u201d\n\n\u201cMohsen Mahdawi was on the final step of his citizenship process when he was illegally arrested and imprisoned by masked ICE agents. He committed no crime and broke no laws. Instead, President Trump directed his domestic army, ICE, to detain Mohsen because he exercised his First Amendment rights. Let me be clear: We are living in an unprecedented and dangerous moment. We must all come together to stand up against Trump\u2019s authoritarianism,\u201d said Senator Sanders.\n\n\u201cThe foreign policy provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act have long been vulnerable to abuse, and we\u2019re seeing that danger play out again today,\u201d said Nadine Farid Johnson, Policy Director, Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University. \u201cNo one should face deportation or exclusion because of the ideas they express, the people they associate with, or the work they do. The Land of the Free Act is a critical step toward correcting course and making clear that the government cannot use immigration law to evade the First Amendment and the rights it protects.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis is a matter that would affect the DNA of this country; that would affect millions of students who are afraid to say their mind right now on university campuses; that would affect more than 13 million green card holders; that would affect every visa holder in this country\u2014and it will not end here,\u201d said Mohsen Mahdawi. \u201cI\u2019m grateful for the deep faith that Senators here and many others have continued to give me; I\u2019m grateful for the hope, and I believe in the land of the free; I believe that on American soil, under the American flag, injustice will not be tolerated, and this must be stopped.\u201d\n\nSection 237(a)(4)(C) of the INA renders an individual deportable if: \u201cthe Secretary of State has reasonable ground to believe\u201d that the individual\u2019s presence or activities in the United States \u201cwould have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences.\u201d Beyond targeting students for anti-war protests, the administration has used it to target researchers and advocates whose work focuses on social media and online harms.\n\nThis provision has been used only 15 times in its 35-year existence and only twice in the last 20 years. In preliminary hearings, courts have found the Trump Administration\u2019s use of this INA section as retaliation for protected speech they disagree with is likely unconstitutional. In the only reported federal judicial opinion on the constitutionality of the provision, U.S. District Court Judge Maryanne Trump Barry found the law invoked by President Trump was unconstitutional in 1996.\n\nSenator Welch\u2019s bicameral Land of the Free Act to repeal Section 237(a)(4)(C) of the INA is co-led with Senator Padilla and supported by Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Sens. 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